To James Madison from William Lee, 5 November 1806
From William Lee
Bordeaux November 5. 1806
Sir
I enclose you an Invoice of seven cases of wine1 shipped on board the Brig Jacob Captain Easton bound to Baltimore, and addressed to the care of the collector for that Port.2 The haut Barsac I hope will prove good. The Carbonnieux has been in bottle eight years and was spared to me by a neighbour from his own ⟨s⟩tock. I have also put on board this vessel a barrel of Walnuts and marrons or chesnuts which do me the favor to accept of. I hope the wine will not get chilled on its way from Baltimore to Washington.3
By this Vessel I have the honor to transmit to you the 17th. Bulletin of the Grand Army announcing the arrival of the French at Berlin.4 There are some movements going on in Spain which give rise to various rumours among which it is said that in consequence of her having secretly joined the confederacy measures are shortly to be taken to reduce her monarch to reason. With great respect I have the honor to remain your obt st.
Wm. Lee
RC, two copies, and enclosures (DLC). First RC damaged by removal of seal; second RC marked “Triplicate.” For enclosures, see nn. 1–2.
1. The invoice (three copies, one page each, one undated and two dated 2 November 1806) contained charges for five thirty-bottle cases of Haut Barsac wine, 450 francs; two cases of Carbonnière wine, 125 francs; and a barrel of chestnuts and walnuts, 39 francs. Slight stylistic variations exist between the copies, and one copy includes an additional barrel of nuts for “The President,” also 39 francs, on JM’s account. The verso of the first invoice includes a cover and the note: “James Madisons letter, Invoice & bill of lading. Goods ⅌ Brig Jacob, from Bourdeaux / These are to Supply the place of an entry by the Consignee, favor the necessity of the Case.”
2. Lee also enclosed two copies of the 4 November 1806 bill of lading (1 p.), both of which include the barrel of nuts for “the President.”
3. In the second RC this sentence reads: “I hope the wine on its way from Baltimore to Washington, will not get chilled.” The second RC ends here, except for the closing; at the bottom left of the folio is the note:
| “JM | |||
| “B. | 5 cases. | 450 fs. | |
| “J.M. | 2 dto | 125 | |
| “C. | 575 fs. | ||
| “JM |  |
||
| “C&W | ” | ||
4. The bulletin was reprinted in the Richmond Enquirer, 24 Jan. 1807.