26171Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 29 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 19. arrived here just as I had set out for Bedford , from whence I returned a few days ago only, & found your letter here. I thank you for mr Lambert’s calculation on my observations of the late eclipse of the sun. I have been for some time rubbing up my Mathematics from the rust contracted by 50. years pursuits of a different kind, and thanks to the good foundation laid at...
26172To John Adams from Daniel Johnson, 28 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose to you a Prospectus of a work, which I am about printing, should sufficient encouragement be found, to justify the undertaking. I have been casting my eyes over the list of our venerable political fathers, to select some man to commence my lists, and from whom I might at the same time be enabled to gain some chara c ter of the author. I have been induc e d...
26173From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 28 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Paris. June 14, 1783. Gentlemen—Permit me to address the enclosed Memorial to your excellencies, and to explain to you my reasons for so doing. It is because many consequences now at a great distance, or unforeseen by us, may arise between our two countries, perhaps from very minute and incidental transactions, which in their beginnings may be imperceptible and unsuspected as to their future...
26174William W. Clayton to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been Very unfortunate Coming from Frederricks bg on my way near to your Place in Bedford I lost my Horse died on the Road I was Taken sick and Compelled to stay on The Road untill my money Is nearly Exausted I wish To Get to M r Clays near To your Possessions in Be Bedford a few shillings wou d aid me RC (
26175Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 28 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return after an absence of 6. weeks in Bedford I find here your favor of the 5 th informing me of the dismission of Livingston’s suit. as this has been for want of jurisdiction, without any investigation of the merits of the cause, the public impression mind will remain unsettled & uninformed as to the justice of the case, and their impression produced by Livingston’s squalling as if his...
26176Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Nelson, 28 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The suit of Livingston against myself having been dismissed from court for want of jurisdiction, the merits of the case still unexplained to the public, I am apprehensive the impression made by Livingston’s squalling may be strengthened by the false inference that I wished to get rid of the case in that way, which is not true. I believe therefore it is due to myself, & still more to the...
26177To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 27 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I received your very acceptable letter of the 20th. and I shall attend to its request with great pleasure. I neither believe that our “ souls ” or our “ marrow ” are to be tried. The only thing to be put to risque is our “ wind ”. “Armour & attitude”, now-a-days mean only what they did in the days of Æolus.—Quâ data porta ruunt—The seas are upturned and the shipping interest annihilated—But...
26178Circular Letter to State Governors, 27 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to forward to you a copy of “an act for the appointment of representatives among the several states, according to the third enumeration.” As the subject will necessarily engage the attention of the legislature of your state at an early period, I have thought it proper to hasten the transmission of this document to you, And Am, &c. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL ). U.S....
26179To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 27 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I addressed a line to you yesterday on a minor subject; at this time, my mind is intent on a very important point. It has been confidentially communicated to me, that there are two revolutionary officers on the list of candidates for the office of Commander in chief of the national Army; Governor Hull & General Brooks. Governor Hull & General Dearbo[r]n were in my mind the most prominent...
26180To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 27 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have once more escaped from the Jaws of death last night for the first time I went to the Theatre. At ½ past eleven it caught on fire 800 persons present & in a few minutes the whole was in flames. I kept back to permit the crowd to precede me until the black warm smoke suffocated all around me, & falling also I made a mighty effort & sprung forward far enough to descend about 12 feet on the...
26181From James Madison to Congress, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, Washington. “I lay before Congress copies of Resolutions entered into by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, which have been transmitted to me with, that view, by the Governor of that State, in pursuance of one of the said Resolutions.” RC , two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 12A-D1; and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, 12A-E2). Each RC 1 p.; in the hand of...
26182To James Madison from Lafayette, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, La Grange. Discusses Franco-American relations and introduces Mr. de Correa. “When I have left town Some days ago symptoms seemed to promise a Better Answer to Mr. Barlow’s note than had been for a long while obtained by An American Minister—I hope he is By this time coralled to send of the frigate, and will not Any Longer Delay these few lines depending upon him to Give you...
26183To James Madison from Henry Lee, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, Baltimore. This letter will be presented by Major Clark of Little York in Pennsylvania. He was introduced to JM many years ago but has sought this reintroduction in the belief that JM will have forgotten him. He was an aide-de-camp of General Greene until he was appointed accountant general of the army. RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Docketed by JM. John Clark, Jr. (1751–1819), entered the...
26184Thomas Jefferson to William & Samuel Craig, 27 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 6. weeks occasions this late acknolegement of your favor of Nov. 29. covering a letter from Doct r Stephenson of Belfast . and asking my directions with respect to a small box from him containing 2. plants of a grass which I had asked under the belief it’s introduction would be useful to our country. if the box be as small as I expect, so that it might not be an abuse of the mail...
26185Thomas Jefferson to John Low, 27 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 6. weeks from home has occasioned the delay of acknoleging the reciept of your two letters of Nov. 29. & Dec. 15. the former announcing to me the forwarding a sets set of the Encyclopaedia, which published in New York , which, it says, I subscribed for a few years ago. there is certainly some mistake in this matter. possessed as I am of every Encyclopedia which has ever been...
26186Thomas Jefferson to William Mann, 27 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 6. weeks in a distant county is the cause of this very late acknolegement of your letter of Nov. 11 . covering the copy of a spa in Chancery by Gourley against a group of defs among whom I am named, without being able to conjecture the cause of it. you are free to consider the spa as served on me personally. I observe that mr Nicholas is a def. and presume he will not let us...
26187To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 26 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
During the time Cobbett was abusing me in his newspaper to the great joy of a number of our tory Citizens, I met Hamilton Roan in a family in which I was called to see a patient. We had met before at Major Butlers table. He took me by the hand in the most cordial manner. “Our situation said I Mr Roan is a good deal alike in Philada—We are both in an enemy’s country.” “no Sir ” (said he)—“I am...
26188To James Madison from William Hawkins, 26 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to transmit to you, the enclosed authenticated copy of certain resolutions which have been adopted by the General Assembly of this State, approbating the sentiments contained in your message of the 5th Ultimo, to the Congress of the United States; attributing the evils which we have experienced “wholly” to the “unprincipled conduct” of the belligerent powers of Europe; and...
26189Alexander von Humboldt to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Pour ne pas ouvrir une longue lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de Vous adresser par l’intremise de Mr Correa , j’ose Vous ecrire une seconde fois, pour Vous incommoder d’une priere. Auriez-Vous la grace, Monsieur, de m’envoyer par Monsieur Barlow dix livres de graines de tabac de Virginie et 4 livres de tabac de Maryland . C’est un cadeau de la plus haute importance pour moi Daignez agreer...
26190Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The Arrival of the Constitution frigate Has Blessed me with a very welcome Compensation for your Long Silence— I Have first Enjoy’d the kind Letters directed to me, then took a share in those to mde de tessé and to my friends Humboldt and tracy —they Have Given me So much to think and to Say that I feel the insufficiency of Epistolary Correspondance , and more than Ever the Need of personal...
26191James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Fearfull letters from so many different places may impress you with doubts of the character of the writer—I shall even tell you what I been about—The want of Antimony ( all indespensible in the Letter foundry) induced me to visit France , first to procure an immedeately supply, and in the next place to make arrangements for a regular supply for the future, with this adventure we had reason to...
26192From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 25 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I never was so much at a loss how to answer a Letter, as yours of the 16th. Shall I assume a Sober Face and write a grave Essay on Religion Philosophy, Laws or government? Shall I laugh like Bacchus among his grapes, Wine fats Vatts and Bottles? or Shall I assume the Man of the World, the Fine Gentleman, the Courtier, and Bow and Scrape with a smooth smiling Face, soft words, many compliments...
26193To James Madison from Charles Collins, 25 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
Well assured that matters of high consideration press upon thy attention I feel diffident in diverting thee a moment therefrom, but would just say in a brief manner that for sometime past I have felt it my duty to abstain from the consumption of the produce of Slaves and there being some in our society similarly situated I have been induced to commence the trading in such articles as do not...
26194To James Madison from William Hawkins, 25 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 December 1811, Raleigh. Transmits the enclosed resolutions at the request of the General Assembly of North Carolina. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 45, Misc. Letters Received). Both the RC and the enclosure are printed copies, one page each, with Hawkins’s signature and JM’s name as addressee added to the RC and the signatures of the clerks of both houses of the North Carolina General Assembly...
26195To James Madison from Willie Blount, 24 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 December 1811, Knoxville. “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 10th Instant, in reply to an address of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, which will be laid before that body, at next Session. It breathes the true American Spirit, and contains Sentiments worthy of the chief Magistrate of an independent Government, who is determined it shall remain so. I...
26196To James Madison from Anthony Charles Cazenove, 24 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 December 1811, Alexandria. “Enclosed is Messrs. Murdoch Y. W. & Co.’s draft on you in my favor for £60. Stg for your last pipe of wine, the amount of which you have been good enough to remit me per your letter of 16th. instt. The vessel I have mentioned before will sail for Madeira, in case you should have any further commands to go by her.” RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 1 p. Docketed by JM....
26197Thomas Jefferson to James Leitch, 24 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
6.℔ oznabrigs thread 3.℔ blue & green thread, of the size of oznabrigs thr d RC ( ViCMRL , on deposit ViU : TJP ); dateline beneath signature; written on a small scrap; at foot of text: “M r Leitch.” Not recorded in SJL .
26198From James Madison to Congress, 23 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I communicate to Congress copies of an Act of the Legislature of New York, relating to a canal from the Great Lakes to Hudsons river. In making the communication, I consult the respect due to that State; in whose behalf, the commissioners appointed by the Act, have placed it in my hands for the purpose. The utility of canal navigation is universally admitted. It is not less certain that...
26199To James Madison from John Gassaway, 23 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 December 1811, Adjutant General’s Office, Annapolis. Transmits a general return of the Maryland militia for 1811 [not found]. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , G-31:6). 1 p. Docketed by a War Department clerk as received 26 Dec. 1811.
26200To James Madison from Jonathan Russell, 23 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 December 1811. Introduces Thomas L. Halsey, Jr., who will hand this letter to JM and is “a Gentleman with whom I have been well acquainted from his childhood.” Halsey desires either to serve in the army, if the country should be involved in war, or to obtain a consular appointment to South America. He will faithfully discharge any trust, and “I shall feel personally much gratified in the...
26201From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 22 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of Nov, might have been sooner acknowledged, if I had been younger, my eyes brighter, my fingers steadier, and if I had less writing to do, and fewer letters to answer. I have the honor to coalesse in the “consolidated” opinion of your neighbourhood, that the Presidents Message and the documents attending it do honor to the Government to the President his Ministers and...
26202From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
After I had written the letter of which I now enclose a copy, intending to have it ready for Mr: Smith, an opportunity was presented me of sending it by another conveyance—and Mr Smith not being ready to go, I dispatched it; so that as he is now upon his departure I shall send by him two letters instead of one, for you—And as the Winter opportunities are so unfrequent, I write by him also to...
26203From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
More than four months have again passed away, since I have received a line from you, and nearly seven since the date of your last Letter—I should feel this less severely, if that and your other most recent letters had not left a source of uneasiness upon my mind, which nothing but more agreeable information can remove—Although the communication direct from this Country to the United States was...
26204To James Madison from John Geddes, 22 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you an Address unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives of this State. It gives me peculiar pleasure, at this moment of general feeling and Interest, to assure you, that in thus adopting this address unanimously, the House have fully expressed the sentiments of their constituents, whose decided opinion it is, that the period has now arrived when an...
26205Thomas Sully to Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An association has lately been formed in this City consisting of Artists, & Amateurs, residing in different parts of the Union; Under the Title of Society of Artists of U.S. I am requested to communicate to you in the name of the Society . That you were unanimously elected a m an Honorary member at a special meeting held on the 15 th inst : Your love for the Arts & Sciences, and your long &...
26206From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 21 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
The journal of the 22d of May 1783, proceeds— Mr. Hartley’s observations and propositions left with the American ministers, the 21st of May 1783: A proposition having been offered of the American ministers for the consideration of his Britannic majesty’s ministers, and of the British nation, for an entire and reciprocal freedom of intercourse and commerce between Great-Britain and the American...
26207To James Madison from Jonathan Russell, 21 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed is a copy of a letter which I received several months since from Mr. Wichelhausen. I have not hitherto communicated it to you from a repugnance to impeach an old acquaintance & fellow labourer in the public service at a time when it appeared no longer in his power, from a change of circumstances to abuse his official information or influence. Having however recently learnt that Mr...
26208Micajah Harrison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I trust you will excuse the freedom I have taken in addressing you on a subject, by no means interesting to you, having however full assurance of your obliging disposition, and knowing the deference, deservedly given to your opinion in all cases; I have been encouraged to take the liberty of requesting your opinion on the following subject, upon which there is a difference of opinion between...
26209From John Adams to William Cranch, 20 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Will you be kind enough to advance five Dollars for me to Mr Gales for a Second years Subscription for his National Intelligencer, and let me pay it to Mr Peabody or any other on your account. I have desired him to ask the favour of Mr Quincy or you, hoping I might take such a Liberty with either. Your Friends are all well and with Health Wealth and long Life to you and yours. MWiW .
26210Resolutions of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, [20 December] 1811 (Madison Papers)
The present is a period replete with National occurrences as momentous as ever marked the Annals of the World. That Collision of Kingdoms and Empires, which has deluged Europe with blood, borne down the practice and nearly extinguished the principles of justice and humanity, is not in its effects confined to that unhappy quarter of the Globe. The Unparalleled prosperity, the enterprising...
26211From James Madison to David Gelston, 20 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 December 1811, Washington. “J. Madison, with respects to Mr. Gelston, requests the favor of him, to forward the inclosed letter by the first safe conveyance to the Island of St. Kitts.” Printed facsimile ( Joseph Rubinfine American Historical Autographs , List 104 [West Palm Beach, Fla.], item 19). Enclosure not identified.
26212John W. Campbell to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
After reviewing the papers contained in the volumes you were pleased to lend me, I have concluded to decline their publication, principally from the reasons suggested in your letter , that they would at this day, be not interesting to the mass of readers. I return the volumes, with my sincere thanks for the loan of them. I am RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 29 Dec. 1811 and so recorded...
26213John W. Campbell to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty of enclosing you a proposal for a work which I expect to publish during the next Summer. I have progressed in this work, as far as the year Seventy Six, but for the period, subsequent to that, I find it extremely difficult to procure materials. I would be much gratified by your advice as to the best sources of information; an d if you have any thing, that would yield...
26214Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur de vous adresser ces jours derniers une Lettre assez étendue que M r Barlow veut bien vous envoyer par la Frégate des Etats-Unis La Constitution . J’apprends aujourd’hui que cette même Frégate portera en Amérique M r de Correa de Serra
26215Alexander von Humboldt to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
J’arrive hier de Vienne où mon frere est Ministre du Roi de Prusse et ou j’ai passé un mois pour voir mes parents. J’ai eté bien heureux de retrouver à mon retour l’interessante lettre que Vous avez daigny daigné m’écrire, Monsieur, et que Vous avez accompagné d’un cadeau auquel je mets le plus grand prix. Les notes sur la Virginie seront placeés dans la bibliotheque que nous avons formé mon frere
26216From 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...
26217From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 19 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
When I was a Boy, not ten years old, I heard Smith Richard Thayer, a great Authority, say “When Duty and Interest go together, they make Staving Work” By your own Shewing it was Richards Duty to be over ruld or ruled over by his Wife: and by my Shewing I shall make it appear to be his Interest. He will Soon be Secretary of the Treasury. Or he may be a Judge of the Supream Court, or an...
26218From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Lord! Lord! What a Coat you have cutt out? It would require an hundred Taylors for twenty years to make it up. I would not undertake to make a Button hole in it, during the whole Remainder of my Life. I thank you however, for the sketch of your contemplated Work. I shipped, on board the Carriage of my Son in Law Colonel William Stevens Smith the two first Volumes of The Memoirs of your...
26219To 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...
26220To James Madison from Richard Cocke, 19 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 December 1811, Springfield, Kentucky. Not having the honor of being acquainted with JM and never having solicited an office in his life, his sensations on this occasion “are a little out of the usual track.” When he resigned his previous office, he did not contemplate engaging in public life again, but friends in Louisiana have induced him to seek the vacancy resulting from the death of...