31To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 February 1802, Amsterdam. Has mentioned in recent letters that if Mrs. Bourne’s state of health continues to make the voyage necessary, he wishes to have permission to accompany her to Baltimore. Explains that this would not occur until “towards the fall,” resulting in a short absence during winter when there is little business, and he would leave a respectable agent in charge. “Being loth...
32To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 6 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 February 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits a triplicate of his 20 Jan. dispatch. Stresses that although he has asked permission to accompany Mrs. Bourne to the U.S. in the fall should her health require it, “I would by no means have the thing interfere with my Official duties as the preservation of my place trifling as its income will probably be in peace is Still an Object with me —owing to the...
33To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1802, Amsterdam. States that he has decided to send his wife “to the Country for her health the ensuing season”; therefore, he will not return with her to the U.S. as suggested in his recent letters. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
34To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 23 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 February 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits papers and states that as physicians think his wife’s health “will not sustain the fatigues of a voyage across the Atlantick very soon I shall conclude to let her go into the Country for her benefit in this regard & remain in the wonted exercise of my Official Duties.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. In another note of 23 Feb. to JM...
35To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits the latest issues of the Leiden Gazette . Although many months have passed since the signing of peace preliminaries between France and Great Britain, no final arrangement has been made and the state of suspense is prejudicial to commerce. British government has ordered a “respectable fleet” to sea; this has created alarm as to the prospects for the...
36To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 April 1802, Amsterdam. Acknowledges JM’s letter of 25 Jan. , to which he would have replied before this had not the “distressing situation” of his family rendered him almost incapable of attending to business. “It is, About three weeks that Mrs Bourne (in consequence of child bearing) has been entirely deprived of her reason & suffered under the most violent fits of delirium. She still...
37To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 29 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 April 1802, Amsterdam. Regrets that the situation of his family, an account of which was given in his last letter, still prevents him from attending to JM’s request. Apologizes for apparent neglect of his duties. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
38To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 25 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 June 1802, Amsterdam. Reports that his health is better and he is again performing his official duties. “But the Doctor strongly advises me to try to pass the seas to America before Winter with my family—as in his opinion being the best possible remedy to benefit the state of Mrs Bs mind & to give strength to my nerves. Should I resolve on this measure I shall claim & hope for the...
39To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 16 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 July 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits latest issues of Leiden Gazette ; “those you desired for the last years are all packed & only want a Conveyance to Baltimore—my house here will continue to forward those which succeed.” Expects to embark for the U.S. within the month, “as the most probable means of restoring the physical & intellectual health of Mrs B.,” and has made arrangements for filling...
40To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 25 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 July 1802, Amsterdam. “This will serve to inclose the two latest Leyden Gazettes & to confirm my decision of embarking in course of 10 days for the U States with Mrs B.… Craving the kind indulgence of Govt. for my absence I shall endeavour to make it as short as possible while in the interim I have made every proper arrangment for the affairs of the Consulate.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD ,...
41To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 26 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 October 1802, Baltimore. “The situation of Mrs. Bourne’s health since my arrival from Europe has hitherto retarded my intended visit to Washington.” Hopes to be able to proceed there soon to pay his respects and arrange some business matters. Has nothing material to report, as “accounts from Europe of a much later date” will have had more recent news. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol....
42To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 14 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 January 1803, Baltimore. Forwards some intermediate numbers of the Leiden Gazette just received. “If about the time of my return to Holland in the Spring any circumstances arising out of our foreign relations should render neccessary a temporary special Agency or commission from our Govt to any part of Europe, I should be glad of the employ as it would be an aid towards my expenses while it...
43To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 21 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 February 1803, Baltimore. Sends another parcel of Leiden Gazettes up to 24 Dec. 1802 and notes that the latest issue contains an account of the arrival of General Victor at The Hague, together with the staff of the army destined for Louisiana. “Indeed no further doubts can now be indulged as to the certainty of the preparations making for that expedition.” Captain Gardner has just arrived...
44To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 13 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1803, Baltimore. “As I expect to leave this for Boston in course of ten days, I think it proper to give you this information in order that you may direct the Documents I am to receive from your Department to be prepared (if convenient) prior to that period.” Will probably embark for Europe from Boston but cannot yet fix the precise time. Should it be material for JM to know the date,...
45To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 2 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 July 1803, Baltimore . Has deferred his return to Amsterdam because of the “late agitated & unsettled position of the affairs of Europe.” Reliable reports state that “War … was renewed on the 16h Ulto an event which must materially affect” U.S. commerce. Doubts that Spain and the Netherlands will be able to maintain their neutrality, “as the connection of those Countries with France must...
46To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 October 1803, Amsterdam . “I have the pleasure to acquaint you of my safe return to this City a few days past & that on the first of next month I shall resume my official functions & be prepared to attend to any commands you may have for me in course of the public service.” Has not had time “to obtain correct information relative to the present state of Affairs in Europe” but will write...
47To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 October 1803, Amsterdam . Informed JM “a few days past” of his “safe return to this city.” “Since which I have been informed by our Commercial Agent at Rotterdam that many embarrasments attended the Am’n trade there—several vessells loaded with Tobacco being prevented from discharging their Cargoes because they had called in England for orders & were not furnished with the Certificates...
48To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 23 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 October 1803, Amsterdam . Encloses a copy of the Leiden Gazette “under a new title owing to the old one having lately been forbid by the Govt here.” Notes that “as Mr Foreman from whom Mr Alexander at Rotterdam recd his appointment as agent in the Consulate has long since resigned his Commission & that Mr Alexander has never recd any appointment from Govt many embarrasments are found to...
49To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1803, Amsterdam. Addressed JM lately about some American ships that had difficulty unloading cargo in Rotterdam “for want of due vouchers as to the neutrality of the property.” Visited Rotterdam to obtain more information. Regretted finding that the captains did not have proper certificates of property, which are necessary in time of war in order to prevent “those embarrasments to...
50To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 25 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 November 1803. “It is with regret I observe that our Vessells arriving here & which left the U States sometime ulterior to the period when the Law of this Govt. of 5th July last past had been known in our Country, are still without having the Certificates thereby required ‘purporting that the Cargoes are not of British produce &c.’” Has made an “arrangment with the publick officer here”...
51To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 21 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 December 1803, Amsterdam. “It is with regret I acquaint you that notwithstanding every exertion on my part to obtain a system of quarantine in this Country, more reasonable in itself & less vexatious for our Commerce than the one at present adopted I cannot procure the desired relief—their tenacity is unbounded & the consequence is that many of the Vessels under quarantine in the open roads...
52To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 29 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 December 1803, Amsterdam. “This is expressly to acquaint you that the state of Mr Alexander’s health (our Consular Agent at Rotterdam) will render it neccessary that some other person should be appointed to fill said place. Mr Wm Clark of Boston informs me that he has applyed therefor to Govt. & I have reason to believe that he is worthy the attention of Govt.—his capacity & integrity will...
53To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 7 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 January 1804, Amsterdam. “Inclosed I send you the Leyden Gazettes up to the present date & I take this occasion to regret that it will be absolutely requisite in order to produce (if possible) a relaxation of their present ruinous system of quarantine here that some direct communication should be made by our Govt: to that of this Country—my efforts in this regard having had no beneficial...
54To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 2 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 February 1804, Amsterdam. Encloses the Leiden Gazette for January. Has nothing to add as political affairs have remained unchanged. “There are persons who flatter themselves with the probability of a renewed peace e’er long: but for my own part I am unable to perceive any basis on which it can at present be formed consistent with the reciprocal views of the contending Powers—& I am even led...
55To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 February 1804, Amsterdam. “I have sedulously occupied myself of late in the means for procuring a relaxation of the rigorous quarantine Laws of this Country in favr of our Vessells.” Encloses a copy of a letter “just received” from the secretary of state “which holds forth the pledge of a due attention thereto in future that I hope to see realized.” “It has been lately reported here in the...
56To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 February 1804, Amsterdam. “Permit me to observe that on many accounts the commercial interests of the U States require that there Should be an Agent at the Helder of one responsibility to attend to the concerns of the American Vessells arriving there as its distance from this City prevents my attention thereto, but that place being a poor & unpleasant residence it may be necessary that...
57To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 4 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 April 1804, Amsterdam. “I lately had the honor to address you relative to the appointment of an Agent for the Consulate at the Helder —suggesting that it might be neccessary that our Govt should afford its patronage to this appointment by allowing a few hundred dollars per Annum towards its support, since which the inclosed request has been made to me by the Amn. Masters now in port which I...
58To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 8 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 April 1804, Amsterdam. Hopes to transmit soon the information JM requested on light fees, quarantine costs, etc. “Having to collect the information from various sources some of which not being the most accessible I am not yet prepared to make out the table.” European affairs remain unchanged. “The discovery of the late conspiracy in France seems to occupy the public mind exclusively at...
59To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 April 1804, Amsterdam. “I had the honor sometime since to address you on the subject of having an Agent of the Consulate named for the Helder —soliciting some pecuniary aid from the Govt for the support of this establishment. I have now to forward you a remonstrance which has been lately made to me on this head by the American Masters in Port. As I before observed it will be difficult...
60To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 24 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 April 1804, Amsterdam. “I here inclose a duplicate file of the Leyden Gazette bound, with 4 of the last papers up to this date,” and a letter to the president expressing congratulations on the acquisition of Louisiana “thro means equally temperate as they are honorable to the agents of that important negotiation.” “I have been much gratified by finding in our Gazettes some spirited...