21To James Madison from John Armstrong, 25 October 1805 (Madison Papers)
You will see by an article in the enclosed paper that the Emperor (Napoleon) has begun the war by throwing Sixes. In twenty four days from that on which he crossed the Rhine he has traversed Suabia, assembled the Several column[s] of his army at Newburg, forced the passage of the Danube, and either killed or captured the whole of the Austrian Army under Prince Ferdinand & Gen. Mack. He has now...
22To James Madison from John Armstrong, 26 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor, within the last week, of receiving your letter of the 25th. of August—expressing the Sollicitude of the parties interested in the Ship New Jersey and Cargo, least “their claim should be rejected on the idea, that the rights of the insured, did not pass to the insurers;” and communicating also the opinion of the President, that “American underwriters, who had paid the loss to...
23To James Madison from John Armstrong, 22 December 1805 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my last dispatch I have been so much indisposed as to be quite ⟨un⟩;able to write, and it is now with extreme difficulty that I can keep my chair ⟨lo⟩;ng eno’ to make up even a short letter. The negociation I mentioned between France & Austria, was of short continuance ⟨a⟩;nd to no effect. Francis in his proclamation of the causes of the new rupture, declared ⟨the⟩; terms...
24To James Madison from John Armstrong, 21 January 1806 (Madison Papers)
My last letter was dated on the 22d. of December. In that I stated the opening of a new negociation between France & Austria, and the most probable conjectures formed here with regard to the result. These you will now find realized by the treaty of Presburg concluded on the 26th. December and submitted to the senate on the 14th. instant. You will have heard that Rear Admiral L’Allemand on his...
25To James Madison from John Armstrong, 17 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
All the points in controversy between His Catholic Majesty and the United States were submitted on the 14th instant to this government by the Spanish Embassador with an order from his court to sollicit the immediate interposition of the Emperor and King. That his Majesty will take upon himself the mediation is not to be questioned, but the form be may think proper to give to it is a point...
26To James Madison from John Armstrong, 9 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
The only step yet taken, on the reference mentioned in my last letter, is to suspend all decision upon the subject, untill a dispatch which is daily expected from Gen. Turreau, shall have been recieved. According to the color of this, we are, as I understand, to be invited to a similar submission, or to open the negociation anew under the eye of his M, or, that (deciding promptly &...
27To James Madison from John Armstrong, 28 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have nothing new to communicate on the subject of my letter by Mr Cabell. General Turreau’s dispatches which were to have regulated the movements here have not been received, or if received, have not been acted upon. The Negociation between France and Prussia has terminated in a treaty offensive and defensive. Among other provisions it is whispered that the ports of Germany are to be shut...
28To James Madison from John Armstrong, 26 April 1806 (Madison Papers)
Having been informed that letters and news-papers had been received here from the United States, asserting or insinuating a connivance on the part of the administration in the enterprize fitted out under the direction of General Miranda and supposed to be destined against His Catholic Majestys province of Caracus, and aware of the very disagreeable impression which such a report might make as...
29To James Madison from John Armstrong, 4 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
It is painful to me to state the following facts, but it is necessary they should be stated. On the 1st. Instant I presented a note in conformity to the instructions contained in your letter of the 13th. of March. On the 2d. the subject was opened to his Majesty the Emperor. “I have, said he, some papers in relation to that business which you have not seen.” On the third these papers were...
30To James Madison from John Armstrong, 1 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of Mr. Washington’s return to America to inform you that after three weeks of much anxious endeavor I have received assurances that his Imperial majesty interests himself in the amicable adjustment of our differences with Spain and that he has taken measures for bringing that power into an early negotiation on the subject of them. I hope in a few days to be able to transmit the...
31To James Madison from John Armstrong, 2 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
I send herewith nine additional documents in the case of the New-Jersey and three in relation to that of the Pigou. No. 8. exhibits the whole of my agency (previously to drawing the bills) in the latter of these cases. Finding by the public papers that Mr J. Randolph has denounced “the ministry of the United States at Paris as unfaithful and dishonest” and has referred the House of...
32To James Madison from John Armstrong, 7 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding the enclosed copy of a Letter from the Minister of Exterior Relations on the subject of the Ship Hope, which you will be pleased to have communicated to Mess. T. Lewis & Son Merchants, Boston. I have directed Mr. Skipwith to obtain authenticated copies of His Majesty’s decree of the 10th. of April and of the orders Sent by the Minister of Marine to the...
33To James Madison from John Armstrong, 17 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
A disposition to an amicable adjustment of our differences, exists at Madrid. A minister has been appointed to discuss and settle with Mr. B. and myself these differences. The person appointed to this duty is Don J. Escardo—the real, though not ostensible, minister of His Catholic Majesty, at this Court. When or in what manner Mr. Escardo may think proper to approach us? has not yet been...
34To James Madison from John Armstrong, 21 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
A Peace was Signed last night between Russia and France. Lord Yarmouth has been here for some time, but without a public character. He is about to take one immediately. This looks like peace between England & France also. I am Sir, with distinguished consideration, Your Most Obedient Servant RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 10). Docketed by Wagner as received 20 Sept. and interlinearly...
35To James Madison from John Armstrong, 9 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my letter by the Atlantic (Ct. Howard) no advance has been made towards the proposed negociation, the Spanish Minister (Isquierdo) stands aloof from us and from the business, and apparently with the design of accomodating his conduct to such new condition of Europe, as may be the result of a general pacification. This circumstance is not calculated to make me easy or idle,...
36To James Madison from John Armstrong, 19 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
That the following declaration was made as stated, I have no doubt, nor any as to the person by whom it was made. The man is, from all I can learn, both knave & fool enough to have hit on just such a proposition. To us it is of much more importance to know, why, and how it was listened to? I am, with very high respect, Sir, your most Obedient & very humble Servant RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG...
37To James Madison from John Armstrong, 10 October 1806 (Madison Papers)
My last letter was dated on the 9th. of August. I had then doubts how our business with Spain would terminate and these doubts are not yet removed. The following facts will explain their nature and extent and will enable you to decide whether negotiation be longer worth persuing. In this detail I must go back to a point of time about the 4th. of May last. The circumstance mentioned in my...
38To James Madison from John Armstrong, 30 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
We are often as much injured by our friends, in this world, as by our enemeies [ sic ]. The circumstance that immediately occasions this remark, is the effect produced here by the Speech of M. Whitbread, (who is, no doubt, well disposed towards the U. S.) no less than by that of M. Canning, who, as certainly, has no great partiality for us. The one, (as you know), declared, that we had made an...
39To James Madison from John Armstrong, 5 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I write this letter under feelings the most unpleasant. You will have seen by my public correspondence, that on the 26th. Ult. I was induced to write a letter to M. Champagny, contradicting the reports which were circulating here of an alledged adjustment of our differences with G. B. and that I had been principally induced to take this step by the silence of M. Pinkney. The journals of to-day...
40To James Madison from John Armstrong, 6 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
The journals of yesterday gave us your proclamation announcing an arrangement with the British Minister at Washington. Those of to-day give us M. Canning’s disavowal of that minister’s conduct, and would make us believe that M. Erskine had gone in the very face of his instructions. There is nothing astonishing in all this. It is a true specimen of modern diplomacy. New hopes from Austria—from...
41To James Madison from John Armstrong, 20 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Jos. Tate who, after an absence of fifteen years, returns to the U. S. heartily sick of all he has seen abroad. His story may not be unknown to you, and is less recommendatory than his character. In the five years I have been in Paris, tho’ oppressed by poverty and injustice, his conduct has at all times been regular and respectable. He was the Acquaintance of M....
42To James Madison from John Armstrong, 18 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
A letter from the Emperor of the 9th instant Says, “I shall soon be at Paris and shall bring with me a beautiful female, called Peda. I am much satisfied with what has been done in Germany, and as to Poland, there is a perfect understanding between us and Russia.” Of the terms which have been either offered or accepted, on this occasion, we know nothing certainly, but rumor says, that Napoleon...
43To James Madison from John Armstrong, 20 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a note just received from Lafayette which confirms my belief in the interest M. F. takes in our business. Lafayette is not in the secret of the invitation stated in my letter of the 18: but his friend appears to be privy to the wishes and intentions of the Minister. I am very truly your most respectful & obedient humble servt RC ( DNA : RG 59, Diplomatic Despatches, France)....
44To James Madison from John Armstrong, [ca. 7 November] 1809 (Madison Papers)
I send by M. Auriol the post-[s]cript, of which I spoke in my last. It will reach it’s destination, but without any hope of it’s working the necessary conversion. Indeed I now consider this as impossible, for to public Error, is now added the whole wieght of private interest. So long as the rule lasts, a single exception to it, makes the fortunes of two or three new men, who are about starting...
45To James Madison from John Armstrong, 10 January 1810 (Madison Papers)
In the haste in which I now write, I can do no more than acknowlege the receit of your letter by M. fenwick, and renew my request, that a ship of some kind be sent for me so as to reach France, & the port of Havre if possible, from the 1st. to the 15 of April next. As London is the theatre of the preliminary Negociation on foot between France & England, Mr. Pinkney will keep you advised of...
46To James Madison from John Armstrong, 18 March 1810 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Count Pahlen who goes out as I beleive with every disposition to please and be pleased. He is a respectable young man. If report says true, (for I know nothing of it officially) you will soon have a new Minister from this country. This is a Diaplomatic Cadet, who is for the first time put on horseback. He is the son in law of your old acquaintance Laforest, and...
47To James Madison from John Armstrong, 6 May 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have just been informed that M. Bowdoin (before he left Paris) in conjunction with M. Skipwith & by means which I shall take care to investigate, did obtain from an Irish ex-priest of the name of Somers a deposition, in which an attempt is made to implicate me in a land Speculation, connected with the then intended purchase of the Floridas, and conducted by Mess. Parker, OMealy and le Ray de...
48To James Madison from John Armstrong, 25 May 1810 (Madison Papers)
You will find in one of the last journals two Notes from M. de Rochefoucauld, the French Ambassador in Holland; to the Prussian Minister there—Baron Knoblesdorf. The object of these is to enable Prussia to negociate a loan of 40,000,000 frs. with which she proposes to pay off the old Score due to France. In other times, this would have been considered an extraordinary State Paper. An...
49To James Madison from John Armstrong, 5 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
Nothing can better illustrate the opinions I have frequently had the honor to give on the subject of our differences with France, than the history of the revocation of the Berlin and Milan decrees, announced in my official letter of this date to M. Smith. On the 27th. Ultimo advices were received from England stating, that on the arrival of the John Adams, Congress had been called and that the...
50To James Madison from John Armstrong, 24 August 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 August 1810, Paris. Introduces “Mr. Jervas” as “a man really attached to his country & to the administration which governs it.” RC (courtesy of an anonymous collector). 1 p. Docketed by JM. Probably Leonard Jarvis, who arrived in Washington on 1 Nov. 1810 carrying dispatches from Armstrong ( JM to Armstrong, 29 Oct. 1810, n. 1 ).