1To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 November 1825 (Madison Papers)
The inclination which I expressed to you several years ago, in 1823 I believe, to devote myself to the cultivation of letters, still besets me, & I have been fortunate enough to select a subject which is capable of receiving and conferring ⟨imperishable?⟩ honour. Whether I shall be able to do it justice is a question which labour, patience, diligence, & the inspiration of the historic muse,...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 26 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am unwilling that my enthusiasm in favour of your university should not be effectively known to you, I therefore take occasion, even at the risk of tasking your condescension & patience, to mention that in addition to M r Wallace who is now at the university, the two Browns, Richard & Frederick, are removed from the college here, & are to be sent at my instance, from to the University. I...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 28 July 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I now dispatch one of the youths I had some time ago the honour to mention to you, whose qualifications are less extended than those of the other two , but whose preparations for movement are more foward. His name is Robert Wallace, & his birth place the county of King George—though I know not that it is important to say, “to whom ( he is ) related, or by whom begot.” His age exceeds 16...
4To James Madison from Henry Lee, 5 August 1824 (Madison Papers)
As the reputed authour of a rejected address which was reported to the Jackson Convention in this town, I take the liberty of forwarding for your perusal a correct copy of it —a step that seems proper as parts of your publick conduct, & points of the constitution, are touched upon in the paper. As the paper was prepared at the request of the committee & its tone attempered by the wishes of...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 3 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of some military friends, and in compliance with a desire which I have for several years entertained, I am preparing a second edition of my fathers memoirs of the Southern war—with his own M.S. corrections, with the advantage of various suggestions from Col. Howard & with such additions and explanations as my own acquaintance with the subject will enable me to furnish. In this...
6To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 January 1825 (Madison Papers)
It is, you must allow, very natural that any inquirer into the meaning of the constitution, should desire to have his conjectures, approved or corrected by yourself. I therefore take the liberty of forwarding for your consideration the enclosed paper, and shall be proud to hear that it receives in any degree the approbation of a chief architect of our political temple. Without daring to press...
7To James Madison from Henry Lee, 2 February 1827 (Madison Papers)
In examining the events of the late war I believe I have ascertained that when in the fall of 1813, it became obvious that the campaign in the North would terminate in the disgrace of promising much and doing nothing, the govt. projected a plan for the operations of the ensuing year, of which the principal feature was to assemble a large force just within the limits of Canada—and near the...
8Henry Lee to James Madison, 15 September 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 14th of August, and have read it with that reverence which your age, and that respect which your character inspires. I beg to thank you for pointing out the misprint in regard to Mr Jay, which had led me into a labirynth of unpleasing conjectures. I regret that you have not condescended to correct the errors you perceive in my observations on...
9Henry Lee to James Madison, 14 January 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment had the honour to receive your letter covering copies of a variety of my respected fathers letter to you about the years 1790. 91: and 92. As the packet is to leave Havre on the 16th. I lose not a moment in acknowledging your extreme kindness in doing me this favour. The best return I can make for it is to facilitate your obtaining the copies you desire of your own letters...
10Henry Lee to James Madison, 4 June 1833 (Madison Papers)
It is some time since I submitted to the public certain observations on the writings of the late Mr. Jefferson, intended to vindicate my fathers memory from a gross and virulent slander contained in that mass of misrepresentations. Many of these observations were suggested by a letter of the 28th. Decr. 1794, addressed by Mr. Jefferson to yourself. Its first paragraph I did not refer to, as I...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 4 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had the honour to transmit to M r Jefferson a copy of the ‘campaign of ’71 in the Carolinas’, with a view of rendering it less unworthy of his perusal, I forward the accompanying paper MHi .
12Henry Lee to James Madison, 30 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
To ensure your well-pleased extension of the usual kindness of your hospitality to Mr. Alfred Langdon Elwyn (the bearer of this note) I have only to mention that he is the grandson of the great patriot of New Hampshire, with whose public & private virtues you <...> doubtly familiar. Returned from a long and studious residence in England & France, he is desirous of seeing our university, and of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 9 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last letter it has occurred to me that it should have contained an idea which I did not express. It is this—that under the circumstances in which the Governours of States, and the Continental Officers were placed, it is reasonable to suppose that however correct the conduct of the former may have been, the opinions of the latter would be unfavourable to them. Indeed, the more...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 14 July 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honour to transmit for your examination, a small political essay, which for a particular purpose I prepared some weeks ago. I sincerely hope that its style & sentiments may attract your notice without incurring your disapprobation. Your long and efficient patriotic labours, Your devotion to the freedom of this country & to the rights of mankind, your task for the elegant &...
15To James Madison from Henry Lee, 4 May 1824 (Madison Papers)
H. Lee has had the honour to receive Mr. Madison’s note of the 22nd April, and is glad to learn that the perusal of the volume transmitted by Mr. Garnett, is to be preceded by the study of that which it attempts to review. He hopes that either may requite the attention Mr Madison may bestow on it, and to lessen the demerit of the former, takes the liberty of inclosing a printed paper, which...
16To James Madison from Henry Lee, 13 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
I felt myself pleased and honoured by your letter, & shall avail myself of the earliest stage of maturity that my materials may present, to impose on your politeness and patience in the manner you seem to prefer. Genl. Armstrong has also been liberal & encouraging but I am fearful of his competition, knowing that I must be content with the second place. But I aim at truth & truth has charms...
17To James Madison from Henry Lee, 24 August 1827 (Madison Papers)
In tracing the conduct and Character of Genl. Jackson I have had a correspondence with Genl. Armstrong upon the subject of the provisional order to Genl. Jackson of the 18th. July 1814 —authorising him on certain conditions to take possession of Pensacola. It appears that order was not recd. until after the peace, on or about the 14th. March 1815. The circumstances under which it was recd....
18Henry Lee to James Madison, 14 November 1833 (Madison Papers)
It is some time since I had the honour to receive and acknowledge your letter of the 14th. of August last. I infer from it that you Conceive there are many misstatements and false inferences in my observations. I have therein stated on the authority of Mr. Jefferson that Genl. Washington wished you to accept the offer of Secy. of State as successor to Mr. Jefferson, and that you declined it. I...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 26 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour to receive the other day your letter of the 10 th of this month covering a five dollar note, as your subscription in advance for one year to the paper I propose publishing. As it is an undertaking the completion of which depends upon my getting a certain number of subscribers (1000) I think it improper to receive or rather to retain money for it until its existence shall be...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 29 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
It occurs to me that it may be desirable to the directors of the V a University to acquire the germ at least of a mineralogical collection, and I therefore take leave to mention to you that an acquaintance of mine in this city M r Ed— Myer is in possession of many specimens which are said to be rare and valuable. Among them are a number too which display to the least scientific observer, the...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 23 June 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I heartily rejoice that your health is restored, and congratulate the lovers of your country and of learning, that your custom of visiting the university is renewed. There are three youths at the Columbian College in the suburbs of this city, whose parents have confided the direction of their studies and academical destiny to me, and as after a fair and patient experiment I am convinced that...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 25 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read with great satisfaction your letter of the 15 th and most heartily thank you for the cordiality of its spirit, the value of its details; for the liberal estimate you place upon my motives, and the fairness of your expressions, respecting my father. In attempting to do justice to you, and ascertain and communicate in his name, the truth, I am sure, if such things can reach here now,...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 30 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The only definite proposition I can obtain from M r Wyer is that the collection of specimens in his possession—of various kinds—is at the service of the University at the moderate price of 2.500 dollars. His price is thus reduced as he says because his having destackeded in presents many shells & various fossils, and also because his situation renders coin more acceptable to himself than...
24To James Madison from Henry Lee, 12 March 1827 (Madison Papers)
For your letter of the 16th. Feby I now beg leave to express my thanks, and shall take occasion shortly to add some observations, with a view of getting further information on parts of it. I have recd. such high recommendations of the bearer Mr. Clarke, an English Gentleman who is travelling for health & information; and have concieved such sincere esteem for him from an intimate acquaintance...
25To James Madison from Henry Lee, 18 June 1824 (Madison Papers)
Although I may not wish to be known , I expect to be reputed as the authour of the inclosed prospectus —which from its connection with American literature and politics presents an humble claim, to the notice of Mr. Madison, who has so much advanced and illustrated both these important subjects. I should be so much pleased to obtain his sentiments in regard to its style & principles that I am...