To James Madison from William Eustis, 8 September 1812
From William Eustis
8 Septr 1812 Washington.
Dear Sir,
By Letters from General Dearborn1 Genl. Harrison2 and others from the western country it appears that events of great importance are almost daily occurring: and I cannot refrain from expressing my own with the hopes of all our friends that your return may be found not inconvenient. With great respect
W. Eustis
RC (DLC).
1. Eustis probably referred to a 3 Sept. 1812 letter from Dearborn (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, D-144:6; docketed as received 8 Sept.), which discussed the raising of volunteers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York and enclosed a 31 Aug. letter from Thomas Tisdale on this subject (see Hezekiah Huntington to JM, 29 Aug. 1812, and n. 3).
2. Eustis probably referred to William Henry Harrison’s 28 Aug. 1812 letter (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, H-344:6; docketed as received 8 Sept.), which explained the conditions under which he had recently accepted a brevet major general’s commission in Kentucky, described his command over most of the troops moving into the Northwest, and announced his intention to reinforce Fort Wayne. He declared that the troops under his command were “the best material for forming an army that the world has produced” but admitted that they lacked training and equipment.