51To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 24 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
One of my neighbours when I lived in this place, Mr. Du Ponceau is about to publish a collection of state papers calculated to illustrate some important points of public law. One of them which he shewed me appeared to be so important that I begd a copy, which I might send to Washington. I have the pleasure to inclose it. You will observe it expressly mentions wheat, meat &ca. not to be...
52To James Madison from Anthony New, 24 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
After congratulating you on the event of our Election of the President, and your appointment under him, permit me to introduce to your attention, the bearer Mr. Henry C. Coleman, who wishes to be employed in some office under the Government. I have had the pleasure of a long and intimate acquaintance with Mr. Coleman, and can assure you that he is a Gentleman of irreproachable character, and...
53To James Madison from William Ross, 24 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Trusting you will pardon the Liberty taken, and be disposed to render that Justice which my peculiar hard case may appear to require, I beg leave most respectfully to state, that I have been for some time past honor’d with the printing of the Laws enacted by the Congress of the United States; and that on the removal of the government, I undertook a Journey from Philadelphia to this place, and...
54To James Madison from David Humphreys, 24 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1801, Madrid. No. 269. Believes recent royal order stipulating that “every recaptured vessel should remain in totality to the profit of the Recaptors” has been revoked “in consequence of my Protest.” Conveys correspondence with Spanish government concerning South Carolina . Council of war has not yet tried the case. Reports king’s renewed confidence in his adviser, the “Prince of...
55To James Madison from William Savage, 24 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1801, Kingston, Jamaica. Transmits copy of last dispatch, which State Department has not acknowledged. Reports that Lord Hugh Seymour in recent letters assures Savage that persons represented to him as impressed American seamen will be freed if they answer the descriptions given. Names one seaman sought but not located in Seymour’s command and lists six others who have been set free....
56To James Madison from Samuel Dexter, 25 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States has decided to appoint William Davies Collector of Norfolk—to be superintendant of the Light Houses and other Establishments, which are provided within the State of Virginia for the protection of navigation. I have therefore to request, that you will cause the necessary Commission to be issued & transmitted to this Office. I have the honour to be very...
57To James Madison from Edward Livingston, 25 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 March 1801, New York. Introduces and commends to JM’s attention his friend Josef Yznardy, who “has some title to the favor & I think claims on the justice of our government.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
58To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I am still here. Three refusals of the Naval Secretaryship have been re[c]ieved, and I am afraid of recieving a 4th. this evening from mr. Jones of Phila. In that case Genl. Smith has agreed to take it pro tempore, so as to give me time; and I hope the moment it is in either his or Jones’s hands, to get away; but this may be yet three four or five days. Lincoln is doing the duties of your...
59To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ the King has recovered, he does not yet hold a Court, nor is it understood that he attends to any but the most pressing and indispensable business. The chief of the new Ministers are in their places, and all of them will be so in the course of a few days. The Duke of Portland remains in the Home Department: Mr. Addington, the late Speaker, is at the Head of the Treasury, Lord St. Vincent...
60To James Madison from Ebenezer Stevens, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the 13th. Inst. I forwarded you Invoices & Bill Lading of a Cargo I have laden on board the Ship Grand Turk, by order of your late Predecessor, for account of the Tunisian Powers. The Ship is now ready to proceed on her Voyage, and is only waiting for the necessary Certificates and documents, to accompany the Invo. I beg leave to solicit your early attention in forwarding them, as the...
61To James Madison from Benjamin Stoddert, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a list of the French Vessels, captured since the 1st Octr last, & brought into the ports of the United States. There are no documents in this office to shew whether these vessels have been condemned in our courts, or otherwise, except the Berceau, which has been condemned, sold, & purchased by the Public, & is now ordered to be restored, under the Treaty. I have...
62To James Madison from David Humphreys, 27 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday I received by way of St. Sebastian farther copies of your several Dispatches, dated the 2nd of August and the 8th and 23d of September last. My first proceedings on the contents of all of which having already been reported, I have only to observe that I shall continue to transmit to you my correspondence with His Catholic Majesty’s Ministers on these and other subjects of national...
63To James Madison from Thomas Bulkeley, 27 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 March 1801, Lisbon. Acknowledges receipt of State Department letters of 13 Sept. and 21 Nov.—the former regarding the capture of the brig Sea Nymph . Has learned that captors bribed mate to take false oath “declaring the Vessel & Cargo French property.” Later, mate made counterdeclaration, and the ship and cargo have been liberated. Meanwhile, Gavino has obtained court order in Gibraltar...
64To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 27 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 March 1801, Lisbon. Reports that recent packets from Britain contain no mention of a British plan to aid Portugal. Speculates on reasons for delays in French or Spanish invasion: French may hope Spanish will begin and bear brunt of it, or in the interval Portuguese cabinet may succeed in maneuvering British out of the country without provoking them. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Portugal, vol. 5)....
65To James Madison from Ebenezer Stevens, 27 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 March 1801, New York. Acknowledges letter of 21 Mar. accompanying the papers of the ship Grand Turk . Has procured passports from British and Spanish consuls, which are delivered to the captain with packages for Eaton. The ship sails “this day.” Should passport from the French chargé arrive in time, he will deliver it. RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). 1 p.; erroneously docketed by Wagner as “27...
66To James Madison from William Tazewell, 27 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 March 1801, Williamsburg. Seeks final settlement of his pay due for service as a Paris-London messenger for envoy Elbridge Gerry in 1798. Encloses his account, which includes salary and expenses after the time of his capture by a French privateer. Pickering refused to settle the account, disallowing “my expenses of capture.” Took the matter to Congress, and a private act overcame the...
67To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 28 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 March 1801, Berlin. No. 187. Encloses copy of Spanish declaration of war on Portugal. Reports thirty-day truce between France and Naples, the terms of which include an embargo on British ships in port of Naples. Expects general European war against Britain. Notes that Nelson has sailed for Copenhagen, that a British refusal to lift embargo of Swedish and Danish ships effectively answers...
68To James Madison from John Gavino, 28 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 March 1801, Gibraltar. No. 61. Transmits copy of previous dispatch, no. 60. By last accounts, French squadron was at Toulon. Reports French naval battle with British frigate Febe . King of Naples has made peace with France and closed ports to British. Thirty Danish and Swedish vessels have been brought into Gibraltar. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Gibraltar, vol. 2). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as...
69To James Madison from Rufus King, 29 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
In confirmation of the rumours of the day, Carnot’s answer to Bailleul, published during the Exile of the former, states the Project which had been discussed in the Directory to obtain from Spain a cession of Louisiana and the Floridas. A reference to that performance, copies of which I at the time sent to the Department of State, will shew the manner in which it was expected to obtain the...
70To James Madison from John Knapp, 29 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you on an event terminating so fortunately for the Republican cause, by the Election of Mr. Jefferson. Permit me to solicit your friendship & support to the attainment of a situation under his Administration, such as my Ability & Integrity will enable me to discharge. I hope there is no assumption of Vanity, when I say, my long services in public life & various Public Offices of...
71To James Madison from Anthony Haswell, 30 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
For many years past I have edited and printed a public paper in this town, on the proceeds of which I have brought up a large, and expensive family, having been greatly afflicted with sickness. The unhappy political divisions which for some years past have afflicted our country, have been peculiarly injurious to me—the state business has been taken from me: the advertising for the public...
72To James Madison from David Howell, 30 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I seem to be under the necessity of availing myself of our former acquaintance, in any measure, to answer the expectations of the writer of the enclosed paper No. 1. His character & connexion with me are known to yourself & to the President. His abilities, integrity & diligence in his office are not called in question. I have enclosed his original Letter in proof that his faculties yet remain...
73To James Madison from Nathaniel Irwin, 31 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I condole with you on the death of your honoured father, whose politeness & attention I do not forget. Such are the changes in this world, that with the same breath, I congratulate you on your accession (I will not say elevation ) to the Office of Secy of State. On this occasion I would remind you, that “you were once my friend.” Do not be alarmed. I am not going to ask your influence with the...
74To James Madison from John Minor, 31 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1801, Fredericksburg. Recommends Henry Coleman of Caroline County for a federal office. Expresses surprise that Thomas Newton has not kept him informed concerning the order for cigars but believes the Norfolk merchant seeks the “best possible for us.” RC ( DLC ). 2 pp.; docketed by JM.
75To James Madison from Robert Montgomery, 31 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1801, Alicante. Gives résumé of his 8 Mar. dispatch. Has placed all U.S. vessels in surrounding waters on alert. Transmits letters just received from U.S. minister at Madrid. Spain has ordered a tax upon all “Commercial People,” including resident U.S. citizens (nearly $4,000 for himself). Has protested to minister of state, quoting seventh article of treaty. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD ,...
76To James Madison from Moses Robinson, 31 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1801, Bennington, Vermont. Offers congratulations on election and JM’s appointment. Recommends Anthony Haswell to publish U.S. laws in Vermont in place of Samuel Williams of Rutland, who has opposed Republican sentiments. Recounts Haswell’s tribulations under the Alien and Sedition acts. Suggests misconduct in post office has interfered with delivery of newspapers from Philadelphia...
77To James Madison from Benjamin Thompson, 31 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1801 “ Christa. Bridge State of Delaware .” Recollects past association with JM; complains of ill fortune and losses “as a Canadian Refugee.” Despite unsuccessful request for consular post during Washington’s administration, renews his application for a position. Believes few Americans possess knowledge of the French language and customs superior to his. RC ( DLC ). 2 pp.; docketed by...
78To James Madison from Israel Whelen, 31 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1801, Philadelphia. Encloses a copy of the charter party for the Grand Turk . Stevens has drawn on him for $6,556.60. Requests that he be remitted that sum. The insurance is carried by the owner at 5 percent. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Purveyor’s Office, Philadelphia). RC 1 p. Enclosure 3 pp.
79To James Madison from Edward Livingston, April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I regret very much that I had not the pleasure of seeing you before I left the Seat of Government. On taking a final leave of that body in which I began my political noviciate with the advantage of your friendship & advice it would have been interesting to review the changes it has undergone since that period with one Whose liesure & observation have enabled him to mark their causes and...
80To James Madison from Francis Brooke, 1 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 April 1801, Fredericksburg. Recommends Henry Coleman to JM as a person worthy of a clerkship. Coleman has letters of introduction from John Taylor of Caroline and others, so the sole reason for an extra testimonial is the applicant’s “Solicitation and the liberality of your Character.” RC ( ViU ). 1 p.; docketed by JM.