1To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 9 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1801, New York. In accordance with his letter of “yesterday & this day,” has drawn on JM for $9,000 in favor of David Gelston, who advanced the money for his outfit. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 8). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 13 Oct.
2To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 9 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 9 September 1803 . Calendared as a three-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2).
3To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 October 1801, New York. Reports Boston “got off the rocks last night” undamaged and will be ready to sail by Tuesday [13 Oct.]. In postscript, states that accounts from France confirm British capture of Cairo; believes Alexandria will follow. Notes that yellow fever in city has ceased. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 8). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner. The Boston finally sailed on 15 Oct....
4To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 16 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
We have the honor to inclose the account which Should be annexed to the Convention transmitted you. The Bordeaux embargo is in Assignats, and two thirds will be deducted from many of the others. We have reason to think from a particular account now in our hands there will be Such considerable deductions as will reduce the whole charge to less than 20 millions of livres including the interest....
We have been honored by your favors of the 18th April & the 28th May, as they both relate to measures that might lead to the accomplishment of the Treaty which was executed previous to their arrival no remarks upon them are necessary Except that one idea is held out in the last that Britain interested herself in preventing the possession of Louisiana by France. The fact is that she was totally...
6To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 5 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
Not knowing where to direct the enclosed I submit to your care. The bearer of this to Nantes waits so that I can write you nothing but that the Loussiana [ sic ] armament is still ice bound. The floridas not yet ceded owing I believe to some difficulty about parma & the solicitude of the Emperor of Russia to provide for the King of Sardinia. Spain is however prepared to make the cession & I...
7To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 19 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I write in haste in hopes that this may overtake Mr. Lyle and correct an error in my last. Notwithstanding the appointment of Genl Victor & several other officers for Louisiana, among others a Compt[r]oller of the forests, no Prefet is yet appointed—nor is the difference relative to the Floridas settled. Spain insists that they are not ceded and I have certain information that two days ago the...
8To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
I take the Liberty to enclose a letter to Genl. Armstrong, containing letters to my sister, & my children, which I pray you to have the goodness to forward. My extreme anxiety to let my Children hear from me, & to have them home again, must be my appology for the trouble I give you since I find that none of my letters by the Ossage reached their destination, except that which you had the...
9To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 October 1805 (Madison Papers)
I received on the fifth Inst your favor of the ⟨2⟩;8th. Septr. I began immediately to unpack my papers and have been since employed in examining them, this took ⟨s⟩;ome time, as they were all unsorted & put into a trunk for the convenience of transportation. I can find none of the papers you refer to. It was my practice in all ship cases t⟨o⟩; put the papers into the hands of Mr. Skipwith for...
10To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 1 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday made several propositions to the Minister on the subject of Louisiana. He told me frankly that every offer was premature, that the French Government had determined to take possession first—so that you must consider the business as absolutely determined on. The armament is what I have already mentioned and will be ready in about six weeks. I have every reason to believe the Floridas...
11To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Next to the pleasure of paying my respects to the President, & seeing my friends, my object in Visiting this place was to receive your instructions, & any information you may think it proper to afford me on the subject of my mission, as well as to assertain the time & manner of my departure, that I may make my domestic arrangments accord with them. I will do myself the honor to wait upon you...
12To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 4 September 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd the enclosed from Mr Pinkney with directions to forward them to you after having read them, which I have but just had the leisure to do as the gent who is to carry them sets off directly. They contain the only direct intelligence on the subject of our affairs in Spain that I have recd. Mr. Pinkneys letters to me having never reached me. Tho the conveyance by which you will...
13To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 14 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
In addition to my last (duplicates enclosed) I have obtained accurate information of the offer to Spain. It is either to sell them Parma for 48 millions of Livres or to exchange it for Florida. You see by this the value they put on Florida. I fear Spain will accede to their proposition. Lord Witworth is arrived. The affairs of Switzerland are in a train to be settled as France thinks proper...
14To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 15 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
After closing my packet I recd the note of which the within is a copy. It amounts to nothing, but it must serve to keep me quiet a few days longer—till they see what turn the business takes at Amiens which becomes more & more doubtful. The bad news from St Domingo also renders it necessary to keep us in suspence. I have already expressed my fear that American property in the Islands will not...
15To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have just sent my Letters by a private hand to Havre. This may overtake them & inform you that Bonaparte is chosen president of the Cisalpine republic, & has accepted for as long a time as his services may be necessary. The constitution is not yet known. The presidentcy is either for life or for 20 years, I believe the latter. However disagreeable this may be to the great powers, they will...
16To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 15 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
I mention[ed] in my last the existence of an assassination plot it has at present assumed a very [im]portant aspect I have thro a lady intimately connected with the family of the first consul who has the means of information and upon whom I can depend [as] well as thro another channel of great respecta[b]ility the following facts not yet known in Paris tho they must soon be Joly the aid de...
17To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, ca. 20 February 1791 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. Ca. 20 February 1791, New York. A cover addressed to JM, with Livingston’s article, “Thoughts on Coinage,” clipped from the 19 Feb. 1791 N.Y. Daily Advertiser and pasted on the verso. “Robert R. Livingston” written across top of clipping. Livingston sent the same article to Jefferson on 20 Feb. 1791 and enclosed a letter which, among other matters, deplored “a territorial division of...
18To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 8 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
Some fatality seems to attend my geting away. After waiting impatiently for my dispatches in this place (where both my family & ships crew incur some risk of the yellow fever) & having just recd them, I prepared to embark on saturday, when the ship in coming round the battery, with a pilot on board of 20 years standing, in fine weather, struck upon a bank that was well known to every body...
19To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 20 October 1793 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Adair the bearer of this having done me the favor to spend a few days here I found so much pleasure in his society that I am persuaded that I shall do you a mutual favor in bringing you acquainted with each other. He proposes to pass some months in Virginia. You will find him extremely well informed on most subjects & particularly so in every branch of natural history & chymistry. He will...
20To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
In addition to what I wrote you yesterday I have only to mention that I am more & more confirmed notwithstanding what I there say of the minister’s assurances that Louisiana is a favorite object and that they will be unwilling to part with it on the conditions I mentioned. Speaking of the means of paying their debts to one of their Ministers yesterday I hinted at this. His reply was “none but...
21To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 17 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
The state of my son in law, Col. Livingstons, health compels him to make a voyage. He accordingly proposes to sail for France in the course of a fortnight at furthest, & will afford you a convenient opportunity of writing. He is very desirous of being the bearer of dispatches from you, & of obtaining your passport, as he thinks it will afford him protection against british & French privateers,...
22To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 28 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the rect of your favor of the 4th. I broke up my family & came to this place where I am arranging every thing for my departure. I have not however yet recd my despatches commission &c. Within five days after their arrival I shall be on board. I find from all the inquiries I can make here, that there will be little or no saving in point of time between sending the ship to Havre or Bourdeux....
23To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 May 1812, New York. Introduces Mr. Budd, who wishes to meet JM and has applied to Livingston for a letter of introduction. His standing in New York “both as a Gent. & a Lawyer is very respectable, & his political principles perfectly correct.” “He has not explained to me his views but I am satisfied that he has too much modesty & good sense to ask any thing that it would be improper to...
24To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have just now landed here after a verry boisterous passage, ’tho Havre would been more convenient to me, yet as this port accorded better with the future destination of the frigate I preferred it. I found here a Seventy four, several frigates & a number of transports with troops on board, destined for St. Domingo; they sail as soon as the wind is fair as does also a large Armament from...
25To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 16 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
Mr ⟨F⟩; Skipwith may probably have brought letters for me. If so I shall deem it a favor to have them sent to me at Philadelphia where I shall remain till the 23d. of this month. I saw here the new order of council relative to colonial commerce. It led me to reflect upon what you observed with respect to Russia but not only Russia but Sweden Austria & Germany are deeply interested in a change...
26To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 24 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have not time to write a public letter by this conveyance of which I have just heard & the post is going out. This is to convey information of a fact that excites much sensation here & will probably thro’ all Europe. A body of french troops were sent into the electorate of Bade[n] & to the castle of Ettenheim inhabited for some time past by the duke d Enghien. He with many others was...
27To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 5 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
This will be delivered by Mr. Jasper Livingston grandson of your old acquaintance Mr. Philip Livingston who died in attendance on Congress at York town, & son in law of Judge Livingston. He is established in the Island of Jamaica The office of agent for seamen being vacant by the death of Mr. Lenox, he thinks it might be of use to him in his business to have it confered upon him. As it is a...
28To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 11 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have nothing to add to my Letter of the 25th of June which you will receive by this conveyance it having been written to send by Mr. Monroe who has been detained for want of a passport ’till now. He sets off tomorrow. I have yet no answer to my Notes owing to the Consuls and Ministers absence and I presume that every thing is for the present laid aside to give place to the operations of War,...
29To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 4 September 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last Mr d’Oubril has received an answer to the Note of the Emperor of Russia; this answer not only refuses all Satisfaction on the points raised by him, But recriminates in Strong terms & charges Alexander with having himself violated the Convention between the nations, in giving protection to the ennemies of France, & in taking possession of the Grecian Isles &c. In consequence of...
30To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 13 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
At Philadelphia Mr: Latrobe and Mr: Rosevelt shewed me proposals that they were about submitting to your inspection and consideration relative to the mint and requested me to state to you my opinion thereon it is certain that the Coin we now make is very imperfect & that the manner of Coining is more expensive than that they proposed if we must Coin (which by the by I have always Considered as...
31To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 8 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Presuming that you will have some means of keeping open the intercourse with Genl. Armstrong, & being very anxious to inform my children in France of the necessity there is for their immediate return, I take the liberty to inclose a letter to my sister, covering one to my daughter, which I pray you to have the goodness to send with your dispatches. I should not have taken the liberty to...
32To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter of this morning I have recieved farther information on the subjects there hinted at. In consequence of the resolution of the Tribunat mentioned in my letter a motion was brought forward in the Senate to invest the First Consul with the Consulate for life. This was violently opposed—one of the members in a most animated speech was so hurried on that He droped the following...
33To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 24 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
I send by this post a roll containing a patern for a coat, of cloth which Mrs. Edward P Livingston begs you wd. do her the honor to accept. It is a fine specimen of domestic manufacture, & of the superiority of Cler Mont Merino wool, as you will Judge by its being much finer than the superfine british broad cloths made from Spanish wool, since it took 1/ 4 less wool to make the same quantity...
34To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 26 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
A courier has just arrived from Russia. The emperor demands the fulfilment of certain secret articles in his treaty with France among which are compensation for the king of Sardinia the perfect independance of the Italian states the affairs of Germany to be regulated jointly between them and as a consequence of it the withdrawing the troops from Hanover or the Russian chargé d’affaires is to...
35To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 23 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
This will be delivered by my sons in Law Robert L. and Edward P Livingston. One being a senator may give you the politics of this State, & the other that of France, as far as a traveller could collect it. For myself I am content to be a mechanic & a farmer & find more pleasure in these occupations than you statesmen do in buffeting the storm that beats around you at Washington. I mentioned to...
36To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 23 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have just returned from the Minister’s & have the Satisfaction of informing you that he has Spoken to the Emperor on the Subject of Consular agents in their Colonies & that he has agreed to allow them during the war & has promised to Send me a note to that effect as well as to give the most precise orders on the Subject of the Depredations committed on our Commerce. I can not but think this...
37To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 13 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
The principal object of this is to Send you an extract of a letter Just received from Mr Graham, as it is possible that Mr Pinkney may not find So early an opportunity of writing to you. It appears by Mr Graham’s letter that Mr Pinkney had not yet received information of the Communication made by the Spanish Court to the First Consul on the Subject of our Treaty. After this I think it...
38To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I remitted you some time ago a memoire from Col. Devienne who had been in our service—who with a wife & three children is reduced to the utmost distress—since you forbid any advances on the public account I have at different times been compelled to give him about twenty guineas on my private account to keep him from starving, I pray you if Congress are siting when you receive this to take up...
39To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 7 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
We have the pleasure to forward to you by Mr. Jay the ratification by the first Consul of the Treaty and conventions, which we concluded on the 30th. of April, with this Republic. We have heretofore forwarded to you the original instruments, and two Copies by different ways, the original by Havre, under the care of Mr. Hughes, who sailed about two weeks since, expressly charged with that...
40To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 13 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
We have the pleasure to transmit to you by Mr d’Erieux a Treaty which we have concluded with the french Republic for the Purchase & Cession of Louisiana. The negociation of this important object was committed on the part of France to Mr. Marbois, Minister of the Treasury, whose conduct therein has already received the Sanction of his Government, as appears by the Ratification of the first...
41To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 6 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have little to add to the letter of which I Send duplicates the absence of the First Consul & Minister, has Suspended all business, & I availed myself of the circumstance to make a tour in France, not chusing to go to England least any thing Should turn up that would require my attention, & particularly the return of the ratification which we are impatiently looking for. The decree of which...
42To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 24 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have just now heard of an opportunity from Havre. I am doubtful whether my letter will arrive in time for it. I therefore confine myself to inform you that Genl Bernadotte is named Minister to the United States in the place of Otto who will be employed here. Genl Bernadotte is brother in law to joseph Bonaparte & is a very respectable man & has the character of a decided Republican. I have...
43To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 26 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have received quadruplicates and Triplicates of your favor of the 6th October; the First & Second not having yet reached me previous to the receipt of that letter, I had receivd two from Mr Pichon, covering letters to the Minister for Exterior Relations. In one of those he explains only Shortly the nature of his communications to the Minister: This was the first intimation that I had...
44To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 26 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have written to you by the way of havre & by that conveyance you will receive packets &c. but as I would wish to omit no opportunit[y] I send this to L’Orient from whence I am told that a vessel is about to sail for Norfolk. You will find by the notes I sent you at different times that the administration here preserve the most absolute silence as to every point on which I press them & I am...
45To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 22 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
Knowing your engagements during the session of Congress, I have not thought it proper to break in upon your time by an earlier answer to your favor of the 28 Janry. The enclosed note you will have the goodness to read, & deliver to the auditor, as it contains the only explanation I can at present give to his inquiries. I sincerely congratulate you upon the total defeat of Mr. Burrs plans, for...
46To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 8 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
Nothing extraordinary has occurred Since my last, a duplicate of which you will receive with this, as I find Some errors in the copy Sent you; if you have received it, be pleased to correct it by the duplicate: I had Strong hopes while in England that a change of Ministry would take place, in which case we Should doubtless have had peace; at present, Mr Pitt appears to be able to Stand his...
47To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 11 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
After writing mine of this date I called on the Minister & Insisted on Some positive answer to my notes, he told me that he was expressly instructed by the first Consul to give me the most positive assurances that the Treaties we had entered into with Spain, or them relative to Louisiana Should be Strictly observed, when I expressed my Surprise that their officers should not be informed on...
48To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have only to add to my last that as I conjectured the Consul has rejected the continuance of his term for ten yrs Upon the ground of his having recd his office from the people they only can add to it. The Council of State have in consequence referred it to the people to determine not whether he shall be consul for ten years but for life. This business creates not the least sensation here Nor...
49To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 2 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Nothing very important relative to our affairs having intervened for Some time past I have not thought necessary to trouble you. The affair of our debts Stand exactly as they did upon vague promises on the part of the Minister which I have little expectation of Seeing Soon fulfilled & indeed Some confidential people have taken occasion to Say in Such a way as they know I Should hear that they...
50To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 13 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have just come from the Minister of the Treasury our conversation was So important that I think it necessary to write it while the impressions are Strong upon my mind, & the rather as I fear that I Shall not have time to copy & Send this letter if I differ [ sic ] it till morning. By my letter of yesterday you learned that the Minister had asked me on the 11th whether I would agree to...