1From James Madison to John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe, 4 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe. 4 December 1805, Department of State. “Inclosed is a copy of the message of the President yesterday delivered to the two houses of Congress. The importance of its contents makes it desireable that you should receive it with as little delay as possible.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IM , vol. 6); RC ( DLC : Curry Autograph Collection);...
2From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your several Communications relating to the awards Seamen &c have been just received & with them your private letter of Sep 1. As the subject of this last may render an early answer interesting to you I hasten to give it. Your Observations on the reasonableness of some remuneration for your services have, as you wished, been submitted to the President. The Result of hi⟨s⟩ reflections for the...
3From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1803, Department of State. “Enclosed is a deposition [not found] made by Mr: Mc.Elwee of this City, formerly of Philadelphia, respecting the case of his son Alexr: Mc.Elwee, who was impressed into the British service about the year 1799. It was formerly represented to the Admiralty by Major Lenox, but without any successful result. In now committing it to you, I have to request all...
4From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
In a letter from Mr. Monroe of 20 Augt. and from yourself of the 24th. of same it is signified that according to an arrangement formed under the existing state of things, you were to proceed to Madrid; Mr. Bowdoin remaining away, until he should be furnished with new instructions. On the supposition that this arrangement will have been adhered to, and that you will be found at Madrid, I avail...
5From James Madison to George W. Erving, 27 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed statement contains the case of Mr. Hunter of Philadelphia, whose Vessel, called the Mary Ann, being on a voyage from Cape Francois to Havana, was captured by the Lark British Sloop of War, carried to Jamaica and there acquitted. On her clearing from the latter place, she was provided with a passport by Capt. Loring of the capturing Vessel, notwithstanding which she was again...
6From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To George W. Erving. 3 July 1806, Department of State. “At the request of Govr. Claiborne, I have the honor to introduce to you Mr. Merricalt, as a respectable citizen of New Orleans. He is proceeding to Madrid with a view to obtain payment of a debt from the Spanish Government. Should you approve of his demand and its nature admit of your patronage, I request the favor of you to afford it...
7From James Madison to George W. Erving, 2 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
It appears by the enclosed letter from Mr. King, that on the application of the Proctors for his promise that their long or untaxed bills should be paid, he explicitly told them he could make no engagement to that effect, and that their demand must be decided by the Government of the U: States. It being uncertain whether the Commissioners, under the 7th. Article of the treaty, included in...
8From James Madison to George W. Erving, 31 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
You will receive this from the hands of Mr. Christie heretofore a member of Congress from the State of Maryland. He proposes a visit to England, and I beg leave to make him known to you as a fellow citizen entitled to your esteem & civilities. As he leaves this country at an interesting moment in our public affairs, he will be able to give you a variety of information which cannot be detailed...
9From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To George W. Erving. 1 May 1806, Department of State. “I have received your No 4 dated on 21st. January, with a private letter of the same date, and also your letter of the 21st. February. Messrs. Armstrong and Bowdoin being charged with a special Mission respecting our controversies with Spain, it is more essential than ever that the forbearance so strictly enjoined in my last letter, to...
10From James Madison to George W. Erving, 19 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 April 1804, Department of State. “The instructions under which you act requiring that no partial payments upon recoverey [ sic ] should be made to claimants, and that they should draw for the whole sum in one set of exchange, may produce inconveniences, and in some instances be impracticable, if taken in their strictest construction. In future therefore you will be pleased to answer the...
11From James Madison to George W. Erving, 16 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 June 1803, Department of State . “You will receive herewith a certified copy of a deposition of Alexander Wiley concerning his son, William Wiley, which you will please to make use of to procure the discharge of the latter, who is stated in the deposition to have been impressed into the British service some time ago, and to have been lately detained in the Leopard, ship of war, supposed to...
12From James Madison to George W. Erving, 15 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 December 1803, Department of State. “Mr. Joseph W. Alsop of Connecticut having obtained an award of the Commissioners under the 7th. article of the British Treaty, in which with his own are included compensations due to the Master & Seamen of the captured Vessel, and finding it impracticable to embrace more than his own in the draft he proposes to make upon you, you will be pleased to admit...
13From James Madison to George W. Erving, 27 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1801, Department of State. Announces president’s decision to appoint him to London as agent for managing American claims and appeals in the High Court of Admiralty, court of appeals, and before the board of commissioners under article 7 of the Jay treaty. Instructs Erving to obtain documents relating to claims and appeals from former agent, Samuel Williams. Notes that Erving will also...
14From James Madison to George W. Erving, 20 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
The letters which I have received from you since your arrival at Madrid are under dates of 25th. Octr. 20 Novr. and 7th. Decr. last. The communications made in the last relating to the general dispositions of the Spanish government and of the presiding character in its councils, are not without importance; but in the actual posture of the relations between the two Countries, it continues to be...
15From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
In your letter of the 28 January, I received the result of your application respecting Alexander Mc.Elwee. It is impossible for his father to point out the ship on board of which he now is if yet living; he only knows that it was on board the Pelican he was originally impressed, and it is presumed, as before observed, that from this known point it is in the power of the Admiralty to trace him....
16From James Madison to George W. Erving, 18 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 January 1804, Department of State. “Mr. Norman Butler, a claimant in the case of the Sally, Benton, has applied for the accommodation yielded in some few instances to others, in being permitted by joining with himself all the other claimants except the mariners, to draw upon you for what is due to him & the former. I therefore request that the claimants bill in this case may be accepted...
17From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 February 1811. Acknowledged in Erving to JM, 10 Mar. 1811 . Discusses events in Florida and the policy of France toward the U.S. Also encloses five letters.
18From James Madison to George W. Erving, 18 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I now acknowledge your several letters of Feby 8. March 17 April 8. June 20. July 13 & 26th. If the Spanish Government meant to assert the doctrine that the decisions of its Tribunals, on questions affecting the rights of other nations under Treaties and the law of Nations were definitively binding on other nations, it has taken a ground which its own reflections must abandon. Every sovereign...
19From James Madison to George W. Erving, 24 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 November 1804, Department of State. “I enclose proof that Joseph Trowbridge who has been detained by Capt. Timothy Clinch of the British public armed Brig Buisy is a Citizen of the United States. The circumstances of this impressment being peculiar on account of the station Mr. Trowbridge held on board his Vessel, the clearness of the proof of that station and his Citizenship at the time of...
20From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
By Mr. Smith to whom this is committed you will receive the public letter in which the course approved by the P. is marked out for your conduct at Madrid. The grounds for it are strengthened by the posture of things in Europe, and by the approach of the Session of Congs. The impression made on this Country by the proud & perverse conclusion given by Spain to the endeavors of Mr. M. & Mr. P. to...
21From James Madison to George W. Erving, 22 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 22 July 1804. Acknowledged in Erving to JM, 12 Sept. 1804 (MHi: Winthrop Family Papers), as an offer to Erving of the U.S. consulate at Tunis.
22From James Madison to George W. Erving, 22 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
It has been deemed expedient, that all monies now in your hands, or which may come to them from future instalments in your character of Public Agent, and not in virtue of special powers from individuals, should be drawn to the United States. Notice will accordingly be given in the Newspapers that after the 1st. of Novr. next such monies will be receivable only in this City, and will cease to...
23From James Madison to George W. Erving, 27 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1804, Department of State. “I have received the enclosed papers [not found] from Mr. Jacob Smith of Rhode Island, representing the very extraordinary conduct of the Governor of St. Helena, respecting his Ship Richmond, & the extensive injury which will insue from it, should she even be restored on her arrival in England. If the affair should be brought before the Courts of Justice,...
24From James Madison to George W. Erving, 30 December 1822 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To George W. Erving. Letter not found. 30 December 1822 . Noted in the Numismatist 35 (1922): 143, as exhibited by George H. Blake at the New York Numismatic Club: “a case of seven bronze medals presented to President James Madison by George W. Erving. Accompanying the case and enclosed in it is a letter of acknowledgement, dated December 30, 1822, thanking Mr. Erving for his gift.” Erving...
25From James Madison to George W. Erving, 9 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
In the case of the Molly, Deland, Master, Isaac Starr having transferred his share of the recovery to the Treasury of the United States, I request you to pay his proportion of the 2d. & 3d. installments to Sir Francis Baring & Co., to be disposed of as that Department may direct: and the balance due to the other persons concerned in the interest of the case, is of course to be paid to their...
26From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your last communications were of Decr. 24 and Jany 9th. The bearer Mr. Hollins, intending to go directly to Madrid, I take the favorable opportunity of sending another copy of my letter of Jany 20th. and of its inclosure on the subject of the Marquis de Casa Yrujo. This gentleman continues at Philada. and in its neighbourhood, giving out occasionally, it would seem, that he will soon leave the...
27From James Madison to George W. Erving, 25 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 25 September 1810. Acknowledged in Erving to JM, 20 Oct. 1810 . Discusses Spanish-American affairs and the policies of Great Britain toward Spain’s colonies.
28From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 December 1803, Department of State. “Mr. John R. Livingston has represented that he has recovered an award for a considerable sum in the case of the Ship Somerset, and that according to the general rule prescribed as to the manner of drawing bills in such cases, it would be requisite that the portion claimed for the Captain, Christopher Miller who has since deceased, should be included in...
29From James Madison to George W. Erving, 18 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Presuming that you will have reached Madrid and Mr Bowdoin having been detained by indisposition from proceeding thither, the following communications are proper to be addressed to you. Congress adjourned on the night of the 3d instant, that being the time to which the Session was limited by the Constitution. A collection of their Acts will be forwarded as soon as they shall be in print. For...
30From James Madison to George W. Erving, 12 January 1805 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States, desirous of availing the public of your services as Secretary of the Legation to Madrid, I have the honor to inclose your Commission. James Bowdoin Esqr of Boston, who has been appointed the Minister Plenipotentiary, will not, on account of an unfavorable state of health, proceed on his Mission for some time to come. To provide therefore for the contingency...
31From James Madison to George W. Erving, 19 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 April 1803, Department of State. “At the request of the Secretary of the Treasury I have to desire you to pay into the hands of Sir Francis Baring & Co., subject to the drafts of the Treasurer of the United States the balance of the reimbursements deducted, and to be deducted from the recoveries in prize causes on account of advances or responsibilities incurred by the United States, after...
32To James Madison from George W. Erving, 11 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
In a postscript (dated 8th. Inst.) of my dispatch No. 54, I communicated to you copy of a note dated the 7th., at the moment received from Mr. Cevallos, and containing the protest of this government against a negotiation which it apprehends to be on foot between the french Minister at Washington and our government, relative to the Floridas. I presume this to be a report excited by those who...
33To James Madison from George W. Erving, 31 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 October 1801, American Consulate, London. No. 4. Dawson’s delayed departure and return to London a second time allow transmission of the enclosed statements. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, CD , London, vol. 8). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 13 Jan. The enclosures include lists of awards made by the Board of Commissioners payable on 5 July 1798 and 1 May 1799 and received by...
34To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor herewith to transmit copy of a note of yesterday’s date which I have just received from the President ad interim of the Supreme Central Junta, communicating the installation of the same; also my answer of this date. With the most perfect respect & consideration, Sir, Your very obt. Servant. To the above inclosures is added a Gazette Extraordinary, giving a detail of the...
35To James Madison from George W. Erving, 24 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1803, London. Assumes JM is anxious “at this very critical & important moment” to receive all possible information and opinions on the question of war between Great Britain and France. “The general apprehension here, & the vigorous preparations which are going on, would lead one to suppose that the British government Either considered war as inevitable, or were determined upon it; but...
36To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
There is reason to apprehend that the Expedition under Count Abispal mentioned in my last letter to you in Cypher, will be suspended, if not altogether stopped. The two millions which were appropriated for the expences of it, & which were lodged at Cadiz, have just now been drawn into the Treasury here, & from thence will go probably, as all other monies do to the palace; from whence nobody...
37To James Madison from George W. Erving, 17 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was of June 22d. My last publick dispatch (of the 14th. Inst.) by original & duplicate, inclosed Copy of an Extraordinary gazette announcing the conclusion of an Armistice between Russia & France, a triplicate of which is herewith transmitted: The News of the ratification immediately followed, & to day we hear that the peace is Signed at Tilsit, & that the two...
38To James Madison from George W. Erving, 31 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1804, London. No. 32. “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 18 . instructing me to correspond in future with the Secretary of the Treasury and to pursue his directions respecting all Monies which I have or hereafter may receive on account of the United States, & to settle my official Accounts with him.” Adds in a postscript that he encloses a copy of...
39To James Madison from George W. Erving, 21 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since the commencement of the present Misunderstanding between this Country & France, our Mariners have been pressed as formerly, and upon the usual application, such of them as have regular Protections, and are not married, or settled in Great Britain, have been discharged. A considerable Portion of those who have left the United States subsequent to the late Peace, are found without American...
40To James Madison from George W. Erving, 25 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 October 1804, London. No. 45. “In compliance with your circular instructions of April 9th. 1803 it is my duty to report to you the particulars which I have been able to collect respecting two vessels of the United States the ‘Merrimack’ and the ‘Louisiana’ lately arrived at this port, and having been engaged since their departure from the United States in the Slave carrying trade prohibited...
41To James Madison from George W. Erving, 2 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Having lately had much communication with Baron Jacobi upon the subject of the papers inclosed, who has shewn me his instructions from the king of Prussia by which it appears that he is Extremely solicitous to procure the most accurate information respecting the origin progress & treatment of the yellow fever, & of Every circumstance connected with it; I thought it might be well in a public...
42To James Madison from George W. Erving, 7 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 February 1803, London. No. 13. “I have to communicate to you the very disagreeable intelligence that Messrs: Bird Savage & Bird our Bankers in this City have to-day been obliged to stop payment. I had fortunately nearly balanced the ‘Spoliations’ Account with them on the 31st: December, & had divided amongst the proctors the whole of the fund destined for their payment. My Consular & Seaman...
43To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you on the 5t May, since then I have received a letter from Mr Smith, dated April 1st, in which he acquaints me that you have disapproved of the agreement made some months since between Mr Yznardi & Mr Hackley respecting the management of this consulate: that agreement is consequently now annulled: in the month of Jany soon after it had been formed, I found that Mr...
44To James Madison from George W. Erving, 9 August 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George W Erving. 9 August 1806, Madrid. No. 11. “Since my last unofficial letter (dated 28. Ulto) the Expectations of peace between England & France have been renewed, & now prevail in a much stronger degree than before. A few days since it was believed that the preliminaries had been signed by Lord Yarmouth; that report proves to have been premature, but no doubt is entertained that he...
45To James Madison from George W. Erving, 3 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 November 1802, London. Private No. 11. “This will accompany my voluminous dispatch respecting the seamen whom I have been obliged to send home by the Mary. … I hope you will Excuse its Extreme length, but have thought it necessary to shew by a detail which is otherwise tedious, the urgency of the Case; & have at the same time been desirous that you shoud see how little I have been assisted...
46To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have just received from our Consul at Cadiz, a Circular letter of which the enclosed is a Copy; since my last of 29th. July upon this subject no other authentic intelligence has been received here. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Sir, Your very Obed. Servant The preceding is the full transcription of a document that was previously abstracted in The Papers of James Madison ,...
47To James Madison from George W. Erving (Abstract), 23 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
23 April 1805, London . No. 54. “Mr. Purviance’s ill state of health having compelled him to retire for the present into the Country he has transmitted to me your letter of December 24. 1804 with directions to attend to the order for obtaining the Books therein mentioned. “By this conveyance I have sent Lee on Capture<s,> Wicheforts Ambassador and Heriots history of Canada; the cost of these...
48To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I do not write to you at large unofficially by this conveyance, or officially further than seems to be absolutely necessary to the course of business; lest my letters should fall into the hands of the Enemy; not being myself of the persuasion which seems to be general here, and (as I learn) in England, that a co mplete& honorable satisfaction will be made for all is outrages & insults. Nor...
49To James Madison from George W. Erving, 8 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 June 1804, London. No. 35. “The Vessel Resolution, built at Norwich Register No. 5 Richard Shipley late Master owned by Alphons Dunham & Jonathan Clark of Boston Samuel Ham of Portsmouth and Benjamin Connor of Exeter in New Hampshire arrived here on the 10th. of February from the River La Plata. One of the owners (Ham) now here, has endeavoured to sell this Vessel but on account of the late...
50To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1801, London. Private No. 3. Hopes papers conveyed by Dawson will provide president with desired information; they show amounts received under the commission and actual government expenses, and they also provide data for an estimate of costs to prosecute remaining claims. Total expenses cannot be ascertained as many cases were handled by private agents, but Erving reckons they will...