1To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 28 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
As you are Shortly to leave the busy scenes of public life, to enjoy the calm repose of a philosophic retirement, sweetened by the consciousness of having faithfully discharged for a long term of years the duties incumbent on the various elevated stations to which the public voice has called you, I beg leave to tender you the tribute of my thanks for the confidence you have been pleased to...
2To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Relying on the candor & liberality of your Mind & reposing myself on the Sentiments of Justice which influence your conduct publick & private, I am encouraged once more to address you in regard to my situation here. I recollect to have seen in Some address or letter of your venerable predecessor the following Sentiment “That a thing to be right ought to reasonable.” I have unceasingly &...
3To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Changuion lately appointed by this Government as Minister to the United States, will have the honor to deliver you this Letter. The special motives which may have induced this appointment at such an early stage of the existence of the actual Government & in a state yet so unsettled of the general relations of the Country; as also of those of the United States with Great Britain, will be...
4To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 3 July 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 July 1812, Amsterdam. “I most respectfully & solicitously renew my request for the appointment to the Consulate in London & my gratitude for the favr. shall be evinced by the zealous & faithfull discharge of the duties it may impose & I shall hope to derive from it some Compensation for my long services & sufferings.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Bourne”). 1 p.
5To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 5 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 September 1810, American Consulate, Amsterdam. Requests that his commission as consul at Amsterdam be renewed to enable him to address the emperor of France. Adds in a postscript that U.S. minister John Armstrong will leave Paris on 20 Sept. for Bordeaux to depart for home. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Bourne”). 2 pp.
6To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 31 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
It is my duty to mention that I have been given to understand both by a letter from Genl Armstrong & by information from the Prince Le Brun Arch Treasurer of the Empire now here, that it will be necessary owing to the political change in this Country to have my Commission renewed & addressed to the Emperor —if pleasing the President of the U States—& which I respectfully hope may be...
7To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 April 1809, Amsterdam. The consul reports that American vessels are now being allowed “to depart in Ballast or with Specified Cargoes at the option of those concerned.” An enclosed newspaper gives the details of a royal decree which lifts the restrictions on U.S. ships “in the Ports of Holland.” Has discussed the situation with the minister of foreign affairs and made assurances that the...
8To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you via Hamburg the Leyden Gazettes to this date agreeably to usage & I should be happy to have it in my power to communicate any favorable intelligence of a political Sort. The Affairs of Europe long ality Still remain in that posture to render the continuance of the embargo in the U States necessary as the most wise & prudential measures under all circumstances &...
9To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I herewith transmit to you (via Hamburg) a letter recd. from our Consul at Antwerp with the Leyden Gazettes up to this date, & I beg leave here to mention that as on the result of my late application to Govt. for Some Small Compensation in aid of my expences during the present Stagnation of trade will depend my decision of breaking up house keeping or not. The 1st. of next May I Shall esteem...
10To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to address you a few days past pr the Sheperdess on the Subject of my truly unpleasant Situation here being since a year deprived of all income from my Office by the State of Affairs in Europe, while many reasons interesting to the publick & our Citizens make it necessary that I should nevertheless remain at my Post. Since the date of the letter referred to, I have recd one on...