From James Madison to John M. Moody, 12 November 1801
To John M. Moody
Department of State Washington
12 Novr 1801.
Sir
I have receivd Your letter respecting the capture of the Schr Marcus,1 as far as the wrong done to you proceded from the agency of the Spanish officers at Campeache or from the unlawful conduct of Spanish Subjects (and this appears to be the principal feature of the case) redress must be Sought from the King of spain. To this effect a negotiation is now on foot at Madrid, calculated to obtain, if it be practicable a general provision for compensating injuries done to our citizens by her subjects or officers, I ther[e]for return you the papers which you may reproduce when you shall hear of provision being made as above. I am Very Respectfully Sir Y. mo Obt Servt.
signed James Madison
Tr (DNA: RG 76, Preliminary Inventory 177, entry 143, France, Adjudication of Unsettled Spoliation Claims, Unbound Records, box 16, folder M, ship “Marcus”). Enclosed in Jerome C. Loring to Albion K. Parris, 1 Mar. 1816.
1. Moody’s letter has not been found. The Marcus was captured on 17 May 1799 by the French privateer Fortunate while en route to Bath, Maine, from Jamaica and was carried into Campeche, Mexico, where the ship and its cargo of sugar and rum were sold by order of the governor (Jerome C. Loring to Albion K. Parris, 1 Mar. 1816 [DNA: RG 76, Preliminary Inventory 177, entry 143, France, Adjudication of Unsettled Spoliation Claims, Unbound Records, box 16, folder M, ship “Marcus”]).