26251To James Madison from John Pope, 13 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 December 1811, Washington. Recommends John Edwards King of Cumberland County, Kentucky, for the judicial vacancy in upper Louisiana. He is a lawyer of “experience, respectability & influe⟨nce⟩ & qualified for the office.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, misfiled under “Edwards”). 1 p. Docketed by Monroe. Damaged at margin.
26252From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 12 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
What is common Law in England has been Subject to disputes enough. In Blackstones Commentaries and Fortescue Alands Preface to his Reports you may find the most intelligible Account. In general, Usage from time immemorial practiced and approved, is the Criterion It is denied by many and doubted by more whether The United States have any common Law There may be some Principles and Rules of Law...
26253From James Madison to William Pinkney, 12 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your letter of the 8th. you were nominated to the Senate as Successor to Mr. Rodney. The inclosed Commission will inform you of the result. In expectation of the pleasure of seeing you as soon as you can make it convenient, I tender you assurances of my great esteem and sincere regard. RC ( NjP : Pinkney Papers). Docketed by Pinkney. Enclosure not found.
26254To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 12 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
The late President Adams communicated to me yesterday, in a friendly interveiw at my house, the enclosed extract of a letter; & expressed great apprehension, that if all the propositions, for enforcing the non intercourse act, should be adopted, they will overthrow the republican governments of the New England States & make them compleatly federal. The searching houses, as proposed before the...
26255To James Madison from William Hull, 12 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 December 1811, Newton. States that Reuben Attwater’s term as secretary of the Michigan Territory will expire on 1 Mar. 1812. Has approved of Attwater’s conduct in office and would find his reappointment “highly satisfactory.” Presumes that there will be no objection to the reappointment but mentions it because Attwater is now the acting governor. “I do not expect to return to the Territory,...
26256Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours to Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu par M r Barlow , et avec bien de la reconnaissance, votre Lettre du 15 avril . Un Homme comme vous peut être retiré des Places, jamais des affaires. Vous êtes un Magistrat du Genre-humain. Tant mieux Si l’établissement des Manufactures dans votre Pays ne vous oblige pas de changer le Systême de vos Finances aussi promptement que l’on paraissait avoir lieu de le craindre. Mais le cas...
26257From Grand Master of Ceremonies of the Russian Court to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 11 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Le Département des Cérémonies a l’honneur d’annoncer à Madam Adams qu’Elle est invitée, ainsi que Mademoiselle Johnson, sa soeur, au Bal de Sa Majesté l’Impératrice Mère, le 12. de ce mois, à huit heures du soir. MHi : Adams Papers.
26258To James Madison from Washington Johnston, 11 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 December 1811, Vincennes. Encloses a memorial from both branches of the Indiana territorial legislature “upon the subject of the Army lately under the Command of Governor Harrison.” RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 1 p. Signed by Johnston as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Docketed by JM. For enclosure, see n. 1. Johnston enclosed a five-page memorial, dated December 1811, to the U.S....
26259Richard Barry to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now under the necessity of calling on you for the ballance of my account if convenient I would not trouble you now but I am building a House in front of F and 12 th Street three Story which I find that it will exhaust my little resources Indeed, Sir if I thought it was putting you to an inconvenience I would not trouble RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esq r ”; endorsed by...
26260From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I feel Some Compunction, when I recollect the long time that has passed Since I wrote you a Line. Indeed I Could take no pleasure in Writing, nor you in reading continual Narrations of Wounds Bruises, Sicknesses Amputations and Deaths, among those you Love, as I did with the most ardent and well merited Affection. I could only recommend Epictetus’ Antoninus, and St Paul, all of whom you know...
26261From James Madison to Willie Blount, 10 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of Novr. 23. covering an address from the Legislature of the State of Tennessee. The patriotic sentiments which it expresses are an honorable sample of those which animate the great body of our fellow Citizens. The wrongs which have been so long borne by our Country, in the hope that a sense of justice and the true policy inseparable from it would have put an end to...
26262To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
As a Citizen of the United states, I feel it my duty to give you the following information. I trust that the nature of the communication I am about to make, will equally remove the idea of delation or mischief towards the individual; but if such were the impressions it is to produce, as my only object is to serve the Country and yourself, my personal respect for you shall outweigh this...
26263To James Madison from the Inhabitants of the Michigan Territory, 10 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 December 1811. “Dissatisfactions with the aboriginal inhabitants of these countries, [which] have been for some time engendering,” have “been kindled into an open flame, and their blood with that of the American citizen has stained the plains of the Wabash; the first which has been spilt in the north western territory, under public authority, since the pacification of Greeneville” on 3 Aug....
26264David Bailie Warden to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of informing you, that I forwarded, to their address, the letters which you were pleased to confide to my care. That, for Mr. Mazzei , was forwarded to him by Mr. Cathalan , of Marseilles — I inclose a letter , from Mr Walsh , in reply to that you sent by me. General La Fayette says, that he will write to you by the frigate—
26265To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 9 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
You have touched me in a sore place in your letter of the 4th instant. My Son Richard has accepted of the Office of Comptroller General, and is about to remove with his family to Washington in the Course of this month. Both his parents, all his brothers and Sisters—his Uncles Rush & Richd Stockton, and all his professional and personal friends remonstrated against it. I painted to him in as...
26266To James Madison from Robert McChesney and Others, 9 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 December 1811, New Brunswick. The undersigned inhabitants of New Brunswick, New Jersey, petition on behalf of William Hillyer of New Brunswick, who “contrary to the wishes of his friends” enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1808, and who, “soon dissatisfied with his situation,” deserted. “Now fearful of the punishment which awaits him, he has signified to his friends that unless he can obtain a...
26267George Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received your much esteemed favor of the 29 th , and should greatly prefer the mode which you are so good as to propose respecting the bond, but I had previously ask’d the favor of Doctor Wardlaw to join in it, who consented so willingly, that I should not like now to leave him out.— I leave this tomorrow for Norfolk , and expect the vessel in which I am to embark, (the Elizabeth Wilson...
26268From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 8 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you a Letter yet, but I promissed you one, and I now have the pleasure of inclosing a Letter from your Brother Charles to you. I had a Letter from your Father dated in Sepbr th 11: the day after your Sister was Baptized. she was call’d Louisa Catharine, the Rev’d Dr Pitt, Chaplain to the English Church in St Petersburgh performed the Service, and mr Harris our Consul there...
26269From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledg Your Letter of the 30th of June, brought by the Pilifix , Captain Welsh, after a passage of 95 days—being No 21—this compleats my list of Regular numbers, and yesterday I received your Letter of the 10 Sep’br by Captain Barker of the Leopard. No 24 there are two Missing originals, a press coppy of 23 came inclosed in No 24, but the Characters of the first page...
26270From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Though I have felt the complicated affliction that has recently assailed my friends at Quincy, I have been silent;—nor should I now interrupt you from this unexpected Quarter, but from the interest I feel in her happiness, and the desire I have to know the situation of your amiable daughter.— I have never heard a word from her since her Brother was here,—the day after she passed through a...
26271To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 8 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
It was very gratifying to learn from your letter that Harrison had arrived at Vincennes without any other rencontre with the indians than the battle near the Prophets town. I greatly apprehended that encumbered by his wounded, & badly supplied with provisions they might follow on his heels & gall his army in the most distressing manner. Their forbearance augurs well of their conduct during the...
26272To James Madison from William Pinkney, 8 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I am not able to tell you how much pleasure I have received from the kind Letter which you did me the Honor to send to me by Mr Forrest. When I have said that I consider it as a full Pledge of the Continuance of your good opinion & Regard, I have said every thing. My professional prospects here are as flattering as I could have hoped or desired; and they assure me that, if I am spared for a...
26273To James Madison from Jonathan Robinson, 8 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 December 1811, Washington. Recommends Thomas Hall Storm of New York, now acting as U.S. chargé d’affaires at Tripoli, for consul there. “Altho he has been in Europe for the last 7 years … and I have not a Personal acquaintance yet from the very Respectable Station his father and all his Family Connections stand in at New York … I am convinced he is a very worthy character. Mr. Davis I learn...
26274George Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I find upon attending more particularly to the notes which you forwarded for renewal in the bank, that you have filled up the dates for every two months, without regard to the number of days in the month, & also without regard to the allowance of 3 days grace.—this in the absence both of M r Gibson & myself, might be attended with inconvenience, as the notes as filled up, would not fall due on...
26275Madame de Tessé to Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
jai Reçu, monsieur, votre lettre du 27 mars avec La Reconnoissance et la satisfaction que m’inspire tout ce que me vient de vous, et profite avec empressement de la confiance due au bâtiment de L’etat pour vous Repondre sur ce que concerne le Castanea sativa dont vous avès mangé le fruit a Paris . vous serès sans doute fort surpris d’aprendre que nous ne pouvons nous le procurer ni aux...
26276To James Madison from Richard Forrest, [7 December] 1811 (Madison Papers)
Having ascertained by an indirect inquiry that Mr. Pinkney had left Annapolis, I set out this morning direct for this place, where I found him. On reading your letter, he requested me to inform you, that he would accept with pleasure the appointment which you had been pleased to offer him, and that he would write you fully on the subject tomorrow. I shall leave this place tomorrow for...
26277Charles G. Paleske to Thomas Jefferson, 7 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received Your favor of the 30 th of September , for which I return You many thanks.— An active agency of any extent in public undertakings would improperly intrude upon the leisure and retirement, which You have sought after the labours, in which You have for so many Years acted a distinguished and highly useful part.—For Your good wishes for the success of the company I am greatly...
26278Thomas Jefferson’s Conveyance of Bear Branch Land to William Radford and Joel Yancey, 7 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
This indenture made on the seventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and eleven between Thomas Jefferson of the county of Albemarle on the one part and William Radford and Joel Yancey both of the county of Campbell on the other part, witnesseth that,
26279André Thoüin to Thomas Jefferson, 7 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Permettez moi d’avoir l’honneur de vous présenter M. Correa de Serra , naturaliste portugais, mon honorable collegue à la Societé d’agriculture de Paris , à l’Institut de France , aux annales du Museum et mon respectable ami. Entrainé par une passion irresistible vers l’étude de la nature, de Ses loix et Surtout de Ses productions, il a voyagé dans diverses parties de l’Europe et S’est lié...
26280From John Adams to Robert Smith, 6 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received from the Post Office in this Town, your favour of the thirtieth of November in answer to mine my Letter to you of the twenty fifth of that month I thank you Sir, for the Promptitude, Punctuallity and Accuracy of your Reply, which is fully Satisfactory. It is Such indeed as I know, it must be, from the immutability of Truth. With much respect, I have the Honor to / be Sir,...
26281From James Madison to William Pinkney, 6 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Rodney having retired from the Office of Attorney General of the U. S. I am desirous of obtaining for our Country, the services promised it by the talents & dispositions which you would carry into the vacancy. Unwilling however to present your name to the Senate without your permission, I must ask the favor of you to intimate by the Gentleman Charged with this, whether I may have the...
26282Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 6 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to send me, before the closing of your river, 1. ton of nail rod , in which let there be a single bundle of half-crown rod, and the rest assorted for from 20 d down to 6 d nails also a quarter of a ton of toughest Swedish iron in bars from the size of a gigg axletree down to the small sizes, and one hundred weight of hoop iron for cut 4 d nails. I am told there is a patent auger for...
26283To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 5 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of recommending to your particular friendship & protection Mr. Corea, a Portuguese of great learning & Science whom I have known for many years a most amiable & honorable man. He is member of most of the learned Societies in Europe, & of that of Philadelphia. He has now chosen the United States for his country, & I feel an interest in his finding friends & other comforts...
26284To James Madison from Caesar A. Rodney, 5 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I do hereby resign the office of Attorney General of the United States. RC ( DNA : RG 59, Resignations and Declinations, filed under “Rodney”); FC ( DeHi : Brown Collection). RC docketed by Monroe. FC includes a postscript in Rodney’s hand: “N. B. On the day this is dated I delivered my resignation into the Presidents own hands.” On the FC the original date of 25 Nov. 1811 has been deleted and...
26285Peter Gansevoort to William Eustis, 5 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
It is intimated here, that the two senior Officers of the Light Artillery are soon to be appointed, and that in all probability, they will be selected from the line of the Army. I am not authorized to make any application in favor of Major Porter and indeed he is totally ignorant of this Letter, but as I discover great anxiety in him for promotion, particularly in the Artillery, I think it...
26286From James Madison to John G. Jackson, ca. 5 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 5 December 1811. Acknowledged in Jackson to JM, 8 Dec. 1811 . Conveys news that William Henry Harrison and his army have returned safely to Vincennes. Expresses hope that Congress will act decisively.
26287The Dismissal of Livingston v. Jefferson: IV. Decision of United States Circuit Court in Livingston v. Jefferson, 5 … (Jefferson Papers)
Thursday—December the 5 th 1811 . Present John Marshall esq r —chief Justice of the united States . Edward Livingston plt } against In Trespass Thomas Jefferson Deft This day came the parties by their attornies, and thereupon the defts
26288Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I find I can drive from hence 4. or 5 beeves and as many muttons as we can want; all as fat as they can be; and having to drive these I conclude to drive the hogs also, and kill them at Monticello . the whole will start therefore as soon as the hogs are fat enough. of course we need buy no more beeves. I shall be glad if you will see mr Darnell and tell him that the business here is suffering...
26289Thomas Jefferson to George Callaway, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 21 st of Sep. stating my claim on you for 47 ⅖ barrels of Superfine flour, or 367. D. 55 c their value, at the rate netted me by the 232. barrels recieved from you. this letter was delivered you by mr Griffin , and I have no answer but verbally thro’ him that you decline acknoleging your liability. on my part it is insisted on, being myself perfectly satisfied of it’s...
26290George Callaway to Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
your note of this morni n g I have rec d & I am to express my utter astonishment at the claim you have therein set forth—such a claim was suggested to me by capt— Mitchell at the time you wished to sell him your wheat, but as to its validity I have never for a moment tho t of it—However that you may be yourself satisfied I will see you tomorow at your own house where the boy tells M r Griffen...
26291Thomas Jefferson to Samuel J. Harrison, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I had left the inclosed papers with mr Griffin in case Scott should have given any further trouble. on his departure he returned them to me, and I think it proper they should be delivered up to you. I state the list of them below. accept the assurance of my respects. 1771. Mar. 16 Richard Tullos’s patent for 374. acres 1797. May 22. Thomas Jefferson’s patent for 100. a s 1795.
26292George Hay to Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that on monday last, the discussion of the question of Jurisdiction in Livingstons case Commenced. It was closed on tuesday: and on yesterday the two judges, concurring over-ruled the replication to the plea of jurisdiction. You will pardon me for Suggesting to you, that as the Suit has gone off on a collateral point, it would afford great Satisfaction to the...
26293Robert McDermut to Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Having fortuitously met with Doctor Young’s translation, from the french, of “ D’Anville’s complete body of Ancient Geography,” in the hands of a near relation to whom he had presented the copy, it imediately occured to me that an Edition of it might be very acceptable in our schools and Colleges, as an useful key to Ancient History &c. The work might, perhaps, be better adapted to use of...
26294Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
While at Monticello I am so much engrossed by business or society that I can only write on matters of strong urgency. here I have leisure, as I have every where the disposition to think of my friends. I recur therefore to the subject of your kind letters relating to mr Adams and myself, which a late occurrence has again presented to me. I communicated to you the correspondence which had parted...
26295From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 4 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Shall I congratulate or condole with you on the appointment of your Son to be Comptroller of The Treasury? You will know the delightful Comfort of his daily Society and that of his Lady and their prattling Little ones, which I know by Experience to be in old age, among the Sweetest Enjoyment of Life, provided Always that it be not indulged to excess. I Should have thought too that his Office...
26296To John Adams from D. Fraser, Sr., 4 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to present, for the honor of Your acceptance, a copy of a “Compendium” which I lately published: As, a Small testimony of respect, & regard for Your eminent talents, & Patriotic Character— I have the Honor to be very respectfully, Sir, Your humble / Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
26297To James Madison from Israel Pickens, 4 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 December 1811, Washington. A vacancy has occurred with the death of the collector at Washington, North Carolina, and he has received a letter from Col. Henry Selby, who is seeking the appointment. His acquaintance with Selby is “very limited,” being confined to one session in the North Carolina Senate, but he believes him to be “a reputable worthy citizen” who would make a good collector. RC...
26298The Dismissal of Livingston v. Jefferson: I. John Tyler’s Opinion in Livingston v. Jefferson, [4 December 1811] (Jefferson Papers)
FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT LIVINGSTON VS JEFFERSON in trespass quare clausum fregit . Demurrer on a plea to this jurisdiction. } T yler , J. OPINION.—This case, although so ably and elaborately argued on both sides, affords but a single question; and that may be drawn within a narrow compass; and while I freely acknowledge how much I was pleased with the ingenuity and eloquence of the Plaintiff’s...
26299The Dismissal of Livingston v. Jefferson: II. John Marshall’s Opinion in Livingston v. Jefferson, [4 December 1811] (Jefferson Papers)
Livingstone } demurrer to on a plea to the jurisdiction v. Jefferson The sole question now to be decided is this; Can this court take cognizance of a trespass committed on lands lying within the United States , & without the District of Virginia in a case where the trespasser is a resident of & is found within the District? I concur with my brother Judge in the opinion that it cannot.
26300The Dismissal of Livingston v. Jefferson: III. Littleton W. Tazewell to Thomas Jefferson, 4 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment returned from the Capitol where your suit with Livingston has been finally decided—It is dismissed, by reason of the Courts sustaining the plea to its jurisdiction upon the ground of the locality of the Action—The decision was pronounced unanimously—The opinion of the Chief Justice was clear able and most satisfactory—I hasten to communicate the result as I presume it will...