1To James Madison from George W. Erving, 14 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you by the Ship "Bourdeaux" Richard Law Mr., which left this a short time since for the port of N. York, in my dispatch No. 60 (dated Jany. 28th.) stating the amount of the intelligence then received respecting the last military operations in this country: By subsequent & more particular accounts we are now assured, that in the attack made upon the Duke of...
2To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
Owing to the interruption of the communication between this country & Holland, I have not been able to Receive any remittance from, or to draw on Messrs. Willinks & Vanstaphorst Since the 6th. July last. I was therefore under the necessity of drawing on your department under date of Sep. 22. 1808 in favor of Richard Hackley for the sum of 1400 Ds., being a few dollars more than half the...
3To James Madison from George W. Erving, 28 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
No 1. of the inclosed copies is a further note to Mr. Cevallos (dated Jany. 2d.) respecting the vessels detained at Algesiras: and No. 2 (of the 11th. Inst.) a memorandum which I gave him on the Same subject by his own desire, on his late arrival here in his way to England, when he promised me that he woud instantly write to Don Martín de Garay the new minister urging him to take up the...
4To James Madison from George W. Erving, 12 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was of Septr. 13; If perchance I have obtained any credit with you for judgement , When you compare what I have said in that & former letters, public as well as private with the subsequent Events which I am now oblidged to record, I am in danger of losing it, but these events n o foresight coud have calculated upon; they have been very principally owing to causes...
5To James Madison from George W. Erving, 9 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my Last, the only authentick intelligence which we have received, is that the Emperor is concentrating his force about Madrid; the french troops which were in La Mancha & at Truxillo in Estremadura have been withdrawn; the advanced posts of Infantados Army are at Aranjuez; it is beleived that a partial action has taken place between the french & General Romañas troops, but...
6To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
Various complaints as to the conduct of the Consular office at this place have from time to time within these 18 months past been transmitted to me; but as far as I have examined into these, I have not found sufficient matter to authorize my taking any such harsh measure against Mr. Yznardi, as Seems to have been Expected from me by those who have made them: nor did I think it necessary for me...
7To James Madison from George W. Erving, 31 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
The very rapid advances of the french armies towards Madrid, & other points of the interior, in consequence of the most Extraordinary & unlooked for successes, having determined the supreme Junta on the 1st. Inst. immediately to transfer the seat of government to Badajos in Estremadura; which determination was on the same day communicated to the foreign ministers; I had not time to conclude my...
8To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
With my dispatch No. 55 (Novr. 11th.), I had the honor to submit to you copies of my replies to the Spanish Secretary of state, his note of Novr. 7. (copy of which was transmitted by dispatch No. 54) respectg. a negotiation apprehended to have been opened at Washington by the French Minister, for the Sale of the Floridas to the United States. In Several Subsequent interviews with Mr. Cevallos...
9To James Madison from George W. Erving, 11 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
In a postscript (dated 8th. Inst.) of my dispatch No. 54, I communicated to you copy of a note dated the 7th., at the moment received from Mr. Cevallos, and containing the protest of this government against a negotiation which it apprehends to be on foot between the french Minister at Washington and our government, relative to the Floridas. I presume this to be a report excited by those who...
10To James Madison from George W. Erving, 2 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
The supreme central Junta of government having gotten into full activity; tho it had not appointed a secretary of State for foreign affairs, I thought it proper no longer to delay a representation respecting those of our vessels which are yet detained at Algesiras, under the blockade decree of the Emperor of France dated Milan Novr. 17, which was adopted by this government in January last; and...
11To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor herewith to transmit to you an ordinance or "provision" of the Council of Castile, dated the 1st. Inst., issued in compliance with the order of the Supreme central "Junta", & commanding the other tribunals & authorities civil & religious of the kingdom, to pay obedience to the "Junta" as the depositary of the Royal Authority. You will observe that the order of the "Junta" was...
12To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor herewith to transmit copy of a note of yesterday’s date which I have just received from the President ad interim of the Supreme Central Junta, communicating the installation of the same; also my answer of this date. With the most perfect respect & consideration, Sir, Your very obt. Servant. To the above inclosures is added a Gazette Extraordinary, giving a detail of the...
13To James Madison from George W. Erving, 22 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I omitted in my last to say any thing respecting the Russian fleet in the Tagus, because several accounts pretended to be received here, were very contradictory of each other on that interesting point. But Baron Stroganoff, the Russian Minister at Madrid, who some four weeks ago left this for Lisbon, having now returned from Badajos, beyond which he did not think proper to go, as the subjects...
14To James Madison from George W. Erving, 20 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a very interesting memoir which Mr. Cevallos has ju st published, relating to the transactions at B ayonne; & which he has communicated to me wi th a view to its being transmitted to our Go vernment. This memoir avoids detail eve n on the most important transactions to which it refers, & leaves the curiosity wholly unsatisfied on other occurrences well deserving...
15To James Madison from George W. Erving, 13 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
According to present appearances, the surprizing efforts which this country has made are likely to be crowned with complete success: it has been assisted too by a sort of fatality which seems to have accompanied the french arms from the commencement. The grossest Errors have been committed by generals of the greatest reputation; to say nothing of political Errors which have been abundant; &...
16To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last dispatch informed you of those extraordinary military operations in this Country, which compelled king Joseph to abandon Madrid, & with the remains of the french armies, to retreat towards the frontiers: Considerable reinforcements having about the same time entered Spain by way of Navarre, his Majesty judged fit to make a stand at Burgos, & there for a time he established his court:...
17To James Madison from George W. Erving, 11 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter to you was of May 17th.; I have nothing at present of a private nature connected with the matter of the accompanying dispatch, which is of sufficient importance to be communicated to you: indeed whatever information of any consequence that contains, I presume will reach you before this. The past transactions, & the actual state of affairs here, certainly merit the...
18To James Madison from George W. Erving, 11 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
When I had last the honor of writing to you, (June 22nd. to 27th.) a determined opposition to the new order of things here, had very generally manifested itself throughout the provinces; since then it has been continually acquiring extension, force, & organization; and has ultimately been attended with a success in all quarters very much beyond what even the most sanguine imagination could...
19To James Madison from George W. Erving, 22 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last dispatch dated May 27 was forwarded by post to Mr. Young at Algeciras; owing only (as I hope,) to the present disturbed state of the country & the consequent stoppage of all the couriers from Andalusia, I have not heard from him since he left Madrid on the 25th. Ulto., but lest unfortunately he may have met with any accident or detention, I lately transmitted a duplicate of said...
20To James Madison from George W. Erving, 27 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Young, charged with my last dispatch, dated 14th. to 23rd. Inst., left this on the morning of the th., with an order from this Government for the discharge of a ny vessel which he might select amongst those detained at Algeciras under the "blockade" decrees. That dispatch con tained a copy of my note to the Minister of State of Ma y. 5th., (No. 6.) and I mentioned that his Highness the...
21To James Madison from George W. Erving, 17 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was dated on the 9 April: You will doubtless observe that what I th erein mentioned respecting the abdication of Charles, h is indisposition to Reign, & his character in general, d oes not comport with the facts stated in the accompanying official letter, & the documents which are th erewith inclosed. I can only say that I know no thing now which alters my first...
22To James Madison from George W. Erving, 14 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
The last dispatch which I had the honor to address to you, was dated on the 10th. of April; after a Sudden, but bloodless Revolution had placed Ferdinand the 7th., the idol of his generous & grateful people, on a throne which, defended by their courage & patriotism, seemed to be irrevertible by any other human power: His virtues & good dispositions afforded the most flattering prospects; and...
23To James Madison from George W. Erving, 19 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
My letters to you respecting late Events here viz No 41 Postscripts 18th 21st & 22nd. No 42. March 25. No 43 April 10. Private No 32. March 15. No 33 April No. 34. April 12th King Ferdinand has advanced from Burgos to on the 18th and that he will go further. information that the Emperor did not reach till the 14th. Beauharnois appears disposed to linger here as long suffer him on the 1st order...
24To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
In my last dispatch (No. 42, March 25th.), I mentiond that on the arrival of the french troops here it was conjectured his Majesty’s purpose of coming to Madrid would be deferred; but that he had nevertheless adhered to it, & arrived, according to his appointment, on the morning of the 24th. March. In this, as indeed in all his subsequent measures, he has been well counselled; had he not...
25To James Madison from George W. Erving, 25 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
By the report of the Spanish official as published in Madrid Gazette, which was referred to in the last post dispatch, No. 41., it appeared that the Grand Duke of no positive orders to pass thro’ Madrid with his troops if it should be found necessary to do so, yet that they would not in accord with the Spanish Government, &ca. &ca. on the night of the 22nd., the Grand Duke arrived at San Mar...
26To James Madison from George W. Erving, 15 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last dispatch dated 27th. January having been sent in triplicate, has, I hope, safely arrived: I now inclose copies of all my subsequent correspondence with the Members of this Government, which may be deemed of sufficient importance to be submitted to you. Vizt. Nos. 1 & 2. A note from Mr. Cevallos, & my Reply, respecting the transaction at St. Sebastian, mentioned in my last. No. 3. A...
27To James Madison from George W. Erving, 15 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was dated Jany. 29. On the 15 Instt. I had the pleasure to Receive one from you, but it is a press copy only made by one of your secretaries, & permit me to suggest so badly done as to be for the most part illegible: of the dates there is no appearance except the word "Washington" but I judge by the dates of the newspapers en closed in it that it was written in...
28To James Madison from George W. Erving, 28 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I hasten to transmit to you copy of a Circular letter Received from our Consul General at Algiers, & dated the 16th. & 17th. Inst., which communicates the agreeable intelligence of an arrangement which he has made with that Regency. I have the honor to be, Sir, With the most perfect Respect & Consideration, Your very obt. Servant, DNA : RG 59--DD-Diplomatic Despatches, Spain.
29To James Madison from George W. Erving, 22 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you on the 8th. Inst., & to trans mi t amongst other papers, copy of a letter from the Consulate at N aples, giving information that four of our vessels had been captured by t he Algerine Cruisers; and in a postscript of the 11th. I mentioned ha ving written to Mr. Lear for the purpose of ascertaining what mi ght be the motives to these outrages. Since then I have...
30To James Madison from George W. Erving, 22 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
In my last unofficial letter (which was dated Inst) I mentioned a certain supposed project of the Emperor wi th respect to the Empress. Since then nothing more is sa id on the subject; it is Somewhat remarkable however tha t the Emperor shoud be so long from home (not commanding his army) without his wife who has been used al most always
31To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was dated from the Es curial Novr. 3., and contained a detail of all the interesting tr ansactions Relating to the arrest of the Prince of Asturias, & tho se persons implicated with him in a supposed conspiracy a gainst his father: since the release of the prince Some o thers have been imprisoned; & the dukes of Infantado and San Carlos, & the Chanoine of Toledo still...
32To James Madison from George W. Erving, 8 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
With my dispatch No. 34. (of October 29th.) I had the honor of transmitting to you copies of sundry offices passed between Mr. Cevallos & myself, upon such occurrences here as seemed chiefly to merit your attention; the last of which, in point of date, was my note of October 23rd. upon the case of the "Rebecca, Nimmo"; one which from the commencement of it, has been marked by proceedings of...
33To James Madison from George W. Erving, 20 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you on the 29th. October by original & duplicates via Barcelona. In that letter I mentioned rather particularly the state of affairs between France & Portugal, concluding that there existed very little probability of an amicable adjustment of them: All the subsequent proceedings have tended to confirm that belief; yet it would appear that the Court of Lisbon still...
34To James Madison from George W. Erving, 3 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
I sent I left Madrid it the gala days of the as is sooner if . My public letter acquainted you the state of affairs between France & Portugal. It was serious stated when Mr De Beauharnois re cd a courier (the 30th. at Night) announcing to him that the Emperor had declared war against the Prince Regent, ordered his legation to quit Pa ris in 24 hours: on the 31st. Count D’Ega the Po rtuguese...
35To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last dispatch dated September 18th. acknowledged the receipt of the instructions which you were pleased to give me in the case of the "Grampus": By that which immediately preceded it (of September 1st.) I had the honor to submit to you the continuation of my correspondence with this Government upon certain matters of importance: The purpose of this is merely to inclose copies of the notes...
36To James Madison from George W. Erving, 30 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter of any consequence wa s No. 24. (11th August). I have not any thing very particular now to add, but learning that a very fast-sailing ve ssel is about to depart from St. Sebastians, I cannot pr ætermit Such an opportunity of writing to you. I n the letter above referred to I communicated certain d ispositions of the Prince arising out of the actual position of...
37To James Madison from George W. Erving, 18 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of July 22nd. directing my attention to the claim of Mr. John R. Livingston, upon the seizure of his ship "Grampus" by the Spanish Governor at Conception Bay; This case is at present laying by appeal before the Council of Indies; I shall not fail in any thing which may be in my power to assist its progress & to produce a favorable result. But I am...
38To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I do not write to you at large unofficially by this conveyance, or officially further than seems to be absolutely necessary to the course of business; lest my letters should fall into the hands of the Enemy; not being myself of the persuasion which seems to be general here, and (as I learn) in England, that a co mplete& honorable satisfaction will be made for all is outrages & insults. Nor...
39To James Madison from George W. Erving, 1 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
By my letter No. 28. of June 20th., I had the honor to submit to you copies of sundry correspondence with the Minister of State, upon the subject of the Spanish decree; upon several Cases of Capture, and upon the quarantine regulations; together with a note to the Prince of Peace upon the particular case of the fishing Vessel "Prince" Captn. Sears: these came down to May 25th. I now transmit...
40To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was of July 17th., written after the report that a peace was signed had reached this: That report proved to be well founded, and on the 3d. Inst. I transmitted an Extraordinary gazette containing the articles. The alterations which this Event may produce in the relations between France and Spain must be interesting to you: you will not probably annex much importance,...
41To James Madison from George W. Erving, 3 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you on the 13t. & on the 26th. Ulto. communicating the intelligence received here, of an Armistrice & subsequent peace concluded between France & Russia. In the same manner, to take the chance which there may be of this reaching you sooner than information from any other quarter, I now inclose an extraordinary gazette of Madrid published yesterday, in Consequence of...
42To James Madison from George W. Erving, 26 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write you on the 13th. Inst, & inclosed with my letter an extraordinary gazette of that da te announcing the conclusion of an Armistrice between the Em perors of France & Russia, made at Tilsit on the 1st. June. Last night a special Courier arrived with in telligence that peace between these two Powers was determ ined on the 8th. Presuming that this important ne ws may...
43To James Madison from George W. Erving, 17 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was of June 22d. My last publick dispatch (of the 14th. Inst.) by original & duplicate, inclosed Copy of an Extraordinary gazette announcing the conclusion of an Armistice between Russia & France, a triplicate of which is herewith transmitted: The News of the ratification immediately followed, & to day we hear that the peace is Signed at Tilsit, & that the two...
44To James Madison from George W. Erving, 13 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write you last on June 20th.; since then a Mr. Hollins of Baltimore has arrived at Barcelona & writes word that he has in his charge dispatches from you; but as he is in quarantine & Mr. Cevallos has therefore refused to grant him a passport; I do not expect to receive those dispatches till five or six weeks from this time. I cannot at present add to what is said in my last...
45To James Madison from George W. Erving, 22 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was of March 24th. and is the only one of which I have preserved a copy of the Cypher used; as to the others, I have not a trace left which will Enable me to ascertain even where the Cypher has been used. Thus it is impossible for me to remedy the difficulty which appears to have arisen in the department in decyphering my letters, which however I still hope may be a...
46To James Madison from George W. Erving, 20 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you on the 8th. & 21st. April: th e 8th. upon the subject of the late Spanish decree, transmitting copy of my note to Mr. Cevallos March 19th., his answer of the 27th., the note to the Minister of April 2nd. & the reply of the Prince Adm iral to my note of 13th. March; and on the 21st. upon cases of condemnation in the inferior prize Courts. Since then I have...
47To James Madison from George W. Erving, 21 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
By my letter of March 17 (No. 25) I had the honor to submit to you copies of certain correspondence with the Spanish Minister of State, upon some late cases of condemnation by the inferior prize courts; and upon the general conduct of these tribunals. The notes of 4th. & 13th. March therewith transmitted, produced from Mr. Cevallos one, (dated 15 of the same) in which he has attempted to...
48To James Madison from George W. Erving, 8 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
With my last dispatch, dated March 17th. I had the honor to submit to you copy of a note to the Prince of Peace upon the subject of his late Ordinance, issued under the sanction of the King, & professing to adopt the Law declared by the French Emperor in his decree of November 21st. 1806: the purpose of which note was to obtain from the Prince, who in his capacity of High Admiral directs by...
49To James Madison from George W. Erving, 31 October 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George W. Erving. 31 October 1806. No. 17. “By a special Courier who arrived here last night from Paris, news has been receivd of a very important victory obtained by the French on the 14th Inst: The particulars are not correctly known; but a letter from Mr Beauharnais to the French charge d’affaires here, brought by the same courier, says that the Prussian Army was surrounded ; 24,000...
50To James Madison from George W. Erving, 14 October 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George W. Erving. 14 October 1806, Madrid. No. 16. “I had the honor to write to you last by original & duplicate on the 6th Inst. In that letter I mentioned the departure of Lord St Vincents from Lisbon in consequence of an arrangement made at Paris between the Portuguese & French governments; I mentioned also that this arrangemt had not appeared to have relaxed the military...