From James Madison to John Randolph, 25 January 1806 (Abstract)
To John Randolph, 25 January 1806 (Abstract)
§ To John Randolph. 25 January 1806, Department of State. “The Secretary of State presents his respects to Mr. Randolph, and has the honor to transmit him a copy of a report this day made to the President of the U.States,1 respecting interpolations, by foreign powers, of new and injurious principles, in the law of nations. This report with the communications made by the President to Congress, particularly that of the 17th. inst.2 will, it is hoped, afford the information, requested, for the Committee of Ways and Means, by Mr. Randolph’s letter of the 11th. ult.3
RC (DNA: RG 233, Reports and Communications from the Secretary of State, 6A–E1); Tr and Tr of enclosure (DNA: RG 233, Transcribed Reports and Communications from the Secretary of State, 5C–B1, 3:381); letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15). RC 1 p.; in Wagner’s hand.
2. For Jefferson’s 17 Jan. 1806 message to Congress and its enclosures, see , Foreign Relations, 2:727–73.
3. Letterbook copy has “of the 16th ult.” On 11 Dec. 1805 John Randolph wrote JM: “The committee of ways & means have instructed me to request, that you will cause to be laid before them such information, on the subject of the enclosed resolution, as the Department of State can furnish.
“The more peculiar objects of our research are
“1. what new principles, or constructions, of the laws of nations have been adopted by the belligerent powers of Europe, to the prejudice of neutral rights?
“2. The governments asserting those principles & constructions?
“3. the extent to which the commerce of the U.S. has been thereby injured?” (DNA: RG 233, Reports and Communications from the Secretary of State, 6A–E1; 1 p.). For the 4 Dec. 1805 House resolution instructing the Committee of Ways and Means to inquire how U.S. neutral rights had been violated and what measures should be taken to counteract the violations, see , 9th Cong., 1st sess., 257, 262.