During the five months covered in this volume, James Madison
attended Jefferson's second inauguration, continued staffing
territorial governments for the Orleans and Louisiana Territories,
and observed growing factionalism among Republicans as Federalism
waned. Abroad, the shifting of alliances that resulted from the
expansion of the Napoleonic wars following the declaration of war
between Spain and Great Britain hampered Madison in his goal of
achieving agreement over long-standing differences with both
countries. James Monroe and Charles Pinckney in Madrid were trying
to negotiate settlement of the boundaries between American and
Spanish territory, to acquire East Florida for the United States in
exchange for absorbing claims of American citizens against Spain,
and to obtain Spanish ratification of the Convention of 1802.
Despite the efforts of John Armstrong at Paris, the French
government withheld the support that Madison, Jefferson, and Monroe
had expected for the American position on the Louisiana
boundaries.
Madison's correspondence during this time also shows the growth
of war's impact on American shipping as citizens of every class
wrote the secretary of state to complain of sailors impressed into
the Royal Navy, vessels seized, and seamen and captains robbed and
abused by British naval officers and French and Spanish privateers.
The privateers were so bold as to prowl just outside American
waters, pouncing on ships that approached and left New York,
Charleston, and New Orleans. Requests for appointments, Monroe's
financial affairs, wine purchases, and family land issues also
occupied Madison's time throughout the late winter and early
spring. Access to people, places, and events discussed in this
volume is facilitated by detailed annotation and a comprehensive
index.
General
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