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...
41To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 4 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having written a letter to the Secretary of War, in which I have expressed a readiness to enter on the duties of my military appointment, I take the liberty, from the conversations that have passed on the subject, of reminding you, that I shall take it for granted, that the office of collector at Boston, will be kept open until war be actually commenced, or abandoned for the present and that...
42To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 21 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
Will not the late discovery of Treasonable intentions, render it expedient to be more cautious, in appointing Federal characters (especially in the Northern States) to the higher grades in the Army. A conciderable portion of Field officers are Federal, and if a still greater proportion of the Genl. officers should be of that description, would not the active supporters of the Government, and...
43Henry Dearborn to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
My Son has enclosed to me your letter of the 20 th ult o and informs me that he had sent your letter to the man it was intended for, and requested him to send the machine to his care at Boston and he, my Son , would ship it to Richmond .—
44To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 17 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
I was this morning honored with your letter of the 11th. Inst. I trust Sir that you will believe me when I say that I do not possess a sufficient degree of either vanity or ambition to induce me to desire such Military rank or command, as Gentlemen of superior tallents & Information only might aspire to, but to prevent any unnecessary delay or embarrasment, I will suspend any remarks in...
45To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 8 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of presenting you a copy of an Oration pronounced on the 4th inst. by my Son, as to its merit, I can only say, that I hope the imperfections & defects may be in some measure ballanced by the honest zeal of the author. The two Mrs. Coles were with us at our festival. They set out this morning for the District of Maine. Please to ask Mrs. Madison to accept the tender of my...
46Henry Dearborn to Thomas Jefferson, 14 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Domestic affliction will, I hope, be admitted as an apology for my not having written to you for so long a time. I mention an apology, because I feel guilty of a negle c t, whenever I allow several months to pass without giving you some indication of my friendship & gratitude. the recollection of having enjoyed a share of your friendship will I trust never cease to Afford me peculiar...
47To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 5 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
I consider it my duty to give you the following information in relation to the conduct of our Consul Dabney at Fayal. I have received Mr. Dabneys official certificates to two facts which are contradicted by two witnesses on oath, one certificate is to verify the landing of a cargo at that Island, the other, certifying that the crew of the vessel from which the said cargo was landed, were there...
48To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 29 November 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 November 1810, Boston. Notes that in his official capacity he has had many dealings with the district circuit courts. “The state of society here demands great firmness as well as good legal tallents in our Judges, especially in all questions that have any political bearing.” Cushing should therefore be replaced by “a sound strong independant Character”; suggests that either Gideon Granger...
49Henry Dearborn to Thomas Jefferson, 15 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your friendly & instructive letter has been received and perused with peculier satisfaction & pleasure.— When people in pursuit of an important object abandon the regular & direct road, and pursue a wrong course a conciderable distance, it is with reluctence they can prevail on themselves to admit the error & tread back the erroneous steps and return to the road they had injudiciously...
50Henry Dearborn to Thomas Jefferson, 31 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
your delightfull retirement does not, I presume, prevent you from casting some occasional glances at the passing events at home & abroad, or from feeling a strong interest in our general concerns, and among other political events the regeneration of four or five of the Northern States, must afford you, & all other honest friends to our Constitution & government, real pleasure; I probably feel...
51To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 30 April 1810 (Madison Papers)
With this you will receive a thing called a sermon, in which you will see exhibited a correct picture of New Engld. Federalism, excepting one strong feature, which the painter has not exhibited, viz. a deep rooted hostility to our present sistem of Government but he deserves great credit for having given a correct picture of the veracity, Charity, & candor of his party. Whether we shall...
52To John Adams from Henry Dearborn, 26 December 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your several communications in relation to Manufactories, including your note of the 20th. inst. enclosing a letter from John Webb. Having sent about one hundred & fifty letters to different Gentlemen in various parts of this State in the month of August last, I had presumed that before this time I should have received so much information on the interesting...
53To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 7 November 1809 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of observing to you that Col Jona Russell of Providence is now here and about sailing for Toninggen, and if no Consul has been appointed for that place Col Russel would be pleased with the appointment, and as his Character is well known to you I presume you will with pleasure confer the appointment desired. If you should think proper to make the appointment, and will please...
54Henry Dearborn to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I had this day the pleasure of receiving your very freindly and highly esteem’d letter of the 16 th I am very glad that the fish arrived safe and was satisfactory in quality.— The Tories in this quarter have been making great exartions to induce their subordinate, deceived, adherents, to believe that M r Madison is intitled to their confidence, and they effect to believe that he will abandon...
55Henry Dearborn to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In your letter of the 16 th you were good enough to mention my Son ,— I was inform’d by M r Smith my former principle Clerk that an attempt would probably be made by Pickering to injure the character of my Son as an agent for fortifications, and M r Smith observed that he had mentioned the subject to you & that a postponement was thought advisable of his nomination as an officer in the Army
56To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 1 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
The result of our Elections has given our political opponants the intire direction of our State Government for the present year, what use they will make of the power they possess is uncertain, moderation or prudence, belongs not to their political character, they may however; for once, consider it expedient to attempt some restraint on their feelings & dispositions, I fear they will, but if...
57To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 16 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It was early perceived that the passions, prejudice, general disposition and character of the Accountant of the Department of War, rendered him very unsuitable for the Office he holds; and I should have applied for his removal several years ago, had I not been induced to expect, from year to year, that such an arrangement would have been made in relation to the accounting offices of the War...
58To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 16 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of proposing for your approbation the following promotions and appointment in the Regiment of Artillerists in the Service of the United States. viz a First Lieut. Enoch Humphry, to be promoted to the rank of Captain, vice, John Saunders appointed Major in the Regiment of Light Artillery January 9th. 1809 a Second Lieut. Samuel Maclay to be promoted to the rank of First Lieut...
59To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 16 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I accept with gratefull feelings the recent mark of your friendship, and having taken the requisite steps for authorising my entering on the duties of my new office, I hereby resign the office of Secretary of the Department of War.—be pleased Sir to accept my most sincere thanks for the many obligations you have confered on me. and believe to be with the highest respect & esteem your sincere...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 16 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of proposing for your approbation John W. Guion to be appointed Military Agent for the Southern Department of the United States vice Abraham D. Abrahams Accept Sir assurances of my high respect & consideration [ Note by Jefferson :] Feb. 16. 09. Approved T h : Jefferson DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.