To James Madison from John Armstrong, 19 August 1806
From John Armstrong
Paris 19 Augt. 1806.
Sir,
That the following declaration was made as stated, I have no doubt, nor any as to the person by whom it was made.1 The man is, from all I can learn, both knave & fool enough to have hit on just such a proposition. To us it is of much more importance to know, why, and how it was listened to? I am, with very high respect, Sir, your most Obedient & very humble Servant2
John Armstrong
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, DD, France, vol. 10). RC docketed by Daniel Brent: “Aug: 19. 1807” and filed with enclosure at that date. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. Armstrong included his notes dated 13, 15, 18, and 19 Aug. 1806 (2 pp.) on reports that former U.S. consul at Leith Harry Grant was presently in Paris promoting a scheme to separate the western states from the United States and soliciting French financial and military aid to accomplish it. Armstrong’s informant evidently had inside access to the French government, reporting on 15 Aug. that Grant “was then under examination.” For Grant’s dismissal from the Leith consulate, see JM to James Monroe, 25 Mar. 1805, 9:173.
2. Filed with the RC is a letter from Tadeusz Kosciuszko to an unspecified correspondent (likely Armstrong), dated 29 Dec. 1806 at Paris (1 p.; in French; docketed by Brent: “letter of Aug: 19. 1807.”), requesting assistance for Nicolas de Bonneville to emigrate to the United States and establish a periodical publication there.