To James Madison from Simon Lynch, 1 November 1804 (Abstract)
§ From Simon Lynch
1 November 1804, Nantes. “Confirming my last respects of the 26th. September, I have now the satisfaction to inform you that from the strong representations made by me the fishermen of the U: S: who during the continuation of the war will bring their fish to this Market will no further be troubled and perplexed for certificates of Origin, and Obliged to give Bond for the re-exportation of the Amount of their cargoes, in manufactured Articles of this country, quite unsalable in the fishing Ports of the United States, Enclosed is copy of the last Representations I made on the Subject and which produced the good Effect.1
“General Armstrong arrived here from Newyork a fortnight ago and remained 8. days with his family—he is now arrived safe at Paris. He had an opportunity of convincing himself of the Numerous restraints laid on the Commerce of the United States here and proposes taking Speedy Mesures to have them removed. By a letter received from him dated Tours the 24th. October2 he requests me to Send You by the first Vessel the last Nantes papers which I now comply with. There are now ten American vessels in this Port. Mr. Wm. D. Patterson my constituent has not yet made his appearance here.3 General Armstrong confidently asked me for information on General T. the New Minister of France to the United States with which I furnished him with truth, Candour & accuracy4—perfect reliance I trust is to be placed in them.”
RC and enclosures, two copies (DNA: RG 59, CD, Nantes, vol. 1). First RC 1 p.; marked “1a”; postmarked 31 Jan. at New York; docketed by Wagner as received with the duplicate of Lynch’s letter of 26 Sept. 1804 on 4 Feb. Second RC marked “2ta.” For enclosures, see nn. 1–2.
1. Lynch enclosed a copy of his 10 Vendémiaire an XIII (2 Oct. 1804) letter to the director of customs at Paris (2 pp.; in French), stating that because Americans who brought their cargoes of codfish caught on the Grand Banks to France could not produce certificates of origin, they were required by law to export the value of their cargoes in French manufactured goods. These being of no use on the Grand Banks, Lynch asked for a ruling on the matter.
2. Lynch enclosed a copy of John Armstrong’s letter to him of 24 Oct. 1804 (1 p.) asking him to send the local papers to the State Department and describing the misadventure that halted Armstrong’s party at Tours.
3. William D. Patterson had been appointed commercial agent at Nantes on 1 Mar. 1803 (, 1:441, 446). For discussion concerning this appointment, see Robert R. Livingston to JM, 20 May 1802, JM to Jefferson, ca. 7 Sept. 1802, and Jefferson to JM, 10 Sept. 1802, , 3:233 and n. 7, 555, 566.