James Buchanan Asks Henry Ellsworth To Investigate Claim Against Sweden For 1799 Seizure of U.S. Brig

Manuscript Document, 2pp, on bifold watermarked laid paper, 8” x 13.25”, n.p., April 30, 1846. Docketed at verso. Headed “Extract of a despatch from the Department of State to Mr. Ellsworth, dated April 30th 1846.” Folds, light toning and minor scattered foxing. In near fine condition.

Henry W. Ellsworth (1814-1864), grandson of the Chief Justice, was U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Sweden from 1845-1861. Serving at the court of Sweden and Norway, he resided at Stockholm. Written in unknown hand for James Buchanan (1791-1868) as 17th U.S. Secretary of State, in part, “I transmit herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. Ely Warner, of Chester, Connecticut...relating to an old claim in the case of the Brig Matilda, captured in 1799, by French privateers in the harbor of Gustavia, Island of St. Bartholomews, and afterwards condemned, as enemy’s property, at St. Martins. / From a communication, respecting this case, which was made on the fifth of January, 1809, by Mr. Madison, then Secretary of State, to the Hon. Mr. Champion, of the House of Representatives...it will be seen that the subject had been brought to the notice of the Swedish Government, and that its decision had been suspended until a report of the circumstances from the Island of St. Bartholomews, where the outrage was committed, could be obtained. It does not appear, however, that any further communication on the subject has ever been made by that Government. / You will therefore...investigate the matter; and if it shall appear to you that the claim is founded in justice, you will again present it to the Government of Sweden, and endeavor to procure a decision in favor of the claimants…”

St. Bartholomews was first claimed by France in 1648. The island was given by France to Sweden in exchange for trade rights in Gothenburg in 1784 and Sweden founded the Swedish West India Company. Sweden sold the island back to France in 1878. Gustavia was named for Sweden’s King Gustav III who reigned from 1771 until his death in 1792.

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