1To James Madison from David Humphreys, 6 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
This letter is particularly intended to transmit to Government, the circular letter received this day from our Consul at Tripoli, announcing the imminent danger of an immediate rupture with that Regency. While I refer this communication to your attention, I cannot but anticipate from the various representations heretofore made by our Consuls in Barbary, that adequate measures will already have...
2To James Madison from David Humphreys, 17 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1801, Madrid. No. 267. Encloses copies of remonstrances to Spanish government on behalf of American merchants who sold Spanish government commodities, expecting to be paid in specie, and instead were paid in depreciated paper money; also encloses Spanish replies. All communication with Lisbon has been interrupted, so funds to operate his office must come through a Dutch bank. The...
3To James Madison from David Humphreys, 23 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received intelligence from a person worthy of credit, at the Royal Sitio of Aranjuez, to the following effect: Last night Lucien Bonaparte signed (and it is he himself who told me) the Treaty by which the Heriditary Prince of Parma (and not his father) is definitively named King of the Etruscans. This election of the Prince, the Son, instead of the Prince his father,...
4To James Madison from David Humphreys, 24 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1801, Madrid. No. 269. Believes recent royal order stipulating that “every recaptured vessel should remain in totality to the profit of the Recaptors” has been revoked “in consequence of my Protest.” Conveys correspondence with Spanish government concerning South Carolina . Council of war has not yet tried the case. Reports king’s renewed confidence in his adviser, the “Prince of...
5To James Madison from David Humphreys, 27 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday I received by way of St. Sebastian farther copies of your several Dispatches, dated the 2nd of August and the 8th and 23d of September last. My first proceedings on the contents of all of which having already been reported, I have only to observe that I shall continue to transmit to you my correspondence with His Catholic Majesty’s Ministers on these and other subjects of national...
6To James Madison from David Humphreys, 10 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 April 1801, Madrid. No. 271. Notes that Treaty of Lunéville permits France “to act with its accustomed celerity against Portugal,” but none of the troops supposedly intended for invasion of that country have appeared in Spain. Reports inability to decode message from Mountflorence using key provided by State Department; relays part of letter pertaining to French plans in event exchange of...
7To James Madison from David Humphreys, 14 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I think I cannot display too much eagerness in communicating to you, by different conveyances, the news this moment received by me from Algiers. I hasten then to transmit copies of Consul O’Brien’s letters to the 6th instant, which came to me thro the Department of the first Minister of State of His Catholic Majesty. From the last of these letters you will learn, that the Bey of Tripoli,...
8To James Madison from David Humphreys, 21 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 April 1801, Madrid. No. 273. Reports Czar Paul of Russia murdered, allegedly by his eldest son. Conveys word that Hamburg has been occupied by Prussian troops, British fleet has drawn near Copenhagen, and French troops assigned to the invasion of Portugal have now entered Spain. In postscript of 23 Apr. encloses copy of official Spanish complaint of piracy committed by vessel flying British...
9To James Madison from David Humphreys, 28 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1801, Madrid. No. 274. Encloses copy of proclamation of Czar Alexander I as he succeeds his father. Reports Nelson’s victory at Copenhagen and rumor of British defeat near Alexandria. Notes that Portugal flouts French ultimatum and French forces are poised for invasion. Has entrusted U.S. consul and commerce in Tuscany to the new king, who “had always discovered a particular...
10To James Madison from David Humphreys, 5 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 May 1801, Madrid. No. 275. Reports on and encloses papers concerning American merchant vessel Atalanta , seized and condemned in Spanish prize court in August 1800. Requests definitive response to Spanish complaint mentioned in postscript to his dispatch no. 273. Notes that Danes appear to have withdrawn from neutral league. Has no news of American vessels being captured by Tripoli. Relays...
11To James Madison from David Humphreys, 8 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
In my Dispatch No. 265 dated March 6th. I transmitted to you the circular letter of our Consul at Tripoli, announcing the imminent danger of an immediate rupture with that State. And in No: 272, dated April 14th, I forwarded copies of letters from Consul O’Brien at Algiers, which contained the information that the Bashaw of Tripoli, having refused the mediation of Algiers, the presents sent...
12To James Madison from David Humphreys, 11 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 May 1801, Madrid. No. 277. Acknowledges State Department dispatch of 23 Sept. 1800 with its memorials respecting Spanish detention of American seamen captured by French cruisers. Encloses copies of his letters to Spanish government complaining of the practice; stresses the firmness with which he has tried “to induce an immediate order for its suppression.” Mentions case of Draper and Clark,...
13To James Madison from David Humphreys, 19 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 May 1801, Madrid. No. 278. Sends correspondence with Spanish ministers on the award in favor of Americans Gregory and Scobie, observing that the many documents furnish “a small specimen of the tedious manner in which business is done at this Court.” Also transmits correspondence with Spanish officials regarding the vessel Swansborough , which has been seized and condemned by Spanish....
14To James Madison from David Humphreys, 1 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1801, Aranjuez. No. 279. Recounts his unsatisfactory discussion with Spanish minister Cevallos concerning American claims. Reports developments in war against Portugal and, in a postscript of 10 June from Madrid, news of peace treaty and its ratification by the Spanish court. Encloses his correspondence [not found] remonstrating against duty on American shipping engaged in Spanish...
15To James Madison from David Humphreys, 29 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 June 1801, Madrid. No. 280. Acknowledges Lincoln’s dispatch of 17 Mar. Reports that, pursuant to it, he visited Spanish court and announced his departure. Notes he then conveyed president’s sentiments regarding Yrujo, reiterated the American proposal of a commission to decide on claims of U.S. citizens against Spanish government, and repeated his observations, as he had done on all...
16To James Madison from David Humphreys, 21 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 July 1801, Madrid. No. 281. Encloses notice of Spanish-Portuguese peace terms and copy of message concerning them he sent Spanish government. Notes that France refuses to concur in treaty. Recounts recent developments in European wars, including British-French naval engagement at Bay of Algeciras on 6 July and a “disultory action” between British and combined French and Spanish squadrons,...
17To James Madison from David Humphreys, 27 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1801, Madrid. No. 282. Encloses copy of 2 July letter from Commodore Dale announcing his arrival at Gibraltar and his plan to sail for Algiers the next day, leaving behind a frigate “to watch the motions” of two Tripolitan vessels anchored at Gibraltar. Transmits O’Brien’s dispatch [ O’Brien to JM, 24 June 1801 ]; report of Tripolitan seizures of American vessels has not been...
18To James Madison from David Humphreys, 31 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 July 1801, Madrid. No. 283. Encloses as “proof of the friendly dispositions” of the Spanish government the first secretary’s answer to his message on the object of Commodore Dale’s expedition. Encloses copy of letter from John Montgomery at Alicante and mentions letter from Málaga, both reporting movements of Dale’s squadron. Has received no further details about engagement near Gibraltar...