1To James Madison from David Bailie Warden, 2 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of offering, for your acceptance, the life of the Duke of Malborough lately published here by the Emperors’ instructions. He has intimated his intention of engaging certain literary Men to write the lives of other distinguished Generals according to the same plan. I also inclose two brochures relating to Mr Barlows’ Poem, and am, Sir, with the greatest respect Your very obedt...
2To 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...
3To James Madison from James Dinsmore, 16 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I received by Sundays Mail your favour of the 12th inst. and Shall accordingly accommodate our work to the present height of the Ceiling. We yesterday Made a general examination of the Chimneys and find that it would not be prudent (if practicable) to Attempt any alteration in the Chimneys without takeing them down from the begining of the Shaft, the Shaft I beleive May be Saved: it is yet...
4To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 12 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Previously to the establishment of arrangements for carrying on the work during the ensuing Season, I beg to lay before you a proposition of which I hope to receive your approbation, and which I beg specially to explain on account of the personal interest I appear to have in it. Independently of my Salary, the expenses of the direction of the public works have been, Salary of the Clerk of the...
5To James Madison from Peter Isaacsen, 11 August 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 August 1809. The war in Europe has disrupted commerce, and twenty-six American ships have been captured by privateers and brought into Christiansand and neighboring Norwegian ports. The captains and supercargoes of those vessels chose Isaacsen to represent them as a de facto consul, although he is a Danish merchant residing in Christiansand. He acted on their behalf, and of the eighteen...
6To James Madison from William Duane, 3 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Public motives, such as I conceive calculated to render service to the interests and honor of your administration, induce me to take the liberty of addressing you. The unhappy conflict which has arisen out of the case of Olmstead is now quieted so far as the law and the parties in that case are invol⟨ved⟩. The Militia men who under a blind opinion of obedience to their superiors have...
7To James Madison from William Bentley, 16 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
My worthy friend, General Dearborne informed me, that the President of the United States would kindly accept any expression of my sincere confidence in him. The highest esteem & his distinguished reputation & virtues, as well as respect for his high station must oblige me to put all the value of myself, in my own discretion. Permit me, Sir, to say, that during the Administration of President...
8To James Madison from Joel Barlow, April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
April 1809. Sends on letter “from Mr. Lee” recommending William Bass for the consulate at Antwerp and mentions that Walter Livingston, Jr., may deserve consideration for the secretary’s post at the Paris legation, if a vacancy occurs. “I dont know but I ought to make an apology once for all for consenting sometimes to be the organ of such applications. It is a business I very much dislike but...
9To James Madison from Caesar A. Rodney, [4 April] 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will observe by the enclosed letter, that Mr. Dallas wishes to know, what he is to do with the indictment against Bartholemew White, one of Burr’s men. The fact is, that Genl. Wilkinson had left Washington for New-Orleans sometime before I recd. the letter enclosing a commission to take his deposition. I agree pretty much with Mr. Dallas in opinion that White is too small game for us to...
10To James Madison from John Armstrong, 20 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a note just received from Lafayette which confirms my belief in the interest M. F. takes in our business. Lafayette is not in the secret of the invitation stated in my letter of the 18: but his friend appears to be privy to the wishes and intentions of the Minister. I am very truly your most respectful & obedient humble servt RC ( DNA : RG 59, Diplomatic Despatches, France)....
11To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed Letter is from the Lady Abbess of the Ursuline Convent, And in compliance with her particular request, I have the honor to transmit it to you. I avail myself of this occasion to Accompany the expression of my sincere pleasure at your elevation to the Presidential Chair, with my best Wishes for the honor, the happiness and the prosperity of your Administration. I have the honor to...
12To James Madison from Philip Reed, 6 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
Ph: Reed presents his compliments to Mr Madison, and in answer to Mr. Madisons note of yesterday, Ph: Reed begs leave to observe that he is now confined to his chamber in consequence of the effects of a fall from a horse two weeks ago, that he has not been able to get from his lodgings but one day since his arrival in the City—to this cause it is that Mr. Madison will have the goodness to...
13To 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...
14To James Madison from Caesar A. Rodney, 6 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
If you recollect, when at Washington we spoke of publishing the pamphlet of Theirry, & the late elaborate answer of Moreau Lisly, which was translated by Mr. Baker. You will perceive by the enclosed, that, as I then stated, the Delegate from the Orleans Territory, is willing to defray the expence. But on reflection I feel some delicacy on this subject. As Mr. Livingston is constantly loading...
15To James Madison from James Dinsmore, 20 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
Understanding that your waggon is now on its way to washington I take the liberty of encloseing you a Memdm of articles that now are, or Shortly will be wanted here, that you May have an opportunity of Sending them by its return, Should the waggon not be able to fetch all you Can Curtail the quantity; I will also take it as a particular favour if you Can Send Me a Grindstone as those here are...
16To James Madison from Richard Brent, 24 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 July 1809, Fauquier Court House. The Virginia senator recommends Alexander Scott for the vacant assistant judgeship of the District of Columbia circuit court. RC ( DNA : RG 59, Letters of Application, 1809–17). 2 pp. Brent wrote a second letter on Scott’s behalf on 11 Sept. 1809 (ibid.).
17To James Madison from George Joy, 27 June 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 June 1809, London. Appointed the American consul in Rotterdam, Joy has not taken his post. He has heard of the difficulties now thrown in the way of travelers trying to reach Holland. Encloses a letter telling of the uncertain status of neutral vessels, including American ships now in the Amsterdam port. Joy has applied for a passport through “the Court of Holland” instead of through Paris,...
18To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Pittsfield, Vermont, [4 July] 1809 (Madison Papers)
At a meeting of a part of the Inhabitants of the Town of Pittsfield in the County of Rutland & state of Vermont, July 4th. 1809. to commemorate the Independence of the United States of America; said Inhabitants then agreed & voted to offer the following Address to the President of sd. states, & also directed who should sign the same. Dear sir. While you stand encircled with merited honours,...
19To 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 .
20To James Madison from Pierpont Edwards, 18 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I did myself the honor to address you under the date of March the 13th., which letter however I thot proper to retain untill the 4th. of April, on which day I put it into the mail. I was influenced to adopt this course of proceeding by a desire to converse with the Marshal, on the subject to which, in that letter, I took the liberty of directing your attention. On the 30th. of March I saw him;...
21To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 20 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have heard, Dear Sir, with no small surprize, that charges have been preferred against Doctor Waterhouse, for misconduct as physician of the U. S. marine hospital at Charleston. I have been intimately acquainted with the Doctor for thirty years, so far at least as to have been able to form for myself, a correct opinion, which has ever been a respectful one, of his moral, political, &...
22To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 8 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of reporting to you the present State of the public buildings, a practice which I conceived it to be my duty to pursue, once a month, during the Presidency of Mr. Jefferson, & which you will, I doubt not, receive as a proof of my respect, & attention to the trust you have committed to me. During your very short visit to this city, I did myself twice the honor of waiting upon...
23To James Madison from James Maury, 3 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to present you my congratulations on your becoming president of the United States, hoping you will experience that comfort in the office, which those, who undertake so arduous an one under the influence of such motives as your’s, so highly merit. The partial repeal of the Embargo law was indeed very unexpected in this country; but the late revocation of the orders in council has...
24To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
I recieved your’s of yesterday by mr. Coles. My journey to Bedford has been delayed by sickness among my laboring people. No new case having arisen for some time, I am in hopes it is at an end. Still no particular object fixing my departure to any precise time, it lies over for convenience, and should I fix a time before we have the pleasure of seeing yourself & mrs. Madison here I shall...
25To James Madison from James Taylor, 2 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
We have just rec[e]ived your Speech here and I assure you it appears to be much admired even by the Federalist of Cincinnati. Mr Rowan passed this about 10 days ago he spoke of it & your self in respectful terms, which was more than I expected from his opposition to the late Administration generally. He observed & it appeared to be assented to by several of the highest Federal characters in...
26To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 9 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Latrobe has informed me that you wished to have the Encyclopedie sent to your house with the bill. I now send them by the Bearer of this. I take the liberty at the same time to offer you some other books, of which I enclose a notice. Your very obt. Mr. Madison bo’t of J. Barlow The french encyclopedie methodique—incomplete, consisting as follows 93 vol. bound & 14 half vol. unbd. letter...
27To James Madison from George W. Erving, 10 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you on the 5t May, since then I have received a letter from Mr Smith, dated April 1st, in which he acquaints me that you have disapproved of the agreement made some months since between Mr Yznardi & Mr Hackley respecting the management of this consulate: that agreement is consequently now annulled: in the month of Jany soon after it had been formed, I found that Mr...
28To 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...
29To James Madison from Richard Forrest, 25 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letter contains an acknowledgment of the remittance made to Jacob Adams for the wine imported in his Ship from Madeira, which it is right you should have. I have recd a similar one from Mr. Gelston for 146 dollars, which I am unable to send by the present Mail, having left it at home this Morn’g. The News from England has astonished every person I have heard speak on the subject....
30To James Madison from Walter Franklin, 21 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 21 April 1809. Mentioned in Robert Smith’s letter to Franklin, 24 Apr. 1809 (DNA: RG 59, Domestic Letters). Relates to the trial in Philadelphia of the state militia involved in the Olmstead case, and Franklin as attorney general of Pennsylvania apparently asked JM to intercede. “The President had decided, that there ought to be no interposition on his part in the prosecution...