To James Madison from John Graham, 15 July 1816
From John Graham
Dept of State 15th July 1816.
Dear Sir
As the enclosed Letters from Mr Wirt1 and Mr Mitchell2 relate to a subject of some delicasy and importance I have deemed it proper to transmit them to you, more particularly as it is doubtful, from the present appearance of the weather, when Mr Monroe will get back from Virginia. The Papers alluded to by Mr Wirt as having been forwarded by Judge Tucker, have I presume been sent directly to you. With sincere & Respectful Attachment I am Dear Sir your Mo Obt Sert
John Graham
I know not whether Mr Gelston has found a translator for the Letter from the Dey of Algiers.3 I believe he has written to Mr Monroe on the subject; but as his Letter is marked private I have not opened it.
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM. For enclosures, see nn. 1–2.
1. Graham enclosed an 11 July 1816 account sent to the State Department by William Wirt and docketed by a clerk: “Case of the Romp charges of piracy” (DNA: RG 59, ML; 4 pp.). As Graham noted, JM had already been informed about the matter by St. George Tucker on 28 June 1816.
2. John Mitchell’s June 1816 letter to James Monroe enclosed an affidavit, sworn on 14 June 1816 by Squire Fisk and four others, describing the cargo and the capture of the schooner Romp, which had sailed from Baltimore for South America on 18 Apr. 1816 (DNA: RG 59, CD, St. Pierre, Martinique, 3 pp.).
3. Monroe wrote to David Gelston on 7 July 1816, seeking his assistance in finding a translator for the 24 Apr. 1816 letter to JM from the dey of Algiers. Gelston replied on 27 July 1816 that the Baron L’Escalier was willing to provide this assistance (DNA: RG 59, ML).