To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 5 April 1805
From James Madison
Washington Apl 5. 1805
Dear Sir
Yours of the 1st. instant has been recd. with the letters of Jarvis Monroe & Pinkney. I had a conversation yesterday with Turreau on the subject of Ferrand’s decree. He was perfectly rational and accomodating, expressed a wish to receive without delay a note from me on the subject, and promised to interpose as requested. He regretted that Logan’s motion to prohibit the trade with St. Domingo, had not succeeded; observing that the Blacks had lately been enabled by American supplies to advance agst. Ferrand, & that the violence of his proclamation had been probably inspired by that circumstance. The Baltimore paper of yesterday, serves to confirm this circumstance, & with the addition, that the French are likely to be driven out of the Island. Inclosed is a copy of Ferrand’s Edict, and of the letter I sent to Turreau. His answer has not yet been recd.
Yrs. with respectful attachment
James Madison
RC (DLC); at foot of first page: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 8 Apr. and “Ferrand’s decree. Tureau. Yrujo” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Proclamation of Louis Ferrand, 5 Feb. (see Madison to TJ, 1 Apr.). (2) Madison to Louis Marie Turreau, 4 Apr., arguing that Ferrand’s proposed actions clearly violate accepted diplomatic norms and requesting that Turreau act to restrain him (, 9:210-11).
Logan’s motion: on 27 Feb. Senator George Logan of Pennsylvania sought to submit a bill “to suspend trade and intercourse with the island of St. Domingo.” Because the act to regulate the clearance of armed merchant vessels was under consideration, Logan’s motion did not carry (, 3:461; , 2:342).
Baltimore paper of yesterday: likely the Federal Gazette. Relying on reports from arriving merchant vessel captains in early April, U.S. newspapers reported that Haitian forces were advancing against the remaining French forces in Santo Domingo. By mid-month, however, accounts suggesting that a French evacuation was imminent had been debunked (Baltimore American and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 4 Apr.; New-York Evening Post, 6 Apr., 13 Apr.; New York Daily Advertiser, 8 Apr.; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 12 Apr.).