31To James Madison from Rufus King, 24 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 September 1801, London. No. 35. Acknowledges JM’s letters of 21 May , 15 and 30 June , and 24 , 27 , and 28 July , the last three conveyed by Erving. Contrary to his earlier report, Denmark has not agreed to the convention with St. Petersburg, but he assumes it will eventually do so in order to regain its possessions in the East and West Indies. Discusses the situation in Europe after the...
32To James Madison from Rufus King, 2 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
Preliminaries of peace between France and Great Britain, were signed last night at Lord Hawkesburys office. With perfect respect & Esteem I have the honour to be Sir Your ob: & faithful Servt: RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol. 54). RC docketed by Wagner.
33To James Madison from Rufus King, 4 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 October 1801, London. No. 37. Had expected to close negotiations on article 6 of the Jay treaty in time to forward result via Dawson, who is on the point of embarkation, but they are not yet concluded. Transmits instead a report of activities since his dispatch no. 32 [24 Aug.]. Will not agree to any variations on or enlargements of the [1783] treaty of peace as this would only “lay the...
34To James Madison from Rufus King, 8 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have nothing to add to my official letter respecting ⟨the⟩ negotiation relative to the 6th. article. The additional articles concerning Contraband and the impressment of Seamen were refered to Lord St. Vincent, who has informed me that he immediately reported upon them; he had before told me that he was in favour of their adoption; the Chancellor has assured me that he would attend to the...
35To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1801, London. No. 38. Reports the approval of the peace preliminaries at Paris and outlines their terms. France regains Martinique and the rest of its foreign possessions. Spain and Holland likewise regain their colonies, excepting Ceylon and Trinidad. Malta will be restored to the Order [of St. John] and Egypt to the Turk. Since Menou had probably surrendered before the date of the...
36To James Madison from Rufus King, 17 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 October 1801, London. No. 39. Encloses copies of correspondence with the Prussian chargé d’affaires and a letter about the complaints against the British frigate Diane . RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy and copies of enclosures ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol. 54). RC 1 p.; marked duplicate; in a clerk’s hand; docketed by Wagner as received 14...
37To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
In addition to my Official Letter of this date it may be satisfactory to you to know, if more money shall be demanded, that I shall refuse of course, and claim the execution of the Convention: if a commutation of the 7. Article be asked for, I shall decline entering into any discussion for that purpose; for the twofold reason that I have no powers, and if I had I should decline, the claims...
38To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 October 1801, London. No. 40. Adverse winds, which have delayed Dawson’s departure, give opportunity to send continuation of report on conferences with the lord chancellor and Lord Hawkesbury. Situation now is uncertain with no hint as to the turn it may take. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy and copy of enclosure ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol....
39To James Madison from Rufus King, 23 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 October 1801, London. No. 41. Conveys copies of his letter to the judge of the High Court of Admiralty and the reply relating to the conduct of the collector at the port of Plymouth. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9); letterbook copy and copies of enclosures ( NHi : Rufus King Papers, vol. 54). RC 1 p.; marked duplicate; in a clerk’s hand, signed by King; docketed...
40To James Madison from Rufus King, 31 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
It is confidently believed that a considerable Expedition composed of land & Sea forces, is preparing in france, and will soon proceed to St. Domingo, and perhaps to the mississippi. Should Toussaint resist, our commerc[e] may experience fresh Embarrassments in the west India seas. On this account among others the Presence of our Minister at Paris becomes more and more desir⟨a⟩ble. To my...
41To James Madison from Rufus King, 2 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
The news Papers, among which is the Porcupine, the Paper of the new opposition, which Mr. Dawsons repeated disappointments enable me to add to those I had before delivered to him afford a pretty just view of the public Sentiment concerning the peace. Mr. Sheridan, in a single sentence has happily expressed this sentiment: “It is a peace every body is glad of, and no body proud of .” Of the old...
42To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 November 1801, London. Reports that war’s end has occasioned a review of the British diplomatic corps. Hears that Liston will be sent to Holland instead of returning to America. Jackson has been appointed minister plenipotentiary to France and will reside in Paris during the congress at Amiens. Once peace is concluded, Lord Whitworth, formerly in Russia, will go to Paris and Jackson to...
43To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
If the annexed copy of the Treaty between France and Spain, respecting the establishment of the Prince of Parma in Tuscany, be genuine, of which I have no reason to doubt, you will perceive the value which these Powers seem to have placed upon Louisiana; the cession whereof to France is confirmed by the 7th. article of this Treaty. I am in hopes that I shall be able to obtain and send you a...
44To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 November 1801, London. No. 43. Understands that Lord Cornwallis will leave Paris soon for Amiens, where ministers from France, Spain, Portugal, and Holland will gather to conclude peace negotiations. Expedition to Saint-Domingue has not left, but a British squadron is to go immediately to the Jamaica station; it is supposed that the French expedition will proceed without waiting for the...
45To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
In a Letter dated October 7. Commodore Dale informs me that he had been obliged to ask the English Government at Gibraltar for certain Supplies that his Squadron stood in need of; a List of the Articles and of their prices is contained in the Commodores Receipts, copies of which were enclosed in his Letter to me. I have hitherto received no application for payment, and am in hopes that such...
46To James Madison from Rufus King, 23 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 December 1801, London. No. 45. Encloses copy of a letter from Lord Hawkesbury to Sir John Nicholl that has resulted in an order of restitution by the High Court of Admiralty in favor of all American vessels and cargoes detained on passage to Le Havre, except for the Frederick of New York and its cargo, the agents having brought that case to trial too soon. Conjectures the sentence may be...
47To James Madison from Rufus King, 29 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
Some Time since Mr. Balan, the Prussian chargé d’affaires requested me to forward two Letters to Mr. Polaske and Mr. Schultze, the Prussian Consuls at Philadelphia and Baltimore, and at the same time desired me in the name of his Court to inform you that both these Officers had been dismissed. I suggested to him that as this Communication might become the ground of an Act of our Government,...
48To James Madison from Rufus King, 31 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Letters which I have received from you are dated May 21. June 15. 30. July 23. 24. 27. 28. and Oct. 21. The principal Subjects to which they relate have already been taken notice of in the course of my Correspondence: the object of this Letter is to reply upon those miscellaneous Subjects which have hitherto been omitted. —St. Croix River Boundary.— I have taken occasion to explain to Lord...
49To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
At length I am enabled to send you a Convention which I yesterday signed with Lord Hawkesbury, respecting the VI & VII. articles of our Treaty of 1794. The commutation of the 6. article of the Treaty of 1794, and the confirmation, so far as respects its future operation, of the 4. article of the Treaty of Peace remain as they were settled in October last, and I have nothing to add to my former...
50To James Madison from Rufus King, 11 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
Although for the reason suggested (in my Official correspondence,) I have omitted to send you an account of what passed respecting the 6 & 7. Articles of the Treaty of 1794. subsequent to Mr. Dawson’s departure, I have on reflection thought it might be satisfactory, and perhaps useful, that I should in this way supply the omission. Lord Grenville, on being consulted by Lord Hawkesbury, having...
51To James Madison from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
We have almost daily rumours of new difficulties which are to defeat the conclusion of a definitive Treaty of Peace; but like most of the speculations of the Idlers and News-hunters of a great City, they are found to be unworthy of credit. There is reason to believe the business of the definitive Treaty is going on in a conciliatory way; and as soon as the variety of inferiour points brought...
52To James Madison from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
From the month of May till September or October, including what is here called the long vacation, very little Business can be done in London; it being the custom of almost all official Characters to pass the summer in the Country, and to visit London as seldom as they can. I am not aware that anything very pressing will, in the course of the summer, especially if the Peace be definitively...
53To James Madison from Rufus King, 15 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have before mentioned to you that the cession of Louisiana (of which it seems to me we can have no doubt, notwithstanding what may be said to amuse us) was not once a topic of Enquiry or discussion in the negotiation of the Preliminaries: and for the same reason that it was not heard of on that occasion Lord Hawksbury has recently informed me that it had not been, and would not be mentioned...
54To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 February 1802, London. No. 51. Reports receipt of JM’s 10 Dec. instructions and the resulting conversations with Lord Hawkesbury on the state of American trade with British dominions in peacetime. Encloses copy of a paper he sent to Hawkesbury on the subject. Acknowledges receipt on 4 Feb. of duplicate of JM’s 22 Dec. letter , “which has enabled me to be more explicit than I otherwise should...
55To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 February 1802, London. No. 52. States that the definitive treaty is not yet signed but preparations are being made to reduce the war establishment. Virtual annexation of Italian Republic by France will not impede peace with England, and neither Austria nor the rest of Italy has a voice at Amiens. The size of Great Britain’s peacetime establishment is unknown, but it will be larger than...
56To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 February 1802, London. No. 53. Informs JM that Great Britain will accede to a proposal to abolish all discriminatory duties between U.S. and British territories and that Vansittart has moved for a bill in the House of Commons authorizing the king “by an order in Council, or by Proclamation, to cause the countervailing Duties … wholly to cease, or to be suspended.” Counts on the bill passing...
57To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 February 1802, London. Reports that no one defends the unequal operation of the discriminating duties against U.S. commerce. All prefer abolition to revision; and no one supports the proposal to transfer the countervailing duties from imports from, to exports to, the U.S., as it is against British policy to impose duties on their manufactures except in unusual circumstances and the sum of...
58To James Madison from Rufus King, 18 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 February 1802, London. No. 54. Encloses copy of bill proposed in Parliament by Vansittart concerning countervailing duties on American ships and cargoes. Expects that privy council will issue an order suspending countervailing duty on tobacco for six months as soon as bill passes. Commissioners under article 7 of Jay treaty have reassembled and are proceeding with business. RC and enclosure...
59To James Madison from Rufus King, 27 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 February 1802, London. Within the past ten days, some persons have begun to question whether the Amiens negotiations would end in a definitive treaty. Does not share this opinion and points out that prolonging the negotiation would harm British financial and commercial interests. Can only deal in conjectures as to the discussions at Amiens but is confident “they bear no resemblance to the...
60To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 [March] 1802 (Madison Papers)
Commodore Dale while at Toulon having informed me that he might have occasion to draw upon Messrs. Mackenzie and Glennie for more than the amount of the Funds in their hands subject to his Draughts, I communicated the same to these Gentlemen, who have assured me that the Commodore’s Bills shall be duly honoured. The arms which have been making by Mortimer for the Bey of Tunis are completed;...