Letters to James Madison
Official presidential portrait of James Madison, John Vanderlyn, 1816,
The White House
In 1805, Alexander Coffin, Jr. wrote four letters to then Secretary of State James Madison to protest the seizure and condemnation of his ship Penman by British naval authorities during a lawful commercial voyage. In these letters he details a complex trading journey that began in New York in 1803, carrying legally imported tea and European goods, with the ultimate intention of trading in Asia and returning profitably to the United States. He asserts that the seizure was arbitrary, unlawful and damaging not only to himself and his co-owners but also to the U.S. government, which lost substantial customs revenue of $73,000. Coffin appeals to Madison for diplomatic support. The Department of State returns the papers concerning the ship Penman as requested, however explains that providing financial assistance to support an appeal would violate established executive practice.
Log Book of the Penman (Ship) of New York, N.Y., mastered by Coffin, keeper John Williams, on voyage 5 April 1802 - 3 April 1803
New Bedford Whaling Museum
After the War of 1812, Coffin again writes to President Madison requesting an appointment as U.S. Marshall for the District of New York. He is in urgent financial need, with a wife and seven children to support. Coffin recounts the earlier British seizure and condemnation of his ship Penman and the severe personal losses he suffered under British actions. However, he does not refer directly to his time as a prisoner of war on the ship Jersey. He professes he would “be serviceable to my beloved Country, which I had the honour of serving as an officer in the Revolutionary war & to which, & the present Government of which I am & have been devotedly attach’d.”