1To James Madison from John Adams, 21 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Mr Malcom was three years in my family at Philadelphia as my private Secretary: and during that time his conduct was ingenuous faithful and industrious, attentive and entirely to my satisfaction. His Connections in New York were respectable and his education to letters, and the bar regular. Altho since the dissolution of that connection between him and me there has been no intercourse, and...
2To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 7 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of 15. Novr. last—and beg you to accept my acknowledgments for your obliging attention to the Circumstances, which though merely of a private nature, to myself had made it my duty to decline the highly honourable office, to which you had called me, and had prevented my return to the United States, on receiving your permission to that...
3To James Madison from Joseph Allen, 23 [November] 1811 (Madison Papers)
I am instructed by the eig[h]th Regt. of Virginia Militia, which convened in Lexington Rockbridge County on the 14th Inst. to forward to you the enclosed address. I take the liberty of accompanying it with an abstract view of the strength & arms of the Regt which I had the honor on that day to command. In performing this duty sir I am not less obedient to my own feelings than to the wishes and...
Ca. 20 May 1812, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. “The Subscribers … composing a Company of Light Infantry, called the ‘Huntingdon Volunteers’ residing within … the County of Huntingdon … actuated with a spirit of patriotism, and a wish to serve our Country, in case of necessity, beg leave to tender our services, through you, to the Government, agreeably to the existing act of Congress, and in all...
5To James Madison from Joseph Alston, 17 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
On returning, last evening, from the review of my Brigade, I found two letters of the 8th. inst: from gentlemen of much respectability in Charleston, stating that the present Federal Marshal had signified his intention to resign, & requesting that, as there would be several applicants, I would unite, without loss of time, in their recommendation of William S. Bennett Esqre., who is desirous of...
6To James Madison from Willis Alston, 5 November 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 November 1811 , “ Representative Chamber .” States that while he was in Petersburg, the collector, Dr. Shore, died, and that he was applied to by almost everyone to recommend Shore’s son, Thomas Shore, as his replacement. The son had been conducting the business of the place for four years during his father’s indisposition. “Coln. Goodwin this moment informed me that he had just received a...
7To James Madison from G. Anderson, 7 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will pardon me for soliciting your interposition in favor of the bearer hereof, my son Walter G. Anderson who has been in the Navy of the United States for about six years, which service he did not wish to quit, but from a severe stroke of the paralytic his physicians advise him to do so, and as his narrow circumstances render employment of some kind absolutely necessary, your...
8To James Madison from Jeremiah Anderson, 9 July 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 July 1812, Baltimore. In his haste to enclose documents concerning himself, neglected to date the letters and to give a return address. May be reached at this place. RC ( DNA : RG 45, ML ). 1 p. Letters not found.
9To James Madison from George Armitage, 28 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
My name aving apeared several times of late in the Aurora concerning the making of the yallow Metal Buttons—I make bold to state to You— That about 10 Years sinc I was encouraged by Mr. Whelen to cumenc the Manafacture wich I did to the satisfaction of all and to aney number wanted But when Mr. Cox came in that Offic he cumenced his Injustice by refuseing to take the Buttons I ad made by the...
10To James Madison from Jesse Atwater, 15 November 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 November 1811, New Haven. Mentions that “last summer” he understood from Barlow that JM had been informed of his desire for an appointment that would afford “a comfortable support.” Knowing how often the president is pressed by applicants, he proposes to give no further trouble on this occasion beyond soliciting the consulate in London if the vacancy is not already filled. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
11To James Madison from Francis Bailey, 2 January 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 January 1812, Philadelphia. “A reverse of fortune has led a man of sixty six years of age, to ask … for an appointment, to any vacant office.” Describes himself as “a man of common abilities, whose Physical powers and spirit of enterprize are abating, whose integrity (to his knowledge) has not been once called in question” and whose “mechanical knowledge is very general and minute.” “Any...
12To James Madison from Francis Bailey, 6 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
Your Message arrived here within less than ten hours from Washington. I cannot forbear communicating to you, the raptures it has almost universally diffused through this city. Even many of the Feds acknowledge it is high time that decisive and energetic measures should mark our future conduct to the Belligerents. Paine said “ The time had found us out .” Sooner or later, than the present,...
13To James Madison from Abraham Barber, 19 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
The undersigned had the honor to address your Excellency some time since, on the subject of an appointment of Capt. in the Army of the U. States, and covering recommendations relating thereto; but not having received a return, he would again refer your Excellency to the subject in question. It was my peculiar wish, Sir, to receive an answer, even if my application should not be successful,...
14To James Madison from Gabriel Barbour, 19 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
On my return to Washington I found that the merits of the several applicants for Commissions in the new military establishment had been submited to the delegation from each state. I do not expect however that the Executive will consider itself bound by their recommendations where there is manifest impropriety in them. In several instances that have come under my observation the representative...
15To James Madison from James Barbour, 29 January 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 January 1812, Richmond. Transmits at the request of the General Assembly of Virginia “the enclosed preamble and resolutions of that body, concerning certain measures of the General Government connected with our Foreign relations.” The General Assembly of Virginia have beheld with deep sensibility the flagrant violations which the great Belligerents of Europe have practiced upon the rights...
16To James Madison from James Barbour, 30 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
The threatening posture of our Foreign relations has not failed to engage my profound attention nor have I viewed them without a great share of solicitude. In endeavouring to form a correct opinion as to the probable course of events by which to be governed in the discharge of my official duties I have experienced great difficulty from my limited information. Under this embarrassment I have...
17To James Madison from Mordecai Barbour, 28 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 June 1812, Petersburg. “In the present crisis … it becomes the duty of every citizen to tender to his Country such services as he is capable to render. Under the influence of such a conviction and believing from the experience I acquired in the revolutionary war that I can render essential services to my Country, I have caused it to be communicated at the War office my willingness to accept...
18To James Madison from Jacob Barker, 24 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
Thinking it probable that the Letter mail will reach Washington one day before the newspaper mail I enclose the Prince Regents Speech and beg leave to observe that I think from information recd. the British Government have determined to repeal their Orders in Council & that her minister Foster will Soon make a proposition to that effect. With esteem I am thy assurd friend RC ( DLC ). Docketed...
19To James Madison from Jacob Barker, 12 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
By this mail I send the sundry newspapers recd. pr. Ship Pacific from Liverpool by which it may be observed that the non importation Law presses very hard upon Great Britain which with the severe operation of the Embargo on account of the scarcity of Bread and her other difficulties will be likely to increase the Current against the present Ministry of that nation beyond their power to...
20To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 19 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
As an additional apology for detaining the Frigate as well as for believing that an answer somewhat satisfactory is to be given to my note of the 10th. Novr. I ought perhaps to state to you more fully than I have done in my official letter what past at the diplomatic audience to which I there alluded. It was on the 1st. of Decr. the anniversary of the Coronation. The court was uncommonly...
21To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 5 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
I believe I forgot in my hasty letter of the 3d. to mention that I had recd. yours of the —— by the Hornet, & have endeavoured to make as much impression as possible with observations it contains relative to the conduct of France since the repeal of the decrees. I particularly notice what you say of the affair of E. Florida. The hint will be sufficient to induce me to reject any proposition...
22To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 2 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
It is impossible to form a satisfactory opinion at this time as to the result of the propositions contained in my letter of yesterday to the minister, a copy of which I herewith send to the Secretary of State. You will have perceived that the polestar from which I have all along graduated my compass was to remove the cause of war with England. The object of this government being directly...
23To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 30 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
In my private letter to you of the 19th. I took the liberty to intimate that I might address you by the frigate on the subject of connecting the indemnities due to our citizens with a convention of boundaries of Louisiana. I have had many hints on this subject both from Spanish & French authority. I have always discouraged the idea by a declaration as general & vague as might be, that I am not...
24To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 12 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my last letter I have by dint of scolding, got the answer which I communicate by this occasion to the Secretary of State. The evasions used on this occasion were curious. In the notes to the prince Regents declaration, which I enclose herewith in the Moniteur of the 8th., you will see the only answer they intended to give to my demand of the 1st. of May. The reference made in...
25To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 1 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
You will perceive in my dispatch to the Secretary of State, that a treaty of commerce is to be the depot in which we are to collect and consign such principles as we can agree upon, and that I conceive myself well grounded in believing that most if not all the points I have discussed in my note of the 10th November will be accorded. But when I turn to my instructions it seems doubtful whether...
26To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 5 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of recommending to your particular friendship & protection Mr. Corea, a Portuguese of great learning & Science whom I have known for many years a most amiable & honorable man. He is member of most of the learned Societies in Europe, & of that of Philadelphia. He has now chosen the United States for his country, & I feel an interest in his finding friends & other comforts...
27To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 22 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have interested myself a good deal (not officially) in aid of General Lafayette for the sale of his Pointe Coupé lands. He has now sold them all & we think very well, but for the last two thousand acres he cannot recieve the money till he delivers the patents. He doubts not that you will send them as soon as convenient & will doubtless write you by this conveyance. But knowing the interest...
28To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 3 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
I rather think that Mr. Serurier mistakes the temper of his government if he thinks to recommend himself by a zeal so intemperate & a stile of writing so little suited to the dignity of his station as is observed on every occasion that he has for indulging his favorite talent of complaint. I may be decieved, but I believe he will get a reprimand instead of praise for his manner of treating...
29To James Madison from James A. Bayard, 14 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
In conformity to Your desire I have availed myself of the most fit occasion which has presented itself to intimate to Mr. Rodney Your disposition and views respecting him in relation to the vacant place of Judge of this District. I requested him at the time not to give me an immediate answer but to allow his determination to be the result of consideration on the subject. He has since come to...
30To James Madison from Robert Bean and Others, 9 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 May 1812, Franklin County, Tennessee. Under the terms of the act “authorising the raising of Volunteer Companies of Rangers,” they offer as “now ready for service sixty able bodied and respectable men who have subscribed their names for that purpose.” RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , B-264:6). 1 p. Signed by Robert Bean and two others, with a postscript signed by three election judges to the effect...