To James Madison from Ira Allen, 20 October 1804 (Abstract)
§ From Ira Allen
20 October 1804, Rutland. “Before I Left Philedelphia I gave Directions for one Dozen of the Second Vollum of the Olive Branch1 to be Delivered to Mr. Young who was to Distribut them to the Heads of Departments in Washington which I Suppose has been done. That you may be Informed of My Proseeders I inclose a Copy my Letters to Mr. Monroe2 my Council3 & Proctor4 in London with an address to the Governor Council and Assembly5 the Result of the Latter will be Communicated to you that the Executive of the United States might be fully informed and take Such measures as may be most Consistant to Protect the Flagg of the United States the Dignity of It’s Government Rights of the States Governments and that of Individuals.
“I Expect to make you a Vissit in December Next.”
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 76, Preliminary Inventory 177, entry 197, Great Britain, Convention of February 8, 1853, Case Files of Claims of U.S. Citizens, 1853–55, box 5). RC 1 p. For enclosures, see nn. 2–5.
1. Allen referred to volume 2 of Particulars of the Capture of the Ship Olive Branch … (Philadelphia, 1805; 7852). For the basis of his claim, see JM to James Monroe, 13 Dec. 1803, , 6:163 and n. 1.
2. Allen enclosed a copy of his letter to Monroe, 28 Aug. 1804 (1 p.), covering a copy of the second volume of Particulars of the Capture of the Olive Branch and requesting Monroe’s assistance with his claim.
3. In the enclosed copy of his letter to Thomas Erskine, John Nicholl, James Henry Arnold, and Robert Slade, 28 Aug. 1804 (4 pp.), Allen reiterated his claim against Great Britain for £200,000 and authorized them “to apply to the British government, in such way and manner, as [they] may judge most honourable and consistant for compensation.”
4. In the enclosed copy of his 28 Aug. 1804 letter to Robert Slade (2 pp.), Allen complained of not hearing from Slade for almost four years, noted that he was writing to his counsel on the same day (see n. 3, above), stated the justice of his case, and gave instructions for the payment of his claim.
5. In the enclosed copy of his representation to the governor, the council, and the House of Representatives of Vermont, 18 Oct. 1804 (4 pp.), Allen gave a summary of the history of his claim against Great Britain.