1To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit the copy of a letter this moment received from Mr. Champagny, informing me that His Majesty the Emperor has directed the Embargo on American vessels in the Ports of France to be raised. With very high respect I am, Sir, your most obedient and very humble Servant, DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
2To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 16 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
My last dispatch was dated on the 2d. of Jany. and for wants of more direct conveyance, was necessarily sent by the way of Holland and England. The Emperors return to Paris, which took place on the 22d. of Jany. was equally Sudden and unexpected, and is said to have been the consequence of the Success of his arms in Spain, and of the new uses he is likely to have for them in Germany. Of both...
3To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 2 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
After having dispatched my letter of the 12th. ulto. it Struck me that nothing would be lost, and that Something might be gained, were Mr. Short to take an early occasion of hinting to Count Romanzoff the advantage that would probably result as well to Europe as to the U S, could France be brought back to the ground She used to occupy with regard to the rights of neutral commerce. If the...
4To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 26 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Argus of to day, which I inclose, contains accounts of two revolutions, the one occurring in Constantinople, the other in Algiers. These accounts may be relied on. That with regard to Constantinople is confirmed by letters received by the Russian Minister of State, Romanzoff; and the other, which respects Algiers, is transcribed from Mr. Lear’s letter to me of the 21st. of last November....
5To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 14 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
The russian & french Couriers, who have just returned from England, bring a peremptory refusal from Great Britain, to negociate on the bases which have been offered. As this refusal can scarcely fail to produce new irritation on the part of the Emperor, so it may be expected to produce also a firmer adherence to his decrees. On the other hand the motives on the part of Russia to procure a...
6To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Dashkoff, Chargé d’affaires and Consul General of the Emperor of Russia, has arrived here and proposes to set out in about Six weeks for Washington. Having called upon me and expressed a hope, that he might be accomodated with a passage on board of one of the vessels employed by the United States in carrying dispatche s to and from Europe, I found it necessary to explain to him, the...
7To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 6 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
As the Union may be detained by westerly winds two or three days beyond the time set for her departure, I do myself the honor to forward herewith two numbers of the Argus containing the 10th. and 11th. Bulletins from the Army and the translation of a pamphlet, written and published by order of this Government (as is supposed) on the interest which Europe in general has, in the Success of the...
8To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor in a note of the 24th. ultimo to communicate the terms on which it was understood here, that a general pacification of European quarrels might be effected. Since the date of that communication an answer has been received from Great Britain expressive of a desire for peace, but declining to act on the propositions made to her, untill She had consulted her allies. The Emperor’s...
9To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 25 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
Hearing that the Charleston packet would not sail before the 1st. of November, I avail myself of that circumstance to add a few lines to those already sent by M. Roux. Such is the apparent persuasion on the side of Russia, that England will accept the terms recently offered to her by the two Emperors, that Genl Romanzoff has come on to Paris with the view, as is reported, of avoiding all...
10To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
In addition to the note by Mr. Roux I add that Couriers have been dispatched to London with overtures for a general peace. Their return is expected in the course of the present week. The bases of negotiation, reported to have been offered to England are 1o. Hanover to be restored to the King of England 2o. The Dutchy of Brunswick to be restored to the heirs of the late Duke 3o. Holland to be...
11To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
Meeting with Mr. Roux the bearer of this by accident I only have time to inform you, that the Emp. got back to this place yester day that the legislative body is to be convened on the 25th. instant, and that the moment they receive H. M.’s communications, he sets out for Bayonne & Spain. The prepa rations to subdue the latter are immense, and, under his own direction, nothing of them will be...
12To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 8 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received Mr. Lear’s packets & forward them by express to Havre. It would appear from the direction given to the march of the guards, that the Emperor is going to Germany and it is said, for the purpose solely of an interview with Alexander & not with any hostile intention towards Austria. It is even added, that overtures to England for a peace will be the result of this...
13To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 30 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have been honored by the receit of your private letter of the 20th. of July. A letter of the same character from me to the President & which will be delivered by M. Wilder, will give you my opinion of the fitness of M. Warden for the consular office at Paris: to this therefore I refer. M. Skipwith may at any time obtain the documents he affects to seek & to want, from the C. of State. To...
14To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 28 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since my arrival at this place I have been honored by the receipt of your dispatch of the 21st. ultimo, and would immediately return to Paris to renew my discussions with M. de Champagny, ei ther personally, as you Suggest, or by writing, had I not the most solemn Conviction that any new experiment, made at the present moment in either form and of official character, would certainly be useless...
15To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 13 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment recei ved a note from Paris of which, what f ollows, is a litteral translation: "The news from Spain, are very afflicting. Mo ncy has been defeated before Valentia and compelled to retreat. He re ached Madrid on the 21 of July with the loss of 13,000 Men. Dupont (w ho marched against Cadiz) after much hard fighting, has been fo rced to capitulate: in a word, the king has...
16To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 7 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Joseph reached Madrid about the 20 Ulto. by forced marches, at the head of the . The Emperor continues to reinforce him. It was rumored two days ago, that war between this Country & Austria was unavoidable. To-day the papers announce, that Austria has procrastinated the blow, by ordering that her ports in the Adriatic b e shut against our commerce. It appears, that some vessels coming from Si...
17To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 7 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I wrote a few lines to you yesterday. The arrival of this day’s mail from Bordeaux enables me to add what follows: "The Emperor said to our chamber of Commerce "que depuis que les Etats unis avaient mis un embargo, ils avaient cessé d’etre Neutres (that since the United States had placed an embargo, they had ceased to be Neutral)." The chamber having presented a petition for liberty to export...
18To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 31 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Court left Bayonne on the 26th & 28th. inst. The Emperor is expected at Nantes on the seventh of Augt. and at Rambouillet on the 13th. It is doubtful whether he will touch at Paris. If he should, I shall endeavor to draw from him an answer to the remonstrances I have, at different times, made since November last. These attempts shall however be so regulated as will most effectually prevent...
19To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 26 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
The dispatches herewith enclosed will inform you of the manner in which the two orders of the President, the one with regard to H. M’s proposition of the 3d. of feb. last, the other in relation to Mr. Champagny’s letter of the 15 of Jan., have been executed. To the latter of these, no answer has yet been received. It would have given me the highest pleasure to have drawn from this Government...
20To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 25 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have advanced to Mr. Baker Of public money (as per Receipt hereto appended) the sum of two thousand eight hundred and eighty francs. This advance is not perhaps entirely regular, but what could I do? I could not suffer a Messenger of the U. S. with a wife and three children, to starve in the streets of Paris. The first copy of the receit was sent by M. Livingston. I am with great respect,...
21To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 23 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last letter was dated on the 18th. Inst. I have now the honor of enclosing copies of two notes, the one from the Minister of foreign Affairs, the other from the Minister of Marine & Colonies. The former, relates to a commerce carried on, as is alledged, by American Vessels between the belligerents; the latter assigns the reasons why an embargo, now imposed on our vessels in the Ports of...
22To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 18 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the detention of the Arcturus, to transmit copies of two letters, which I have written to Mr. de Champagny; the one, in execution of the President’s orders with regard to the offensive terms employed by that Minister in his Note of the 15th. of January last; the other, demanding from him, on the part of his government, an avowal or disavowal of the conduct of Rear Admiral...
23To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 8 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
When I had the honor of writing to you on the 15th. inst I had received Mr. Champagnys letter of the 18th.; that of the 22d. came to hand a few days afterwards. You will no doubt perceive a difference in the temper of these notes. The former contained only concessions, which though in themselves of no great importance, shewed a friendly disposition. The latter on the other hand, would retract...
24To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 7 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
Conceiving the moment of Joseph’s accession to the crown of Spain to be one which might be favorably employed in Settling our long pending controversy with that crown, I hastened to address a Note, the copy of which is enclosed, to his Minister of foreign Relations. To this I received the answer of that Minister on the 8th. instant, a copy of which is also transmitted. With very high...
25To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 29 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
This has no object but to inform you, that I have advanced (of the money of the Public) the sum of two thousand eight hundred & eighty francs to John Martin Baker Messenger & agent of the U. S. and that I enclose his receit for the same. With very high Consideration I am, Sir, Your Most Obedient & very humble servant DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
26To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 27 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received the letter, of which the enclosed is a Copy, in answer to mine of the 10th. instant to M. de Champagny; and am Sir, with very high consideration, Your most obedient & very humble servant DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
27To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 25 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
The St. Michael arrived at l’Orient on the 1st. instant and, like the Osage, was immediately put under sequestration. It was not till the 8th. that Mr. Baker arrived here. On the 10th. I Dispatched a Courier with the note to Mr. Champagny, a copy of which is enclosed. The receit of this was acknowledged by a letter from that Gentleman of the 18th., a copy of which is also inclosed. By this you...
28To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 6 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
In my letter of the 16th. ultimo I had the honor of advising you that the policy of this country towards our commerce had the appearance of becoming more just. The circumstances to which I alluded in making up this opinion were, the release of the Juniatta and Francis & Henry (two of our Ships sequestered at Hamburg); that of five or Six others Sequestered here, the unqualified liberation (as...
29To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 31 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I received a few days past a letter from M. de Champagny of which a copy is enclosed. I know not that any American vessel has come to Europe in violation of the embargo, excepting one. The vessels alluded to by the Minister are no doubt those mentioned by Mr. Montgomery (or such as those) who tempted by the high freights given here will not return to the U. S. I enclose a journal of yesterday...
30To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 16 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have just been advised that the two Ships, the Julius Henry & Junietta, whose cargoes were sequestered at Hamburg, have been put at liberty and that, of seven others in the Ports of France which I have claimed, Six have been given up. This circumstance and some others which, (writing as I do by the mail), I cannot mention, give me reason to believe, that the system with regard to us, will be...
31To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 14 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
My next letter will announce to you that the Emperor is proclaimed King of Spain. I am with high consideration Sir, Your most Obed. hum Servant DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
32To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 25 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment heard, that "Mr. Santuianes, the secretary of the Embassy from Spain to this Court, has been appointed Min. Plen. to the U. S. by the Prince of Asturias (as he is called here) or King of Spain as he calls himself." "His (Santuianes) Orders are, to present himself at Washington before the next meeting of Congress". Through the same cha nnel I am informed, that "the Emperor...
33To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 23 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Orders were given on the 17th. instant, & received yesterday at the Imperial Custom house here "to seize all american vessels now in the Ports of France, or which may come into them hereafter". How is this to be explained? Is it that our vessels now in Europe, tempted by the high freights, wish to continue here, running between the belligerents? Is it that the Emperor is determined that french...
34To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 18 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I forward the subjoined copy of a letter received by Mr. Cathalan from Mr. Lear of date, April the 1st. 8. 8. viz: "I have the honor to inclose duplicates of my respects to you of the 21st. of Feb. and 8th of March, and to add that since the date of the last, I have experienced considerable difficulties here in consequence of refusing to make payment demanded by the Dey for some of his...
35To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have this day seen a letter, from a french Officer now at Madrid and entirely in the way of knowing what is going forward, which Contains the following ideas Viz: that since the arrival of Prince Murat the french army employs all the precautions necessary in an enemy’s country; that the people of Spain, though excited by the french intrusion, are yet willing to believe, that the visit is...
36To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 12 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have detained M. Lewis till to-day on the supposition that my letter of the 2d. instant would be answered. This was however a mere accomodation to forms, as the absence of the Emperor and of the Minister of foreign relations, rendered this supposition highly improbable. There being then no public reason for M. Lewis’s longer stay in Paris, and the permission to the Osage to prosecute her...
37To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 8 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
The writer of the letter appended to this note, is a very amiable and respectable man, and very competent to the discharge of the duties of the appointment he sollicits. He is intimately known to Mr. Monroe. DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
38To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 5 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I received the dispatches you did me the honor to address to me by M. Lewis on the 26 Ulto. Though I had complained often and earnestly of both the principles and operation of the Emperor’s decrees of Nov. 1806 and December 1807 (having written at least twenty notes on the different cases which have arisen under them) yet as the Presidents orders were express, that on receit of your letter I...
39To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 26 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last letter was of the 15th. inst. and sent by the Ship Arno of New York. As in that I sent copies of several notes written to the Department of foreign affairs, merely to shew the nature of our complaints against this Government, so it may be proper to send you a copy of the answers I have received to some of these notes. It is observable that those of the 19th. & 20th. inst. (the one...
40To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I Stated in my last letter the Substance of a declaration made by the Emperor, viz: that if means could be found to except American property from the operation of the decree of November, 1806, without infringing the principles of the decrees, he would immediately make the exception. No time was lost in communicating this declaration to me, and I was invited to point out the means it required,...
41To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 9 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
The conversation alluded to in the copy of the letter of did not take place till the 8th instant, when the Emperor declared, that if means could be found to make an exception to the operation of the November decree, such exception should have his consent. Printed Source--American State Papers. 38 vols. (Washington, D.C.: Gales and Seaton, 1831-61)..
42To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 5 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
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43To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 5 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I forward to you copies of five notes which I have had occasion to write (since the date of my last dispatch) to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Marine, in relation to certain abuses which have been practised by functionaries of France against our Commerce &c. To neither of those Notes have I yet received an answer. With very high Consideration, Sir, I am Your Most obedient & very humble...
44To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 29 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I Send you the enclosed documents merely to invite a general instruction on the Subject of advances of Public money to the Agents of Prize causes. My own opinion is that the Captures under the decrees of Nov 1806 and December 1807 will, as intimated in Mr. Champagny’s note of the 15 of January be decided on principles altogether political; of course that the intervention of either agents or...
45To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 28 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Having received no answer to my 2d. letter of the 14th. of February from M. de Champagny and having room for new complaints with regard to the mode in which the Imperial decrees of Novemb. 1806 and Decemb. 1807 have been made to operate, I determined to ask an audience of the Prince of Benevent and seek from him as head of the Diplomatic functions in France, Such explanations as H. M’s...
46To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 22 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr Patterson offers so good a conveyance that I cannot but employ it. Nothing has occurred here since the date of my public dispatches (the 17th. inst.) to give to our business an aspect more favorable than it then had, but on the other hand, I have come at the knowledge of two facts which, I think, sufficiently shew the decided character of the Emperor’s policy with regard to us. These are...
47To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
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48To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 17 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of the answer from the Minister of Marine to my letter of the 13 instant in relation to the sale of a part of the Cargo of the Ship James Adams. It would now appear, that the promises of forbearance made by another Department, are applicable only to vessels sequestered in the Ports, and not to such as have been captured at Sea. I omitted mentioning in my letter of the 15th.,...
49To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 15 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have thought the enclosed documents sufficiently important to be forwarded by a special messenger. I can add little to the information they will give you. Our business here has taken as you will see, an extraordinary turn, and will require on your part some extraordinary measures. 632 550 1453 1105. 587. 541. 899. 972. 1415 1116 1131 1431 1116. 1354. 1287. 427. 426. 38. 897. 632. 972. 249....
50To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 13 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The conjecture offered in my last letter with regard to the Embargo of our vessels, turns out to be correct. The order was intended to be confined to vessels of friendly and allied powers, or powers having both these characters. The word neutral crept into it merely by mistake. An extract from the Minister’s letter to me on that subject is as follows viz "Aucun ordre n’a ete donné pour retenir...