To James Madison from William Lee, 8 September 1807

A rumour having been current here for some days past [tha]t the Emperor had said to Genl. Armstrong that if we let slip this [favo]rable opportunity of declaring against England, that he intended [to s]hut our Commerce out from all the ports of Europe untill the [con]test between France and England should terminate, I thought it [my] duty to state the same to the General, beleiving the report to have [orig]inated with some speculator, and well knowing if it reached the U. S. [it] would be magnified by the faction opposed to the Government into [a] menace on the part of this country, which circumstances might make [it ap]pear had influenced the Councils of our Country. Annexed I [have] the honor to transmit a Copy of our ministers answer, which [will] also be found interesting on other points.

The troops marching towards Bayonne have just finished [pass]ing this City. From two to five thousand have been reviewed every [day] for ten days past, and it is said equal numbers are passing to the [] Camp from the side of Montpelier, Toulouse and Auch. It is also []ted that the Emperor will be on the confines of Spain about the [] of October. The conjectures respecting the destination of this army [are] various. Some say that the object is Portugal, others Gibralter. It is even hinted that the Spanish Government is to be renovated and a new Kingdom of Navarre to be built up. It is most probable that they are destined for Portugal and from thence for Irela[nd.] With much respect I have the honor to remain Your most obt. Servt.