1From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 21 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 7th. instant and at the same time one of the two dated on the 12th. The other of this Date has also been since received. I am glad to find by the Postcript to that of the 7th: that the Dispatches which had been delayed, had got safe to hand; and I cannot doubt that as far as General Matthews may have been a party to the Delay, your candour will...
2From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 12 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
In my answer of the 21st. Ult to the part of your letter of the 7th. which refers to a declaration made by a Sergeant Frodsham, that certain British Deserters from the British Ship of war Chichester, had been enlisted into the American service, having on, at the same time, their British uniforms, it was signified that enquiry would be made into the fact. I have now the honor to inclose a copy...
3From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 29 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
FURTHER Reflection on the Tenor and Tendency of the Order of His Britannick Majesty, communicated by your Letter of the 16th Instant, which was answered by mine of the 24th, induces me to resume that important Subject. From the Difficulty of supposing that the Order can have for its Basis either a legal Blockade, impossible to be extended to all the Ports described in the Order, or a supposed...
4From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 25 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Having laid before the President Your Letter of the 23d. of Febry., explaining the character of certain British orders of Council issued in Novr. last, I proceed to communicate the observations and representation which will manifest to Your Government, the Sentiments of the President, on so deep a violation of the commerce and rights of the United States These Orders interdict to neutral...
5From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 18 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the rect. of Your Letter of the 13th: Inst: together with it’s Inclosures. As they relate to a Subject, more immediately belonging to the Navy Department, I have asked the necessary Information from that Department, and so soon as I receive it, shall hasten to communicate to You the result. I have the Honor to be, With great Consideration, Your obedt. Servt:...
6From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 29 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 21st. Inst: on the Subject of the detention by the Collector at Niagara, of certain Boats belonging to Canadian Merchants, engaged in the Indian Trade was duly received and communicated without delay to the Secretary of the Treasury on his return to this City. The Inclosed Copy of his Instructions to the Collector will explain the Interposition which has been thought best...
7From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 1 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to submit to Your Attention a Copy of a Letter of June 4th: of the current Year from William Reeves, stiling himself an Officer in the Naval Service of His Britannic Majesty, and acting as Prize Master to a Spanish Vessel captured by the British Frigate Hebe, to Governor Claiborne of the Orleans Territory. I cannot doubt, Sir, that this fresh Instance of insulting Address from...
8From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 22 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith proof of Citizenship of John Wharff, an American Seaman, who is stated to have been impressed on board His Britannic Majesty’s Sloop of War Rattler, and to request the interposition of your good offices to obtain his discharge. The Rattler is said to be on the Halifax station at present. I have the honor to be with great respect & consideration, Sir, Your...
9From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 9 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have just received a Letter from the Post Master at New York, stating on the declaration of Capt Selliman of the Ship Thalia, which was carried into a British Port by a British Cruiser, that his Letter Bag, including Dispatches from the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at Paris, to the Department of State, was taken to the Court of Admiralty, the Letters indiscriminately opened,...
10From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 4 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the earliest convenient Occasion of laying before the President Your Letter of the 11th. Ult, representing that Your Government claims an Explanation respecting the occupancy by the United States of Moose Island in Passamaquoddy Bay, and their Conversion of it into a Military Post, as also that Your Government having been informed of a violent Seizure of a Boat laden with Flour,...
11From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 19 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter having been put on board a Pilot bo at off the Coast of the U nite d States by an officer from an armed Vessel believed to be British, and avowing a destination p resump tively forbidden by the Proclamation of the President, doubts concerning the regularity of its introduction occasioned it to be transmitted to this Department. I hasten its co nv eyan ce to you by the first...
12From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 13 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to recieve your letter of the lst. instant, inclosing a letter to you from Admiral Berkley on the subject of certain Seamen claimed as American Citizens from British ships of war detaining them; and a copy of a letter from the officers of His Britannic Majesty’s Ship Melampus stating that the three Seamen who ran from that ship, and after enlisting on board the American...
13From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 23 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
In Consequence of your Letter of relating to the Capture of the British Brig Ceres, on her voyage from the United States to Liverpool, the Collector at Norfolk, the Port of her Departure, was instructed to make Enquiry into the Character and Conduct of the capturing vessel alleged to have previously been within the Waters of the Chesapeak; and particularly whether any unlawful Equipment had...
14From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 24 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
On the Receipt of your Letter of the 6th. Instant referring to Information that there were on board the Frigate Chesapeake two British Deserters, one from the Triumph, under the Name of George Curtis, the other from the Bellona, under that of John Birk, an Inquiry was ordered into the Facts. From the Report of Captain Decatur, commanding the Chesapeake it appears that the Crew of that Ship...
15From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 19 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 18 Inst: inclosing a Copy of a Proclamation by a British Nav al Commander dated at Barbadoes, declaring all the Leeward Carribbean Islands in a state of the strictest Naval Blockade, and directing the stoppage of all Neutral Vessels, destined for any Ports thereof. I should not have deemed it necessary to acknowledge this Communication, but for the purpose of...