Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

James Madison letter, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased with the assistance of the John M. Presson fund.

Biographical / Historical

James Madison was born on March 16, 1751 in Port Conway, Virginia. He was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Prior to serving as United States President, Madison was the Secretary of State for President Thomas Jefferson from 1801-1809. James Madison died on June 28, 1836 in Orange Count, Virignia.

Content Description

Collection contains a single printed letter signed by fourth United States President James Madison to American consul to Saint Domingue (present day Haiti), Tobias Lear. At the time of the letter June 10, 1803, Madison was serving as the U.S. Secretary of State. The letter orders biannual reports of all U.S. vessels entering local ports as well as any signs of military preparations, describes the U.S. Navy uniform and inviting consuls to wear it, outlines the powers of consuls, and emphasizes that relations with local governments ought to be kept friendly.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged by item.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Diplomatic and consular service
• Letter writing
• Presidents