31To James Madison from Rufus King, 24 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 September 1801, London. No. 35. Acknowledges JM’s letters of 21 May , 15 and 30 June , and 24 , 27 , and 28 July , the last three conveyed by Erving. Contrary to his earlier report, Denmark has not agreed to the convention with St. Petersburg, but he assumes it will eventually do so in order to regain its possessions in the East and West Indies. Discusses the situation in Europe after the...
32To James Madison from Rufus King, 10 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 May 1803, London. No. 97. “Upon farther search several Trunks of Papers respecting West Florida have been discovered, and upon my application orders were immediately given to deliver them to me. I have annexed Copies of the application, and Answer, in order that the manner may appear in which these Documents came into our possession. “I am told by the Clerk who found them that there are...
33To James Madison from Rufus King, 4 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 September 1801, London. No. 33. Reports that several American merchantmen have been seized off blockaded French coast despite Lord St. Vincent’s assurances that such vessels would be warned and turned away. Hopes to have these ships released soon. Expresses surprise that American merchants still continue to risk valuable ships and cargoes after long experience with the situation and their...
34To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
The question of Peace or War is still undecided; and as France plays for Time, and England (in which there is a public opinion) for a good Case to lay before the Nation, the negotiation may be spun out still longer; tho’ it continues to be said, as has been said for the last fortnight, that the next Messenger would enable the Ministry to bring it to a close. The objection of the British...
35To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 August 1802, London. Suggests that if the president consents to his return to the U.S., the same public ship could bring his successor and return King home. Realizes it is unlikely a frigate from the Mediterranean would be convenient, since “coming from that Quarter she might be liable to perform Quarantine which would occasion a long detention, as well as great Expense.” Requests to be...
36To James Madison from Rufus King, 23 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 December 1801, London. No. 45. Encloses copy of a letter from Lord Hawkesbury to Sir John Nicholl that has resulted in an order of restitution by the High Court of Admiralty in favor of all American vessels and cargoes detained on passage to Le Havre, except for the Frederick of New York and its cargo, the agents having brought that case to trial too soon. Conjectures the sentence may be...
37To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 August 1801, London. No. 29. Encloses copies of letter from John Turnbull of Turnbull, Forbes, & Company and the order in council referred to therein. Has sent Arrowsmith’s five-volume atlas; plans to forward Faden’s collection of maps and charts as soon as it is completed. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy and copies of enclosures ( NHi : Rufus...
38To James Madison from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
From the month of May till September or October, including what is here called the long vacation, very little Business can be done in London; it being the custom of almost all official Characters to pass the summer in the Country, and to visit London as seldom as they can. I am not aware that anything very pressing will, in the course of the summer, especially if the Peace be definitively...
39To James Madison from Rufus King, 7 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Owing to the continuance of the King’s illness, the change of the Ministry is still incomplete, and very little business, beyond the ordinary routine, is transacted. It is supposed to be on this account that no measure has been adopted in consequence of the Prussian Note avowing the King’s accession to the Northern Confederacy, the Principles of which, according to every appearance, are to be...
40To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
If the annexed copy of the Treaty between France and Spain, respecting the establishment of the Prince of Parma in Tuscany, be genuine, of which I have no reason to doubt, you will perceive the value which these Powers seem to have placed upon Louisiana; the cession whereof to France is confirmed by the 7th. article of this Treaty. I am in hopes that I shall be able to obtain and send you a...
41To James Madison from Rufus King, 8 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. and am obliged to you for your letter of the 5th. the settlement of my family will for some time call for and engage my time and attention, after this shall have been done, I will cheerfully upon an intimation from you, visit the seat of Govt. and make any such personal Communications as you may require. Had I supposed that you had not recd. dispatches from Paris of a date...
42To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 October 1801, London. No. 40. Adverse winds, which have delayed Dawson’s departure, give opportunity to send continuation of report on conferences with the lord chancellor and Lord Hawkesbury. Situation now is uncertain with no hint as to the turn it may take. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy and copy of enclosure ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol....
43To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 May 1803, London. No. 98. “I have the honour to transmit herewith the Convention which I yesterday signed in Triplicate with Lord Hawkesbury relative to our Boundaries. The Convention does not vary in any thing material from the tenour of my Instructions. The line thro’ the Bay of Passamaquoddy secures our Interest in that quarter. The provision for running, instead of describing, the Line...
44To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 February 1802, London. No. 53. Informs JM that Great Britain will accede to a proposal to abolish all discriminatory duties between U.S. and British territories and that Vansittart has moved for a bill in the House of Commons authorizing the king “by an order in Council, or by Proclamation, to cause the countervailing Duties … wholly to cease, or to be suspended.” Counts on the bill passing...
45To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 November 1801, London. No. 43. Understands that Lord Cornwallis will leave Paris soon for Amiens, where ministers from France, Spain, Portugal, and Holland will gather to conclude peace negotiations. Expedition to Saint-Domingue has not left, but a British squadron is to go immediately to the Jamaica station; it is supposed that the French expedition will proceed without waiting for the...
46To James Madison from Rufus King, 16 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 July 1802, London. No. 72. Reports that he exchanged ratifications of the convention on 15 July with Hawkesbury. An original copy of the British ratification and certificate of exchange will be delivered to JM in Washington by Gabriel Christie, a former U.S. representative from Maryland. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 10); letterbook copy ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol. 55). RC...
47To James Madison from Rufus King, 16 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 June 1802, London. Acknowledges JM’s private letter of 7 Apr. conveying the president’s permission to visit France and neighboring countries. Has no plans at the moment; might spend a few weeks at Paris in July or August. His secretary, John Pickering, returned home several months earlier; “I have expected as his successor my Nephew Mr. H. Southgate, who will probably arrive in the course...
48To James Madison from Rufus King, 8 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1802, London. No. 56. Reports that Austria is “highly dissatisfied, as justly she may be, with the issue of the meeting at Lyons.” Obstacles delaying conclusion of definitive peace treaty and the “unexampled stagnation of the Trade of this Country” have abated ardor for peace in Great Britain as well. This change in the “temper of the public mind” is attributed to Napoleon, whose views...
49To James Madison from Rufus King, 10 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
The day before yesterday I received the Duplicate of your letter of May 21. and am persuaded that the appearance of Commodore Dale in the Mediterranean must have a favourable influence upon our affairs in that quarter. My No. 20 will have apprized you of the Sentiments of this Government in respect to this Squadron, upon the Supposition that it was destined to the Mediterranean: these friendly...
50To James Madison from Rufus King, 31 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
It is confidently believed that a considerable Expedition composed of land & Sea forces, is preparing in france, and will soon proceed to St. Domingo, and perhaps to the mississippi. Should Toussaint resist, our commerc[e] may experience fresh Embarrassments in the west India seas. On this account among others the Presence of our Minister at Paris becomes more and more desir⟨a⟩ble. To my...
51To James Madison from Rufus King, 7 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 April 1802, London. No. 61. Text of definitive treaty was published in the Moniteur of 26 Mar. In general it “seems to adhere pretty closely to the Preliminaries: in such Articles as have undergone a modification, it is not obvious that the alteration is favourable to the views of this Country. Malta … will be liable to the influence of France.” Unless there is a separate article explaining...
52To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
A Government Messenger arrived at Twelve o’Clock to-day in forty hours from Paris, with a dispatch from Lord Whitworth, saying that he had received his Passports, and should leave Paris immediately after the Messenger on Thursday Evening. General Andreossy will therefore leave London to night, and the two Ambassadors will probably pass each other on Monday between Dover and Calais. Thus the...
53To James Madison from Rufus King, 18 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since I left London I have received your letter accompanying the instructions & authority concerning the settlement of our Boundary with Great Britain —and in consequence thereof have written to Mr Gore, desiring him to communicate to Lord Hawkesbury that powers have been sent to me for this purpose, and to request his Lordship to put the business in such a train as to be settled upon my...
54To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 April 1802, London. No. 63. Reports ratification of definitive treaty and the proclamation of peace “with the accustomed formalities.” British begin to reduce army and navy, and the “warrants and orders to impress Seamen have been recalled.” Lenox has closed his agency and delivered his papers to Erving, as a special office for the relief of American seamen is now unnecessary. Sweden has...
55To James Madison from Rufus King, 15 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have before mentioned to you that the cession of Louisiana (of which it seems to me we can have no doubt, notwithstanding what may be said to amuse us) was not once a topic of Enquiry or discussion in the negotiation of the Preliminaries: and for the same reason that it was not heard of on that occasion Lord Hawksbury has recently informed me that it had not been, and would not be mentioned...
56To James Madison from Rufus King, 3 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 July 1801, London. No. 23. Reports Parliament “prorogued,” ministry negotiations with France apparently stalled, and British relations with Baltic countries improving. Notes arrival at Suez of British forces from India, increasing likelihood that French will evacuate Egypt. Believes Portuguese have agreed to a “hard and humiliating” peace. Conveys latest word on British regard for American...
57To James Madison from Rufus King, 23 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 October 1801, London. No. 41. Conveys copies of his letter to the judge of the High Court of Admiralty and the reply relating to the conduct of the collector at the port of Plymouth. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy and copies of enclosures ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol. 54). RC 1 p.; marked duplicate; in a clerk’s hand, signed by King; docketed...
58To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 February 1802, London. No. 51. Reports receipt of JM’s 10 Dec. instructions and the resulting conversations with Lord Hawkesbury on the state of American trade with British dominions in peacetime. Encloses copy of a paper he sent to Hawkesbury on the subject. Acknowledges receipt on 4 Feb. of duplicate of JM’s 22 Dec. letter , “which has enabled me to be more explicit than I otherwise should...
59To James Madison from Rufus King, 29 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 March 1802, London. No. 60. Annexes a copy of Lord Hawkesbury’s note announcing the signing of the definitive treaty. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 10); letterbook copy and copy of enclosure ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol. 55). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by King; docketed by Brent. Cover postmarked New York, 22 May. Hawkesbury’s 29 Mar. note, copied on the...
60To James Madison from Rufus King, 10 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 August 1802, London. No. 75. Reports on a conference with Lord Hawkesbury on trade and navigation in the West Indies and the Maryland bank stock. Hawkesbury said that measures would be taken to transfer the bank stock to the Crown. Although he indicated that there were other claims besides Maryland’s, Hawkesbury seemed to think that after the stock was transferred “there would be no...