Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Madison, James, 1751-1836 to Consuls and Commercial Agents of the United States

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01470 Author/Creator: Madison, James, 1751-1836 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Printed letter signed Date: August 1, 1801 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 33 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Circular letter instructing the recipients to issue only the enclosed sample Sea-letter (not included) to vessels so that ships owned by American citizens could be identified (and property protected) and fraud from forged seals and sea-letters could be prevented. Also discusses issuing certificates of health to avoid unnecessary quarantines and the consuls' duties relating to the relief of seamen. Letter signed as Secretary of State.

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources