61To 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...
62To 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...
63To James Madison from Henry Lee, 18 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
So long seperated from politics & politicians I should not now revive even a momentary connexion with them, did not my solicitude for our common good at this momentous crisis & unceasing personal regard for you overweigh my scruples & reluctance. Yr. proper decision & our countrys good are at present inseperably connected. I sincerely hope you may soundly promote the last by the first. It is...
64To 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...
65To James Madison from Henry Lee, 4 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Since your illness at Georgetown I have heard nothing of you, only that you had so far recovered as to proceed, until yesterday, when a gentleman from Alexandria told me that you had taken your seat in Congress. This information gave me pleasure, as it seemed to communicate your complete recovery, as well as because it assured me that you was executing your duty at a time which seems big with...
66To 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...
67To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I was as far as G town on my way to Alexa. this morning when I recd. several letters, all of which but one from Shirley, regarded only you & our country. One letr. treated cheifly of our differences with England, especially of the late decree, & contains in my judgement, some ideas worthy of consideration. This induces me to write to you, which I do with concern, as I well know the fullness of...
68To James Madison from Henry Lee, 2 February 1827 (Madison Papers)
In examining the events of the late war I believe I have ascertained that when in the fall of 1813, it became obvious that the campaign in the North would terminate in the disgrace of promising much and doing nothing, the govt. projected a plan for the operations of the ensuing year, of which the principal feature was to assemble a large force just within the limits of Canada—and near the...
69To James Madison from Henry Lee, 3 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
During my absence the physicians attending our afflicted countryman Col: Fisher have after various examinations decided that he has no stone, & incline to think his disorder is what is called a catarhh, a disease in the neck of the bladder or prostrate glands. In this doubt & consequent anxiety, I have advised him to obtain Doer. Mcnights opinion, to do which with certainty your agency is...
70Henry Lee to James Madison, 15 September 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 14th of August, and have read it with that reverence which your age, and that respect which your character inspires. I beg to thank you for pointing out the misprint in regard to Mr Jay, which had led me into a labirynth of unpleasing conjectures. I regret that you have not condescended to correct the errors you perceive in my observations on...
71To James Madison from Henry Lee, 22 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I got here last night from a trip to the great falls, & met your letr. of the 4th. It is really lamentable publicly & privately that a gift of Nature so useful should be locked up for the want of 3000 £ this currency. Was I in possession I verily beleive that the money would be returned in the course of one year. Col. Bull formerly of Pensylvania now of Berkeley, who was with me yesterday, &...
72To 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...
73To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 21st. On reference to the post office the subscribers to Frenaus gazette found their respective papers generally. I have read with attention your remarks to my observations on the first clause in the reply of your house to the presidential speech & while I acknowledge the commercial advantages enjoyed by the states since the adoption of the present...
74To 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...
75To 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 &...
76To James Madison from Henry Lee, 11 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will soon be placed in a station first in honor as first in responsibility & at a period full of difficulty & danger. On yr. magnanimity yr. wisdom & your pure patriotism the good Americans of all political partys look for releif & comfort. They confidently expect this boon from your long tried character. I am one among those who must wish, as well as most expect it. It is in yr. power to...
77To James Madison from Henry Lee, 3 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am induced to address you on a subject which violates the rule I had lately prescribed to myself with respect to our public affairs. A youth the son of Mr. Thomas L. Lee to whom I beleive you was intimately known met me this morning on the road. Bred to the mercantile line in one of the most respectable houses in our country & cut off from his expectations there, by the death of his...
78To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your two letters Decr. 18h. & Jany. 1st. In the first you mention having given to Mr. Frenau my letter to him enclosing a list of some subscribers to his gazette. I lately saw one or two of the gentlemen who have not yet recd. their papers. What can this be owing to? The disaster in the West is it seems from all accounts without alleviation. Painful indeed to my mind is the recollection...
79To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
We seem to be passing the threshold of War. I fear it is inevitable. Therefore we ought to be prepared. There are two sorts of preparation necessary, first to hasten every mean of offence when necessary, & of defence always necessary, within our means. Pass not over the moment of Zeal (if war must come) to engage an adequate force for the contest. You not only secure the issue by so doing, but...
80To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
In our letter of this date to the Assembly you will know our sentiments on the interesting subject of finance. I am persuaded if the suggestions meet the approbation of the Legislature and any plans calculated on the principles of our letter, should be properly executed much good will accrue to the state. We omitted one subject which involves the respectability of our country viz that of a...
81To James Madison from Henry Lee, 10 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you for a long time but often hear of you. All ranks of people within my observation seem highly pleased with the govt. since its commencement & reckon far too much on the benefits which it may produce—these expectations will meet with disappointment, which may create chagrin in the public mind & renew clamor. The president is dear to the citizens beyond parralel or...
82To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you when I was here last month relative to our project of union in the purchase of the great falls. To this letr. I have as yet received no reply. Mr. Arthur Lee tells me that he left you in Philada. unwell. With respect to the suggested purchase I am more & more persuaded, that it is worthy of our best attention, & that judicious conduct of the business will ensure to us early,...
83To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
The last ler. I got from you shewed the little leisure you possessed, & together with other considerations induced me to decline for a time writing to you. Indeed occupied with matters of a private nature only, I am out of the habit of communication as well as conversation with political affairs. In my tour in the upper country for Mrs Lee[’]s health, I have as much as in my power attended to...
84To James Madison from the Governor of Virginia, 6 December 1793 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to the direction of the General Assembly I transmit a copy of the resolutions passed by that honorable body respecting the late unexpected decision of the supreme Court of the United States which asserts that Court’s right of Jurisdiction in all controversies wherein a State may be a party, and I flatter myself that the request of the General Assembly will receive from you firm...