51From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I had heard of your illness with extreme concern, from my wife, and also through Mr: Cranch and Mrs. Quincy—The sight of your hand-writing again, has given me the purest joy, though allayed by the evident weakness in which you wrote—I believe there is in the sentence I have just written there is something which might be called a bull —But my feelings both of pleasure and pain at the idea of...
52To James Madison from George Joy, 8 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1809, London. He has written Lord Grenville regarding inconsistencies in the parliamentary debates over the naval blockade, the enforcement of which has exceeded “the rule of the War of 1756.” He attended the debates where Rose and Canning spoke, the latter saying with “the most consummate Impudence” that he would not discuss the state of American negotiations. Joy took “copious Notes”...
53Thomas Jefferson to the Republicans of Georgetown, 8 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The affectionate address of the Republicans of George Town on my retirement from public duty, is received with sincere pleasure. in the review of my political life, which they so indulgently take, if it be found that I have done my duty as other faithful Citizens have done, it is all the merit I claim. Our lot has been cast on an Awful period of human history. the contest which began with us...
54Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 8 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with much concern I inform you that the Senate has negatived your appointment. we thought it best to keep back the nomination to the close of the session, that the mission might remain secret as long as possible, which you know was our purpose from the beginning. it was then sent in with an explanation of it’s object & motives. we took for granted, if any hesitation should arise, that...
55Thomas Jefferson to John Threlkeld, 8 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Threlkeld and takes the liberty of asking a few small plants of the English mulberry & peach-Apricot, of which mr Threlkeld thought he could spare some. Th:J. can convey only such & so many as are very portable, & will occupy but little space. he begs leave to present to mr & mrs Threlkeld & family his friendly Adieux, and assurances of his sincere...
56John Threlkeld to Thomas Jefferson, [8 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
M r Threlkeld sends M r Jefferson three English Mulberys on American ones, & five Peach Apricots he reccommends great attention to be paid by the Waggonner to them as the Shoots are but Small in some, & may co me off. M r
57From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 9 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
Though it is “a terrible thing” for “eyes with reading almost blind” to go over between three and four hundred pages of ms. History, I have read “the General history of the United States” with more delight than it would be prudent for me to express. It is written in the pure spirit of an upright and faithful and impartial American. I see in it none of those panegyrical Romances which compose...
I wrote you on Sunday, and the same Evening I received yours of 26. Feby:—Yesterday yours of the 1st: instt: came to hand—I rejoice to learn that the children are at length perfectly well; and Kitty continues to be admired. I shall be very well satisfied to part with Mr: Gurney as a Tenant, and if he can give me any good security for the payment of his rent, I shall very willingly take it. I...
59Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Expenses, 9 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
D 1809. Mar. 9. Balance at the bank in favor of Th: Jefferson 2291. 77½ a warrant from the Treasury 1148. 3439. 77½ Th:J. proposes to draw as follows J. Barnes
60To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 10 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to your instructions, I have made arrangements to provide the most necessary articles of furniture required for the President’s house. The first and most expensive of these are Looking Glasses of large dimensions. I have already purchased conditionally 3 pair, the largest of which is 8 ft. 6 in in highth, and I have in view one other pair, of very considerable highth & width. The...
61Thomas Claxton to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer , one of my Sons attends with the List of furniture to aid M r La Mare in the Delivery of the furniture of the Presidents House to such person as may be authorised by the President of the United States to recieve the same— My son is a smart boy and very capable of assisting in this Business, more especially as he was present at the taking of the inventory—I have told him, Sir, that...
62Richard Harrison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
R. Harrison presents his respectful compliments to M r Jefferson , and has the honor to inform him that a Warrant will probably be ready by 2. o’Clock for the balance due on his Account as Min. Plen: at Paris . R. Harrison avails him self of this occasion to offer his sincere thanks to M r Jefferson for his past friendship & civilities; and to wish him every happiness in the retirement he has...
63Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 10 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
By a vessel just departing hence for Richmond I send a number of packages as by the inclosed , in which however I believe there may be an error or two, for I have not yet got the bill of lading. I must pray you to procure for me 3. dozen stick chairs , of the kind marked in the margin, painted black with yellow rings, & forward them for me to Lynchburg . Couch’s boats are, I believe, the most...
64Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 10 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Being just on the eve of my departure for Monticello I must write you a short letter returning you a thousand thanks for the portrait of my grandson , which is indeed inimitably done. I do not know whether age impairs the faculties of your art, but I am sure it would do honor to any period of life. it will be a treasure to his parents & not less so to me. as he wished to see them & had a month...
65From John Adams to Skelton Jones, 11 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I rec’d yesterday your favour of the Month of August 1808 and if the following answers to your Questions will be any gratification to your curiosity or any Aid to your Work, they are at your Service. 1. My Father was John Adams, the Son of Joseph Adams the Son of another Joseph Adams, the Son of Henry Adams who all lived independent New England Farmers and died and lie buried in this Town of...
66To John Adams from William Cunningham, 11 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
On the first of the month I received your favour of the 22d. ult. with a copy of a speech of a ci-divant Minister to the Six Nations. Having been ill of the prevailing influenza, and expecting, mail after mail, to receive your answer to my letters of the 20th. and 23d. of Feb. I have delayed this acknowledgment. I hope that this evening will relieve my impatience to see the speculations you...
67To James Madison from Rebecca Blodget, [ca. 11 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
It might be expected that a woman & a stranger shou’d apologize for the freedom of addressing The President Of The United States—but, my dear Sir, I never made an apology in my life, and it wou’d take me longer to frame one than to write the petition which will be the subject of this address. It is in behalf of Col Burr—to whom it is but just to declare, that I act without his authority, or...
68To 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...
69To James Madison from George Joy, 11 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1809, London. Reports that at least eight ships from America have recently arrived in a British port in violation of the Embargo. Seeks appointment for himself and Samuel Williams as commercial agents for U.S. in London. Williams is known as an honorable man on the exchange and would be a valuable representative, particularly if Joy’s business took him elsewhere. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
70To 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 .
71The Inhabitants of Albemarle County, Virginia, to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 11 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
The Inhabitants of Albemarle , your fellow citizens & your friends, beg leave to congratulate you on your return to themselves & to your native county. They invite you to the enjoyment of that domestic happiness from which your public services have so long abstracted you, & for which you have so just a claim on their warmest wishes, & best exertions to establish. In the bosom of your family,...
72Thomas Jefferson to Mary Daingerfield, 11 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
By the post of this day I inclose to the President of the bank of Fredericksburg five hundred & ninety dollars on account of the hire of your negroes and subject to the order of yourself and miss Dangerfield , and tender you the assurances of my great respect. PoC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “M rs Dangerfield”; endorsed by TJ. Mary Willis Daingerfield (1745–1818), widow of Continental army...
73Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 11 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Such has been the hurry & bustle of the close of a session of Congress & of my departure, which now takes place in an hour that I have not been able to acknolege the re ciept of your letters, but I did what was essential as to the most important one. I consulted with Gen l Dearborne and we concluded that the public service permitted the indulgence and the proceeding which would accomodate your...
74Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 11 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought before this to have acknoleged the reciept of two or three letters from you, but the hurry of a close of Congress and bustle of my own departure which takes place in an hour, has prevented me. yours of Feb. 15. is just now recieved, & I hasten to inclose you an order of the bank of the US. here on that at Boston for 45.62 D to reimburse what you have been so kind as to pay for me for...
75Thomas Jefferson to Mayer & Brantz, 11 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The non-intercourse law prohibiting the importation of any thing from France directly, I must still rely on the indirect importation from Amsterdam . making no use therefore of the letter to mr Backer which you were so kind as to send me, I now return it with a renewal of my request that you will suffer your former orders for the books to go into execution, and the tender of assurances of my...
76Thomas Jefferson to George C. Shattuck, 11 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Shattuc k and his thanks for the copy of the Boylston prize dissertation w hich he was so kind as to send him. he shall read it with pleasure in the leisure of Monticello , to which place he is now in the moment of departure. he prays mr Shattu ck to accept the assurances of his respect. PoC (
Last night I received your kind favour of the 4th: instt: with the information the most delightful to my feelings, that my mother is recovering still, that the children are well, and that I may hope to find you so, upon my return.—May God Almighty grant that this hope may be realized. This is the last Letter which I purpose to write you from this place—Yesterday the Supreme Court delivered...
78To James Madison from Joshua Barney, 12 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Immediately after the affair of the Chesapeake (July 4th.) I went to Mr. Jefferson, making him a tender of my personal services. As our country seems yet to be menaced by foreign powers, I still hold it my duty to continue that offer, which I now do to you as President of the United States. I do it the more cheerfully because I am not unknown to you personally. I shall always feel a sincere...
79To 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...
80H. Lewis to Dolley Madison, 12 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 March 1809, Philadelphia. Asks that his stepson be appointed an official courier to carry diplomatic dispatches to England. Requests that Mrs. Madison “have the goodness, after mentioning the Matter to the President, to inform Mrs. Lewis or me, whether the appointment has been made or not, And if it has not; in what manner an application for it should be made.” RC ( DLC : Dolley Madison...
81From John Adams to Daniel Wright, 13 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have received your very civil Letter of the third of this Month with Emotions very similar to those which I felt, many years ago upon the following Occasion.— Returning from Holland to Paris in 177 8 4 I was invited to dine with my Wife and Daughter by the Baron De Stael, Ambassador from Sweeden, As I was the first of the Corps Diplomatic who arrived, the Ambassador was shewing me a fine...
82To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
When a young man I read Sidney upon government. In one of his Chapters, he agitates the following question—“Whether A civil War, or slavery be the greatest evil” and decides in favor of the Latter. In ing and revolving that Subject in my mind, I have been led to suppose there are evils more afflicting and injurious to a Country than a foreign War. The principal evil of War is death. Now Vice I...
83From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I have been very tardy in acknowledging your favors of Jany. 17 & 24th. and the very valuable present from Mrs. E. Livingston, I am not the less sensible of them. I pray you to tender her in my behalf, my sincerest thanks for such a token of her kindness. The cloth has been highly admired both for the manufacture, of which she has the merit, and for the material which affords a specimen...
84To James Madison from William Heath, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Although I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with you, duty and affection prompt me to address you, in sincere Congratulation, on the triumph of principal, in the recent Election of President, and Vice President, of the United States. Having been Contemporary, with Hancock, the Adams’s, Warrens and others, in the Councils of this now State, in those “times which tried mens souls,”...
85To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Litchfield, Connecticut, [13 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
At a numerous & very General Meeting, of the Republicans of the Town of Litchfield, convened at the Inn of Capt. John Phelps on the thirteenth day of March AD. 1809. Gen. Timothy Skinner was called to the Chair, John Welch Esq. was appointed Secretary And the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted. Whereas , At the present alarming & inauspicious crisis in the affairs of Nations & of...
86To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Retired as I live from the political World, and devoted as I am Obliged to be to the duties of my profession, I have not been an indifferent Spectator of the events Which have elevated you to the Chair of the United States. Permit me to express, not only the pleasure I feel in common with a great majority of your fellow Citizens, but to unite my Congratulations with those of your early and...
87From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 March 1809. Acknowledged in Cathcart to JM, 12 May 1809 . Orders wines.
88To James Madison from Pierpont Edwards, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 March 1809. Mentioned in Edwards to JM, 18 May 1809 . Discusses complaints against Joseph Willcox, federal marshal for Connecticut, and recommends that John Brainard be appointed in his place.
89Edmund Bacon’s Account of Thomas Jefferson’s Reception at Culpeper Court House, [13 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
We got loaded up ready to start home, and I left Washington on the third of March. Mr. Jefferson stayed to attend the inauguration, but overtook us before we got home. I had three wagons from Monticello —two six-mule teams loaded with boxes, and the other four sorrel Chickasaw horses, and the wagon pretty much loaded with shrubbery from Maine’s nursery . The servants rode on these wagons. I...
90Isaac A. Coles to Thomas Jefferson, 13 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters which have come to hand since you left this, were given me yesterday by M r Madison with a request that I would forward them to you. Joseph has just been to tell me that the Vessel on board of which your baggage was shiped, had got aground in the eastern branch, and had received so much injury that it was deemed unsafe for her to continue her voyage— we have thought it...
91From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 14 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your Anecdotes are always extreamly Aprospros and none of them more So than those in your Letter of Mar 2d The King of Spain who attempted to purify the Streets of Madrid was the Father and the Grand father of the two Animals now in Napoleons Menagerie. And the only bon mot that ever I heard of him was upon that occasion. He Said “his good People of Madrid were like Babies who having dirtied...
92To John Adams from William Cunningham, 14 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
My solicitude to see your strictures upon Mr. Pickering’s Letter was satisfied by the last mail. I acquit myself, by the enclosure of the sheets, of one of the stipulations upon which you transmitted them to me—the other has not been violated. Nothing on the Impressment of our Seamen, has yet appeared which unfolds the subject so lucidly and satisfactorily either as to law or expediency. I am...
93From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been obliged as you will note to avail myself of your indulgence in answering your favor the 20th. Ult. I have looked over attentively your observations at the Cambridge Meeting, and tho’ I do not enter into the aptitude of all your observations, I perceive in them a very interesting view of our public affairs. On the question whether a publication of them would be useful, I am...
94To James Madison from George W. Erving, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you unofficially & very much at large on the 12t Jany; it will not be necessary, & may not be proper, for me to trouble you at present in the same manner; indeed I am not able to add anything of consequence to whatever information is contained in my official letter to the secretary of State of this date: As I think it however proper to explain particularly the...
95To James Madison from Gideon Granger, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
G Granger presents his most respectfull compliments to the President and, at the request of the Citizens of the County of Muskingum in Ohio, incloses for his perusal some resolutions passed by the Citizens on the 25th. of Feb. A copy has been sent to the Intelligencer for publication. At a meeting of a respectable number of the Citezens of the County of Muskingum and State of Ohio agreeable to...
96To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The plan on which the Presidents square is proposed to be planted having been approved by the late President U.S. I had given the necessary directions prior to the 4th. of March last. The principal work which will be done during my departure will be the planting of trees & shrubs near the outer Wall as far as the Ground is finished, the manuring such parts as were omitted on account of the...
97To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I solicit your directions as to the adaptation of the rooms in the East end of the President’s house to the use of the President and the Secretaries in Cabinet Council. If the first room occupied by Mr Coles as a sitting room be considered as sufficiently large for this use, supposing that used as the bedchamber to contain the Books & papers not in constant use, it would save much delay,...
98To James Madison from the Republican Committee of Talbot County, Maryland, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
At a Period, the most eventful ever witnessed by Man, when the whole civiliz’d World is engag’d in War —a War in which much of the Blood of Europe has fed the arid Lands of the South, or been congeald upon the frozen surface of the North; whilst the British Lion, and the Gallic Cock, emulous for the extent of outrages on the Law of Nations and the Rights of Neutrals, seem determind that the...
99To James Madison from Daniel Buck, 14 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 March 1809, Norwich, Vermont. Buck [a former Federalist representative who had served in the House of Representatives with JM] advises the president to prevent a British incursion into “the Spanish provinces at the south” by sending U.S. troops “and [by] energetic exertions to supplant the British, as well as the French, by the seizure of the Mexicoes.” Suggests that disaffection in “the...
100From James Madison to John Armstrong, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 14 March 1809. Offered for sale in Charles Hamilton Catalogue No. 80 (5 Sept. 1974), item 275, which describes the one-page letter as a request that Armstrong obtain French permission to import merino sheep, noting that the letter reads in part: “The value of this breed to our Country is now generally understood, and acquisitions of specimens are acceptable services to the...