Alexandria Daily Advertiser

The following is the answer of Mr. Madison to the memorial and remonstrance of the South Carolina Insurance Company, relative to the violation of the laws of nations, by France, in capturing the ship Two Friends, and the predatory conduct of French privateers off Charleston bar.

Department of State, 10th July, 1805.

SIR,

I have received your letter of the 22d ult. inclosing the memorial of the insurance company of which you are President, and of the merchants and others interested in the commerce of Charleston.

Having been before made acquainted by the Collector of the customs, with the circumstances of the capture of the Two Friends, I lost no time in stating it to the French Minister, who has replied, that the communication made to him respecting this affair, by the commissary of his nation at Charleston, had enabled him to anticipate my desires, by requesting the captains general of the French colonies, to all of whom he had written respecting it, to obtain satisfaction for this violation of the convention between France and the United States.

The observations contained in the memorial respecting the local situation, and the protection necessary for the port of Charleston and the adjacent coast, have been weighed by the President and in connection with the other information, will promote such measures as the nature of his functions and the existing laws and public good, may be thought proper to admit.

I have the honor to be, sir,
Very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
JAMES MADISON.

Thos. Corbett, Esq.