1To John Adams from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to send you enclosed the copy of a convention which I have signed with Lord Hawkesbury concerning the 6. & 7. Arts. of the Treaty of 1794—As the discussions which led to this Result were begun and conducted under your instructions, I feel it to be my Duty, as well as a mark of Respect that is due to you, to send you this Copy by the same opportunity that I avail myself of, to...
2To John Adams from Rufus King, 22 June 1803 (Adams Papers)
On the 16th of last month the King of Great Britain sent a message to Parliament announcing the termination of the discussions with France, and calling on them to support him in his determination to employ the power & resources of the nation in opposing the spirit of ambition and encroachments of the Government of France. Letters of marque had been issued against France, and I conjecture that...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 23 July 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, July 23, 1802. King’s description of this letter reads: “General Hamilton. Determination to return home &c.” Letter not found. ] Rufus King’s “Memorandum of private Letters, &c., dates & persons from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
4To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 1 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my letter of the 24th. I have recd. yrs. of the same date; and after maturely reflecting upon the subject, and consulting one or two of our friends here I am confirmed in the Sentiment that I ought not to consent to be a candidate for the Govr. shd. the federalists think of offering me. This being my determination, it is right that I shd apprize you of it, in order that our friends may...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
After further enquiry, I annex little credit to the notice posted at Loyds’, that two american vessels had been carried into Algiers. Two vessels the Franklin morris master, and the Rose (master not known) said to be of Philadelphia, are reported to have been taken by the cruisers of morocco or some other of the Barbary Powers. These are also the vessels which are mentioned at Loyds as having...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Both as a friend and a father I do most unfeignibly participate and condole with you in the heavy affliction that has fallen upon your family. It would be altogether vain for me to have recourse to the usual Topics of consolation, in so severe a Calamity: it must be sought for among the treasures of your own Mind, which nature has so eminently endowed; and after a while, it will likewise be...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 8 April 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
By Dr. Romayne I send you a pamphlet lately written upon the interesting subject of the public credit of this Country. The author is a member of parliament an old & practical Banker, Brother to the president of the Bank of England, and for many years much conversant with the great money operations of the Country. When you have read it I wish the favour of you to send it together with the other...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 24 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. D. Ogdon called upon me a few minutes past, and as I understood from him that he purposes writing to you by the mail of this Evening, I think it proper, in order to avoid any misconception of the tenour of our conversation to repeat to you the purport of what I said to him. viz. “Whether it will be expedient to offer a federal candidate for the Govr. is a point upon wh, from the want of...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 5 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your obliging letter in duplicate of June —enclosed I have now the pleasure to send you a copy of my letter to the Secretary of State resigning my mission, and requesting to be relieved in season to return home in may next. In a few days I purpose to avail my self of the leave of temporary absence which I have received to visit the continent. My plan is to go to Holland, and...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 7 May 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
As I know of no measure from abroad, which is capable of such extensive and injurious effects as the cession of Louisiana and the Floridas to France, it has been a subject of my unremitted solicitude and attention from the moment of our first suspicions concerning it. Its importance was fully and repeatedly developed to the Ministers of this Country before the conclusion of the Preliminaries,...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you two days ago by a private ship, as the Packet goes in a day or two I avail myself of the Opportunity to inform you that I have sent to the Secy of State my Resignation, and requested to be relieved in time to return home in April next. As there is reason to apprehend that we may be at war with all the barbary powers, as well as morocco I have asked for a Passage home in a...
12Enclosure: Rufus King to Lord Hawkesbury, 21 April 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
By the Treaty of Alliance concluded at Paris in 1778, between the United States of America and France, with the Exception of New orleans the latter renounced for ever the possession of every part of the Continent of america lying to the East of the course of the River Mississippi. This renunciation, confirming that which had been previously made in the Treaty of 1763, between Great Britain and...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Rufus King, 12 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been able to obtain the consent of the Sierra Leone Company to receive the Slaves which the State of Virginia might be willing to send to that settlement. My Correspondence on this Subject has been closed by a Letter from the Chairman Mr. Thornton which states that the Company are in Treaty with Government to receive the Colony under its exclusive control. The fact I understand to...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Rufus King, 20 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
While abroad I took some pains to collect the Publications that have been made respecting the discovery and settlement of America; among the Reports and Letters of the Early Settlers, I have a manuscript account of Bacon’s Rebellion in 1675, written by a member of your assembly for the County of Northumberland, and addressed to Sr. Robert Harley . As this account is more particular than any...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Rufus King, 18 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Gore having during my absence acknowledged the receipt of your letter to me, and at the same time transmitted to you copies of the correspondence with the President of the Sierra Leone Company, I have only to resume the subject where he left it— The idle and disorderly Character of the Negroes who deserted their masters and joined the Br: army in america , and who constitute the greater...
16To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 April 1801, London. No. 15. Received instructions several months ago to procure jewels as present for bey of Tunis and had estimated cost at £7,000 sterling. That part of presents consisting of silk and woolen cloth (valued at over £1,000) has been sent to Eaton by Maw-hood and Co. Jewelry is being prepared by Rundel and Bridges to be finished in June, about the same time as the guns and...
17To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 March 1802, London. No. 59. Reports that Bird, Savage, and Bird will send to the Treasury Department the accounts for the Tunisian present and encloses copies of his letters on shipment of the articles. Has had no word from Hargreaves since he left Algiers; in early February Eaton was temporarily in Leghorn for his health. Nothing decisive has occurred in the negotiations at Amiens, but...
18To James Madison from Rufus King, 11 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
As my mission abroad had no other connexion with the money department of our Govt. than wht. arose from the payment and receipt of my annual appointments, I made it a point carefully not to have the custody, or to become accountable for any money belonging to the public. Hence I have concluded that I have no accounts to settle with the treasury. But as however this department keeps the accts....
19To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 July 1802, London. No. 71. Reports that the loan recently obtained by the Dutch government at a rate of interest “hitherto unknown in that frugal and industrious Country” has “excited a good deal of curiosity.” It is believed that part of the loan, in the amount of 15 million guilders, has been paid to France to secure release from the claims of the Prince of Orange, pursuant to the separate...
20To James Madison from Rufus King, 27 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 February 1802, London. Within the past ten days, some persons have begun to question whether the Amiens negotiations would end in a definitive treaty. Does not share this opinion and points out that prolonging the negotiation would harm British financial and commercial interests. Can only deal in conjectures as to the discussions at Amiens but is confident “they bear no resemblance to the...
21To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 August 1801, London. No. 30. Conveys word from Murray and Dawson that exchange of ratifications has been completed in Paris. Encloses letter from Eaton with latest information on situation at Tunis. Refers to previous statements of his reluctance to execute Eaton’s orders. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol. 54). RC 1 p.; marked...
22To James Madison from Rufus King, 2 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
The news Papers, among which is the Porcupine, the Paper of the new opposition, which Mr. Dawsons repeated disappointments enable me to add to those I had before delivered to him afford a pretty just view of the public Sentiment concerning the peace. Mr. Sheridan, in a single sentence has happily expressed this sentiment: “It is a peace every body is glad of, and no body proud of .” Of the old...
23To James Madison from Rufus King, 23 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 April 1803, London. No. 92. Refers to his dispatch no. 87 [25 Mar. 1803] , which mentioned the difficulty that had arisen regarding the proceedings of the commissioners under article 7 of the Jay treaty. “Several Conferences have since taken place between me and Lord Hawkesbury, but the Impediment is not yet removed. At my first meeting with Lord Hawkesbury, after the communication he had...
24To James Madison from Rufus King, 18 December 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 December 1802, London. No. 77. The language and measures of the British ministry during October produced “no beneficial effect” upon the French government. “The temper then manifested, had it been persisted in, would have involved the Nation in a new War. But the tone was soon lowered: the orders supposed to have been given to retain certain Possessions … have been recalled, and with the...
25To James Madison from Rufus King, 2 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
Preliminaries of peace between France and Great Britain, were signed last night at Lord Hawkesburys office. With perfect respect & Esteem I have the honour to be Sir Your ob: & faithful Servt: RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol. 54). RC docketed by Wagner.
26To James Madison from Rufus King, 2 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
The Receipt of my dispatches will have apprized you of my arrival. For the moment I am engaged in the arrangements which the Settlement of my family require—as soon as I find a leisure moment I will prepare and send you the promised Supplement to my last dispatch, tho I really have nothing of importance to add. I do not recollect whether it has been the usage for our Ministers to proceed to...
27To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
Lord Whitworth was ordered to leave Paris on the Evening of the 3d. instant, unless the French Government should have signed a Minute by which it should be agreed that the English should continue the Military possession of Malta for ten years; that the Island of Lampidusa should be ceded to them for ever; and that the French Forces should be withdrawn from Holland. On the morning of the 3rd....
28To James Madison from Rufus King, 19 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 July 1802, London. No. 73. Reports receipt of 25 June letter from Commodore Morris at Gibraltar announcing Morocco’s “unexpected declaration of war” on U.S. Has notified U.S. consuls in Great Britain so that American ships might be forewarned. Does not know why “this unjust Proceeding has arisen,” having “no exact information either concerning the internal condition of Morocco, or of the...
29To James Madison from Rufus King, 17 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
War seems more and more probable, indeed it appears to me inevitable: Holland will be involved, and Spain and Portugal must obey the commands of France. The day after the Kings Message to Parliament was communicated to the French Government, Bonaparte delivered to Lord Whitworth a paper (a copy of which I have seen) stating: 1. That the Expedition preparing in the Dutch Ports, was, as all the...
30To James Madison from Rufus King, 22 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
I left London the 18th. and sailed from Cowes the 21st. of last month—on the 16. the King sent a message to Parliament announcing the termination of the discussions with france, the Recall of the English ambassador from Paris, and that the french ambassador had left London; and calling upon Parliament to support “him in his determination to employ the Power and Resources of the Nation in...
31To James Madison from Rufus King, 29 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 24 inst. I have the honour to state that no engagement was ever made by me that the long Bills of the Proctors shd. be paid. In consequence of an instruction that I gave to the agt. Mr Bayard to require that the proctors Bills shd. be regularly taxed, several of them came to me, to represent what they called the usage on this subject, and to urge me to...
32To James Madison from Rufus King, 15 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 May 1801, London. No. 17. Reports that Lord St. Helens has sailed for negotiations with Russians on the subject of a northern confederacy. Since French influence remains strong in St. Petersburg, believes British may have more difficulty than they expect. Conveys word of British victory in Egypt. Acknowledges receipt of 6 May letter from Dawson, then off Start Point. Dawson reached Le Havre...
33To James Madison from Rufus King, 28 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 March 1803, London. No. 88. “My No. 86. [19 Mar. 1803] communicated the tenour of Lord Hawkesbury’s Note of the 15. to the French Ambassador: the conclusion of the Note refers to the demand of France for the evacuation of Malta and declares ‘that the King cannot consent to its evacuation unless substantial security be provided for those objects which in present circumstances would be...
34To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 March 1802, London. No. 58. Reports there is no further information on the negotiations at Amiens since his last letter. In a “ free conversation ,” Addington “ yesterday told me that during the last Fortnight his mind had balanced whether to wish the conclusion or rupture of the negotiation ” but that the British were ready to sign a definitive treaty “provided it be done without any...
35To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 July 1801, London. No. 28. Believes French invasion of Great Britain unlikely despite military preparations on both sides. Has heard nothing from Egypt. Reports that Sweden has agreed to British-Russian convention; expects Denmark soon to follow suit. Relays report that Tripoli declared war on U.S. 14 May. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9). 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by...
36To James Madison from Rufus King, 28 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 February 1803, London. No. 82. Acknowledges JM’s letters of 16 and 23 Dec. 1802 . “By Lord Hawkesbury’s desire, I have conferred with Colo. Barclay respecting the continuation of the Boundary through the Bay of Passamaquoddy who has made no objection to the line we have proposed, tho’ he appears to think that it would be improper to cede to us the Island of Campo Bello unless the cession...
37To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 May 1802, London. No. 68. Reports anxiety among British manufacturers and merchants “founded upon the Belief that France would exclude, either wholly or in a very great degree,” British manufactures. “The prohibitory Laws of France passed during the War have been declared to be in force, and were it not for a recent and extraordinary Law which puts into the hands of the Chief Consul,...
38To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 February 1802, London. No. 52. States that the definitive treaty is not yet signed but preparations are being made to reduce the war establishment. Virtual annexation of Italian Republic by France will not impede peace with England, and neither Austria nor the rest of Italy has a voice at Amiens. The size of Great Britain’s peacetime establishment is unknown, but it will be larger than...
39To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
At length I am enabled to send you a Convention which I yesterday signed with Lord Hawkesbury, respecting the VI & VII. articles of our Treaty of 1794. The commutation of the 6. article of the Treaty of 1794, and the confirmation, so far as respects its future operation, of the 4. article of the Treaty of Peace remain as they were settled in October last, and I have nothing to add to my former...
40To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
Herewith I enclose the Letter of the Comee. of the Senate, together with my answer to yr’s of the 4. Should it still be thought inexpedient to ratify the Convn. without farther Explanation I should think there would be no objection on the part of G. Br before the delivery of the Ratifications, to exchange with Mr Monroe a dec[larati]on that the Conn. was concluded without Reference to the...
41To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 November 1802, London. No. 76. Notes that Gore has acknowledged letters received from the State Department during King’s absence and informed JM of what has been done toward accomplishment of the president’s instructions. “I shall immediately resume the business that has been so well commenced, and as well from the nature of the subject, as from the temper and disposition that are...
42To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 June 1802, London. No. 70. Has received the duplicate of JM’s letter of 1 May ; as soon as the original arrives, will take “immediate measures to complete the Convention by exchanging the Ratifications.” The commission under article 7 is proceeding satisfactorily; more than fifty cases have been decided since it recommenced its business, and once the exchange of ratifications is made,...
43To James Madison from Rufus King, 10 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
Some months ago I informed you that Mr. Jackson would probably be sent to the U. States as Mr. Liston’s successor. Mr. Merry had been previously thought of and indeed named for this mission . As I have had the opportunity of knowing both these gentlemen during my residence here it was not without some regret that I heard of the intention to appoint Mr. Jackson in lieu of Mr. Merry . From this...
44To James Madison from Rufus King, 4 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 October 1801, London. No. 37. Had expected to close negotiations on article 6 of the Jay treaty in time to forward result via Dawson, who is on the point of embarkation, but they are not yet concluded. Transmits instead a report of activities since his dispatch no. 32 [24 Aug.]. Will not agree to any variations on or enlargements of the [1783] treaty of peace as this would only “lay the...
45To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
Annexed I have the honour to send you a copy of my Correspondence with Mr. Anstey upon the Subject of the British Debts. Reference may be had to numbers 93 & 98. of the last series; the former inclosing Copy of a Paper delivered to Lord Grenville on the 23. of November 1800, as a commencement of the negotiation, and the latter explaining his Lordships reasons for devolving on Mr. Anstey the...
46To James Madison from Rufus King, 10 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 June 1802, London. No. 69. Acknowledges JM’s public letter of 7 Apr. “communicating the Presidents approbation of the Convention respecting the 6 & 7 articles of the Treaty of 1794”; by “private accounts of a later date” has learned of the Senate’s consent. Has no news as to countervailing duties; “their continuance or repeal is a question submitted to the decision of Congress.” Does not...
47To James Madison from Rufus King, 1 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Having learned that the Law which prohibited our commercial intercourse with France had ceased, and judging that great numbers of our Vessels would be immediately cleared out for the different Ports of that Country, and probably, among others, for Ports in a State of Blockade, I wrote a Note to this Effect to Lord Hawkesbury, and requested that immediate Instructions should be given to the...
48To James Madison from Rufus King, 28 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 January 1803, London. No. 79. Reports that no further progress has been made in the boundary discussion. “From one or two Conversations that I have had with Colo. Barclay, who has returned to Town, I perceive that his opinion, whatever influence it may have, will be favourable to such a Settlement of the Eastern Boundary, as would be satisfactory to us. The chief difficulty … respects the...
49To James Madison from Rufus King, 24 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
Owing to my absence from NYK. I had not the honour of receiving yr letter of the 13. before yesterday. Although the suspended Items in my a/c are in my judgment equitable charges, yet as they seem not to be included within the List of contingent expenses heretofore allowed, I feel myself duly sensible of the Presidents liberality in the direction which he has authorised to be sent to the...
50To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 February 1803, London. No. 81. “As I apprehended might be the case, Bird Savage & Bird have answered my demand for the surrender of the Bills of Exchange lately remitted to them, by saying they were unable to deliver them up, as they had been discounted before their failure.” Has requested the firm to prepare and send him “their Accounts including all receipts and Payments up to the day on...