8551To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favors of the 4 & 7th. instant have come duly to hand. Letters from C. Pinkney to the 10th. of June have been forwarded to You thro’ Washington. They confirm the idea that Spain emboldened by France, is speculating on the presumed aversion of this Country to war, and to the military connection with G.B. They shew at the same time that Spain herself not only does not gain at war, but...
8552To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 1 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 25th. The letter from Turreau appeared to me as to you, in the light of a reprehensible intrusion in a case where this Govt. ought to be guided by its own sense of propriety alone. Whether it be the effect of an habitual air of superiority in his Govt. or be meant as a particular disrespect to us is questionable. The former cause will explain it, and the latter...
8553To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose herewith sundry communications which I recd. yesterday. One of them is from Monroe at Paris, who appears by a letter from Erving to have arrived at London the latter end of July. A letter from Armstrong went for you by the last mail. He seems to have moderated the scope of his former advice as to Spain. In that now given, there is in my judgment, great solidity: If force should be...
8554To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 23 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
One of those decisive Facts has occurred, which I have thought worth communicating to you. Whilst I was, during this Month, in Montgomery Cy., Major Preston informed me, that in attempting to dig a Well, some Time this Summer, at a Salt Lick in Wythe Cy., the Labourers struck upon the Contents of the Stomack of a Mammoth. They were found about 5 Feet & 1/2 under Ground, lying upon a Lime-Stone...
8555To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 30 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recd. your favor of from which I learn your purpose of meeting the Heads of Depts. in consultation on the 4th. of Ocr. It is no little mortification that it will not be in my power to obey the summons. Mrs. M’s afflicted knee which has already detained me so long, tho’ I trust perfectly healed, is in so tender a state, and the whole limb so extremely feeble, that she could not be...
8556To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 5 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
At the date of my last I entertained hopes of being at this time half way to Washington. Instead of that I am unable to say when I shall be able to commence the journey. The ride which we took in order to train Mrs. M. for it has been succeeded by sensations & appearances which threaten a renewal of her complaint in some degree & in some form or other. I flatter myself that as the appearances...
8557To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 16 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. duly your favor of the 11th. at this place, where I am still very painfully detained by the situation of Mrs. M. The appearance of her knee is still equivocal; I am afraid discouraging as to a very prompt and compleat cure. I am the less able however to pronounce on this point, as the Dr. has been prevented by indisposition from seeing his patient for several days, and I cannot be...
8558To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctor Park of this city is setting out with his daughter, on a trip Southwards and proposes to be in Washington before he returns. He is an old acquaintance in the family of Mrs. Madison and is truly an amicable & respectable man. That he may present his respects with the greater facility I have asked him to accept a few lines making him known to you. With sentiments of respectful attachment...
8559To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The decrease of the fever in the City had induced me to return with Mrs. M. to it, with a view to place her in a situation that would justify me in leaving her for a while. She is likely to be detained several weeks longer, before the Docr. will approve of her entering on a journey; but I hope she is now or will be in a day or two advanced towards her recovery beyond the occasion of particular...
8560To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
(a) after ‘others’—the insertion of “with commissions”—seems necessary, as others refers to the armed vessels—not to commissns. (b) Instead of “under the controul”it may be well to insert some such phrase as “unreached by any controul” in order not to sanction a plea agst. indemnification, drawn from an acknowledgment on our part that the enenormities were uncontroulable. (c) “as unprofitable...
8561To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Resol. 1. [substitute within any part of the former Louisiana comprehended in the delivery of possession thereof to the U.S.] 2. [omit]—[substitute as may consist with the honor of the U. States] this change will look less towards advances by the U.S. to effect ” the adjustment. 4. [omit, as embarrassing and unefficacious ] 5. [quer. if not unnecessary and provided for by the preceedg. Resol.]...
8562To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
J. M. with respectful complts to the Presidt. suggests an attention to the last paragraph in the Rept. to him concerning interpolations, lest it should not square with what was represented in the first Message agst Spanish outrages on the high seas. The report was to go to the Presidt. on saturday or yesterday. A Baltimore paper has published yrujo’s letter to the Dept. of State commenting on...
8563Pardon for Richard Quince Haskins, 1 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:— Whereas Richard Quince Haskins, Scriviner, of the Town of Boston in the District of Massachusetts was convicted before the Circuit Court of the United States, for the said District, at its last June term, of certain misdemeanors in relation to the Post Office establishment of the United...
8564To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 16 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The reasons given by the Attorney General against the decision of the Louisiana Commissioners referred to in the President’s note of this date, appear to establish conclusively the illegality of that decision. Still as there are no circumstances justifying a presumption that the error had a corrupt source, and as it is sufficiently presumeable in my view that it would be corrected by the...
8565From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
By virtue of the act, entitled, “an act making Provision for defraying any extraordinary expences attending between the U States and foreign nations,” passed on the 13th. February 1806., and of which the annexed is an official exemplification, I Thomas Jefferson, President of the U States of America, Do hereby authorize and empower Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury of the U States, to...
8566To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 12 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pinkney is now with us collecting his outfit of information, and is to sail from Baltimore on Sunday the 18th. instant. This being an earlier day than was anticipated, it has become necessary to hasten the conclusion of all the Documents he is to take with him, the provisional as well as the positive. With this view they are now forwarded for your signature by an Express who we hope will...
8567To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The communications which will be forwarded by Mr. Smith seem to render it certain that the frigates from the Medn. cannot be expected till the fall, and consequently that the plan of sending Mellimelli in the Chesapeake is frustrated. It also appears that the Xebeck for which we are pledged has been sold at Malta. Will it not be best in this state of things to equip a small vessel here which...
8568To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The express returned with the documents for London the night before the last, and the despatches arrived in Baltimore yesterday morning in due time for the intended embarkation of Mr. Pinkney. Herewith are letters from Mr. Monroe of Mar 31. & apl. 3. with their accompaniments. I observe in an English paper of Mar. 31. a paragraph under the “Hague” Mar. 25. (I believe), saying that Mr....
8569To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 26 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 19th. by express, was duly recd. For the result of the consultation among us on the mediterranean arrangements, I refer to what you will doubtless learn from Mr. Smith. I inclose letters from Armstrong, Bowdoin, Lee & Forbes. That from A. is particularly interesting. Altho there is a tint in it which is not agreeable, it serves a further proof that the plan laid would have...
8570To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The last mail brought me yours inclosing the letters to you from P. Edwards & Mr. Gallatin, which I retain for your return. The supplemental instruction to A. & Bowdoin had not escaped attention. Subpœnas have this day been served on Genl. Dearborn, Mr. Smith & Myself. The absence of Mr. Gallatin postpones the service on him. Mr. Wagner, Docr. Thornton, & Mr. Duncanson, & Mr. Bradley of...
8571To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The vessel for the Bey of Tunis is a small one purchased by Capt: Preble in the Mediterranean. The first cost can not be ascertained in the absence of the Upper Clerks of the Navy Dept. It is supposed not to have exceeded a very few thousand dollars. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
8572To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from the Mayor of N. York shews that coercion alone will rid us of the Tunisians in revolt agst Melimelli. I have written to the Mayor that it is desireable that he should have them sent on to Boston, by any means which he may be able to apply. I believe it will be found necessary to take the course thought of before your departure for conveying the presents &c to Tunis;...
8573To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have thought it not amiss to add to the letter written yesterday to the Mayor of N. York the suggestions of which a copy is inclosed. In the liberty of giving your sanction to the use of legal force, I was governed by my recollection that you considered nothing wanted to authorize force here in sending the Tunisians on board the Franklin but the requisition of the Ambassador which was...
8574To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Essex arrived yesterday morning, and I recd from Commodore Rodgers the inclosed letter from Mr. Lear. The account current to which it refers happened not to be put up with the inclosures. The general view of the Mediterranean affairs given by Rodgers strengthens the favorable one presented by Lear. Cathcart writes that Mellimelli had accepted a reimbursement of the cost of the...
8575To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters from Cathcart & Mellimelli explain the unexpected & perplexing determination of the latter with respect to the Franklin. The least evil left to our choice has been thought to be that of chartering a vessel at Boston. Cathcart has accordingly been instructed to do so. It has been thought proper also to take advantage of a vessel going from Alexa. to Boston, for sending the...
8576To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I left Washington on the morning of the 6th. and ended my journey on Saturday evening. Having received no communications from the office before the mail which arrived the day before yesterday, and concluding that your trip to Bedford was probably undertaken about this time I have been the less in a hurry to trouble you with a letter. I now inclose several papers transmitted by Mr. Wagner....
8577To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 30 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the papers enclosed is a letter from the District Attorney of N.Y. enquiring whether Ths. Lewis of the Leander is to be brought to trial. I have put under an unsealed cover to Mr. Wagner, an answer in the affirmative, which if approved may be forwarded from Monticello. I see no reason for dismissing the indictment in this case, more than there was for doing so in the case of Ogden, after...
8578To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. by last mail your favor of the 28. ult. & now forward such communications from Washington as have been recd. since my last. The freak of Mellimelli exceeds all the preceding vexations. I have written to Wagner to save us from the persecution of a visit from him, in case he should not be faced about at Baltimore; and to give Lear the functionary at Tunis an explanation of the adventure....
8579To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the enclosures is a letter from Turreau, requesting a loan, to be applied to the equipment of the damaged ships of war now in our ports. I have sketched an answer for your consideration & correction. It is the more necessary to be explicit in the refusal, as the case may be followed by others of greater extent, and resulting from Combat as well as casualties. I have proceeded on the...
8580To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23. with its accompaniments came duly to hand. I have adopted your amendment to the letter to Turreau. He may fairly be told that no appropriation has such an object as he presents, because the legislature can not be presumed to have contemplated it; particularly taking into view the line of neutrality hitherto pursued. At the same time it is not remiss to avoid narrowing too much...
8581To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 16 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Foreign Relations. + Insert “since” before “taken place” at the Beginning of line 11. The preceeding delay did not altogether proceed from events independent of the will of one of the parties, and those who are chargeable with it, ought not to be acquitted of the consequences. Perhaps England. + the following change would of the whole sentence or might answer, The delays which have since taken...
8582From Thomas Jefferson to John Mills, 20 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States of America To all who shall see these presents Greeting: Whereas at a General Court Martial held at New Orleans on the 20th day of August 1806 of which Lieut Colonel Constant Freeman was President, Corporal John Mills, of Captain Fergus Company, Regiment of Artillerists, was charged with repeated desertion, particularly on or about the 28th July 1806,...
8583To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the satisfaction to inform you that the negociation on foot between the U. States & the Govt. of G.B. is proceeding in a spirit of friendship & accomodation which promises a result of mutual advantage. The delays which have taken place are to be regretted; but as they were occasioned by the long illness which ended in the death of the British Minister charged with that duty, they could...
8584To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 29 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
that whilst the public force was acting strictly on the defensive, & merely to protect our Citizens from aggression, the criminal attempts, of private individuals to decide for their Country the question of peace or war, by commencing active & unauthozed hostilities, ought to be promply and effectually suppressed DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
8585To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 1 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
If your company leaves you in time, can you let us see one–another to night on the subject of the inclosed. Should the case be short of the high offense &c—will not an arrest be ascertained by the law of the District, where the authy. of the U.S. is unlimited, and where the Common Law is in favor. Bail wd. be yr. only question NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
8586To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 23 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Substance of a communication made on the 23d. of Jany. 1807. by Doctor Bollman to the President: James Madison at the request of the President attending.— Doctor Bollman having just arrived from New Orleans under the charge of Lt. Wilson in pursuance of an Order from Genl. Wilkinson had conveyed to the President his desire of An Opportunity, which was immediately allowed, to disclose to him...
8587To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 13 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose a letter from Messrs. Monroe & Pinkney with the communications recd. with it. also a letter from Turreau. As the scope of it is manifestly improper, and the more so as the letter cannot have been founded on instructions from his Govt: will it not be best to leave it unanswered, unless he should know the subject, and then to be the more explicit in the answer? On looking critically...
8588To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. this morning your favor of the 14th. and inclose the printed copies of the Acts of Congs. obtained from your Cabinet as pointed out. I inclose also a list of all the Acts, that you may direct a supply of any deficiency. The letter to you from Clarke Mead &c relating to the Witnesses agst. White proceeds on a mistake of the legal allowance. This was originally 50 cents per day; but an...
8589From James Madison to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 17 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter was sent to me on the supposition that some step might be necessary to be taken here you being at the time in Philada. The writers of the letter however have proceeded on a mistake as to the allowance to Witnesses. The Act of Feb. 7. 1799. makes it 5 Cents per mile equal at this season to near two dollars a day, and 1 ¼ dols. during attendance on the Court. The Marshall...
8590To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed are a Letter from Consul Harris, another from the Consul at St. Iago de Cuba, and an answer from Genl. Smith to my inquiry as to the operation of the Colonial act: of the Treaty of Decr. 31. Harris writes more like a Russian than an American; and forgetting that he is but a Consul, takes the tone of a Minister Plenipo: or rather goes beyond it, in his answer to the Communication of...
8591To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 21. with the letters returned under the same cover was recd. last night. As you had not then recd. the last letters from Mr. G. & myself on the modified proposal to disuse B. Seamen, I shall wait the arrival of your next before I conclude on the instructions which are to go by the Wash. I find by the accts. from Bermuda, that the mere difficulty which suspends the Treaty is...
8592To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 21st. was recd. by the last mail. The passport for Niemcewicz went by the first succeeding opportunity. Mr. Perry arrived two days ago with the enclosed letter from Genl. Turreau. The request it makes is not very consistent with the understanding which regulated the former compliances; but necessity is pleaded, with assurances that this shall be the last, and that the bills...
8593To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd by the last Mail your note fixing the time for your return. The Wash has put herself into a situation denoting a departure, but it is probable that a further delay is convenient for her compleat preparation. The dispatches will have made ready for her some time since, but the lights thrown on the Treaty by the gentlemen consulted, and the flaws which have successively disclosed...
8594To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 29 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
a free use of their harbors & waters, the means of refitting, & refreshment, of succour to their sick & suffering have at all times and on equal principles, been extended to all; and this too while the officers of one of the belligerents recd. among us were in a continued course of insubordination to the laws, of violence to the persons of our Citizens and of trespasses on their property....
8595To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 30 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, has the honor to state to the President, on the subject of the communication made to him by the Governor of Massachusetts, on the 10th. Ultimo, that negociations were in due time instituted for adjusting with Great Britain the limits between her territories on this Continent and those of the United States, that no serious difficulty has arisen in providing for an...
8596Proclamation re Special Session of Congress, 30 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
WASHINGTON CITY. • FRIDAY, JULY 31 . • By the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION. Whereas great and weighty matters claiming the consideration of the Congress of the United States form an extraordinary occasion for convening them, I do by these presents appoint Monday the twenty-sixth day of October next, for their meeting at the city of Washington; hereby requiring the...
8597To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I reached home last evening a little before sunset. About 1/2 after eleven the post arrived under a misconception of the arrangement; and I dispatched him a little before 2 OC. I was obliged to decide on your letter to the Govr. therefore without consulting the law or the Proclamation, and of course with but little reflection. It appeared however in all respects proper, as to the permanent...
8598To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The gentleman who brings the inclosed letters recommending him for a public Agency at Martinique, had thought of proceeding to Monticello. He declines it in consequence of his conversation with me on the subject. I have apprized him, that it was not thought proper to give a formal commission in such a case without some formal or positive sanction from the French Govt. He readily enters into...
8599To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Post not arriving yesterday morning till between 7 & 8 OC. it was impossible for me to comply with your request as to the letters to Govr. C. and Genl. D. even so far as to peruse and consider them without risking a breach in the chain of rides. The letters therefore await the downward mail of this morning. The only remark I have to make on that to Govr. C. is that in commenting on the...
8600To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 16 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The post having arrived last night after Eleven OC & the one from below being expected early this morning, I have had but little room for bestowing thought on Dayton’s letter and your drafted answer. It would be an advantage to know the precise answer given by Mr. Rodney to the application which was made to him on the same subject. I heard this read by Mr. R. but can not sufficiently rely on...