James Madison Papers

To James Madison from John Mitchell, 23 May 1803 (Abstract)

§ From John Mitchell

23 May 1803, Le Havre. Informs JM that Hughes of Baltimore, carrying the treaty and dispatches from “our Ministers at Paris … saild this Morng on board of the Brig Enterprize … bound for New York.” Hopes Hughes will be with JM “ere this gets to hand.” Congratulates JM on the cession of Louisiana to the U.S. Adds in a postscript that the London Gazette of 17 May contains an order to “Burn & Destroy all french Vessells.” “War is this day announced here—and severall British frigates have appeard off the Harbour should I hear of their molesting any Neutral Vessell shall carefully inform you.”

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