1To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 27 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
In the absence of Mr. Morton I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11h. may last past on the subject of Captain Drew’s Confinement at this city, and am sorry to have it in my power to say that he was not unjustly imprisoned. The money taken from the chest of one of the late crew of the Sloop Sally of Bridgetown New-Jersey, was not taken by one of the owners as stated in his...
2To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the fifteenth day of July last past Mr. John Morton departed from hence for the united States leaving me charged with the papers &c. appertaining to the American Consulate at this City: with a power to act as provisional commercial agent of the United States until the arrival of his Successor, or until the will of the President of the United States should be known on the Subject. If he...
3To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 30 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of the 29th. instant, a French national Schooner arrived here from the Cape, having on board a French commissary charged as I am informed with the execution of some commercial arrangements between this and the French Government. And as he intends to leave his family here and proceed on to new orleans soon, I presume he is charg’d with the execution of some plan relative to the...
4To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 8 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 November 1802, Havana. “I have only time to say that the September Packet arrived here from Spain on Saturday Evening [6 Nov.], and brings an Edict of His Catholic Majesty, granting permission to import Lumber from the United States into this Island, in Spanish Vessels—and also to export in the said Vessels, Rum and Molasses, to the said States.” Will forward a copy as soon as the edict is...
5To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 8 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
By a French Brig Just about to get under way for New York, I h ave only time to say that the September Packet arrived here from Spain on Saturday Evening, and brings an Edict of His Catholic Majesty, granting permission to import Lumber from the United States into this Island, in Spanish Vessels—and also to export in the said Vessels, Rum and Molasses, to the said States. As soon as it is...
6To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 10 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I do not consider it policy under present circumstances to overhaul and examine the papers, or into the particular Trade of those Vessels visiting this Port under American Colors, unless they call upon me to claim protection as such, yet I consider it my duty to inform you, that the Slave Trade, between this place nassau and Saint Augustine, and the States of South Carolina and Georgia,...
7To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 4 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 February 1803, Havana. Wrote on 21 Jan. by the Jupiter bound for New York. Since then local merchant Tomás Cruz Muñoz has received a license granted to Francisco Figuera y Vargas allowing importation of U.S. produce to Cuba. It is said the house of Torrys of Cádiz purchased it from Figuera for $100,000 and sent it to their agent at Havana for execution. Encloses a copy. When the license was...
8To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 4 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 21st. u lt. by the ship Jupiter Captain Gernon for N ew york, to which I will refer you. Since that time a Licence hath been re ceived here, by a merchant of this place, T omas Cruz Muñoz, granted by his Catholic Majesty, to Dr. Francisco Figueros y Vargas, n amed therein, allowing the importation of Provision &c. from the United States, into t his Island. This Licence it is...
9To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 7 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 February 1803, Havana. Has just time to inform JM that the schooner which carried $123,000 to the French government at Cap Français “late in December last” has returned. This will delay the departure of the frigate for “a few days, as she will carry up the balance of the 250,000 Ds. before mentioned.” Has just returned from the commissary general’s, where he went to learn news from the cape,...
10To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 7 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
The Schooner by which I wrote on the 4th. instant not having sailed as was expected I have Just time by her, to inform you of the return of the Schooner from the Cape, which Sailed for hence late in December last, with the 123,000 Dollars for the Government of that Island. This arrival will procrastinate the departure of the Frigate for a few days, as she will carry up the balance of the...
11To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 18 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 February 1803, Havana. Encloses a copy of the governor’s order respecting strangers. Although the order appears to be severe and will probably be carried into execution more rigorously than usual, he has experienced more pointed public attentions from the government lately “than at any time heretofore.” Was apprised of the order and the cause of its being issued “some days past” and will...
12To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 18 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
A Vessel being about to get under way for New Port Rhode Island, I embrace the opertunity to enclose you a copy of the order of the Governor an d Captain General of this Island respecting Strangers. Altho’ the order appears to be a severe one, a nd I believe will be carried into execution with more r igor than usual, yet I have experienced more po inted attentions from the Government lately,...
13To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 2 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 March 1803, Havana. “A few days past” a report, “to which some credit was attached,” circulated that U.S. troops were marching to seize New Orleans. Gave Someruelos “every official information” on the subject up to Monroe’s appointment, accompanied by a note, a copy of which is enclosed, so that “such a report at such an interesting moment” might not prejudice American interests at Havana....
14To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 2 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of the circulation of a report a few days past, to which some credit was attached, tha t the American Troops were on their march to take possess io n of New-Orleans, I hastened to give the Captain General of this Island and of Louisiana every official information on that subject up to the appointment of Mr. Munroe; ac companied by a note of which the enclosed is a copy— in order...
15To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 8 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1803, Havana. Reports that “the vessel by which this goes, having been detained a few minutes longer than was expected,” he took the opportunity to call at the post office where, with the arrival of the packet, he received confirmation of his earlier reports. He also learned that the governor had received orders to transfer Louisiana to France immediately and that Casa Calvo was to...
16To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 8 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
The vessel by which this goes, having been detained a few minutes longer than was expected, gave me an oppertunity of calling at the General Post O ffice to make some enquiries r especting the mails due, and the arrival of the Packet, w hen was confirmed what I h ave before Stated, and I th en was further informed that the Governor had recd. as Cap General or ders to give up Louisiana to the...
17To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 15 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 March 1803, Havana. Refers JM to his 8 Mar. letter on the subject of the arrival of the packet. Has since been informed that the ship was sent solely to convey dispatches relating to New Orleans. The marqués de Casa Calvo, former governor of Louisiana, has been appointed to deliver Louisiana to the French and will leave “in about six days.” The French squadron is expected “hourly” at...
18To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 15 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
On the 8th. instant I addressed you on the sub je ct of the arrival of the Packet at this Port in the manner th erein stated, to which I will refer you. Since which time we h ave been informed that the said Packet was dispatched for the sole purpose of conveying the dispatches relative to New- Or leans; and that the Marques de Casa Calvo, late Gover nor of that place, hath been appointed, and...
19To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 April 1803, Havana. The French sloop of war Diligence left Havana “this Morning” for New Orleans carrying the marqués de Casa Calvo, former governor of Louisiana, who will deliver the province to the agent of the French republic in conformity with the king’s orders. The packet, which recently caused so much alarm by not bringing the mails that were due, carried orders forbidding royal ships...
20To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
By the Ship Aspansia just about to d epart for New York I have only time to say that, t he Sloop of War called the Diligence, having on board the Marques Casa Calvo, late Governor at New-Orleans departed the Port this Morning fo r that place, in order to deliver up the Province, to the Agent of the French Republic; in con for mity to the orders of His Catholic Majesty. In consequence of orders...
21To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 May 1803, Havana . Reports that Francisco Arango, “sent some time since by this Government, to that of Santo Domingo,” has “this moment arrived from that place, after a passage of ten days, in company with a French Sloop of War.” Cannot write anything about the situation of that island but “from the silence of the Commissary and other French officers, whom have been on board,” infers “that...
22To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
By a spanish vessel Just about to depart for New York, I have only time to say that Dn. Francisco Arango, sent so me time since by this Government, to that of S anto Domingo, hath this moment arrived fr om that place, after a passage of ten days; in company with a French Sloop of War. The sudden departure of the Schooner b y which this goes, puts it out of my power, to say any thing as to the...
23To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 26 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 May 1803, Havana . Omitted to mention in his 25 May letter “that three vessels sailed from hence on sunday and Tuesday for Port Republican having on board One Hundred Island Horses and Three hundred Dogs, for the use of the French Republic.” “General Noailles will follow in a few days.” He would have left sooner but was “thrown from a Wild Horse, and broke His Right arm at the Elbow,” and...
24To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 26 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
In my letter of yesterday I omitted m entioning that three vessels sailed from hence on sunday and Tuesday for Port Republican having on board One Hundred Island Horses and Three hundred Dogs, for the use of the French Republic. General Noailles will follow in a few days. He would have left this some time ago, had he not unfortunately been thrown from a Wild Horse, and broke His Right arm at...
25To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 May 1803, Havana . Wrote on 25 May about Francisco Arango’s return from Saint-Domingue. Nothing official has since transpired regarding his mission there, but Gray has learned from a reliable source that Arango was partly successful and that a convention between France and Spain was signed, stipulating “that each party shall be at liberty to have at the seat of Governt: of the other, one...
26To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I addressed you on the 25. of may i nstant, on the subject of the return of Dn. Francisco Arango, from Santo Domingo, since which time nothing hath transpired o fficially, relative to his mission to that Island: bu t I have received information from a quarter on which I can rely, that he succeeded in his mission in part; and that on the day of his departure from thence, a convent i on was...
27To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 16 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 July 1803, Havana . “Luis Viguri the late Intendant General of this Island … sailed this Morning for Spain.” Gives JM this “immediate information” so that he may warn the U.S. minister at Madrid, as Viguri has been “the most inveterate enemy the United States … had in this quarter,” known to have “Committed greater depredations on our Commerce during the War and since.” The U.S. minister...
28To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 16 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
Dn. Luis Viguri the late Intendant General of this Island having sailed this Morning for Spain, I ha ve thought proper to give you immediate information th ereof, in order that you may inform our Minister at Madrid, of his Departure; as he the said Intendt. w as the most inveterate enemy the United States and its ci tizens had in this quarter, and that as he has committed greater depredations...
29To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 24 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 July 1803, Havana . Encloses a letter he received “from a Mrs: Mary Elam relative to her Son.” Does not know “her place of residence”; believes “from the nature thereof” that JM will “Cause it to be forwarded.” “The persons to whose care I have directed it, have given a certificate relative to Rd. Elam, a copy of which you have at foot.” Appends a copy of the statement certifying “that...
30To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 24 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
Having received a letter from a Mrs. Mary Elam relative to her son, and not knowing her place of residence, the letter being dated “Virginia 19th. Jany. 1803” I take leave to enclose it to your Department; and flatter my self th at you will from the nature thereof, Cause it to be forwarded. The persons to whose care I have directed it, have g iven a Certificate relative to Rd. Elam, a copy of...