11To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 15 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 March 1803, Havana. Refers JM to his 8 Mar. letter on the subject of the arrival of the packet. Has since been informed that the ship was sent solely to convey dispatches relating to New Orleans. The marqués de Casa Calvo, former governor of Louisiana, has been appointed to deliver Louisiana to the French and will leave “in about six days.” The French squadron is expected “hourly” at...
12To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 April 1803, Havana. The French sloop of war Diligence left Havana “this Morning” for New Orleans carrying the marqués de Casa Calvo, former governor of Louisiana, who will deliver the province to the agent of the French republic in conformity with the king’s orders. The packet, which recently caused so much alarm by not bringing the mails that were due, carried orders forbidding royal ships...
13To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 May 1803, Havana . Reports that Francisco Arango, “sent some time since by this Government, to that of Santo Domingo,” has “this moment arrived from that place, after a passage of ten days, in company with a French Sloop of War.” Cannot write anything about the situation of that island but “from the silence of the Commissary and other French officers, whom have been on board,” infers “that...
14To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 26 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 May 1803, Havana . Omitted to mention in his 25 May letter “that three vessels sailed from hence on sunday and Tuesday for Port Republican having on board One Hundred Island Horses and Three hundred Dogs, for the use of the French Republic.” “General Noailles will follow in a few days.” He would have left sooner but was “thrown from a Wild Horse, and broke His Right arm at the Elbow,” and...
15To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 May 1803, Havana . Wrote on 25 May about Francisco Arango’s return from Saint-Domingue. Nothing official has since transpired regarding his mission there, but Gray has learned from a reliable source that Arango was partly successful and that a convention between France and Spain was signed, stipulating “that each party shall be at liberty to have at the seat of Governt: of the other, one...
16To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 16 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 July 1803, Havana . “Luis Viguri the late Intendant General of this Island … sailed this Morning for Spain.” Gives JM this “immediate information” so that he may warn the U.S. minister at Madrid, as Viguri has been “the most inveterate enemy the United States … had in this quarter,” known to have “Committed greater depredations on our Commerce during the War and since.” The U.S. minister...
17To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 24 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 July 1803, Havana . Encloses a letter he received “from a Mrs: Mary Elam relative to her Son.” Does not know “her place of residence”; believes “from the nature thereof” that JM will “Cause it to be forwarded.” “The persons to whose care I have directed it, have given a certificate relative to Rd. Elam, a copy of which you have at foot.” Appends a copy of the statement certifying “that...
18To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 16 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 October 1803, Havana . Sends this by the ship Thomas Russell of Boston. Informs JM that “a small French Privateer Pilot Boat Schooner, fitted out in Santo Domingo, with her Prize, an English Brig bound from Jamaica, with a Cargo of Rum and Sugar, have Just entered the Port, and were ordered to depart the Port immediately,” but by the governor’s authority “they were permitted to enter the...
19To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 October 1803, Havana . Encloses his accounts to 30 Sept. and a list of American ships entering and departing Havana “since the last Law placing some power in the hands of American Agents in Foreign Ports, Came to hand.” Encloses also “a Monthly return of vessels purchased in this Port, by, and for account of” U.S. citizens. These “in time of War are always most liable to suspician and...
20To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 4 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 November 1803, Havana. Since his 29 Oct. dispatch, “another French Privateer has entered this Port with her Prize, a small Jamaica Schr.,” supposedly bound for Saint-Domingue with provisions and arms. “They were refused admittance on their appearance off the Port” but were given leave the following day to enter and reprovision. “I presume they will act with her as they have and intend to act...