1William Lee to James Madison, 9 November 1830 (Madison Papers)
In all the events of my chequered life, I have ever considered you and Mrs Madison, my best & dearest friends, to whom I owed more than to all the world. Through good and through evil report, you were always the same and I therefore experience much delight in announcing to you both my marriage with Mrs Ann McLean, the widow of the late munificent John McLean, which took place on the 4th inst....
2To James Madison from William Lee, 27 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of sending my account of articles forwarded to you from Bordeaux amounting to $425.3c. from which must be deducted a sum of money you paid to me in 1811 and which I had omitted to credit you with when I sent out from Paris the articles purchased for Mrs. Madison. I believe it was 300$ but as some of my papers have been mislaid I have not been able to come at the sum nor can...
3To James Madison from William Lee, 4 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
Mr Capellano has decided to make you a visit at Montpellier in the course of the summer. He says he does not like to be hurried in a Work of this nature. In making you a visit he might extend his journey to Mr Jeffersons of whom we have no good bust. He will conform to your convenience, I presume before or after harvest will be most agreeable to you. I have the honor to be with great respect...
4To James Madison from William Lee, 17 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
Some circumstances having occurred, since I had the honor to write you on the subject of the appointment, you had the goodness to offer me; I have thought it best after mature reflection, to accept the same, if you have not Sir before this gets to hand, selected another person. It will take me from ten, to fifteen days, to close all my concerns here and at the farthest, I can be in Washington...
5To James Madison from William Lee, 8 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
By a confidential letter received yesterday from an obliging friend at Washington I learnt you had done me the honor to appoint me accountant to the War department and that the Commission had been directed to me at Philadelphia where I presume it still lies in the post office as it has never come to hand which I am a little surprised at as several letters directed to me in that City have been...
6To James Madison from William Lee, 27 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
By the copy of my correspondences with the authorities here, which I have this day forwarded to the Secretary of State, you will see how necessary it is for me to quit Bordeaux, if not for ever, at least for a time. My situation Sir, is so very unpleasant, that I really have at some moments, fears for my safety. I have seen such dreadful scenes in this country formerly, that I have no...
7To James Madison from William Lee, 16 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have been honored within these few days, by your letter of the 21st. December, to which I shall pay due attention. The confidence you have reposed in me, by continuing me for so many years in this Office, has been highly flattering, and has proved my greatest consolation, in all the painful occurrences, I have of late experienced in this city, which has now become peculiarly disagreeable,...
8To James Madison from William Lee, 23 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
Mr Espie, the President of the College at St Foy in this department, has sent me the packet accompanying this, to be forwarded to you. He has the reputation of a man of great science, and litterature, and being a great admirer of our institutions, he intends I am told dedicating one of his works to you. If you should think proper to reply to his letter, I will take care that it reaches him....
9To James Madison from William Lee, 15 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have shipped for you on board the Schooner Manlius Capt. Young one barrel of Vinegar and one box of Sweet oil both of the first quality. Wines & Brandy are at a price never known in this country such brandy as I sent you last year which cost only 200 fr. is now at 600 fs the pipe & such wine as I sent you by the Blooming Rose is at 6 fr. the bottle. I am sure both articles can be had much...
10To James Madison from William Lee, 6 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have of late recd. a letter from C. Hughes Junr of Baltimore who went home from this place in the Transit with the Treaty of Ghent mentioning that a box had been sent to his house from that Vessel containing some french lamps and the object of his letter is to inquire if I knew to whom this box belongs—as I had before learnt that the wine I sent you by that Vessel had been drank on the...
11To James Madison from William Lee, 5 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
The lamentable news of the destruction of our Capitol has this moment reached us. Whilst I join the thousands of my countrey men in bewailing the humiliating and heart-burning castrophe, I shall not think my feelings lowered by offering my sincere congratula[ti]on the dangers you have escaped. In the prosecution of a savage war such as the enemy is now waging against us, all the means of...
12To James Madison from William Lee, 28 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is an Invoice and Bill of Lading of one pipe of Brandy, two cases of wine, two baskets of oil, one box of cordials, one box of Prunes and one box of gloves which I have sent by the Brig Rambler Captain Snow who will enter them at the Custom house where he may arrive and will send you the account of the freight duties and other expences. I have consigned these articles to him in...
13To James Madison from William Lee, 10 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to inclose a receipt for two cases containing one hundred bottles of the best Wine which I shipped for you on board the Schooner Engineer Capt. Dillingham bound to Newyork. The wines which I sent so long ago to Cherbourg to go in the Hornet Capt. Jones I have ordered here. The carriage of them from that place to this will cost but about 15. francs the hundred weight and I am in...
14To James Madison from William Lee, 24 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
In the letter I took the liberty of writing you in such haste by the Hornet when stating the impression your private letter to Mr Barlow had made on me I hope I conveyed no other idea when I mentioned having heard that letter read than that Mr B. had communicated confidentially its contents to me. You know Sir something of the intimacy that has subsisted between Mr B and myself for upwards of...
15To James Madison from William Lee, 22 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having this moment arrived from an excursion in the country and finding Mr Barlow is to dispatch Mr Biddle this evening I have not time to say all I could wish to you upon the State of our affairs here which are by no means flattering. The fears and suspicions expressed in your private letter by the Wasp are too well founded and I regretted much on hearing it read that I had not sent a letter...
16To James Madison from William Lee, 12 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
At the earnest request of a distinguished french officer I have the honor to inclose you a letter from General Desfourneaux formerly Governor General of Guadeloupe. I have the honor to be With great respect Your devoted humble Servant. RC ( DLC ). The enclosure may have been one of the copies of Desfourneaux to JM, 1 Dec. 1811 .
17To James Madison from William Lee, 1 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
The answer to Mr Barlows note is not what was expected and most certainly is not what was intended to have been given for many days. What can have changed the Emperors opinion is not known. All the persons about the court of any influence have been of opinion that complete success would attend Mr Barlows mission. No one knows what answer Mr Barlow has recd. but it is feared it is not favorable...
18To James Madison from William Lee, 11 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
A friend of mine writes me, it has been represented at Washington, that I brought with me from France “a number of licenses, under which I have been expediting a number of Vessels.” As I have pointedly, and uniformly, refused to have anything to do with the French & English system of licenses, and as this insinuation is calculated to make impressions injurious to me, I hope Sir, you will not...
19To James Madison from William Lee, 8 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to apologize to you for the state of the packet accompanying this. The boat in which I sent my baggage from St Jean de Luz to the Ship Ann was upset in crossing the bar of the harbour and all my papers, dispatches and clothes were nearly lost. I am happy to find that this packet & Genl. Armstrongs dispatch have suffered less than I expected. Inclosed is a note of some things I have...
20To James Madison from William Lee, 17 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
After three or four battles which you will find detailed in the Several bulletins accompanying this, the Emperor has entered Madrid where it is said he is occupied in arrangements for the crowning of his brother. The Army of Genl. Junot left this City a few days since for Portugal having received orders to be at Lisbon on the 10th. of January. One other division of forty five thousand men are...
21To James Madison from William Lee, 10 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
The friends of Mr. William Bass of Boston, are about making application to you in his favor for the appointment to the Consulate of Antwerp, which it is said has become vacant by the resignation or retirement of Mr. Ridgway. As I presume testimonials in favor of candidates for public office, are acceptable, will you permit me Sir to state in favor of this amiable and deserving young man, that...
22To James Madison from William Lee, 1 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
By the Ship Charleston Packet Capt. Connell I have sent home eighteen distressed mariners as per list inclosed. I have furnished them with provisions, and government has nothing to pay for their passages it having been agreed on between Capt. Connell & myself, that if I procured the release of his Vessel he was to give them their passages. At the time I made application to this Government...
23To James Madison from William Lee, 1 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
A severe indisposition which has confined me to my bed for several days scarcely leaves me strength enough to apologize to you for the confused style of my letter of this morning and to say a few words on other subjects The things Mr. Ba ? ker purchased for you with the hogshead of White Wine & Brandy I hold in readiness to send, the Consignee and Captain of this Vessel, have refused to let me...
24To James Madison from William Lee, 21 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Baker having put all the letters addressed to me into the possession of the Commissary General of Police at Lorient prevented my receiving the one you did me the honor to write me by that Gentleman under date of the 2d. of May until this morning. I feel much obliged for your goodness in leaving open the packet for Mr. Erving. I had before seen detached parts of those documents in the...
25To James Madison from William Lee, 26 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a dispatch from General Armstrong, and to inclose you the Imperial Decree creating a new nobility with a tremendous one against the Jews. Both are thought necessary by the nation and appear to be highly approved of. Notwithstanding our vicinity to Spain we are as totally in the dark respecting the destination of the immense army which the Emperor still...
26To James Madison from William Lee, 8 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is a copy of my last respects. The Consignees of two of our Vessels under seizure in this port have received advices from their correspondents at Paris that the Emperor instead of deciding on their cases as it was expected he would do on the 2d. inst had on that day ordered them laid over for further consideration. I believe this information correct. We have no intelligence...
27To James Madison from William Lee, 1 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Journal of the day contains the following article, "Le Conseil des Prizes en execution de l’art: 8 du Decret Imperiale, du 21 Novre. 1806 a prononcé la confiscation au profit de L’etat du navaire sous pavillon Americain The Fame saisi par les preposes de Douanes de Bordeaux le 8. aout, 1808 pour en etre dispose conformement 8 du dit Decret." This is a sea letter Vessel partly owned I...
28To James Madison from William Lee, 25 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since my respects of the 13th nothing has transpired respecting the intentions of this Government, as relates to the numerous Vessels I then stated to you were detained in the ports of this Kingdom. Some of the Consignees of the Vessels under seizure in this port, are led to hope by advices from their friends at Paris, a favorable issue to their reclamations but, from General Armstrong’s...
29To James Madison from William Lee, 13 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a letter, I received some days since from Genl. Armstron g. He announces, in a letter I have this day received fro m him, other dispatches, which he wishes sent by this Vessel, but the fear of an embargo, or the promulgation, of a decree, similar, to that of the King of Holland, will not permit the captain to wait for them. If they should reach me in the course...
30To James Madison from William Lee, 10 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you by triplicate a Decree of the King of Holland. Your obt. servant, DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Bordeaux.
31To James Madison from William Lee, 27 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to transmit to you an extract of a letter I have this day received from General Armstrong under date of the 22nd inst. in answer to letters I had written him respecting the seizure of several of our vessels, and the captures of others particularized in my respects to you of the 6th and 16th which went by triplicates. "I have assurances that the capture of our vessels under the...
32To James Madison from William Lee, 16 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Ten days ago an order was received from Paris to embargo all neutral and allied vessels in this port, and by this days post the order has been revoked, which gives an opening for five of our vessels already loaded to depart. During this embargo I had the honor of writing you, via St. Sebastians, and Bayonne, enclosing copies of the decree of the 17th December and other interesting official...
33To James Madison from William Lee, 10 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a copy of a le tter from Col. Lear, which has been forwarded to me by Mr. Erv ing at Madrid. A Privateer belonging to a Mr. Lacombe of this place under Spa nish Colours, has captured and conducted into St. Sebastian’s one of our Vessels bound from Virginia to London with Tobacco. The name of the Vess el and Capt. I have not yet learnt. The same privateer has...
34To James Madison from William Lee, 9 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The official article which I have the honor to inclose appeared in the moniteur of the 5th and will be found to merit your attention. In my respects of the 6th I mentioned the names of six of our Vessels which had been taken by french privateers under the two Imperial decrees. Several others have been captured but have not yet arrived. Several privateers are fitting out in the neighbouring...
35To James Madison from William Lee, 8 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit w ith the return of entrances & clearances at this port from the 1st July, to the 31st December 1807. With great respect I have the honor to remain Your obt Servt. DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Bordeaux.
36To James Madison from William Lee, 29 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
The few opportunities which now present for the Uni ted States, has induced me to forward you the inclosed decree by way of Bayonne, St. Sebastians and Bilboa. We are without ar ri vals from America, which leads us to suppose an embargo has been laid on by Congress. Our City continues full of troops. One hundred thou sand at least have passed thro’ the last two months. We have nothing new in...
37To James Madison from William Lee, 16 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
The importance of the enclosed state paper and its genuiness has induced me to forward you by different conveyances six copies. With great respect I have the honor to remain Your obt. Servant DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Bordeaux.
38To James Madison from William Lee, 10 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have just received intelligence from Mr. Lannes my agent at Bayonne that the Brig Hypsa and James of Salem bound to this port has arrived there after having been visited by the British Squadron at the mouth of this river who made the following endorsement on her papers "Warned from entering any port in France and all her dependencies, Portugal, Spain, Italian & Mediterranean Ports, and the...
39To James Madison from William Lee, 30 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed I beg leave to forwd. you an Invoice of two barrels of Nutts & two doz. of Liquers, shipped on board the Lorenzo, Capt. Dill, to the address of Mr. Gelston of NewYork. I regret that your pipe of Brandy which I shiped in the Ship Susan, Capt. Howard has been detained in the river by an Embargo for upwards of 40 days & that your Cahuzas Wine has not yet reached me. The Presidents...
40To James Madison from William Lee, 29 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received a letter from Stephen Ca thalan Esqr. our Consul at Marseilles, enclosing the annexed copy of one he recd from the American Consulate at Naples, containing the disagreeable intelli ge nce of the Algerines having declared war against the United States. I at firs t doubted the news, as some of our Consuls in the Mediterranean deal a l ittle in the marvellous; but on...
41To James Madison from William Lee, 26 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to inclose you copies of my letters to Genl. Ar mstrong relating to an examination of all the American Vessels & Crews in this port. This measure has alarmed the Merchts. of the City, and alth ough it lasted but three days and our vessels are now permitted to depart it leaves a disagreeable impression on the minds of well-informed men who have their doubts respecting the future....
42To James Madison from William Lee, 9 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
It appears by the mail of to day, that a con spiracy has been discovered at Madrid, which had for its object the dethroning of the King and ruin of the leading nobles. The Prin ce of Asturias who headed the party has been arrested with all his adher ents, and the greatest confusion in consequence reigns throughout the kingdom. This accounts for the march of the French Troops towa rd Madrid,...
43To James Madison from William Lee, 25 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to transmit you a copy of a Decree of the King of Holland under date of the 16th inst. Rumor says that new restrictions on commerce are shortly to be promulgated from the Emperor. Speculations in Colonial produce to an immense amount have been made in this and other ports of the Empire, on account of some of the Bankers and leading men of the Capital, which induces one to...
44To James Madison from William Lee, 19 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
Invoice of One Puncheon Best Champain Prime old Brandy, at least 15 Years old, from Cognac, augmented to 4th Proof, shipped on board the Ship Susan, Capt. Howard on acct of James Madison Esqr. Secretary of State; consigned to the Collector of NewYork, David Gelston. V. L V . 1 1 Puncheon. Brandy, containing 50 1/ 2 Velts @ 360 frs. pr. 27 Velts } 673: 33 Cognac } More value of 4 Velts Spirits...
45To James Madison from William Lee, 15 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I think it my duty to inclose you a copy of a letter I received the day before yesterday from Genl. Armstrong. I ha ve advised all the American masters, to get home as fast as they can, and this in a manner not calculated to alarm them very much. It is m y firm beleif, that if our affairs are adjusted with England, that som e restrictions will be laid on our Commerce by this Government. I f...
46To James Madison from William Lee, 10 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Ship George Washington Captain Hidelius of Philadelphia arrived here on the 14 August from Plymouth in England where she had been conducted by a British Ship of War who captured her at the mouth of this river. Application was immediately made to the Director General of the Customs for permission to enter this Ship which was refused. Another application was made by my advice through General...
47To James Madison from William Lee, 4 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you an Invoice and bill of lading of part of the articles you sent for: the Cream of Mint & Jupiter I have not been able to find. At the approaching fair I will procure them. The Nutts it is yet too early to ship. The Brandy not having arrived in time from Cognac to go by this vessel, I have put on board the Washington Capt. Adams, who sails for Newyork in a day or two. I ordered it...
48To James Madison from William Lee, 15 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 28 June requesting a supply of wine cordials &c. reached me but yesterday. I will use all my endeavours to have the articles shipped by the 10th Octr as after that time I think it would be too late. The Brandy I have ordered from Cognac of fifteen years of age. With great respect I am Sir Your obt servt. DLC : Papers of James Madison.
49To James Madison from William Lee, 8 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
A rumour having been current here for some days past tha t the Emperor had said to Genl. Armstrong that if we let slip this favo rable opportunity of declaring against England, that he intended to s hut our Commerce out from all the ports of Europe untill the con test between France and England should terminate, I thought it my duty to state the same to the General, beleiving the report to...
50To James Madison from William Lee, 26 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
Peace with Prussia has been promulgated this morning and it appears each Sovereign has taken the road to his Capital. Jerome Bonaparte is King of Westphalia instead of Saxony as I mentioned in my respects of yesterday and the day before. It is reported that a part of the French army is to remain on the borders of the Niemen, until some changes are operated in the Cabinet and Government of the...