1To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 24 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose to you, a general recommendation, for the place I have Solicited (and which applies to any other of the Same kind) Signed by a number of Gentlemen of the first Commercial reputation in the City of New York, received by yesterday’s Mail. For five years past I have not had it in my power to Visit Boston, Massachusetts where I passed the first twenty years of my life....
2To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 21 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
A Variety of Circumstances respecting Mr. Yznardi the Son, of public notoriety here, it is Supposed must necessarily operate a Vacancy in the Consulate at Cadiz. I leave the detail of those Circumstances to those who are less interested than myself and have only to request you will give to my application for that appointment all the advantage which may belong to priority. You have had the...
3To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 11 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 November 1801, New York. Informs JM that he and his brother are suffering bankruptcy proceedings but believes that investigation will reveal fairness of all his transactions. Is confident that this situation will cast no shade of disqualification over his application for a consular appointment. Expects to receive his certificate of discharge on 19 Dec. Has heard that Orr has declined the...
4To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 7 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 December 1801, New York. Informs JM that Dobell, in a 3 Oct. circular letter to his mercantile friends, announced his acceptance of the consular post at Le Havre. This limits Forbes’s hopes for appointment to Lisbon, Càdiz, or Hamburg. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Hamburg, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
5To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 28 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 December 1801, New York. Announces that he has obtained the consent of every one of his creditors to his discharge under federal bankruptcy law and is now ready to go to any of the posts he named to which he may be assigned. Is unwell at present but will be able to go to Washington in a few weeks if necessary. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Hamburg, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this...
6To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 19 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 February 1802, Philadelphia. Thanks JM for encouraging his application for a consular appointment and accepts the nomination to the post at Hamburg—“in time of war, unquestionably the first Commercial situation under the Government of the United states—in time of peace, highly respectable and inferior to few, if any.” Will embark at New York for England in the first vessel that sails after...
7To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 16 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 March 1802, New York. “I have now the honor to enclose, duly executed, one of the Bonds forwarded from your Department, having retained the other agreeably to your instructions.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Hamburg, vol. 1). 1 p. Enclosure not found. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
8To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 10 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 May 1802, New York. Plans to embark for London on the ship Iris “on or before Sunday next.” Offers to carry dispatches to U.S. ministers in England or France. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Hamburg, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
9To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 6 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 July 1802, London. “I have this moment learned that the French Government have refused an Exequatur to Mr. Cathalan who was appointed American Consul for the Port of Marseilles. You may, perhaps, recollect the apprehensions I have frequently expressed of the effects of the Climate of Hamburg on my health.… It will be particularly gratifying to me … to be appointed to the Agency at...
10To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 20 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 August 1802, Hamburg. “I have at length the satisfaction to announce to you my arrival here and recognition by the Government of this City as Consul of the United States of America. Having announced my establishment here to a very extensive Circle of mercantile friends, I prefer encountering all the severities of this Climate to incurring the inconveniences which would attend a Change of...