From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 26 November 1805
To Tench Coxe
Department of State 26 Novr. 1805.
Sir
In pursuance of the 5th. sect. of the Act of March 2d. respecting the lands claimed in the Mississippi Territory, I have sent your letter of the 11th. inst. and the copies of the patents it enclosed, in the names of George Tead and Rebecca Blackwell, to the Register of the Land Office West of Pearl River. The tract described in one of the patents appears to lie in that territory, but it is not certain, whether the other tract is not within the country held by Spain as West Florida. I have intimated to the Register, that you would provide for paying to him his fees.1 I have the honor to be Sir, Very respectfully, Your most obd. servt.
James Madison
RC (PHi: Tench Coxe Papers); letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15). RC in Wagner’s hand, signed by JM. Minor differences between the copies have not been noted.
1. On the same day JM wrote Thomas Hill Williams saying: “Agreeably to the request of Mr. Coxe, I enclose copies of the grants of the British Government to George Tead & Rebecca Blackwell respectively, together with Mr. Coxe’s letter explanatory of his object in sending them to me. You will of course dispose of these documents according to the directions of the law. On acquainting Mr. Coxe with the course which is given to his business, I shall intimate to him of providing for paying any fees which may be due to you on this occasio⟨n⟩;” (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15; 1 p.). On 13 Feb. 1806 JM wrote Coxe: “Having forwarded the originals and duplicates of the patents, in the names of Fead [sic] and Blackwell, to the Register of the land office west of Pearl River, he has returned them with the remarks contained in the enclosed letter [not found]. The patents and duplicates are therefore herewith returned” (RC [PHi: Tench Coxe Papers; 1 p.; in Wagner’s hand, signed by JM; docketed by Coxe]; letterbook copy [DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15]).