To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 30 July 1802
From James Madison
Washington July 30. 1802
Dear Sir
I inclose several letters for you put into my hands by Mr. Pichon, with some communications of his own, which are proper to be forwarded along with them. I inclose also a letter from Mr Jones at Gaudaloupe, and two others declining commissions of Bankruptcy.
My departure from this place, suspended for a day by preparations for the Mediterranean business stated in my last, has since been prevented by the lameness of a horse which obliges me to leave him behind & to purchase another. Having been thus long detained, & understanding that Mr Gallatin will be here to night or tomorrow, I am induced to submit to a little further delay for the chance of seeing him. By sunday at farthest I hope to be on the road, and in about 10 days from that date to be at home.
Nothing has occurred at this place since you left it which deserves mention.
With the most respectful attachment I remain yours
James Madison
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 31 July from the State Department and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Louis André Pichon to Madison, 28 July, acknowledging receipt of news of the case of the Peggy and regretting the delay in TJ’s decision, which seemed contrary to earlier U.S. restitution cases; also promising to rectify the mistake in the minister of marine’s instructions on precautions against yellow fever (, 3:437–8). (2) Pichon to Madison, 28 July, enclosing a letter from the French foreign minister Talleyrand to Pichon, 26 Mch., announcing the signing of the definitive peace treaty between Great Britain and France and sending a copy of the treaty to be shared with TJ (same, 3:438). (3) Pichon to Madison, 29 July, enclosing letters for TJ from the Institut National de France and an extract of a dispatch from Pichon to Talleyrand, 18 July, on the workings of the United States press, to be shown to the president (same, 3:439–40). (4) Edward Jones to Madison, 8 July, forwarding his dispatch of 10 May; he reports the lifting of the nearly 30–day prohibition on the export of all produce, excepting rum and molasses; all exports are now allowed upon the payment of designated duties; necessary provisions and lumber may be imported duty free; in a month, Jones anticipates returning to the U.S. from Guadeloupe, recently “restored to perfect tranquility” (same, 3:389). For other enclosures, see below.
TWO OTHERS DECLINING COMMISSIONS OF BANKRUPTCY: possibly two letters written from Norfolk to Madison both acknowledging the secretary of state’s 12 July letters enclosing commissions for the district of Virginia. On 22 July, Littleton Tazewell informed Madison that he considered the duties of the office “incompatible with other avocations more important to myself” (RC in DNA: RG 59, RD; endorsed by TJ: “Tazewell Littleton to mr Madison declines commr. bkrptcy”). Moses Myers also wrote to Madison on 26 July, declining his commission and claiming he was “not well calculated to fulfill the duties” of the appointment (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Myers Moses. Norfolk to mr Madison declines Commr. bkrptcy”).