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, 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,...
6To 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...
7To 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,...
8To 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...
9To 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....
10To 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...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 16 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 October 1803, Havana . Sends this by the ship Thomas Russell of Boston. Informs JM that “a small French Privateer Pilot Boat Schooner, fitted out in Santo Domingo, with her Prize, an English Brig bound from Jamaica, with a Cargo of Rum and Sugar, have Just entered the Port, and were ordered to depart the Port immediately,” but by the governor’s authority “they were permitted to enter the...
19To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 October 1803, Havana . Encloses his accounts to 30 Sept. and a list of American ships entering and departing Havana “since the last Law placing some power in the hands of American Agents in Foreign Ports, Came to hand.” Encloses also “a Monthly return of vessels purchased in this Port, by, and for account of” U.S. citizens. These “in time of War are always most liable to suspician and...
20To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 4 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 November 1803, Havana. Since his 29 Oct. dispatch, “another French Privateer has entered this Port with her Prize, a small Jamaica Schr.,” supposedly bound for Saint-Domingue with provisions and arms. “They were refused admittance on their appearance off the Port” but were given leave the following day to enter and reprovision. “I presume they will act with her as they have and intend to act...
21To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 10 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 November 1803, Havana. Reports the capture since his last [4 Nov.] of the schooner Harriot of Charleston, Joseph Hunt, master and owner, by the French privateer Eugénie , Jacques Hermand, commander. The Harriot was sent into Havana. Gray has satisfied the French commissary and the Spanish government “that she was realy and truly an American vessel, got her released; and given her such...
22To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 19 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 November 1803. Acknowledges JM’s letters of 26 Aug. [1802] and 6 and 9 Apr. 1803 . “As to Fosters claim, I do not know on what grounds Government can take it up—as that affair hath always been enveloped in so much mystery, as to put it out of my power, to make my self acquainted with the merits of his case: However I will procure such papers as may be attainable, and forward them to your...
23To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 28 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 November 1803, Havana. Encloses a duplicate of his last letter of 19 Nov. A Spanish government schooner arrived from Cap Français but brought no news except what was already known, “to wit: that they were there in great distress for every thing.” “Mr Longchamp, the New French Commissary took charge of his Department this day, and Mr Vermanet will depart in a few days with his family for the...
24To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 5 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed you have a return of vessels purchased at this city for and on account of Citizens of the United States, for the Month of November last past. The French General, his officers and Troops mentioned in my last, have been refused admitance into the Island; and vessels have been embargo’d at Batabano to carry them back to Santo Domingo; and Provisions sent to support them during the...
25To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 20 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 December 1803, Havana. “The Schooner Tarter of Baltimore, Nichs. W Easton Master bound to St. Jago de Cuba and a market, has been captured by the French Privateer Fortune commanded by Jai Matheiu, sent for St. Jago de Cuba and recaptured by a Spanish Brig (Guarda Coaster) belonging to this Port. “This Brig I am informed has carried her into Cumberland Harbour, to the Northward of St. Jago...
26To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 2 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 January 1804, Havana. Encloses his account up to 31 Dec. 1803 “and returns in as particular a manner as it [is] in my power to render in this Port, where an Agent has so many difficulties to contend with—who is not acknowledged.” “I find that there are several vessels in Port for sale, consequently I shall not be under the necessity of drawing upon your Department for the small balance due...
27To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 11 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
It was my intention to have wrote you fully on the subject of the depredations Committed in these seas, by Mr. James D. Barry of your City, but am now prevented, in consequence of his sudden departure in a Vessel touched off the Port in Distress—however I will obtain the necessary Documents relative to those depredations, and forward the same by the Brig Republican of Baltimore, now loading...
28To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 28 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1804, Havana. Had intended to forward by Baron von Humboldt, who is returning from South America by way of the U.S., “some Documents relative to the Prizes lately brought into this Port, by the French cruizers or Pirates; but as they can not be procured until next week I forward to you enclosed herewith two Decrees lately obtained against the Restante and Musketoe Privateers and the...
29To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 8 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 May 1804, Havana. “Finding the Louisiana of Baltimore getting under way on the moment of receiving the Aurora of tomorrow, I hasten to forward it to you enclosed herewith—together with a Decree of the second Instant [not found], relative to Foreign Consuls, Agents and Commissaries: intended for the French commissary here; as the Governor and heads of Departments here, are now more friendly...
30To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 July 1804, Havana. “Since my letter of yesterday [not found] in which I stated the situation of our Commerce at this place, I have obtained a copy of the Royal Order therein mentioned—a copy of which I now send enclosed herewith [not found]; and have also enclosed a copy thereof per the Agenora, via Boston. “This will go under the care of Captain Castel, Aid to the commander in chief at...