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Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Intercepted letter from U.S. President Thomas Jefferson to the King of Holland (Louis Bonaparte) dated February 28, 1807, congratulating him on his accession and affirming continued friendly relations. The letter was captured by British Admiral Russel's North Sea squadron and reported in London on May 29, 1807.
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"Kissing goes by favor"—Courtesy is every way as proper between sovereigns, as between individuals, and we are not disposed to criticise such behaviour in our present sovereign towards any brother sovereign in Europe; all we have to remark on the following curious epistle, taken from the Aurora of to-day, is, that it must naturally excite a little surprise at first, to perceive the republican, Mr. Jefferson, expressing his "brotherly concern" for a king, and tendering him his congratulations on his being put in possession of the Throne of Holland, late a republic! The surprise will, however, cease, on perceiving that it is a French King and Bonaparte's brother Louis. In style it resembles that of one of the Barbary Princes.—N. Y. Herald.
LONDON, MAY 29.
Copy of a letter from the President of the United States of America to the King of Holland, intercepted by one of the ships of the North Sea squadron, under command of admiral Russel:
"Great and Good Friend—Having received your letter of September last, which notifies your accession to the Throne of Holland, I tender you, in behalf of the United States, my congratulations on this event. Connected with that nation by the earliest ties of friendship, and maintaining with them uninterrupted relations of peace and commerce, no event which interests their welfare can be indifferent to us. It is, therefore, with the greatest pleasure I receive the assurances of your Majesty, that you will continue to cherish those ancient relations, and we shall, on our part, endeavor to strengthen your good will by a faithful observance of justice, and by all the good offices which occasion shall permit.
Distant as we are from the Powers of Europe, and devoted to pursuits which separate us from their affairs, we still look with brotherly concern on what affects those nations, and offer constant prayers for their welfare. With a friendly solicitude for your Majesty's person, I pray God that he may always have you, great and good Friend, in his holy keeping.
Written at the City of Washington, the 28th day of February, 1807.
Your good Friend,
THOS. JEFFERSON.
By order of the President,
JAMES MADISON, Sec. of State."
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Holland
Event Date
28th Day Of February, 1807
Key Persons
Outcome
intercepted by british north sea squadron; congratulations on accession and affirmation of continued u.s.-dutch friendship and commerce.
Event Details
U.S. President Jefferson's letter congratulates the King of Holland on his accession, expresses brotherly concern, and commits to maintaining peace and commerce. The letter was intercepted by a British ship under Admiral Russel and published in London.