11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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,...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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 &...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25To 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 .
26To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
In a former letter, the only one I have written to you, I proffered my grateful & cordial thanks for the kindness you exemplified to me when with one foot in the grave; & intimated that my prospect of restoration to my former state of health was consoling, tho uncertain. Since that period, I have successively experienced the ebbs & floods common to continued disease, which confound my hopes &...
27To James Madison from Henry Lee, 4 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I feel daily & hourly the effect of your & Admiral Warrens goodness to me, & my heart constantly avows the grateful sense of your & his goodness. Had I not escaped from my country, the climate must have finished me ere now. As it is, I am much bettered & have the agreable prospect of being restored to my usual health & strength. Altho a state of war interposed obstacles to my execution of my...
28To James Madison from Henry Lee, 15 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I cannot refrain from expressing to you my apprehensions on a subject which mater[i]ally affects the public interest, & which from yr. course of life may escape your attention until too late for yr interposition. I would have waited on you for this purpose, but my painful face & the coldness of the season alike forbid me. The corps lately under the command of Brigadier Smythe have been placed...
29To James Madison from Henry Lee, 21 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
I cannot with-hold from you what my heart so imperiously orders. The public good & yr. honor alike enjoin the measure if I am not in gross error. As you did in my presence hold back yr. general from offence, in like manner hold back yr. ships of war & privateers—give some time to hear from the enemy especially as the singular event lately occurred in England & the growing disposition there for...
30To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
As the enclosed paper from the metropolis of yr. own state may not so soon reach yr. eye as in the way sent I therefore transmit it. In one paragraph Lord Cs. letter mentioned by you to day is fully met, & the subscribers to the paper seem to me as committed to support the govt. now with their lives & fortunes. I presume his Lordship’s letter will not long be with-held from the public. Yr....
31To James Madison from Henry Lee, 24 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I so reluctantly address you on private business, when I knew that yr. public dutys claim every moment of yr. time, that no consideration short of pecuniary importance could induce me to do it. Learning from the S of State that Congress might possibly send a present of provisions to the distressed inhabitants of the Carracas, I suggested the hope that I might be entrusted with its presentment....
32To James Madison from Henry Lee, 16 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I came here to pay you a short visit, but finding a carriage at yr. door I avoided trespassing so much on yr. time preferring as a lesser occupation thereof a short letter. This results cheifly from my wish to explain the reasons which influenced my suggestion the other day of the propriety of placing one or two bodys of yr. troops in reserve on the western frontier. To hold back the indians...
33To James Madison from Henry Lee, 27 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
I came here to see the S of war on army appointments & was obliged to wait till late in the evening before I could see him which detained me the night. This day I met G. W who urged me to his house & then ask⟨ed⟩ me to deliver the enclosed. On my way just now to do so, I learnt that yr. dinner company had assembled & I of course returned. I will stay this night in town & will wait on you...
34To James Madison from Henry Lee, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, Baltimore. This letter will be presented by Major Clark of Little York in Pennsylvania. He was introduced to JM many years ago but has sought this reintroduction in the belief that JM will have forgotten him. He was an aide-de-camp of General Greene until he was appointed accountant general of the army. RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Docketed by JM. John Clark, Jr. (1751–1819), entered the...
35To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
I cannot with-hold the expression of my delight at the tone & manner of yr. message (I wish I could call it speech). It reminds us of Washington & I ardently hope will be the precursor of union at home & respect abroad. I wish you had touched the emperor’s improper delay on the fulfilment of the promise which produced yr. proclamation. Certainly he has committed a breach of faith in modo. But...
36To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
I received the other day a letter from my long loved friend Mr Stoddert requesting my correction of the statement of a conversation, wherever he may have misconceived my meaning. In this letter he expresses a high respect for yr. personal character, an admiration of yr. private virtues & an anxious wish to beleive that you was actuated by a sincere desire to close our affairs with G B: as I...
37To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
The day after I had the honor of seeing you, I visited my young friend. His sentiments respecting the late pamphlet accord entirely with my own as does his respect for you. From his pen may be expected an answer which if executed with his usual ability will I think be found complete. I do not fully take yr. distinction (a material one) as to the probable govermental conduct, had it been called...
38To James Madison from Henry Lee, 24 June 1811 (Madison Papers)
Having omitted to mention one or two circumstances to you in the case of my neighbor Mr Yeaton who has lately presented to govt. a petition from the commercial part of this town, praying the remission of his fine, I am compelled reluctantly to occupy yr. time by letter. This gentleman & Rob. Young were partners during the period, when the transaction took place, which in the sequel has been to...
39To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
Very contrary to my general practice is the entrusion of my solicitation for the promotion to office of my own relatives, not because there is any thing wrong in it, but because our fondness for those tied to us by consanguinity or marriage, too often blinds our perception of their fitness. In the present instance I beleive I am safe, as my brother Edmund who Aspires to the vacancy on the...
40To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Very seldom did I ever ask the attention of the President of the U States to any Candidate for office in those days when my recommendation would have weight. Nor should I now do it, was I not thoroughly convinced from my long knowledge of yr. goodness that you would take pleasure when proper, to recollect those who have been like myself always personally attached to you, especially when they...