1To James Madison from William Wirt, 17 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the thirteenth instant. I certainly had not thought of the Office in question, for myself, nor am I now sufficiently informed of the interference which the discharge of it’s duties at Norfolk will cause with my other professional engagements to decide, with entire satisfaction to myself whether I can with propriety undertake it. I have written to Norfolk to...
2To James Madison from William Wirt, 23 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for your letter of the 19th. inst. from Washington. The business of recommending a candidate for office is always disagreable to me; not only because I fear it may be assuming higher ground than I am entitled to occupy, but because I am fully aware of the swarms of applications by which you are importuned on every vacancy, and it is extremely painful to me to run the...
3William Wirt to Thomas Jefferson, 2 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you about three or four weeks ago a second, and by the last mail, a third parcel of my biographical M.S.—Not having heard of their arrival and having had frequent proofs of the irregularity of the mails, I begin to be fearful that the packets have miscarried.—I beg you to be assured that it is not with the most distant intention of hurrying you in the kind and obliging office which you...
4William Wirt to Thomas Jefferson, 10 August 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose it proceeds from the circumstances of my having lived in your neighbourhood, for several years; the brotherly intimacy and affection which has always subsisted between your nephews, the M r Carrs , and myself; and the paternal kindness with which you have always treated me, that I feel a sort of filial right to be more troublesome to you, than my judgment can entirely approve: but I...
5William Wirt to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your last favor was brought to me from the post-office, too late, by some accident, to be answered by the returning mail. It gives me pleasure to assure you that succeeding interviews have completely removed the apprehensions expressed to my friend D. Carr in relation to this cause: and did I not know to whom my letter was addressed & by whom, alone, its contents are known, I should regret...
6To James Madison from William Wirt, 23 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
As I intimated, in my last letter, a wish to make farther enquiries before I should answer decisively as to the proposition you were so obliging as to make to me, I think it probable you may expect to hear from me again on this subject. It is for this reason I trouble you now, with stating my willingness to accept the office, which I understand Mr. Hay has laid down. At the same time, I beg...
7William Wirt to Thomas Jefferson, 20 July 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just rec d yours of the 13 th and can only assure you of my constant attention to your interest. I can not think with patience, of your having this repose, to which you are so justly entitled, interrupted, in this way and yet, rather inconsistently I am sincerely pleased at having an opportunity of being any way useful to you: for I am yours in very truth devotedly yours Tr ( MdHi :...
8To James Madison from William Wirt, 10 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I understand that the office of attorney for the U.S. in the district of Virginia is vacant by the resignation of Mr. Hay; and if a successor be not already selected, I beg leave to present to your notice Mr: Abel P. Upshur of this city. The circumstance of Mr. Upshurs having read law under my direction and lived in habits of great intimacy with me for several years, has brought me closely...
9To James Madison from William Wirt, 17 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
On passing through the county of Powhatan two days ago, I had the mortification to learn from a friend of mine that he had, with a kind yet illjudged officiousness, written to you in my behalf, recommending me for a military appointment. I was aware that you had lately received a similar intimation, through Mr. Brent, from another quarter; and ’though I had explained, immediately, to Mr. Brent...
10William Wirt to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The clerk of the court of chancery has, this day, for the first time put into my hands the fi: fa. in your case with Scott which I hasten to enclose to you—and beg you to believe me as ever RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 17 Mar. 1815 and so recorded in SJL . RC ( DLC ); address cover only; with