9551To James Madison from Robert Montgomery, 8 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Montgomery. 8 July 1806, Madrid. “Buisness of a private nature having detained me here about a month, I have frequently waited on Mr. Erving in order to give him every information in my power regarding the unreasonable Quarentine imposed on our Vessels by this Govt. “Our Vice Consul Mr. Thomas Vague at Valencia died about two months ago, this Gentleman had served in that office...
9552To James Madison from Jacob Wagner, 15 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
A favourable opportunity offering for Philadelphia, I have returned Mr. Duponceau his books. I do not see what we can do to assist Murray; but I have acknowledged the receipt of his papers. Mr. Harvey has been advised to collect depositions to shew that his son was forcibly or deceptively placed on board the Leander, which he intimates he would have it in his power to do. The two cases of...
9553To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 October 1804, New Orleans. “I return’d to this City on this Morning, and find my Health much benefited from my late, tho short, Excursion into the Country. The Sugarcrops are very promising, and the Labour of the planter, will be rewarded abundantly. The Citizens, whom I visited, appear’d to enjoy Health and Contentment, and I was well pleas’d with their friendly Hospitality. I also...
9554To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Emperor left Fontainebleau yesterday; it is said, for Italy, Spain & Portugal. In each of those places great changes are predicted. Genoa and Piedmont are to be added to the Kingdom of Italy, which on the other hand, looses Venice, and its dependencies. These with a part of Etruria, and something on the Eastern Side of the Adriatic, are to form a Grand Duchy for Beauharnois. The residue of...
9555To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 10 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
The subject of Mr. Briggs’s letter and of your note of yesterday is doubtless an interesting one; inasmuch as it is a National or Central Society of Agriculture. Some steps towards such an institution were taken during the last session of Congress. The first one I believe was by your correspondent. He talked to me of such a project; and I learned that he had conversed with the President. I...
9556To James Madison from William Eaton, 5 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 March 1803, Tunis. “Continuation of letter of 4. March. ” Commodore Morris left the American house “yesterday morning about nine oclock” to board the Chesapeake . Because of “some altercations” between Morris and the bey’s commercial agent [Hajj Unis ben Unis], “who had three times come to and as often fallen from an agreement relative to the reclamations for the prize in question,” Morris...
9557To James Madison from Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 16 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Carlos Martínez de Yrujo. 16 January 1806, Washington. Has just received JM ’s letter of yesterday in which JM was pleased to tell him that the president of the United States, having solicited Yrujo’s retirement in Madrid, in the month of April last, can only learn with surprise of his coming to the city where the government resides, and that he sees this step as improper, with the...
9558To James Madison from Daniel Clark, 27 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since my last the most remarkable Circumstance that has occurred is the arrival of the Prefect & his Family, accompanied by the Adjutant General and an Engineer who are all busily employed in making preparations to receive the Capt. General & the Troops who are hourly looked for. A National Brig has also arrived from Dun kirk with military Stores. Another that sailed with her was lost on the...
9559To James Madison from Robert Gamble (Abstract), 11 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
11 June 1805, Richmond. “My Son Robert—intending a tour to France & England—was preparing to go to Cherbourg in a ship which has commenced loading with Tobacco part of Which Will be under his controul but as she will not get off probably for a month—He has been induced to embrace the oportunity of a Brigg. Which will sail in about 10 days for Bordeaux from Norfolk—as a prospect of quicker...
9560To James Madison from George W. Erving, 9 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last of the 7th. Instant communicated to you the very disagreeable intelligence that Messrs. Birds our Bankers had stopped payment; I have now received from them a minit of the Balances due upon our several accounts. It appears as mentioned in my last that I had distributed amongst our Proctors all the monies in their hands appropriated to the prosecution of Claims, & had balanced within a...
9561To James Madison from Arthur St. Clair, 17 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
In a conversation with the Secretary of the Navy, a day or two ago, on the subject of the fees which it has been said have been demanded and received by me, for which there was not warrant by Law—I asserted to him, as I had done in my general Vindication, that no fees had ever been received by me that were not expressly granted by Law, and the Laws authorising the fees for Tavern Licenses and...
9562To James Madison from Josef Yznardy, 26 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 January 1804, Cádiz. “Absences & Sickness has deprived me of being able to make a formal liquidation of my old Accounts with that Government; but now I have the pleasure to inclose them to your goodselves, adding that of my disbursments & expences from April 1801. down to the 31st. December last Year; by which you will see that a Ballance of $6018.22/100 is in my favour; which Sum you will...
9563To James Madison from Daniel D’Oyley, 14 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate You on Your Election to the Presidency of the United States, & on the success of Republicanism -- it is a cause for Which I Shouldered My Musket at 14, and Served regularly through the Army that established our Independence unto the termination of the War. My Services for to confirm What We thus gained, were again in Activity in 1799 & 1800, and I have felt the approbation of My...
9564To James Madison from Frederick Degen, 28 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I did myself the honor to address your Excellency the 9th. of Novembr. as per the inclosed copy, whose original was forwarded by the way of Bordeaux, for want of direct opportunities. No further news respecting the measures of the Dey of Algiers have Since transpired in this part of the World, excepted a Communication from Mr. Lear Consul General at Algiers confirming the Hostile Dispositions...
9565To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 1 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I am honored with your letter containing the communication of the 5th. Jany. 1804 and the other papers, for which I am very thankful. The important paper of the 5th. Jany. 1804, I shall endeavour to have republished here, with a prefatory note to draw to it the merited attention and consideration of the people. It is necessary that it should be known and thought of; and this be assured is not...
9566To James Madison from Henry Hill Jr., 1 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Henry Hill Jr. 1 January 1806, Havana. “Observations and remarks on the prevailing fever &c at Havana. “Motives connected with the trade of the United States to this port, induced me to keep a list of deaths of the Seamen employed in it for my own curiosity, at the same time supposing it might be useful in some respect to the friends of the deceased, and not uninteresting to the...
9567To James Madison from Robert Slade, 24 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
The Memorial of Robert Slade of Doctors Commons London Proctor Sheweth That your Memorialist was applied to in the Beginning of the year 1795 as a Proctor of the High Court of Admiralty of England and of the High Court of Appeals in Prize Causes by Samuel Bayard the Agent appointed by the Government of the United States of America to prosecute Claims and Appeals in Prize Causes on Behalf of...
9568To James Madison from John Murray Forbes, 18 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to address Your Excellency by various opportunities under the several dates of 13th. & 24th. Novr. 4th. & 5th. Decr. and 14th. Janry. The first mentioned letter contained much at length the particulars of the vexations applied about that time to our commerce by the French Customhouse Officers, or Douaniers, here. On the first occupation of this City, by the French troops,...
9569To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 26 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 November 1803, Natchez. “I have certain information that on the 11th Instant General Wilkinson left Fort St Stephens for Mobile from whence by the way of the Lakes he would proceed to New Orleans and thence to Fort Adams, where his arrival may be soon expected. To my dispatches to the Prefect and Mr. Clark (copies of which I transmitted to you by the last Mail) I have not yet received...
9570To James Madison from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 16 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
The critical situation of our country necessarily engages the attention of every thinking man in the community. It must more particularly occupy the minds of those to whom the nation has confided any share in the direction & management of its political concerns. The Chief magistrate of the Union, must feel in a preeminent degree, for the public welfare, from the peculiar responsibility...
9571To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
Unless a due regard is paid to the peculiarity of my situation here, I am aware that the complaints & animadversions, which I offer, with respect to the conduct of our Minister, may be, more or less, construed into expressions of temper, or a spirit of recrimination. But when all the facts & circumstances, having any relation to the differences between that Minister & myself, shall be fully...
9572To James Madison from Oliver Pollock, 22 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing You I have been employ’d in arrainging my Affairs and striving to collect my Family in a Situation to answer present circumstances, and untill some favourable moment may arrive in which my Application for an Appointment may be granted. I fear that in consequence of my last Letter which I had the honor of writing to the President it may be conceiv’d that I...
9573To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 21 September 1804 (Madison Papers)
The ambassador of Spain has this moment left me. In the course of our conversation he dropped Some things that it is important you Should know as indicative of the Sentiments of his Court & perhaps as necessary to form the basis of the measures that it may be proper immediately to take. He of course insisted that West Florida made no part of our purchase, but as he Supported this Sentiment by...
9574To James Madison from William Eaton, 6 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
The letter which I had the honor to address to the department of State Dec. 20. gave advice of the destination of the Ann Maria, a change in the position of this regency with France necessarily involved a change of her destination. It was the intention of this Bey, notwithstanding the orders of the grand Signor, to maintain the neutral posture he had taken: but, before his dispatches went off...
9575To James Madison from John Douglass, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Some time in Jan: 1808, I informed you that De Witt Clinton at a caucus held at Ben: Cheethams, of what he called his house of Nobles, declaired that he was in possession of information which induced him to beleive that Mr. Jefferson and yourself were acting under the Secret influance of Bonaparte, and that you had a Majority in Congress attached to you & were hostile to the liberties &...
9576To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 24 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
The question of war yet remains undetermined my letters from Mr. King of the 18th lead me to believe as well as my persuasion of the present System of politicks in England that war will come Soon. Here there is an earnest & Sincere desire to avoid it as well in the Government as the people. I enclosed in my last a note to the Minister. Some days after I called upon him & he told me an answer...
9577To James Madison from Stephen Cathalan Jr., 27 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1804, Marseilles. “My last respects are dated the 14th. June ulto. Since, I have forwarded a packet from the united States Consulate at Tunis, to your address, under Cover of Willm. Lee Esqr. at Bordeaux. “I have the honor of remitting you herein inclosed, the lists of the American Merchant Vessells entered into the ports of my District and Cleared from the 1st. January of the Present...
9578To James Madison from Jacob Wagner, 10 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you several public and private letters. Those of importance among the former, are from Mr. Lear, Mr. King and Mr. Thornton. I also received a letter from Mr. Savage, the Agent for seamen at Jamaica, in which he says, that a number of seamen have lately been discharged and that his certificates are respected, on which account he suggests, that the Masters of our...
9579To James Madison from Charles Pinckney, 28 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
Hearing of an opportunity by an American Gentleman to Bourdeaux I avail myself of it to send you a Book containing a general list of what are here called the reales derechos of the Customhouses & a pretty good view of their commercial regulations. It is in Spanish & I could get no translation of it either in French or English but as it appears to be complete on the subjects it treats of you...
9580To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 1 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have just heard that a vacancy has lately happened on the Judicial Bench of Columbia, in consequence of Chief Justice Kilty being appointed chancellor of Maryland. I have some times thought—that I was qualified to fill one of the junior seats on that Bench—and at present, the appointment thereto would prove agreeable, and might be useful to my young family whose education begins to call for...
9581To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 9 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 4th. of January, nothing new has occurred here relative to our affairs. After the departure of the Courier for Alicante, on the 8. of January, we have not had an arrival from Europe in this port, nor the departure of a Vessel, excepting a few of the Country going coastways. And from, or of the United States, I have not heard anything, since your...
9582To James Madison from William Eaton, 9 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 November 1802, Tunis. Notes that the accompanying letter dated 22 and 27 Oct. was sent on 27 Oct. by a British ship which returned to port after springing a leak. Received JM’s 10 May letter on 30 Oct. Was directed to forward his account with the returning squadron, “but it must be long since known to the Government that no ship of that squadron showed itself here for seven or eight months...
9583To James Madison from Joseph Barnes (Abstract), 16 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
16 February 1805, Florence . “To a man of Sentiment who wishes to promote the good of his Country, and the interest of his Countrymen, Especially in a Public Situation tis a most painful reflection to be under the necessity of making my Apology for his Conduct. “A Concatonation of unforeseen unfortunate circumstances having prevented me from fulfiling the duties of My Consulate in Sicily...
9584To James Madison from John Appleton, 1 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have The honour to inclose you a statement of The American Vessels which have arriv’d & sail’d from The district to which my Commission is limited; They are not numerous, but from The unfortunate circumstances which have attended so great a proportion of Them, and which almost every season furnishes similar examples, I am induced to hope & presume our Government will adopt, such measures as...
9585To James Madison from William Jarvis, 23 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Jarvis. 23 December 1805, Lisbon. “The foregoing is a Copy of the letter I had the honor to write you the 3rd. Inst. by the Brig Rebecca Captain Wilson for Philadelphia. Since which no arrangement has taken place relative to Quarantines, except two orders sent to the Health Office of Bellem the 18th. & 26 Ulto. the former very mild the latter very rigid. This may be imputed to...
9586To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 11 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
It was my intention to have wrote you fully on the subject of the depredations Committed in these seas, by Mr. James D. Barry of your City, but am now prevented, in consequence of his sudden departure in a Vessel touched off the Port in Distress—however I will obtain the necessary Documents relative to those depredations, and forward the same by the Brig Republican of Baltimore, now loading...
9587To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
France has cut the knot. The difficulties relative to Parma and Placentia that stopped the expedition to Louisiana have ended by their taking possession of the first. As you see by the enclosed paper, orders are given for the immediate embarkation of troops (two demi brigades) for Louisiana they will sail in about twenty days from Holland. The government here will give no answer to my notes on...
9588To James Madison from Josef Yznardy, 19 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
The object of the present is to inform you Sir, that P the enclose d Copies will appear how Richard Hughes has plagued me with incompetent demands regar ding the Brig Mary of New York. My answer to him refers to the information already sent yo u and which I now amplofy. He Acerts that said Vessel was bought here by Capn. Samue l Young (which is true) after being abandoned by the former Owner....
9589To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have here the honor of transmitting the Statement of claims referred to in my last letter of the 14th. of novemr., including such as are to be found in the conjectural note designated by the Convention, Such as were exhibited a little before the signing of that convention, in my Statement to the Minister of the united States, & lastly all the claims, which have been Since presented to the...
9590To James Madison from William Jarvis, 9 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of the letter which will accompany this, ie 21st. Ulto:; which has s at in my desk waiting the daily release of our Vessels in this Port (although a Duplicate has been sen t by the way of St. Uber) nothing Material has occ urred in this Place. Out of the great numbers of Vessels I understand were about Sailing from the United States, three only have got in, so that the Scarcity...
9591To James Madison from William Lee, 18 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 18 October 1805, Bordeaux. “I profit of a good opportunity which has this moment offered, to forward to yourself the moniteur, and to the President the argus. These papers will now become more interesting from the operations on the Continent, which have at last commenced with some vigour. A part of the Division of the French Army under the command of Prince murat have...
9592To James Madison from George William Erving, 24 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
In my letter No. 17 (Novr 4.) I adverted to the la te transactions which seem to have placed this government in a very critical situation with relation to that of France: The temper in which the late military preparations were undertaken, & the purpose of them also, having been perfectly understood by the Emperor; & it is not doubted but that he has determined upon some very important changes...
9593To James Madison from Daniel Burnet, 27 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
A doubt has arisen in this Territory on the intention of the Disolution of the General Asembly by the Governor. By some it is contended that the seats of the Legislative Council are vacated when he disolves the General Assembly. Others hold a contrary Opinion, And as I have been a member of the Council that was disolved by the Governor the first of March last, I have taken the liberty of...
9594To James Madison from William Tatham, 24 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
By last Mail, I did myself the honor of transmitting to you a printed pamphlet on the subject of a link of our coastwise navigation inland, which passes through this County: a matter which I have been many years investigating, and concieve to be of the highest importance in the consolidation of the united force of the Country, the fraternization of its Citizens, and the common safety or...
9595To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 18 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
A Vessel under English Colours arrived here some time since, and was reported to the Collector of the District, to have been a Spanish Vessel bound from Vera-Cruz to Cadix, which was captured by an English Frigate and ordered to Jamaica; But meeting with heavy gales & adverse winds (in which she had suffered considerably) was forced to enter the Mississippi. One of the Wardens of the Port of...
9596To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 13 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
In my preceding letters I have fully inform’d you of the a rrestation of several american Vessels at the entrance of this port, by french privateers; and likewise, that I had forwarded to Mr. Armstrong at Paris, copies of my protests, ac co mpanied with other documents I judg’d necessary for his in formation. To these, I have receiv’d his reply; that he has been assured by the french...
9597To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 15 Thermidor when the Ministers had a public audience the Senate were ⟨announced⟩—they entered the ⟨circle with⟩ their President Barthelemi at their head. He presented the decree declaring Bonaparte Consul for life as the result of the vote and made an address in writing upon the occasion which was answered by the first Consul from a paper he held in his hand so that it appears the...
9598To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 9th. has been duly recieved, & I now return the papers it covered, and particularly those respecting the ship New Jersey, on which I have bestowed due attention. I think the error of Genl. Armstrong a very palpable & unfortunate one; but one not at all chargeable on our government. By the French Convention the council of Liquidation has certain functions assigned to them, of a...
9599To James Madison from Deborah McClenachan Stewart, 8 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
Believe sir that I would not trespass on your time, knowing that it is directed to so many important objects, if I did not think your politeness would pardon the liberty I take, and that your benovolence will be concerned in granting me the information I am about to solicit. Permit me then to ask if any information has been lately received respecting the American claims on the French...
9600To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I offer you my sincere condolances on the melancholy loss, which has detained you at home: and am entirely sensible of the necessities it will have imposed on you for further delay. Mr. Lincoln has undertaken the duties of your office per interim, and will continue till you can come. Genl. Dearborn is in the War Department. Mr. Gallatin, though unappointed, has staid till now to give us the...