1To James Madison from John Armstrong, 2 [June] 1804 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday had the honor of receiving your letter of the 27th. Ult. and after giving to the proposition it contained, all the consideration my present circumstances admit of, I have determined to accept it. I am perfectly sensible of the many advantages that may be derived as well to myself, as the public, from the visit you suggest, and shall accordingly set out for Washington in a few days....
2To James Madison from John Armstrong, 15 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
I arrived in this city two days ago and have taken a passage in a ship destined to Nantz, which will sail on the 1st. of August or sooner, should I be ready to embark. My letters of credence, instructions, &c &c with a draft on the treasury for three thousand dollars, may be forwarded as early as possible, and addressed to me at this place. The public papers have already announced the death of...
3To James Madison from John Armstrong, 6 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival here with my family a few days past I had the honor of receiving your letters of the 20th. & 25th. of July, with two others from Mr Wagner of later date, enclosing the documents necessary to my mission. It would have given me much pleasure to have conformed to your wishes with regard to the ballance of my out:fit, but as I do not want money here, and as there may be some risk in...
4To James Madison from John Armstrong, 29 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
The delay in our sailing, which, under various pretences, has been kept up from the 15th. ’till this morning, has afforded an oppertunity of receiving your letter of the 21st. with its inclosures. In another respect We may have lost nothing by it; the winds for three weeks past have been uniformly from the East, and must have produced a tedious and unpleasant passage, without insuring to us an...
5To James Madison from John Armstrong, 31 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
Having occasion for five hundred dollars more than the amount of your late draft on the Treasury in my favor, I have been furnished with that sum by Gen. Theodorus Bailey of this city, and to reimburse him, have drawn a bill upon you, payable at sight, for the amount. I am Sir, with great respect, Your Obedient hum. servt. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 10). Docketed by Wagner as received...
6To James Madison from John Armstrong, 14 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
Having this moment heard that the Jane is about to sail for Boston early to:morrow, I avail myself of the conveyance she offers, to inform you of our safe arrival at this post in thirty eight days from that on which we left NYork, and to transmit a small package of the latest papers of the place, with a copy of the new civil code of the Country. Of Mr. Livingston I have heard nothing,...
7To James Madison from John Armstrong, 20 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
I wrote a few lines to you on the 14th. instant by the Jane (a small vessel bound to Boston) barely announcing My arrival at this place and enclosing a few public papers and a copy of the new civil code of France. Of this work their jurists speak highly, whatever they may think. Wishing to come at the character of Gen. T., which has been much a subject of Conversation here, and which cannot be...
8To James Madison from John Armstrong, 12 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
I arrived in this city on the 29th. ulto, and found here M[e]ssrs Livingston and Munroe; the one, on the point of setting out for Italy; the other, about to prosecute his journey to Spain. On an intimation from Mr Livingston of my arrival, I had an immediate interview with Mr Talleyrand, and, in a day or two, received from him a notice, that “the next diplomatic audience had been assigned for...
9To James Madison from John Armstrong, 24 December 1804 (Madison Papers)
A few days after the date of my last letter (the 12 Nov) I was admitted to a private audience of the Emperor. During this interview, I presented my credentials, & with them, a short complimentary address on the recent elevation of his Majesty. I am not sure that in this first step, I shall have given all the satisfaction I could wish. On your side of the Atlantic it may be supposed that I have...
10To James Madison from John Armstrong, 25 December 1804 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed is my account with the United States, for the six months which have elapsed since my appointment. I have, within a few days, made a small payment to Mr Appleton, our Commercial Agent at Calais, and have allowed him 5 pr. cent on his disbursements; not that I found any authority in the law to do so, nor in the usage of my predecessor, but because the thing appeared to me highly...
11To James Madison from John Armstrong, 30 December 1804 (Madison Papers)
The object of this letter, is to communicate some facts which I did not know, or which had not occurred at the date of my last. The answer to Mr Munroe’s note was prepared soon after its receipt, and submitted to the Emperor, who, though he approved of it, both in form and substance, directed, that “it should be returned to the Bureau of the Minister, until it was called up by some new...
12To James Madison from John Armstrong, 18 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
I enclose copies of two late letters written to Mr. Monroe. They will shew the State of the negociation at Madrid on the 1st. of March & the views of this Government in relation to it. The Express being on the point of setting out I can but Add assurances of the very sincere esteem with which I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedt. humble servt. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 10)....
13To James Madison from John Armstrong, 2 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my letter of the 14th. of February, I have made a communication to the Neapolitan Ambassador, calculated to lay the foundation of an arrangement, such as was suggested in your dispatch of the 10th of Novr; and as the mean most likely to produce the necessary predisposition on the part of his Government, I have stated the facts, that the trade of the two Sicilies to the United...
14From James Madison to John Armstrong, James Bowdoin, and James Monroe, 13 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have received information that measures, imposing serious restrictions on our navigation and commerce, are taking in the North of Europe, with a view to guard against the disorder called the yellow fever. It is represented that these restrictions are likely to be generally extended in that quarter thro’ the means of a concert, promoted by one of the most influential powers and it is probable...
15To James Madison from John Armstrong, 3 July 1805 (Madison Papers)
Before the receit of your letter of the 5th. of March, I had drawn a few Bills which were made payable at sight. This mode was adopted under a beleif of it’s greater conformity to the provisions of the Convention, than that of paying at different dates and long intervals; and from my not having the smallest suspicion, that any embarrasment would have followed to the Treasury or the Banks. I...
16To James Madison from John Armstrong, 10 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your letters of the 23d. of May and 6th. of June and shall loose no time in attending to the injunctions they convey. One of these, in relation to Gen. Ferrand’s proclamation, has been anticipated, as you will perceive by my answer to Mr. Tallyrand’s note of the 21st. of July. The other, with respect to the claim upon the Batavian Government, must necessarily...
17To James Madison from John Armstrong, 15 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
Europe is on the eve of a war, which, from present appearances, will leave no power in it a mere Spectator of the Combat. On One side will be marshalled France, Spain, Portugal, Batavia Swisserland & the new Kingdom of Italy. On the Other, Austria, Russia, England, Prussia Sweden, Denmark, Naples and even Turkey. The Coalitions on both sides will have in them some very discordant materials and...
18To James Madison from John Armstrong, 10 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
The note of which the annexed paper (Number 1) is a copy was put into by direction of Mr. Talleyrand who was then on the point of setting out for the camp at Bologne. The person charged with the delivery of it having no official relation to the minister and but little personal acquaintance with me tho’ sufficiently known as a political agent of the Govt. supposed that some introductory...
19To James Madison from John Armstrong, 14 September 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Armstrong. 14 September 1805, Paris . “In making up my dispatch by Mr. Skipwith, I omitted to enclose the copy of a second letter from the Minister of Exterior relations on the subject of the forced trade carried on between the United States & St. Domingo. It is sent herewith.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 10). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Armstrong....
20To James Madison from John Armstrong, 3 October 1805 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my letter by Mr Skipwith I have become acquainted with some circumstances which have a near relation to the subject of that letter, and which may tend to illustrate the course to be taken in our business with Spain. They are as follows: soon after Mister Monro left Madrid a detailed account of his late negotiation with the Spanish government was transmitted by Mister Cevallos...
21To James Madison from John Armstrong, 25 October 1805 (Madison Papers)
You will see by an article in the enclosed paper that the Emperor (Napoleon) has begun the war by throwing Sixes. In twenty four days from that on which he crossed the Rhine he has traversed Suabia, assembled the Several column[s] of his army at Newburg, forced the passage of the Danube, and either killed or captured the whole of the Austrian Army under Prince Ferdinand & Gen. Mack. He has now...
22To James Madison from John Armstrong, 26 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor, within the last week, of receiving your letter of the 25th. of August—expressing the Sollicitude of the parties interested in the Ship New Jersey and Cargo, least “their claim should be rejected on the idea, that the rights of the insured, did not pass to the insurers;” and communicating also the opinion of the President, that “American underwriters, who had paid the loss to...
23To James Madison from John Armstrong, 22 December 1805 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my last dispatch I have been so much indisposed as to be quite ⟨un⟩;able to write, and it is now with extreme difficulty that I can keep my chair ⟨lo⟩;ng eno’ to make up even a short letter. The negociation I mentioned between France & Austria, was of short continuance ⟨a⟩;nd to no effect. Francis in his proclamation of the causes of the new rupture, declared ⟨the⟩; terms...
24To James Madison from John Armstrong, 21 January 1806 (Madison Papers)
My last letter was dated on the 22d. of December. In that I stated the opening of a new negociation between France & Austria, and the most probable conjectures formed here with regard to the result. These you will now find realized by the treaty of Presburg concluded on the 26th. December and submitted to the senate on the 14th. instant. You will have heard that Rear Admiral L’Allemand on his...
25To James Madison from John Armstrong, 17 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
All the points in controversy between His Catholic Majesty and the United States were submitted on the 14th instant to this government by the Spanish Embassador with an order from his court to sollicit the immediate interposition of the Emperor and King. That his Majesty will take upon himself the mediation is not to be questioned, but the form be may think proper to give to it is a point...
26To James Madison from John Armstrong, 9 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
The only step yet taken, on the reference mentioned in my last letter, is to suspend all decision upon the subject, untill a dispatch which is daily expected from Gen. Turreau, shall have been recieved. According to the color of this, we are, as I understand, to be invited to a similar submission, or to open the negociation anew under the eye of his M, or, that (deciding promptly &...
27To James Madison from John Armstrong, 28 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have nothing new to communicate on the subject of my letter by Mr Cabell. General Turreau’s dispatches which were to have regulated the movements here have not been received, or if received, have not been acted upon. The Negociation between France and Prussia has terminated in a treaty offensive and defensive. Among other provisions it is whispered that the ports of Germany are to be shut...
28To James Madison from John Armstrong, 26 April 1806 (Madison Papers)
Having been informed that letters and news-papers had been received here from the United States, asserting or insinuating a connivance on the part of the administration in the enterprize fitted out under the direction of General Miranda and supposed to be destined against His Catholic Majestys province of Caracus, and aware of the very disagreeable impression which such a report might make as...
29To James Madison from John Armstrong, 4 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
It is painful to me to state the following facts, but it is necessary they should be stated. On the 1st. Instant I presented a note in conformity to the instructions contained in your letter of the 13th. of March. On the 2d. the subject was opened to his Majesty the Emperor. “I have, said he, some papers in relation to that business which you have not seen.” On the third these papers were...
30To James Madison from John Armstrong, 1 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of Mr. Washington’s return to America to inform you that after three weeks of much anxious endeavor I have received assurances that his Imperial majesty interests himself in the amicable adjustment of our differences with Spain and that he has taken measures for bringing that power into an early negotiation on the subject of them. I hope in a few days to be able to transmit the...