1From James Madison to John Adams, 22 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Being informed that our Mediterranean Passports and papers of navigation have been recently counterfeited and used by persons not entitled to them, and being referred to you for explanations respecting it, permit me to request you to make a deposition reciting your knowledge of the subject as circumstantially as may be and especially what you know respecting the interest Mr. Willis the...
2From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 10 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison requests the pleasure of Mr. Adam’s company to dinner on Tuesday next at half past 3 o’clock. MHi .
3From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 14 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Adams and incloses a letter just recd. from Mr. Randolph in answer to the letter from Mr. Adams, lately forwarded in one from Mr. M. to Mr. R. RC and enclosure ( MHi : Adams Papers). RC docketed by Adams. For enclosure, see n. 1. Edmund Randolph to Adams, 9 Jan. 1802 (1 p.; cover marked by Randolph: “To be read by the secretary of state”; docketed by...
4From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 16 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 December 1803. “Having transmitted to Mr. King, the inquiry contained in your letter of , I have received the answer of which a copy is inclosed. The office of State possesses no further information on the particular point in question with the Committee.” RC ( DNA : RG 46, Foreign Relations, 8B-B2). 1 p.; printed in ASP American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the...
5From James Madison to Daniel Addis, 16 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 7th. I have to state that the public character of the Marquis of Casa Yrujo is so far unchanged, as to leave, to his Domestics and Domestic Servants, the privileges, which under certain limitations, they derive from that situation, by the law of nations, to their persons & their property. I am &c. DNA : RG 59—DL—Domestic Letters.
6From James Madison to James Akin (Abstract), 9 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
9 May 1805, Department of State . “The recommendations, under which you were formerly engaged in this Department, not being found on the files, I regret that I have it not in my power to comply with your request [not found] to have them or copies.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. Engraver James Akin (ca. 1773–1846) had been a clerk in the State Department under Timothy...
7From James Madison to Czar of Russia Alexander I, 29 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
to be ? in quality ? of Minister plenipotentiary. The bearer to you of assurances of the sincere friendship of the U. S. and of their desire to maintain with your Majesty & your subjects the strictest the relations of amity and commerce. He will explain also to Your Majesty the peculiar position of these States separated by a wide Ocean from European powers, with interests & pursuits distinct...
8From James Madison to Czar of Russia Alexander I, 28 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
to be illegible in quality illegible of Minister plenipotentiary. The bearer to you of assurances of the sincere friendship of the U. S. and of their desire to maintain with your Majesty & your subjects the strictest relations of amity and commerce. He will explain also to Your Majesty the peculiar position of these States separated by a wide Ocean from European powers, with interests &...
9From James Madison to Lawson Alexander, 13 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 1st: instant has been received. The arrangements designed by the President, relative to the Consulate at Rotterdam, do not permit me to authorize you to return to that place in your former capacity. Nor can I offer you the dispatches to our Ministers in Europe, as provision had been made for their conveyance before your letter reached me. I am &c. DNA : RG 59—DL—Domestic...
10From James Madison to Alexander McIver, 23 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mr. W. C. Williams of Frederickburg has proposed, that if this Department will pay him the money due on account of the Schooner Friendship & Cargo, he will give bond & security to indemnify the United States from any consequence that may arise from it. Should you have any objection to this measure be pleased to sidnify it with as little delay as possible, in order that it may meet with the...
11From James Madison to Andrew Allen Jr., 15 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Andrew Allen Jr. 15 November 1805, Department of State. “I have this day written to the Collector of the Customs at Boston to pay what he may deem reasonable for the passage of the American Seamen from Halifax to Boston as mentioned in your letter of the 28th. ultimo to the Secretary of the Treasury.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 15). 1 p. For Allen’s letter to Albert...
12From James Madison to Ira Allen, 4 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Having received no official information respecting the decision in the case of the Olive Branch, I can only inform you, in consequence of your letter of the 1st. inst., that no convention exists between the two Nations af[f]ording a special remedy adapted to the circumstances under which the decree of restitution is made. I am &c. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14).
13From James Madison to James Allen, 13 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your letter complaining of the attempt by Mr. Lewis S. Pintard, acting as Consul at Maderia, to extort illegal fees from you, whereby your vessel was detained, has been received. As comprising a violation of public duty, the case will meet with the proper attention. For the private injury you have sustained, you have your remedy against Mr. Pintard who caused it, his principal Mr. John M....
14Circular Letter to American Consuls and Commercial Agents, 9 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since the commencement of the year 1802, I have received your letter of the date of June 28 and I now transmit you a copy of the laws of the session of Congress preceding the last. Of those of the last session, a copy of the ’Act supplementary to the “Act concerning Consuls and Vice-Consuls,” and for the further protection of American seamen,[’] is annexed; the remainder will be forwarded as...
15Circular Letter to American Consuls, Mediterreanean, 2 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
On receiving information of the loss of the Philadelphia, an act of Congress was passed whereby a Million of dollars, was appropriated to enable the President to impart such vigor to the conduct of the war as might at once change the exultation of the enemy in his casual fortune into a more proper sentiment of fear and prepare the way for a speedy & lasting peace with Barbary. The five...
16Circular Letter to American Consuls, Mediterranean, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
The proofs which have been received of the hostile purposes of the Bashaw of Tripoli having imposed upon the President the obligation of providing immediately for the safety of our Mediterranean commerce, he has judged proper to send to the coast of Barbary a squadron of three frigates and a sloop of war, under the command of Commodore Dale. The squadron will sail in a very few days from this...
17Circular Letter to American Ministers, 22 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a copy of the President’s communication to the Legislature at the opening of the Session which commenced on the 17th instant. On the 21st the Senate advised the ratification of the Treaty and Conventions with France respecting the acquisition of Louisiana, and I have the pleasure to add, that yesterday those instruments received the final sanction of the President...
18Circular Letter to American Ministers, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
For a considerable time past, suspicions have prevailed, that a rupture with the United States was intended by the Bashaw of Tripoli. Of late the alarms and proofs have been such, as to impose on the President the obligation of making immediately the most effectual provision within his authority, for the defence and protection of our Mediterranean commerce, in case it should be attacked from...
19Circular Letter to American Ministers, 16 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
By the mail of last Evening, dispatches were received from New Orleans, announcing the formal delivery of the Province of Louisiana to the Commissioners of the United States on the 20th Ulto. This day Mr Baring will receive the portion to which he is entitled by this event of the Stock created in pursuance of the Treaty. The remaining two thirds will be forwarded under arrangements of the...
20From 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...
21From James Madison to J. C. Amory and Others, 31 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have just written to Mr Pinckney, the Minister of the United States at Spain, and have called his attention to the case represented by your letter of the 22d January last, some time since received at this Office: and it will be well for you also to write to him on the same subject. I am, Gentlemen, very respectfully, Your Obedt Servant, RC ( DNA : RG 76, Spain, Treaty of 1819, Allowed...
22From James Madison to James Anderson, 22 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
I Certify, That the bearer herof, James Anderson, is a citisen of the United States of America and proceeding to Havana in discharge of a public trust; these are therefore to request all whom it may concern to give him no molestation in going, staying or returning; but on the contrary to afford him security and every friendly accommodation. In Faith Whereof, I James Madison, Secretary for the...
23From James Madison to James Anderson, 22 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
The extensive Commerce carried on with the Island of Cuba renders the establishment of a Consul there of very considerable importance, but although different Gentlemen have, from time to time, been permitted to act in that capacity in a limited degree, yet the authorities of the Island as well as the Government of Spain have uniformly refused to give a public recognition and Character to a...
24From James Madison to James Anderson, 29 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
With your letter of the 27th. inst: I have received the cypher for secret correspondence, of which you were requested to make a copy for your own use. I have directed a packet addressed to Mr. Maurice Rogers to be sent to you and I beg the favor of your causing it to be forwarded to him on your arrival at Cuba. I am &c. DNA : RG 59—DL—Domestic Letters.
25From James Madison to Hans Henrik Ankarheim, 15 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 15th. Ult. of which Mr. Farwell was the Bearer, and to hand to the President, the one addressed to him by the same conveyance. The distressful wants & apprehensions of the Inhabitants of St: Bartholomews, excite in the President all the sympathy which is due to them, and nothing could be more gratifying to his benevolence than to find himself...
26From James Madison to Anonymous, 30 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter and communications of the 20th. Ult: with your subsequent one of , and thank you for them. We have received from time to time much information on the subject of the abuses in the British V. Admiralty Courts; but the particulars which you have authenticated, are important corroborations of our title to redress. I ought in justice to the Agent of the U. S. at Antigua, to...
27From James Madison to Anonymous, 20 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Will you be so good as to say whether the affidavits referred to in the inclosed be in your hands or recollected by you to have recd. by the Ex: and in the first case to forward them to me. Be so good also as to return the letter of Mr. W. Catalog--Batchelder.
28From James Madison to George Armroyd, 18 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
In conformity to the request in yours of the instant I have made the capture of the Brig Neptune the subject of a representation to the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, as a ground for his interposition with the Govr. of Porto Rico: I enclose the letter with a request that you will convey it to him. As no document proving the Citizenship of the Claimants or the ownership of the Vessel, accompanied...
29From James Madison to John Armstrong, 2 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
The Officers of the French Government in St Domingo having made that Government a debtor to Mr Tucker of Massachusetts by a restraint which left him no alternative, Mr Pichon undertook to liquidate the compensation due, for which he delivered Mr Tucker a draft on Paris. On the presentation of this draft payment has been refused on account of an alledged defect of authority in Mr Pichon. It has...
30From James Madison to John Armstrong, 14 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
The rein given by Great Britain thro’ the arbitrary decisions of her Admiralty Courts to the Cruizers against our commerce, has produced already heavy losses to our merchants, and a very general indignation throughout the nation. You will have observed the notice taken of the British conduct in the Message of the President to Congress at the opening of the Session. I now transmit a copy of a...
31From James Madison to John Armstrong, 6 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
On reviewing the letters from you not yet acknowledged I find them under the following dates, viz 12th Novr. 24. 25. & 30th Decr 14th Feby and 18th March last. I have the pleasure to observe to you that the President entirely approves the just and dignified answer given to the venal suggestions emanating from the French functionaries as explained in your letter of the 24th of December. The...
32From James Madison to John Armstrong, 26 October 1806 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of June 2. last to the Secretary of State was recd. during my late recess in Virginia, where it could not be conveniently answered; and since my return, I have till now been prevented by indisposition from giving it the proper attention. From a search into the correspondence of the Commissioners of which you wish a copy, I find that no part of it can have relation to the period of...
33From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
A Commission by which the President appoints you Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic is herewith inclosed, with a letter of credence to the First Consul. The delivery of these will be an occasion of which you will avail yourself to assure the French Government of the continuance of those friendly dispositions which the United States have hitherto expressed, and...
34From James Madison to John Armstrong, 5 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
With the exception of several letters on special subjects, my last was dated on the 24th of November; since which I have received from Mr Livingston his letters of Septr. 14 & 21st & October 10 & 23d, and yours of the 20th of October 1804. Congress did not adjourn till the night of the 3d instant. The greater part of their Acts were passed in a late stage of the session, and a number of them...
35From James Madison to John Armstrong, 6 September 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 6 September 1804, Department of State. Offered for sale by B. Altman & Co. (advertisement, Wall Street Journal , 15 July 1973), where it is represented as a one-page letter stating that U.S. claims regarding debts contracted by the French in Saint-Domingue have not been met nor has Livingston reported on the matter. JM asks to be informed about the probability and time of...
36From James Madison to John Armstrong, 2 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
From the period when the misunderstandings between France and the United States encouraged the Agents and cruizers of the former in the year 1797 to fall upon the trade of the United States, till the capture of Curaçoá, this Island served as a station for Commissioning and fitting out privateers, for holding judicial proceedings over prizes, for selling them, and in short could scarcely be...
37From James Madison to John Armstrong, 10 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of June 29th to Mr Livingston I have received his several communications under the dates of the 25 & 26th of July 8th. 28 & 29th of August & 4th of September. The course which the proceedings under the Convention for indemnifying our Citizens, has taken, seems to require no particular addition to the remarks and instructions already in your hands, until the result of them shall...
38From James Madison to John Armstrong, 25 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
It is represented by the parties interested in the ship New Jersey and cargo, for which indemnity is claimed under the late Convention with France, that a disallowance of the claim is likely to proceed from an idea that Insurers do not in such cases take the place of the Insured. As the Convention has provided for its own exposition and execution, it has been thought best that these should be...
39From James Madison to John Armstrong, 26 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Your account dated 25th December last, which has not been examined at the Treasury for want of the vouchers, containing a charge for Office furniture, it is necessary to apprize you that such an allowance has never been made and cannot therefore at the Treasury, be admitted. The Commissioners under the Louisiana Convention have deposited with Mr Skipwith the papers, furniture and utensils of...
40From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 August 1806 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ To John Armstrong. Letter not found. 15 August 1806. Acknowledged in Armstrong to JM , 24 Dec. 1806 ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 10), and described in Jacob Wagner to JM , 15 Aug. 1806 , as having to do with the case of Benjamin Stoddert and John Mason.
41From James Madison to John Armstrong, 27 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 May 1804. Acknowledged in Armstrong to JM, 2 June 1804 , as an offer of appointment as U.S. minister to France and a suggestion, should Armstrong accept the commission, that he visit Washington before sailing to France.
42From James Madison to John Armstrong, 21 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of August 6th. has been duly received. Those of August 2d & 4 addressed to Mr. Wagner have also been transmitted to me. No regular notification has yet been received of the change which it seems certain has taken place in the French Government, nor are the new stile and title precisely known, by which it is to be addressed. All that can be done therefore in accommodation to the...
43From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I herewith inclose an act of Congress just passed on the subject of the commerce with St. Domingo. In prohibiting the commerce in unarmed as well as armed vessels the act goes beyond the obligation of the United States under the law of nations, but the measure was deemed expedient for the present and the eventual welfare of the United States. And altho’ it must be understood to have proceeded...
44From James Madison to John Armstrong, 19 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
Mr Skipwith has represented himself to be aggrieved by an attachment laid by the French Government upon a liquidation in his favor, under the Convention for the purchase of Louisiana. From the Documents he has exhibited, comprising as well a statement of the grounds upon which the attachment has been imposed, as his own explanations, it would appear that the principal stress is laid upon the...
45From James Madison to John Armstrong, [23] May 1805 (Madison Papers)
Messrs. Thomas Lewis & Son of Boston were the owners of the ship Hope and Cargo, which were captured after the signature of the Convention with France of the 30th of Sept. 1800, carried to Guadaloupe and condemned. Those gentlemen having prosecuted an appeal, the Council of Prizes pronounced the capture illegal and ordered restitution to be made. Fortified with this decision, they sent an...
46From James Madison to John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe, 4 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe. 4 December 1805, Department of State. “Inclosed is a copy of the message of the President yesterday delivered to the two houses of Congress. The importance of its contents makes it desireable that you should receive it with as little delay as possible.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IM , vol. 6); RC ( DLC : Curry Autograph Collection);...
47From James Madison to John Armstrong and James Bowdoin, 26 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
On the supposition that by the time this reaches you the negotiations prescribed in my letter of March 13 will have taken their final turn and that this may not be a favorable one it is thought proper by the president that in such a state of things you should endeavour to bring about an arrangement providing first that the status quo taking for the date the transfer of possession of Louisiana...
48From James Madison to John Armstrong, 20 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have requested the Treasury to remit you three thousand dollars according to your request. If convenient to yourself, it would be preferred to pay you the whole outfit before you embark. Should time admit the balance being Six thousand dollars, shall be remitted on your intimating that it will be acceptable, or you may draw upon me for it payable here or at New York. The papers relating to...
49From James Madison to John Armstrong and James Bowdoin, 13 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received from time to time your several letters bearing dates 3 July 10 & 15 Augt. 10 Sepr. 3 & 25 Octr & 26 Novr. Previous to the arrival of Mr Skipwith with your dispatches of Sept 10th our affairs with Spain had undergone the particular consideration of the President; with a reference as well to the change in the state of things in Europe, as to the approaching Session of...
50From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 2 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of which Lt. Lewis was the bearer, I have received your several letters of 27 Decr 22. Jany 15th. & 17 February with their respective inclosures. That of the 15th. Jany from Mr. Champagny to you has, as you will see by the papers herewith sent, produced all the sensations here, which the spirit and stile of it were calculated to excite in minds alive to the interests and honor of...