From James Madison to Nathan Sanford, 13 February 1806 (Abstract)
To Nathan Sanford, 13 February 1806 (Abstract)
§ To Nathan Sanford. 13 February 1806, Department of State. “Since my letter respecting the expedition of Genl. Miranda from the port of New York in the armed Ship Leander,1 it has been thought proper, in consequence of suggestions which have indicated a Mr. Ogden,2 as the owner of that Vessel, and that some officers holding foreign commissions have embarked in her,3 to point your attention particularly to the participation that gentlemen may have had in violating the laws, and to ascertaining the truth of the report respecting the embarkation of foreign Officers.”
RC (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15). 1 p.
2. For Samuel G. Ogden’s involvement with Miranda’s expedition, see Barrett, Old Merchants of New York City (1968 reprint), 2:200–208.
3. On 2 Mar. 1806 Anthony Merry wrote to Lord Mulgrave that two American-born British officers sailed with Miranda. One, Captain Armstrong, was “on the Half Pay of His Majesty’s 71st. Regiment, the other, Captain Roorback, was on the Half Pay of the First Battalion of General Delancy’s Brigade of British Provincials.” He stated that this led many to believe the report, “which has been circulated with great Pains,” that Miranda was acting with the sanction of the British government (UkLPR: Foreign Office, ser. 5, 48:131–32).