401From James Madison to Samuel Smith, 7 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
The list of the vessels detained by embargo at Bourdeaux to which you allude was originally received from Mr. Skipwith, who of course has access to the materials from which it was drawn up, and being the public Agent will doubtless make every use of it, which may be necessary: but it seems proper to suggest that the documents which might have been sufficient for the purpose to which the list...
402From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 8 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 February 1803, Department of State. Asks that a $200 warrant be issued in the name of Peleg Wadsworth and charged to Richard O’Brien’s salary account. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. This was presumably O’Brien’s annuity to his mother ( PJM-SS Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (4 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va.,...
403From James Madison to John Bullus, 18 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
It being understood that you are disposed to take charge of the Dispatches which are to go to Europe in the armed Vessel The Revenge, I have now to inform you that they will be put into the hands of Captain Reed, and delivered to you on your going abroad. The Dispatches are intended partly for our Ministers at Paris, and partly for those at London. The Revenge will touch first at a French...
404From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 9 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Henry Dearborn. 9 May 1806, Department of State. “It being determined to forward to Tunis Six brass field pieces, 6 pounders, with the necessary carriages & apparatus, I have the honor to propose, that six of those in the hands of Mr. Foxall, belonging to the war Department, should be appropriated to this purpose; and that, if they can be spared, the carriages and apparatus should be...
405From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive the ratification by the President and Senate, of the Convention with the British Government signed on the 12th of May 1803, with an exception of the Vth article. Should the British Government accede to this change in the instrument, you will proceed to an exchange of ratifications and transmit the one received, without delay, in order that the proper steps may be...
406From James Madison to Charles Peale Polk, 19 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 19 April 1801. Acknowledged in Polk to JM, 14 May 1801 . Quoted in Polk to JM, 12 Oct. 1809 (DLC). Complains of indisposition. Gives assurances that JM will offer Polk and his family help if the opportunity arises.
407From James Madison to John Cotton Smith, 26 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 21st. inst. enclosing the application of William Eaton Esqr. and the various documents to substantiate it, I find it unnecessary to add much to the explanations they contain. The answer which I had the honor to give to your letter of the 20th. Jany. last, respecting the claim of Mr. Cotton; the developement of Mr. Eaton’s views and inducements relative to his...
408From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 23 Ult. Callendar made his appearance here some days ago in the same temper which is described in your letter. He seems implacable towards the principal object of his complaints and not to be satisfied in any respect, without an office. It has been my lot to bear the burden of receiving & repelling his claims. What feelings may have been excited by my plain...
409From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
The information and observations which you have as yet received from me since your arrival in London, on the impressment of our seamen, and other violations of our rights, have been in private letters only. The delay in making these injuries the subject of official communications, proceeded first from an expectation that the British Government would have notified formally to the United States,...
410From James Madison to I. Hays and C. Amory, 22 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 April 1804, Department of State. “I duly received your letter [not found] enclosing a collection of documents respecting the Ship Perseverance. The late Convention with Spain having been ratified on our part, as soon as a similer [ sic ] form has been communicated to it by the King of Spain, a Board will be organized with powers to examine all unjust captures and detentions by Spanish...
411From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 21st. was recd. by the last mail. The passport for Niemcewics went by the first succeeding opportunity. Mr. Petry arrived two days ago with the inclosed letter from Genl. Turreau. The request it makes is not very consistent with the understanding which regulated the former compliances; but necessity is pleaded, with assurances that this shall be the last, and that the bills...
412To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed report as altered is acquiesced in by Mr. L. In two instances recurred to Congs have already interposed; one of them the Paoli—at last Session. The judgmt. of the Court agst Capt. Maley was pd. by Congs —Several Dutch & British precedts. can also be cited. The 7 Art: of the British Treaty & 21 of the Span: go on the responsibility of those Govts. for irregular acts of Officers...
413From James Madison to Thomas Fitzsimmons, 12 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States, authorises me to inform you, that it is in contemplation to dispatch to Europe, for public purposes, a vessel or vessels, from time to time, during the period of the embargo̶and that previous notice of the time and place of departure will be given, with a view to the accommodation of merchants and others in their foreign correspondence. Printed...
414From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 22 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of May 21st. 1802 with a copy of that of July 2d. 1801 has been duly received. I hope that before the receipt of this you will have been successfully engaged in making peace with Tripoli. The late conduct of the Emperor of Morocco, and the effect which may be produced on the disposition of the Bey of Tunis by the rencounter reported to have happened between the Boston Frigate, and...
415From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 31 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Having communicated the inclosed letter from Genl. T. to the President, he concurred in the propriety of asking from you the information on which an answer, ought to be founded. I understand from the P. that he has explained to you the principles regulating the indulgence allowable to these diplomatic applications. He will acquiesce however in giving effect to any misconceived persuasion under...
416From James Madison to John Gavino, 2 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 November 1803, Department of State. The Citizen will carry this letter and most of the gun carriages with the remainder to follow from Norfolk in a supply ship. “After touching at L’Orient to deliver some public dispatches, she will call at your port to ascertain whether it will be safe to proceed to Tangier, and if all should be well with Morocco she is to lose no time in delivering her...
417From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 1 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
My last of which a duplicate is now sent, was of the twenty sixth day of March. I have since received yours not then acknowledged including the Dispatch of Feby 26 which came to hand two days ago. The conduct of the French Government in paying so little attention to its obligations under the Treaty, in neglecting its debts to our citizens, in giving no answers to your complaints and...
418From James Madison to Thomas McKean, 7 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to an Act of Congress, entitled An Act for the more general promulgation of the laws of the U. States I have transmitted to the Collector of the Customs at Philadelphia 1026 copies of the laws of the United States 2d Session 9th Congress being the proportion for the State of Pennsylvania with a request that he would forward them to your Excellency. I have the honor to be with great...
419From James Madison to John Stephen, 25 October 1806 (Madison Papers)
In answer to the representation of the French Minister of the delay, which has taken place in the prosecutions for the outrages committed upon the French privateer La Felicita, he has been assured that they would be promptly urged hereafter. I must therefore recommend the affair to your attention, though I doubt not that in the interval every proper measure will have been taken to fulfill this...
420From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet thanked you for the copy of your Message, which I find has attracted attention, and circulates with advantage to yourself, as well as to the public. It is much to be wished that the same manly and enlarged sentiments, and the same just and enlightened policy, might distinguish the addresses of all the Republican Governors, and co-operate with the example set by the President, in...
421From James Madison to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 28 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
A gentleman holding Virginia military land warrants, having had the misfortune to locate them and surveys made, on lands previously and regularly located by others, which was not discovered by him until patents were granted at this office, is desirous of retracing his steps, by surrendering the patents already issued, removing the locations to vacant land, and by this course obtain new...
422From James Madison to Levett Harris, 13 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
It appears by representations made in behalf of Israel Thorndike, that a Vessel and valuable Cargo belonging to him, was some time since captured in the Channel of Scio, by a Russian Squadron under the Command of Vice-Admiral Senadin, and condemned by a Committee of Prizes attached to the Squadron, on a charge of having violated the Russian Blockade of Smyrna. The suffering party will forward...
423From James Madison to William Patterson, 24 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Isaac Briggs being desirous of having an agency in carrying into effect the manufacturing plan instituted at Baltimore, I cannot refuse his wish that I would make him known to you. Mr. Briggs has a just & high reputation as a man of science, and with a general turn for mechanical subjects, has paid I understand some particular attention to the ingenious machinery used in the Cotton...
424From James Madison to Anthony Merry, 28 August 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Anthony Merry. 28 August 1806, Department of State. “You will receive herewith Duplicate Copies of a Protection, proving the Citizenship and describing the person of Robt Smith , which was granted to the said Smith by the Collector of the Customs at Philadelphia on the l9th May 1797. From a late Communication to this office, it appears that this man had been recently impressed into the...
425From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 12 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
In my answer of the 21st. Ult to the part of your letter of the 7th. which refers to a declaration made by a Sergeant Frodsham, that certain British Deserters from the British Ship of war Chichester, had been enlisted into the American service, having on, at the same time, their British uniforms, it was signified that enquiry would be made into the fact. I have now the honor to inclose a copy...
426From James Madison to Pierre Samuel DuPont de Nemours, 2 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his best respects to Mr. Dupont de Nemours, and requests that he will be so obliging as to take charge of some despatches for the American Minister at Paris, which are forwarded by the present mail to the post-master at Philada. They are to be handed by him to Mr. Dupont. Should a failure happen, Mr. M. will take it as a favor, if Mr. Dupont will please, before he embarks,...
427Notes on Jeffersons Message, 29 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
(1) to exercise the authority in such a manner as would withdraw the pretext on which the aggressions were originally founded, and open the way for a renewal of that commercial intercourse which it was alledged on all sides had been reluctantly obstructed. As each of those Govts. had pledged its readiness to concur in renouncing a measure which reached its adversary thro’ the incontestable...
428From James Madison to Henry Hill, 3 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
It is proper to apprize you that the President has it in view to Commission you as Consul for St. Salvador in the Brasils, and that you should apply in person to the Government at Rio Janeiro, for its sanction to the appointment. To the latter place a passage for you will be provided, and the arrangement communicated as soon as it shall be made. The Vessel on its return from Rio Janeiro, will...
429From James Madison to Jacob Ridgway, 26 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 November 1804, Department of State. “I have received your letter of the 30th. June. The imprisonment of Seamen by your authority and at your discretion is altogether irregular and ought to cease. Whenever the powers of the master of a Vessel to preserve discipline on board, by inflicting confinement or other punishment, are inadequate in any case, recourse must be had to the laws of the...
430From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To George W. Erving. 3 July 1806, Department of State. “At the request of Govr. Claiborne, I have the honor to introduce to you Mr. Merricalt, as a respectable citizen of New Orleans. He is proceeding to Madrid with a view to obtain payment of a debt from the Spanish Government. Should you approve of his demand and its nature admit of your patronage, I request the favor of you to afford it...
431To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 30 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, has the honor to state to the President, on the subject of the communication made to him by the Governor of Massachusetts, on the 10th. Ultimo, that negociations were in due time instituted for adjusting with Great Britain the limits between her territories on this Continent and those of the United States, that no serious difficulty has arisen in providing for an...
432From James Madison to Samuel Chase, 14 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, in answer to your letter of the 11th. Instant, that the latest Intelligence received from Mr. King concerning the Maryland Bank Stock is of the 28th. Jany. last and of the following substance—That Lord Hawkesbury some weeks before had sent an Instruction to the Attorney General for effecting a transfer of this Stock to the King, in order that His Majesty might...
433From James Madison to William G. Latimer, 4 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To William G. Latimer. 4 July 1806, Department of State. “I have received your letter of the 30th. ult. and enclose, as you desire, a copy of one written on the 11th. January 1803, the observations contained in which remain applicable to the case of La Amigos.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 15). 1 p.; addressed to Latimer at Philadelphia. JM to Robert C. Latimer, 11 Jan. 1803 ,...
434From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 10 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I am authorised by the President of the United States to ask the favor of you, as I accordingly do, to cause a warrant to be issued for nine hundred & ninety dollars, payable out of the appropriation for the Contingent expenses of Government, in favor of Patrick Ferrell, the holder of the enclosed bills of Robert Williams, Governor of the Mississippi Territory, both dated the 13th. of April...
435From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since you left us we have no further intelligence from N. Orleans, except a letter dated Jany 20 from the vice Consular agent there, from which it appears that the letters to the Govr. & Intendant from the Spanish Minister here, had arrived abt. the 13th. and had not on the 20th. produced the desired change in the state of things. The delay however does not seem to have been viewed by the...
436From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 September 1806 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 23. with its accompaniments came duly to hand. I have adopted your amendment to the letter to Turreau. He may fairly be told that no appropriation has such an object as he presents, because the Legislature can not be presumed to have contemplated it; particularly taking into view the line of neutrality hitherto pursued. At the same time it is not amiss to avoid narrowing too much...
437From James Madison to Deborah McClenachan Stewart, 11 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your letter of the 8th. the list of claims on the French Government lying in the Office of State was re examined, and I regret that it does not enable me to furnish the information you wish. You already know that the list does not contain the name of General Stewart. Several of the other names in which you suppose your claim might stand, do appear, but without any distinctive...
438To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 12 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. last night the inclosed letter from Yrujo. Mr. Wagner informs me that a copy was sent directly to you by the same mail, but as a further security for your receivg the communication without delay, I take advantage of the present oppy. for forwarding the original. It is a curious circumstance that near three months after the sale of Louisiana, the French Ambasr. should have given the...
439Memorandum to Thomas Jefferson, [14 April] 1803 (Madison Papers)
1t. Quer. if the laws give any authority at present beyond the limits of the U. S? 2 “This Mission having reference to the Commerce”—may repell, more than the expression used, the criticism of illicit principal objects of the measure. 3 “including the fish” 4. if practicable he might note occasionally the variations of the Needle. RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). Undated. Docketed by Jefferson,...
440From James Madison to Anthony Merry, 25 February 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Anthony Merry. 25 February 1806, Department of State. “You will receive herewith Duplicate Copies of authentic Documents in relation to Oliver Child & Ellery King, two American seamen, impressed by his Britannic Majesty’s Ship of war, the Vengeance, Cruizing off Charleston, S.C, from the Am: Ship Andromache, Jn D Wolf Master, on her passage to Havanna from Bristol in R Island. As they are...
441From James Madison to Benjamin Woods, 18 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter on the subject of Mr: West, I have to observe that the President was led by the difficulty of sending a suitable and willing successor, to cause a blank commission to be transmitted to the Governor of the State, with a request that he would fill it up. It will be proper, therefore for Mr: West to communicate with the Governor on the arrangement suggested in your...
442From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 10 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Docr. Thornton wishes to dispose of a bill of Exchange for five hundred pounds sterling, on Quintin Dick Esqr London. The bills are at 60 days sight, and are sent with blanks, to Mr. Riddle of Alexandria, who is authorized to sell them. Should your department be in want of money in London, he wishes you to be acquainted with the opportunity. He has satisfied me that the draught is made on...
443From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 January 1806 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 8th. instant enclosing a pamphlet on the principle in question between this Country & G.B. and mentioned that it would be communicated by the Presidt. with other documents on the subject. This will not be done, and I have written to recall the letter & pamphlets from the ports to which they were sent. If either of the copies should have gone to sea & should reach you, be so...
444From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 28 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a copy of the memorial of Jeremiah Lawrence and others, complaining of the capture by the French of three vessels belonging to them. It appears that they were engaged in Whaling on the coast of St Domingo, and that tho’ they had nothing on board but the necessary stores and the proceeds of their industry in the voyage, they were seized in a place called Sam Bay at...
445From James Madison to Edward Thornton, 11 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to transmit herewith by direction of the President copies of certain acts of the Executive authority, bearing date in the years 1794 and 1795. These acts resulted from the circumstances which then existed, and from a just solicitude to maintain the laws and the rights of neutrality within the jurisdiction of the United States. The intervention of other circumstances rendered...
446From James Madison to Joseph Bradley Varnum, 2 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith a Report, made in compliance with a Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9th. Ultimo, and am with great respect & consideration, Sir, Your most obedt. Servt. The Secretary of State, in compliance with the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9th: Ultimo, directing him "to lay before the House a statement of the whole number of...
447From James Madison to Aaron Burr, [ca. 5 March] 1804 (Madison Papers)
The voyage referred to by Mr. Vanderkemp was undertaken and conducted by individuals, in whose hands the journal and other papers, which he desires to peruse, must remain. Mr. Barrill of Boston had a concern in the voyage and may be therefore resorted to in order to trace their place of Deposit. With very high respect, I have the honor to remain, Dr Sir your most obed. servt. RC (owned by...
448From James Madison to Thomas Newton, 19 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter of the inst., I beg leave to refer you to the act of Congress passed on the 5th. June 1794, wherein you will find solutions of many questions, which occur from time to time respecting the neutrality of our ports. In reference to the particular enquiries which you have made it is to be observed, that the mere temporary employment, within the United States, of their...
449From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
The condemnation of the cargo of the Olive Branch having been reversed, General Allen finds himself in the situation pointed out at the close of my letter of the 13th of December 1803 of having gained no more by his judicial pursuit than an abstract decision of the illegality of the capture: for Messrs. Bird, Savage & Bird, of London, who became his sureties on the delivery of the property to...
450From James Madison to Samuel Cabot, 22 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 3d. instant. At the date of mine of July 21. your letter of Apl. 23. 1800 with those which passed between you & Mr. King & the American Commissioner⟨s⟩ had not been seen by me. These documents will no doubt have their due weight in the settlement of your accounts; which as heretofore intimated, must be presented at the Treasury, and will probably be required...