1To James Madison from Ezekiel Bacon, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am sensible that I discharge a very delicate & perhaps officious Duty in mentioning the Name of Gideon Granger Esqr. as a Gentleman who in my opinion would afford much satisfaction to the friends of the Government in the Eastern Section of the Union as the head of one of the Departments composing the Cabinet Council of the President under the next Administration. Nothing but my sincere...
2To James Madison from Joseph B. Varnum, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In selecting Gentlemen for the great heads of Departments, in the Executive branch of the Government, I feel confident, that the greatest good of our common Country will be your primary Object; Yet it must be considered very desirable, that they should be Gentlemen, who combine Your personal confidence, with their Abilities faithfully to discharg their public Functions: In this view of the...
3To James Madison from Hezekiah Huntington, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are the resolutions adopted by the Legislature of this State at the extraordinary Session, with their inflamatory address to the people. No friend to his Country & Government Can wish the Embargo continued—after the period arives; where in the Judgement of Congress & the Govt. the Honor & Interest of the nation will permit it to be raised. But we hope & trust Congress have not receded...
4To James Madison from John Morrow, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received a letter from Capt. George Hite of Jefferson County Virginia, stating his intention to apply for an appointment for his son Robert in some of the civil departments of the goverment of the United States, and requesting me to inform him if any opening should take place wherein his said son could get employment. It appears that Mr. Hite, for reasons he has mentioned, did not...
5To James Madison from James W. Stevens, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
At this critical and eventful period in our national Affairs I have ventured with the most perfect respect for the Administration to solicit their Attention to some Matters of minor Consideration, which in the present embarrassed State of our foreign Relations, necessarily occupying so much of the Attention of our Government, have not perhaps been the Subject of their Reflection, or at least...
6To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Will you permit an old and sincere Friend to congratulate his Country, on what Tomorrow shall auspicially witness: from my Heart and Soul I rejoice at Your Elevation to the chief Magistracy of our Union. Long, very long, may you enjoy the best Health—as I am certain you will live long in the Blessings of the American People. With every Sentiment of perfect Respect and Esteem, for yourself, and...
7To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, [ca. 3 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have endeavoured to ascertain how the votes wou’d be in the Senate upon the nomination of Mr. Galatin. My information is that there are seventeen votes against him—ten gentn. will vote for him, some of them reluctantly, and that there are seven doubtful votes. This information is obtained through sources not friendly to Mr. G—— but I fear it is correct as to the number of votes he will lose,...
8To James Madison from the Republican Committee of Salem County, New Jersey, [3 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
On the eve of your entering into the duties of the high station, to which the voice of a free people has called you, the Republicans of the County of Salem (N. J.) in general Committee assembled tender to you their congratulations on the occasion. Your elevation to the presidency we consider an auspicious period in the Annals of our Country, as it assures us of a continuance of that system of...
9To James Madison from Jonathan Trumbull, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with a request of the Legislature of this State, I have the honor to transmit the inclosed Resolutions which have been passed by them during their Session which is just now closed. With great Consideration & respect I have the honor to be sir Your Obet & hume Servant RC ( DLC ). Enclosures not found, but see n. 1. Following passage of the Enforcement Act, Governor Trumbull called...
10To James Madison from William H. Crawford, 3 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 March 1809, Senate Chamber. Withdraws his earlier support for Obadiah Jones, who had sought a federal judgeship in the Mississippi Territory. The application on Jones’s behalf “was delayed from a sense of the indelicacy of making it before the Presidential votes had been counted, & the President-elect, announced to the nation.” Has heard JM is disposed to appoint Jones a judge in the...
11To James Madison from Arnold Henry Dohrman, 4 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
It is with extreme Satisfaction that I do my self the honour to address you as President of these United States; to see Merit, Virtue & Benevolence thus rewarded, my gratefull heart cannot help to rejoice at; your indulgence & friendly Offices have saved me from ruin & my Duty & Inclination prompts me to pray to God Almighty that your health be adequate to the arduous task Providence has...
12To James Madison from George M. Troup, 4 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Mr Troups complts to Mr Madison—incloses a paper to which the names of several respectable gentlemen are subscribed—Mr T feels himself obliged to state to Mr M that he has taken this liberty with Dr Kirkpatrick without his knowledge & without the knowledge of any other with one exception than those whose signatures appear on it. Our friend Doctor Kirkpatrick retires from Congress under...
13To James Madison from Hugh McMillen, 4 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 March 1809, New Boston, New Hampshire. Has invented a system of medicine that will cure soldiers and sailors “of all camp sicknesses” and seeks a government subsidy to manufacture and bottle his medicines. “I hope if I have done no other good by writing this letter it will be pleasing to your phylanthropick mind to be informed of the thriving of us[e]ful arts in our land so as to prevent the...
14To James Madison from the Republican Committee of Essex County, New Jersey, 4 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 March 1809, Newark. Congratulates JM on becoming president and anticipates “the same moderate, prudent, & pacific course” as that pursued by Jefferson. Expresses regret that the times are “fraught with great peril” brought on by “the folly and arrogance of one belligerent, & the commercial cupidity of the other.” If the choice comes to “honorable war or tame submission, we hesitate not, to...
15To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Kent County, Maryland, 4 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 March 1809. With Dr. John Thomas presiding and Cornelius Comegys serving as secretary the citizens offer JM congratulations upon his taking “the presidential chair” and hail the continuance of republicanism as it was practiced under President Jefferson. “Although a wise and just policy has thus preserved us from the political vortex of Europe,” the war now waging there constitutes a threat...
16To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Garrard County, Kentucky, 4 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Document not found. 4 March 1809, Lancaster, Kentucky. Acknowledged in JM to the chairman of the meeting, 29 Apr. 1809 . A set of resolutions lauding JM on his inauguration and expressing a willingness to support the administration against foes at home and abroad.
17To James Madison from Louis Dubois, 5 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I send you a march which I composed in your honor, I take the liberty to offer it to you as the tribute of a Stranger to your eminent talents and patriotism which brought you to the first seat of these united States. It is only a march, but in the scale of society, who pay his Share of talents and usefulness to the common good, has done his duty; as the head of this Enlightened Republic, I...
18To James Madison from Henry Lee, 5 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Yr. speech which reached here last night is so far as my information reaches much approved, for its modesty & generality & reserve of promises. A few think you might have well avoided that positive decleration about impartiality of the late admn. to foreign nations, as the public mind is divided on that question & the published state documents authorize a great deal to be said in contradiction...
19To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Very seldom did I ever ask the attention of the President of the U States to any Candidate for office in those days when my recommendation would have weight. Nor should I now do it, was I not thoroughly convinced from my long knowledge of yr. goodness that you would take pleasure when proper, to recollect those who have been like myself always personally attached to you, especially when they...
20To James Madison from James Taylor, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
James W. Moss e[s] quire now of Mason County in this State has made some arrangements to move to that part of the Indiana Territory which appears by a late law of Congress to be made a Separate Territory. He has suggested to me a wish to recieve some secondary appointment in the Illinois Territory, such as Secretary, Register or reciever of public Monies or indeed any other you might please to...
21To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Washington County, Maryland, 6 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1809, Hager’s Town. The “republican Citizens” of Washington County met at the courthouse on 4 Mar. to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the day when “ correct principles ” triumphed over “a party , whose obnoxious measures whilst in power deservedly lost them the confidence of the people; and also to celebrate this day , upon which Jas. Maddison is exalted to the presidential chair.”...
22To James Madison from Epaphras W. Bull, 7 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Before this you will have seen the proceedings of the Legislature of this State. It is with much satisfaction I inform you that they are read with indignation and abhorrence by evry friend of the administration. There is but one sentiment among us that they are treasonable in principle. I am confident many very many of our opponents will not justify the measures. We will support the...
23To James Madison from Seth Lewis and Others, [7 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
The undersigned practising Attornies at law within the Mississippi Territory beg leave respectfully to represent to your excellency that they Consider it Compatible with the privileges of free men to express their Opinions on Subjects interesting to themselves; and the Community in which they live. They have learned that one of the Judges of this Territory has resigned and that, that office is...
24To James Madison from George Joy, 8 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1809, London. He has written Lord Grenville regarding inconsistencies in the parliamentary debates over the naval blockade, the enforcement of which has exceeded “the rule of the War of 1756.” He attended the debates where Rose and Canning spoke, the latter saying with “the most consummate Impudence” that he would not discuss the state of American negotiations. Joy took “copious Notes”...
25To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 10 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to your instructions, I have made arrangements to provide the most necessary articles of furniture required for the President’s house. The first and most expensive of these are Looking Glasses of large dimensions. I have already purchased conditionally 3 pair, the largest of which is 8 ft. 6 in in highth, and I have in view one other pair, of very considerable highth & width. The...
26To James Madison from Rebecca Blodget, [ca. 11 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
It might be expected that a woman & a stranger shou’d apologize for the freedom of addressing The President Of The United States—but, my dear Sir, I never made an apology in my life, and it wou’d take me longer to frame one than to write the petition which will be the subject of this address. It is in behalf of Col Burr—to whom it is but just to declare, that I act without his authority, or...
27To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 11 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Prevented by a severe cold from paying You my Congratulations, personally, on the 4th of March, I requested our mutual Friend Mr Deblois to present them, hoping, ere’ this day, to have had the pleasure of renewing them myself. As the weather & roads still keep me from that satisfaction, I cannot longer delay begging You to accept my sincere professions of Joy on Your being placed at the Head...
28To James Madison from George Joy, 11 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1809, London. Reports that at least eight ships from America have recently arrived in a British port in violation of the Embargo. Seeks appointment for himself and Samuel Williams as commercial agents for U.S. in London. Williams is known as an honorable man on the exchange and would be a valuable representative, particularly if Joy’s business took him elsewhere. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
29To James Madison from the Mother Superior of the Ursuline Convent, 11 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1809, New Orleans. Congratulates JM upon his inauguration and asks for the same “Solicitude paternelle” for the convent’s work in educating the young as was enjoyed during the Jefferson administration. RC ( DLC ). 2 pp. Written in French and signed: “ Sr. de St. Xavier farjon / Superieure des Religieuses ursuline .” Docketed by JM. Enclosed in W. C. C. Claiborne to JM, 20 Mar. 1809 .
30To James Madison from Joshua Barney, 12 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Immediately after the affair of the Chesapeake (July 4th.) I went to Mr. Jefferson, making him a tender of my personal services. As our country seems yet to be menaced by foreign powers, I still hold it my duty to continue that offer, which I now do to you as President of the United States. I do it the more cheerfully because I am not unknown to you personally. I shall always feel a sincere...