To James Madison from Anthony Terry, 20 August 1805 (Abstract)
From Anthony Terry, 20 August 1805 (Abstract)
§ From Anthony Terry. 20 August 1805, Cádiz. “I have the plea sure to inform you that this day arrived safe in our Bay the Combined fleet from Ferrol in Seven days composed of the following Vessels.
| 18 Ships | 5. Frigates | 3. Brigs | French |
| 11 Dittos | 1. Ditto | " | 1. Corvette. Spanish |
Under the Command of the French Admiral Monsr. de Villeneuve, it is reported that they will not remain long in Port, and that the Plan is to pass to Cartagena & join the Vessels that are ready there, which if takes place the whole will be.
| 44 Ships | 10. Frigates | 6. Brigs | 2. Corvettes—vizt. |
| 18 Ships | 5. Frigates | 3. Brigs | French |
| 26 Ditto | 5. Dittos | 3. Dittos | 2. Corvettes Spanish |
“It is with grief I inclose you Copy of Mr. John Gavinos Letter to me,1 by which you will be informed that sundry American Vessels that sailed from this Port homeward bound have been condemned for a breach of Blockade as they Say, but you will be perfectly informed ⅌ the Copies remitted to you ⅌ Duplicate of our representations to the Vice Admirl. that we had received no notification whatever, since that received from Vice Admiral Orde.”
Adds in a postscript: “Governmt. Notes—42½—43%.”
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, CD, Cádiz, vol. 1). RC 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Terry. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. The enclosure (1 p.; docketed by Wagner) is a copy of John Gavino to Josef Yznardy, 16 Aug. 1805, acknowledging the latter’s 29 July letter, and stating that all letters for the United States by the detained ships had been sent on by the President. Gavino added that the Paulina, Captain Choate, had gone to trial on 15 Aug., when the judge had shown a copy of Adm. Charles Collingwood’s instructions stating that the foreign ministers at the British court had been notified on 18 Apr. 1805 of the blockade of Cádiz and Sanlúcar de Barrameda and that sufficient time had elapsed for the news to reach the various ports. The Paulina and its cargo of salt were therefore condemned for breach of blockade. The Betsy and Hermon were to go to trial on 17 Aug. and were expected to share the same fate. Gavino added in a postscript that the ships and cargoes had been condemned except for 600 quarter-casks on board the Betsy, which would be subject to further discussion because it was stated that the owner at New York had given his orders about them before news of the blockade could have reached him. For the announcement of the blockade, see George Erving to JM, 27 Apr. 1805, 9:292 and n. 1.