James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Samuel Bayard, 3 October 1807

Princeton 3. Octr. 1807.

Sir,

You will recollect that about eighteen months past, I had the honor of addressing you on the subject of a demand against the U: States by Mr. Slade & some other gentlemen of London for services rendered, & monies advanced, as Proctors on behalf of our Governt. & Citizens. The demand was allowed & the sum of £4,000 Stg. was remitted to discharge it. This however was not sufficient for the settlet. of the several demands of the respective Proctors. The amount of their united claims was £5,388:19.2. so that a balance of £1,388.19.2. remains due & unpaid. The former remittance was distributed exactly in proportion to the several claims of these gentlemen & they were authorized by our Con⟨sul⟩ Genl. Lyman, to expect a remittance of the balance still unpaid, without delay.

In November last I addressed a letter t⟨o⟩ Mr. Wagner, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the promised remittance had been ma⟨de.⟩ In his answer dated the 19. Novr. 1806. (a copy ⟨of⟩ which I forwarded to Mr. Slade) Mr. Wagner say⟨s⟩ "Mr. Lyman’s letter on the subject (of this da⟨te)⟩ having been only lately received the additional remittance has not yet been made, but it is p⟨ro⟩posed to make it early".

Having just received ⟨a⟩ letter from London dated 2. Aug. last, at which the proposed remittance had not arrived, per⟨mit⟩ me, Sir to enquire whether since that time it ⟨has⟩ been made, or if not, whether it will be ma⟨de by⟩ some early conveyance.

The gentlemen on whose behalf this ⟨claim⟩ is made are deeply impressed with "a sense of the justice & dispatch which the govt. of the U ⟨States⟩ have rendered to their representations" & will gratefully remember the liberality of our governt. in the settlement of their claims. I have the honor to remain with sincere respect & esteem Sir Your most obdt. Servt.

Saml. Bayard

DNA: RG 59—Communications from Special Agents of the Department of State.

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