1To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 14 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
Amongst the offers of persons wishing to go to the United States & to enter their service, one only has appeared to me worthy of attention & to deserve to be submitted to the decision of Government. Mr LeSueur, whose letter explaining his views is enclosed, is a civil Engineer of reputation, who has executed with much correctness various extensive trigonometrical operations, & whose services...
2To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 12 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
The month I have already spent in Paris has been necessarily devoted in a great degree to my private arrangements; and I am only within two days settled in my house. Various considerations induce me to think that it will be proper to open soon the discussion of the subject of indemnities with this Government; and I believe that they expect it. In making my compliment to the King, I took care,...
3To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 7 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received your’s of 3d instt., an answer to which has been anticipated by my two last letters. I am urging the Captain of the Peacock, and still hope that he will be ready to sail the day after to morrow. I almost envy you the happy time which you will spend this summer in Orange, and which will not, I hope, be disturbed by any untoward change in our affairs. I think that,...
4To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 4 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I omitted, in my last letter, an answer to your queries on the subject of the remittance to Baring for Todd’s expences. The exchange is now at specie par, both bills on London and specie being about nine per cent above New York bank paper. There is no prospect of either the exchange or the English Bank paper falling lower down. I have not known the true rate of exchange, after making allowance...
5To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 2 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I duly received your letter & will of course see La Fayette and procure the busts. The Peacock will, it is said, be ready on Wednesday, and we expect to sail on that day. I do not contemplate a long residence in France and hope that I may soon be permitted to return to America which I leave with a heavy heart. In the expectation of having again the pleasure in a short time of seeing you, and...
6To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 19 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Last Washington mail brought me the enclosed letter (returned) from Gen. John Smith of New York. Mr. Astor has never spoken to me on the subject. It would please me that he should be gratified in that respect. It will promote the filling of subcriptions, and he has a fair claim to that honorific distinction. In April 1813, when the federalists of New York refused to subscribe to the 16...
7To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 18 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 12th reached me only the day before yesterday, and not willing to make a hasty decision, I have delayed an answer till to day. I feel very grateful for your kind offer, which I know to have been equally owing to your friendship for me and to your views of public utility. I decline it with some reluctance because I think that I would be more useful at home than abroad and I...
8To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 12 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Mr Gelston, having determined to go to Washington on the subject of the damages recovered against him in the case of the “American Eagle,” has requested me to write to you in his behalf and to state the distressing situation in which he is placed. Having written to the Secretary of the Treasury, permit me to refer you to that letter. I do not perceive how he can, unless relieved by Government,...
9To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 23 November 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have ultimately decided not to go to France, and write this day accordingly to the Secretary of State. I am fully sensible of the efforts you made to keep me in the Treasury, of the unpleasant situation in which my absence & that effort placed you, as well as of the friendly motives which, combined with your view of public utility, induced you to give me this last proof of your high regard...
10To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 4 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have sent by Mr Cutts the convention for regulating the commercial intercourse with Great Britain, & will write on that subject to the Secretary of State. I will only say that the British Government appeared rather desirous to have made no arrangement & to have kept the whole intercourse to be controuled by their own municipal regulations, which they thought we could not counteract. The...
11To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [9 May] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Govr. Tompkins, at the request of the general Govt., called into service detachments of militia to assist in carrying the embargo into effect along the lakes. He also organised at the request of Gen. Dearborne & Wilkinson the regulars on the same service. In fact he alone did all that was done on that occasion & even advanced money. I understand that his accounts are suspended because he...
12To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 22 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
In a conversation with Gen. Armstrong, he appeared disposed to make an excursion towards the scene of action on our northern frontier. I have perhaps more confidence in Gen. Dearborn than almost any other person, and for many reasons have no wish to see Gen. Armstrong unite the character of General to that of Secretary. Yet, from my knowledge of both, I think that the success of the campaign...
13To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 17 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to enclose the copy of a letter written this day to the Secretaries for the War and Navy department, which gives a general view of our fiscal situation for this year, and regulates the sums which in conformity therewith may be monthly drawn during the residue of the year 1813, for the service of each of those departments respectively. I have the honour to be with the highest...
14To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 5 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
We have hardly money enough to last till the end of the month. The loan is opened for 12th & 13th inst. The result will be known here (Boston & Charleston excepted) on Tuesday or Wednesday 17th inst. If therefore there be any arrangements discretionary with the President, such as the organization of the 20 regiments of 12 months men, building ships &c, and which are susceptible of extension or...
15To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 5 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed letters from Collector Dearborn, that the information given by E. Mix has enabled him to seize two vessels bound to Halifax with provisions and to arrest several of the merchants concerned. E. Mix has arrived here & was in fact obliged to leave Boston. He states that he has not one cent & by the enclosed letter asks for some compensation. As his information...
16To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [ca. 17 February] 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is necessary to open immediately the loan as we have not money enough to last us more than one month. I enclose for your signature the usual authority. The terms which it is intended to offer are to give for every 100 dollars loaned, six per cent stock to that amount & in addition thereto an annuity of one dollar a year for thirteen years. That annuity is equivalent to a premium of about 8½...
17To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [ca. 25 January] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I enclose the recommendations &a. for sundry offices either vacant or where removals should take place. The pressure of more important business had prevented an earlier attention to those minor subjects, all of which have been delayed too long & most of which are earnestly urged by the respective members of the vicinities. The designations of offices and names of candidates are as followeth....
18To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 22 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 January 1813, Treasury Department. Submits statements in conformity with the resolution of the Senate dated 20 Jan. “For all the Treasury notes which have been disposed of, credit has been given, by the respective Banks, to the Treasurer of the United States, on the days from which such notes, respectively, were dated & commenced to bear interest.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46,...
19To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 7 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
Since, from this morning’s conversation, it appears that the choice of a Secy. of War must fall on Govr. Tompkins or on Gen. Armstrong, permit me to state the reasons which, after fixing my thoughts on those two gentlemen alone, incline me in favour of the last. Personally acquaintted with both, I feel no hesitation in saying that as respects talents & military knowledge, Gen. Armstrong is...
20To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 7 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 January 1813. “I enclose the usual account of the contingent expences of Govt.—which is sent by yourself to each house of Congress. The triplicate remains with you.” RC and enclosure ( DLC ); enclosure, two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 12A-D1; DNA : RG 46, President’s Messages, 12A-E2). RC 1 p.; docketed by JM. For enclosure, see n. 1. JM transmitted the message in a letter...
21To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [4 January] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I do not believe that the appointmt. of Govr. Tompkins would be either eligible or calculated to inspire confidence. No person thinks him equal to the place at such time as this. The office requires first abilities & frightens those who know best its difficulties. Dearborn & Mr Monroe have shrunk from it, & so will, I suspect, Crawford. Respectfy. Yours RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison...
22To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 12 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
In support of the suggestions heretofore made against permitting Gen. Armstrong to raise a volunteer force on different principles from those recognized by law and adopted elsewhere, I enclose 3 advertisements from the late New York papers. Whilst such improper encouragement is given for a local force, it will be impossible to recruit for the army or for general purposes; and the general...
23To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 11 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letter asserts positively that Hutchinson is warmly attached to the present administration. That from his connections & residence at Lisbon, he will be the most respectable & best appointment, I really believe. On those grounds, permit me once more to renew my application in his behalf. Cathcart is already placed, & will certainly give much less satisfaction to the commercial part...
24To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [ca. 19 November] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Memoranda Mr Armstrong’s letter 1. Preference to be given to contracts for supplying the army with provisions. This is so indubitable that how any hesitation on the subject could take place is not easily understood. That branch of military expenditure is the only one (pay excepted) which is well administered & under a good accountability. If it was practicable to extend the same system (of...
25To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [ca. 19 November] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Is it proper to enlist volunteers, under the existing act, for local & special services? Is not this a distinct organisation such as was contemplated when thinking of a local force? And would it not be better to have a general law for that object, reserving the volunteers for more active service? If Gen. A. is not controlled, he will draw for the defence of New York a much larger permanent...
26To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 1 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
I send the two paragraphs. I believe the whole to be sufficiently distinct, with the exception perhaps of the last sentence of the first paragraph. If the forfeitures are not remitted at all, there will be considerable injustice, great discontent, & 8 to 10 millions of dollars put in the pocket of the collectors. If they are altogether remitted, the importers will make unreasonable profits, &...
27To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 11 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
The exchange of places which you suggested would, in my opinion, have a most salutary effect on the conduct of the war: but, on mature reflection, I apprehend that it would not satisfy public opinion and would be more liable to criticism than almost any other course that could be adopted. Respectfully Your’s RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. The details of this proposed change have not been found,...
28To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 31 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
Cleveland being at the mouth of Cayuga, the Huron river at the mouth of which the Ohio militia have been landed, is certainly that which empties into Lake Erie between the rivers Cayuga & Sandusky. The letter being dated 27th instt., Huntingdon cannot be expected within less than a week. In the mean while I am most decidedly of opinion that no information he may bring, can or ought to alter...
29To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [ca. 26 August] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Is not the within important? And Might not the Navy dept. give immediate authority to Capt. Chauncey? RC and enclosure ( NHi : Gallatin Papers). RC undated; date assigned here on the basis of JM’s reply of the same day. For enclosure, see n. 1. The enclosure was a 24 Aug. 1812 letter written from New York by John Armstrong to Gallatin (2 pp.). Armstrong relayed the substance of a conversation...
30To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 19 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I was detained by indisposition & bad weather longer than I expected. I have found here your letter of 15th inst., and wish that you may not leave Washington as early as you had contemplated. I go there at this time only to meet with you, & will not reach it before Saturday. It is important that I should know your decision on the subject of the large British importations: I have some not...