From James Madison to John Armstrong, 17 August 1814
To John Armstrong
Aug. 17. 18⟨14⟩
Note to Secy. of War on Cushing’s letter & enclosures of Aug. 12. 1814.1
Cushing seems to view the extraordinary threat of Hardy in its proper light.2 It was determined before the Secy. of State left the City, that Mrs. Stewart on whom the misbehaviour of her husband ought not to be visited, might be *removed to him, whenever Gen Cushing thought no injury could result from intelligence she might carry with h⟨er⟩. Instruct him to this effect; with the further condition of her removal, that it do not take place under any appearance of being extorted by threats.3
If a Major Genl.s Command be not recd. by Cushing in the service of the US. he will4 be secure agst. a claim to command him. In all the military districts commanded by Brigs. only, these inconveniences may arise. Where Brevet rank can be properly given, the remedy is easy. Cushing ⟨has⟩ the title to it of long service at ⟨least⟩. The proximity of Dearborne ⟨is another⟩ resource, in the present ⟨instance⟩.
Draft (DLC); Tr (DLC, series 3). Draft included among documents dated 16 Aug. 1814 in the Index to the James Madison Papers. Torn; words and parts of words in angle brackets supplied from Tr.
1. Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Cushing’s 12 Aug. 1814 letter to Armstrong has not been found, but according to the War Department summary it enclosed Cushing’s correspondence with Connecticut militia Brig. Gen. Jirah Isham, who commanded the troops at Stonington. Cushing also asked how he should respond to Connecticut governor John Cotton Smith’s insistence on “ordering a Major General for the Militia” (DNA: RG 107, Registers of Letters Received).
2. For Capt. Sir Thomas Hardy’s “extraordinary threat,” see JM to Armstrong, 15 Aug. 1814, n. 2.
3. For Armstrong’s instructions, see Cushing to Armstrong, 8 Aug. 1814 (printed above), n. 2.
4. JM evidently neglected to insert “not” here.
5. Tr has “than.”