31To James Madison from William Thornton, 16 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I had expected, with more satisfaction & pleasure than I can express, your arrival in this City, when I heard of your late afflictive loss, in which I sincerely sympathize. I also lament, on another Account your detention in Virginia. The President, whose tender regard for you makes him always speak with an uncommon degree of Interest for your Welfare, informed me that you had long experienced...
32To James Madison from Winthrop Sargent, 16 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 March 1801, Mississippi Territory. No. 45. Unpaid services of an Indian interpreter have required him to draw upon State Department for $262.50. Wrote a letter on the past due account 14 May 1800, but nothing was done. The interpreter’s attorney made “an Extravigant Charge” and brought “an action against me,” which delayed matters. Still needs instruction on how to pay interpreters. Printed...
33To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 16 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 March 1801, Lisbon. No. 45. Encloses translation of Spanish declaration of war against Portugal. The counter-declaration is expected daily. Reports on Portuguese preparation for war. Notes that the best protection against invasion by France has always been the French fear of throwing Portuguese colonies into the hands of the British. Transmits dispatches from Tunis that he has just...
34To James Madison from Ebenezer Stevens, 16 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 March 1801, New York. Requests passport for French passenger, Felix Verger, and his family, who wish to sail on his brig to Ile de France. Encloses Verger’s letter to Stevens. Stevens’s son goes on the vessel as supercargo and will carry diplomatic dispatches if required. Hopes nothing will delay loading the ship bound for Tunis carrying U.S. tribute. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, ML )....
35To James Madison from David Humphreys, 17 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1801, Madrid. No. 267. Encloses copies of remonstrances to Spanish government on behalf of American merchants who sold Spanish government commodities, expecting to be paid in specie, and instead were paid in depreciated paper money; also encloses Spanish replies. All communication with Lisbon has been interrupted, so funds to operate his office must come through a Dutch bank. The...
36To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 17 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1801, Lisbon. Encloses a letter from Humphreys, which was left open for his reading but which he found himself unable to decipher because their codes differ; “as many inconvens. may arise from the Minrs. in Spain & Portugal not being able to correspond in cypher at this period , I submit to your Judgmt. whether I ought not to be furnished with that which Col H. has.” Predicts closing...
37To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capn. Barney, who believes, and I believe with him, that he has been treated very ill by the post office department. As that will, I expect, soon fall under your superintendence, I recommend him to you, as a person worthy any encouragement which you can afford him. Yrs, RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. See Barney to JM, 27 Apr. 1801 . John Dawson (1762–1814) was an old...
38To James Madison from William Kirkpatrick, 18 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1801, Málaga. Transmits copies of his last three letters. Encloses copy of [3 Jan.] letter received from Cathcart indicating Tripoli may attempt to injure U.S. Mediterranean trade. Six U.S. seamen he claimed from French commissary have been delivered to him and will be placed on board American vessels bound for U.S. Has given clothes to some. Minister at Madrid has not succeeded in...
39To James Madison from John Mathieu, 18 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1801, Naples. Encloses statement on U.S. ships in port between 1 July and 31 Dec. 1800 and one for port of Messina [not found] from consular agent there. King of Naples has obtained thirty-day truce through mediation of Russia; objective was to exclude British from the ports of the Two Sicilies. A French commissary is in Naples to see that armistice is fulfilled. The king’s minister...
40To James Madison from James C. Mountflorence, 18 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1801, Paris. Reports that the Prize Council has not tried any captured U.S. vessels for several months; he is assured that no trial will occur until after exchange of ratifications. Six U.S. vessels arriving in Málaga have been placed under rigorous quarantine. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Paris, vol. 1). 1 p.; addressed to Marshall; docketed by Wagner as received 12 June. Partly in code;...
41To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 18 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1801, Lisbon. Relays news from England of George III’s illness and Prussian hostility against Great Britain. Observes that Portuguese now are less hopeful of receiving British aid either in peace negotiations or military preparations. Portugal “seems abandd. to its fate, like Leghorn, Naples &c.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Portugal, vol. 5). 1 p.; marked private; docketed by Wagner as...
42To James Madison from Elias Vander Horst, 18 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1801, Bristol. Transmits copy of his 17 Dec. dispatch (since which he has received no letters); encloses accounts of imports and exports by American vessels during six-month period ending 31 Dec. 1800, newspapers, and a price list of London commodities. Food costs continue to rise. Shortage is now critical, and continued war will interfere with supplies from European continent....
43To James Madison from William Kirkpatrick, 18 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
You have inclosed Copies of my three last letters to you by the Jane & Maria bound to Philada. Rambler to Charleston, and Samuel to Boston. I am s orry to say I have since received another Letter w ritten by Consul Cathcart, which is more explicit an d gives greater Room for apprehending that the Bashaw of Tripoli may determine to make some Depredations on our Trade in the Mediterranean t han...
44To James Madison from John Mathieu, 18 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have been this long time deprived of the honor of any instructions or orders from you, therefore I beg you will refer to the letters I had the honor to address you. Inclosed I send a Statement of all the Americans Ships which came to this Port since the 1st. July to the end of December last past; as also of those; that came to Messina, as handed to me by the Consular Agent in that Port. I...
45To James Madison from James C. Mountflorence, 18 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have it from very good Authority, 357. 723. 640. 544. 529. 684, that 679 has ceded 719, 434, not 432, 249, 688, 521, with all its Dependencies. This was done by some of the 666 Articles 228, 475. 723. 529. 377. 723. 460. 475. 475. 377., as Compensation for 684. 723. 664. 250. 207. 529. 756, given 250, 434, 719, 640. 207. 660. 500. 207. We have no later Accounts, Sir, from the United States,...
46To James Madison from Elias Vanderhorst, 18 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Preceding is a Copy of my last of the 17th. of Decr. since which I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you. Enclosed you will be pleased to receive Accts. of Imports & Exports by American Vessels, within my District for the half–Year ending the 31st. of Decr. last. You will also receive here with some of our latest News–Papers, likewise a London Price-Current, to which I beg leave to...
47To James Madison from Thomas Bee, 19 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Two days ago I was honoured with a Letter from the late Secretary of State, inclosing me a Commission as Chief Judge for the fifth Circuit Court of the United States. As I feel myself unable to undergo the fatigue of the long Journies necessary to the performance of the duties of that Office, and as I apprehand I can render as Essential service to my Country by continuing in the Station of...
48To James Madison from James Yard, 19 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I hope you do me the Justice to believe that I participate cordially in the general satisfaction occasioned by your Appointment to an office of high Trust & Importance. It is however probable that I Should have been less forward in expressing to you this Sentiment, were I not urged by Motives of Friendship to Dr. Stevens to make an early Communication to you on his Subject. In doing this I...
49To James Madison from Stephen Girard, 19 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 March 1801, Philadelphia. Reports his ship Good Friends will soon sail for Ile de France. Offers to forward packages or dispatches. Requests passports for four persons returning home after being detained because of nonintercourse laws. Letterbook copy ( PPGi : Girard Papers). 1 p.
50To James Madison from Robert Ritchie, 19 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 March 1801, Port Républicain. Reports that armed barge from British frigate Circe entered Jacmel harbor and cut moorings of brig Fair American of Philadelphia. Captain and vessel were presumably carried off to Jamaica. Has obtained vessel’s register and will forward copy to U.S. agent at Kingston. Has written to acquaint Toussaint with circumstances and expects him to send complaint to...
51To James Madison from Robert Ritchie, 19 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have to inform you that I have received information by express from Jacmel that on the night of the 1 inst an armed Barge from a British Frigate entered the harbour & cut from her moorings the Brig Fair American Azel Howard Master of Philadelphia which vessel had part of her Cargo on board, & part on Shore when the event took place. The Captain was carried off with the vessel & I presume the...
52To James Madison from Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 20 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
It is a pleasant circumstance for me, that when I do address you in writing for the first time in my life, I am to fullfil the agreable task of congratulating you on your appointement to one of the first dignities of the Republique. If talents & [ illegible ] the depositaries of the public authority can insure the happiness of the Common Wealth, America can not, but have the luckiest fate....
53To James Madison from Isaac Cox Barnet, 20 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 March 1801, Bordeaux. Encloses correspondence of his agent M. Pelletreau at Rochefort on sailors tried and sentenced there to twenty-four years in chains; adds copies of protests and his letter to naval minister on the subject and reply. Unlike ships of other nations, American vessels neither come to consular office on arrival, deposit ship’s papers there, nor report clearance on departure....
54To James Madison from Meriwether Jones, ca. 20 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 20 March 1801, Richmond. Mentioned in Jones to Levi Lincoln, 25 Mar. 1801 (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9). Requests that contract for public printing be awarded to the Examiner . Explains why Mr. Davis should not continue to benefit from this emolument. Concludes that if JM thinks the change impolitic, Jones will be content.
55To James Madison from Isaac Cox Barnet, 20 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have not had an opportunity of addressing you since the Portland sailed from here in December. With reference to some of the particulars of the letter I had then the honour of addressing you—I beg leave now to Submit to your perusal the Correspondence herewith, (No. 1), of my Agent, Mr. Pelletreau, at Rochefort, on the subject of the unfortunate Sailors tried there and condemned to twenty...
56To James Madison from John Dawson, 21 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I regret that we did not meet before my sailing, which I expect will be on tomorrow. My trip will, I hope, prove usefull to my country, and advantageous and agreeable to myself. I shall return early in the fall, and expect that it will not be attempted in the district to take an advantage of my absence, or shoud it be that the attempt will be resisted by my friends. My wishes are to obtain...
57To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 21 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 March 1801, Berlin. No. 186. Reports continuing British embargo on Swedish shipping is likely to close Elbe and Weser to British vessels. Relays hearsay that among British seamen detained in Russian ports there are some Americans as well. Has pressed Russian minister to free such persons; recounts minister’s reluctance and his suggestions that U.S. appoint a consul in Russia and recall...
58To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 21 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 March 1801, Tripoli. No. 5. Encloses accounts of disbursements and accounts current and copy of banker-merchant Leon Farfara’s record of monies paid pasha in lieu of overdue U.S. tribute. Denounces Farfara as “incorrigible” villain but notes that O’Brien trusts him. Relates his financial embarrassments, urges annual stipend of $2,000 for the consular post, and stresses the indignity he must...
59To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 21 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed are my accts. of disbursments & acct. curt. and likewise a quintuple of Mr. Leon Farfara’s acct. for cash & bills paid in lieu of the stores stipulated by the treaty between the United States and this Regency & likewise for the Brig Sophia promised to the Bashaw by Captn. OBrien when said treaty was concluded, The contingent expencis ammounted to 1500 dollars, the whole sum paid by me...
60To James Madison from Arthur Campbell, 23 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
It is difficult to remain silent amidst the general exultation on the Election of the present Chief Magistrate of the Union; I mean the joy is general among the Farmers and Labourers of all Classes. Some Merchants and the monied interest with the Bigots and fanatics in religious matters, may have their fears. But the old Tories, and new Gallants of the Whore of England can never be won, even...