Synopses & Reviews
The five months covered by this volume encompass the end ofJefferson's first administration and point toward his second. At home, thegovernment was still digesting the Louisiana Purchase, establishing territorialgovernments for the Orleans and Louisiana Territories, and trying to ascertain theboundaries of the acquisition. Abroad, the shifting alliances resulting from theongoing war in Europe affected American relations with European nations andobstructed Madison's and Jefferson's goals in internationalaffairs.
Changes in the diplomatic corps led toconfusion, as Robert R. Livingston was replaced as minister to France by hisbrother-in-law, John Armstrong Jr., and as Charles Pinckney, America's minister toSpain, given permission to return, opted instead to remain in Madrid and assistJames Monroe in negotiations there. Monroe, who had been unable to accomplish hismission of negotiating a convention with Great Britain that would preventimpressment, went to Madrid hoping to persuade Spain to ratify the Convention of1802, accept the American interpretation of the Louisiana boundaries, and sell EastFlorida to the United States. Monroe's task was made more difficult by the refusalof France to support the U.S. position, something he learned at Paris while en routeto Madrid. James Bowdoin, named to succeed Pinckney, was prevented by ill healthfrom departing until spring. In the United States, British minister Anthony Merry'shealth kept him at Philadelphia for months and Spanish minister Carlos Yrujo'soutrageous behavior and arrogant letters finally forced Madison to seek hisrecall.
In North Africa the crewmen of the U.S.frigate Philadelphia continued to languish in Tripolitan prisons. Morocco andAlgiers, though restive at being prevented by U.S. blockades from trading withTripoli, exercised caution in view of the increased American naval force in theregion. A forceful Edward Preble was replaced as naval commander in theMediterranean by Samuel Barron, whose long-term illness, reported in consulardispatches, hampered his effectiveness in the war againstTripoli.
Madison's correspondence also shows thegrowing impact of the European war on American commerce and shipping as shipcaptains, merchants, and family members wrote to complain of vessels seized underthe increasing restrictions placed by Britain and France on neutral trade, and ofsailors impressed by both major belligerents. British and French privateers alsoplayed havoc with American shipping and seamen, and their victims wrote Madison tocomplain. Requests for appointments, problems with Monroe's financial affairs, winepurchases, and family land issues also occupied Madison's time over thiswinter.
Included in the supplement are documentsthat have been acquired since the publication of the last series supplement involume 17 of the Papers of James Madison, Congressional Series, in 1991. Access topeople, places, and events discussed in this volume is facilitated by detailedannotation and a comprehensive index.