101To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
In addition to my Official Letter of this date it may be satisfactory to you to know, if more money shall be demanded, that I shall refuse of course, and claim the execution of the Convention: if a commutation of the 7. Article be asked for, I shall decline entering into any discussion for that purpose; for the twofold reason that I have no powers, and if I had I should decline, the claims...
102To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 April 1803, London. No. 90. “The question of peace or War may at this moment be decided. Lord Hawkesburys Note in reply to the refusal of France to admit of any discussion respecting Malta is dated the 3rd. and was dispatched on the 4th. instant.” The note expresses the king’s regret that the French government had declined giving the satisfaction and explanation he demanded and had...
103To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1801, London. No. 38. Reports the approval of the peace preliminaries at Paris and outlines their terms. France regains Martinique and the rest of its foreign possessions. Spain and Holland likewise regain their colonies, excepting Ceylon and Trinidad. Malta will be restored to the Order [of St. John] and Egypt to the Turk. Since Menou had probably surrendered before the date of the...
104To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 May 1802, London. No. 65. Reports that bill imposing duties on imports, exports, and ship tonnage passed House of Commons and will undoubtedly become law. Bill revives most provisions of the Convoy Act but raises duties on imports by one-fifth and reduces duties on goods exported to America by one-half. Because of increased quantity and superior quality of American cotton, it was proposed to...
105To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 April 1801, London. No. 11. Last mail from Hamburg brought news that British fleet has taken its station off Copenhagen. British property in Hamburg and Altona has been sequestered. Prussian troops have marched into and occupied Hanover. A courier has arrived from St. Petersburg with news of death of Czar Paul and accession of Alexander; he is reported to bear dispatches for British...
106To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 February 1802, London. Reports that no one defends the unequal operation of the discriminating duties against U.S. commerce. All prefer abolition to revision; and no one supports the proposal to transfer the countervailing duties from imports from, to exports to, the U.S., as it is against British policy to impose duties on their manufactures except in unusual circumstances and the sum of...
107To James Madison from Rufus King, 25 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 April 1801, London. No. 14. Notes that British fleet bound for Denmark passed under Swedish guns that held their fire. Reports Nelson’s exploits at Copenhagen. Believes British government dissatisfied with armistice because Danes have not left armed league. There is much speculation concerning the character and views of new Russian czar, whom British hope to detach from the league. Issue in...
108To James Madison from Rufus King, 6 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I send you a copy of the confederation between the New England Colonies, together with a few Extracts from the Journals of the Commissioners. As I hope to leave Town on Tuesday for Boston, I pray you to return me these papers Sometime Tomorrow. You are sensible that information from the southern States relative to the proposed Constitution will be of importance to us at Boston while engaged on...
109To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
As your Letters to me concerning Mr. Ervings appointments do not explicitly state the Presidents intentions in respect to his being employed as an Assessor to the Commission under the seventh article of our Treaty with this Country, I desired him to send to the Board an Extract of his Instructions which define his Duties and which would be Sufficient to shew the Presidents expectation on this...
110To James Madison from Rufus King, 25 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
I had the honour to write to you on the 15. of last month, since when I have received by General Miranda who has arrived here, a letter from Mr. N. Vansittart⟨,⟩; a member of the British parliament, and who was likewise a member of the late Administration of Mr. Addington. Mr. Vansittart being a man of distinguished Probity, and in a situation to understand fully the subject on which he...
111To James Madison from Rufus King, 23 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 April 1803, London. No. 92. Refers to his dispatch no. 87 [25 Mar. 1803] , which mentioned the difficulty that had arisen regarding the proceedings of the commissioners under article 7 of the Jay treaty. “Several Conferences have since taken place between me and Lord Hawkesbury, but the Impediment is not yet removed. At my first meeting with Lord Hawkesbury, after the communication he had...
112To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
At length I am enabled to send you a Convention which I yesterday signed with Lord Hawkesbury, respecting the VI & VII. articles of our Treaty of 1794. The commutation of the 6. article of the Treaty of 1794, and the confirmation, so far as respects its future operation, of the 4. article of the Treaty of Peace remain as they were settled in October last, and I have nothing to add to my former...
113To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 November 1802, London. No. 76. Notes that Gore has acknowledged letters received from the State Department during King’s absence and informed JM of what has been done toward accomplishment of the president’s instructions. “I shall immediately resume the business that has been so well commenced, and as well from the nature of the subject, as from the temper and disposition that are...
114To James Madison from Rufus King, 10 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
Some months ago I informed you that Mr. Jackson would probably be sent to the U. States as Mr. Liston’s successor. Mr. Merry had been previously thought of and indeed named for this mission . As I have had the opportunity of knowing both these gentlemen during my residence here it was not without some regret that I heard of the intention to appoint Mr. Jackson in lieu of Mr. Merry . From this...
115To James Madison from Rufus King, 1 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Having learned that the Law which prohibited our commercial intercourse with France had ceased, and judging that great numbers of our Vessels would be immediately cleared out for the different Ports of that Country, and probably, among others, for Ports in a State of Blockade, I wrote a Note to this Effect to Lord Hawkesbury, and requested that immediate Instructions should be given to the...
116To James Madison from Rufus King, 28 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 January 1803, London. No. 79. Reports that no further progress has been made in the boundary discussion. “From one or two Conversations that I have had with Colo. Barclay, who has returned to Town, I perceive that his opinion, whatever influence it may have, will be favourable to such a Settlement of the Eastern Boundary, as would be satisfactory to us. The chief difficulty … respects the...
117To James Madison from Rufus King, 22 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I lose no time in replying to the queries contained in your letter of the 18. thoh I fear I may not be in time for the mail of today. Q. 1. All foreign ministers pay the first visit to the ministers of England: immediately after being presented to the King the new foreign minister goes round in his carriage, and leaves a card with his name and Quality at the house of each of the Cabinet...
118To James Madison from Rufus King, 19 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 March 1803, London. No. 86. “Orders were some Time past given to evacuate Egypt, and the English forces have at this Time probably left that Country. The independence of Malta, by the Treaty of Amiens, is placed under the Protection and guarantee of Great Britain, France, Spain, Austria, Russia and Prussia. Austria has acceded, Russia consents to accede, provided the Maltese langue be...
119To James Madison from Rufus King, 1 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 May 1803, London. No. 95. Reports that according to the certificate of the accountant general of the Court of Chancery, the fund claimed by the state of Maryland consists of bank stock, 5 percent stock, and cash amounting to £187,567 12 d . sterling. Suits in chancery were instituted “many years back” against Russell and other fund trustees by Chase as agent for Maryland, by Barclay and...
120To James Madison from Rufus King, 25 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 March 1803, London. No. 87. “Baron Silverhjelm, the Swedish Envoy, after mentioning once or twice that he had received orders to explain to me for the information of the President, the motives which had influenced Sweden to make peace with Tripoli, some days since called upon me, and for this purpose read me the Instructions which he had received from his Government. I suggested to him that...
121To James Madison from Rufus King, 11 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
My correspondence with the Department of State while I was in England, at different periods, had reference to the independence of So. America and whatever seemed to me material in my conversations on this subject either with the Br. Ministers, or with Genl. Miranda and other natives of the Spanish Colonies, was from time to time mentioned in my Despatches. I have lately received two Letters...
122To James Madison from Rufus King, [ca. 20] July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I take the Liberty to add a few miscellaneous articles by way of supplement to my last dispatch. American Seamen As soon as the war appeared to me unavoidable I thought it advisable to renew the attempt to form an arrangement with the British Government for the protection of our seamen: with this view I had several conferences both with Lord Hawkesbury and Mr. Addington who avowed a sincere...
123To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ the King has recovered, he does not yet hold a Court, nor is it understood that he attends to any but the most pressing and indispensable business. The chief of the new Ministers are in their places, and all of them will be so in the course of a few days. The Duke of Portland remains in the Home Department: Mr. Addington, the late Speaker, is at the Head of the Treasury, Lord St. Vincent...
124To James Madison from Rufus King, 29 December 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 December 1802, London. No. 78. “In the Bill that after the holidays will be brought into parliament for the consolidation of the Customs the Duties upon Articles imported from the United States will stand nearly as they do at present, except that it has been purposed to raise the Duty upon Spermaceti Oil coming from any foreign Country, from £22.3.1 to £31.10. I have had one or two...
125To James Madison from Rufus King, 31 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Letters which I have received from you are dated May 21. June 15. 30. July 23. 24. 27. 28. and Oct. 21. The principal Subjects to which they relate have already been taken notice of in the course of my Correspondence: the object of this Letter is to reply upon those miscellaneous Subjects which have hitherto been omitted. —St. Croix River Boundary.— I have taken occasion to explain to Lord...
126To James Madison from Rufus King, 29 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
In confirmation of the rumours of the day, Carnot’s answer to Bailleul, published during the Exile of the former, states the Project which had been discussed in the Directory to obtain from Spain a cession of Louisiana and the Floridas. A reference to that performance, copies of which I at the time sent to the Department of State, will shew the manner in which it was expected to obtain the...
127To James Madison from Rufus King, 16 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
Anticipating the rupture which may be regarded as having in effect taken place, I have sought and without difficulty found opportunities of conversing with those Members of the Cabinet who have the most influence in its decisions in order to impress upon them the very great importance, in the event of War, that the Instructions given to their Naval officers should be drawn up with plainness...
128To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the Evening of the Eleventh a Cutter arrived from Petersburgh, with a Copy of the Convention concluded on the 17th. ulto. between Lord St. Helens and Count Panin, by which the misunderstanding between England and Russia is amicably adjusted. The northern Confederacy, as you will recollect, aimed at the establishment of two Principles of Maritime Law: one that free Ships make free Goods; the...
129To James Madison from Rufus King, 8 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have nothing to add to my official letter respecting ⟨the⟩ negotiation relative to the 6th. article. The additional articles concerning Contraband and the impressment of Seamen were refered to Lord St. Vincent, who has informed me that he immediately reported upon them; he had before told me that he was in favour of their adoption; the Chancellor has assured me that he would attend to the...
130To James Madison from Rufus King, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Annexed I send you the copy of a letter which I have just received from Lord Hawkesbury on the subject of the Depredations upon our Trade in the West-Indies. As there can be no objection to it’s publication, you will perhaps think it advisable to have the Letter and it’s enclosures printed in our news papers, by which means it will reach the West-Indies, and be seen by those whose abuses it...
131To James Madison from Rufus King, 11 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
Although for the reason suggested (in my Official correspondence,) I have omitted to send you an account of what passed respecting the 6 & 7. Articles of the Treaty of 1794. subsequent to Mr. Dawson’s departure, I have on reflection thought it might be satisfactory, and perhaps useful, that I should in this way supply the omission. Lord Grenville, on being consulted by Lord Hawkesbury, having...
132To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 [March] 1802 (Madison Papers)
Commodore Dale while at Toulon having informed me that he might have occasion to draw upon Messrs. Mackenzie and Glennie for more than the amount of the Funds in their hands subject to his Draughts, I communicated the same to these Gentlemen, who have assured me that the Commodore’s Bills shall be duly honoured. The arms which have been making by Mortimer for the Bey of Tunis are completed;...
133To James Madison from Rufus King, 19 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since the removal of the Negotiation to Paris, I am less able to send you early and exact information of its progress. It is understood that according to the Instructions sent to Lord Whitworth on the 3rd. instant, his Lordship concluded his Conferences, as well with Mr. Talleyrand as with the First Consul, by declaring that a refusal of the satisfaction he was ordered to demand would be...
134To James Madison from Rufus King, 14 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
In a Letter dated October 7. Commodore Dale informs me that he had been obliged to ask the English Government at Gibraltar for certain Supplies that his Squadron stood in need of; a List of the Articles and of their prices is contained in the Commodores Receipts, copies of which were enclosed in his Letter to me. I have hitherto received no application for payment, and am in hopes that such...
135To James Madison from Rufus King, 2 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 April 1803, London. No. 89. Reports that no answer has yet been given to Andréossy’s note, which declined all discussion of Malta. “Lord Hawkesbury’s Answer will probably be delivered to day; it will without doubt persist in the Determination communicated in his first Note, and may disclose new and additional reasons in its support.” The issue of an overture Napoleon reportedly made to...
136Rufus King to William Grayson and Madison, 11 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Extra[c]t of a Letter from a Gentleman in Boston of the 4th. March 1787. to R King— “—— has come back from Virginia with News that the Commissioners on the part of New York alarmed the Virginia Delegates, with an account that the Commissioners on the part of Massachusetts were for a monarchy ; & that those Delegates wrote their Legislature of it, who shut their Galaries and made a most serious...