1To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, [before 9] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Encouraged by a most respectable circle of friends I am induced to address the President of the United States on a subject highly interesting to myself and family.—But even with the flattering support which, I have the honor to enclose, I cannot hazard my present application to the supreme magistrate of the american people, without refering him to other partial testimonies in my favor, which,...
2To 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...
3To James Madison from William Lee, 3 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
From all the Accounts which have been received here, these two days past, there is no doubt but that peace between this country and England, either is a lready or will be shortly concluded on. The enclosed copies of two letters from a respectable and influential banking house in Paris to my friends in this City will serve to shew what con fidence they place in this news. In addition I give you...
4To 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 :...
5To James Madison from William Lee, 30 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you an extract from the Register Book of this Consulate. It relates altogether to Mr. Barnet, but I thought it my duty to send it to you, and permit me to say, that had Mr. Barnet been contented with the Certificate from his countrymen, it would have been as well, for the manner in which those from the constituted authorities here were procured, is not very...
6To 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...
7To James Madison from William Lee, 20 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you a list of the Vessels which have entered and cleared at this Port from the 26 Octr. (the day on which I took charge of the Agency) to the 31 December. I wish it was more perfect but such is the unaccomodating disposition of our American Captains that there is no persuading them into any measure of public utility not enforced by the Government. Were they...
8To 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...
9To James Madison from William Lee, 18 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have been under the necessity of sending home by the Ship Thames, bound to Philadelphia a number of distressed, and invalid seamen who are particularized in the annexed document. I did not feel myself authorized to make any arrangement with Captain Wood for the passage of these men without the consent of Mr. Livingston, and as it would take some time to consult him on the business and...
10To 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...
11To James Madison from William Lee, 20 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Kidder of M assachusetts has been Secy. to this Agency for some mon ths. He is a young man of good abilities & strict inte grity 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 the agency and will be able to give you considerable infor mation respecting the state of things in...
12To 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...
13To James Madison from William Lee, 22 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last respects I have 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. Nothing but business of the most urgent nature upon which my existence as a Merchant depended, would have induced me to have deserted my family and Post and I trust the necessity of the case will be a...
14To 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...
15To James Madison from William Lee, 10 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my respects of the 22 Ulto. and 2d. inst. there has entered at this port the Schooner Hiphza of Boston from Corunna bringing as passengers eighteen distressed seamen. Ship Mercury from Havre navigated by ten men discharged ⅌ agreement having shipped at Havre to work their passage here. Ship Wade Hampton of and from Charleston via London, entered as a French Ship and dischargd. her crew...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 10 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose the Moniteur of the 6th inst containing the new Organization and have the honour to remain with much respect your humble servant RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 5 Oct. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Gazette Nationale ou le Moniteur Universel , 18 Thermidor Year 10 (6 Aug. 1802), containing the text of the sénatus-consulte organique of 16 Thermidor (see...
17To 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...
18To James Madison from William Lee, 26 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last respects under date 10 Ulto. the following vessels have discharged their Crews Ship Portland of New York 6 men Ship Olive Branch 10 " Barque Galen of Baltimore 5 " Ship Susan of Norfolk 11 " Brig Amity of do. 9 " Ship Julia of Charleston 13 " Ship John of do. 5 " Ship Angel of Boston 4 " Schooner Hope of Haddam Cont. 6 69
19To 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...
20To James Madison from William Lee, 6 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is a copy of my respects under date of the 26th Ulto. since which I have been favored by Mr. Berjevin principal Commissary of Marine for this Department with an arreté of the Consuls a copy of which I have the honor to enclose. 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...
21To 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...
22To James Madison from William Lee, 25 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
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 Captain Jones, 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. I have furnished them with provisions amounting to Four thousand eight hundred and forty francs, and I...
23To 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...
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 25 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to enclose for the perusal of the President of the United States an interesting paper just published in this City— RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Aug. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found, but see below. The paper has not been identified, but may have related to recruitment of sailors to serve on privateers. Lee was soon faced with that problem as numbers of...
25To 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...
26To James Madison from William Lee, 10 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a le tter which I yesterday recd. from Mr. Monroe and h ave at the same time to acknowledge the rect. of y our instructions under date of the 9th April. The re gulations therein contained will prove beneficial to the United States by effectually putting a stop to the improper discharge of Seamen in foreign p orts. Though I have been in possession of those re...
27To 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...
28To James Madison from William Lee, 27 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose y ou a packet which came to hand the day be fore yesterday from Mr. Monroe. Since my last respects of which the annexed is a copy (and which also covered your letter from the same Gentleman) I have been much troubled with seamen. The Crews of ten American Vessels now in port all deserted in order to enter on board of privateers. The number of these deserters...
29To 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...
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To James Madison from William Lee, 6 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to refer you to my las t under date of the 27th June. The sixty A merican sailors who were about embarking on board the privateers fitting out at this po rt and whom I caused to be arrested I have distributed among the American Vessels af ter keeping them in confinement a few d ays. The sixteen who had actually engaged a nd taken their advance of the Captain of the Blonde as per...
33To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 8 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The feeble state of my health will but just permit me to acknowledge the rect. of the letter you did me the honor to write me under date of the 14 June enclosing a bill on V Dupont de Nemours & Co. Being at this moment on my departure for the waters of the Pyrenees to avoid the distressing heat of this month I have taken the liberty to hand your order to my worthy and respectable partner Mr....
34To 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...
35To James Madison from William Lee, 22 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last respects under date o f the 6th August accompanied by my Accts. & v ouchers together with the List of the American V essels which had entered here from Jany. to June were forwarded by the Ship Columbus Capt Macey which Vessel I learn has been captured by a Liverpool privateer a nd therefore fearing my letters &c. may have been destroyed I take the liberty to forward herewith duplicates...
36To 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...
37To 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.
38To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 30 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to send you three boxes containing fruits in Brandy prunes and almonds—They go in the good Intent Capt Wallington for Philadelphia addressed to the Collecter of that port and I hope will arrive safe.—I had the honor of forwarding you ⅌ the ship Genl. Washington which sailed yesterday for Boston a small bundle containing a few books directed to my care by Mr Volney— with...
39To 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...
40To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 3 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a letter which I should have forwarded some time since had not an embargo which has existed for some weeks prevented—The bundle of books which Mr V— intended should accompany his letter I have put on board the Bordeaux Packet bound to Philadelphia and have requested the Collector of the Port to forward them to the seat of Government.— With great respect I have the...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To 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....
46To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 26 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to forward to the President of the United States the Moniteur of the 19 & 20th of May containing the Organization of the Imperial Government of France . RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Aug. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosures: Gazette Nationale ou le Moniteur Universel , 19 and 20 May. Lee’s note with its...
47To 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...
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To 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...