16711To James Madison from Samuel Smith, 23 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letters I take leave to Submit to your View from Mr. Isaac. M. Heiligger with whom I am personally acquaint ed I have great Confidence in his honor, and am confident that he would not Recommend a person who was not worthy of the trust. Mr. Dewhurst, is highly recommended also, I See, by the inclosed letter from the late Consul of St. Croix. I therefore ask leave to recommend Mr....
16712To James Madison from Samuel Smith, 4 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Venable & myself had determined to wait on you, During the last Session to Call to your recollection Doctr. John Morton, now of Bordeaux, a Native of Virga. but Resident of Baltimore for years. You will recollect that Mr. Giles, Mr. Venable & myself had recommended Dr. Morton for a Consulate in France—for Bordeaux first, then for Havre & afterwards for Antwerp. Confident in the Integrity,...
16713To James Madison from Samuel H. Smith, 25 October 1826 (Madison Papers)
Having undertaken, at the request of the Columbian Institute, to prepare for them a Memoir of Mr. Jefferson, I am desirous, in discharging this duty, to delineate faithfully his character. And as there is no one living so well acquainted with whatever regarding him as yourself, I take the liberty of requesting such assistance from you as you may consider it proper to render. Little seems to be...
16714To James Madison from Samuel H. Smith, 24 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to present you a copy of my Memoir of Mr. Jefferson, not so much for any intrinsic merit it possesses, as for the gratification it affords me to render any tribute of respect, however slight, to yourself, and as an evidence of my thankfulness for the information so promptly furnished me. I have often thought of the information you long since communicated to me, that you possessed...
16715To James Madison from Samuel H. Smith, 13 December 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 4th ultimo, and to tender to you my sincere thanks for the very satisfactory information it furnishes. Some of the circumstances, stated by you, were not known to me, and some, which were known, are so illustrated by your remarks as to enable me to present them, with greater accuracy and force than I should, without your aid,...
16716To James Madison from Samuel Harrison Smith, 12 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Wm. Ward, Collector of the Revenue for the 10th. dist. of Massa. having forwarded his resignation on the very day of your departure I lost no time in writing to Mr. Gerry, who had been previously consulted, at your instance, on the vacation of the office by the rejection of Mr. Gordon by the Senate. Having this morning received Mr. Gerry’s reply, recommending Levi Thaxter, I have the honor to...
16717To James Madison from Samuel Harrison Smith, 29 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
My reflections on the acceptance of the office of Commissioner of the Revenue, wch you yesterday did me the honor to propose to me, have issued in my determination, in the event of my appointment, to accept it. In intimating this purpose, I beg leave to express my deep sense of this mark of your esteem, which cannot fail to animate me in the discharge of duties that a variety of circumstances...
16718To James Madison from Samuel Harrison Smith, 27 August 1800 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Gallatin, some time since, had the goodness to apprise you of my intention to conduct at the seat of the General Govt. a Newspaper on a plan, calculated, in my opinion, to advance the best interests of the Country. Having since matured my ideas, I now do myself the pleasure of addressing you, enclosing the within sketch of my plan. It is my wish, and will be my effort to collect into a...
16719Samuel H. Smith to James Madison, 11 September 1834 (Madison Papers)
In transmitting the enclosed letter for Mrs. Madison, I cannot resist the impulse of my feelings in communicating to you my best wishes for your continued happiness, and for the improvement of your health, and that you may live to see the clouds dissipated that darken our political horison. With my best respects to Mrs. Madison I beg you to receive the assurances of my unabated consideration &...
16720To James Madison from Samuel Harrison Smith, 24 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of the information you did me the favour to communicate thro’ Mr. Wagner in relation to Mr. Caldwell I immediately made known to him the probability of his being appointed to the consulate of Santo Domingo, if agreeable to him. I have this morning recd. his reply, signifying his disposition to accept the place. From the information furnished me by Mr. Wagner, it is probable some...
16721To James Madison from Samuel Harrison Smith, 4 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with your desire I have apprised Mr. Joseph Dougherty of your determination to engage him to superintend the transportation of Mr. Jefferson’s Library at a daily compensation of four dollars. You will perceive, by the enclosed letter, that he considers this allowance much too low. Six dollars, he thinks, will not more than cover his expences & leave him a reasonable remuneration....
16722To James Madison from Samuel Harrison Smith, 20 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I am very sorry to be under the necessity of stating that Mr. Dalton, Col. of the 9th. dist. of Massachusetts, altho early called upon and since repeatedly written to, has not given Bond as required by the 18th. sect. of the Act for the assessment & collection of Direct taxes & internal duties. I fear there is little, if any chance of his doing so within a short time. As the provision of law...
16723To James Madison from Samuel S. Smith, 12 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Jno. Fitch is about to make application to Congress for some assistance to complete his steam-boat. It is a proof of so much native ingenuity, that I could wish to see him encouraged on that footing alone, if the finances of the continent were in a situation to be liberal to the inventors of ingenious arts. But from the report of the most capable judges, his boat may be rendered so useful...
16724To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 3 September 1799 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your favour of the 25th Aug: permit me to address to you a copy of a circular letter which I have prepared to answer such inquiries as you have been good enough to make in the name of your friend. The young gentlemen from the Southward are chiefly culpable in the expences of clothing & horses. I am happy to hear of your health—but should be more pleased if the circumstances of our...
16725To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 15 September 1778 (Madison Papers)
I have read over your theoretical objections against the doctrine of moral liberty; for practically you seem to be one of its disciples. I remember the manner in which you have formerly expressed yourself upon that intricate subject. And indeed they express the difficulties that occured to me in attempting to resolve it. I reasoned without hopes that the solution I have given it is at least as...
16726To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, [November 1777–August 1778] (Madison Papers)
This is the first time I have had an opportunity to write to you since your election to your new & honourable office. I rejoice that your country has been able, in spite of all your modesty, to discern your merits; & that she has had virtue enough to place you in a station where your talents will not be useless to her. Altho I could wish you had the same opinion of yourself that others have, &...
16727To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 28 November 1799 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 25th. Aug: I immediately wrote to you; but I have reason to apprehend, from the fate of one or two other letters written about the same time, that it was lost by a robbery of the mail between Baltimore & Fredericksburg. I have just been informed of the loss of the others to which I refer; & lest that addressed to you should have been among them, permit me to...
16728To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 26 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The bearer Mr Jno. Churchman believes he has made a discovery of some consequence for readily ascertaining the longitude. He wishes his principles to be examined by capable mathematicians in the vicinity, &, if possible, under the direction of Congress. If they should prove as valuable as he supposes, I shall be happy that rude genius in our countryman may meet with proper encouragement. Dr...
16729To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 14 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
After congratulating you on your elevation to the first station in the gift of your country, to which I am persuaded that real merit, the best title to the public favour, has deservedly raised you, permit me to state to you a case in which I have some interest, on which I hope you will find leisure, amidst your many other avocations, to give me your opinion, or decision, in a few words. On the...
16730To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 4 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
JM’s friend of long standing, the Reverend Samuel Stanhope Smith, was serving as vice-president of the College of New Jersey. On 5 May 1795 he succeeded his father-in-law and JM’s former tutor, John Witherspoon, as president of the college. He had corresponded sporadically with JM since the Virginian’s college days. Two sermons that Smith preached early in 1795 were not, however, calculated to...
16731To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 23 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to represent to you that at the first organization of the New Orleans territory, my son, at the particular invitation of two Judges, left the city of New York for that territory, under the assurance of being appointed clerk of the supreme court; those gentlemen believing it part of their powers to make the appointment. The governour after a considerable time, perceiving the office to...
16732To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 13 February 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 February 1812, Princeton. Assures JM that Josiah Simpson “of this State having been named … for an honourable appointment under government … is a gentleman of excellent natural talents, & of very respectable literary attainments.” Cannot judge his legal knowledge but knows “he bears a fair & excellent reputation among the gentlemen of his profession.” “In politics, he is what is called in...
16733To James Madison from Savage Smith, 20 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor to Send You a memorial of the Citizens of this place agreed to at a meeting held on the 18th. Instant, which I have been directed to forward you with a request that you will lay the Same before the President. I am with Sentiments of Respect Sir Your Most Obedt St. DNA : RG 107—LRRS—Letters Received by the Secretary of War, Registered Series.
16734To James Madison from Thomas Smith, 22 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Map spoken of in the letters between Genl. Wilkinson and Mr. Purcell (copies of which are herewith inclosed) is in my possession as administrator of the Estate of Mr. Purcell lately deceased. This appearing to be a valuable paper, which must lose its importance if withheld until the Country which it delineates be resurveyed, I deem it my duty, as well to the Public as to Mr. Purcells...
16735To James Madison from William Smith, 9 April 1822 (Madison Papers)
Mr. George Scott & Hord Watts attended on the River at the time you were Notifyed, Mr. Bradley only with them. Mr Watses recollection only goes Back to Thirty Six years or thereabouts. Mr. Scott recollects the River before the old Gentleman your Father purchased the Land he states it belonged to Roger Dixon & sold by Colo. James Barbour to Pritaman Merry your Father Giving Merry 5£ for his...
16736To James Madison from William Smith, 31 March 1822 (Madison Papers)
The day I was at your House I saw Reuben Smith And requested him in your name as well as my own to attend at the mouth of Blue Run on Monday to assist in Settling a line betwean us he observed he did not wish to have any thing to do with it that he was particularly Situated & would give no Reason why he was so situated—being anctious to put up my fence to prevent the depredation of Hogs in my...
16737To James Madison from William Haslett Smith, 25 April 1806 (Madison Papers)
Through your polite Attention to my Letter of the 20th. Instant I have received the Treasurers Dft, in our Bank at Sight, for the amount of the Dft. inclosed you, for Acceptance. I have also to acknowledge a remittance of One Hundred and Twenty Dollrs. from Alexr. Sheppard. As you will observe the Check is drawn in your favor, and payable to your order. I am necessitated to return it for your...
16738To James Madison from William Haslett Smith, 20 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Haslett Smith. 20 April 1806, Baltimore. “I have to ask the favor of you to present the enclosed Dft, for acceptance, John Smith Contr. on H Dearborn for 500 $. As accidents have so long prevented the presentment of this Dft., possibly it may be paid at Sight, if not be pleased to have it accepted and I can have it discounted at our Banks. “Mrs. Smith, presents her respects to...
16739To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 28 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 July 1801, Lisbon . No. 52. Acknowledges receipt, on 25 July, of JM’s letter of 1 June informing him that the American legation in Portugal will be closed as an economy measure. Has applied for an audience with Portuguese foreign ministry to take leave. Comments on the constitutional prohibition against his receiving gifts from the government. Notes that Portuguese minister to U.S. is about...
16740To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 16 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 March 1801, Lisbon. No. 45. Encloses translation of Spanish declaration of war against Portugal. The counter-declaration is expected daily. Reports on Portuguese preparation for war. Notes that the best protection against invasion by France has always been the French fear of throwing Portuguese colonies into the hands of the British. Transmits dispatches from Tunis that he has just...