To James Madison from Robert W. Fox, 11 December 1806
From Robert W. Fox
Falmouth December 11th. 1806
Esteemed Friend
I have kept my friend Munroe the Minister at London, advised of the arrival here, of Ships belonging to the United States of America under detention, most of which have been liberated, tho some still detained; the Captors apprehending part of their Cargoes to be Enemies property. The hard Case of the Louisa, Captain Joseph Clackner, from Baltimore, bound for Amsterdam, detained here about Eight Months, I have explained fully to him.1 The Privateers are in the practise of detaining most Vessels from France or Spain bound to the Northern Ports, particularly Ships under the Danish, Hambro, & Oldenburgh Flags, more so than those belonging to the United States. I have had no occasion to complain lately of the impress of American Seamen, I think the Naval officers hereaway are taking much more caution than formerly. Trade is exceeding dull, and many Merchant⟨s⟩ in this Nation, will suffer much by the Fre⟨nch⟩ having possession of Hambro & other Ports. Grain & Flour continues very moderate with u⟨s⟩ Copper is fallen, I could now Ship some Sheath⟨in⟩g Copper at £165 ⅌ Ton, Cake Copper at £146. I am with much respect Thy assured Friend
Rob W. Fox
RC (DNA: RG 59, CD, Falmouth, vol. 2).
1. Filed with this letter is Fox to James Monroe, 24 Nov. 1806 (2 pp.), in which Fox related information about the Louisa and stated that he enclosed to Monroe a letter from Capt. Clackner explaining the case. Fox noted that Clackner had produced proof of the legitimacy of the cargo from the vessel’s bag of letters but that the court had rejected that evidence, saying that the master should have delivered the letters with his other papers. The property of the Louisa was therefore detained, and Fox hoped that Monroe would be able to “get the property liberated.”