1To James Madison from Rufus King, 7 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Owing to the continuance of the King’s illness, the change of the Ministry is still incomplete, and very little business, beyond the ordinary routine, is transacted. It is supposed to be on this account that no measure has been adopted in consequence of the Prussian Note avowing the King’s accession to the Northern Confederacy, the Principles of which, according to every appearance, are to be...
2To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ the King has recovered, he does not yet hold a Court, nor is it understood that he attends to any but the most pressing and indispensable business. The chief of the new Ministers are in their places, and all of them will be so in the course of a few days. The Duke of Portland remains in the Home Department: Mr. Addington, the late Speaker, is at the Head of the Treasury, Lord St. Vincent...
3To James Madison from Rufus King, 29 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
In confirmation of the rumours of the day, Carnot’s answer to Bailleul, published during the Exile of the former, states the Project which had been discussed in the Directory to obtain from Spain a cession of Louisiana and the Floridas. A reference to that performance, copies of which I at the time sent to the Department of State, will shew the manner in which it was expected to obtain the...
4To James Madison from Rufus King, 10 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
The unexpected occupation of Hamburgh by the Danes, and the Treaty between France and Naples have nearly completed the exclusion of the Ships of England from the Ports of the Continent: if the King of Prussia take possession of Hanover, as it is believed he will do, the Ems and the Weser will in like manner be closed; and as Portugal is unable to resist the measures employed against her, the...
5To James Madison from Rufus King, 12 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 April 1801, London. No. 10. Encloses copies of correspondence with Lord Hawkesbury about seizure of American vessels carrying articles of Spanish origin to Spanish colonies. Decree from Vice-Admiralty Court at Nassau regarding the case of the Leopard is the first document precise enough to use as grounds for a remonstrance. Suggests that these copies be published in American newspapers as...
6To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 April 1801, London. No. 11. Last mail from Hamburg brought news that British fleet has taken its station off Copenhagen. British property in Hamburg and Altona has been sequestered. Prussian troops have marched into and occupied Hanover. A courier has arrived from St. Petersburg with news of death of Czar Paul and accession of Alexander; he is reported to bear dispatches for British...
7To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
Annexed I have the honour to send you a copy of my Correspondence with Mr. Anstey upon the Subject of the British Debts. Reference may be had to numbers 93 & 98. of the last series; the former inclosing Copy of a Paper delivered to Lord Grenville on the 23. of November 1800, as a commencement of the negotiation, and the latter explaining his Lordships reasons for devolving on Mr. Anstey the...
8To James Madison from Rufus King, 21 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 April 1801, London. No. 13. Transmits, by way of Samuel Sitgreaves, copies of his correspondence with Lord Hawkesbury. Believes a settlement of the debts owed to British merchants would have been already concluded had former ministry remained in office. Under Secretary Hammond has told him that he wished question of debts settled on terms mentioned in King’s dispatch no. 6. Addington has...
9To James Madison from Rufus King, 25 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 April 1801, London. No. 14. Notes that British fleet bound for Denmark passed under Swedish guns that held their fire. Reports Nelson’s exploits at Copenhagen. Believes British government dissatisfied with armistice because Danes have not left armed league. There is much speculation concerning the character and views of new Russian czar, whom British hope to detach from the league. Issue in...
10To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 April 1801, London. No. 15. Received instructions several months ago to procure jewels as present for bey of Tunis and had estimated cost at £7,000 sterling. That part of presents consisting of silk and woolen cloth (valued at over £1,000) has been sent to Eaton by Maw-hood and Co. Jewelry is being prepared by Rundel and Bridges to be finished in June, about the same time as the guns and...
11To James Madison from Rufus King, 1 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Having learned that the Law which prohibited our commercial intercourse with France had ceased, and judging that great numbers of our Vessels would be immediately cleared out for the different Ports of that Country, and probably, among others, for Ports in a State of Blockade, I wrote a Note to this Effect to Lord Hawkesbury, and requested that immediate Instructions should be given to the...
12To James Madison from Rufus King, 15 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 May 1801, London. No. 17. Reports that Lord St. Helens has sailed for negotiations with Russians on the subject of a northern confederacy. Since French influence remains strong in St. Petersburg, believes British may have more difficulty than they expect. Conveys word of British victory in Egypt. Acknowledges receipt of 6 May letter from Dawson, then off Start Point. Dawson reached Le Havre...
13To James Madison from Rufus King, 19 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Though Captain Pellew of the English Frigate Cleopatra was recalled, as I sometime ago informed you, Admiral Parker, who commands on the Halifax Station, and whose conduct has in other instances been exceptionable in not restraining the plundering spirit of the Officers under his Command, permitted him to proceed to the West Indies instead of returning to England. For this disobedience, joined...
14To James Madison from Rufus King, 25 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 May 1801, London. Introduces Prince Ruspoli, officer in the Order of Malta, who comes recommended “by our Countryman Mr. West.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.; marked private.
15To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my letter communicating Lord Hawkesbury’s sentiments respecting the Debts, I have seen and conversed with Mr. Addington, who told me, that he had called up the subject in the Cabinet as he had before assured me he would do, and that he had expressed his solicitude that it should be brought to a decision; adding, that as the question, from it’s nature and circumstances was not...
16To James Madison from Rufus King, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Annexed I send you the copy of a letter which I have just received from Lord Hawkesbury on the subject of the Depredations upon our Trade in the West-Indies. As there can be no objection to it’s publication, you will perhaps think it advisable to have the Letter and it’s enclosures printed in our news papers, by which means it will reach the West-Indies, and be seen by those whose abuses it...
17To James Madison from Rufus King, 8 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 June 1801, London. No. 21. Reports George III sufficiently recovered from illness to tend to public business, but not “with his former assiduity.” Believes French position in Egypt increasingly precarious and British relations with northern powers improving. Suggests that Swedes and Danes willing to secure for the U.S. “by Treaty every limitation of the Right of Search, which England might...
18From James Madison to Rufus King, 15 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your communications by Mr. Sitgreaves on the subject of the proposed conversion of the claims against the United States, under the 6th. Article of the Treaty of 1794 into a definite sum, have been duly received, and taken into consideration by the President. Although there may be good ground to contest the real justice of the amount of Debt which will be assumed by such a stipulation, yet...
19To James Madison from Rufus King, 15 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have lately received a letter from Genl. Allen enclosing one to me from the Department of State, respecting his cause depending in the Court of Appeals. Without adverting to what passed in the early Stages of this Suit, it is proper that I should mention my having introduced the General to Messrs. Bird Savage & Bird, for the purpose of his engaging them to become his Bail, for the value of...
20From James Madison to Rufus King, 30 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 June 1801, Department of State. Encloses letter to Samuel Williams and refers the matter of Williams’s recall to King’s attention. RC ( CSmH ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IC , vol. 1). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM. Enclosed JM to Williams, 29 June 1801 .
21To James Madison from Rufus King, 3 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 July 1801, London. No. 23. Reports Parliament “prorogued,” ministry negotiations with France apparently stalled, and British relations with Baltic countries improving. Notes arrival at Suez of British forces from India, increasing likelihood that French will evacuate Egypt. Believes Portuguese have agreed to a “hard and humiliating” peace. Conveys latest word on British regard for American...
22To James Madison from Rufus King, 10 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
The day before yesterday I received the Duplicate of your letter of May 21. and am persuaded that the appearance of Commodore Dale in the Mediterranean must have a favourable influence upon our affairs in that quarter. My No. 20 will have apprized you of the Sentiments of this Government in respect to this Squadron, upon the Supposition that it was destined to the Mediterranean: these friendly...
23To James Madison from Rufus King, 12 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 July 1801, London. No. 25. Relays details of peace negotiations between Britain and members of northern league. Lord Hawkesbury seeks a restoration of good will and amity, but Denmark declines to discuss principles of armed neutrality, while Prussia refuses to evacuate Hanover. Sweden remains hostile, and the British continue to “depend upon the success of the mission of Lord St. Helens”...
24To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the Evening of the Eleventh a Cutter arrived from Petersburgh, with a Copy of the Convention concluded on the 17th. ulto. between Lord St. Helens and Count Panin, by which the misunderstanding between England and Russia is amicably adjusted. The northern Confederacy, as you will recollect, aimed at the establishment of two Principles of Maritime Law: one that free Ships make free Goods; the...
25To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Court of Appeals having reversed several decrees of Condemnation pronounced in the Vice-Admiralty Court of Bermuda, Monitions were as usual issued against the Captors, and Instructions sent with them to our Agent at Bermuda to apply for and return the names of the Captors Sureties in order that process might, if necessary, be obtained against them likewise. Upon application for this...
26From James Madison to Rufus King, 23 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Mr. William Gibson, Merchant of Charleston, south Carolina, has represented to me, that he has two appeals now depending in London from the sentences of the Vice Admiralty Court of the Bahamas in the cases of the American Ship Sally and Brig Isabella, the former owned and both of them laden in part with his property, and which the presiding Judge, Condemned for the sole reason, that Mr. Gibson...
27From James Madison to Rufus King, 24 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
My letter of the 15th. of June acknowledged the receipt of your communications of April 20 and 21st. by Mr. Sitgreaves. Your several favours received prior to that date and since, and not acknowledged complete your new series including No 36 with the addition of No 19. Having already communicated to you the decision of the President with regard to the proposed commutation of the claims against...
28From James Madison to Rufus King, 28 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
By the Treaty of peace, the mouth of the St. Croix is supposed to be in the Bay of Fundy. But as the Commissioners have in their decision settled the mouth of that River (called the Scoodiac) to be in Passamaquoddy Bay, at a place called Joe’s Point, it is left undetermined, to which nation the Islands in the last mentioned bay, and the passages thro’ them into the Bay of Fundy, belong. It...
29To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 July 1801, London. No. 28. Believes French invasion of Great Britain unlikely despite military preparations on both sides. Has heard nothing from Egypt. Reports that Sweden has agreed to British-Russian convention; expects Denmark soon to follow suit. Relays report that Tripoli declared war on U.S. 14 May. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9). 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by...
30To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 August 1801, London. No. 29. Encloses copies of letter from John Turnbull of Turnbull, Forbes, & Company and the order in council referred to therein. Has sent Arrowsmith’s five-volume atlas; plans to forward Faden’s collection of maps and charts as soon as it is completed. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy and copies of enclosures ( NHi : Rufus...