101From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
General Mason has just requested me to forward the inclosed 100 dolrs. to be put into the hands of Mr. S. Pleasants for Mr. Callander. Yrs. affy. RC ( NhHi ). Virginia senator Stevens Thomson Mason was an active supporter of Callender’s cause (see Michael Durey, “ With the Hammer of Truth ”: James Thomson Callender and America’s Early National Heroes [Charlottesville, Va., 1990], pp. 110–11,...
102From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
The chart from which the enclosed was copied is contained in a collection made for the Department of State by Arrowsmith of London. The soundings and other minute circumstances, relative to the northern coast of the Bay of Mexico and the Islands situated in it, have induced the belief that it may prove serviceable to you. With very great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obed....
103From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
Since the event which led to the Proclamation of the 2d. inst. the British squadron has conducted itself in a continued spirit of insolence and hostility. Merchant vessels arriving and departing, have been challenged, fired at, examined and detained within our jurisdiction, with as little scruple as if they were at open sea. Even a Revenue Cutter conveying the Vice President and his sick...
104From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Eli Whitney has been introduced to me by a letter from Mr. Pierpont Edwards, as an eminent Mathematical & Mechanical genius, and otherwise highly respectable. Of his Mechanical ingenuity he has given a valuable specimen in his invention of a machine for separating Cotton from its seed. He will probably converse with you on the subject of making fire arms, in which he is also an...
105From James Madison to James Simons, 7 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
The French Chargé des Affaires has lately transmitted to me an extract of a letter to him from the Intermediary Commissary of his Nation at Charleston of which I enclose a translation. As it relates to an infraction of our neutral duties, and some of the persons concerned are supposed to be now within the United States, I request you to make strict enquiry into the allegations the extract...
106From James Madison to James Sullivan (Abstract), 11 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
11 March 1805, Department of State . “The Secretary of the Treasury has handed me your letter of the 22d. ult. respecting the Ship Hibernia, in as much as the substance of it appertains to this Department. Should the indemnity due the owners of that Vessel & Cargo not be received under the Convention respecting Louisiana, it will be incumbent on those persons to carry into effect the decree of...
107From James Madison to James Barry, 4 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
I return the notification which Mr. Palyart has given of your appointment to act in his place as Consul General of Portugal, during his absence; and beg leave to inform you, that there will be no impropriety in your giving it publicity. Any communications, which you may have to make to me, respecting the business of your charge, will be received and attended to in the manner which custom...
108From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Erving having been applied to by the Prussian Minister in London to procure information respecting the estate of a Major Ludeman, who died in Virginia in the year 1786, I inclose a copy of a letter from Mr. Hay, the District Attorney, in which its situation is fully explained. It has been found that the Records delivered as those of West Florida, whilst a British Province, are but a...
109From James Madison to John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe, 4 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe. 4 December 1805, Department of State. “Inclosed is a copy of the message of the President yesterday delivered to the two houses of Congress. The importance of its contents makes it desireable that you should receive it with as little delay as possible.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IM , vol. 6); RC ( DLC : Curry Autograph Collection);...
110From James Madison to James Simpson, 20 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
The two last letters from you were of the 8th. and 25th. of January. The inquietude indicated by the Emperor of Morocco, is a circumstance unexpected, and particularly unpleasant at the present juncture. Altho’ his naval force is so feeble, the position of his harbours, the use that might be made of them, by enemies on the Coast of Barbary, and the influence of his example on Algiers and...
111From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 6 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters of December 8th. 20th. 27th. & Jany. 3. 9 have been duly received and laid before the President; and ⟨I have the pleasure to communicate⟩ to you his ap⟨pro⟩bation of your proceedings under the important Commission in which you are associated. The manner in which Louisiana has been put into the possession of the United States, is the more a subject for general...
112From James Madison to James Monroe and William Pinkney, 11 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed papers, respecting the practices of British traders with the Indians, to instigate them against the United States, were received through General Wilkinson. They exemplify so strikingly the inconvenience of the intercourse with the Indians as it is now established by the treaty, that I have thought them a necessary supplement to my letter of the 30 May last. I have the honor to be,...
113From James Madison to James Garrard, 18 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
It has been represented to the Government of the United States by the Minister of His Catholic Majesty, that from reports which are entitled to attention he has reason to fear that certain persons in the Western parts of Pennsylvania are employed in exciting the people to arm themselves, with the expectation of being joined by others from the western portion of the Union, and to proceed with...
114From James Madison to Charles Pettit and James S. Cox, 27 September 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Charles Pettit and James S. Cox. 27 September 1805, Department of State . “I have received your memorial respecting the proceedings at Paris in the case of the ship New Jersey and cargo, in which the Companies you represent are interested as insurers, and I have the honor to inform you, that on the previous application of other parties (Messrs. Nichlin & Griffith) the step has been taken...
115Circular Letter to John Armstrong, James Bowdoin, and James Monroe, 24 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Circular Letter to John Armstrong, James Bowdoin, and James Monroe. 24 July 1805, Department of State. “I have the honor to inclose copies of the instructions transmitted by the Departments of State and the Treasury for carrying into effect the harbour-Act, passed at the last Session of Congress. They have been communicated to the Foreign Ministers in the United States. “I use the same...
116From James Madison to James Monroe and William Pinkney, 30 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
Under the 3d Article of the Treaty of 1794, as it has been expounded, Indian Traders on each side have a right to resort to and trade with the Tribes within the limits of the other party; with an exception of the Country covered by the charter of the Hudson’s Bay company. This article is found in its operation to be very seriously detrimental to the United States. 1st It gives to the British...
117From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I recd last evening your favor of the 26. and now inclose the promised list of the communications to Congs. which gives as much information as can be done in that form. Where Extracts were made, they generally extended I believe to nearly the whole of the letters, it being intended that the residue should be reduced as much as motives of prudence & delicacy would permit. On examining the...
118From James Madison to James Simpson, 27 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of april 20th. and went by the Adams Frigate, I have received your favors of May 13. and June 5th. & 14th. which arrived in the Essex Frigate. It affords pleasure that the Emperor of Morocco has withdrawn his inadmissible request of passports for vessels freighted with supplies of wheat for Tripoli. In refusing to sanction such a communication with Tripoli as well as to...
119From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ it is not certain that this will find you in London, I cannot commit to Mr. Purviance the official dispatches without a few private lines. It has been a painful task with the President to withold from the joint work of yourself & Mr. P. the sanction which was expected; as it has been to me, to communicate the event with the considerations which produced it. I console myself with an...
120From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment recd yours of the 14th. instant. The letter from Mr. Purviance which I herein return is a favorable specimen of his stile & sentiments. Mr. Jones will explain to you the occasion & object of my enquiries. I have as yet formed no final determination in the case, & there is a possibility tho not a probability that it may be rendered unnecessary. Mr. Dawson as you will see has...
121From James Madison to James Simons, 14 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Coffyn. Capt. Rollins ought to cause it to be presented to the Treasury with proof that the Men were landed in the United States, on which it will be paid to him or his order. I am &c. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). Neither the enclosure nor a letter from Simons transmitting it has been found, but as Francis Coffyn was U.S. commercial agent at...
122From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I recd. last night your favor of the 3. and lose no time in forwarding the papers which it requests. I am sorry that they have been so long delayed; but in truth our hands have been so full in one way or other of late, that the transcripts which were to be taken for the office, could not be readily attended to. I am not sure that there may not yet be some omissions, & must therefore ask the...
123From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 October 1804, Department of State. “On the receipt from you of the note respecting Francis Newman Esqr an enquiry was made whereby it appears that he resides near Port Tobacco in Charles County as expressed in the address recited in the note. A letter was thereupon written to him by my direction communicating the nature of the request made by Lord Boston with an intimation that any letters...
124From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 1 March] 1803 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed came under cover of one to me from Mr. Coleman. The final communications to you will be put into the mail tomorrow, and will get to N Y. on sunday. Our utmost exertions could not send them off by this evenings mail. The bill before Congs. which is to be forwarded to you, required some formalities; and it passed a day or two ago only. Yrs affly. RC ( DLC ). Signature clipped....
125From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 January 1806 (Madison Papers)
The letters received from you since my last are down to No. 36 inclusive. The perseverance of the British Government in the principle which licenses the depredations on our commerce in Colonial productions, with the losses already sustained and still apprehended by our merchants, has produced a very general indignation throughout this Country, and makes it necessary that you should renew and...
126From James Madison to James Bowdoin, 14 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 28th. of Feby. has been duly received. The continuance of your infirm health is sincerely regretted on personal as well as on public considerations; the latter of which give some importance to a visit from you here previous to your departure for Spain. The President nevertheless readily acquiesces in dispensing with such a visit in case the obstacles to it should not be...
127From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 10 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
The Adams frigate, by which you will receive my last, containing instructions on the subject of peace with Tripoli, and of your appointment as successor to Mr. obrien at algiers, meeting with unexpected delay; I make use of it to inform you that I have drawn on the Secretary of the Treasury for $24,000, which he will place in Leghorn subject to your orders as soon as he can make the...
128From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 2d of February and one of the same date signed by Mr Pinckney also, with the communications attached to them. Those of the preceding dates of the 27 Novr. 16 December and 19th Jany. had been previously received. Observing, that in the project delivered to the Spanish Government, you have omitted the provision contained in the plan for a general...
129From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from Thomas Manning with the documents it inclosed, respecting the capture of the Brig Camillus and what appears to be a most unprovoked outrage committed on the person of Thomas Carpenter, a native of the United States, then a seaman on board, by order of Lieutenant Sutton, commanding the British armed schooner L’Eclair or Leclerc. Mr...
130From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 4 August 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To James Leander Cathcart. 4 August 1806, Department of State. “I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 26 Ult, enclosing Mellimelli’s to the President, communicating his determination not to proceed to Tunis in the Brig Franklin. You will therefore be pleased to Charter a Vessel of from one hundred to one hundred & fifty tons or thereabouts, and which may be sent to Sea without...
131From James Madison to James Sullivan, 10 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
The establishment with the British Government of a proper boundary in the jurisdiction of the Islands in Passamaquody Bay and of proper regulations in navigations in navigating the channels between the same, is an object which for some time has engaged the attention of the Executive, and which, it appears by a late Resolution of the Legislature of Massachusetts is much desired by that State....
132From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I inclose for your information copies of the letters which have passed on several subjects between Mr Erskine and the Department of State; and which it may be useful for you to possess. The proceedings at Halifax with respect to one of the men taken from the Chesapeake, and whose restoration was included in the demand of reparation for that outrage, are calculated to inspire great distrust of...
133From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 28 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To James Leander Cathcart. 28 July 1806, Department of State. “Your letter of the 22d. has been received. It is expected that the exertions of the Mayor of New York, will have forwarded the Tunisians to Boston. The enclosed copy of my letter to him with the certified list referred to in it may be useful to the District Attorney, to whose advice and assistance, you will have resort, if they...
134From James Madison to James Simpson, 4 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since my last (of the 31st. ult.) I have recd. from Mr. Gavino, a copy of Capt. Bainbridge’s letter to you, of the 29th. of August last, in which he relates the capture of the Imperial Cruiser Mesboha, and the recapture of her American prize the Celia of Boston. Notwithstanding the prefidy [ sic ] with which hostilities have been thus commenced by the Emperor, as it is important that the...
135From James Madison to John Pearson and James Kimball, 5 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d. ult, with its enclosures respecting the murder of Capt. Bridges of the Brig Hannah through the orders given by Capt. Le Roux of the British Cutter Providence of London to fire into the former vessel, and also representing that in consequence of this conduct of the British Captain, the Hannah’s voyage being changed, a considerable loss accrued to you. To...
136From James Madison to James W. DePeyster and Company, 11 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 January 1805, Department of State. “I have received your letter of the 8th. and the power of Attorney it enclosed. The inconvenient number of similar powers, which a precedent of acting under them would probably produce, as well as other general considerations, overpower every motive of accommodation to individuals and constrain me to return yours. There will be no difficulty in paying the...
137From James Madison to James Bowdoin, 18 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have received successively your letters bearing date from the 18 of June to the 31st. of July. The circumstances both personal and public under which you proceeded from Spain to England, without repairing to Madrid, fully justified your conduct in the view of the President; and he has equally approved the Motives for making Paris the place of your waiting for his further instructions. These...
138From James Madison to James Davidson Jr., 17 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 November 1804, Department of State. “Until a more perfect statement of the sums payable under the 7th Article of the British Treaty can be completed, I request you will be pleased to make payment upon the orders of Mr. Christopher S. Thom, taking a blank receipt upon each order, and preserving it with the power of Attorney, if any, on which the payment is made.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG...
139From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
The detention of the Leonidas enables me to inclose a copy of the bill suspending the non-importation act of the last session; as it was passed by the House of Representatives this day with only five dissenting voices. In the object the House is supposed to have been unanimous, the difference of opinion being produced by a disagreement about the time to which the suspension should be limitted....
140From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 2 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To James Leander Cathcart. 2 June 1806, Department of State. “The Secretary of the Navy has anticipated the answer to your letter of the 30th. Ult. by authorizing you to inform the Tunisian Minister, that the small armed Vessel is intended as a present to the Bey; that he may load her on his own account; and, that, after calling at Baltimore to receive his purchases, she will take him and...
141From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
The Ship Huntress Capt Stinson, loaded with Naval and Military stores and provisions for the supply of the squadron in the Mediterranean was taken about the beginning of June last, shortly after she left the Capes of the Chesapeake by a French or Spanish Privateer. Whilst the Captors had possession of her she is [s]tated to have been recaptured by two British Letters of Marque near the...
142From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
This goes by Merry to whom I have communicated the general complexion of your last joint despatch and the purpose of the Presid en t to recommend a suspension of the commercial act . The circumstances of return are apparently
143From James Madison to James Maury (Abstract), 14 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
14 May 1805, Department of State . “In answer to your letter of the 14th of March, I have to observe that the 3d Sect. of the supplement to the Consular Act is considered as evidently requiring the payment of three months extra wages, in cases where seamen are offered immediate employment in American vessels on the same terms on which they engaged. “The Secretary of the Treasury has...
144From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to inclose you a complaint transmitted to this Department by the Agent of the U. States at Jamaica, of certain frauds in the case of flour shipped to that Island. As the facts stated have reference to places within the State of Virginia, it is thought most proper to communicate them to you, who will be best able to decide on the manner & measure of enquiry due to the subject. With...
145From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed came last evening in a packet from Bourdeau. By the same conveyance I have a letter from Dawson of May 27. at Paris. Every appearance assured him that the convention would be ratified. Letters from King of May 30. & June 1 represent the British Govt. as in dispositions equally favorable. They have given peremptory orders to their W. Inda. cruisers to abstain from the Captures...
146From James Madison to James Bowdoin, 18 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
Mr. James Barry, of this City, who has a Claim to a considerable Amount upon the Spanish Government for unfulfilled Contracts, has requested that it might be recommended to your patronage. He requests it, as having been depending for several years under the management of his Agent at Madrid, but without advancing to a prospect of adjustment, notwithstanding the clearness of his right, upon the...
147From James Madison to James Bowdoin, 1 January 1805 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 19th. inst: has been duly recd. It gives me pleasure to find that you have reconciled yourself to the Mission to which you have been called, & to a visit to this place before you undertake it. I regret only the indisposition which confines you for the present; but which I hope may soon yield to the means used for reestablishing your health. The precise objects within your...
148From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 21 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To James Leander Cathcart. 21 June 1806, Department of State. “I have requested the Secretary of the Treasury to remit to you at the branch bank at Boston, two thousand dollars as a personal present to Mr. Mellimelli. It is intended to make presents in money to his suite and servants, as noted on the next page.* Will you be pleased to ascertain from him, whether it would be most agreeable to...
149From James Madison to James Blake, 16 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 17th. May was duly recd. As it appears that you have relinquished the intention of now going to Europe, and the arrangement suggested by you, of performing the duties of Consul at antwerp by the agency of another, does not coincide with the views of the President, he has thought proper to appoint to that office another Gentleman who is now in France. I am &ca. Letterbook...
150From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Camp handed me yesterday your two favors of the 11 & 12 of March. I can say nothing determinate as to the prospect of him & Mr. Lambert, because I do not yet know what arrangements may be contemplated throughout the Departments. I think however it would be unwise in any of the Candidates to neglect other resources; the number of them being such as greatly to reduce the chance to...