To James Madison from William Lee, 10 January 1808

Sir!	Bordeaux Jany: 10th 1808.

I have the honor to inclose you a copy of [a le]tter from Col. Lear, which has been forwarded to me by Mr. [Erv]ing at Madrid.

A Privateer belonging to a Mr. Lacombe of this place under [Spa]nish Colours, has captured and conducted into St. Sebastian’s one of our [Vessels] bound from Virginia to London with Tobacco. The name of the [Vess]el and Capt. I have not yet learnt.

The same privateer has conducted to St. John de Luz, a small [port] about 12 miles from Bayonne, the Schooner Augusta, Joseph []ney master, bound from Salem to Bilboa with Cocoa.

The Schooner []ico, Capt. Standley, arrived here yesterday [fro]m Marblehead with a Cargo of Green fish. This vessel has been [hal]ted by a British squadron at the mouth of this river who warned her but she escaped and got into port in the night, and the Captain [hav]ing made his declaration accordingly, his vessel has been seized [by the] Custom house in virtue of the decree of the 17th December, whic[h decla]res all vessels good prizes which shall have suffered on her pape[rs] []t from a British ship.

The Ships Charleston Packet, Capt. Connel of [Phila]delphia, and the Ship Ceres, Capt. Green of NewYork, have both been [refuse]d a clearance at the Custom house of this port, they having been [boar]ded by British Vesels on their passage here, though both [sailed] several weeks before the decree was promulgated, or even made.

The Ship [] Brothers, from Virginia to London with Tobacco, the Ship Catherine, from Baltimore to Cadiz with Colonial prod[uce,] the Ship []yades of Saco, from Charleston to London with Rice & St[] and a ship from Philadelphia to Amsterdam, with Sugar and Coff[ee,] have all been captured by French privateeers, and conducted to Por[ts] in the Channel.

We have nothing new since my last respects. Larg[e] bodies of troops continue marching thro’ our City, and report [says] the Royal family of Spain are shortly to embark at Cadiz f[or] Spanish America. With great respect I have the honor to remain Your obt. Servt.

Wm: Lee

DNA: RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Bordeaux.

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