1From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 15 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
You ask me whether “an armed Vessel of a belligerent Nation has a right to search a vessel of a neutral.” I answer No, except for contraband of war. This exception is established by the law and practice of nations; and confirmed by Treaties. But there is no right to search for men. The King of England acknowledges that he has no right to search for men a neutral ship of war even for deserters...
2From John Adams to William Steuben Smith, 15 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your agreeable letter of 31st March from Albany. Grumbles at the Embargo appear to me to be mere electioneering artifices. The orders and Proclamations of the King of England, and the Decrees of the Emperor of France at Berlin and Milan, ought to be and would be an embargo, if our Government had not interfered. Perhaps some Merchants would have adventured; but it would have...
3From William Smith Shaw to John Quincy Adams, 15 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honour to send you with this Parson Gardners sermon—also a few more copies of your letter—There have been five thousand of them published here for circulation and five thousand more ordered from Salem— Mr. Atherton formerly of the house Cram Poor Atherton has requested me to mention his name to you for a n commission in the army if the selection should be left to the Senate as...
4To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have this day seen a letter, from a french Officer now at Madrid and entirely in the way of knowing what is going forward, which Contains the following ideas Viz: that since the arrival of Prince Murat the french army employs all the precautions necessary in an enemy’s country; that the people of Spain, though excited by the french intrusion, are yet willing to believe, that the visit is...
5To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 15 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Among the charges against me contained in a printed production, made up some time ago in this City between Genl. Armstrong & Mr. Swan, the following partial extract from one of those charges has been just communicated to me from a source entitled to confidence. "See Dossier, No. 5, of claims admitted by the AmericanCommission & rejected by the Council General ofLiquidation. "Of having produced...
6From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to Report to the President in conformity to the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 30th. of March, that the only information which has been received respecting the letter from which the extract inserted in Gen. Armstrong’s letter to the Secretary of State, of January the 22nd. 1808, was taken, in the extract itself, to which no date is...
7From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 15 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to request you to be pleased to issue your warrant on the appropriations for Barbary Intercourse for one thousand Dollars, in favor of James Davidson Esqr. the holder of the enclosed Bill of Exchange for that amount, drawn upon me on the 18th. January last by John Gavino, Consul of the United States at Gibraltar, who is to be charged with the same and held accountable. I am...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Bacon, 15 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yours of the 12th. with $100. inclosed. Davy will start with your horse agreeable to your direction. we are Going on with the Garden fast as Possople having so many wirk men to Keep imployed. Backens my wirk more than I would wish as Mr. Chisholm have 3 hands and Mr. Dinsmore one all winter and at present to Turn the Lathe which stops one Cart. we have Got to the end of the 500 f....
9To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 15 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The facts as stated in the West Florida memorial, so far as related to the Acts of Congress are correctly stated. I think that the only reasonable ground of complaint is that the claimants were induced by the act, which declared that the transcripts of records deposited in the office of State should be received in evidence, not to cause their claims to be recorded: and that the time afterwards...
10To Thomas Jefferson from David Holmes, 15 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I received a letter some time ago from Judge Stuart requesting me to recommend two or three Young Gentln for Military Appointments, this was immediately complied with, In any future agency I may have in the Business of making a selection for Virginia the recommendations of Mr. Stuart shall receive from me that attention to which I know them to be so justly entitled, No letter accompanied your...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Walter Jones, 15 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th. Jefferson salutes Dr. Jones with friendship and encloses him an additional letter in behalf of Rob. C. Page. he is certain that his claims as well as those of Edward Lloyd Lomax cannot be better placed than under the patronage of Dr. Jones, with whom the merit of their fathers & families will have a just weight, when all other considerations are equal. an anxiety that the higher officers...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Anne Cary Randolph, 15 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I should certainly have answered My Dear Grand Papas letter by the last post, but I was very busy preparing to go to Evelinas wedding, which I declined afterwards, on hearing that it was not to be untill the 16 of this month. I have been twice to Monticello to see the sesamum & Governor Lewis’s pea planted. the hyacinth’s were in bloom, they are superb ones. the Tulips are all budding. neither...