James Madison letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

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

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 single legal size folder.
Creator:
Madison, James, Jr., 1751-1836
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

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

Background

Scope and content:

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.

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.

Acquisition information:
Purchased with the assistance of the John M. Presson fund.
Arrangement:

Collection is arranged by item.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard