1From John Adams to John Armstrong, Jr., 14 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I understand that the Reverend Mr Henry Colman, the worthy Minister of a very respectable congregation in the town of Hingham in my neighbourhood has it in contemplation to write to the government in favour of his brother who wishes to be a candidate for a commission in the Army. As the brother is unknown to me, I can say nothing of my own knowledge concerning his character or qualifications....
2From Alexander Hamilton to John Armstrong, Junior, 1 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The President has left here a Blank Commission for Supervisor of New York, with his signature, & with instruction to fill it up either in your name or that of Nicholas Fish, giving you the first option. I am therefore to request, that you will inform me as speedily as possible, whether the appointment is acceptable to you. The present gross emoluments of it may amount to about 1300 Dollars of...
3Alexander Hamilton and John Armstrong, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 23 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Do me the favor to learn from the President, & inform me by the bearer, whether mister Lee’s resignation was purely voluntary on his part, or was occasioned by any circumstance dissatisfactory to the President. The reason to the enquiry is that I may regulate my expressions to him accordingly. I presume no such circumstance has occured; but for greater caution I ask. Yrs &c. LB , DLC:GW . For...
4From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 10 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
The letter, of which a copy is inclosed, from Mr Portalis, the French Minister of Worship to a Citizen at New Orleans named Castillen who is stiled President of the Fabrique of the Church of St. Louis, appears to have excited considerable sensation there, as an interposition disrespectful to the Government of the United States, and as evidence of a wish in that of France to keep alive in the...
5From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 10 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
When possession was delivered to our Commissioners by Mr. Laussat under the Treaty of 30 April 1803 it happened that a small settlement called Bayou Pierre was not included; altho it lies Eastward of the Sabine, is much nearer to our frontier post at Natchitoches, than to the Spanish one at Nacogdoches, and is known to have been a French settlement which was never under Spanish jurisdiction...
6To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 3 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
You will receive herewith a copy of an Imperial decree of the 21st. of November fixed at Berlin, and yesterday submitted to the Senate. As this decree is susceptable of very different interpretations, I shall seize the first moment that presents itself of asking the explanation, which the Government shall think proper to give to us. I have the honor to be, with very great respect, Sir, Your...
7To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 15 August this morning and that of Mr. Wagner of the 1st. of October a few days past. Finding in the latter no acknowledgment of my letter of the 4th. of May I now send a third copy of it. It is probable that the three claims in which Mess. Stoddert & Mason are interested, will soon be decided; When they are, I Shall assemble the results of the...
8To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting the copy enclosed, of a letter from the Minister of Marine & Colonies, in answer to mine of the 10 instant, on the subject of the Imperial decree of the 21st. of November 1806. An additional explanation which I have just received and which it may be well to communicate is, that American Vessels coming from England or her Colonies into the Ports of France, since...
9To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 1 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
Soon after my arrival in France, Mr Skipwith applied to me for money to enable him, as Agent of Claims, to prosecute some suits which were pending before the Council of Prizes. Not finding any thing to authorize such advance, either in the appropriation for the year, or in my instructions, I refused to make it, and the rather, as it had been refused by all my predecessors. Mr. Skipwith was not...
10To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 16 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had yesterday the honor of receiving Your letter of the 10th. of November last, with a copy of one from Mr. Daniel Clarke and a duplicate Copy of that in relation to Gen. Wilkinsons instructions &c. &c. The Campaign being over and the Emperor and his Minister of foreign relations about to return to Paris, I hope soon to have an opportunity of renewing my communications with the latter. I...
11From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 20 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed copy of a letter to Mr. Ervine, accompanying a statement of the case of the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, with certain other documents, will give explanations very proper to be possessed by you. To these are added other printed papers, which bring down to this date, the information and proceedings which relate to the enterprize of Burr and to such of his associates as have been arrested....
12To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your letters of the 10th. of november and 10th. and 23d. of december 1806. The late movements of the Spanish troops in Louisiana afford a sufficient motive for renewing my application to this Government on the subject of our controversy with Spain, but the application itself was necessarily Suspended till the 5th. instant. I did not wish it to find the Emperor...
13From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 20 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I inclose the sequel of the information respecting Mr Burr’s enterprize as communicated to Congress yesterday whereby you will perceive that he has surrendered himself to the Civil authority of the Mississippi Territory. I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir, your most Obt. Svt. Privately owned.
14To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 2 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
Gen. Armstrong’s compliments to Mr. Madison and begs his acceptance of a copy of a pamphlet which he (the Gen) has been compelled to print (and which he may be compelled to publish) against an attack the most weak and wicked, unprovoked and unexpected, that ever was made on a public Officer. The documents forming the sequel of this business (not having been received officially) cannot be...
15To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 29 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
733. 1116. 140. 1509. 1490. 1116. 322. 1354. 972. 27. 1083. 1116. 623. 921. 1333. 632. 925. 1547. 1503. 417. 1078. 736. 1315. 1389. 972. 664. 1304. 430. 1116. 1165. 921. 716. 1065. 1268. 1090. 972. 857. 1562. 1354. 972. 1113. 31. 43. 1217. 1067. 1217. 211. 380. 1268. 1217. 805. 949. 582. 1090. 972. 1036. 1354. 31. 43. 1217. 1532. 1217. 126. 1354. 31. 43. 1217. 1134. 1484. 1116. 664. 1522....
16To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 4 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
In the month of November last, a person of the name of Browne, (a merchant of Philadelphia) arrived in Paris, and to more than one person, spoke of a great political project of Mr. Burr, in a way perfectly enigmatical to his hearers, and to myself, to whom they had reported it. Nor was it, untill this great project got into the news-papers, that I could understand either the praises lavished...
17To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 5 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had yesterday the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th. of Jany. last, enclosing a copy of one from you to Mr. Erving of the same date; a statement of the case of the Marques de Casa Yrujo; the President’s Message to Congress of the 22d. of Jany. and a Report of a Committee of the Legislature of Kentucky of the 2d. of December 1806. I have this day demanded Pass-ports for myself and...
18To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 11 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
The cases (under the convention of 1803) in which the trustees of the late F. L. Taney supposed themselves to be interested, having been decided, I hasten to lay before you, as I promised, those several decisions, with a very brief sketch of the grounds on which they have been respectively made. You will see by the document sub-joined (marked No. 1) that on the 18th. of July 1803 Mr. Taney’s...
19To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
The appearances of rupture between this Country and Austria, which a few days ago gave some uneasiness here, have subsided, or have been altogether mistaken. The assembling of troops on the eastern frontier of Bavaria on the one side, and the adoption of a conscript law & prohibition of the Sale of provisions on the other, have, it seems, had causes very different from those which had been...
20To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mrs. Stewart returns to America 20,000 fs. richer than when she left it, but believing herself entitled to double that sum, she of course is not above half-pleased. As you may hear somewhat of her discontents, it may not be improper to state, that on her arrival in Paris the fund created by the Convention was reduced to 108,000 fs. and that for this residue, three other Claims were considered...
21From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 22 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
The two last letters received from you were of Decr. 24. and Jany 16. The decree of Novr. 21st. communicated in the first had previously reached us, and had excited apprehensions which were repressed only by the inarticulate import of its articles, and the presumption, that it would be executed in a sense not inconsistent with the respect due the Treaty between France and the United States....
22To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 2 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a copy of the Acct. of the late house of Taney & Simonds with Swan & Co. as found among the documents at the Treasury, & a letter from the Director Gen. in answer to a second note from me (of the 10 Ulto.) requiring the evidence on which the charge made by the Govt. against Taney, was founded. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Most Obedient & very humble servant DNA : RG...
23To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 4 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
The moniteur of the day announces the capture of Dantzic. The capitulation was signed on the 24. and possession given on the 26. Nothing can better illustrate the superiority of the french army, & the conviction the Russians themselves have of this superiority, than the fact, that tho’ this siege & that of Niess were known to occupy nearly, if not altogether, 100,000 men, yet that no battle...
24To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 7 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing my last half year’s account with the United States and the necessary vouchers. I Am, Sir, with very high consideration Your Most Obedient & very humble Servant P. S. Mr. Armstrong would be much obliged by being informed whether his other Accounts have been regularly received & submitted to the Treasury Department for Settlement. DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic...
25To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith the Moniteur of the day, which contains a very interesting account of the resumption of hostilities between the grand Armies &c. I send also copies of three letters which I have written to the Prince of Benevent on the subject of our business with Spain. To the first of these I have received no answer from that Minister. The two others were sent by a...
26To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 28 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
An accidental delay on the part of Mr. Champlin gives me an opportunity of adding a few lines to those I have already written. The Marine Department is beginning to pay Pichon’s bills for the passages of French Officers & Soldiers &c. I got payment for a Mr. Sullivan of New York, a few days past. The Emperor has however made the bargain over again. He allows for the passage of an Officer 80 $...
27To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I send herewith, addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury, the whole number of vouchers issued by the Minister of this Government upon which my bills on the treasury of the U. S. have been drawn; & I add, for your examination, a Gen. Table of the payments which, conformably to these vouchers, have been made, and in which are designated, the original claimants, the transferees, the agents...
28From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 15 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
In the event of a war, or even of a general stop to the commerce with Great Britain, the renewal of the intercourse with St. Domingo, will become an object of great importance to the United States. In a letter of the 31 Jany 1804 to Mr Livingston, your predecessor, observations on the subject of this intercourse were addressed to the inte rest of France, as requiring her acquiescence in it....
29From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 15 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed copy of a Proclamation of the President will inform you of a late extraordinary hostility and insult committed by a British Ship of War on a frigate of the U. S. near the Capes of Virginia, and of the measure taken by the President in consequence of the outrage. The subsequent proceedings of the British Squadron in our waters have borne a like stamp of hostility; and altho’ it may...
30To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting herewith a copy of the treaties entered into between their Majesties, the Emperors of France & Russia, and the King of Prussia. I send also an Extract from a letter of the 6th. inst. from the Prince of Benevent, and the Copy of one of the 15th. Ulto. from Gen. Sebastiani, His Imperial Majesty’s Ambassador to the Sublime Porte. The appointment of Mr. Chiraco, as...
31From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 2 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
Information has been received thro’ a channel justly claiming attention, that the people of West Florida meditate an effort to liberate themselves from the Spanish Government; and that with this view it is intended in case the pulse of this Government does not promise a taking them by the hand, to address themselves to the British Government. No doubt is entertained of the ease with which the...
32To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 3 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
We had yesterday our first audience of the Emperor since his return to Paris. Happening to stand near the Minister of Denmark, I over-heard H. M. say to that Minister, "So M. Baron the Baltic has been violated." The Minister’s answer was not audible to me, nor did it appear to be satisfactory to the Emperor, who repeated in a tone of voice somewhat raised & peremptory, "But Sir, the Baltic has...
33To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 23 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
In a conference I had with M. de Champagny on tuesday last, that minister stated, that a M. Davis (our Consul at Tripoli) had omitted to return the ceremonial visit made to him by his Majesty’s consul at that place; that this omission (being an offense against a usual and necessary civility) was rendered more pointed & piquing by the punctuality with which M. Davis had discharged this duty to...
34To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 27 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting a letter to the President of the U. S. from H. M. the King of Wurtemberg. The appointment of a Negociator (Lord St. Helens) on the part of G. B. would appear to indicate a real wish for pacification and endeavor to accomplish it: Nay it is even said, that she has formally accepted the mediation of Russia. On the other hand, her conduct towards Denmark cannot be...
35To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 4 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of stating, in my letter of the 23d. of August last, a complaint made by order of the Emperor, against Mr. Davis, Consul of the U. S. at Tripoli, for an omission of civility towards H. M.’s Consul residing at that place; and I have now to present another, from the same Quarter, against Mr. Kuhn, our Consul at Genoa. The offense imputed to the latter, is of a character much more...
36To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
In the letter you did me the honor to write to me on the 22d. of May last, you advert to the following subjects 1st. the construction given by this Govt. to its Decree of the 21st. of November. 2d. the promulgation of a decree of similar character by the Spanish Govt. 3d. the slow progress made towards an adjustment of our differences with Spain & 4th. What may be known at Paris of the agents...
37To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment been confidentially informed, that the Minister of Marine and the Council of prizes were about to receive new orders in relation to the November decree. I hasten to convey this information to you, as it may be important, (particularly at the present crisis) that it should be early known in America. It was conveyed to me in a note of which the following is a litteral...
38To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 9 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I forward by Mr. Mc.Elhonny a copy of a second and very extraordinary decree of this Government with regard to neutral commerc e. Whether it be meant to stimulate Great Britain to the commission of new outrages, or to quicken us in repelling those she has already committed, the policy is equally unwise, and so decidedly so, that I know not a single man of consideration who approves of it. It...
39To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
You will find in this note the substance of certain observations made by the Emperor at a Diaplomatic audience given yesterday at Fontainebleau. After rebuking the infallible head of the church (through the Cardinal legate) he Said, "He has sent me an Ambassador Extraordinary whom I shall send back to him, and whom I will not even see." Then addressing the Ambassador of Portugal, he declared,...
40From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 18 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have received since my last of July 15 your letters of May 12th. June 4. 7. 26. July 12. 24. August 3d. continued 15 and one of the 23d. Your communications with Mr Champagny give some hope that our affairs with Spain may have been at length put into an effective course of adjustment; tho’ it is seen with regret that nothing has yet passed absolutely inconsistent with further delays, if...
41To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 18 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
As Mr. Bowdoin has chosen to relinquish his public appointment, and to return to the United-States, it may not be amiss to furnish you with copies of a correspondence which took place between him and myself before his departure. I am, Sir, with very high consideration Your most and Obedient Servant DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
42To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 21 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your dispatch of the 2d. of August last, enclosing a copy, of a letter from Lt. Smoot to the Secretary at war and one from you on the same subject to Mr. Feronda. You will see by my letter to the Prince of Masserano a copy of which is hereto annexed, that I have lost no time in conveying to that Ambassador, the intelligence received, with regard to West...
43From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 7 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
Representations have been made to this Department by Mr Mountflorence and his friends, relative to a dispute between him and Mr Barnet; and also as to his imprisonment. Will you be so good as to transmit to me such information on these subjects as you may think entitled to the attention of this Government and in the mean time to interpose in favor of Mr. Mountflorence any good offices which...
44To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
The moment I received your letter of the 25th. of July Conveying to me the President’s wishes that I should interest myself for Francis Dorivert &c. (who claimed from this Government the restitution of an Estate formerly belonging to Francis S. Bellisle), I hastened to possess myself of the nature and extent of the claim, and of the impediments which have been thrown in the way of it. My...
45To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
It was not till yesterday that I received from Mr. Skipwith a Copy of the Decree of the Council of Prizes in the Case of the Horizon. This is the first unfriendly decision of that Body under the decree of the 21st. of November. 1806. In this case, &on the petition of the Defendant the Court has recommended the restoration of the whole Cargo. I did not however think proper to join in asking as...
46To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Emperor left Fontainebleau yesterday; it is said, for Italy, Spain & Portugal. In each of those places great changes are predicted. Genoa and Piedmont are to be added to the Kingdom of Italy, which on the other hand, looses Venice, and its dependencies. These with a part of Etruria, and something on the Eastern Side of the Adriatic, are to form a Grand Duchy for Beauharnois. The residue of...
47To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 18 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed copy of a letter from the Prefect of the Arrondissement of Rochelle to M. J. Borde, will sufficiently explain the reason, why there ought to be a new and regular appointment of a Consul for that Arrondissement. As the objection is not personal, and turns altogether on the belief of the Min. of Exterior Relations, that "M. Lovell, neither by virtue of his Commission, nor by that of...
48To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 29 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing copies of two letters received yesterday the one from Naples the other from Amsterdam and am, with very high consideration, your most obedient & very humble servant I shall write to you in a day or two by M. T. Mikkel who is about returning to America. This goes by the Post. DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
49To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 1 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received a letter from His Majesty’s minister of foreign Relations of which I subjoin a copy and am Sir, With very high consideration, Your most Obedient, & very humble Servant, I transcribe a note received this morning from one of the Bureaux of the Government. "The Emp. goes directly from Italy to Spain. His equipage is en route for Bayonne. The guards go post to join him....
50To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 22 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Skipwith applied to me on the 17th. of November last to procure from the Public Treasury of France, certain papers deposited there, & having relation to two Claims settled under the Convention of 1803 in the names of Jos. Sands and C. M. Griffith. It was understood at the time that (in making this application) he was acting for Jos. Fenwick, or his employer M. M. John Mason & Benjamin...