6001From James Madison to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 27 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 14th. inclosing the letter of Com: Chauncy declining a seat at the navy Board. Notwithstanding the merits which may distinguish the two officers you name, and the consideration particularly favoring the appointment of Sinclair, I think it will be most eligible on the whole not to pass by Capt: Steuart. You may therefore direct the Commission to be sent to him; or...
6002From James Madison to George Graham, [ca. 28 August 1815] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Crawford having left Montpelier before the arrival of the Packet for him, and a note of his post office , having been omitted, the Packet is sent back to Washington whence it may be directly forwarded. Mr. C. having made a circuit thro’ Albemarle to Richmond, little if any time will be lost. I thought it proper to open the within letter which was expected to find Mr. C. with me. Mr....
6003From James Madison to George Graham, 30 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the letter of the 26th. in which you sent the extract, from Mr. Dallas’s relating to a Commercial Treaty with G.B. There appears to be a concurrence of N. paper articles, in giving probability to the account. It can not be long before we shall be fully informed on the subject. I return you the letters intended for Mr. Crawford, which you will forward directly from Washington. They...
6004Indenture for Land at Fort Warburton, 31 August 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Indenture for Land at Fort Warburton. 31 August 1815. “This Indenture … between Thomas Attwood Digges [and] William Dudley Digges both of Prince George’s County in the State of Maryland and Robert Brent of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia of the first part and James Madison President of the United States of America of the second part” conveys “unto the said James Madison...
6005From James Madison to Obadiah B. Brown, 1 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I inclose for your perusal the letter and document covered by yours of the 22 Ult: and of which the contents were unknown to you. They present a case so very extraordinary, that uninformed as I am with respect to the writer, I may err in the proper answer. This will be an apology for my requesting your perusal of the one sent, and that you will be so good as not to forward it, if you should...
6006Presidential Proclamation, 1 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Whereas, information has been received, that sundry Persons, citizens of the United States, or Residents within the same, and especially within the State of Louisiana, are conspiring together to begin and set on foot, provide and prepare, the means for a military expedition or enterprize against the Dominions of Spain, with which the United States are happily at Peace; that for this purpose...
6007From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 2 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I recd. this morning yours of the 29. Aug. covering a copy of the circular complying with Mr. Daschkoff’s request, which is pre[c]isely what it ought to be; and a newspaper containing the late news from Europe. The political annihilation at least of Napoleon, will give play to many springs in the Allied powers which a fear of him had kept in an inert state; and very important scenes are...
6008From James Madison to Richard Rush, 5 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 2d. inst: with the papers inclosed with it, and thank you for having so comprehensively provided for the objects of mine to which it is an answer. I return the Proclamation, which was properly varied from that of 1806, which had more in view than the one now in hand. To avoid questions or feelings of State Prerogative, I have pencilled for erasure the words specifying...
6009From James Madison to Tristram Dalton, 7 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor accompanied by the two pamphlets. I have yet been able to look them over but will do so as soon as I conveniently can. The one on Peat, must be interesting. I wish sincerely that the discovery of so valuable an article may be realized, and in an adequate extent. Accept Sir my sincere esteem, and good wishes. Mrs. Madison joins in both, and in best respects to Mrs....
6010From James Madison to John Adams Smith, 8 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
Reposing especial Trust and confidence in your Integrity Prudence and Ability, I do appoint you the said John Adams Smith Secretary of the Legation of the United States of America to His Britannic Majesty; authorizing you hereby to do and perform all such matters and things as to the said place or office doth appertain or as may be duly given you in charge hereafter and the same to hold and...
6011From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 8 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
The commercial Convention with G.B. has just reached me. It abolishes the discriminating and countervailing duties, and establishes the rule of the most favored nation, between the U.S. & the B. Dominions in Europe. The equality of the vessels of the two Countries extends to the cases of bounties & drawbacks, as well as of duties, with a reservation to the parties of a right, to regulate &...
6012From James Madison to Richard Rush, 8 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Convention with G.B. the original of which Mr. Brent will shew you, raises the question whether a call of Congs. before the 1st. Monday in Decr. be expedient. The shortness of the period of difference, and the season of the year it embraces, seem to render the measure of so little practical moment as to dissuade from the inconvenience & expence of it. As the question however involves facts...
6013From James Madison to Richard Rush, 9 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I return you the note of your conversation in the year with Miranda. It presents him in a favorable and interesting point of view, and it can scarcely be doubted that he possessed a mind of more than an ordinary stature, improved by diversified acquirements: I suspect however that his greatest talent lay in giving them a bold relief by a colloquial eloquence. In the single conversation I had...
6014From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 11 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your favor of the 4th. I congratulate yourself and Mrs. Gallatin on your safe arrival, and under circumstances which must console her so much for your prolonged absence. I was not unprepared for a heavy demand for expenses of J. P. Todd. I thank you for your kindness in lending your responsibility; and being unable in my present situation to do better for repaying the...
6015From James Madison to Richard Rush, 11 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am informed thro’ confidential channels, that Joseph Bonaparte is arrived at N.Y. under an assumed name, that he considers it proper to report himself to this Govt—that he would set out from N.Y. on tomorrow (tuesday,) accompanied by Commodore Lewis, for that purpose; and be in Washington on thursday or friday on his way to Montpelier, under cover always of an assumed name. The motive to...
6016Pardon for John Crowley, 11 September 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Pardon for John Crowley. 11 September 1815. “Whereas it has been made appear to me that a certain John Crowley, was, at a Circuit Court of the United States, lately held for the District of Virginia, duly convicted of a misdemeanor, and was thereupon sentenced by the said Court to be imprisoned in the Jail and Penitentiary House of the said District, and kept at hard labor for the space of...
6017From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Presuming on your havg returned home, at the time you intended, I send you a mass of the letters &ce which have successively reached me during your absence. Some of them are of very inferior importance, but it may be well to give you an opportunity of lightening your future burden. The convention necessarily brought up the question whether it required an anticipated meeting of Congs....
6018From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 13 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
In my hurry yesterday to be ready for a waiting mail, I overlooked your question when I should return to Washington? I have not fixed on the precise time, but it will probably be not sooner nor more than a few days later than the 1st. of October. If you have a trip there in view why not extend it, bringing Mrs Gallatin with you, to Virginia? Cordial regards RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers).
6019From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 15 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 11th. has just come to hand. I return the papers from the Comr. of the Gen: L. office, with an acquiescence in the survey ordered in Missouri. I think the condition attached to it the least that will suffice to justify the measure. I have recd. a letter from Mr. Gallatin, from which as well as from his reserve to you, I infer that he has not made up his mind on his appt. to...
6020From James Madison to George Graham, 15 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 12th. and from Genl. Parker a copy of his proposed order announcing the Medical appts. I have requested him not to publish it, till he learns from you that the form of the article respecting Dr. Elzey is such as he would not dislike. Perhaps it wd. be more agreeable to him to omit any reference to his being a Garrison S. M. either because he does not wish to remain...
6021From James Madison to George Graham, 17 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have looked over the lists of vacancies in the Army & of the applications to fill them. To avoid precipitate selections, and the exclusion of officers who may yet apply, or of meritorious ones who may not chuse to apply, under a risk of rejection, and as the time approaches when the vacancies can be filled with more advantage at Washington, I think it best to proceed no farther at present in...
6022From James Madison to Richard Rush, 17 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I cannot do better with the inclosed communication than to put it into your hands, with a request that you will give effect to the ideas of Mr. Dallas if you concur in them, by a few lines to Mr. Dick, who appears to be well disposed to sustain the interests of the U.S. I see by the newspapers that J. B. had passed thro’ Baltimore for Washington. I have recd yours acknowleging the rect. of...
6023From James Madison to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 18 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 11th. I hope you will soon learn the decision of Capt: Stewart, that in the event of his refusal we may be turning our thoughts elsewhere. The peace with Algiers offers two points for decision. 1. What precautionary force ought to be continued in the Mediterranean. It will be best to leave this to the judgment of the naval Commander there. 2 What ought to be done...
6024From James Madison to Richard Rush, 20 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Not being possessed of the answer from the War Dept. referred to in the inclosed, I can not compare the grounds of it, with the opinions to which it has given rise. It would seem however that the Soldiers in question must be entitled to such a discharge as will secure to them all the recommenc [ sic ] stipulated for serving during the war. Will you be so good as to take a legal view of the...
6025From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 22 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 18th. has just reached me, enclosing two letters from Mr. Adams which are returned. Our engagements in Europe must be fulfilled both with a view to justice and to the public credit. In doing this there are so many reasons for preferring the purchase of bills to the sale of Stock abroad, where there is an approach to equality of loss, that I concur in your opinion in favor of the...
6026From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 23 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 19th. enclosing a letter from Mr. Baring. As the choice between the two modes of providing for our pecuniary wants in Europe, depends essentially on a comparison of the rate of exchange here, & the price of Stock abroad, it must be determined by the information possessed as to the State & prospects of each. My letter of yesterday made a reserve accordingly for...
6027From James Madison to Stephen Pleasonton, 24 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 2 2d. As the navy Department cannot avail itself of the Neptune, the sale of the ship as recommended by Mr Harrison appears to be the only convenient disposition that can be made of it. I have sent to Mr. Graham of the War Dept. the letter of Col: Humphrey’s. It may be well for you to explain to him the extent of the subject of it. Mr. Monroe is to be here in a...
6028From James Madison to Richard Rush, 24 September 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Richard Rush. 24 September 1815, Montpelier. “I have recd. yours of the 21st with its inclosures. I retain the interesting & well written letter of Mr. Dick, for the perusal of Mr. Monroe, expected here in a day or two on his way to Washington, which with your side of the correspondence will be useful to him, in his communications with Mr. Onis. This Quoad Ambassador is as teazing on all...
6029From James Madison to George Graham, 25 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 23 d. and return the papers which accompanied it. As it is not probable that any order at this time from the Dept of War can cure the inconveniency produced by Col. Millars departure, it may suffice to say to Genl. Jackson, that his communications will for that reason await the return of the Secy. of War. Shd. your information & calculations however make it presumable...
6030From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from Genl. R. with those which it covers, will put you in possession of the wishes of Genl. Ripley. Be so good, after communicating with Mr. Dallas, if at Washington, as to have the proper answer given to it. If I mistake not, the Majr. Rowland recommended by Mr. Bealle &c. is already appointed, or has been named to the Dept. of State for that purpose. Affe. respects RC (...
6031From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 1 October 1815 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To William C. C. Claiborne. Letter not found. 1 October 1815. Acknowledged in Claiborne to JM , 8 Dec. 1815 ( DLC ), which indicates that JM conveyed José Correa da Serra’s request for “Some perfect fruits of Bow wood from Louisiana, and some perfect seeds of the same” (see Corrèa da Serra to JM , ca. August 1815).
6032From James Madison to Joseph Hutton, [13–31] October 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 9. inst. I am very sensible of the interesting character of the event you have chosen for a poetic celebration, and cannot be inattentive to the motive of the request you have made to me on the occasion. There are considerations however which, with every anticipation of merit in the poem, weigh against a formal sanction to its contents, from the public station...
6033From James Madison to an Unidentified Correspondent, 21 October 1815 (Madison Papers)
¶ To an Unidentified Correspondent. Letter not found. 21 October 1815. Offered for sale by Charles F. Heartman, Catalogue No. 233, Important Washingtoniana and Rare Americana (1932), item 299, and described as a two-page autograph letter, signed, written at Washington, “referring to financial matters and mentioning Mrs. Washington.”
6034Presidential Proclamation, [27 October 1815] (Madison Papers)
Whereas, by an act of Congress, passed on the third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, it was provided, that so much of the several acts imposing duties in the tonnage of ships and vessels, and on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the United States, as imposes a discriminating duty of tonnage, between foreign vessels, and vessels of the...
6035Pardon for William McKenzie, 28 October 1815 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been made to appear to me that a certain William McKensie, of George Town, in the State of South Carolina, was, at a Circuit Court of the United States lately held for the District of South Carolina, duly convicted of a misdemeanor, in buying and concealing certain goods contrary to law, and in violation of the Collection Act of the United States, whereupon he was sentenced by...
6036From James Madison to Daniel D. Tompkins, 11 November 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. a letter from Genl. La Fayette from which the inclosed is an extract, recommending, as you will see, the bearer, Mr. Surville, as possessing talents which may be usefully employed in this Country. I am persuaded that without a real merit such a recommendation would not have been received from that quarter; and I could not but take a pleasure in promoting an object, which combines...
6037Transfer of Naval Appropriations, 11 November 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Transfer of Naval Appropriations. 11 November 1815. “In pursuance of the authority vested in the President of the United States, by the Act of Congress passed on the 3d: day of March, 1809, entitled ‘An Act further to amend the several Acts for the establishment and regulation of the Treasury, War, and Navy Departments,’ I do hereby direct, that out of the balance of the Appropriation for...
6038From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [15 November 1815] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Gray, son of Mr. William Gray so distinguished for his wealth & his patriotism, wishing with his lady to pay their respects at Monticello, I can not do less than favor the opportunity by a line of introduction. I am unacquainted with him, otherwise than by his introduction thro’ a friend here; but doubt not that he will be found worthy of your civilities which will be acceptable to his...
6039James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Gray , son of M r William Gray so distinguished for his wealth & his patriotism, wishing with his lady to pay their respects at Monticello , I can not do less than favor the opportunity by a line of introduction. I am unacquainted with him, otherwise than by his introduction thro’ a friend here; but doubt not that he will be found worthy of your civilities which will be acceptable to his...
6040Remission for Philip Russell, 21 November 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Remission for Philip Russell. 21 November 1815. “Whereas it has been represented to me that Philip Russell was some time ago charged with a violation of the Revenue laws of the United States, in selling spirituous liquors in the first Collection District of Pennsylvania, without a license for so doing, and that he has been duly convicted before the District Court of the United States for the...
6041Transfer of Naval Appropriations, 30 November 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Transfer of Naval Appropriations. 30 November 1815. “In pursuance of the authority of the President of the United States, by the Act of Congress passed on the 3d. day of March 1809, entitled ‘An Act further to amend the several acts for the establishment of the Treasury, War, and Navy Departments,’ I do hereby direct, that out of the balance of the appropriation for the building or...
6042From James Madison to St. George Tucker, 1 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter will introduce to you Count Barziza a Venetian Nobleman. You will perceive that the writer has confounded me with our late worthy friend of the same name. The object of the Count, as you will also perceive, is to claim an estate in Virginia, descending to him & his brother, from the late Mrs. Paradise. Knowing nothing of the matter myself, and regarding myself as in some...
6043Annual Message to Congress, 5 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the satisfaction, on our present meeting, of being able to communicate to you, the successful termination of the war, which had been commenced against the United States by the regency of Algiers. The Squadron in advance, on that service, under Commodore Decatur, lost not a moment after its arrival in the mediterranean, in seeking the naval force of the Enemy, then cruising in that sea;...
6044From James Madison to the Senate, 6 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I lay before the Senate for their consideration and advice, as to a ratification, a Treaty of Peace with the Dey of Algiers, concluded on the 30th day of June 1815; with a letter relating to the same from the American Commissioners to the Secretary of State. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Foreign Relations, 14B–B1). In John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . For enclosures, see nn....
6045From James Madison to the Senate, 6 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I lay before the Senate for, their consideration and advice, as to a ratification, a convention to regulate the commerce between the United States & Great Britain, Signed by their respective Plenipotentiaries on the 3d of July last; with letters relating to the same, from the American Plenipotentiaries to the Secretary of State; and also the declaration with which it is the intention of the...
6046From James Madison to the Senate, 6 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I lay before the Senate for their consideration and advice, as to a ratification, Treaties which have been concluded with the following Indian Tribes. … I communicate also the letters from the Commissioners on the part of the United States relating to their proceedings on those occasions. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Indian Relations, 14B–C1). RC in John Payne Todd’s...
6047From James Madison to the Senate, 11 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I transmit the original of the Convention between the United States and Great Britain, as Signed by their respective plenipotentiaries on the 3d day of July last; a copy of which was laid before the Senate on the 5th. instant. I transmit also a copy of the late Treaty of Peace with Algiers, as certified by one of the Commissioners of the United States; An office Copy of which was laid before...
6048From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, [ante–12 December 1815] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Crawford will be so good as to put convenient dates into the Blanks. If there be any thing in the Proclamation which can be made better, he will retain it, till an interview be had. See the *Proclamation in the Mississippi Territory now sent & Govr. Williams’ complaint of neglect in removing Squatters within S. C—orders thro’ the Military Commanders of Divisions, will be necessary to give...
6049Presidential Proclamation, 12 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Whereas, it has been represented, that many uninformed or evil disposed persons have taken possesion of, or made a settlement on, the publick lands of the United States which have not been previously sold, ceded, or leased by the Un(ited states, or the cl)aim to which lands, by such persons, has not been previously recognized and confirmed by the United States: which possession or settlement...
6050From James Madison to Michel Regnaud de Saint-Jean-d’Angély, [14] December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 13th. inst: with the two letters inclosed in it. Those would of themselves be sufficient vouchers for the distinguished qualities which had previously made you known here. I hope Sir you will find some alleviations of your separation from your own Country, in the hospitality of this, which is in the habit of shewing it to strangers, and especially such whose...