1To James Madison from Lafayette, 15–17 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Lafayette arrived in New York on 4 August 1784 for a visit which lasted until 21 December 1784 when he sailed to France aboard the frigate La Nymphe . During his stay, he was greeted by Washington and other Virginians at Richmond on 18 November. After feastings, celebrations, and a visit to the State Assembly, the two Revolutionary heroes spent a few days at Mount Vernon and then went north,...
2To James Madison from Lafayette, 16 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
Was I to found my Hopes Upon the Letters I have from Congress, I would please my fancy with the Expectation of Wellcoming You to the European Shore—and Yet, when I Remember Your obstinate plans of life, I am affraid least my Warm Wishes Should be disappointed—in the Mean While, I will Continue writing, and By the Way Will advise You to send Your Answers By the packets Rather than By a private...
3To James Madison from Lafayette, 8 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 February [ 1787? ]. This letter was “probably to JM,” but the evidence is not conclusive. The year is indicated by Lafayette’s comments on Jefferson: “Our friend Jefferson intends a journey to the South. He is universally beloved and respected, at Court, and in Paris and as he is equally enlightened and zealous he cannot but render the greatest service to his Country”...
4To James Madison from Lafayette, 22 October 1784 (Madison Papers)
In spite of Calculations and Engagements, I Cannot absolutely leave Boston, at least for some time, and the Remainder of my tour, must, of Course, be much differed. The Reception I Have met with exceeds description. My feelings are still more Unrepressible. It was not in my power to go so soon as I expected and am under a Necessity to visit Rhode island and New Hampshire. Thus Circumstanced,...
5To James Madison from Lafayette, 5 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your Correspondents in france, Besides me, are So Well informed that You Have only to Be affraid of tedious Repetitions. They Will tell You that the dutch are divided into Several Parties, Which are Ranged in two opposite Armies. Three provinces and a Half, among Whom is that of Holland, and the Volunteer Corps are on the Side of freedom. The Remainder of the provinces, the Regulars, and a...
6To James Madison from Lafayette, [8 February 1785] (Madison Papers)
… [France has ordered] two large Armies to get in readiness … in Flanders and … in Alsace.… I hope matters will be compromised and a War avoided…. Your Ministers will write you more than I can respecting their negotiations…. Our friend Mr. jefferson has been unwell but now feels better…. Remember me to the Governor and all friends in Virginia.… Printed extract (Charles Hamilton Catalogue No....
7To James Madison from Lafayette, 1 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
Had I Not a proper Reliance on the Steadiness of Your Sentiments I Might fear You Have forgotten the old friend Who Has Not for Many, Many Years Received one Line from You. But I Conclude from the feelings of My Own Heart that Your Reciprocal Affection to Me Has not diminished, and that through the Vicissitudes of a Life as Stormy as it is Now Quiete, I Have Been Accompagnied With Your...
8To James Madison from Lafayette, 4 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 January 1803, Paris. Offered for sale in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 686 (11–12 May 1892), item 1504, where it is described as a three-page letter in Lafayette’s hand.
9To James Madison from Lafayette, [31 March] 1803 (Madison Papers)
General Bernadotte is so gloriously introduced by his own reputation, and Character, that I shall only present him to you as my personal friend. He is of all men the one I would better like to see going to America as an ambassador, was he not also the man, whom all true and steady patriots cannot but heartily wish to keep nearer to his own country, where none surpass, and but few can equal the...
10To James Madison from Lafayette, 4 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
Altho I Have Not for Many Years Heard from You, I Hope that if You Have Received a Long Letter of Mine writen a few months Ago, I may Before Long Expect Your wished for Answer. Let me Here Repeat My joyful and patriotic Congratulations for the Accession of Louisiana, and the future one of the floridas to the United States—indeed I am Also to Rejoice as a french man; the Entanglemen of this...
11To James Madison from Lafayette, 7 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I Have received my dear Friend, your Letter, May the 1st. and it has been a most lively heartfelt pleasure for me to revise the Expression of a Friendship on which my dependance has ever been entire as it was deeply founded on the Reciprocity of my Sentiments for you. I Hope you have had my Letters of Congratulation for the happy Cession of Louisiana to the United States. An Event which the...
12To James Madison from Lafayette, 10 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have two days ago written a long Letter to M. Jefferson which as it will be communicated to you leaves me nothing here to Speack of but Landed Property & pecuniary Plans—The last matter among so many, I would have wanted to entertain you upon, had not every other been debated in that first part of my correspondence. You will no doubt feel with me, when in my Answer to our respected friend I...
13To James Madison from Lafayette, 22 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
The Arrival of General Armstrong is the Last Opportunity I Had to Hear from You—I Was More fortunate as to public intelligences—The Reelection of our dear Respected president, and of Course the Continuation in Office of His Collaborators, With the Speech Worthy of Him He Has pronounced Have Speedily Enough Been Received in paris Where I Came to Confer with Gnl. Armstrong and Mr Livingston—of...
14To James Madison from Lafayette (Abstract), 4 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
4 June 1805, La Grange . “Permit me to Introduce and Recommend to You Mm. Armand de Letten and Casimir Rham, Swiss Gentlemen, and Near Relations to My Worthy friends Mm de Letten. I Much Wish My interest in their Behalf May promote the kind Wellcome and Occasional Services to which their own Merit Entitles them.” RC ( PHi ). 1 p. Henry Casimir De Rham (1785–1873) established himself as a...
15To James Madison from Lafayette, 3 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
Mr. David parish, now a french Citizen, and Inhabitant of Antwerpt is Going to Visit America. The Character of His House, His family, and Himself will Sufficiently Introduce Him. But I am Happy in this Instance to Indulge a lively Sentiment of friendship, and a deep Sense of Obligations to Him and His Worthy parents. Mr. John parish His father, during our Captivity of olmütz, Was the American...
16To James Madison from Lafayette, 16 October 1805 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 6h. June, My dear friend, or Rather a Copy of it from the press Has Come to Hand. I think it is the duplicate of one Which Has Been Lost, and By the Bye I Caution You Against the Ink of Your Copying press, as the Whiteness of it Has Rendered it Very difficult for General Armstrong and for me to Read the Respective dispatches You Have on that day Adressed to Us. Yet I Have...
17To James Madison from Lafayette, 12 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Sudden departure of Mr. Coles Has Left me But the Time to Come to town, take Leave of Him, And aknowledge Your kind Letter Just Now Received By Mr. Gelston. With Affectionate Gratitude I See that No pressure of Business Can Make You forgetful of the private Concerns of Your friend. Be pleased to present Also My Best Thanks to Mr. Gallatin. You Will Have Been Much Surprised to Hear the...
18To James Madison from Lafayette, 26 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I Wish Gnl. Armstrong May before the departure of the Vessel Know Something More of the Late Austrian peace than the principal Ministers of the Emperor Knew of it Last Evening. They Have Been informed With the public that a treaty Has Been Signed. They are to day Summoned to fontainebleau. The Rest is Mere Conjecture which Cannot fail to be Soon Ascertained. Yet the General form of the...
19To James Madison from Lafayette, 10 March 1810 (Madison Papers)
I Have Received By the John Adams Your kind Letter of the 4h december and Wish it Was in My power to Announce a Happy Change of European Measures. The frigate Has Not Yet Been Sent Back from England. Mr. de Champagny’s Note, promised Several Weeks Ago is still Expected—and Altho’ the Motive for delay, that the Emperor is taken Up With Matrimonial preparations, Appears frivolous, it is...
20To James Madison from Lafayette, 20 March 1810 (Madison Papers)
The John Adams By Whom I Have Received Your Kind Letter of the 4h december is Not Yet Returned from England. I Heartily Wish She May Carry Such Arrangements as Will Have Settled the differences With one Belligerent and Must Enable Gnl. Armstrong to Call Upon the declarations Made By the other. There is for me Every Motive to Wish this tardive Recourse to Honest and Sound policy Had first taken...
21To James Madison from Lafayette, 24 March 1810 (Madison Papers)
The Letters intended for the John Adams Are Gone an other Way. I Will not However Miss the Opportunity of the frigate. It is probable, after she is Arrived from England, Gnl. Armstrong Will Have to detain Her a few days, and By that time More May be Said on the Situation of American Affairs With Respect to Both Belligerents. My feelings and Wishes You Well Know. What information May Be...
22To James Madison from Lafayette, 25 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I Leave it With General Armstrong to inform You of the Happy Repeal of the two Milan and Berlin decrees—a determination Which Gives me Great pleasure and Great Hopes. I don’t See How the British Cabinet Can Avoid imitating the Example. That it Has Been Given By france Greatly Adds to My Satisfaction. While I was Lamenting to find Nothing for me in the Government dispatches Brought By the Flash...
23To James Madison from Lafayette, 20 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
Your Letters Sent By Mr. david parish are the Last I Have Received. He Has kept the patents to deliver them Himself at the end of this Month. Three Vessels Have Since Arrived With Government dispatches. They Contained Nothing for me So that I am without An Answer to my Long triplicates By the San Sebastian Ship, By Count palhen, and by Captain Fenwick. A Letter from this Last, Very Carefully...
24To James Madison from Lafayette, 26 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
I Have Had Lately the pleasure to Write By Gnl. Armstrong, But Cannot let the Homer depart Without Repeating a tender of My Grateful friendship. My Last did inform You that I Had Received Your kind Letters 18h and 19h May, But that No Answer to My Long triplicate By the John Adams Had Come to Hand. I Have Since Got the Nine patents delivered By Mr. parish Himself. The Homer Brought Me a Very...
25To James Madison from Lafayette, 15 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
I am Sure You Have Had the Goodness to Answer My Long triplicate the Last of Which Went By the John Adams. Several Subsequent Letters Have Been Sent By me. The last ones I Had from You are dated May the 18h and 19h. It is a Comfort to me to think that You and our friend Mr. Jefferson Have Received Notes Which do in a Measure Account for My pecuniary Situation and alleviate the Blame that one...
26To James Madison from Lafayette, 8 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
It is to me a particular Gratification, in Remembrance of old times, and in Justice to a Very Respectable Gentleman, to Recommend the Concerns of M. de Rayneval. He Has Been the first European diplomate Whose Negociations Have Met American independance, and None of them Has Been, in personal Exertions, More zealous and Useful. These Considerations Join With the Very Great Regard due to His...
27To James Madison from Lafayette, 12 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I Gratefully thank You for Your Letter Novr the 1st., and for the incessant Attention You are pleased to give, Amidst Your public Avocations, to My private Concerns. It is a Misfortune Attached to the Vicissitudes of My Life that the Munificence of Congress and the Exertions of My friends, intended to Make me Rich again, Must Be Employed to prevent My Being Utterly Ruined. But Here also I find...
28To James Madison from Lafayette, 21 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
It is a Good fortune for me to Arrive from La Grange in time to improve the Opportunity that is just Going. I ardently Wish the frigate May Soon follow the Flash With Satisfactory Accounts. Hitherto the Emperor Has been on His travels So that Mr. Barlow Could Not be presented before last Sunday. His personal Reception Has been the Most Agreable His friends and the friends to His business Might...
29To James Madison from Lafayette, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, La Grange. Discusses Franco-American relations and introduces Mr. de Correa. “When I have left town Some days ago symptoms seemed to promise a Better Answer to Mr. Barlow’s note than had been for a long while obtained by An American Minister—I hope he is By this time coralled to send of the frigate, and will not Any Longer Delay these few lines depending upon him to Give you...
30To James Madison from Lafayette, 12 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Arrival of the Wasp Has Brought to me no letters from You. The Sudden departure of the Hornet which it Had been Necessary to keep Untill an other Conveyance was Secured Leaves me but little time to write. Mr. Barlow Will fully Acquaint You with the General State of politics and the present progress of His Exertions. I shall therefore Content myself With a few lines Respecting my personal...
31To James Madison from Lafayette, 13 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
While I Have been obliged By my pecuniary Circumstances to part With four More patents of my Lands Near pointe Coupee it is a Comfort to me to Have put them in the Hands of Sir John Coghill. He Has a proper Sense of the Advantages to be found in a Connection with the United states and a Sincere desire to Contribute to their Wellfare as a good Louisiana proprietor. His Means and His plans...
32To James Madison from Lafayette, 22 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Hornet is Going to Sail. By Her You Will Receive dispatches Which Make it Unnecessary for me to add farther informations. I the more Lament the Appearant dispositions of the british Ministry With Respect to the orders in Council as I More fervently Wish the U. S. May not be involved in a War. Our friend Mr. Barlow tells you the present state of His Negociations. I shall therefore Confine...
33To James Madison from Lafayette, 6 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Repeal of the orders in Council Has Been Announced to us. I Rejoice at the Success of Your Spirited Measures, and Am Not Less Happy in the Maintenance of peace. Our friend and worthy Minister will tell you How matters are Going in Europe. My Letters of Yesterday Say that Hostilities are begun on the Niemen . This one Goes with the public dispatches. I shall therefore Confine myself to...
34To James Madison from Lafayette, 6 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
Our friend M. Barlow has communicated to me the article of your Letter relative to my affairs. So far I am from Wondering at a delay of the decision of Congress on the report of their Commissioners, That I feel much obliged to you to have mentionned it, under the actual pressure of affairs, in your Last dispatch. It is however of Great importance to me that the Business of those two patents be...
35To James Madison from Lafayette, 13 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
While You are Honorably Engaged in patriotic Concerns for which my feelings Have not Ceased, during Six and thirty Years, to be truly American, I don’t Like to intrude on Your time With observations Relative to My private affairs. Yet the Correspondance is Now So Uncertain that I will not miss a Good opportunity to trouble you with a few Selfish Lines. I am much pleased to preface them with...
36To James Madison from Lafayette, 30 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
The Arrival of Mr. Crawford and two Letters from our friend Monroe and david parish Have informed me that You Were in Good Health. I Expect the pleasure of a letter from You along With the patents which You Have Been pleased to Entrust to Mm Gallatin and Bayard. They Will probably find Means to Convey them before the End of the Year. A Communication I Meant to Open through one of the...
37To James Madison from Lafayette, 18 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I Had flattered myself with the Expectation to See Mr. Tod in our Rural Retirements before He left This Country. But Hearing He is to Set of from paris to morrow I Hasten these lines to You, Refering Myself for European intelligence to the official dispatches and verbal accounts which you are going to Receive. Here is However a letter of mine to our friend Jefferson which being unsealed I...
38To James Madison from Lafayette, 11 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Masson a Citizen of the U.S. whose Relations in france are particularly known to me, and who Has Rendered Services on the West point Establishment, informs me that He Has the Honor to Apply to You as a Candidate for Consular Employment in Some port of france. His merits in the military line you know better than I Could state them but am inclined to think they give Him a title to the...
39To James Madison from Lafayette, 1 June 1785 (Madison Papers)
This letter will Be delivered By mr. Chevalier, a Son to the Gentleman I Recommended to You last Summer, who is Going to Settle His Accounts with Your State. I am the More inclined to Give Him my letter as a denial would Seem to Harbour a doubt upon the punctuality of the payment while I know You Have taken proper measures to insure it. Give me leave therefore to Recommend the affair to Your...
40To James Madison from Lafayette, 26 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
The glorious termination of the war and the Ratification of the peace are Events which on Every public and personal accounts Have afforded me the Highest Satisfaction. Had Great Britain persisted in the project to Bend Her Whole force against the people of the U.S. abandonned as they Were By all the powers of Europe, I Would not Have doubted the final Success of American Bravery and...
41To James Madison from Lafayette, 20 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Name of Regnauld de St. Jean d’Angely a member of the Constituent assembly, of our late House of Representatives, and in the interval Between those two great Epochas, an Eminent Actor on the administrative Stage of france, is, no doubt, well known to You. His Uncommon talents Had placed him Very high in the imperial affairs and Have probably Contributed to the choice made of him to be...
42To James Madison from Lafayette, 11 November 1815 (Madison Papers)
Amidst the services I would be happy to render to the U.S. I set in the first rank an acquisition so precious, that America is the only Country upon earth which I cannot grieve to see benefitted by the loss of France. General Bernard whom the Polytechnic School glories to have possessed, has so eminently distinguished himself in the Corps of Engineers, namely on the fortification of Antwerp,...
43To James Madison from Lafayette, 25 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
The Correspondance of Mr Jackson Has over My Letters, in our Quick Sand of politicks, the advantage of Being writen from the Center and On the Spur of the Occasion. The Sad Situation of this Country, the Views of its Legislators, the Sentiments of its Government, and the main object of foreign powers are obvious. On one Side Coblentz and pilnitz on our part the principles of 1789. Such is the...
44To James Madison from Lafayette, 16 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I Have Had the pleasure to write to You By Several opportunities and took the Liberty to Recommend Some of the Numerous french Citizens Whom the proscription Laws Under the Name of Amnesty Have obliged or induced to leave this Country. This Letter goes By the frigat Which Carries over the Representative of the King M. Hyde de Neuville Whose Speeches in the Chambre des deputés Have probably...
45To James Madison from Lafayette, 12 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I Have taken the liberty Some time Ago to Mention to You the Eager Wishes of a friend of Mine, Charles de perron, Who Being a Stranger to the Business of dynasties, But Rather partial to the National flag, the only one He Has Served Under, Would be Happy to Be admitted to a few Campaigns, as a Volonteer in the Navy of the U.S. I Made Him the Representations Which I Never fail to offer to all...
46To James Madison from Lafayette, 18 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
Your kind favour, May 10h, is an Additional proof of the friendly Concern in My Behalf for Which I Beg Leave to Repeat My Most Affectionate Thanks. The instruction issued from the General Land office ought, it Seems, to Have procured the Certificate Necessary, But Sufficient, to obtain a patent. That Some thing in the Secondary Measures at New orleans Has Been Wanting Appears to Be pretty Well...
47To James Madison from Lafayette, 22 July 1820 (Madison Papers)
I Have not Had for a Long time the pleasure to Hear from You, and Beg You not to Leave me in this painful privation of Your Correspondence. It Has been Lately my fate to be entangled in a Long, boisterous Session; where much has been Said in favour of liberty, but much Has been perpetrated against it. Yet upon the whole I do not know whether the talkers Have not Had the advantage of the doers....
48To James Madison from Lafayette, 28 August 1826 (Madison Papers)
Our Beloved Jefferson is No More, My dear friend, and While I Mingle My Sorrows With Yours, I Never More Sadly felt What Has Been to me a Constant object of Regret, the painful distance there is Betwen our Respective places of Abode. To You and me Who Have Been the Most intimate as Well as the oldest friends of the Great and Good Man, it particularly Belongs to Appreciate His personal as well...
49To James Madison from Lafayette, 27 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
I Hope Your Health, the Report on Which Has for Some time Given me inexpressible Anguish, is Now perfectly Restored, and that Mrs Madison and Your Excellent Mother are Well to Both of Whom I Beg You to present my most Affectionate Respects. A Very kind and Affecting Answer from Mrs Randolph, dated Boston, and Your Letter Novemb. 1826, Have informed me of the Situation of the family at the time...
50To James Madison from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I have not this long while heard from you, I have Had very material proofs of your’s and our Beloved President’s Rememberance. Letters from Louisiana were brought to me by a Respectable merchant Late Mayor of New Orleans and particularly introduced by Governor Claiborne. He had a letter from M. Duplantier giving me Several informations and for the remainder refering me to the bearer...