James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-03-02-0232

From James Madison to Louis-André Pichon, 6 May 1802

To Louis-André Pichon

Department of State 6th. May 1802.

Sir,

I am just informed that two Citizens of the United States, John Rogers late a Captain in the Navy and Wm. Davidson have been arrested at Cape Francois by orders of the General in Chief, put into the most rigorous confinement, and otherwise treated as the vilest of Malefactors.1 Notwithstanding the presumption arising from the characters of those Citizens against the justice of the proceeding, there might have been room for suppositions which ought to suspend a definitive opinion, if the grounds of it had not been explained in a letter from General le Clerc to Mr. Lear of the   of  2 from which the enclosed is an extract of what relates to the subject.3

I forbear Sir to make a single comment on the nature of those allegations or the use which has been made of them. You cannot fail to view both in their true colours and mischevous tendencies; and I assure myself that anticipating the sentiments of your Government, you will employ the weight of your interposition in accelerating the release of Capt. Rogers and Mr. Davidson and repairing the wrongs they have suffered. Accept Sir the assurances of my respect and consideration

James Madison

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