From James Madison to Jonathan Russell, 24 July 1811
To Jonathan Russell
Washington July 24. 1811
Sir
I have recd. your letter of Jany. 2. with the sketch of a convention arranged between you & the Marquis of Almanara. The purity of your views is attested by the guarded manner of your proceeding, as well as by the explanations in your letter. But it is proper that you should be apprized, that such a transaction would be deemed inadmissible on different grounds; were it without the feature given to it by the individual agenc[i]es and interests, so justly denounced by you. For information on other subjects, which it may be interesting to you to receive, I refer to the communications of the Secretary of State.1 Accept Sir my respects & friendly wishes
James Madison
RC (RPB-JH: Russell Papers); FC (DLC).
1. On 27 July Monroe informed Russell that JM approved of the manner in which he had discharged his duties in Paris and that he now wished to appoint him chargé d’affaires in London in the place of John Spear Smith. Russell was to remain in London until “a Minister shall be appointed, which will be done as soon as the Congress convenes.” It was to be hoped, Monroe added, that “the British Government will proceed to revoke its orders in Council and thus restore in all respects, the friendly relation which would be so advantag⟨eous⟩ to both Countries” (DNA: RG 59, IM).