1To 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...
2To 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...
3To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
Very contrary to my general practice is the entrusion of my solicitation for the promotion to office of my own relatives, not because there is any thing wrong in it, but because our fondness for those tied to us by consanguinity or marriage, too often blinds our perception of their fitness. In the present instance I beleive I am safe, as my brother Edmund who Aspires to the vacancy on the...
4To James Madison from Henry Lee, 24 June 1811 (Madison Papers)
Having omitted to mention one or two circumstances to you in the case of my neighbor Mr Yeaton who has lately presented to govt. a petition from the commercial part of this town, praying the remission of his fine, I am compelled reluctantly to occupy yr. time by letter. This gentleman & Rob. Young were partners during the period, when the transaction took place, which in the sequel has been to...
5To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
The day after I had the honor of seeing you, I visited my young friend. His sentiments respecting the late pamphlet accord entirely with my own as does his respect for you. From his pen may be expected an answer which if executed with his usual ability will I think be found complete. I do not fully take yr. distinction (a material one) as to the probable govermental conduct, had it been called...
6To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
I received the other day a letter from my long loved friend Mr Stoddert requesting my correction of the statement of a conversation, wherever he may have misconceived my meaning. In this letter he expresses a high respect for yr. personal character, an admiration of yr. private virtues & an anxious wish to beleive that you was actuated by a sincere desire to close our affairs with G B: as I...
7To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
I cannot with-hold the expression of my delight at the tone & manner of yr. message (I wish I could call it speech). It reminds us of Washington & I ardently hope will be the precursor of union at home & respect abroad. I wish you had touched the emperor’s improper delay on the fulfilment of the promise which produced yr. proclamation. Certainly he has committed a breach of faith in modo. But...
8To James Madison from Henry Lee, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, Baltimore. This letter will be presented by Major Clark of Little York in Pennsylvania. He was introduced to JM many years ago but has sought this reintroduction in the belief that JM will have forgotten him. He was an aide-de-camp of General Greene until he was appointed accountant general of the army. RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Docketed by JM. John Clark, Jr. (1751–1819), entered the...
9To James Madison from Henry Lee, 27 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
I came here to see the S of war on army appointments & was obliged to wait till late in the evening before I could see him which detained me the night. This day I met G. W who urged me to his house & then ask⟨ed⟩ me to deliver the enclosed. On my way just now to do so, I learnt that yr. dinner company had assembled & I of course returned. I will stay this night in town & will wait on you...
10To James Madison from Henry Lee, 16 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I came here to pay you a short visit, but finding a carriage at yr. door I avoided trespassing so much on yr. time preferring as a lesser occupation thereof a short letter. This results cheifly from my wish to explain the reasons which influenced my suggestion the other day of the propriety of placing one or two bodys of yr. troops in reserve on the western frontier. To hold back the indians...
11To James Madison from Henry Lee, 24 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I so reluctantly address you on private business, when I knew that yr. public dutys claim every moment of yr. time, that no consideration short of pecuniary importance could induce me to do it. Learning from the S of State that Congress might possibly send a present of provisions to the distressed inhabitants of the Carracas, I suggested the hope that I might be entrusted with its presentment....
12To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
As the enclosed paper from the metropolis of yr. own state may not so soon reach yr. eye as in the way sent I therefore transmit it. In one paragraph Lord Cs. letter mentioned by you to day is fully met, & the subscribers to the paper seem to me as committed to support the govt. now with their lives & fortunes. I presume his Lordship’s letter will not long be with-held from the public. Yr....
13To James Madison from Henry Lee, 21 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
I cannot with-hold from you what my heart so imperiously orders. The public good & yr. honor alike enjoin the measure if I am not in gross error. As you did in my presence hold back yr. general from offence, in like manner hold back yr. ships of war & privateers—give some time to hear from the enemy especially as the singular event lately occurred in England & the growing disposition there for...
14To James Madison from Henry Lee, 15 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I cannot refrain from expressing to you my apprehensions on a subject which mater[i]ally affects the public interest, & which from yr. course of life may escape your attention until too late for yr interposition. I would have waited on you for this purpose, but my painful face & the coldness of the season alike forbid me. The corps lately under the command of Brigadier Smythe have been placed...
15To James Madison from Henry Lee, 4 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I feel daily & hourly the effect of your & Admiral Warrens goodness to me, & my heart constantly avows the grateful sense of your & his goodness. Had I not escaped from my country, the climate must have finished me ere now. As it is, I am much bettered & have the agreable prospect of being restored to my usual health & strength. Altho a state of war interposed obstacles to my execution of my...
16To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
In a former letter, the only one I have written to you, I proffered my grateful & cordial thanks for the kindness you exemplified to me when with one foot in the grave; & intimated that my prospect of restoration to my former state of health was consoling, tho uncertain. Since that period, I have successively experienced the ebbs & floods common to continued disease, which confound my hopes &...