From James Madison to Alexander McIver, 23 February 1807
To Alexander McIver
Dept. of State, Feb. 23d. 1807.
Sir.
Mr. W. C. Williams of Frederickburg has proposed, that if this Department will pay him the money due on account of the Schooner Friendship & Cargo, he will give bond & security to indemnify the United States from any consequences that may arise from it.1 Should you have any objections to this measure be pleased to sidnify [sic] it with as little delay as possible, in order that it may meet with the consideration it may merit. I am &c.
James Madison.
Letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15).
1. McIver was a claimant for funds awarded to Thomas Williams and Joseph Carey of Alexandria, D.C., in the case of the schooner Friendship and its cargo, captured by British privateers in 1793. William C. Williams was attorney for the assignees of Thomas Williams and Carey (Journal of the U.S. House of Representatives, 9th Cong., 2d sess., 607; JM to William C. Williams, 4 Apr. 1806, PJM-SS, 11:456).