James Madison Papers

James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1802

To Thomas Jefferson

Department of State, April 18th 1802

The Secretary of State respectfully reports to the President the information requested by the Resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 8th of January last relative to Spoliations committed on the Commerce of the United States, under Spanish authority; and also, relative to the imprisonment of the American Consul at Saint Jago de Cuba.1

This Report has been delayed longer than was wished: but the delay has been made unavoidable by the sickness and absence of the Chief Clerk in this Department, who had partially gone through the necessary researches, and could most readily have compleated them.

James Madison

RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 233, President’s Messages, 7A-D1). RC in Brent’s hand, signed by JM. The enclosed copies of correspondence and tables of captured vessels, which made up JM’s report, were transmitted to the House of Representatives by the president on 20 Apr. and are printed in ASP description begins American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States … (38 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1832–61). description ends , Foreign Relations, 2:440–58.

1For the text of this resolution, see Annals of Congress description begins Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1834–56). description ends , 7th Cong., 1st sess., 415.

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