To James Madison from John Armstrong, [ca. March 1814]
From John Armstrong
Thursday. [ca. March 1814]
Dear Sir,
Major Fairly of New York calls upon you this morning with a note addressed to him by Commodore Decatur. I have seen the young gentleman who is the subject of this note. He is, in point of talents & acquirements, very much above the place he solicits. His politicks have been federal—but of the same stamp with those of Decatur. I promised to speak both to you & the Secretary of the Navy in his favor, but having been too much occupied to do so, Fairly has got out of patience & goes to you himself. I am Sir, most respectfully & faithfully yrs
J. Armstrong
RC (DLC). Undated. Note in an unidentified hand below Armstrong’s signature reads: “Benjamin Bourne now on board the United States as Chaplain.” Month and year supplied based on New York militia Maj. James Fairlie’s 2 June 1814 letter to Armstrong, reporting his activities since his “return to the City from Washington” (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, F-4:8), and Benjamin F. Bourne’s nomination and confirmation as a purser in the U.S. Navy on 25 and 26 Mar. 1814 ( 2:514–15).