1To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 11 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 October 1802, Baltimore. “I take the liberty of sending for deposit in thy office, as evidence of another invention of my brother Samuel, the enclosed Specification and affirmation. After fully submitting it to the test of experiment, he intends, if it succeeds, to solicit a patent.” Requests an acknowledgment of this letter “directed to Brookeville, Maryland.” Letterbook copy and copy of...
2To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 1 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
Having failed, when I was last in the City of Washington, to procure satisfactory information, respecting what steps, if any, had been taken by the Agricultural Societies now existing in several parts of The United States towards the formation of an Annual Convention in which each might be represented, I take the liberty of soliciting thy assistance. My firm reliance on the purity of thy...
3To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 22 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1803, Washington. “I am directed by the American Board of Agriculture to request thy attendance, in the Library, at the Capitol, 7 o’clock this Evening.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). 1 p. Dated “21st. of 2nd. Mo. 1803” by Briggs. Date corrected here on the basis of circumstances described in n. 1. According to both the National Intelligencer and the “Journal of the American Board of...
4To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 17 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I take the freedom of introducing to thee, and to thy amiable family, my youngest brother Joseph Briggs: having derived both gratification and instruction from my acquaintance with thee, I am anxiously desirous that my brother, whom I tenderly love, may have a small taste of the same benefits. My brother goes with me—he has heard much on what I deem the wrong side of the New Orleans question,...
5To James Madison from Isaac Briggs (Abstract), 20 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
20 April 1805, Washington, Mississippi Territory . “There is reason to expect that there will be applications or recommendations for the office of Secretary for this Territory. Permit me to suggest the idea that some embarrassment might result from the appointment, unless it be made on the President’s or thy personal knowledge, or in conformity with the wishes of the present Governor, whose...
6To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 7 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to introduce to thee, the bearer, John Thomas 3d. as a candidate for a clerkship in some one of the public offices. He is a decided Republican, bears an excellent moral character in his neighbourhood, and is, I believe, an honest man, and well qualified for the employment he seeks. Be so kind as to inform me by the return of John Thomas when the President is expected in the City of...
7To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 15 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
Matthew Witherspoon has requested my introduction to thee. He is lately arrived from Liverpool. My impressions, during the short acquaintance I have had with him, are in his favor; he appears to be a young man of intelligence and very decent manners. On thy goodness I rely for my excuse for this liberty, as well as for another on which I am about to venture. If there be no impropriety in it, I...
8To James Madison from Isaac Briggs and Thomas Moore, 16 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer, Thomas Robertson, we understand is an Applicant for the place of Agent of the United States with the Chickasaw Indians, and has applied to us for our recommendation. He was born and educated in the neighbourhood of Georgetown and has been known to us from his infancy. He has sustained a fair reputation for honesty and handsome talents and we believe deserves it. As far as we...
9To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 16 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having had, for a considerable time past, opportunities of observing the rapid progress of various manufactures in our country—and the increasing production of articles of primary usefulness, and believing in the good policy of promoting and fostering the spirit of enterprise already excited in laying this surest foundation of National Independence, my mind has been forcibly impressed with a...
10To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 18 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to introduce to thee, two of my young friends from Philadelphia, who will hand to thee this letter—William J. Paxson and William S. Warder. With the former, I have been acquainted from his infancy. He has acquired a fund of knowlege, general and particular, superior to most young men at the age of twenty one. Superior in amount—superior in accuracy of arrangement. These are the...
11To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 4 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
Application has been made to me for a letter of introduction to the President U.S. on behalf of Jane—widow of John Dauphin deceased, late a citizen of the United States and an inhabitant of this Borough. She visits the seat of Government, a petitioner for relief. Of her case I know nothing. With her I am not personally acquainted, nor have I had any acquaintance with her late husband; but I do...
12To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 8 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
On the 30th. of January last the Board of Public Works of Virginia elected, for their principal engineer, Col. William McRee. This gentleman, who is beyond question a very accomplished military engineer, has declined the acceptance of that office on the ground that “its duties embrace the business of civil engineering in general, and its particular application to such objects of internal...