25971To Thomas Jefferson from George Buchanan, 1 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to submit to your consideration, as a member of the American Philosophical Society, the principle on which, I have conceived, the construction of a machine, capable of perpetuating its own motion, is practicable. The following outline embraces the principle. Let a wheel, of an adapted make to receive its revolution from a current of air, be inclosed in an airtight trunk, as snugly...
25972To Thomas Jefferson from George Buchanan, 3 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
At this particular Period, when some of the Medical Faculty may expect to meet with advantageous appointments, I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken Sir, in addressing you a few lines. I find that a Bill is Brought into Congress for the establishment of Marine Hospitals, and for the benefit of my Family would wish to be made Physician of the one to be established in Baltimore; I know...
25973To Thomas Jefferson from James Buchanan and William Hay, 20 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The active part which you took before your departure from Virginia, as a director of the public buildings, leads us to believe, that it will not be now unacceptable to you, to cooperate with us as far as your engagements will permit. We foresee, that in the execution of our commission, the Commonwealth must sustain a heavy expence, and that we can provide no shield so effectual against the...
25974To Thomas Jefferson from James Buchanan and William Hay, 18 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 15th. June came duely to hand, and we return you our warmest acknowledgements for undertaking in so obliging a manner to aid the Directors of the public buildings in procuring plans and estimates. Your ideas upon the subject are perfectly corresponding to those of the Directors, respecting the stile and Ornaments proper for such a work, and we trust the plans will be...
25975To James Madison from James A. Buchanan, 15 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 February 1804, Baltimore. Submits the following details and solicits JM’s aid “in procuring redress”: “On the 20th. July last, my Brig Lear, laden with a Cargo, my sole property, sailed hence for Martinique; after a long passage, her Captn., on the 24th. Augst., finding himself considerably to leeward of his destined Port, bore away for, & whilst immediately under the land of, St....
25976To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 22 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of General Smith, we have purchased, & have the honor herewith to enclose, Wm. Patterson & Sons draft on Severyn & Hauebroeck Amsterdam for two thousand five hundred Guilders, equal, at the Exchange of 40 Cents ⅌ Guilder, to One thousand dollars, & which we have paid for, in a Check for that sum, remitted by General Smith. We are with the highest respect Sir Your Obedt Servts....
25977To James Madison from James A. Buchanan and Others, 28 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
The undersigned, a Sub Committee, deputed for the purpose by the Committee of Vigilance & Safety of Baltimore, respectfully beg leave to represent to the President of the United States; That the Inhabitants of the City & Precincts, immediately on being informed that the Enemy had received large reinforcements, assembled in their respective Wards, & appointed three Persons from each, who,...
25978To James Madison from James A. Buchanan, 17 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 May 1804, Baltimore. “Having some time since taken the liberty of troubling you with a complaint respecting the capture of my Brig Lear, I now beg leave to communicate to you the result thereof. “The enclosed Paper No. 1, is copy of a Letter written to my Correspondent at St Kitts, & accompanying such vouchers as I thought might be required; the paper No 2 is copy of his reply thereto, by...
25979To George Washington from John Buchanan, 15 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your memorlist Sweth that he has ever since the begining of the Year 1766 been in Publick Service; And has not for allmost three years had Any pay for his Services, Nor Cloathing except two Shirts and a pair or two of Shoes. Your memorlist would be glad that your Excellancy would consider his situation, And point out a method for him to get his pay and Cloathing according to his Appointment As...
25980To Alexander Hamilton from Walter Buchanan, 21 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the Honor of delivering to the Secretary of the Navy, the letter with which you was pleased to favour me, and was inform’d that no new appointments would be made untill the begining of Spring, when And I once more become a Suppliant for your Suffrage & Patronage, in the Vacancy lately taken place at Fort Jay—& have the honor to submit to your Consideration & inspection the enclos’d...
25981To James Madison from William Buchanan, 31 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 July 1802, Ile de France. Encloses a list of “the American Vessels, which have arrived at this port up to the 30 June, as pointed out in your orders.” Notes that the list is incomplete; “it frequently happens, that the Consul never sees the Capn. during the time he is in port; and he is indebted to others for the informations he receives.” Believes the island’s administration would assist...
25982To George Washington from William Buchanan, 15 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
There having been created by the Excise Law lately passed by Congress, Officers for ascertaining the quantity & quality of American distilled Spirits. & as I doubt not but one will soon be appointed by your Excellency for this place, I take the liberty of offering my services & of becoming a Candidate for the same. As I have not the honor of being known to your Excellency, Mr Smith of this...
25983To James Madison from William Buchanan, 8 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 September 1802, Ile de France. Refers to his last dispatch on 31 July enclosing a return of the American vessels that had arrived through 30 June. U.S. laws defining the powers of consuls are so limited that “it has not been in my power to make the return agreeably to your instructions, as I have no authority to demand from the American Captains the necessary informations.” During the war...
25984To James Madison from William Buchanan, 26 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of the duplicate of your Circular under the date of the 1st. of August 1801 to the Consuls & Commercial Agents of the United States, which has given me the first information, that I was appointed Commercial Agent at this Port. My Commission has not arrived, but I think, it will not be long, before I shall receive it, as my Friends Messrs S Smith...
25985To George Washington from William Buchanan, 19 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
The D[e]ath of Our late Worthy friend Genl Williams may Probably give Rise to many Applications for the Collectors Place at the Port of Baltimore, from few Perhaps with fairer Claim, Or fainter hope than my Self, Tho in Point of Execution, & a Uniform Attachment to Government, I yield to none, yet Nevertheless, there is a Certain Unexplained Circumstance, of long Standing, even now at...
25986To James Madison from William Buchanan, 15 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 September 1803, Île de France . Encloses “a return of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this Port from first January to the last of June” [not found]. Was furnished with the law of the last session of Congress “respecting Seamen” by Lieutenant Shaw, commander of the brigantine Pennsylvania . As a result will be able to make his returns “more compleate than heretofore.” The return...
25987To James Madison from William Buchanan, ca. 15 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 15 January, Île de France. Transmits a 15 Jan. 1804 “Return of the Cargoes arrived at and Shipped from the Isle of France from the first of July 1803 to the first of January 1804” listing thirty ships (DNA: RG 59, CD, Port Louis, vol. 1; two copies; 1 p. each; both docketed by Wagner). The second copy of the enclosure, headed “Return of American Vessels arrived at The...
25988To James Madison from William Buchanan, 26 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 January 1802, “Port N. West,” Ile de France. Acknowledges receipt of a duplicate of JM’s 1 Aug. circular letter , which was his first intimation of his appointment as commercial agent. His commission has not arrived, but he expects it soon, as “my Friends Messrs S Smith & Buchanan inform me, it was forwarded by a Vessel, which sailed some time prior to the departure of the Conveyance, which...
25989To George Washington from William Buchanan, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Quantity of Rum mentioned in Col. Trumbulls Return of publick Stores, and the Accounts I recieve of large Stocks of Whiskey lying in several Magazines in this State, induced me to think this a very proper Juncture to attempt a Reduction of the present exorbitant Price of the last Article. To effect this I had some thoughts of not purchasing any more Whiskey for the present unless it could...
25990To James Madison from William Buchanan, 21 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding you two returns of the American Vessels which have arrived at this Port during the last twelve months, which I hope will go Safe to hand. With Sentiments of respect. I am Sir Your Humble Servt: DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Port Louis.
25991To James Madison from William Buchanan, 24 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1803, Île de France. “I have the pleasure to inclose you a return, of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this Port, during the last six months of the year 1802 [not found], by which you will perceive, that the intercourse between the United States and this Island, has been very inconsiderable during that period. Since the Peace no change has taken place in the commercial...
25992To James Madison from William Buchanan, 6 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Buchanan. 6 October 1805, Île de France. “I have the pleasure of forwarding you by this occasion two returns, one a copy of the return commencing the first July 1804 and one commencing the first of January 1805. which I hope will arrive Safe. Since I had the pleasure of addressing you last no change has Taken place in the Commercial regulations at this Island, nor do I expect...
25993To James Madison from William Buchanan, 31 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to your instructions I have the pleasure of transmiting you a return of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this port up to the 30 June, as pointed out in your orders. It has not been in my power to render it so compleat as you wish, as the laws of the united states do not make it the duty of the American Masters of ships to report their vessels to the consul or Agent, where...
25994To James Madison from William Buchanan, 24 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose you a return, of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this Port, during the last six months of the year 1802, by which you will perceive, that the intercourse between the United States and this Island, has been very inconsiderable during that period. Since the Peace no change has taken place in the commercial regulations of this Island, and from letters...
25995To George Washington from William Buchanan, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 14th Ulto I had the Honour of recieving your Excellency’s Letter, in Baltimore. Both my duty and Inclination prompted me to answer it much sooner, but a severe Fit of Sickness, out of which I am even yet but very imperfectly recovered, has ⟨here⟩to prevented me—Words can not pain the Distress I feel in being at the Head of a Department, the Deficiencies in which, have occasioned your...
25996To James Madison from William Buchanan, 8 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of addressing you the 31st. July last by the ship Patapeso , bound to Baltimore inclosing you a return of the american Vessels which have arrived at this port up to the 30th. of June last a Copy of which I now forward you. The present existing laws of the united states, defining the powers of Consuls are so limited that it has not been in my power to make the return...
25997To James Madison from William Buchanan, 15 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
By the present opportunity I have the pleasure of forwarding you, a return of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this Port from first January to the last of June. Lieutenant Shaw of the Navy, who at present commands the Brigantine Pennsilvania, has been so polite, as to furnish me with the law past the last Session of Congress, respecting Seamen, which will enable me to make my...
25998To James Madison from William Buchanan, 30 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the satisfaction to acknowledge the receipt of your Standing Instructions, to Consuls & Vice Consuls of the United States under date of 9 July 1801, as likewise a Copy of my Commission as Commercial Agent of the United States for the Isles of France & Bourbon. The forwarding of a Copy has proved a necessary Measure, as the Vessel by which the Original was forwarded is unquestionably...
25999To James Madison from William Buchanan, 30 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 May 1802, Ile de France. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s standing instructions under date of 9 July 1801 as well as a copy of his commission as U.S. commercial agent for Ile de France and Bourbon; “the Vessel by which the Original was forwarded is unquestionably lost.” Will follow JM’s instructions “respecting returns of the American Vessels which may arrive within my district … tho’ I am...
26000To George Washington from William Buchanan, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 5th. It is much to be lamented that from many unfortunate concurring Circumstances, there is sufficient Ground for General Heath’s Remonstrance—I have not been inattentive to that Quarter, but I have not the appointment of Agents. The Assistant Commissaries are all appointed by the Depy Commissary General of Purchases for the District, and Congress, with whom...