1To Thomas Jefferson from John Armstrong, Jr., 2 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely regret that I should be compelled to give you the trouble of reading the Volume of Documents transmitted herewith. the controversy, out of which the book has arisen, was not, as I believe you will discover from the book itself, a thing of my seeking; and whether Skipwith has, at bottom, been anything more than a tool to others? is to me somewhat doubtful. Be this as it may,...
2To Thomas Jefferson from John Armstrong, Jr., 17 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I had not the honor of receiving your letter of the 21st. July ‘till some time in Decr. The young man whom it was meant to introduce, has been here since mid-summer. He is apprized of his obligations to you, and as far as we can judge from the outside, is sufficiently sensible of them. Gen. Lafayette passed the holidays with us. He was then in good health, and, what is more extraordinary, in...
3To Thomas Jefferson from John Armstrong, Jr., 9 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I had yesterday the honor of receiving from a Committee of the Agricultural Society of the Seine, composed of the President and Secretary of that body and the Counsellor of State Monsr. Moreau du St. Mary—the letter and medal herewith enclosed and committed to the care of Mr. Blackwell of New York. The manner in which these were presented for conveyance, was peculiarly flattering to me—as it...
4To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 3 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
You will receive herewith a copy of an Imperial decree of the 21st. of November fixed at Berlin, and yesterday submitted to the Senate. As this decree is susceptable of very different interpretations, I shall seize the first moment that presents itself of asking the explanation, which the Government shall think proper to give to us. I have the honor to be, with very great respect, Sir, Your...
5To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 15 August this morning and that of Mr. Wagner of the 1st. of October a few days past. Finding in the latter no acknowledgment of my letter of the 4th. of May I now send a third copy of it. It is probable that the three claims in which Mess. Stoddert & Mason are interested, will soon be decided; When they are, I Shall assemble the results of the...
6To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting the copy enclosed, of a letter from the Minister of Marine & Colonies, in answer to mine of the 10 instant, on the subject of the Imperial decree of the 21st. of November 1806. An additional explanation which I have just received and which it may be well to communicate is, that American Vessels coming from England or her Colonies into the Ports of France, since...
7To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 1 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
Soon after my arrival in France, Mr Skipwith applied to me for money to enable him, as Agent of Claims, to prosecute some suits which were pending before the Council of Prizes. Not finding any thing to authorize such advance, either in the appropriation for the year, or in my instructions, I refused to make it, and the rather, as it had been refused by all my predecessors. Mr. Skipwith was not...
8To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 16 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had yesterday the honor of receiving Your letter of the 10th. of November last, with a copy of one from Mr. Daniel Clarke and a duplicate Copy of that in relation to Gen. Wilkinsons instructions &c. &c. The Campaign being over and the Emperor and his Minister of foreign relations about to return to Paris, I hope soon to have an opportunity of renewing my communications with the latter. I...
9To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your letters of the 10th. of november and 10th. and 23d. of december 1806. The late movements of the Spanish troops in Louisiana afford a sufficient motive for renewing my application to this Government on the subject of our controversy with Spain, but the application itself was necessarily Suspended till the 5th. instant. I did not wish it to find the Emperor...
10To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 2 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
Gen. Armstrong’s compliments to Mr. Madison and begs his acceptance of a copy of a pamphlet which he (the Gen) has been compelled to print (and which he may be compelled to publish) against an attack the most weak and wicked, unprovoked and unexpected, that ever was made on a public Officer. The documents forming the sequel of this business (not having been received officially) cannot be...
11To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 29 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
733. 1116. 140. 1509. 1490. 1116. 322. 1354. 972. 27. 1083. 1116. 623. 921. 1333. 632. 925. 1547. 1503. 417. 1078. 736. 1315. 1389. 972. 664. 1304. 430. 1116. 1165. 921. 716. 1065. 1268. 1090. 972. 857. 1562. 1354. 972. 1113. 31. 43. 1217. 1067. 1217. 211. 380. 1268. 1217. 805. 949. 582. 1090. 972. 1036. 1354. 31. 43. 1217. 1532. 1217. 126. 1354. 31. 43. 1217. 1134. 1484. 1116. 664. 1522....
12To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 4 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
In the month of November last, a person of the name of Browne, (a merchant of Philadelphia) arrived in Paris, and to more than one person, spoke of a great political project of Mr. Burr, in a way perfectly enigmatical to his hearers, and to myself, to whom they had reported it. Nor was it, untill this great project got into the news-papers, that I could understand either the praises lavished...
13To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 5 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had yesterday the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th. of Jany. last, enclosing a copy of one from you to Mr. Erving of the same date; a statement of the case of the Marques de Casa Yrujo; the President’s Message to Congress of the 22d. of Jany. and a Report of a Committee of the Legislature of Kentucky of the 2d. of December 1806. I have this day demanded Pass-ports for myself and...
14To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 11 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
The cases (under the convention of 1803) in which the trustees of the late F. L. Taney supposed themselves to be interested, having been decided, I hasten to lay before you, as I promised, those several decisions, with a very brief sketch of the grounds on which they have been respectively made. You will see by the document sub-joined (marked No. 1) that on the 18th. of July 1803 Mr. Taney’s...
15To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
The appearances of rupture between this Country and Austria, which a few days ago gave some uneasiness here, have subsided, or have been altogether mistaken. The assembling of troops on the eastern frontier of Bavaria on the one side, and the adoption of a conscript law & prohibition of the Sale of provisions on the other, have, it seems, had causes very different from those which had been...
16To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mrs. Stewart returns to America 20,000 fs. richer than when she left it, but believing herself entitled to double that sum, she of course is not above half-pleased. As you may hear somewhat of her discontents, it may not be improper to state, that on her arrival in Paris the fund created by the Convention was reduced to 108,000 fs. and that for this residue, three other Claims were considered...
17To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 2 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a copy of the Acct. of the late house of Taney & Simonds with Swan & Co. as found among the documents at the Treasury, & a letter from the Director Gen. in answer to a second note from me (of the 10 Ulto.) requiring the evidence on which the charge made by the Govt. against Taney, was founded. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Most Obedient & very humble servant DNA : RG...
18To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 4 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
The moniteur of the day announces the capture of Dantzic. The capitulation was signed on the 24. and possession given on the 26. Nothing can better illustrate the superiority of the french army, & the conviction the Russians themselves have of this superiority, than the fact, that tho’ this siege & that of Niess were known to occupy nearly, if not altogether, 100,000 men, yet that no battle...
19To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 7 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing my last half year’s account with the United States and the necessary vouchers. I Am, Sir, with very high consideration Your Most Obedient & very humble Servant P. S. Mr. Armstrong would be much obliged by being informed whether his other Accounts have been regularly received & submitted to the Treasury Department for Settlement. DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic...
20To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith the Moniteur of the day, which contains a very interesting account of the resumption of hostilities between the grand Armies &c. I send also copies of three letters which I have written to the Prince of Benevent on the subject of our business with Spain. To the first of these I have received no answer from that Minister. The two others were sent by a...
21To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 28 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
An accidental delay on the part of Mr. Champlin gives me an opportunity of adding a few lines to those I have already written. The Marine Department is beginning to pay Pichon’s bills for the passages of French Officers & Soldiers &c. I got payment for a Mr. Sullivan of New York, a few days past. The Emperor has however made the bargain over again. He allows for the passage of an Officer 80 $...
22To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I send herewith, addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury, the whole number of vouchers issued by the Minister of this Government upon which my bills on the treasury of the U. S. have been drawn; & I add, for your examination, a Gen. Table of the payments which, conformably to these vouchers, have been made, and in which are designated, the original claimants, the transferees, the agents...
23To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting herewith a copy of the treaties entered into between their Majesties, the Emperors of France & Russia, and the King of Prussia. I send also an Extract from a letter of the 6th. inst. from the Prince of Benevent, and the Copy of one of the 15th. Ulto. from Gen. Sebastiani, His Imperial Majesty’s Ambassador to the Sublime Porte. The appointment of Mr. Chiraco, as...
24To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 3 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
We had yesterday our first audience of the Emperor since his return to Paris. Happening to stand near the Minister of Denmark, I over-heard H. M. say to that Minister, "So M. Baron the Baltic has been violated." The Minister’s answer was not audible to me, nor did it appear to be satisfactory to the Emperor, who repeated in a tone of voice somewhat raised & peremptory, "But Sir, the Baltic has...
25To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 23 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
In a conference I had with M. de Champagny on tuesday last, that minister stated, that a M. Davis (our Consul at Tripoli) had omitted to return the ceremonial visit made to him by his Majesty’s consul at that place; that this omission (being an offense against a usual and necessary civility) was rendered more pointed & piquing by the punctuality with which M. Davis had discharged this duty to...
26To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 27 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting a letter to the President of the U. S. from H. M. the King of Wurtemberg. The appointment of a Negociator (Lord St. Helens) on the part of G. B. would appear to indicate a real wish for pacification and endeavor to accomplish it: Nay it is even said, that she has formally accepted the mediation of Russia. On the other hand, her conduct towards Denmark cannot be...
27To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 4 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of stating, in my letter of the 23d. of August last, a complaint made by order of the Emperor, against Mr. Davis, Consul of the U. S. at Tripoli, for an omission of civility towards H. M.’s Consul residing at that place; and I have now to present another, from the same Quarter, against Mr. Kuhn, our Consul at Genoa. The offense imputed to the latter, is of a character much more...
28To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
In the letter you did me the honor to write to me on the 22d. of May last, you advert to the following subjects 1st. the construction given by this Govt. to its Decree of the 21st. of November. 2d. the promulgation of a decree of similar character by the Spanish Govt. 3d. the slow progress made towards an adjustment of our differences with Spain & 4th. What may be known at Paris of the agents...
29To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment been confidentially informed, that the Minister of Marine and the Council of prizes were about to receive new orders in relation to the November decree. I hasten to convey this information to you, as it may be important, (particularly at the present crisis) that it should be early known in America. It was conveyed to me in a note of which the following is a litteral...
30To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 9 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I forward by Mr. Mc.Elhonny a copy of a second and very extraordinary decree of this Government with regard to neutral commerc e. Whether it be meant to stimulate Great Britain to the commission of new outrages, or to quicken us in repelling those she has already committed, the policy is equally unwise, and so decidedly so, that I know not a single man of consideration who approves of it. It...
31To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
You will find in this note the substance of certain observations made by the Emperor at a Diaplomatic audience given yesterday at Fontainebleau. After rebuking the infallible head of the church (through the Cardinal legate) he Said, "He has sent me an Ambassador Extraordinary whom I shall send back to him, and whom I will not even see." Then addressing the Ambassador of Portugal, he declared,...
32To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 18 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
As Mr. Bowdoin has chosen to relinquish his public appointment, and to return to the United-States, it may not be amiss to furnish you with copies of a correspondence which took place between him and myself before his departure. I am, Sir, with very high consideration Your most and Obedient Servant DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
33To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 21 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your dispatch of the 2d. of August last, enclosing a copy, of a letter from Lt. Smoot to the Secretary at war and one from you on the same subject to Mr. Feronda. You will see by my letter to the Prince of Masserano a copy of which is hereto annexed, that I have lost no time in conveying to that Ambassador, the intelligence received, with regard to West...
34To Thomas Jefferson from John Armstrong, Jr., 28 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have put off writing to you, not only to the last day, but litterally to the last hour of Dr. Bullus’s stay in Paris. By this delay, I expected to add something, if not to the interest, at least to the bulk of my intelligence; but as “the best laid schemes of mice and men” go often wrong, and are even defeated by the very means taken to promote them, so it has happened to mine; the day has...
35To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
The moment I received your letter of the 25th. of July Conveying to me the President’s wishes that I should interest myself for Francis Dorivert &c. (who claimed from this Government the restitution of an Estate formerly belonging to Francis S. Bellisle), I hastened to possess myself of the nature and extent of the claim, and of the impediments which have been thrown in the way of it. My...
36To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
It was not till yesterday that I received from Mr. Skipwith a Copy of the Decree of the Council of Prizes in the Case of the Horizon. This is the first unfriendly decision of that Body under the decree of the 21st. of November. 1806. In this case, &on the petition of the Defendant the Court has recommended the restoration of the whole Cargo. I did not however think proper to join in asking as...
37To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Emperor left Fontainebleau yesterday; it is said, for Italy, Spain & Portugal. In each of those places great changes are predicted. Genoa and Piedmont are to be added to the Kingdom of Italy, which on the other hand, looses Venice, and its dependencies. These with a part of Etruria, and something on the Eastern Side of the Adriatic, are to form a Grand Duchy for Beauharnois. The residue of...
38To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 18 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed copy of a letter from the Prefect of the Arrondissement of Rochelle to M. J. Borde, will sufficiently explain the reason, why there ought to be a new and regular appointment of a Consul for that Arrondissement. As the objection is not personal, and turns altogether on the belief of the Min. of Exterior Relations, that "M. Lovell, neither by virtue of his Commission, nor by that of...
39To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 29 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing copies of two letters received yesterday the one from Naples the other from Amsterdam and am, with very high consideration, your most obedient & very humble servant I shall write to you in a day or two by M. T. Mikkel who is about returning to America. This goes by the Post. DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
40To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 1 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received a letter from His Majesty’s minister of foreign Relations of which I subjoin a copy and am Sir, With very high consideration, Your most Obedient, & very humble Servant, I transcribe a note received this morning from one of the Bureaux of the Government. "The Emp. goes directly from Italy to Spain. His equipage is en route for Bayonne. The guards go post to join him....
41To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 22 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Skipwith applied to me on the 17th. of November last to procure from the Public Treasury of France, certain papers deposited there, & having relation to two Claims settled under the Convention of 1803 in the names of Jos. Sands and C. M. Griffith. It was understood at the time that (in making this application) he was acting for Jos. Fenwick, or his employer M. M. John Mason & Benjamin...
42To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 27 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I forward by Mr. Mc.Elhonny a copy of a second and very extraordinary decree of this Government with regard to neutral commerc e. Whether it be meant to stimulate Great Britain to the commission of new outrages, or to quicken us in repelling those she has already committed, the policy is equally unwise, and so decidedly so, that I know not a single man of consideration who approves of it. It...
43To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 13 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The conjecture offered in my last letter with regard to the Embargo of our vessels, turns out to be correct. The order was intended to be confined to vessels of friendly and allied powers, or powers having both these characters. The word neutral crept into it merely by mistake. An extract from the Minister’s letter to me on that subject is as follows viz "Aucun ordre n’a ete donné pour retenir...
44To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have thought the enclosed documents sufficiently important to be forwarded by a special messenger. I can add little to the information they will give you. Our business here has taken as you will see, an extraordinary turn, and will require on your part some extraordinary measures. 632 550 1453 1105. 587. 541. 899. 972. 1415 1116 1131 1431 1116. 1354. 1287. 427. 426. 38. 897. 632. 972. 249....
45To Thomas Jefferson from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer of this is an active, sober, industreous and brave man, and in the event of a war, may be very usefully employed. He was a favorite of Admiral la Touche Treville and an officer on board of his ship, as long as the navy Ordinances of France permitted a foreigner to be in office. He has since been loitering about Paris to no purpose either of public or private benefit. It was in this...
46To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 17 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of the answer from the Minister of Marine to my letter of the 13 instant in relation to the sale of a part of the Cargo of the Ship James Adams. It would now appear, that the promises of forbearance made by another Department, are applicable only to vessels sequestered in the Ports, and not to such as have been captured at Sea. I omitted mentioning in my letter of the 15th.,...
47To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
The 453. 240. 760. 1480. symbol 35. 681. 1752. 1841. 1314. 1840 240 symbols 384. 18. 681. 1340. 1628. 1267. 1180. 76. 1340. 98. symbols 388. 1320. 1254. 64. 1780 341. 1476. 56. 48 56. 203. 38 symbol 1141. 1848. 1541. 1638. 88. 1340. 27. 121. 356. 454. 17. 1640. 1276. 14. 1760. 1267 61. 45. symbols symbols 48. 1360. 18. 1141.
48To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 22 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr Patterson offers so good a conveyance that I cannot but employ it. Nothing has occurred here since the date of my public dispatches (the 17th. inst.) to give to our business an aspect more favorable than it then had, but on the other hand, I have come at the knowledge of two facts which, I think, sufficiently shew the decided character of the Emperor’s policy with regard to us. These are...
49To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 28 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Having received no answer to my 2d. letter of the 14th. of February from M. de Champagny and having room for new complaints with regard to the mode in which the Imperial decrees of Novemb. 1806 and Decemb. 1807 have been made to operate, I determined to ask an audience of the Prince of Benevent and seek from him as head of the Diplomatic functions in France, Such explanations as H. M’s...
50To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 29 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I Send you the enclosed documents merely to invite a general instruction on the Subject of advances of Public money to the Agents of Prize causes. My own opinion is that the Captures under the decrees of Nov 1806 and December 1807 will, as intimated in Mr. Champagny’s note of the 15 of January be decided on principles altogether political; of course that the intervention of either agents or...