1To James Madison from George W. Erving, 13 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
I had taken my passage & actually Embarked for England on board a merchant ship from this Port but I found the accommodations so uncomfortable, & the decks so dangerously lumbered with Cotton, that I thought it best to return & take passage in the English Packet which sails without fail to morrow morning; in this mode of conveyance I am subject to a probability of some delay, but taking all...
2To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 September 1801, London. No. 1. Reports his arrival at Falmouth on 16 Sept. and at London on 20 Sept. Immediately delivered commission, instructions, and JM’s dispatches to Rufus King. Williams will continue in post until Erving obtains exequatur. Has asked Williams, who has provided all information requested, to arrange papers in easily understood sequence; will then prepare statement on...
3To James Madison from George W. Erving, 4 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 October 1801, London. Reports that on 2 Oct. Great Britain and France announced signing of peace preliminaries. Believes news of French surrender at Alexandria hastened this event. Relates unconfirmed rumor that the preliminaries provide for a French guarantee of the integrity of the Turkish Empire (which must include the surrender of Egypt) and also for the security of the Kingdom of...
4To James Madison from George W. Erving, 19 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
By Mr Dawson who left us a few days since I had the honor of writing to you (No 1 Sepr 29t) since when (on the 8t Inst) I have received my Exequatur from the government here, & from my predecessor the remaining papers belonging to the Agency. The high Court of appeals will commence their sittings in Novr. and you may depend upon my paying the strictest & most unremitted attention to the...
5To James Madison from George W. Erving, 20 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 October 1801, London. No. 3. Has received JM’s 1 Aug. circular and will follow instructions “with the utmost attention.” Will be unable to comply strictly with consular instruction requiring semiannual account of American vessels arriving in port as “not one in twenty of the Captains who arrive here, ever present themselves to the Consul” unless certificate of cargo’s being landed is...
6To James Madison from George W. Erving, 20 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 October 1801, London. Asks JM to read accompanying letter to Gallatin [not found]; hopes he “will not suppose private Emolument to have been my principal inducement to the proposition which it contains.” Discusses current low income from consular fees, which will be even lower after peace; British notaries maneuver to deprive consuls of fees on stock transfers, which are numerous. Observes...
7To James Madison from George W. Erving, 31 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 October 1801, American Consulate, London. No. 4. Dawson’s delayed departure and return to London a second time allow transmission of the enclosed statements. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, CD , London, vol. 8). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 13 Jan. The enclosures include lists of awards made by the Board of Commissioners payable on 5 July 1798 and 1 May 1799 and received by...
8To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1801, London. Private No. 3. Hopes papers conveyed by Dawson will provide president with desired information; they show amounts received under the commission and actual government expenses, and they also provide data for an estimate of costs to prosecute remaining claims. Total expenses cannot be ascertained as many cases were handled by private agents, but Erving reckons they will...
9To James Madison from George W. Erving, 14 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 November 1801, London. Private No. 4. Encloses recently published compendium of British commercial statistics. Believes “Mr Luffman’s” favorable representation of British export trade is too optimistic, no allowance being made under imports and exports for those imported goods that are merely lodged in warehouses and promptly exported or for those exports that are seized by the enemy and...
10To James Madison from George W. Erving, 20 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 November 1801, London. No. 5. Encloses copy [not found] of admiralty proceedings on the New Adventure , [Ebenezer] Shearman master, should JM wish to use it as a basis for prosecution of the owners. Invoice listed value of cargo as $15,000. Condemnation is expected. Recounts report of proposal made to Rufus King to claim the property for the U.S., which would have led to recovery and...
11To James Madison from George W. Erving, 30 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 November 1801, American Consulate, London. No. 5. Encloses incomplete accounts of proctors for claims cases showing large amounts still due to them. Reports that Slade threatens to resign if not paid, though he has made this threat before. Also encloses duplicates of two of the statements sent in his letter of 31 Oct. Believes that in the statement of awards from the commissioners he may...
12To James Madison from George W. Erving, 8 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
Referring to my letter of Novr 30, I inclose a copy of a Sketch which I have sent to Mr King, it does not indeed pretend to be any thing like a correct calculation, but which brings into one view some interesting conjectures that cannot be very wide of the truth; If it be near the truth, it shews that so far from deriving any benefit from the 7t Article, (if we take into view the loss of...
13To James Madison from George W. Erving, 5 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your sources of intelligence are now so numerous that I hardly Expect an opportunity of making the first communication of important Events; my reflections upon the passing scene, or the political suggestions which it may give rise to, I fear at the best can be of little consideration; & according to the Eccentric course of political Events for these last few years, may more than probably be...
14To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1802, London. No. 6. Reports the proceedings of the Board of Commissioners under article 7 of the British treaty “respecting one of the appointments in connection with that Board with which the President has been pleased to honor me.” Encloses six related letters and extracts so that “the business may be now fully before you.” Was authorized by JM’s letters of 27 July 1801 to take up...
15To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1802, London. Private No. 8. Has reported in an accompanying letter “all that has passed upon the subject of my appointment.” Is “perfectly satisfied” with the situation; has full schedule of responsibilities without assessorship. But “upon the score of Emolument—here is certainly a very great deduction without any proportionable deduction of business.” Notes Pinkney’s assertion that...
16To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to address you last on the 6th March, since when a great pressure of business consequent upon the ⟨r⟩eassembling of the Board has prevented my writing to you upon ordinary occurrences; When the commissioners reassumed their ⟨f⟩unctions the state in which the cases ⟨b⟩efore them were found seemed to have ⟨r⟩esulted from an Expectation that no adjustment with this government upon...
17To James Madison from George W. Erving, 12 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was dated March 6th; not having had the pleasure of hearing from you, & always supposing that my communications may have been found deficient in interest, it is not without apprehension that I again address you: To write too much however is an Error on the right side as long as our correspondent has the priviledge of burning; I conclude too that this may find you at...
18To James Madison from George W. Erving, 21 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 July 1802, American Consulate, London. Acknowledges receipt of his consular commission and returns his bond. Encloses his account as consul and as agent for the relief and protection of seamen from the time of Lenox’s resignation to 30 June. The balance due him is £186 14 s . 5½ d . sterling. King refused his application for reimbursement of this amount on the grounds that “he has no longer...
19To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 July 1802, American Consulate, London. No. 9. Encloses copies of letters from Simpson and the U.S. consul at Gibraltar announcing the declaration of war against the U.S. by the emperor of Morocco. Has published the information for American citizens in Great Britain and sent word to U.S. consuls in Germany and Holland. Believes the time is “peculiarly favorable for the Extirpation of those...
20To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
The return of Mr Lewis to Washington affords me an opportunity of acknowledging the rect of your private & friendly letter (May 3d) upon the subject of the assessorship to the board of commissioners; It is unnecessary I hope for me to assure you that I feel on all occasions the most perfect disposition to acquiesce in, & chearfully conform to, the Opinions & wishes of the President & of...
21To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 September 1802, American Consulate, London. No. 10. “I have just received from our Consul at Cadiz, a Circular letter of which the inclosed is a Copy; since my last of 29th. July upon this subject no other authentic information has been received here.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, CD , London, vol. 8). RC 1 p. Enclosure (1 p.) is another copy of Richard O’Brien’s circular letter, 26 June...
22To James Madison from George W. Erving, 9 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 September 1802, American Consulate, London. Encloses a copy of a letter from the U.S. consul at Tangier “announcing the establishment of peace” between the U.S. and Morocco. Has forwarded “proper notice of this pleasing circumstance” to U.S. consuls in Great Britain, Holland, and Germany. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, CD , London, vol. 8). RC 1 p. Enclosure (1 p.) is a copy of a circular...
23To James Madison from George W. Erving, 21 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 October 1802, London. No. 10. “It is impossible for me to represent to you in adequate terms the very distressed State of our Seamen lately discharged from the British Navy.” Has tried in every possible way to obtain assistance for them from the British government but at last has been obliged to provide passage at U.S. expense for the neediest as an alternative to the more expensive...
24To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1802, London. No. 11. Replies to the request in JM’s 1 Aug. 1801 circular instructions for information on the extent to which American captains discharge American seamen abroad in order to hire foreigners for lower wages. There is probably no port worse than London for the frequency of this and “other irregularities which can only be prevented by Legislative interference,” as the...
25To James Madison from George W. Erving, 3 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 November 1802, London. Private No. 11. “This will accompany my voluminous dispatch respecting the seamen whom I have been obliged to send home by the Mary. … I hope you will Excuse its Extreme length, but have thought it necessary to shew by a detail which is otherwise tedious, the urgency of the Case; & have at the same time been desirous that you shoud see how little I have been assisted...
26To James Madison from George W. Erving, 11 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 November 1802, London. Has “this day” drawn on JM in favor of Laurence Williams for $2,555 at thirty days’ sight. “This is for the service of the Agency for the relief and protection of American Seamen, according to particulars contained in my dispatch of Octr: 21st: to Nov: 5th: which went by the English Ship Mary, Thomas Temple Master on board which Vessel I sent as passengers eighty two...
27To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 January 1803. No. 12. Mentioned in Erving to JM, 30 Apr. 1803 . Discusses several points relating to U.S. claims cases and gives assurances of the successful progress and probable speedy termination of the business.
28To James Madison from George W. Erving, 20 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1803, London. Private No. 12. Again troubles JM with a long dispatch but hopes it will be the last of such bulk that his duties may necessitate, as he fears he has fatigued JM with public and private letters. “This perseverance in the work of writing is the less excusable, as I cannot pretend to have received particular Encouragement, the only letters with which you have favord me...
29To James Madison from George W. Erving, 7 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 February 1803, London. No. 13. “I have to communicate to you the very disagreeable intelligence that Messrs: Bird Savage & Bird our Bankers in this City have to-day been obliged to stop payment. I had fortunately nearly balanced the ‘Spoliations’ Account with them on the 31st: December, & had divided amongst the proctors the whole of the fund destined for their payment. My Consular & Seaman...
30To James Madison from George W. Erving, 9 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 February 1803, London. No. 14. Reports that since his 7 Feb. dispatch he has received from Bird, Savage, and Bird “a minit of the balances due upon our several accounts,” which shows that he had distributed among the proctors all moneys appropriated to claims and had nearly balanced the spoliation account on 31 Dec. Since then he has paid £261 16 s . 7 d . into that account. “Upon the...
31To James Madison from George W. Erving, 21 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 February 1803, London. No. 15. “All the Consuls have not yet transmitted their Accounts for the last half-year, that of Mr. Fox for the reasons stated in a former letter cannot yet be compleated; and as we have now no Fund for settling the ballances which may be due, I have thought it best to refer them over to the next half year, and no longer to delay sending my Consular, and Seaman...
32To James Madison from George W. Erving, 19 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 March 1803, London. No. 16. “I have the honor to inclose Copy of a Letter which I yesterday received from our Consul at Lisbon.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, CD , London, vol. 8). RC 1 p. In a clerk’s hand, signed by Erving. Docketed by Wagner. For enclosure, see n. 1. The enclosure, Jarvis to Erving, 10 Feb. 1803 (1 p.; docketed by Wagner), reported that the prince regent had lifted...
33To James Madison from George W. Erving, 21 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 March 1803, London. No. 17. “Since the commencement of the present Misunderstanding between this Country & France, our Mariners have been pressed as formerly, and upon the usual application, such of them as have regular protections, and are not married, or settled in Great Britain, have been discharged. A considerable portion of those who have left the United States subsequent to the late...
34To James Madison from George W. Erving, 24 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1803, London. Assumes JM is anxious “at this very critical & important moment” to receive all possible information and opinions on the question of war between Great Britain and France. “The general apprehension here, & the vigorous preparations which are going on, would lead one to suppose that the British government Either considered war as inevitable, or were determined upon it; but...
35To James Madison from George W. Erving, 30 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 April 1803, London. No. 18. “I had the honor to address you in No. 12. of Jany 1st. upon several points relating to our Claims, & have now the satisfaction of confirming the assurances which I then gave, of the successful progress, and probable speedy termination of this Business. “By the enclosed List you will be pleased to observe, that we have very considerably reduced the Number of...
36To James Madison from George W. Erving, 16 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 May 1803, London . No. 15. “ Private .” Presumes King, who is still in London, has kept JM informed of the state of negotiations between France and Great Britain. War now appears inevitable. Andréossy left London “at 5 o clock this Morning,” and Whitworth is at Boulogne on his way to London. “An Embargo is laid, letters of marque are preparing, & all the orders & movements of the government...
37To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 19h. and in conformity to the direction therein given shall pay into the hands of Baring & Co the ballance of monies deducted or to be deducted on account of the advances of the United States in Prize Causes, from what may be received in the awards of the commissioners: After the 15 July I shall be able to ascertain the amount...
38To James Madison from George W. Erving, 8 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your (private) Letter of Ap. 4. 1803. Mr King has finally left this without availing himself of the priviledge which it Seems the President intended that he shoud exercise. In fact I have reason to think that Mr Gore himself had been made sensible of the impropriety of his acting as chargé des affairs & that he declined the offer of Mr King to appoint him:...
39To James Madison from George W. Erving, 26 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 June 1803, London . No. 20. Loses no time in forwarding a copy of “a decree issued by the French government on the 20th instant,” which he has “just received from Paris.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, CD , London, vol. 8). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 29 Aug. The enclosure was a copy of Napoleon’s 1 Messidor an XI (20 June 1803) decree forbidding the importation of goods into...
40To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to acquaint you that the British government have deemed it Expedient to blockade the River Elbe; this measure has been formally notified to the foreign ministers Resident here, & to Mr Gore who tho not left in charge of our affairs by Mr King, has I understand, presuming upon certain letters which you have addressed to him provisionally under the Expectation that he might have...
41To James Madison from George W. Erving, 26 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 July 1803, London . Forwards the enclosed letters at the request of John M. Forbes, U.S. consul at Hamburg. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, CD , London, vol. 8). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 26 Sept. For descriptions of the enclosed letters (7 pp.; docketed by Wagner), see Forbes to JM, 13 June 1803 , and n. 1. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital...
42To James Madison from George W. Erving, 28 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 September 1803, London . No. 23. Transmits his semiannual accounts as agent for the prosecution of claims and appeals and as agent for the relief and protection of seamen to 30 June [not found]. “The Awards of the Board of Commissioners, issued for the most part but a short time previous to the period fixed for the payment of the first instalment, and some were subsequent to that date, have...
43To James Madison from George W. Erving, 25 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive the Triplicate of your letter of April 27th. Respecting the Claim of George Hunter of Philadelphia for the Capture of his Vessel the Mary Ann—Kuhn Master, and in compliance with your directions immediately proceeded to enquire into the State of it and as to the Probabilities of success from a revival of the Proceedings. It appears that the Appeal was duly...
44To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 October 1803, London . Received from Lewis Le Coulteux “the papers respecting his Claim on this Government,” referred to in JM’s letter to the U.S. minister in London of 16 May. “I as the Agent of Mr: Le Couteulx, drew a memorial (of which I have the honor herewith to inclose a Copy) to the King in Council, & submitted it to the Minister for his approbation.” Believes this was “the most...
45To James Madison from George W. Erving, 2 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 November 1803, London. No. 26. Encloses a sea letter of the brig John and Mary of Charleston, which he has canceled. The ship was sold in South America to a Spaniard, was recently brought into Plymouth for adjudication, and was reclaimed by the English supercargo, a brother of the original owners. [John] Hawker, U.S. consular agent at Plymouth, wrote Erving about the matter on 2 Oct.; Erving...
46To James Madison from George W. Erving, 9 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have been favord with your private letter of June 15th; its inclosures were duly forwarded. I am very happy to find by the observations which you have made with respect to the impressment of our seamen, that in my letters to Sir Evan Nepean (copies inclosed in my official letter No 23) I have not made use of a language too strong upon this interesting subject. The statement which with Mr...
47To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 November 1803, London. No. 27. Encloses the “Tables of Quarantine, Light-Money and other dues” [not found] that JM requested in his circular letter of 4 Apr. Trusts that these, “together with the Returns from our other Consuls,” will enable JM “to lay before the House of Representatives the Statements required by their resolution of the 3d. of March last.” Forwards “‘Mascalls Book of...
48To James Madison from George W. Erving, 27 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 January 1804, London. No. 28. Received JM’s circular of 1 Oct. 1803 respecting sales of American registered vessels. Sent in his 10 Nov. letter the documents required. Has found the powers lately vested in consuls extremely useful in preventing “irregularities both in the Transfers of Vessels, and the treatment of Seamen.” “To render their effect more complete by insuring the deposit of the...
49To James Madison from George W. Erving, 28 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 January 1804, London. No. 29. “Having had the honor to receive your Letter (Novr. 1st. 1803) respecting Alexander Mc.Elwee an American Citizen impressed into the British Service, I lost no time in applying to the Lords of the Admiralty for his discharge. Copies of my letter and their answer are herewith inclosed. “You will please to observe that their Lordships presume Mc.Elwee not to be at...
50To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since the arrival of Mr Monroe, the frequency of his dispatches to you & the view he is known to possess of all our interests; render it unnecessary for me to trouble you as formerly with frequent, & probably what were very tedious letters: Perhaps too at this crisis it woud on all other accounts be proper to leave wholly to his more matured & exercised judgement & discretion, the treatment of...