151From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
The mail of saturday brought me the Copy of your message. It is a fine landscape of our situation, and can not fail to give pleasure at home, and command respect abroad. The recommendation of the repeal of taxes is happily shaped; so also the introduction of the subject of amending the Constitution. The only questions which occur, relate to the proposed suppression of the establishment at...
152From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 24th has just been recd. I am fully aware of the load of business on your hands, preparatory to the meeting of Congress. The course you mean to take in relation to roads & Canals, appears to be best adapted to the posture in which you find the case. A reluctance has generally been felt, to include amendments to the Constitution among Executive recommendations to Congress, but...
153Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 30 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
There will be some cases wherein it will be out of my power to refuse my testimony of worth to applicants for appointment, who may request me to say to you what I know of them. to these solicitations however I shall never yield, nor become troublesome to you but where the claims on me are peculiar. I do not know whether you were acquainted with George Stevenson while he pursued in our...
154From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. was handed to me by your servant, at a moment & place which did not permit me to acknowlege it by him. We regretted very much the circumstances which deprived us of the expected pleasure of seeing you all on your way to Washington. I inclose the copy of your letter to Gen: Jackson. Your reasonings on the singular step taken by him can scarcely fail to convince him of...
155Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 13 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night a letter from M. Cathalan inclosing that for the Secretary of the Navy which I now forward to you. it was left open for my perusal with a request to stick a wafer in it & to forward it. the wish that I should know it’s contents, and the trouble of copying so long a dispatch are I suppose his apology for this little irregularity. it proves the intrigues of Fitch , the...
156From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 August 1817 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of July 27. from Plattsburg was duly received, and I am very glad to learn from it, that the fatiguing scenes through which you have passed, had not prevented some improvement in your health. The sequel of your journey will have been still more friendly to it, as affording a larger proportion of the salutary part of your exercise. I hope you will find an ample reward for all the...
157From John Adams to James Monroe, 7 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
In the good old English Language of your Virginian and my New England Ancestors, I am right glad to See you in the oldest Plantation, in old Massachusetts, next to Salem, where you will be recd with more Splendor and I hope with equal Cordiallity. MHi : Elizabeth Smith Scrapbook; Smith-Townsend Family Papers.
158From John Adams to James Monroe, 27 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Another application has been made to me by Mr Elbridge Gerry, the oldest Son of the late Vice President, for a recommendation to the office of Surveyor in Boston. How can I recollect, the laborious Services, the great Sacrifices of a Gerry for forty years, and the destitute Circumstances of his Widow and Children, without Emotion. I told him I had mentioned the Names of Tucker and Deblois;...
159From John Adams to James Monroe, 23 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
From the tenderness of friendship, & the weakness of compassion & humanity, I have promised two gentlemen to mention their names to you as Candidates for mr Daltons late office. Captain Tucker and mr Deblois. A friendship of 40 years with the former & of 56 years with the mr Dalton have deeply interested my feelings in behalf of both these gentlemen. But what signifies feelings when I know...
160From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
From the tenderness of Friendship and the Weakness of Compassion and humanity, I have promised two Gentlemen to mention their names to you, as Candidates for Mr Daltons late Office, Captain Tucker and Mr Deblois. A Friendship of forty Years with the former, and of fifty Six years with Mr Dalton have deeply interested my Feelings in behalf of both these Gentlemen. But what Signify Feelings when...
161Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe on Scuppernong Wine, [ca. 29 April 1817?] (Jefferson Papers)
The wine called Scuppernon (or some name like that) is made as I am informed on the South side of Albemarle Sound , on & near a creek of that name. it is easily procured by a correspondent in Norfolk with which place Scuppernon has a short and direct communication by water. I had asked the favor of mr H. G. Burton of N. Carolina to procure me a correspondent from whom I could get regular...
162Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 15 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding subsequently, what had not been before attended to that the law had appointed the 1 st day of our Spring & Autumn District court for the stated meetings of the Visitors of the Central College , it is concluded that our meeting should be on the 5 th instead of the 6 th of May (noted in my letter of the 13 th ) and that being the 1 st day of both our County & District courts, the...
163Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 13 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The reciept of a commission as Visitor , will have informed you, if you did not know it before, that we have in contemplation to establish a College near Charlottesville . by the act of assembly which fixes our constitution , it is to be under the direction of 6. visitors. your commission has informed you you were one of these, & your colleagues are mr Madison , Gen l Cocke , mr Joseph C....
164Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 8 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall not waste your time in idle congratulations. you know my joy on the commitment of the helm of our government to your hands. I promised you, when I should have recieved and tried the wines I had ordered from France and Italy , to give you a note of the kinds which I should think worthy of your procurement: and this being the season for ordering them, so that they may come in the mild...
165From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ your personal and official acquaintance with Mr. J Graham, be well known to me, I can not, on the occasion of my final departure fr⟨om⟩ the public service, satisfy myself, without expressing my sense of his great merit. Mr. Graham, recommended by my knowlege of his public Agency abroad, and of his private virtues, was invited into the Department of State, as the Chief under the Head of...
166Thomas Dawes to James Monroe, 1 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of a Memorial from the Massachusetts Peace Society which from civility due to the President of the United States ought to have been transmitted to him when the Original was presented to Congress. The Society very much regret the unintentional omission, and now request you would do them the honor of submitting to him as soon as convenient, the inclosed copy for his...
167Elias Glenn to James Monroe, 15 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
Immediately upon the receipt of your letter of the 3rd. of this month, I applied to the Collector of this Port for such information relative to the Schooner Mangore as he had the means of giving, and upon Ascertaining the extent of his knowledge, I drew up a Statement embracing all the points of information which were within his power to substantiate on oath, which when sworn to by him, was...
168Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 10 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
It would seem mighty idle for me to inform you formally of the merits of Col o Trumbull as a painter or as a man. yet he asks my notice of him to my friends , as if his talents had not already distinguished him in their notice. on the continent of Europe his genius was placed much above West ’s. Baron Grimm , the arbiter of taste at Paris in my day, expressed to me often his decided & high...
169From John Adams to James Monroe, 17 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
All our intelligent Travellers to Washington, I find have an ambition to See both the present, and future President of the United States. I beg leave to introduce to you Colonelt William Sumner and his Sister, Miss Elizabeth Sumner, Children of our late Governor Sumner. Col Sumner has not only the Advantages of the best public Education at Colledge, and the Bar, but of many years service in...
170William Carruthers to James Monroe, 12 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
Althoug Verry Slightly if at all Known to You, I hope the liberty I propose Takeing of Troubling You With my Ideas on a few Subjects that I think Interest Our Country Will not be thought Troublesome. Haveing Taken a long Ride this fall through the Western Country, Some Subjects of a public Nature came under my Observation Which I think Worth Mentioning to Some Member of the Administration....
171From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
Although, our good old Massachusetts, has encore quelques Prejuges; yet I find that all our liberal minded Men have a Strong desire to See our past present and future Presidents. They hesitate not to ask me for Introductions; and I hesitate not to give them; knowing as I do the past, present and future President to be as liberal Men as themselves. They all return So full of Gratitude for their...
172From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 29 November 1816] (Madison Papers)
It will be proper to take the steps suggested by Mr. Joy for obtaining further information. My enquiry as to Nootka Sound had reference to the grounds of the Brit. claim there, and its analogy to that of the U.S. at the mouth of Columbia. See Vancouvre’s acct. of the B. proceedings at Nootka: also Capt: Morris’s communication to Mr Graham Ocr. 24. 1816. RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). Undated;...
173David Curtis DeForest to James Monroe, 30 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
Although I am very sensible that any request of mine will have but little weight with the President I think it my duty to request you to inform him that I am in posession of property to a large amount belonging to Citizens of the U. States &, that, as it is impossible to realize its value at the present moment, I fear it will be difficult to remit it in safety without some naval force to...
174Luis de Onís to James Monroe, 26 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
His excellency the viceroy of the kingdom of New Granada communicates to me, under date of the 2d of September last, that tranquillity being restored throughout the whole kingdom of Santa Fé, and all its provinces having submitted to His Majesty’s Government, the commander-in-chief, Don Pablo Morillo, has thought fit to raise the blockade which he had established on those coasts, the causes...
175Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 16 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
If it be proposed to place an inscription on the Capitol , the lapidary style requires that essential facts only should be stated, and these with a brevity admitting no superfluous word. the essential facts in the two inscriptions proposed are these the reasons for this brevity are that the letters must be of extraordinary magnitude to be read from below; that little space is allowed them,...
176Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 9 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
A mr Arm i stead , who married a neice of our governor , who is brother to the Col o Arm i stead that defended the fort at Baltimore and of one , or two other officers of great merit lost in the service, and who
177From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
As you appear to have read hastily the letter from Jessup, I send it back. That Onis is intriguing at N.O. is probable; and that the Spanish Govt. may meditate at [ sic ] attack there is possible; I should say impossible if there were less of folly in its Councils: or it might not possibly be backed by another Govt: altho’ it is not easy to conceive that this can be the case. The mercantile...
178From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
There is much force in the reasons given herein for an appt. of a Successor to Genl. Smith, which I had proposed to delay till our return to Washington, if not till the Meeting of Congs. Unless you think some other preferable on the whole to the Depy: Marshall, direct a Commission for him, or if you please a blank one, to be made out & forwarded for our signature. Yrs RC ( NN : Monroe Papers)....
179From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
On perusing your letters to Mr. DeNeuville, and Mr. Gallatin, some ideas occurred which induced me to put them on paper for your consideration. Those relating to the first letter are interlined with a pencil. Those relating to the 2d. are partly so, & partly penned on a separate sheet. In the communication to Mr. G. I thought it might be not amiss to suggest the several topics which he may...
180Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 31 August [1816] (Jefferson Papers)
Will you join mr Divers here at dinner tomorrow? and can you tell me the name of the Collector at Norfolk ? RC (facsimile in Gerard A. J. Stodolski, Inc. , spring 1985 catalogue, item 96); partially dated at foot of text. Not recorded in SJL . The collector at norfolk was Charles K. Mallory .
181Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 29 August 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent to mr Divers to-day to ask a dinner for mr Correa , D r Wistar , mr Gilmer & myself for tomorrow. I did not venture to add your name and mr Rush ’s not knowing your convenience; but I am sure he will be rejoiced to see you both. Affectionate salutations to yourself & mr Rush
182From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
Among the inclosures is a very extry letter from Mr De Neuville. It was brought by his private Secretary from whom I thought it better for several reasons to receive it, than to let him proceed with it to your House. As its contents were neither known nor guessed, it was possible that they might call for an attention which my knowlege of them might hasten, and it was desirable for you that you...
183From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 14. sd. be 13th. has just come to hand. Wishing to read more attentively than the circumstances of the moment permit, the communications from Mr. Harris, I do not return them by the present mail. Shd. the affair of the Russian Consul not be terminated before the arrival of Mr. Coles, the full explanations he carries, can not fail I think to dissipate the impressions of the...
184From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have yours of the 12th. intended for the 11th. inst. I have no map by which I can judge of the comparative values of the 2 offers of Mr Bagot as to the fisheries. There will be some delicacy in referring the arrangement to Mr. A. who prefers a decision here, and will say that we having better means of procuring the necessary information we ought not to put the task & responsibility on him....
185From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the written on your return to the City. It may be best to taper off with Sweeden by appointing a Scy. of L. to be Chargè on the departure of Russell and the reasons you give favor that of Hughes; whose wishes rather than understanding seem to have listened to your remarks on the subject. It must be kept in mind however, that in Case Mr. R. shd. chuse to prolong his...
186From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday the 2 letters from Onis herewith returned, and today copies of the papers transmitted by Mr. Crowninshield, which as the originals are in the Dept. I retain. The law of Nations, and our position in relation to the contest between Spain & Spanish America, will of course govern the reply to these representations. The remarks of Judge Story as to the fisheries are valuable, and...
187From James Madison to James Monroe, 3 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of July 31. and return the answer to Mr. B. with one or two alterations, the chief of which is an extension of the arrangement to Lake Champlain. An entire prohibition of armed vessels there where there is much smuggling from Canada, might not be convenient to us; nor would it be reciprocal, considering the manner in which the waters of that Lake are divided between the...
188From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
The 2 letters of Mr. De Neuville present topics which are not agreeable. The one demanding the recall of Mr. Lee will be sufficiently answered by his actual return to the U.S. and an intimation that without any particular examination of the charge agst. him, this Govt. could not fail to respect the wishes of M. C. M. in such a case. The other letter complaining of the toast of the Post Master...
189From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 24th. Mr. Coles leaves me this moment on his way to Washington. There will certainly be an advantage in sending him in a pub: vessel; and I am glad it can be done with so little expence. If the Congs: will Suffice for the pacific, it will be better than to send the Guerriere, which may possibly be wanted for other service. You have not yet alluded to my...
190Benjamin W. Crowninshield to James Monroe, 25 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
It has taken me more time than I was aware of obtain any information respecting the Fisheries; the Paper marked (a) is from our Friend Judge Story and the information or facts from a Marblehead practical Man, and may be I think fully relied upon but you should look at a good chart to understand it. The Paper marked B. is from Mr Bentley and rather shews what value we and other Nations have put...
191From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I must ask the favor of you & Mr. Rush to attend to the subject of the letter from Mr. Munroe & the one inclosed in it. As the building proposed is to be on public ground, for pub: use, & eventually to be purchased, with rent in the mean time, paid, by the public, the Ex: sanction merits enquiry & consideration. There is always some risk of error, in yieding [ sic ] to sudden impulses,...
192From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 21st. (a mistaken date). I hope Mr. Bagot, if willing to arrange in any mode, a reciprocity on the Lakes, will immediately issue instructions to discontinue augmentations or preparations of force on the B. side. The state of things on our side, will correspond without instructions; but a communication to the proper officers, of what may be the British intentions...
193From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 16. & 17. I return the letter of M. De Kantzow. Our expectation of letters from Mr. Russel, or of his speedy return, will justify our delay in taking up the subject, and will be a proper answer to it. It will be well not to encourage too much the idea of a treaty; first because, it is not very probable that Sweeden will admit her Colonies to be included, as a part of...
194From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Wirt, and the letter & paper from Mr. Mitchell. You cannot do better than pursue the result of your consultation with Mr. Rush on the subject. He is acquainted with what passed between me & Judge Tucker & Mr. Wirt. It seems proper that Mr. Mitchell be instructed to send if he be permitted the persons under his care, to the U.S. We are bound by respect to the laws,...
195From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I rcd. from Mr. Graham during your trip to Loudon the inclosed letter from Mr. Bagot. The subject of it is delicate. The first remark is that it belongs to Congress, not to the Ex. unless provided for by conventional arrangement explanatory or supplemental. The 2d. remark is that it has the aspect of equity, and may have been countenanced by the conversations of our Minister at London. 3d. But...
196From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
Herewith are the papers recd. from Mr. Hughs. He seems to have been no wise sparing of diplomatic politeness to the Spanish Govr. You will of course express the satisfaction afforded by the successful execution of his commission in reference to our Captive Citizens with an approbation of the interest taken in behalf of the English & French Captives; and forward the documents to Mr. Erving,...
197From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 7th. and return the communications from Mr. Adams. The arrangement of the fisheries is a delicate subject, as it relates to the public sensibility; to its intrinsic merits; and to the peculiar importance attached to it by respectable names. It will be better to do nothing, than to surrender the point of right, or to accept what may be of small value, with an actual...
198From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
Mr. De Neuville arrived here on Saturday and sets out this morning on his return. I inclose his letter of Credence with a note of the date of its delivery. Be so good as to have an answer to the K. of the Netherlands sent to me for signature. That to the K. of Wertemburg is returned. Friendly respects The inclosed letters [ sic ] from I. B. may be worth attention in estimating and comparing...
199From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 29th. Ult: and return the letters from Mr. Adams & the communications from Mr. Harris. The step taken by the Emperor is an extraordinary one; Being produded [ sic ] by no pretended misconduct in the Amn. functionary, it is levelled at the relations between the two Countries, and would justify more than it is the disposition of this, to do on the occasion. Without...
200From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just red. yours of the 27th. As there is a concurrence in the opinion expresed in my last, as to the course to be taken with Algiers, little need be added on that subject. It ought evidently to be marked with decision & frankness, and with as much conciliation as will consist with these essentials. As the promise of Decatur was gratuitous; as it was followed by a delivery, to the...