1To James Madison from William Lee, 3 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 October 1801, Bordeaux. Recent accounts leave no doubt that peace between France and Great Britain either is already concluded or will be soon. Encloses copies of two letters from a Paris banking house to friends of Lee’s in Bordeaux and quotes from two other letters he has received from Paris—the first, dated 24 Sept., mentioning that negotiations are “going on with great activity” and the...
2To James Madison from William Lee, 30 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 November 1801, Bordeaux. Encloses an extract from the consular registry relating to Barnet. Believes Barnet should have been content with soliciting support from his countrymen, “for the manner in which those from the constituted authorities here were procured, is not very honourable to him, or favorable to me nor can those testimonies be pleasing to the President.” RC and enclosure ( DNA :...
3To James Madison from William Lee, 20 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1802, Bordeaux. Encloses list of vessels in port from 26 Oct., when he took charge of the agency, to 31 Dec.; list is imperfect, as “unaccomodating” ship captains will not cooperate with consuls unless required to do so by law. Is “much harrassed with the complaints and sufferings” of American seamen; twenty are in the hospital and “at least one hundred and fifty strolling about the...
4To James Madison from William Lee, 18 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 February 1802, Bordeaux. Has sent home on ship Thames bound to Philadelphia the distressed and invalid seamen listed in enclosed document. To avoid the delay necessary to obtain Livingston’s authorization, the captain “consented (by my agreeing to furnish them with provisions and every thing necessary) to take them on board his Vessel, fully persuaded that the Government will make him such...
5To James Madison from William Lee, 20 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 July 1802, Bordeaux. “The bearer hereof Mr Kidder of Massachusetts has been Secy. to this Agency for some months. He is a young man of good abilities & strict integrity and has had the advantage of being educated at Cambridge. He will answer any questions you may please to put to him concerning the affairs of this agency and will be able to give you considerable information respecting the...
6To James Madison from William Lee, 22 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 July 1802, Bordeaux. Reports that since his last dispatch he has been “obliged to leave the Consulate for six weeks owing to the failure of John Fry Junr. of London with whom the House of Perrot & Lee were closely connected.” Hopes “the necessity of the case” will excuse his absence. Calls JM’s attention again to the distressing situation of American seamen at Bordeaux. For the last three...
7To James Madison from William Lee, 10 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 August 1802, Bordeaux. Reports that since his letters of 22 July and 2 Aug. another seventy-three distressed seamen “have been thrown on my hands.” “I thought proper to state this to you that you might see the necessity of instructing me on this head.” Encloses tariff of new duties. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Bordeaux, vol. 1). 2 pp. Enclosure not found. Letter not found. A full transcription...
8To James Madison from William Lee, 26 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 September 1802, Bordeaux. Lists vessels with the number of seamen discharged from them since his 10 Aug. dispatch, “making sixty nine seamen to whom may be added forty six strollers whose names are registered in the office as coming from different ports of the Republic which together with the seventy three I had in charge at the date of my last amounts to one hundred and Eighty Eight men...
9To James Madison from William Lee, 6 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 October 1802, Bordeaux. Since his dispatch of 26 Sept., has received an arrêté of the consuls, which is enclosed. “I took the liberty to mention to you in my letter of July 22d. that notwithstanding the circular which the Secretary of the Treasury addressed in July 1801 to the Collectors and Naval Officers respecting bills of health many vessels left the United States without them and in...
10To James Madison from William Lee, 25 December 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 December 1802, Bordeaux. “A severe indisposition will just permit me to say that I have again been under the necessity of sending home to their own Country pr. the Ploughboy … forty-three distressed seamen and I beg leave to refer Captain Jones to you for such a compensation as you may judge fit to make.” Has supplied the seamen with 4,840 francs’ worth of provisions and has received 2,708...
11To James Madison from William Lee, 20 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1803, Bordeaux. Has been informed by William Foster, Jr., that he is “about making application to the President” through friends in the U.S. for appointment to the vacant consulate at Nantes. Has known Foster “for many years” and he has a reputation for “possessing good mercantile talents, a cultivated understanding and virtuous principles.” He has resided in France “for upwards of...
12To James Madison from William Lee, 10 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 June 1803, Bordeaux . Encloses a letter he received “yesterday” from Monroe. Acknowledges JM’s letter of 9 Apr. ; believes the regulations “therein contained” will stop the “improper discharge of Seamen in foreign ports.” Feels gratified in being able to force compliance with these regulations; they will help “in alleviating the suffering of a useful class of citizens.” Called on the...
13To James Madison from William Lee, 27 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 June 1803, Bordeaux . Encloses a packet from Monroe received “the day before yesterday” and a copy of his last letter. Has been much troubled by American seamen; the crews of ten ships now in port, a total of about ninety men, all deserted to take service in privateers. Of these, sixteen had already sailed downriver with the Blonde . Arrested sixty and imprisoned them with the assistance of...
14To James Madison from William Lee, 4 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 July 1803, Bordeaux . Encloses a bill of lading for thirteen cases of wine directed to the care of Thorburn and Donaldson, merchants at Norfolk. “I have depended on my partner to choose this wine having been too ill myself to attend to it. I hope the quality will please you.” RC and enclosures ( DLC ). RC 1 p. The enclosures (2 pp.) are a bill of lading and a receipt, both dated 2 July, for...
15To James Madison from William Lee, 3 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 August 1803, Bordeaux . “The annexed is a copy of my last pr the Mary carrying your wine which I hope has by this time arrived. My partner Mr Perrot tells me that the wine was of the first quality particularly the Barsac which came from his own estate. I have drawn on you this day at thirty days sight for 645 francs in favor of Wm Booth which please to accept & pay.” RC and enclosure ( DLC...
16To James Madison from William Lee, 6 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 August 1803, Bordeaux . Refers JM to his last letter of 27 June . The sixty American sailors he had arrested for signing on with French privateers have been “distributed among the American Vessels” after being detained several days. Encloses a list of the sixteen sailors who had “actually engaged” on board the Blonde and been paid advances. These men are still confined, as he has paid...
17To James Madison from William Lee, 22 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 October 1803, Bordeaux . Wrote last on 6 Aug. , enclosing his accounts, vouchers, and a list of U.S. ships entering Bordeaux from January to June 1803. Fears his letter was lost or destroyed, since it was carried by the ship Columbus , Captain Macey, which was captured by a Liverpool privateer. Encloses duplicates of all but his vouchers. Cannot send “a statement of the Charges on American...
18To James Madison from William Lee, 25 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since my last official respects under date of the 6th Aug: I have been absent from Bordeaux having by the advice of my Physicians taken a trip to the Mineral Waters of the Pyrenees from whence after a residence there of six weeks I a short time since returned having almost intirely recovered my health to the astonishment of all my friends. Shortly before my departure for the waters I forwarded...
19To James Madison from William Lee, 20 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 December 1803. “P the good Intent for Philadelphia I take the liberty to send you under care of the Collecter three boxes containing fruits in Brandy almonds, & prunes.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
20To James Madison from William Lee, 1 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 March 1804, Bordeaux. “I have the honor to transmit you ⟨enc⟩losed the returns of the Vessels which have entered ⟨an⟩d cleared at this Office from the 1st. July to 31 Decr 1803. “The numerous and heavy failures in this City have ⟨c⟩aused great distress among the Americans at this ⟨p⟩ort, the Custom house having seized several of their ⟨C⟩argoes which were in the hands of the Bankrupt...
21To James Madison from William Lee, 10 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 April 1804, Bordeaux. “I have the honour to enclose you a letter which I recd. a few days since from Mr Cathalan of Marseilles who informs me it contains the pleasing intelligence of Commodore Prebles having destroyed by means of a fire ship the frigate Philadelphia as she lay in the harbour of Tripoly. “Since my last respects of the 1t. of March I have been continually engaged before the...
22To James Madison from William Lee, 20 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 April 1804, Bordeaux. “Your favor of the 7th Feby: came to hand by Lt. Leonard who arrived here in forty five days from NYork charged with dispatches &c. for Mr Livingston —I regret not recg. your letter a few days sooner two or three Vessels having lately sailed for Norfolk by which I could have sent the wine you order. “Before this gets to hand you will perhaps have heard of the...
23To James Madison from William Lee, 22 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 April 1804, Bordeaux. “My last official respects were under date of the 11 inst. and the day before yesterday I had the honor to address you a private letter in answer to yours by Lieutenant Leonard. The present is merely to enclose the copy of a letter I have this day recd. from our Consul at Marseilles.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Bordeaux, vol. 2). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner...
24To James Madison from William Lee, 12 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last respects of the 20th Ulto so many circumstances have come to my knowledge to make me believe that several persons are endeavouring to injure me with the Government that I have judged it necessary again to repeat to you that I should feel much flattered if any thing of this nature should appear in your office by your recommending the President to order our Minister at Paris to...
25To James Madison from William Lee, 16 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 May 1804, Bordeaux. “I have the honour to enclose you copies of my last respects under date of the 11 Ulto. and 12 inst. “The Contestations with the Custom house which I mentioned in my last have nearly ceased and the several failures which took place in this City about the begining of January being long since known in the UStates no further difficulty of that nature is to be apprehended....
26To James Madison from William Lee, 20 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 June 1804, Bordeaux. “By the Maria Capt. Hatton bound to Norfolk I have shipt you Ten Cases of Wine pr. Invoice enclosed. The red is of an Excellent quality. The white I bought in the Cask and myself bottled it and it came so very cheap I thought you would be pleased with my sending the whole. The rest of your order goes by the ship Sheffield Capt. Cowper who is to sail for Norfolk in a day...
27To James Madison from William Lee, 10 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is a copy of my last pr. the Maria Capt Hatton by whom I sent you ten Cases Wine. & pr. the Sheffield Capt Cooper bound to Norfolk I have sent 4 Cases old Sauterne Wine five Cases of Fro[n]tegnac and two Cases of Liqueurs amounting with charges to the sum of nine hundred and ninety nine francs which when added to the Invoice pr Capt Hatton makes the sum of three hundred and twenty...
28To James Madison from William Lee, 14 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 July 1804, Bordeaux. “It having been represented to me that some of my Countrymen in London and Paris ⟨co⟩mment severely on my conduct respecting the Joseph & Phoebe of Castine from Virginia with Tobacco via Cowes the situation of which Vessel I mentioned to you in my respects of the 11th of April I have thought it a duty I owe myself to enclose you copies of my letters on this affair (in...
29To James Madison from William Lee, 10 August 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 August 1804, Bordeaux. “Herewith I have the honour to transmit you a copy of my last accompanied by my semi-annual return of the Vessels which have entered ⟨an⟩d cleared at this office since the first of January [not found]. “The Ship Pomona and Brig two Brothers which I mentioned in my respects of the 26 June [not found] as having been seized by the Custom House have been released and are...
30To James Madison from William Lee, 11 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 October 1804, Bordeaux. “Since my last respects pr Mr Colden, nothing of moment has occurred in this Consulate. The disputes between masters of Vessels and Sailors, Supercargoes, Consignees, and freighters, occupy the chief of my time, and were I to detail the daily incidents of the Office it would prove of no utility, and only be exhibiting the conduct of some of my countrymen in very high...
31To James Madison from William Lee, 1 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1804, Bordeaux. “I had yesterday the pleasure to forward you pr the Jefferson Capt Hull for NYork, a letter from Mr Cathalan of Marseilles, containing some interesting information on our affairs at Tripoly. “Herewith I have the honour to transmit you four packages, handed me this morning by a gentleman from Paris who, at the same time informed me of the arrival of Genl. Armstrong,...
32To James Madison from William Lee, 14 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
I mentioned to you in my respects of the 11th of Octr, that the litigious conduct of the masters of our Vessels, gave me considerable trouble and instanced the affair of Capt. Hall, of the Ship Dolphin of Charleston & permit me now to state to you another, of a more serious nature. Captain George Haley of the ship Brutus of New London, last from Charleston, via Plymouth, having had a dispute...
33To James Madison from William Lee, 20 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 November 1804, Bordeaux. “The numerous complaints which are made by Captains of Vessels against my construction of the third section of the Law passed the session of Congress preceeding the last, renders it necessary I should call your attention to that Act and give you my reasons for forcing the masters of Vessels to a compliance therewith. “Following the letter of that law I have always...
34To James Madison from William Lee, 29 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 November 1804, Bordeaux. Transmits copies of his letters of 14 and 20 Nov. “This Government having granted permissions for the exportation of grain to Spain, has created a great activity in the port, and all the American Vessels at liberty have obtained freights for different parts of that Kingdom, at from 120 francs, to 160 francs, pr ton. I should not be surprised were the English to stop...
35To James Madison from William Lee, 11 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 December 1804, Bordeaux. “I had the pleasure to address you by duplicates on the 14: 20: and 26 of last month. “The present is merely to forward you a few Gazettes and to state to you that mr. Monroe was to leave Paris on Saturday last (the 29th) on his way to madrid and I shall expect him here the day after tomorrow. “The corronation went of[f] with great eclat as you will perceive by the...
36To James Madison from William Lee, 20 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 December 1804, Bordeaux. Refers JM to his letter of 14 July regarding the Joseph & Phoebe and encloses letters from Livingston and Skipwith on the subject. Had not realized the persons interested in the ship and cargo had such malice toward him; had thought from information he received that they merely complained of his not being more active in obtaining release of the cargo. “But I have...
37To James Madison from William Lee, 5 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 January 1805, Bordeaux. “Since my respects of the 20 Ulto. on the subject of the Joseph & Phebe, I have occupied myself in endeavouring to discover the origin of that calumny, but without that success I could wish. It was told to Mr Monroe, in London, by the persons interested in the Cargo of that Vessel, and by Mr Sargent of Virginia, who was lately at Paris, that Mr Guestier, of the house...
38To James Madison from William Lee, 20 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1805, Bordeaux. Refers to his letters of 20 Dec. and 15 and 16 Jan., in the last of which he enclosed a letter to Gallatin regarding the affair of the Easter of New York, details of which he here states. “Some time in the month of July 1803 Captain Booth of New York purchased of Strobel & Martini of this City a French Ship called the Easter which he put under American Colours and...
39To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 12 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
12 February 1805, Bordeaux . “I have put on board the Brig Lyon Capt. Coursell bound to Baltimore two small boxes for yourself and the President of the United States containing each a ‘ Patté de Perigueux ’ composed of Partridges and Trufes. These pies are in great estimation in Europe and are to be served up cold. They are eaten of sparingly and will keep some time after being open if the top...
40To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 1 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
1 March 1805, Bordeaux . “In one of my former letters I mentioned to you that I had refused to grant Gadiou & Co. of this City a Consular Certificate which they demanded of me for a Vessel they had purchased here by virtue <o>f a power of Attorney from Joseph Kaumann of <N>ew York to James Dupy of Nantz. Mr Thos. Irwing who I believe is interested in the house of Podière & Co. <h>aving lately...
41To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 20 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
20 April 1805, Bordeaux . “I beg leave to transmit you a copy of my correspondence with Mr Skipwith respecting the Imprisonment at this port of disorderly American Seamen.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Bordeaux, vol. 2). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner. For enclosures, see n. 1. The enclosures (7 pp.) are copies of (1) Fulwar Skipwith to Lee, 28 Mar. 1805, stating that he had received a...
42To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 1 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
1 May 1805, Bordeaux . “I have frequently taken the liberty to mention to you that it appeared to me the indulgence accorded by our Government to its citizens in permitting them to purchase abroad foreign vessels operated greatly to the prejudice of the owners of regular Ships. At no one period since my residence here has there been so many of these vessels fitting out at this port as at the...
43To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 9 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
9 May 1805, Bordeaux . “I have observed for three or four months past that a number of French Officers, members of the legion of honor to the number of ten or twelve have passed here in disguise and taken passage in our Vessels, bound to Louisiana. I have also learnt that Colonel Toussard has been appointed by this Government vice Consul for New Orleans, that his brother and [ sic ] Law an...
44To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 12 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
12 May 1805, Bordeaux . “I think it my duty to inform you that the affairs of my late house of Perrot & Lee, were this day terminated by a judgment, of the Court of Commerce, confirming the arrangement I had made with the Creditors, of that concern, and giving me a discharge, agreeably to the laws of this Country. I hope by industry and economy soon to repair the evils I have suffered by the...
45To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 18 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
18 May 1805, Bordeaux . “In my letters to yourself and the Secretary of the Treasury under date of the 10th and 20th of January, I mentioned the affair of the ship Easter. Having <s>hortly after the date of my letters learnt that she was not to proceed from Cadiz to norfolk but to return here I took such arrangements with the Commissary of marine for the seizure of this Vessel as have...
46To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 19 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
19 May 1805, Bordeaux . “I beg leave to transmit you a copy of my correspondence relating to the Ship Draper Capt Green belonging to New Haven. This Vessel is now dropping down the river and I have no hopes that any thing favorable will arrive in season from Paris to prevent her departure. The conduct of the Vice Admiral Maritime Prefect for Rochfort in regard to this Ship will cause a loss to...
47To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 18 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
18 June 1805, Bordeaux . “I take the liberty to enclose you a copy of a letter I wrote the Collector of Boston, a few days since concerning the Brig Ranger of that place. Capt Hooper has written I am told to Government on this business and those who have advised him to this measure are endeavouring to prevail on him to protest, and throw his Vessel on my hands. I hope on perusing my letter to...
48To James Madison from William Lee, 16 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 16 July 1805, Bordeaux. “I have the honor to enclose you a duplicate copy of my correspondence with General Armstrong concerning Consular Certificate Vessels accompanied by a copy of my letter to the Secretary of the Treasury on the same subject.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Bordeaux, vol. 2). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 8 Oct. For enclosures, see nn....
49To James Madison from William Lee, 20 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 20 July 1805, Bordeaux. “I have the honor herewith to transmit you a return of the Vessels, that have entered and cleared at this Consulate, from the 1st. of January to the 30th of June [not found]; together with a list, of those Vessels that have been expedited under the Consular Certificate, accompanied by my account current with the United States [not found]. “You will...
50To James Madison from William Lee, 21 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 21 July 1805, Bordeaux. No. 241. “I have the honor to transmit you enclosed a letter I have this moment recd. from the US. agents at Leghorn.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Bordeaux, vol. 2). RC 1 p. For enclosure, see n. 1. The enclosure (1 p.) is a copy of Degen, Purviance, & Co. to Lee, 1 July 1805, transmitting a copy of John Rodgers’s 8 June 1805 letter to...