To James Madison from Ira Allen (Abstract), 7 May 1805
§ From Ira Allen
7 May 1805, Philadelphia. “While I wait for Some Documents more Effectually (if Possible) to Establish my Claims on the British Government before I Compleat the Second Vollum of the olive Branch1 or Send to London that Mr. Monroe might obtain Justice for me I inclose Part of the maniscript of the twenty fith Chapter of the Olive Branch2 and Submit the Propriety of it’s being Shewn to Mr. Merry that an Effectual investigation of the matters therein Contained be made and the Result Transmited to Mr. Monroe and the British government I invite this investigation as a Justice due to both Governments to Preserve frendship on the fruntiers and a Justice to the Claimant.
“I Shall make you a Vissit as Soon as I have the Second Vollum of the Olive Branch in Print.”
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, ML). RC 1 p.; dated 1804 in Allen’s hand, with a correction to 1805; docketed by Wagner: “Ira Allen 7 May 1805.” For enclosure, see n. 2.
1. Allen referred to volume 2 of Particulars of the Capture of the Ship Olive Branch (Philadelphia, 1805; 7852). Allen had last written to JM about the Olive Branch on 18 Feb. 1805. For the basis of his claim, see JM to James Monroe, 13 Dec. 1803, 6:163 and n. 1.
2. The enclosure (16 pp.; docketed by Wagner as received in Allen’s “7 May 1804”) is a reiteration of Allen’s various arguments against British seizure of the Olive Branch, and for British reparation for his losses.