48351Circular Letter to Collectors of Customs, 23 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Notice is hereby given, that it has been deemed expedient to change the form of the Mediterranean passport issued to Vessels of the United States; that from the eighth day of July next, those of the new form will be issued at the Custom-houses to every Vessel, for which application may be made on a compliance with the terms prescribed by law and surrendering the former passport of which she...
48352From James Madison to Edward Richards, 23 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
The President has received your letter of the 17th. with its enclosures. It does not appear from your statement, that, in the wrongs you mention that you have sustained, there is any circumstance calling for or even admitting of the interposition of the Executive of the United States; but your complaint seems to be rather of a nature to be pursued in the Courts of Justice according to the...
48353To James Madison from Joseph Pulis, 23 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 May 1804, Malta. “I have the honour to inform your honour that few days since has pass’d this Island five Russian Frigates who have arrived at Corfu, landed their Troops and lodged them in the respective Forts & Castels. “And are daily expected According to the Levant News about fifteen Russian Men of War. The Grand Caire after a very sanguine Battle has been restored to the Grand Signor....
48354To James Madison from Richard Sprigg Jr., 23 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 May 1804, Annapolis. “You will owe the trouble of this Letter to my willingness to do justice the Character and professional Skill of Mr. John Bowie Duckett, who wishing for Employment, is pleased to think that my knowledge of him in private Life and at the Bar may aid his pursuits. “He informs me he is authorized by Mr. Mason to say that the Office of Attorney for the District of Columbia...
48355From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 23 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
30. Dollars to Alexander Perry, Queen street Alexandria, to wit 20. D. for himself and 10. D. for mrs Wanscher on account of Martin Wanscher D C 51.21 for Monticello 30 81.21 May 23d. 1804 RC ( MHi ); in TJ’s hand, with text in italics in Barnes’s hand; written on a scrap from an address cover, probably from Robert Smith to TJ, 16 May , postmarked at Baltimore that day and with remnant...
48356To Thomas Jefferson from John Devereux DeLacy, 23 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The petition of John Devereux DeLacy Humbly sheweth That your petitioner prays as he heretofore has prayed that you sir would take cognizance of his case personally and make therein such order as to you Sir shall appear Just and expedient. That your petitioner having been Atty in fact for William Blount late of Tennessee Decd who was Executor to and a surviving partner of David Allison Decd....
48357To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Fulton, 23 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
On Arriving in England I find I Shall be detained some weeks longer than, I at first calculated I therefore forward your letters committed to my care in Paris, I am Sir with profound respect your most Obedient RC ( DLC ); at head of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Aug. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) Tadeusz Kosciuszko to TJ, 28 Apr. (2) Volney...
48358To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Parke, 23 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend was so good as to apply to your Excellency on my behalf for an appointment in the Land-office to be opened at Port St. Vincennes. Having lived some time at Vincennes and intending to make that place my residence in future, either the office of Receiver or Register would be convenient and acceptable to me. But Sir you would not have been troubled with this address had I not just been...
48359To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor herewith to send, for your signature, a Commission for Stephen Decatur junior, to be a Captain in the Navy of the United States. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect sir, y mo ob servt. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 23 May and “Decatur” and so recorded in SJL with notation “post...
48360From James Madison to Anthony Merry, 22 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
It is remarked in your Letter with which I was yesterday honoured, “that since the general Law of Nations with Respect to the Case in Question (notwithstanding that the Law of the United States by which it is established, in speaking of the Servants of public Ministers, expresses no Exception in Regard to Persons of Colour) is not considered by the American Government as paramount to the local...
48361From James Madison to Fulwar Skipwith, 22 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
In the list of claims which have been or are to be preferred to the Commissioners have been observed the names of James Swan, Joshua Barney and Thomas Eldred. The first would appear to be disqualified by his having been engaged in foreign partnerships, the evidence of which is exhibited in the enclosed copy of an original letter from him to the Secretary of the Treasury dated 6th. May 1795,...
48362To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
As I shall write you a publick letter soon I take occasion to observe in this that the material changes in the ministry, are Mr. Pitt in the room of Mr. Addington, Ld. Harrowby in that of Ld. Hawkesbury who has taken that of Mr. Yorke retired; Ld. Melville at the head of the admiralty instead of Ld. St. Vincent. The Grenvilles & Wyndham refused to enter the ministry without Mr. Fox, who it is...
48363To James Madison from Francis S. Taylor, 22 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you a few days ago that Coln. Davis the Collector of this port had resigned. I soon after found that an appointment had been made. Mr Nicholas the new Collector is now here, I have had some conversation with him, and he has expressed to me his doubts whither he will accept the Appointment or not, this being the case, in the event of his not accepting I have to request you will be...
48364To James Madison from James Robertson, 22 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 May 1804, Antwerp. “I have the honor to send you enclosed duplicate of the Table of the Colis Fees which I addressed you by my last respects of the 9th Inst: by which I had the honor of informing you that Mr Jacob Ridgway had exhibited to me the 28th April his appointment to this Agency and that his Intention being then to enter into office, on receiving his Exequatur, I should thenceforth...
48365To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on friday last, after all the information I have been able to collect I have determined to accept the place of collector of this port. I have had very great doubts whether I ought to do it, or not, there are strong reasons why I shou’d not, but it seems to be thought, by the republicans that I shou’d be able to do some service to the cause and I am sure if I do not, you wou’d be...
48366Notes on Curing Herring, 22 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Hollis —Hollis near Bushtown Maryland, comes every year to fish in the Patowmac opposite Alexandria. he says that it is best to leave the head on the fish, because when taken off the fish becomes much drier. he considers what is called gobbing them as much the best method, that is to take out the gills & entrails, & leave the row and head. he has sold this year @ 3⅓ D. the barrel he will...
48367To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Searcy, 22 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for some time been desirous to explore Louisiana since it has been ceded to the United States, particularly that part which is Watered by the Red and Arkansas Rivers. I have ventured to address you on the subject, having seen the Copy of a Report of a Committee on that subject recommending to Authorize the President to have a full and compleat Geographical Report made from Actual...
48368Abigail Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 21 May 1804 (Adams Papers)
Altho I have not written to you Since the return of Your Husband to Quincy, I have had the pleasure of hearing weekly from you through him; and of learning that You, and the Children are well. I want to see the Dear Boys, and regreet that they are like to be so long Seperated from me. George will forget us and John cannot know us. I have a great opinion of childrens being early attached to...
48369To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Jones, 21 May 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] May 21, 1804 . Asks Hamilton to answer questions concerning David Lydig’s “rights to the Bronx River, and how far those rights are affected by the Lease to Doctor J. Brown.…” ALS , anonymous donor; LS , New York State Library, Albany. Jones, who lived in Oyster Bay, New York, was comptroller of New York State from 1797 to 1800. He had been a member of the Continental Congress, the...
48370From James Madison to William Bell, 21 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 May 1804, Department of State. “The omission of the endorsement on the bill which I received in your letter of the 17th. would alone prevent its payment, but its being unaccompanied with vouchers to the account, and Mr. Willis being no longer in office forms another difficulty.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p.
48371To James Madison from Louis-André Pichon, 21 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 May 1804, Baltimore. Encloses the commissions [not found] of Gen. Antoine Gabriel Venance Rey and [Louis] Arcambal as French commercial agents in New York and Baltimore, respectively. Requests exequaturs for them both from the president. RC ( DNA : RG 59, NFL , France, vol. 1). 1 p.; in French; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Pichon; docketed by Wagner as received 23 May. Antoine Gabriel...
48372To James Madison from Samuel Smith, 21 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 May 1804, Baltimore. “The extreme Distress of Mind felt by the President has I presume prevented Attention to the Vacancy of the Office of Marshal for the District of Maryland. I am just now informed that Mr. Etting declines to Serve any New Process & that Application has this Day been made. Mr. Thomas Rutter It is expected by all will be appointed. He is by all Republicans Considered the...
48373From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 21 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Barnes. he has bought of the bearer mr Hollis 10. barrels of fish , cured particularly, @ 3½ D. the barrel, which he will thank mr Barnes to pay for and have warehoused. he will have to get 10. barrels more, and would willingly have taken them of mr Hollis, but he is not willing to part with more at so low a price. perhaps on delivering them he may...
48374To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Frignet de Fermagh, 21 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Il y a quelques mois passé que J’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire ; je voue éxposois en abregé ma position et mes malheurs, et je me recommadois a vous pour de l’occupation Soit de mon état d’arpenteur, d’architecte, Ingénieur ou tout autre, ici ou à la louzianne Si cela étoit en votre pouvoir. Je n’ai réçu aucune reponse de vous, president; C’est un père de famille mal’heureux un artiste qui...
48375From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Fry, 21 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the pleasure of seeing you at your own house you expressed a wish to see Priestly’s corruptions of Christianity. finding them in a bookstore here on my return I was happy in the opportunity of gratifying your wish. I meant on my late journey here to have had the pleasure of asking personally your acceptance of them. but the morning I passed you was so rainy, and the necessity so...
48376From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 21 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Lee of Bordeaux on the 23d. of February shipped some books for me on board the Bordeaux packet Capt Jacobs bound for Philadelphia. should they be arrived, or whenever they arrive I will ask the favor of you to forward them to this place by water, should the packet be too large to come conveniently by the mail stage. I know not it’s size or contents, the capt’s reciept only saying it is...
48377To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, 21 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yrs. to Mr Js Taylor who is at N York came to my hands this day. he inform’d me that the Champagne was disposed of before your letter got to him, & that he had wrote you it could not be obtaind but expect his letter must have miscarried.— No good Champagne can be purchased here at present that I can hear of, or I should have bought it & sent it on. we are full of French Soldiers from Havana...
48378From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 21 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 19th. and am sorry you have paid so much respect to my dimensions as to puzzle yourself with them, and still more to alter the writing machinery. they were meant to be entirely subject to your correction, & they are still so. I made the drawing from memory, & have seen since I returned here and have had a polygraph under my eye that I had not left room...
48379Statement on the Legal Action against Richard Johnson, 21 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Washington Federalist of May 18. a person, well known here , has undertaken to give a report of an action at law lately tried in the district court of Charlottesville, wherein the President of the US. was pl. and one Johnson def. the tendency of this statement is to mislead the public by presenting one part only of proceedings at law, instituted for the establishment of a right to...
48380To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Storm, 21 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to apologize for not forwarding the Case from Kuhn, Green & Co, ere this; the reason was, that no opportunity has offered till now.—I have this day put it on board the Schooner Citizen, Capt. Lawson, addressed to Mr. Barnes of George Town—the vessel sails the first fair wind—I have written Mr Barnes ⅌ Post, requesting his attention to forwarding the same—After begging you to accept my...
48381Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1804 (Adams Papers)
Had You been no other than the private inhabitant of Montecello, I should e’er this time have addrest you, with that Sympathy, which a recent event has awakend in my Bosom. but reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst through the restraint, and called upon me to shed the tear of sorrow over the departed remains, of Your beloved and...
48382John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 20 May 1804 (Adams Papers)
I have received, my best friend, your kind and truly affectionate letter of the 12 th: or rather 6 th: inst t: on which I find some of George’s taste for literature, as I presume by the scratches I take to be his hand-writing. It is not improbable but that my Spirits have been some few degrees below the point of temperate warmth, and that my letters may have betrayed some marks of it— Yet my...
48383Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 May 1804 (Adams Papers)
I sieze the earliest opportunity of answering your very kind letter of the 9 th which I did not recieve untill friday evening owing to a violent of Storm of Thunder and Lightning and the heaviest Rain ever known in this part of the Country by which the roads have been so much injured that the mail was delayed one day I never witness any thing like it M rs. Hellen who continues in a very weak...
48384To James Madison from Anthony Merry, 20 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honour to acknowlege the Receipt of your Letter of Yesterday’s Date, and to acquaint you, in Answer to it, that I have no other Evidence to furnish of the Violation of my Dwelling by the Officer of Justice mentioned in the Letter I had the Honour to address to you on the 4th. Inst. than that of one of my Servants, a Woman of Colour, who saw the Constable within my Dwelling at the...
48385To James Madison from Abraham Venable, 20 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have lately recieved a letter from Genl Smith covering one from Mr John A Morton, who was formerly of this County, but who now resides at Bordeaux, who has been some time since anxious for an appointment from the Government of the United States, as Commercial agent, at Bordeaux, Havre, or Antwerp. He informs me that the Consul of the United States at Bordea[u]x has lately failed in business,...
48386To James Madison from Josiah Blakeley, 20 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1804, Santiago de Cuba. “On the 9th. April last died in this city, Alexander Frazier, who called himself of Baltr. But, I believe ’tis certain he was not a native american, if a citizen. I had several times seen Sd. Frazier, but Knew very little of him. Some say he was born in germany, others in Holland, by his Speech I took him for a scotch man. But, as I understood he called himself...
48387To James Madison from John Gray Blount, 20 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1804, Washington, North Carolina. “Being led to hope that the late Convention with the French Republic provides for the Citizens of the United States who have suffered previous to September 1800. by illegal captures and Condemnation of their Vessells in the Ports of the Republic, And being informed that through you such Claims are to be forwarded to Fulwar Skipwith Esquire the Agent of...
48388To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1804, New Orleans. “The Treaty ceding Louisiana to Spain in 1762 and her act of acceptance I have not been able to meet with among any of the records in this City. In the Archives of the Cabildo (now in possession of the Municipality) I find no traces of any events prior to the arrival of General O’Reilly. “The proceedings of the Supreme Council of New Orleans (under the Government of...
48389To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 20 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Had you been no other than the private inhabitant of Montecello, I should e’er this time have addrest you, with that sympathy, which a recent event has awakend in my Bosom. but reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst through the restraint, and called upon me to shed the tear of sorrow over the departed remains, of your beloved and...
48390To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last Letter , I have endeavoured to inform myself of such vacant Land which from quality and situation was the most valuable. I have sought information upon this subject, from several old Inhabitants, but more particularly from Don Carlos Trudeau late Surveyor General of Louisiana, a man of some Science, great integrity of Character, and possessing much local knowledge.— Mr. Trudeau...
48391From James Madison to Joseph Carleton, 19 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 16th. of this month in which you express the acceptance by the Bank of the United States of the terms and conditions on which certain claims are to be paid thro’ the Office of Discount and Deposit in this City, as set forth in my letter of the 24th. Ult., and also that the office has named James Davidson Esquire their Cashier to be the Agent...
48392From James Madison to Anthony Merry, 19 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your Letters of the 4th and 11th Inst. were laid before the President on his Arrival at the Seat of Government, and I have now the Honour to assure you, in Pursuance of his Direction, that the Interest which the United States have in common with other Nations, in the Immunities attached to public Ministers, is seconded by his Disposition to maintain them in all their legal Extent. The...
48393From James Madison to Turell Tufts, 19 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Information has been received that several Malefactors have been forcibly put on board of American Vessels, by the Officers of the Batavian Government at Surinam, to be brought to the U:States. This is a practice so injurious to the public safety, and so derogatory to the respect which is due from one government to another, that it cannot be tolerated by ours, and will not, as it is presumed,...
48394To James Madison from Thomas Newton Jr., 19 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your favor enclosing a dft. for fifty six dollars came to hand yesterday. I am much pleased to hear that the Cyder has proved to be excellent. I will as soon as I can see Colo. Cocke engage 15 blls for you. I now do myself the pleasure of sending you for a sample two quarter Casks of Wine—one of Madeira six Years old—warranted to be of the first quality—the other of the best Lisbon Wine....
48395To Thomas Jefferson from Dabney Carr, 19 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
You requested that I would get a copy of the costs in the qui tam vs Johnson —I suppose you wanted only Johnson’s costs—they amount to fifty one dollars, & twenty one cents.—Johnson has applied to me to day on the subject, & I told him that I should write to you immediately & expected that you would make arrangements to pay him the money in a very short time All your friends in this quarter...
48396To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 19 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 15th Instant received yesterday. The Cabinet work of your Polygraph is nearly complete, it is a neat and good piece of work but without any ornaments of fineering. I am now making tryal of the machinery and finding some advantage by a different length of the horozontal part. I have ordered such to be made as I think will best suit the desk; something shorter than that you have in...
48397To James Madison from Louis-André Pichon, 18 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 15 de ce mois contenant l’extrait de celle qui vous est adressée par le collecteur de Charleston relativement à la Corvette Française le Télégraphe. Le batiment, Monsieur, ayant mis à la voile de Charleston, il y a près de deux mois, l’avis du Collecteur est aujourdhui sans objet. Je prendrai la liberté, Monsieur, de vous faire...
48398To James Madison from Daniel Deshon, 18 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 May 1804, Biddeford. “If you will do me the Honor to give me your Opinion on a Law of the United States, which Provides for the Captain of a Ship to make Return of his Crew on his return from a Foreign Voyage, Provided any of his Crew are taken from the Ship. In November last past I Commanded the Ship Ocean from this Port, and on my Passage from Barbadoes here, I had Two Men Elisha Andrews...
48399To James Madison from George W. Erving, 18 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 May 1804, London. No. 33. “Conformably to a clause in your instructions of April 4th. 1803 it is now my duty to report to you that the Ship Ruby Alexander Shaw Master registered as the Property of Niele McNeal of Charleston sailed from this Port on the 15th. Instant for Angola on the Coast of Africa and from thence was destined to proceed to Charleston South Carolina.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD...
48400To James Madison from John Gavino, 18 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 May 1804, Gibraltar. No. 150. “By my last Communication No: 149 [10 May 1804] I had the honour of anexing Copy of one from Stephen Cathalan Junr: Esqr. Comercial agent at Marseilles in conformity to his request, but have not heard further from him on the Subject of the Tunis Warr. Capn: Dogget in the Brig Albion from Marseilles for Boston arrived the 15th: Int: in 12 days, who informed me...