11From 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...
12From John Adams to James Monroe, 4 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
I should ask leave without scruple to transmit the enclosed letter to you were it not for the foolish compliment in it to my pretended influence, which you know to be unfounded & therefore may pass over with a smile. I do not hesitate to comply with his request, by enclosing a copy of a letter, I wrote to Mr Madison, on the 2nd. February 1813 nor scruple to say that no opinion or sentiment in...
13From 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...
14From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your Acquaintance and civilities Benjamin Beal Junr. Esqr., a Son of my next Neighbour. This young Gentleman has been educated at our University and to the Law in the Practice of which he has Spent Some years but finding the Multiplication of Professors in proportion to the diminution of the Business, he has thought proper to turn his Attention to travail and to trade...
15From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for The Copy of The Presidents Message, and for the Volume of Documents. They do great honour to The President, to his Ministers and Ambassadors: and I rejoice in the Appearance of unanimity they have produced in Congress and in The Nation: which not withstanding all the apprehensions representations and Threats of Divisions, is greater than I have ever known in America for fifty...
16From 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.
17From John Adams to James Monroe, 20 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 10th. of this month has laid me under very great Obligations to you. No intelligence could be more agreable to me, than the information, that the conduct of my Son has the entire approbation of The President. As a public Man I have no views for him, but to such Services as The President Shall assign him. As a private person, though his absence and the loss of his Society is...
18From John Adams to James Monroe, 1 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you for the Presidents message, and for a pacquet from our fellow Citizen La Fayette. I have also the honour to enclose a letter from C H Robbins, in favour of his brother. There Robinses, are Sons of our once Lieutenant Governor, now Judge of Probate. They are respectable people & have respectable connections. You probably know mr Forbes. There may be many applications from...
19From John Adams to James Monroe, 31 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been poisoned by the mephytic effluvia of blossoms and roses to Such a degree as to deprive me of the Sight of letters and the feeling of a pen: I Should have long Since acknowledged the honour of your obliging letter of the thirteenth of the month. It is perfectly Satisfactory to me, and it ought to be So and I presume will be So to Dr Waterhouse. I am hapy to hear that your heal t...
20From John Adams to James Monroe, 31 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been poisoned by the mephytic iffluvia of blossoms and roses to such a degree as to deprive me of the right of letters and the feeling of a pen: I should have long since acknowledged the honour of your obliging letter of the 13th of the month. it is perfectly satisfactory to me and it ought to be so and I presume will be so to Dr Waterhouse. I am happy to hear that your health is...
21From John Adams to James Monroe, 7 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of your Letter of the 27 Ap. accompanied with one from St Petersbourg, for which, as well as for another which I received Sometime Since; and neglected to acknowledge, I pray you to accept my thanks. I am Sorry you had a moment’s uneasiness on account of the Accident you mention. I wish you had read the whole letter, not for any information in it, but to make you Smile at the...
22From John Adams to James Monroe, 3 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Will you please to accept a morsel of rusty Antiquity, which I know you cannot and ought not to be read, because your time is imperiously demanded for occupations more important to your Country and Mankind, as well as to yourself. Your learned, and Ingenious Son-in Law Mr Hay, may possibly have a curiosity to look into it—to him I pray you to present my Respectful Complements.— And believe me...
23From John Adams to James Monroe, November 1824 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you Mr Ticknor & his Lady, this Gentleman is a Professor at our University in Cambridge and one of the most Conspicuous Literary Characters in this State, he has been for several years intimately acquainted with Mr Jefferson and is highly esteemed by him I believe he has been acquainted with Mr Madison, & he proposes to visit him Montpelier as well as well as...
24From John Adams to James Monroe, 23 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Does History or Experience, afford an Example, of Such a Phenomenon, as this, now exhibited to Mankind, by our pious, virtuous and patriotic American Republick, whether We view it as a federative Republick, or whether We consider the Single and Simple Parts that compose the whole? The dread, of Taxes, to which all Mankind have a natural Antipathy; the hatred of War, which is Stronger in the...
25From 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;...
26From 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...
27From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Of the multitude of applications to me for Letters of Introduction and recommendation to the President and Heads of departments, in favour of candidates for Office, I have for a long time Sternly, and Sometimes almost cinically refused them all. But the enclosed letter from Dr Waterhouse has so tenderly affected me that I cannot resist my feelings and Inclination to transmit it to you. I...
28From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
For the last twenty years I have made it a rule to interfere as little as possible with public affairs. but an occation now presents in which I think it my duty to make a frank, a Candid, a Submissive representation to you—if the Treaty with Spain returns ratifyed there will be commissioners appointed to adjust the claims for Spoilations on our Commerce—there is a Gentleman who I recommend to...
29From John Adams to James Monroe, 8 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to have delaid an acknowledgement of your favour of February 20th. and the Volume of the journal of the Federal Constitution Convention which attended it—the Volume shows that our present inestimable Constitution cost the venerable Characters—who composed it—much anxiety and debate and but a Candid and liberal disposition on all hands, resulted in the “preclarum singulare...
30From John Adams to James Monroe, 25 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday I received the letter your Excellency did me the honor to write me on the 11 of this month, informing me that the Legislature of Virginia by a law passed in 1798, authorized its chief magistrate to cede to the United States the Marine hospital at Norfolk on condition they pay to the contractor, the ballance which was then due him, by the commissioners under whose authority he had...
31From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to James Monroe, 17 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
At the risk of incurring the anger of my husband, and under the apprehension of your displeasure; I am obliged by the ties of nature which are more powerful than either of these circumstances however painful, to solicit your aid and compassion for my Sister, whose situation fills me with alarm and dread. Mr: Boyd who was formerly at the head of the wa Pension Office, in a moment of anguish at...
32Ezekiel Bacon to James Monroe, 21 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 12th. Inst. accompanying my commission as Comptroller of the Treasury was received by the last mail. I am not insensible of the high honor done me by this very unexpected mark of confidence on the part of the President. The circumstance of its being so entirely unexpected & out of the range of all my past calculations, will I trust be thought sufficient to justify me in asking a...
33Burwell Bassett to James Monroe, 6 March 1814 (Madison Papers)
I was peculiarly anxious to have communicated freely with you before I left Washington relative to the situation of our lower country. But I was hurried from Washington so as to deprive me of the opportunity of calling. Permit me now to call your attention to that subject. The situation of the Northern neck is familiar to you that of the other necks namely Gloucester and Hampton is simular....
34Stephen Belknap to James Monroe, 24 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
Knowing it an indispensable duty I owe, our beloved Cuntry at this momentous period, (and equally due from every good Citizen) to make every effort for her defence aganst the Stratagems of, both Foren, & domestic foes, and to give information of approaching dangers: Permit me to make the following communication, as lately made known to me by an inteligent gentleman now present, (but will leave...
35Juan Bautista Bernabeu to James Monroe, 29 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 August 1813, Baltimore , “ Spanish Consul’s Office .” “On my return home from a little excursion I had the honor to receive the letter you was pleased to address me under date of the 19th. inst. inclosing copies of one from the Collector of Savannah and another from the prize-master of the British Schooner Maria; who with other Citizens of the United States, is detained at the Havana; in...
36James H. Blake to James Monroe, 31 December 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ James H. Blake to James Monroe. 31 December 1813, Washington. “In consequence of the Death of Col. George Gilpin, the office of Judge of the Orphans Court in the County of Alexandria—has become vacant. “I have been requested to communicate to you, for the information of the President, that Col. Francis Peyton of that place would accept the appointment. “Col. Peytons high & respectable...
37Sylvanus Bourne to James Monroe, 26 October 1815 (Madison Papers)
It is now asserted here with confidence that Mr. Tencate, late Secretary of Legation from this Country to ours will Soon return thence as Chargé des Affaires & that no future Minister will be appointed to the U States. If this proves true & etiquette may occasion the removal of our minister here to Some other destination in which Case I beg leave respectfully to renew my hopes for the...
38Bowie and Kurtz to James Monroe, 18 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
As you were pleased to say to our Senior, at the interview he had the honor to have with you on Saturday last, that you would take into consideration, and give an early answer, to the proposal he made to you, of trying our claim on the United States, for the ship Allegany and our part of her Cargo, lost at Gilbraltar in their service, in the form of an amicable Suit, in one of the Courts of...
39Jacob Brown to James Monroe, 11 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
I observed in the National Intelligencer a letter addressed to me from Comdre. Chauncy, dated August 10th. My answer to this letter has not been published. This omission on the part of the Comdre. or his friend has induced me to send you a Copy of my reply with a request that it may appear in the paper selected by the Secretary of the Navy, With high respect, Your very humble Servt. Your...
40Pierce Butler to James Monroe, 19 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I trouble You with reluctance, knowing how occupied You must be. I coud not promise myself attention from any other head of a Department. I had a letter on Saturday from the Man who has the Superintendance of my Estate; he informs that the Enemy are Committing great depredations near my property; that the formerly well and comfortably settled Island of Great St Simons, which produced so...
41William 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....
42François Changuion to James Monroe, 16 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
Desirant envoyer vers le mois de Mars ou d’Avril prochain un Cartel porteur de déepeches à mon Gouvernement, et etant informé que l’Amiral Anglais Cockburn se trouve dans la Chesapeak, je prends la liberté Monsieur de vous prier de vouloir bien accorder à Mr. Janssand porteur de la présente une permission pour Se rendre à bord du Vaisseau Amiral, mais si contre mon attente l’Amiral Cockburn ne...
43Isaac Clason and Others to James Monroe, 21 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 January 1813, New York. “Several persons, neutral foreigners, as well as Americans, whose private affairs require their presence in England have applied to us to procure them passages, and having now in this Port a very fine ship lying idle, we ask permission to send her to England as a cartel to be commanded by our Cap. Joseph Skinner and Cap N. Willis or one of them.” Remark that the...
44William Cocke to James Monroe, 24 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
In my last I promised to advise you of the result of the Voninteer Expedition from East Tennessee United with the troops of the United States that march against the Semenolia Indians after a march of near Seven hundred miles with out being retarded by Ice Snow hammocks or Marshes which afforded the Enemy great Oppertunities for advantague we arrived at Paynes Town in the Lochway Settlements...
45Isaac Cox Barnet to James Monroe, 23 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
My Several communications by Doctor Stevens were under dates of the 25th. to the 30th. January inclusively, and I had the honor of adressing to you copies by Mr Doolittle with a letter introductory of him—on the 11st. [ sic ] Inst. Both these Gentlemen, according to last accounts—must be now about putting to sea the first from Nantes—the latter from L’Orient. From the high approbation lately...
46William Harris Crawford to James Monroe, 5 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. a letter from Genl Floyd (which I enclose for your perusal) giving an account of the transactions which have lately taken place at Amelia Island under the Auspices of Genl Mathews. From this account, the affair is worse than I had expected. The veracity and intelligence, & I may add, the patriotism of the writer, exclude the idea of misrepresentation, or mistake in the...
47Benjamin 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...
48Thomas 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...
49David 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...
50George W. Erving to James Monroe, 16 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have transmitted to you lately copies of my correspondence with Mr Morris; I had intended to have accompanied these with some observations on the character of that gentleman’s agency, & of his qualifications, drawn from his communications & from those which have reached me unofficially & indirectly, but was restrained by an apprehension that I might possibly have formed my judgement too...
51William Eustis to James Monroe, 21 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
Doctor Francis Le Barron, the Apothecary General of the army, apprehending his office to be abolished by Law, has applied to me requesting a statement of his past duties & services, and I take pleasure in doing him justice. I found him a regimental surgeon of long standing and equal at least in merit to any gentleman of his standing. Great complaints had been made of medicines & hospital...
52Michael Garber to James Monroe, 1 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1812, Washington. “I have invented a new method of constructing and throwing a Bomb Shell upon which the resistance of the atmosphere will be so small as that the shell may be sent three times the distance, which the same quantity of Powder, would send a common one; & with much the greater accuracy as it flies thro’ the air on the principle of a rifle Ball. I am fully convinced that I...
53William Gaston to James Monroe, 18 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I am informed by a letter received from a respectable friend that under the Proclamation of the President of the U. S. ordering Intruders on the Public Lands to be removed, the Marshal for the District of Tennessee has given notice to the Tenants settled upon a Tract within the Congressional reservation, claimed under a Grant issued by the State of No. Carolina, that unless they remove...
54Aquila Giles to James Monroe, 3 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 August 1813, New York. “I hope it will not be considered as trespassing too much on your time, again to solicit the favor of you, to use your influence with the President, to obtain for me the Command of one of [the] Regiments to be raised for the defence of this City. I think I can with confidence say, that such an appointment, would be very generally acceptible to the Citizens of all...
55Elias 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...
56Vincent Gray to James Monroe, 14 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
Supposing that it would not be uninteresting to you to hear something relative to the unfortunate Sufferers in Fort Principe, from Florida, I take leave to enclose to you herewith, the answer of the Captain General to my note on that subject; written in conseguence [ sic ] of a letter recd. from Governor Claiborne, in behalf of those unfortunate men. His Excellency the Captain General, does...
57From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 8 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I request to be informed whether the paper numbered V dated Philadelphia the 15 of December 1792 published partly in the fifth and partly in the sixth number of “The History of the United States for 1796” and having the signatures of James Monroe, Abraham Venable and F A Mughlenberg is the copy of a genuine original. I am Sir Yr. humble servt ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For...
58From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 4 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In my opinion the idea of a personal affair between us ought not to have found a place in your letters or it ought to have assumed a more positive shape. In the state to which our correspondence had brought the question, it lay with you to make the option whether such an issue should take place. If what you have said be intended as an advance towards it, it is incumbent upon me not to decline...
59From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 11 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the paper which Mrs. De Talleyrand & De Beaumez were to hand you through me. You observe they have foreborne to insert any but females. The object, I am sure, will interest your good offices, as far as shall consist with your situation & with propriety. I confirm to you what they say on the subject of money. With good wishes, consideration, & esteem I remain, Sir Your obed ser ALS ,...
60From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe and Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, [17 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have your letter of this date. It gives me pleasure to receive your explanation of the ambiguous phraze in the paper No V., published with your signatures and that of Mr Venable, and your confirmation of the fact, that my explanation had been satisfactory to you. You express your surprise at the contents of a paper in the Gazette of the U. States of the 8 instant. If you will review that...