31To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 14 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
I was the last evening honored with your letter of the 6th. Inst. Why Genl. Smyth has not thought it expedient to request a Court of Enquirey, I am at a loss to conjecture, the method he has prefered, towit, a newspaper defence & Justification, is unusual in such cases, and not calculated to produce a satisfactory result. I had presumed that his friends would advise him to request a regular...
32To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 16 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to observe that I concider it of the utmost importance that improvements should be effected as soon as may be in the Staff Departments of the Army, and especially in that of the Quartr. Mastr. Genl. and it is indispen[s]able that the Q, M, G, should be a real man of business, in addition to good talents, general information & integrity, he should be habitually industrious, energetic...
33To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 13 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I confidently hope that the Campaign that has now closed, has afforded sufficient evidence of the necessary of having a regular Army fully competent for all offensive opperations, from fifteen to twenty additional Regiments, ought in my opinnion, to be raised North of the Potomack, what additional force will be necessary to the South, & west, I have found no opinnion. If an adaquate force...
34To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 24 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of war has undoubtedly informed you of the unfortunate event at Niagara. It undoubtedly originated with two or three indiscreet ardent spirits, whose political and personal feelings could not brook the Idea of having any share of the honour of an effective movement attached to those officers and men that were more immediately under the direction of the U. S. But Genl. Van...
35To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 30 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Unless the Troops destined for Detroit & Niagara, with those on the Eastern shore of Lake Ontario & Upper St Lawrence, aided by the Naval Preparations, now commencing in that quarter, shall be fortunate enough to penetrate Upper Canada, before winter sets in, we shall have the credit of an unfortunate Campaign. After it become [ sic ] necessary to detach a large proportion of the regular...
36To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 15 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I was this day honored with your letter of the 9th. inst. having been placed in a very unpleasant situation I have endeavored to make the best arrangements for the ultimate success of our Army, that circumstancies permit, the perticular circumstancies which have occasioned the most unfortunate imbarrasments, were my having no orders or directions in relation to uper Canada, (which I had...
37To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 3 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Notwithstanding all the objections that have been made to gunboats, they are now call’d for, and I am fully persuaded that they may afford more security and protection to our extensive Seacoast than can be given by any other means we possess. There ought to be at least from sixty to seventy, on the Coast of New England, we have, a great number of ports & harbours with Towns & vilages,...
38To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 26 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
Our political opponents in, and out, of the Legislature, are endeavouring to inspire as general an opposition to the measures of the Genl. Government as possible, how far they will venture toward an open resistence, is uncertain, nothing but their fears will prevent their going all lengths. It is said that they have not received so satisfactory information from New York, as they had expected....
39To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 12 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
As the ultimate question in relation to war must soon be decided, and it may be concidered expedient to appoint a Collector for this place, I take the liberty of observing that as you were pleased to mention to me, the propriety, (if practicable,) of placing the Collectorship in such hands as would render it convenient to restore me to that place, in the event of a short war, I have prevailed...
40To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 6 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
As the principal object of the command, which may be confided to my direction, will probably be the conquest of Lower Canada, it may not be improper for me to Suggest the outlines of what occurs to my mind, in relation to principal points of attack, the probable means of defense, and the necessary force for rendering Success as certain, as the usual exigencies of War will admit; taking into...