From James Madison to John Armstrong, 20 February 1807
To John Armstrong
Department of State Feby 20th. 1807
Sir,
I inclose the sequel of the information respecting Mr Burr’s enterprize as communicated to Congress yesterday whereby you will perceive that he has surrendered himself to the Civil authority of the Mississippi Territory.1 I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir, your most Obt Svt
James Madison
RC (Rokeby Collection, Barrytown, Dutchess County, N.Y., courtesy of Richard Aldrich and others, 1967). In Pleasonton’s hand, signed by JM; docketed by a clerk with the note: “Announcing Burr’s Capture.” For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. In Thomas Jefferson’s 19 February 1807 message to Congress, he transmitted copies of the following documents: James Monroe and William Pinkney to JM, 27 Dec. 1806; Armstrong to JM, 24 Dec. 1806 (second letter); Armstrong to Denis Decrès, 10 Dec. 1806, enclosed in Armstrong to JM, 24 Dec. 1806 (first letter, and n. 4); Decrès to Armstrong, 24 Dec. 1806, translated and enclosed in Armstrong to JM, 24 Dec. 1806 (second letter, and n. 3); the translated 21 November 1806 French decree; and Cowles Mead to the Department of War, 19 Jan. 1807. Mead explained his actions to prepare the populace and militia against Aaron Burr’s alleged intrigues and to arrange for Burr to surrender to civil authorities (Message from the President of the United States, […] [Washington, D.C., 1807; Shaw and Shoemaker 13981]).