4471To James Madison from Alexander McRae, 26 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
As an American citizen I think it my duty to inform you of the extraordinary and (as I thought) most unwarrantable treatment, which I this day received from his Britannic Majesty’s Consul Phineas Bond esqr., at his residence in this place. Before I left Washington, (on my way to Europe) desiring such a protection as the Government of my Country might be pleased to afford me while abroad; I...
4472To James Madison from Charles R. Broom, [ca. 13 February 1816] (Madison Papers)
The Memorial of Charles R. Broom late first lieutenant of Marines in the Service of the United States, most respectfully sheweth. That your memorialist is now twenty years of age, and has served throughout the war under the command of Com. Chauncey upon Lake Ontario. That he was appointed acting Lieutenant of Marines by letter of that Commodore in 1812, and during the Same year entered into...
4473To James Madison from William Cobbett, 12 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
I understand, that Mr. Asbury Dickins; now Chancellor to the American Consulate in England, has made application to his government to be appointed the Successor of the late Consul, General Lyman; and, having been very intimately acquainted with Mr. Dickins, during the whole of his residence in this country, and feeling a deep interest in his welfare, I am tempted to address myself directly to...
4474To James Madison from Charles W. Goldsborough, 21 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received information, which I deem it my duty to lay before you without a moments delay. A gentleman of great integrity & patriotism—has stated to me that Mr. Salvador Catalano Sailing master in the navy & generally employed to prove the powder &c. residing near the navy Yard here, is ready to make oath. 1st that Capt Tingey gave him orders to pass all the powder, made at...
4475To James Madison from Jonas Humbert Jr., 22 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
Impelled by a sence of Duty I owe to myself, and wishing to be informed from yourself of the rectitude of my conduct, while doing Duty on the Fortress on Ellis’s Island relative to my takeing away therefrom a quantity of Wood, that has caused the then General Armstrong to Issue an Order causeing the stopage of My pay for One Month and an Half, Amounting to about $73. inclusive of Rations...
4476To James Madison from Thaddeus Mason Harris, 6 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
May it please your Excellency, to permit a humble supplicant to press through the crowd that come to seek your favour, and solicit mercy in behalf of an unfortunate female. In making this application, I am indeed awed by those high considerations which demand and dictate the most respectful address; but which, I apprehend, need not deter me from a modest and frank statement of circumstances...
4477To James Madison from Nathaniel Cutting, 13 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
As I wish that nothing relative to myself should intrude upon those moments when etiquette or public service induce you to receive the personal respects of your fellow citizens, I take the liberty by this method to request that when a leisure moment presents in the retirement of your closet you will have the goodness to peruse what I am now about to throw upon paper. You recollect, I presume,...
4478To James Madison from Robert G. Scott, 23 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
I shall run the risk of being called an intruder in addressing myself in this way, a young man as I am, to the Cheif Magistrate of this, nation; but I hope when my motives are known they will be a sufficient apology for this liberty. I have ever felt a lively sensibility in whatever concerns the well being of those who now administer our government, & whatever may shake that unbounded...
4479To James Madison from William Eaton, 25 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
I took the Liberty to address your Excellency Some time ago. The magnitude of the subject is so weighty on my mind—I Cannot refrain from troubling you again—at this very important time. I will not again Sir in So Short a time harrass your mind—with Such Communications. Next monday week Sir—a Speech from you will be Expected by Congress—and as I think much of their Conduct will be governed by...
4480To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 19 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have been honored by your letter of the 9th, & having heard of two instances only, in which is manifested a disposition to embarrass the detachments, I flatter myself they will be generally successful. When I came into office there were seven federal of eleven Major Generals, & now there are but six of seventeen; being the number of existing militia divisions. The increase I effected as an...
4481To James Madison from Edman Yeates, 4 September 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 September 1813 , “ Exeter Berks County Penna .” “The Petition of Edman Yeates respectfully sheweth that the Petitioner was some time past ordered by the Marshall of the Pennsylvania District to leave the City of Philadelphia the place of his residence for near 10 years past, & however distressing the case of the Petitioner he forthwith submited to the order and removed to Exeter Township...
4482To James Madison from William Smyth, 5 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
I am not envious that the Goverment has remunerated Capt. Moor (with the Collector⟨s⟩ office at Baltimore) for a wound he recd. the same day with myself at the taking of york u.c. Tho with this material difference I was wounded in close and actual conflict with the British Granadiers & Kings 8th Regt. having killd two with my Rifle before Genl. Pike or Capt. Moor had landed their troops—he...
4483To James Madison from Edward Hartt, 6 September 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 September 1813, Boston. “While you have extreme publick cares to perplex your mind, I can hardly expect you to pay attention to the sufferings of an individual; but if you have any leisure I shall be gratified if you will just read these lines, not expecting your valuable time will admit of your answering them. Understanding that the Navy Department wanted a copy of the draft of the Brig...
4484To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 25 April 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 April 1811. “The Subject of this letter has given me much pain. It induces me to trespass on You for the 3d & last time.… No Benefit can result to me by this act; On the contrary I might draw upon myself, an host of Enemies, with the Secretary of War at their head.… The present letter is on the existing state of our Military Establishment & the arms & implements of War.… In adverting to our...
4485To James Madison from George Joy, 25 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
Of all the Events of this eventful period in which our lot is cast, that which has recently taken place is surely the most astonishing. To pretend not to be astounded at it would be an affectation of Stoicism beyond the Stupor of an American Indian. The Question of the Peace of Europe is as much afloat as ever; and how to speculate upon it, is really beyond all depth. The french military is...
4486To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from Whit was unquestionably intended for you. The subject, the address both of title and place prove it, and the mistake of the name only shews the writer to be a very uninquisitive statesman. Doctr. Waterhouse’s letter too was intended for your eye; and altho’ the immediate object fails by previous appointment, yet he seems to entertain further wishes. I inclose too the...
4487To James Madison from Lafayette, 20 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
Your Letters Sent By Mr. david parish are the Last I Have Received. He Has kept the patents to deliver them Himself at the end of this Month. Three Vessels Have Since Arrived With Government dispatches. They Contained Nothing for me So that I am without An Answer to my Long triplicates By the San Sebastian Ship, By Count palhen, and by Captain Fenwick. A Letter from this Last, Very Carefully...
4488To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 9 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I observed with pleasure in your inaugural speech that you still keep in view the immense importance of public improvements, the advancement of science, & the general diffusion of information, as essential to the happiness of our country. And I cannot but hope that the time is now approaching when some portion of the attention of Congress may be fixt on these objects. The ample scope of your...
4489To James Madison from John Stokely, 24 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
A Bill now before this assembly, for to Procure a Law, to Permit any virginian to Purchase and Bring negroes from any other Part of the Union, into this State; Excites me at This time to address you, on a Subject very Interesting to virginia, and Especially the Eastern Section, which is overwhelmned with Black population already, & from the extroadinary Increase of them wretched People, & the...
4490To James Madison from William Montgomery, 13 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
As an American born citizen I view, with lively interest every passing event. I cannot conceive that much benefit will result from the acquisition of the Canadas—but while in the possession of the British, we may consider them some security for their proper treatment of the rights of our country. As to the Indians, in time of peace they must see that they are at the mercy of the U. States,...
4491To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 22 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
The death of Judge Cushing, having produced a vacancy which must soon be filled, the general expectation in this quarter, I find is, that George Blake Esqr will be his successor. It is grounded, On the professional character of that Gentleman, which is supposed to be paramount to that of any person in this State, who can be a candidate for that office; On ten years practice in the federal...
4492To James Madison from Gaetano Caruso [ca. 2 January, 1816] (Madison Papers)
Gaetano Caruso has the honor to state to the President of the United States that in the year 1805 at the time that the American Squadron blockaded Tripoli, Captain John Hall of the United States Marine Corps engaged G Caruso in the Capa[c]ity of Director and leader of a military Band for said Corps under the conditions specified in the inclosed Document which were not fulfilled. A few months...
4493To James Madison from Tench Coxe, [ca. May–June 1810] (Madison Papers)
The present condition of the world certainly demands all the consideration of every wise and good man, which his situation permits or requires him to bestow upon a temporal subject. The war, which in various forms and upon several grounds, has been carried on between France and her adversaries, has reached a degree of seriousness, which ensures consequences of the most extensive effects and...
4494To James Madison from the Inhabitants of Barre, Massachusetts, 23 July 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 July 1812. “The Inhabitants of the Town of Barre in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts, beg leave to represent. “That in a government like ours, which is instituted, & established, for the protection, safety, prosperity & happiness of the People, they have a Right at all times to assemble in a peacable Maner, to consult upon the Common good, & to express their Sentiments &...
4495To James Madison from Samuel Harrison, 14 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
The News of the Declaration of War occasioned me to throw by the Letters I had Written to your Excellency on the 11th. to the 24th. of June last, that I did not send them. The recent Capture of Genl Hull, his Army, Cannon and Military Stores &c. &c. have redetermined me to send them to your Excellency. I am confident If they had, then , been sent, and your Excellency had paid attention to...
4496To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 22 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
I did myself the honour of addressing you some months ago, upon the subject of national defence, and at the same time gave myself considerable trouble in collecting from various publications important hints on military affairs, which in my opinion might have rendered essential service to our country, and which are still capable of putting our Military power into a highly improved state. I am...
4497To James Madison from John Graham, [ca. 14 December] 1812 (Madison Papers)
In corroboration of what is stated in this Letter, it may not be improper to remark to the President that a Gentleman who was recently in this City from Caracas (Mr Picornell) stated to Mr Thos Brent that Mr Scott was held in some measure as a Prisoner and not permitted to carry on any corresp[ond]ence. This if true, accounts for the circumstance of no Letter having been received from him. I...
4498To James Madison from Rodolphe Tillier, 27 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
To represent the present situation of these remote parts of the United States Territory may be of public service, to the wise administration of your Excelency; and can give no offence if founded on Fact & real Truth. Two years ago an Expidition has been made here under the command of Lieut. Pryor to take back the Mandan Chief & family, it failed on account of being coupled with a private...
4499To James Madison from Dugald Macfie and Others, 31 December 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Dugald Macfie and Others. 31 December 1813, Charleston. “The Memorial of the President and Officers of Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in the City of Charleston, and State of South-Carolina. “Respectfully sheweth, That actuated by a sincere desire to promote the Interests of Religion, and warmly interested in the personal Welfare of the Revd. Dr. John Buchan, who came to this Country...
4500To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 9 May 1815] (Madison Papers)
I transmit to you the concluding Reports of the Board of Officers; and, I presume, that they will express a wish to be discharged, as soon as you have seen their plans. Upon the whole, they have furnished very good materials; and I will prepare from them a general report of the Department, for your consideration and sanction; which, when approved, will be the proper official document for...