Madison, James (1751-1836) to Thomas McKean
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06416 Author/Creator: Madison, James (1751-1836) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 November 1805 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.5 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Marked private and confidential. Written by Madison as Secretary of State probably to McKean as Governor of Pennsylvania. Madison is trying to keep the Marquis de Casa Yrujo (Don Carlos Martinez de Yrujo), the Spanish Minister to the United States, from going to Washington. Yrujo angered the Jefferson administration by his public disapproval of the Louisiana Purchase and Madison says it "will make it necessary that he should not remain indefinitely in this Country in his public Character." Wants McKean to use his friendly relations to Yrujo's family to communicate this fact in a delicate manner. McKean's oldest daughter, Sarah "Sally" McKean, married Yrujo in 1798. The document has ink bleedthrough and blurring. Some letters have been affected by ink decay.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Yrujo was ennobled a marquis in 1803. He was Spanish Minister to the United States 1796-1807 and afterward was Spanish Minister to Brazil until 1813, when he became Minister of Spain at Paris; later was Secretary of Foreign Affairs until his death in Madrid in January 1824.
Private & confidential
Washington Nov. 20, 1905
Dear Sir,
It is inferred from your indication that the Marquis D'Yrojo, has it in mind to visit this place and even to pass the winter with the Genl. The footing on which he stands renders it improper to intrence the diplomatic intercourse with him, and make it____ that he should not remian indefinately in this country in his public character. It can hardly be supposed that he is left unapprized by his own govt. of this state of the case. It is however possible that he may be under ___ ___. At any rate it is not expedient for himself, nor e___ by the President that ___ step[s] should be taken by him which might give ___ __ __ pain, or recd ___ ____ ____ to his personal situation. May I persume so for {2} on your goodness, and your proudly relations to the family, as to request you to find some _____ the war debate the better, of conveying impressions that will put a stop to the intensions of the Marquis, ___ ___ such as {insewrted: they} have been understood to be. A l___ from you ____ the result of the _____ ____ _____ of this request for the liberty of which I put myself on your goodness, will further oblige Dear Sir.
Yr. Obedt. Hble Servt
James Madison
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