31From James Madison to George W. Erving, 18 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I now acknowledge your several letters of Feby 8. March 17 April 8. June 20. July 13 & 26th. If the Spanish Government meant to assert the doctrine that the decisions of its Tribunals, on questions affecting the rights of other nations under Treaties and the law of Nations were definitively binding on other nations, it has taken a ground which its own reflections must abandon. Every sovereign...
32From James Madison to George W. Erving, 18 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Presuming that you will have reached Madrid and Mr Bowdoin having been detained by indisposition from proceeding thither, the following communications are proper to be addressed to you. Congress adjourned on the night of the 3d instant, that being the time to which the Session was limited by the Constitution. A collection of their Acts will be forwarded as soon as they shall be in print. For...
33From James Madison to George W. Erving, 12 January 1805 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States, desirous of availing the public of your services as Secretary of the Legation to Madrid, I have the honor to inclose your Commission. James Bowdoin Esqr of Boston, who has been appointed the Minister Plenipotentiary, will not, on account of an unfavorable state of health, proceed on his Mission for some time to come. To provide therefore for the contingency...