To James Madison from Henry L. Waddell, 26 February 1806 (Abstract)
From Henry L. Waddell, 26 February 1806 (Abstract)
§ From Henry L. Waddell. 26 February 1806, Philadelphia. “When in Washington, I mentioned to your excellencey that my view of the case of the New Jersey was very different from the General representations on that subject, and since my arrival here having given my opinion⟨s⟩ very freely to the same effect, Messrs. Nicklin & Griffith requested me to state in writing my ideas on the subject. I accordingly wrote them a letter of which I enclose your Excellency a Copy.1 In so doing, I have, nor can have any other intention than to, state facts which have been withheld or mutilated, but as I know the abuse I should incur by its publication I merely enclose it for your Excellency’s satisfaction until you receive more complete information on the subject from France.”
Tr and enclosure (DNA: RG 46, President’s Messages, 9B–B3). Tr 1 p.
1. The enclosure (4 pp.; printed in , Foreign Relations, 2:775) is a copy of Waddell to Nicklin and Griffith, 24 Feb. 1806, stating that he did not believe John Armstrong was responsible for their not having received everything they wished from their claim against France, and disagreeing with some of what their agents had told them. Nicklin and Griffith had the letter printed in the 10 Mar. 1806 Philadelphia United States’ Gazette because, as they stated in their 11 Mar. letter to Waddell printed in the 12 Mar. 1806 edition of that paper, they had learned that the letter had been submitted to the Senate, which “obliged” them to publish his letter and their answer.