21To James Madison from William Willis, 22 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 October 1803, Barcelona . Wrote last on 11 Oct. , expressing his belief that “the french Government have an intention of procuring the Floridas from spain.” Is “confident this is the case, and if they procure it, they will have a situation which will Enable them in case of a rupture to destroy our trade with the Mississippi by have [ sic ] a large extent of coast between our other cost and...
22To James Madison from William Willis, 22 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last of the 11th. instant inform’d you that I had reason to believe the french Government have an intention of procuring the Floridas from spain. I am confident this is the case, and if they procure it, they will have a situation which will Enable them in case of a rupture to distroy our trade with the Mississippi by have a large extent of coast between our other cost and that river. In the...
23To James Madison from William Willis, 11 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 October 1803, Barcelona . “I have been … confin’d to my bed with a malady caus’d by the bad medecine given me last winter to destroy me.… I with difficulty write: but as the subject is very interesting to the U S I suffer a little pain to serve my Country.” Understands that France intends “to obtain the Floridas from Spain by which means they will gain an important Port between the...
24To James Madison from William Willis, 11 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have been about five weeks confin’d to my bed with a malady caus’d by the bad medecine given me last winter to destroy me but am now on the recovery and hope to recover in 2 or 3 weeks more. I with difficulty write: but as the subject is very interesting to the U S I suffer a little pain to serve my Country. I understand the French government have it in view to obtain the Floridas from Spain...
25To James Madison from William Willis, 7 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 September 1803, Barcelona . “I have been much afflicted with many anonymous letters some of them very threatning. But I am more at a loss respecting your private favor of the 28th of May than any other.” Has heard nothing of the letter’s subject from the American officers, including Captain Rodgers, who visited here. “These things seem very strange to me … but I am still prepar’d to meet the...
26To James Madison from William Willis, 7 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have been much afflicted with many anonymous letters some of them very threatning. But I am more at a loss respecting your private favor of the 28th. of May than any other, as there has been a frigate here from the Squadron and altho I Spent part of my Time with the officers Especially with the Captain Rogers, Nothing was said to me on the subject of your letter These things seem very...
27To James Madison from William Willis, 3 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 September 1803, Barcelona . Has delivered his office to Leonard, his successor. Leonard “assur’d me, that … I was displaced on account of a suspicion of my knowing, or having been active in passing false papers.” “But millions of dollars would not even have tempted me to permit any such thing. Mr Leonard after my having done every thing in my power to have him Rec’d with respect has proved...
28To James Madison from William Willis, 3 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have deliver’d up the office to Mr. Leonard who assur’d me, that you told him that I was displaced on account of a suspicion of my knowing, or having been active in passing false papers. It is impossible for me to avoid suspicion, that there has been so many arts, made use of to raise against me. But millions of dollars would not even have tempted me to permit any such thing. Mr Leonard...
29To James Madison from William Willis, 27 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 August 1803, Barcelona . His last letter informed JM that “Leonard had arriv’d here and that he was soon to take possession of the Consulate.” Has given up the office but wishes to be reinstated once his “innocence and exertions for the common interest” of his country are established. “I am inform’d every day that Mr Leonard has secret instructions to arrest me and send me to the U.S.… I...
30To James Madison from William Willis, 27 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last inform’d you that Mr. Leonard had arriv’d here and that he was soon to take possession of the Consulate and have done all in my power to aid him in the commencement of his office. He says he was appointed to supercede me in office and that you informd him the office was vacant. In consequence of this I have given up the office to him, but as I wrote you some time past that I wished to...