31To 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...
32To 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...
33Henry 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...
34To James Madison from Henry Lee, 24 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
Soon after I parted with you, I left Phild. and quickly got here. My whole rout presented to me one continued scene of stock gambling; agriculture commerce & even the fair sex relinquished, to make way for unremitted exertion in this favourite pursuit—thousands even at this late hour entering into a line of life which they abhor, in order to participate in legal spoil & preserve in some degree...
35To James Madison from Henry Lee, 4 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure last night to receive your letter of the 28h. March with the newspapers enclosed. In the various doings of Congress there detailed it plainly appears that very little regard is paid to the minds of their constituents. In every transaction something occurs which excites suspicion of an undue influence or a latent design inimical to the intention and true spirit of the...
36To James Madison from Henry Lee, 23 September 1794 (Madison Papers)
I hear with real joy that you have joined the happy circle & that too in the happiest manner. To your lady present my most respectful congratulations. She will soften I hope some of your political asperitys. The day which blessed you cursed me. I left my family to join the troops destined to restore order in Pensylvania. What a cursed event, who could have supposed such a disaster possible in...
37To James Madison from Henry Lee, 10 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I do not know whether any information I can give will be to you intelligence. But I am so persuaded of its being a duty in the present situation of our country, that the man best calculated to reproduce harmony & with it strength & happiness to the U States should hear from any man disposed to tell him the truth what he beleives that I again address you. The removal of the seat of govt. as...
38To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am so far on my return from Richmond to Alexa. at which place Mrs Lee still is. The attack which commenced when you was in Alexa. has been very severe & her condition when I last heard from [her] was very unpromising. It may so happen that I shall be detained in Alexa. during the winter, tho’ my hope & intention is to return soon home. Have you recovered my packet with the plan of the canal,...
39To James Madison from Henry Lee, 7 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have some papers of a private nature touching some pecuniary concerns in London interesting to me, which I am now arranging with a view of transmitting to Mr. Monroe our Minister soliciting his care of them. A report is circulated here that our ministers are on their return home. In this event I beg to know from you whether any public character will continue in London to whom I can address...
40To 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....
41To James Madison from Henry Lee, 23 January 1794 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure my dear sir to receive your letter by Mr. Adair & shall pay every attention to that gentleman. He seems to be a man of letters & a man of worth. We hear nothing here but what must be known to you. A report has prevailed for some days past that Mr. Randolph is appointed Secretary of State, Lewis Attorney general & Mr Genet recalled. The conduct of the latter gentleman is so...
42To James Madison from Henry Lee, March 1808 (Madison Papers)
The last letr. from my family commands me to make the only effort in my power to preserve a life, the loss of which will bear me to the grave with unceasing woe. We shd. have gone to the Bermudas where I have a fast friend who had offered me his house even purse. But our condition with G Britain arrested my plan. My Physician advises So. America, as New-Orleans the only place within our...
43To James Madison from Henry Lee, 22 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Mr James Marshall brother to our friend John is about going to London on business very important to himself. Proper introductory letters will be very necessary to him especially to characters political & commercial. For it may happen that the interposition of the first may be necessary to remove some difficultys which he apprehends. You know the merit of the family, the excellence of Mr. John...
44To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
To aid Mr. Twining I put my name on his bill & procured the endorsement of Mr. Constable to authenticate it in N York. Mr. Twinings bill is not paid by the Postmaster General who gave me his written assurance that it should be paid when due on condition that the contract was performed relating to the mail. This letr. Mr. Constable has & you can see. I am called on for the money & without the...
45To James Madison from Henry Lee, 25 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Burnley will convey this letr. by some one of the many of your county people now here with their tobacco. In it you will receive a letr. sent to me from Alexa. by Mr C Lee on the presumption that you was or would be here. The assembly have gone thro most of their business, & are now engaged in consideration of the amendments proposed by Congress, to the constitution. Some time ago Mr....
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
Hoping that a change in our foreign relations might produce a change in our system, I postponed my intended trip to the islands to this winter. My expectation having failed finding no foreign vessel bound to the islands I wish to visit, I despair of success, unless I can be permitted to go out in one of our own sea vessels chartered for the purpose expressly prohibited from taking any thing on...
49To 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...
50To 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...
51To 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....
52To James Madison from Henry Lee, 21 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I find here considerable distress at the issue to Mr Rs mission. All prospect it would succeed, & that its success would lead to amicable settlement of all our disputes, so that commerce might be resumed, Proving abortive they fear ill humor will overcome & at last war commence. They wait with anxiety to read the correspondence between you & Mr. R. in which they hope to find much disposition...
53Henry 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...
54To James Madison from Henry Lee, 16 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
By way of introduction of a correspondence, with a character I love & respect so sincerely, I enclose a report passed yesterday by Congress, the only material business done lately & which proves the dreadful situation of our fœderal government. The report speaks so fully on the subject that I withhold remarks which might [my?] solicitude for the public gives birth to. We have received some...
55To James Madison from Henry Lee, [ca. 20 December] 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am so far on my return from a visit to Richmond. On my route I spent a day with Judge Pendleton. He continues amidst the strange change of opinion on the worth of the fœderal Government, unalterable. This firmness does not belong to all the bench, for it was declared as indubitable, that the Cheif Justice had abandoned his first sentiments on this subject. I wished to have given you a...
56To 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...
57To 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...
58To James Madison from Henry Lee, 3 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have been detained here by a violent cold taken on my journey & of which I am just recovering. The solicitude all feel for the country at this portentous moment I share. It seems to me that in yr. hands is committed our destiny. If you play yr. game well you bestow happiness to yr. country & acquire the only reward grateful I am sure to yr. mind. Personally I feel interested in the issue,...
59To 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....
60To 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...