From James Madison to Gideon Leet (Abstract), 15 March 1805
§ To Gideon Leet.1
15 March 1805, Department of State. “It appears that shortly after the receipt of the papers respecting the Matilda, a representation was made to the Government of Sweden, through its Consul residing here, with a view to obtain indemnity for the injury. This gentleman, in answer to a request for information, observes, that the case has been taken up by his government and that no determination had been made, according to his last advices.2 But considering the delay which has already taken place, and that the business may perhap’s [sic] be more effectively pursued by our Minister at London, it will be hereafter confided to him.”
RC (Heritage Auction Galleries [www.ha.com], Auction No. 611, 2005, item 25111); letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 14). RC 1 p.; in Wagner’s hand, signed by JM. Minor differences between the copies have not been noted.
1. Saybrook, Connecticut, merchant Gideon Leet was active in trade with the West Indies. He and his co-owner Jonathan Warner claimed damages of $18,818.10 in the seizure of the Matilda at St. Bartholomew (George S. Roberts, Historic Towns of the Connecticut River Valley [Schenectady, N.Y., 1906], 51; Senate Exec. Documents, 49th Cong., 1st sess., no. 102, p. 192).
2. See Richard Söderström to JM, 10 Jan. 1805, , 8:465–66.