1To James Madison from Robert Taylor, 31 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
When I saw Genl. Moses Green last he requested me to write you and inform you that if there was a vacancy of a regimental command in the Army it would give him great pleasure to fill it if he could be thought worthy of it. He would sooner have made known his wishes had he known that there certainly would have been war, but holding the office of adjutant-general in the State, which yeilds some...
2To James Madison from Charles Goodrich and Others, 13 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
The Subscribers Citizens of the United States residing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts beg leave Most respectfully to represent That during the present War they have been captured on the high seas by the forces of the enemy while your petitioners were employed on services useful to their country either on board Merchantmen or private armed vessels of war and after being carried into...
3To James Madison from Samuel Blodget, 11 April 1810 (Madison Papers)
On observing to several friends in Congress (who are in favour of a renewal of the Charter to the Bank U S & on the terms They have offerd to Congress as they are expressed in the report through a committee Published this day in the National intelligencer) That a much better plan could be carried into effect with or without the junction with the Old Bank , I was called on for a Sketch of a...
4To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 15 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
The last papers announce the nomination of Alexander Wolcott Esqre. as an associate Jud⟨ge o⟩f the Supreme Court of the United States, & that the nomination ⟨has⟩ been submitted by the Senate to a Committee for inquiry & consid⟨eratio⟩n. It is conceived, as this commitment was not of course, that ⟨it is?⟩ indicative of opposition & delay, if not of obloquy to be heaped on ⟨the?⟩ Candidate, &...
5To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 28 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Be pleased to accept my cordial thanks for the inquiries you have made as to an engineer for this state. I am obliged to Mr. Latrobe for the information he has given it is very satisfactory and will be useful. Before I wrote to you I took the liberty to enclose to the Secretary of State a letter to Mr. Adams, and to request the Secretary to have inquiries made through our ministers, as to the...
6To James Madison from Lafayette, 13 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
While You are Honorably Engaged in patriotic Concerns for which my feelings Have not Ceased, during Six and thirty Years, to be truly American, I don’t Like to intrude on Your time With observations Relative to My private affairs. Yet the Correspondance is Now So Uncertain that I will not miss a Good opportunity to trouble you with a few Selfish Lines. I am much pleased to preface them with...
7To James Madison from James Barbour, 13 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
Whilst the revolution which has recently occurred in Europe astonishes and confounds by its unexpectedness and importance, its possible consequences to us are calculated to produce, a painful solicitude among all descriptions of our citizens, with those to whom a share of the public confidence is dispensed, that solicitude is necessarily increased. This will account for the trouble I give you...
8To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
Tho late, I congratulate you on the revocation of the French decrees, & Congress still more; for without something new from the belligerents, I know not what ground they could have taken for their next move. Britain will revoke her orders of council, but continue their effect by new paper blockades, doing in detail what the orders did in the lump. The exclusive right to the sea by conquest is...
9To James Madison from Thomas Acheson, 1 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I addressd. your excellency a few days ago on the rumourd. defeat and Surrender of Genl. Hull’s Army. Since which we have recd. the detail and it appears that the British have got possession of the important post of Detroit in the usual way. Can any faith be held with a Nation So lost to every principle of honor, and So degenerated as to employ no other weapons but bribery, corruption , and...
10To James Madison from Thomas L. McKenney, 2 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
When I had the pleasure of seeing you this morning you desired to know how we had succeeded in procuring horses for the Rifle corps. The answer which I gave you was founded on the progress that was made previous to my having left the Camp last night, to aid in detaching 300 men for Com. Rogers; also to select the artificers of the navy yard to report to Com. Tingy. This occupied me ’till late...
11To James Madison from John Adams, 28 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
When my Son departed for Russia, I enjoined upon him to write nothing to me, which he was not willing Should be published in French and English Newspapers. He has very Scrupulously observed the rule. I have been equally reserved in my letters to him: but the Principle on both Sides has been to me a cruel privation, for his correspondence when Absent, and his Conversation when present has been...
12To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 17 October 1815 (Madison Papers)
From my own knowledge of Majr. Harris’s charactor and services, and from information received from many officers of distinction, I have no doubt of the correctness of the accompanying narative, and I think his claim to rank, as stated by Genl. Ripley, no more than he is clearly entitled to. His highly respectable standing in society, added to his faithfull and distinguished services, form such...
13To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 19 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
As an additional apology for detaining the Frigate as well as for believing that an answer somewhat satisfactory is to be given to my note of the 10th. Novr. I ought perhaps to state to you more fully than I have done in my official letter what past at the diplomatic audience to which I there alluded. It was on the 1st. of Decr. the anniversary of the Coronation. The court was uncommonly...
14To James Madison from James Monroe, [ca. 1 December 1813] (Madison Papers)
It is not known that the British govt. has accepted the mediation of Russia; nothing has been receved from our ministers employed under it; and no intimation to that effect has been communicated to this govt., either from the Emperor of Russia, or from the British govt. Early accounts, after the appointment & departure of our Envoys, indicated the rejection of that friendly overture, & altho...
15To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 17 March 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1812, Treasury Department. Encloses a letter from Winslow Lewis [not found] “proposing to sell his patent right for lighting the Light-Houses in the United States, and also to fit up all the said houses with the proper apparatus, for 24,000 Dollars.” That sum would include “his compensation and personal expenses; the purchase of the apparatus and expenses, other than his own, to be...
16To James Madison from Charles Hall, 8 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have conversed with several passengers who arrived here last week in the Ship William direct from London, and who are not employed by the English Government, consequently do not endeavour to make their miserable condition appear to be desirable. These passengers represent the disaffection of the Natives of England to their Government as extreme, and the wretchedness and misery of the great...
17To James Madison from Samuel Huntington, 22 February 1810 (Madison Papers)
Agreably to the request of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, I have the honor to transmit you their Resolution of the 19th. Instant approbating the measures of the General Government—and am with high respect your most obedt. Servt. In General Assembly. Resolved by the general Assembly of the state of Ohio, that we highly approve the Candid, firm, and dignified Conduct of the executive...
18To James Madison from Joseph Kent, 11 February 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Joseph Kent. 11 February 1814. “Hoping that it is your intention to select a character from Maryland to supply the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of Mr. Rush, I take the liberty of mentioning to you John Johnson Esqr., one of the judges of our supreem Court, a gentlemen of acknowledged talents and great legal acquirements. “No one stands higher in his native state than Mr. Johnson,...
19To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
The difference between a communication & sollicitation is too obvious to need suggestion. While the latter adds to embarrasments, the former only enlarges the field of choice. The inclosed letters are merely communications. Of Stewart I know nothing. Price who recommends him is I believe a good man, not otherwise known to me than as a partner of B. Morgan of N. O. and as having several times...
20To James Madison from William Cross, [ca. 18 January 1817] (Madison Papers)
The Petition of William Cross most respectfully represents. That he is a mechanic of the City of Washington, supporting a large family by his honest industry. That some time during the Session of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the County of Washington at December Term 1815, Your petitioner was fined by the Court for an assault and Battery of which he was convicted by the...
21To James Madison from James B. Johnson, 15 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
Ruler the period has now arived when we are hailed by the glorious dispenser of human blessings, when we are hailed by that which spreads universal love and harmony amongst the sons of men, when we are hailed by that which consoles the weeping widow and forsaken orphan, not that it can recl their husbands and fathers for alas they are gone to return nomore but because they consider the sword...
§ From Thomas Sloo and Others. Ca. 1 September 1815. “The undersigned inhabitants of the Circuit composed of the Counties of Gallatin & Edwards in the Illinois Territory: most respectfully beg leave to represent: “That in pursuanc⟨e⟩ of the Act of Congress ‘Regulateing & defineing the duties of the United States Judges for the Territory of Illinois’ approved 3d. March 1815. the Judges in &...
23From John Adams to James Madison, 22 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Thank you for your favour of the 12th. The Anecdote mentioned in my Letter of the 4th of September, is of no consequence to the Public, though, it may interest the private Feelings of your Family and mine. Mr Stodert was my Auther. After all possibility of thinking seriously on the Subject was passed, Mr Stodert informed me of the Letter from Mrs Madison to Mr Steel mentioned in mine to you of...
24To James Madison from David Bailie Warden, 2 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of offering, for your acceptance, the life of the Duke of Malborough lately published here by the Emperors’ instructions. He has intimated his intention of engaging certain literary Men to write the lives of other distinguished Generals according to the same plan. I also inclose two brochures relating to Mr Barlows’ Poem, and am, Sir, with the greatest respect Your very obedt...
25To James Madison from Marinus Willett, 3 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
I request your patience to the talk of a man of three score & thirteen. The failure of the expedition of General Wilkinson affords as much exultation to the Malcontents in our Country as it has produced mortification to our friends. That the want of success has in some measure been oweing to the want of foresight is evident. Measures to prevent the rear of the army from being harrased in...
26To James Madison from William Blackledge, 20 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have this day received a letter from my correspondent in New York (a letter from whom I did myself the honor to send you about two months ago). In the letter of this day he complains of the misfortune of not having been appointed as he is really needy, but declares it as his opinion that every officer appointed (a list of which he had seen) were either federalists or Clintonians except only...
27To James Madison from Richard Rush, 12 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
Having received the commission of attorney general of the United states which you have been pleased to confer upon me, I have the honor to signify, respectfully, my acceptance of it. Amidst the sensibilities I feel at so signal a mark of confidence at your hands I can only say, that I am enabled to sustain the sense of responsibility it implies by nothing else than a consciousness of the good...
28To James Madison from Jeremiah Clapp, 16 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
Jeremiah Clapp of Orange in the County of Orange in the State of Vermont respectfully represents, that at the Circuit Court of the United States of the second Cir[c]uit, holden at Windsor in the State of Vermont on the first day of May last, Your Petitioner was convicted of importing goods of the produce and manufactory of Great Britain into the United States, from the province of lower...
29To 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...
30To James Madison from William Jones, 11 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a copy of captn Perrys letter of the 2d Inst received this day. You will perceive he has returned to Sandusky waiting for the movements of Genl Harrison. The following is an extract from Genl Boyds private letter to the War Depmt recd this day. It is dated 5th. Inst. at F’ George. “Gen Wilkinson arrived late last evening—the fleet is also here—the British fleet in sight.” Official...
31To James Madison from John Armstrong, 14 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Will it not be necessary to send to Gen’l Harrison a commission to treat with the No. Western Indians? The friends of Dr. Eustis do not believe he would accept the appointment of that office. If associates are to be given to the Gen. (& all things considered it may be proper to give them) will not Mr. Monroe of Ohio & Coln. Johnson of Kentucky be a good selection. Something ought to be done...
32To James Madison from Ezra Davis and Others, 31 January 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 January 1811, Boston. The memorialists, “Merchants & native citizens of the United states, engaged in a lawfull Commerce, with ports & places in the West Indies,” complain that Henri Christophe, the “present Military & civil chieftain of Cape Henry” in Saint-Domingue, has seized and detained “a large amount” of their property. They enclose a copy of Christophe’s 3 Jan. 1811 general order...
33To James Madison from George Joy, 14 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
The Constitution is at length arrived, and Mr: Russell informs me that she is to return to France before she will proceed to America; which will not probably be till some time in the Month of Janry. My Plan of embarking in her is by this means disconcerted; and the detail of Communication, that I was desirous of making personally, delayed. I am now strongly persuaded to defer my departure till...
34To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 16 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Having a good opportunity to write to England, I will gladly avail myself of it, to make such enquiries, as might conduce to promote the object of the Governor of Virginia, in procuring a Professional Man of character & eminence to direct the improvement of the State by roads & Canals. It would however be necessary, perhaps, that I should mention the terms likely to be granted to the Principal...
35To James Madison from John Gardner, 2 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Enclosd you will Recieve Certificate from John Gavino Consular Agent for the U S at the port of Gibraltar Counter Signd By Lambert Smyth One of the Inspectors of the Customs of my having Brought to the united States four Seaman Being in distress and as I am Entitled to a Compensation of ten dollars for Each man I have to Request you to Remit the Same to me directing it to the Care of Mr Robt...
36To James Madison from James Dinsmore, 16 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I received by Sundays Mail your favour of the 12th inst. and Shall accordingly accommodate our work to the present height of the Ceiling. We yesterday Made a general examination of the Chimneys and find that it would not be prudent (if practicable) to Attempt any alteration in the Chimneys without takeing them down from the begining of the Shaft, the Shaft I beleive May be Saved: it is yet...
37To James Madison from Hobohoilthle, 15 May 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have received your talk laid it before the Chiefs of my Nation and now give your their Answer. It is harmless. Your speach was delivered to Colo. Hawkins and he to us, he is like an old Chief, and when things are rong he is to look into for both sides. You ask for a path and I say no, when the President sees my talk, he will Know I have Answered in full, I have examined it myself, my Chiefs...
38To James Madison from James Clark, 24 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
The death of Judge Innes has occasioned a vacancy in the Federal Circuit Court for the district of Kentucky. As a fit person to fill that vacancy, I beg leave to mention the name of Mr. Robert Trimble of Paris, Kny. As a lawyer Mr. Trimble has for many years ranked at the head of his profession in this state. For three years ending in the year 1810 he was one of the Judges of our supreme court...
39To James Madison from Jonathan Dayton, [16 January] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty of writing to you lately on the subject of our affairs, & will now trouble you once more, for my anxiety is extreme. The contemplated plan of raising 20,000 men for one year is a most erroneous one. By the time they are made good soldiers they must be disbanded, another army enlisted. Your troops would always be raw, the expenses enormous—the delays incalculable. Besides the...
40To James Madison from Jacob Blocher, 30 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
Many of the Citizens of Fayette & Sumerset Counties have requested me to write to your Excellency respecting the extraordinary attempt lately made to Change the Cumberland road from its original location particularly on the youghiogheny river inasmuch as they firmly believe that the worthy Commissioners who were appointed by the general government for the purpose of exploring & Locating the...
41To James Madison from Moses Hoyt, 28 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 September 1810, New York. Begs JM’s assistance in obtaining his release from imprisonment for debt. RC ( DLC ). 2 pp. Docketed by JM.
42To James Madison from Paul Hamilton, 9 September 1811 (Madison Papers)
Sickness in my family which has occupied much of my time for some days past has prevented my forwarding, at an earlier moment, the enclosed copy of a letter from Capt. Porter for your information. As Capt Porter’s operations are sanctioned by the orders which, some months since, in obedience to your instructions I issued to the Commanders of our Vessels of war, I shall inform him that his...
43To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 30 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send the conclusion of the narrative. Two pages are left blank, for the insertion of the additonal outrages, which I had not the documents to specify. I am afraid, I have not improved your reputation in this business. I know that I have not equalled my own design. But you will recollect, in what a scene of toil and trouble, I have been obliged to snatch the time, for this particular object....
44To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 22 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have received the inclosed letters from Genl. Jackson and General Gaines. The former does not appear to have received any of our letters; and the latter has only received the letter, inviting him to Washington, or his answers have miscarried. There is a remarkable coincidence between Genl. Gaine’s, reccommendatory list, and the selections made here; and Lieut. Spotts, who is strongly...
45To James Madison from Edward Tiffin, 17 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 August 1813 , “ Treasury Department, General Land Office .” “Yesterday I received from the Register of the Land office at Fort St. Stephens, in the Mississippi Territory, the enclosed letter, which I am under the necessity of troubling you with, having no authority to direct a removal of the public records or property, from the place designated by law. “Mr. Samuel Smith, the receiver of...
46To 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...
47To James Madison from Jesse Atwater, 15 November 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 November 1811, New Haven. Mentions that “last summer” he understood from Barlow that JM had been informed of his desire for an appointment that would afford “a comfortable support.” Knowing how often the president is pressed by applicants, he proposes to give no further trouble on this occasion beyond soliciting the consulate in London if the vacancy is not already filled. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
48To James Madison from Samuel Overton, 18 May 1811 (Madison Papers)
Shall I be permited to correspond with you as a man fair removed from my one native Country. What was the reson that the Minister from the Spanish Dominions in South America could not be duly received and accredited at the City of Washington. I do not now wright to you for an Office not being authorised to do so—th⟨o:⟩ as a ⟨former?⟩ Nieghbour you will not think me presuming & suffice it to...
49To James Madison from William Taber and Others, 30 March 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Taber and Others. 30 March 1815, Albany. “Mr. Ferguson having been appointed Mayor of the city of NewYork, it is supposed he will resign the office of Naval officer which he now holds in that city. In that event we the undersigned members of the Senate and Assembly of the Legislature of this State earnestly solicit that Samuel Hawkins Esquire be appointed his successor.” RC ( DNA...
50Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
On the occasion of your separation from mr Robert Smith , I recollect your mentioning in one of your letters to me that among the circumstances which afflicted you, was the impression it might make on his connections in this quarter , for whom you entertained so much friendship & esteem. it was soon discernable that on one of them whom I had the most frequent opportunities of seeing, no other...