5251To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 28 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
We have heard today, the capture of another part of our Army, under Gen. Van Ranselear the death of 400 brave men in the field is nothing; but the surrender of one army after another, is Extreamly distressing to the people of this country; they remember with exultation to this day, the surrender of Genl Burgoine and Lord Cornwallis with two considerable british Armeés; and they can not...
5252To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 16 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
I cannot be silent any longer when I find how liable, and how often you must be imposed upon by recommendations, petitions &ca signed by persons who call themselves Republicans. Great exertions are making in this Place in behalf of those aliens who are ordered to the back part of this state & Many letters, and petitions with such signatures as I have before stated will be sent to you,...
5253To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 12 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
The subject of the enclosed extract is of such importance that I must beg leave to invite your Excellencies early attention to its contents. I am very Respectfully your Excellencies most obdt. humble Servt. RC and enclosure ( DLC ). The enclosed newspaper clipping contained an extract of a letter dated 22 Dec. at New York, written to “one of the sufferers by illegal captures at Naples,” urging...
5254To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 18 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
Happening to be at a printing office the Editor shewed me a piece sent him for publication (a Copy of which is inclosed) on the subject of the contemplated detachment of the Militia. Being a friend to your administration & an advocate & supporter of the war & unwilling that anything should opperate to retard its rigorous opperation or in any degree countenance & encourage our internal enemies,...
5255To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 5 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 January 1813, Walpole, New Hampshire. Writes to communicate to JM “the principle of a long desired discovery …, that of perpetual motion.” Uses the example of waterwheels to demonstrate the usefulness of force. Because he does “not think it right to sell the efforts of reason in discoveries,” he will “make a present of it” to his country. Does not “even think proper at present to reveal” his...
5256To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
February 1811. Forwards to JM “parts of a letter written to a friend on the 27. of July last which has lately returned to my hands.” Hopes it may contain some ideas of benefit to the country. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , R-103:5). 1 p. Signed “A Republican.” Docketed by a War Department clerk as received 9 Feb. 1811, with the notation: “Reflections on the situation of the U. S. with regard to S....
5257To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 21 March 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty of forwarding to you a copy of the Democratic Press containing the Letter from Colonel Frederick Evans, Member of the State Legislature from the Democratic County of Northumberland, to Wm Duane Lt. Colonel of the Rifle regiment in the Standing Army of the United States and Commandant of the troops at the old Lazaretto near fort Miflin to give you some idea of the...
5258To James Madison from the Merchants and Traders of Philadelphia, 5 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
The Memorial of the Subscribers, a Committee of the Merchants and Trade⟨rs⟩ of the City of Philadelphia, respectfully represents, That Your Memorialists are impelled to address you by the interest which they feel, in common with many others of their fellow citizens, in a subject which they deem worthy of the attentio⟨n⟩ of their Government. During the warfare, which has been of so long...
5259To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 30 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The writer of this letter is sincerely attached to Democratic principles, was a warm approver of Mr Jefferson’s administration, and not less so of yours, he has not infrequently been obliged to defend your conduct against Fœderalists, as well as some of your former friends, of late your opponents, & the friends of DeWitt Clinton. Want of energy is a very common charge brought against you, and...
5260To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 30] October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Although I have not the honour of being known to you, I take the liberty of addressing You on a subject of great importance to the Nation and to our party. It is reported here that the Spanish Minister lately arrived at New-York will not be received by the Government, which I hope is a federal fabrication as nothing can justify the refusal of a Minester under such circumstances. I will not...
5261To James Madison from the Inhabitants of St. Lawrence County, New York, [8 January 1817] (Madison Papers)
To his Excellency the President of the United States and the honourable the Senate and house of Representatives in Congress assembled. The Petition of the undersigned humbly Sheweth. That your Petitioners Conceive it proper and expedient that a Law Should be passed annexing that part of Champlain District of the Customs Called the County of Franklin to the District of Oswegatchee in the State...
5262To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
I am a Soldier Enlisted under the Banner of the united States. Neither have I enlisted for money, but to retrive the h⟨o⟩nor of my country. Free Trade and no Im⟨pr⟩essment was the motive I had. I have been in many a battle and never had the misfortune to be shot in the back. I have boldly faced the enemy, and the death dealing Savage with his raised Tommahawk and heidous yells, have laid...
5263To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 19 November 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 November 1812, Newport, Rhode Island. “It is generally believed among the Republican Citizens of this Town, that Mr. William S. Rogers has gone to the City of Washington, an applicant for some appointment under the authority of the Government, it wou’d be equally repugnant to ev’ry Republican that this Gentleman shou’d be favor’d in his views, Particularly so, as his aversion to the Present...
5264To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 8 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
A meeting of the merchants of this city is now called to solicit advice, respecting the effect of your late Proclamation. Permit a stranger, but a friend to your administration to offer a few reasons, the effect of his experience, why your advice should be explicit. When the late law establishing a non-intercourse was about to go into effect, all those who respected the edicts of their country...
5265To James Madison from [Aaron?] Ogden, 29 January 1816 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Mr. [Aaron?] Ogden. 29 January 1816. “Regrets his intended departure for New York, will deprive him of the Honor of Dining with Mr. Madison on Thursday next.” RC ( NjP : Jasper E. Crane Collection of James and Dolley Madison; filed at 29 May 1816). 1 p. Unsigned; in an unidentified hand.
5266To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 1 June] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Permit an American born Citizen of Philada. to suggest his own, as well as the Ideas of many others, of a sudden war and also of a contrary course. A Declaration of war against England at the present time, would expose to the danger of capture 5 or 600 vessels of all descriptions, together with their sailors and cargoes, would involve in ruin and difficulty a majority of Your Merchants and at...
5267To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 4 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
In order to prosecute a war effectually in a republic it seems necessary the people should be willing to support it or otherwise when that is not the case, of consequence, or of course I would have said, Compulsion is inevitable. As there is a Scism among the people I shall propose an efficient mode easily effected on the indubitable principles of Justice partaking of both. To observe our...
5268To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 11 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Although unacquainted with the Military profession, I am not a disinterested spectator of the occurrences of the times. I read a good deal, & perhaps have an opportunity of seeing publications that do not come in the way of many others. I cannot help supposing that the United States must be deficient in the present acquirements of those states, who have for several years been very actively...
5269To James Madison from Citizens of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, [ca. 22 January] 1814 (Madison Papers)
THAT they feel an earnest and deep solicitude for the protection of the populous and flourishing cities, towns, and plantations of the shores and in the neighbourhood of the shores of the Delaware, in the states of Pennsylvania, Jersey, and Delaware, against the public enemy. That they had entertained confident hopes in the course of last year, that works would have been erected on a scite in...
5270To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 11–12] April 1812 (Madison Papers)
Confident that truth, in whatever, respectful, form communicated, has, on an independent mind, as yours, its due weight, I beg leave to avail myself of this method of offering to your high and respected consideration some observations on a subject which has not failed to receive that attention from you which its importance demands. I should, certainly, not call on that portion of your valuable...
5271To James Madison from the Officers of the Eighth Military District, [ca. 31 January 1816] (Madison Papers)
The Memorial of the Officers of the Army of the U. States in the 8th Military Department Stationed at New Orleans. Humbly Sheweth That on the reduction of the army on the conclusion of the late War, a General order was issued from the Adjt & Inspector Generals office dated the 17th Day of May 1815 for the arrangement of the army to be retained on the peace establishment which your memorialists...
5272To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 23 July 1809] (Madison Papers)
Plan, for an Hospital for disabled Sailors. After the Independence of a Country in which there is in operation, impartial laws and honest courts; Commerce must owe much of its security and success, to the courage, vigour, and enterprize of the men who work the respective vessels. If this be true in periods of peace; the fact is much more striking, during the existence of war. It is therefore...
5273To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [29 September] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Thou may’st deem it wonderful that I, professionally a quaker, should write to thee on the subject of war, a thing so obstinately opposed by the mass of my brethren. Quakers are but men, and subject as other men to frailties; and holy writ is so translated that it admits of numberless constructions. Therefore he who interprets scripture most to the glory of the Omnipotent and the General...
5274Treasury Department Memorandum on Compensation of Assessors, [ca. 7 January 1815] (Madison Papers)
By the 13. sec. of the act in question, the President is authorised to augment, in cases where he may find it necessary, the compensation fixed for the Principal & assistant assessors, by the act of July 22. 1813, so, however, as that no principal assessor shall, in any such case, receive more than 300 Ds. and no assist. assessor more than 150 Ds. The book which accompanies this, shews all the...
5275To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 23 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I hope it will not be thought obtrusive in times like these for an obscure individual, who thinks he can suggest something to the advantage ⟨to⟩ the nation, to ask the attention of the Chief magistrate for one moment. Suppose a national Bank were to be established which should divide its Capital at the end of a limited time, but till then should make no dividend? Its capital would increase not...
5276To James Madison from Essex Fishermen, [ca. 22 February 1814] (Madison Papers)
We intend to address you in a plain fisherman’s style that you may not consider us pleased when we are vexed; we consider you, sir, as the fountain from which all our national acts or laws proceed whether good or evil; we likewise consider you the proper authority to apply to for an immediate redress of grievances produced by those laws; you doubtless are sensible that we fishermen have done...
5277To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Believing it essential to the happiness of every Community that each Individual should aid in promoting the Public Good, leads me, without apology to submit the following Suggestions: Of Primary Importance to this Country, in order to securing its Peace & Prosperity, is the Balance of Trade. One Means to obtain this, is, our own Manufactures. Of these, the most essential are, every article...
5278To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 1 July 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 July 1811, Maryland. “I advise you as a Friend to arouse from your Lethargy. Look at the Nation. The People are all but ready to Burst into a Flame. A Flame of Discord. This is the Hour Of Trial—it is more Dangerous than the Time that tried Men’s Soul’s.… Do not slumber at the Helm in the Storm lest Our ship may Broach too & founder. May God be your Comfort and give you Consolation in the...
5279To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 4 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
As Christians you all profess to be upon an equality with all other men, inasmuch as you rest your hopes for eternal life in the world to come, upon the Grace of God revealed in his son Jesus Christ. Therefore, as Christians I presume to address you. God hath given you much, may you be good stewards for the Lord of hosts. War is contrary to the spirit of Christianity, which is universal...