51To 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...
52To James Madison from William Lee, 10 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you an article which appeared in this days journal and has excited great surprise. The Porte it is said has been forced to a treaty offensive & defensive with Russia & England. If this is true and Austria as is conjectured should abandon her neutrality in favor of those powers the french Army will be unpleasantly situated. A new conscription is called out which...
53To James Madison from William Lee, 9 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
The last battle contained in the 60e. Bulletin of the grand Army which I have the honor to transmit herewith has cost very dearly to the French. Two or three such Victories would destroy the briliancy of the Campaign. I have seen private letters from the neighbourhood of the Army which state their losses at 40,000 men killed wounded and prisoners. The Russian losses it is said were more...
54To James Madison from William Lee, 31 October 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 31 October 1806, Bordeaux. “The reports which I stated to you in my respects of the day before yesterday were circulating in this City are fully confirmed and the successes of the Emperor even surpasses those of his last campaign. I have made a collection of the Bulletins which I have the honor to enclose. In the Paris journal du soir of the 26th it is asserted that the...
55To James Madison from William Lee, 23 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
By the enclosed article which I have cut out of the paper of this morning & the ringing of Bells which are now sounding in my ears, Peace it appears is concluded on. The Treaty it is reported is not to be promulgated until the 16 August. It is said that the two Emperors have divided Europe. Alexander is Emperor of the East & Napoleon of the West. The old family of Naples is to be re-instated....
56To James Madison from William Lee, 11 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 December 1804, Bordeaux. “I had the pleasure to address you by duplicates on the 14: 20: and 26 of last month. “The present is merely to forward you a few Gazettes and to state to you that mr. Monroe was to leave Paris on Saturday last (the 29th) on his way to madrid and I shall expect him here the day after tomorrow. “The corronation went of[f] with great eclat as you will perceive by the...
57To 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...
58To 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...
59To 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...
60To James Madison from William Lee, 30 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 30 July 1806, Bordeaux. “It appears by a letter from the minister of marine, to the Commissary of marine for this port, that a Treaty of peace, between Russia, and France, was signed at Paris on the 20th of this month. It is also very currently reported and generally believed, that Preliminaries of Peace were signed at Paris, on the 25th, between France and England, and it...
61To James Madison from William Lee, 20 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 April 1804, Bordeaux. “Your favor of the 7th Feby: came to hand by Lt. Leonard who arrived here in forty five days from NYork charged with dispatches &c. for Mr Livingston —I regret not recg. your letter a few days sooner two or three Vessels having lately sailed for Norfolk by which I could have sent the wine you order. “Before this gets to hand you will perhaps have heard of the...
62To James Madison from William Lee, 26 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last respects under date 10 Ulto. the following vessels have discharged their Crews Ship Portland of New York 6 men Ship Olive Branch 10 " Barque Galen of Baltimore 5 " Ship Susan of Norfolk 11 " Brig Amity of do. 9 " Ship Julia of Charleston 13 " Ship John of do. 5 " Ship Angel of Boston 4 " Schooner Hope of Haddam Cont. 6 69
63To James Madison from William Lee, 25 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
A severe indisposition will just permit me to say that I have again been under the necessity of sending home to their own Country pr. the Ploughboy Captain Jones, forty-three distressed seamen and I beg leave to refer Captain Jones to you for such a compensation as you may judge fit to make. I have furnished them with provisions amounting to Four thousand eight hundred and forty francs, and I...
64To 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...
65To James Madison from William Lee, 18 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have been under the necessity of sending home by the Ship Thames, bound to Philadelphia a number of distressed, and invalid seamen who are particularized in the annexed document. I did not feel myself authorized to make any arrangement with Captain Wood for the passage of these men without the consent of Mr. Livingston, and as it would take some time to consult him on the business and...
66To James Madison from William Lee, 30 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you an extract from the Register Book of this Consulate. It relates altogether to Mr. Barnet, but I thought it my duty to send it to you, and permit me to say, that had Mr. Barnet been contented with the Certificate from his countrymen, it would have been as well, for the manner in which those from the constituted authorities here were procured, is not very...
67To James Madison from William Lee, 29 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 29 October 1805, Bordeaux. “I had the pleasure of addressing you on the 18th giving you a short sketch of the movements of the French Army in Germany. Since then the accounts have been so contradictory, that it has been impossible to come at facts. For several days past we have been led to believe that the French had received a great check, were retreating in confusion,...
68To James Madison from William Lee, 1 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1804, Bordeaux. “I had yesterday the pleasure to forward you pr the Jefferson Capt Hull for NYork, a letter from Mr Cathalan of Marseilles, containing some interesting information on our affairs at Tripoly. “Herewith I have the honour to transmit you four packages, handed me this morning by a gentleman from Paris who, at the same time informed me of the arrival of Genl. Armstrong,...
69To 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...
70To 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...
71To 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...
72To 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...
73To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 1 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
1 May 1805, Bordeaux . “I have frequently taken the liberty to mention to you that it appeared to me the indulgence accorded by our Government to its citizens in permitting them to purchase abroad foreign vessels operated greatly to the prejudice of the owners of regular Ships. At no one period since my residence here has there been so many of these vessels fitting out at this port as at the...
74To 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...
75To James Madison from William Lee, 30 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
In the moniteurs which I have the honor to forward you by this Vessel will be found the Bulletin of the Grand Army. This bulletin was not satisfactory to the public, it appeared by it as if Marshal Ney had been repulsed, and that the success of the other divisions of the Army were partial. In this the public have however been deceived. Those successes paved the way to a general battle which...
76To James Madison from William Lee, 6 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is a copy of my respects under date of the 26th Ulto. since which I have been favored by Mr. Berjevin principal Commissary of Marine for this Department with an arreté of the Consuls a copy of which I have the honor to enclose. I took the liberty to mention to you in my letter of July 22d. that notwithstanding the circular which the Secretary of the Treasury addressed in July 1801...
77To 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...
78To James Madison from William Lee, 6 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 October 1802, Bordeaux. Since his dispatch of 26 Sept., has received an arrêté of the consuls, which is enclosed. “I took the liberty to mention to you in my letter of July 22d. that notwithstanding the circular which the Secretary of the Treasury addressed in July 1801 to the Collectors and Naval Officers respecting bills of health many vessels left the United States without them and in...
79To James Madison from William Lee, 8 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose yo u several Bulletins of the Grand Army which co ntain the Armistice concluded the 21 June between Russia & France. In the papers accompanying this w ill be found some account of the late mouvement a t Constantinople. We are in the dark respecting th is revolution. Some accounts say that the French interest is still predominant there, others that the English and...
80To James Madison from William Lee, 3 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 October 1801, Bordeaux. Recent accounts leave no doubt that peace between France and Great Britain either is already concluded or will be soon. Encloses copies of two letters from a Paris banking house to friends of Lee’s in Bordeaux and quotes from two other letters he has received from Paris—the first, dated 24 Sept., mentioning that negotiations are “going on with great activity” and the...
81To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 9 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
9 May 1805, Bordeaux . “I have observed for three or four months past that a number of French Officers, members of the legion of honor to the number of ten or twelve have passed here in disguise and taken passage in our Vessels, bound to Louisiana. I have also learnt that Colonel Toussard has been appointed by this Government vice Consul for New Orleans, that his brother and [ sic ] Law an...
82To James Madison from William Lee, 22 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last respects under date o f the 6th August accompanied by my Accts. & v ouchers together with the List of the American V essels which had entered here from Jany. to June were forwarded by the Ship Columbus Capt Macey which Vessel I learn has been captured by a Liverpool privateer a nd therefore fearing my letters &c. may have been destroyed I take the liberty to forward herewith duplicates...
83To 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...
84To James Madison from William Lee, 30 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 30 December 1805, Bordeaux. “By the mail of to day it appears that the Russians are in full march home with their Emperor at their head: That the king of Prussian, has accommodated his differences with Napoleon, and accorded him permission to march a division of his troops, through his territory in order to attack the English. That the negotiations for the peace, on the...
85To 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,...
86To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 12 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
12 May 1805, Bordeaux . “I think it my duty to inform you that the affairs of my late house of Perrot & Lee, were this day terminated by a judgment, of the Court of Commerce, confirming the arrangement I had made with the Creditors, of that concern, and giving me a discharge, agreeably to the laws of this Country. I hope by industry and economy soon to repair the evils I have suffered by the...
87To James Madison from William Lee, 20 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 July 1802, Bordeaux. “The bearer hereof Mr Kidder of Massachusetts has been Secy. to this Agency for some months. He is a young man of good abilities & strict integrity and has had the advantage of being educated at Cambridge. He will answer any questions you may please to put to him concerning the affairs of this agency and will be able to give you considerable information respecting the...
88To James Madison from William Lee, 25 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 25 January 1806, Bordeaux. No. 130. “Since my respects of the 15th I have ⟨r⟩eceived the enclosed letter from Messrs. Pelletreau & Co. ⟨o⟩f Rochfort by which it appears the following Vessels have been destroyed by the Rochfort Squadron under the command of Admiral Allemagne. “The Brig two Friends Capt Pennick bound from NYork to Nantz. “The Schooner Alpha Capt Sargent bound...
89To James Madison from William Lee, 16 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 16 July 1805, Bordeaux. “I have the honor to enclose you a duplicate copy of my correspondence with General Armstrong concerning Consular Certificate Vessels accompanied by a copy of my letter to the Secretary of the Treasury on the same subject.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Bordeaux, vol. 2). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 8 Oct. For enclosures, see nn....
90To 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...
91To James Madison from William Lee, 22 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 October 1803, Bordeaux . Wrote last on 6 Aug. , enclosing his accounts, vouchers, and a list of U.S. ships entering Bordeaux from January to June 1803. Fears his letter was lost or destroyed, since it was carried by the ship Columbus , Captain Macey, which was captured by a Liverpool privateer. Encloses duplicates of all but his vouchers. Cannot send “a statement of the Charges on American...
92To James Madison from William Lee, 25 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 25 July 1805, Bordeaux. “Mr. John Erving of Boston, is desirous of being appointed Consul for the Port of Bilboa in Spain, and has shewn me a letter from his relation James Bowdoin, containing an extract from one which, that gentleman, has written to the President of the United States on the subject. “Presuming that testimonials respecting candidates for public office are...
93To James Madison from William Lee, 20 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 June 1804, Bordeaux. “By the Maria Capt. Hatton bound to Norfolk I have shipt you Ten Cases of Wine pr. Invoice enclosed. The red is of an Excellent quality. The white I bought in the Cask and myself bottled it and it came so very cheap I thought you would be pleased with my sending the whole. The rest of your order goes by the ship Sheffield Capt. Cowper who is to sail for Norfolk in a day...
94To 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...
95To James Madison from William Lee, 18 September 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 18 September 1805, Bordeaux . “I have shipped your wines &c on the Brig Lyon Capt Coursell to sail in a few days for Baltimore. Would it not be adviseable for you to cause insurance thereon as I understand our Vessels are much harrassed by the English. “Mr Holmes the bearer of this will hand you a file of the moniteur and a work on the Commerce of the Black Sea which...
96To 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...
97To James Madison from William Lee, 7 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 7 December 1805, Bordeaux. “We are led to suppose by the enclosed handbill [not found] and the general satisfaction that has prevailed in this City to day, that Austria has made overtures of peace. Whether Russia is to be included or not, in the negotiations we have yet to learn. It is whispered that Russia Prussia & Sweden are to sustain the contest against France. This...
98To James Madison from William Lee, 20 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Kidder of M assachusetts has been Secy. to this Agency for some mon ths. He is a young man of good abilities & strict inte grity and has had the advantage of being educated at Cambridge. He will answer any questions you may please to put to him concerning the affairs of the agency and will be able to give you considerable infor mation respecting the state of things in...
99To James Madison from William Lee, 7 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to yo u by triplicate this day an Imperial decree de claring Great Britain in a state of Blockade It appears to be understood by the merchants of this Ci ty, that all Vessels destined for England, or that m ay have cleared in America for England, and a m arket, will from this date be considered as good p rizes to all french cruisers. The fifth article of this...
100To James Madison from William Lee, 18 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have understood that the owners of the Ship Ocean Capt. Harrison of New Orleans intend to complain of my conduct in forcing them to allow the crew of that ship three months pay over & above their wages for having discharged them in a foreign port. In order to parry such a complaint I take the liberty to transmit you herewith a copy of the declaration of Capt. Harrison and his two mates and...