901To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 23 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
I think it my duty confidentially to make known to you, that I have drawn a respectful memorial to the S. of the U.S. upon the subject of the difficulties, which I conjectured would arise there, and some which from symptoms I suspect, base and malignant as they are, to have been imposed upon that honorable body. How highly ought I, under all the circumstances with which you are surrounded to...
902To James Madison from Tench Coxe, [ca. 19 September 1814] (Madison Papers)
The Comme. of Defense determined, on Thursday (I think), the 15th., to request a comme: from each ward to be appointed to receive from them a communication, which they could not make publickly. Saturday, at 10. OClock, was appointed to make it: Committees were to be appointed in the short interval by the 120.000 persons (or the freemen among them) in the city and various suburbs. Notices were...
903To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 26 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
In the winter of 1806/7, the writer of this note was so deeply impressed with the despotic military course of the governments of Europe, that a fixed anxiety took possession of his mind on account of the secret hostility to our form of Government, which he believed to be the theory of all & the design of some of the official statesmen of the old world. Among the most efficient means of defence...
904To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 24 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
A real necessity for relief, and not an intention to injure any one obliges me to make the address, which I have now the honor to present, with the most sincere regret. You will remember, that in the latter part of March 1812, a law was passed to abolish the Purveyors office and establish those of a commissary general & deputies. In the beginning of April W. Jones Esqre was appointed Commy...
905To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 18 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor by yesterdays mail, before entering upon my Pennsylvania office, to transmit to you a letter of resignation of the office, duties and agency of Supervisor &ca. This step was taken from an apprehension that an incompatibility of that duty & agency might occasion it to be considered impracticable for me to perform them, while I was Clerk of the genl. Quarter Sessions under...
906To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 10 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
The great intrinsic importance of Banking institutions, both associated and incorporated, will be considered, I trust, by you as a sufficient apology for this respectful solicitation of a small portion of your valuable time. The system of commerce and credit, and the laws of property in the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland have been considered, as on the whole, the most perfect in...
907To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 13 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
It is with sincere reluctance, that I trouble you upon the subject of a vacancy which I am told has been created, this day. It is understood that Capt. C. Irvine has been appointed Commissary Genl. I submit myself to your consideration for the office of Supt of military stores, of the duties of which I have had many occasions to think and much opportunity to acquire information. Tho it is not...
908To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 20 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor most respectfully to state, that the Attorney General of Pennsylvania has expressed a second Opinion, that there is an incompatibility between the Office I hold under the State & an office under the United States. Wherefore it proves, as I mentioned in my resignation of the 14th. instant, which I had the honor to transmit to you, impracticable for me to perform the remaining...
909To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 8 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
An affair in which I have no interest, but that of a citizen whose property is landed, has occurred to my observation with so much force, that I have considered it as duty to attempt to attract to it the most respectable notice. It is above thirty years since I submitted to you in our return from the convention at Annapolis, that the garden cultivation of cotton on the Chesapeak bay convinced...
910To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 4 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I had some time ago the honor to apply to you for the favor of Warrants, as Midshipmen in the Navy for my Sons James Sidney Coxe & Henry Sidney Coxe. As I am not acquainted with the course, which it has appeared to you proper, or which it may be found practicable to adopt in those cases, I have taken the liberty, by this mail, to request of my friend Jonathan Roberts Esquire, to enquire, in...
911To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 25 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the honor to submit to your consideration the object to which my recent memoir related, accounts from GBritain & India, the arrival of unprivileged American Vessels with invoices of cotton wool from in our ports and other circumstances have more deeply impressed me with the importance of the Subject. I beg leave to add the enclosed document A as an appendix to the Memoir. A region...
912To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 31 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I respectfully trust you will excuse this second letter, when you know the circumstances, under which it is written. Since I had the honor to address you on the 17th. Instant, I have received very urgent tho’ polite applications from Jacob Eustis, Esquire, of Boston, Messrs. Gansevort & Lagrange of Albany & Aaron R. Levering, Esquire, of Baltimore all late agents for this office to Settle or...
913To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 22 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am encouraged by your goodness, expressed thro Mr Gallatin, to trouble you with a letter on the same subject as my last, after having obtained from my brother, of the House of Reps., the loan of his file of bills in relation to the revenues, and offices creating at this session. I have read & considered the bill relative to the office I formerly held, and I perceive that it is wisely...
914To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 8 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
Mr Coxe has the honor respectfully to transmit the enclosed to the President, as the best disposition he can make of it, within the views of the writer. Mr. Coxe begs leave to remark, that he does not remember any thing very material, in the case of the gentleman applying, but believes he was employed in the care of the small foreign distillery near to Charleston. Mr. Coxe cannot suppress his...
915To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 25 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to offer to you my most grateful and respectful acknowledgements for the appointments of Midshipmen, conferred upon my two Sons, James & Henry. I have the particular satisfaction to state, that Commodore Rodgers, upon the evidence of Character & preparation in the case of the elder, has been so good as to station him on board the Guerriere frigate: and that Commodore Porter,...
916To James Madison from Tench Coxe, [ca. 24 September 1814] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Cose most respectfully requests the favor of the President to peruse, in the democratic press of this 24 Septr., a paper on the subject of “ the balance of Naval power ” in the whole or parts of the 1. 2. 3 & 4th. inner Columns. This great and costly power, he humbly conceives, should be thoroughly investigated. It was new in 1791. It is so large & has so many sides, as not to be very...
917To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 16 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
It is only from a desire to reserve from the public files of the war department an application, which might wear the appearance of complaint, where none is intended, that I have ventured to do my self the honor to address the requests in this letter to you. In the week preceding the cessation of my operations as Purveyor, I made applications to the war department for the name of an officer...
918To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 28 April 1810 (Madison Papers)
As it is possible, that the bill to create a quartermasters department may become a law, and its operation upon my situation will be the most unexpected & inconvenient, I do myself the honor to submit myself to your consideration as a candidate for the office of Deputy Quarter Master at this place. I shall be willing, to obtain subsistence for myself & family, to perform any or all of the...
919To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 30 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
In proportion as new, solemn and unlooked for duties and trials come upon you, I find myself supported by my confidence in your heart and mind and public & personal exertions. Three of my sons are gone to the field in the Philada. volunteer corps which marched last week, one remains assistant Secy to the general committee of defence, and is enrolled in a company which forms part of stationary...
920Memorandum from Tench Coxe, ca. 26 May 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 26 May 1810. Discusses the need to encourage American manufactures and encloses some observations on a treasury report on the same subject. Lists merchandise now imported that might be produced in America (linen, iron, hemp, liquors), since European sources are likely to be cut off by war. Also stresses the need to encourage manufactures that will supply the means of national defense....
921To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 12 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
During the last twelve or fifteen months two of my sons have pressed upon me an application to the government, in their behalf, for Warrants in the Navy. I have devoted myself to the Collegiate & professional education of my seven sons (one of whom I have lost) and hoped, that they would be able to establish themselves in civil life, subject to a volunteer exertion in the military service of...
922To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 18 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
It would be a matter of surprize to you, if you were to learn that any person, who ever felt a solicitude for the public happiness & safety, were easy in the recent state of our foreign affairs. The provision in the treaty dismembring the Dutch Country on the avowed ground of a rule drawn from the French constitution . between France & Holland, the complicated but consolidated power of France...
923To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 18 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
I really am unable to excuse myself, in my own mind, for the troublesome applications I have so repeatedly made to you. I have presumed far, in offering objects for my own benefit to your consideration. But the close of the busy and anxious session of congress, and the tranquil commencement of your new term, seem to make the present time a season of less pressing engagement, and I yield once...
924To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 3 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
It has been my lot to be a trespasser upon your goodness, which has been very great and to my whole family most important. An opportunity this day presents of avoiding the possible chance of objections that do not arise in your circle of authority. The post office in this city is vacated by the death of Capt. Robert Patton. It is a permanent office. It is I believe a valuable one. It is in the...
925To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 10 March 1814 (Madison Papers)
I respectfully request permission to submit to your perusal the enclosed papers, merely for information. You will appreciate the injury to the service & myself from the unprecedented exclusion of a late officer from his books and papers. Mr. Mifflin, late deputy commissary, who first made the obstructions appears on the books a debtor in $444. & never returned an answer to my request that he...
926To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 15 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to receive your commission, of the 8th. instant for the office of Collector of the direct tax & internal revenues, thro the hands of the commissioner, to whom, in compliance with his printed circular, I made known my acceptance of that office instantly, by the return of the mail. I also proceeded to prepare & perform such other things, as the laws and instructions pointed out,...
927To James Madison from John Cox, 5 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will receive by the bearer $727 2/100 as ⅌ statement below. Should Mrs. Madison or yourself have commands either to Philadelphia or Balte. It will give me pleasure to execute them; I set out on Sunday Morning. Most respectfully your Obt. St. Amount of your note 5,000 Discount 47 50 Net amt. of note $4952.50 Your Old note 2384.78 Order on Mr Latrobe 840.70 Amount passed to your Cr....
928To James Madison from John Cox, 15 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having an unexpected call for more money to day than I have by me, will you allow me to ask you for the loan of fifteen Hundred Dollars until this day week when it shall be Returned to you without fail. With much respect Your ob st RC ( NN ). Undated; date assigned here on the basis of the endorsement at the foot of the page. Below the signature is the following note: “Geo: Town Saturday Feby...
929To James Madison from Jehu Crack, 12 April 1814 (Madison Papers)
Considering the very importent affairs you must now have to Occupy your attention, it is with the greatest, reluctanc⟨e⟩ and diffidence, I take the liberty of adressing you in behalf of the society of which I have the honour to be president, every member of which are genuine rebublicans—and with heart and hand, Sword or pen would defend the great cause to the last. We formed into a Body the...
930To James Madison from John Craft and Others, 17 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
We the Undersignd masters and Supercargos of American Vessels, and Citizens of the United States, now in the port of Coruna in Spain, Respectfully beg leave to represent to Your Excellency, that in the course of two Months past, we have repeatedly transacted business with Benito Santos Esqr. now acting as an American Agent in this place by Virtue of a Commission from Moses Young Esqr. under...
931To James Madison from William Cranch, 16 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
Having understood that Mr. Thos. H. Blake, now a resident of Indiana, is an applicant for the office of District Attorney, I beg leave to state that he was for some time a practitioner at the bar of the Circuit Court for the district of Columbia, and as far as his general deportment and character came under my notice, they were correct, and his talents respectable. I have no doubt that he...
932To James Madison from Peter Crary and Others, 4 January 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 January 1810, New York. Urges JM to appoint Elijah Palmer to be surveyor at the port of Stonington, Connecticut, in the event of the resignation of the incumbent, Jonathan Palmer. Recommends Elijah Palmer for his attachment to the “principles of ’76” and as one who has been persecuted for his political beliefs. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Palmer”). 3 pp. Signed by Crary and...
933To James Madison from William Crawford, 12 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
Cherishing an anxious sollicitude that the welfare of our country, and your reputation should rest on the same permanent basis I take the liberty of submitting a few observations to your consideration. Communications from members of the state legislature of Penna. and information variously derived elsewhere compells me to believe that any peace concluded with Britain short of the cession of...
934To James Madison from William Crawford, 15 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
Much uncertainty respecting the propriety of the step I am now about to take, has agitated my mind, since the rising of the court appointed to try Genl. Wilkinson which ceased on information received yesterday—that upon Saturday last their proceedings had not been laid before you. Duty to the public—Justice to Genl. Wilkinson & respect for you prevail, & impell me to lay one fact, among many...
935To James Madison from William Crawford, 7 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will pardon this intrusion in the midst of those momentuous affairs which must now press upon your attention. At the request of Mr. Lloyd I now address you in his behalf. I have witnessed some experiments on his late discovery. I presume not on being competent to decide its merit. But it appears to me worthy of a full & fair trial. As, either in the army or navy, it might be...
936To James Madison from William Crawford, 30 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
Your customary card has renewed an embarrassment under which I have labored since the first & only time I attended your table as a guest. Living recluse from intercourse with polished society—unacquainted with the regulations of their ceremonial—and diffident of the conduct I ought to observe—I at that time committed a blunder—which may have been construed into rudeness—where I could have no...
937To James Madison from William Crawford, 4 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Disapproving of the selection for appointment to office from the members of the house of representatives in Congress, for reasons which have hitherto been satisfactory to my mind, the scenes I have witnessed here have not diminished the force of the objections which offer against that mode of selection. From a late application, made to me as a representative in that body, from Penna., in...
938To James Madison from William Crawford, 31 March 1814 (Madison Papers)
If the liberty so frequently taken in addressing you privately, on subjects of national concern, had proceeded from vanity or selfishness, I could not indulge a hope that they would meet with a favorable reception. But an earnest desire to promote the public welfare governing all my communications I am again encouraged to address a few observations to you on the subject of our present fiscal...
939To James Madison from William Crawford, 2 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Such frequent obtrusion, on your notice, may be deemed equally presuming & impertinent. Rectitude of intention towards you & the public can alone plead in my vindication. Your candor will induce you to meet that motive with indulgence. On a former occasion I took the liberty of intimating that the responsibility, of any present adjournment of the two houses of Congress, should rest wholly on...
940To James Madison from William Crawford, 28 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
Where integrity of motive is apparent it merits indulgence; & will plead for any impropriety which anxiety to promote the public welfare may undesignedly occasion. In a government, with powers & interests so divided & blended frequent & candid communication of views & intentions becomes indispensable, to the exercise of these with unity & efficacy. Where a great national crisis calls for...
941To James Madison from William Crawford, 30 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to apologize for the liberty thus taken in addressing you on a subject of considerable importance—which requires a prompt decision provided you feel duly authorized to apply the remedy. Great abuses exist in the management of the militia of Penna. Whether these arise from defects in the laws—in the orders given for their execution, or, in the improper construction of either—must be...
942To James Madison from William Crawford, 24 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
A project of finance, addressed to you in this days Intr. induces me to offer a few observations upon that project & the plan already submitted. The project there offered adopts in part the plan formerly proposed. But it connects with it an extensive banking operation, from whose beneficent influences it calculates on providing for the national expenditures, in times of public pressure—on...
943To James Madison from William Crawford, 17 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
The aim of the present address, will, I trust, be a sufficient apology for the intrusion. If the scheme it proposes shall be deemed either dangerous or impracticable, it will only subject you to the trouble of perusing it. It has always been the opinion of the subscriber—that the measures of our government should be calculated to afford security to the basis on which it ought to rest—the free...
944To James Madison from William H. Crawford, 8 March 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1810, Senate Chamber. Sends Obadiah Jones’s resignation as judge of the Illinois Territory and acceptance of appointment as judge of the Mississippi Territory. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Jones”). 1 p. Printed in Carter, Territorial Papers, Illinois , 16:82. Enclosure not found.
945To James Madison from William H. Crawford, 1 March 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 March 1810, Senate Chamber. Obadiah Jones has authorized Crawford “to accept of the appointment in his name, if it should be made,” to the Mississippi territorial judgeship “& in his name to sign a resignation of his present appointment” of judge in the Illinois Territory. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Jones”). 1 p. Printed in Carter, Territorial Papers, Illinois , 16:81....
946To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 26 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to submit for your consideration, a draft of the instructions prepared to be sent to the Commissioners appointed to treat with the Chickasaw Indians. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, Sir, your Obt. Servant. RC ( DLC ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by Crawford; docketed by JM . The draft has not been found, but for the final...
947To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 6 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
The very Kind and flattering manner in which you offered me a seat in the Cabinet, yesterday, has made a very deep impression upon my mind. Under the influence of this impression, and with a sincere desire to act in conformity with your wishes, I have reviewed the reasons which then induced me to decline that honorable distinction. This review has terminated in the conviction, that I am not...
948To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 18 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
In adopting regulations to prevent the abuses which have been practised in issuing provisions to the Indians, at the military posts esblished [ sic ] upon the frontier, or within territories, I was led to examine the amount of issues to the inhabitants of Detroit, and its vicinity, which commenced upon the recovery of that territory from the enemy in the year 1813. The issues were Continued...
949To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 26 [ca. 20] August 1815 (Madison Papers)
It has become important to settle with the least possible delay, the effects of brevet commissions in the Staff, on the peace establishment. Under the act of 1813., certain staff appointments were Created, and brevet commissions were directed to issue to the persons selected to fill them, whether taken from the line or otherwise. The law, fixing the military peace establishment, has repealed...
950To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 30 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 June 1812, Senate Chamber. Recommends “Mr Charles Sterrett Ridgely of Maryland for an appointment in the army of the United States.” “It is due to candor, to state, that he is a federalist, but it is equally due to him to state, that he is an American in feeling and principle.” RC ( DLC ). 2 pp.