From James Madison to William Pinkney, 17 May 1806
To William Pinkney
Washington May 17. 1806
Dear Sir
You will receive from the Bearer Mr. Forrest the public despatches for yourself & Mr. Monroe, with sundry letters & packets accompanying them. In a letter to Mr. Monroe which is unsealed, you will see the footing on which your eventual succession to a vacancy in the legation at London is placed. No letter has been recd. from Mr. Monroe, nor from Paris ⟨s⟩ince you left Washington.
Mr. Forrest will return without much delay, and will afford an opportunity for letting us know, in case of an unexpected suspension of your departure, whether any use can be made of it, for adding to the present communications any others that occur to you as useful. With sincere wishes that a speedy & agreeable voyage may be succeeded by an accomplishment of its objects, I remain, with sentiments of great respect & esteem Your most Obedt. servt1
James Madison
RC (NjP: Pinkney Papers).
1. On the same date JM issued a passport for Pinkney reading: “I certify, that the Bearer hereof, William Pinkney, a Citizen of the United States of America, is proceeding with his family, baggage and papers, on a mission to London, as one of the Commissione[r]s Plenipotentiary & Extraordinary of the said States; these are therefore to request all whom it may concern to act t[o]wards him according to the law & courtesy of nations in such cases; giving him on all occasions every necessary aid, succour & protection, as these United States, would do under similar circumstances” (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15; 2 pp.).