51From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 27th. Young Gelston is here preparing to take his passage for France as bearer and expositor of dispatches, in the Syren sloop of war which is waiting for him at Baltimore. He leaves this tomorrow morning. Mr. Gallatin has had a conversation with Turreau at his residence near Baltimore. He professes to be confident that his Govt. will consider England as...
52From James Madison to Lafayette, 1 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
It is a real mortification to me that another favorable opportunity has occurred without my being able to add a word to what you know on the state of your land affairs in the hands of Mr. Duplantier. I have not recd. a line from him, since He stated the difficulty which had presented itself in the completion of a part of his locations, and the advice of Mr. Gallatin relating to it was...
53From James Madison to John Drayton, ca. 1 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 May 1809. Thanks Governor Drayton for sending a copy of his View of South Carolina and would like to see a similar work from each state. “Examples such as yours cannot be without effect in promoting the desireable result” (extract from Parke-Bernet Catalogue No. 2235 [1963], which offered letter for sale).
54From James Madison to Philip Freneau, ca. 1 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 May 1809. Acknowledged in Freneau to JM, 12 May 1809 . Subscribes for ten copies of Freneau’s Poems Written and Published during the American Revolutionary War and suggests “the insertion of a piece or two in prose.”
55From James Madison to Aaron H. Palmer, ca. 1 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 May 1809. Acknowledged in Palmer to JM, 9 May 1809 (DLC). Conveys thanks for the pamphlet enclosed in Palmer to JM, 20 Apr. 1809 .
56Executive Pardon, [6 May] 1809 (Madison Papers)
James Madison , President of the United States of America, To all who shall see these presents, Greeting : Whereas it has been represented to me that Genl Michael Bright , James Atkinson, William Cole, Charles Westfall, Samuel Wilkins, Abraham Ogden, Daniel Phyle, Charles Hong and John Knipe, all of the state of Pennsylvania, were, at a Circuit Court of the United States lately held for the...
57From James Madison to the Chairman of the Republican Meeting of Accomack County, Virginia, [ca. 10] May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received from you a copy of the proceedings of the Meeting of Citizens at Accomac Court House, on the first instant, on the subject of the late negociation with G. Britain, and of the Proclamation by which it was followed. Next to the consciousness of a faithful discharge of public duty, is the satisfaction afforded by a public approbation of it. I can not be insensible, therefore,...
58From James Madison to David Gelston, 15 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 May 1809. Acknowledged in Gelston to JM, 9 June 1809 . In his letter to JM of 20 July 1809 , Gelston mentions that the letter was “requesting the wine might be cased.”
59From James Madison to Congress, [23 May] 1809 (Madison Papers)
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. On this first occasion of meeting you, it affords me much satisfaction to be able to communicate the commencement of a favorable change, in our foreign relations; the critical state of which induced a Session of Congress at this early period. In consequence of the provisions of the act, interdicting commercial intercourse with...
60Authorization for Gideon Gooch, [23 May] 1809 (Madison Papers)
I hereby authorize Gideon Gooch or such person as he may substitute, to sell whatever Tobacco may have been inspected in my name, and be in the Warehouses at Richmond at any time previous to the tenth day of June next. Given under my hand this 23 day of May 1809. Ms (owned by Charles M. Storey, Boston, Mass., 1961). In JM’s hand. Accompanied by Gooch’s release of the tobacco to Robert H. Rose...
61From James Madison to Congress, 26 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I now lay before Congress the Report of the Secretary of War, shewing the progress made in carrying into effect the act of April 1808, for raising an additional Military force, and the disposition of the Troops. RC and enclosures, two copies ( DNA : RG 233, Legislative Proceedings, and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings); FC of first enclosure ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers, William Eustis...
62From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 30 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 22d. did not come to hand till the day before yesterday. It will give me pleasure to take the place of Mr. Barnes in the note to the Bank; the more so as it will, it seems, be a relief to the Old Gentleman’s pecuniary anxieties. I will have an early communication with him on the subject. I wish the original arrangement had taken the shape now proposed, and hope that you will...
63From James Madison to the Tennessee General Assembly, 30 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received, fellow Citizens, your Address bearing date the 22d. of April. The circumstances of the period which led to this expression of your sentiments, were well calculated to produce anxiety in the minds of Citizens cherishing an ardent love of peace, tho’ ready to maintain the rights of their Country, even at the expence of that blessing, of any culpable share in bringing on so...
64From James Madison to Congress, 4 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with the request of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, I transmit to Congress a copy of certain of its proceedings, communicated for the purpose, by the Governor of that State. RC , two copies ( DNA : RG 233, Legislative Proceedings, and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings); enclosure ( DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings). House copy headed: “To the House of Representatives of...
65From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Pacific has just returned from G. B. bringing the accts. to be seen in the Newspapers. The communications from Pinkney add little to them. The new orders, considering the time, and that the act was known on the passage of which the instructions lately executed by Erskine, were predicated, present a curious feature in the conduct of the B Cabinet. It is explained by some at the expence of...
66Memorandum to the Cabinet, 14 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison requests a consultation with the heads of the Depts. today at 12 O’C. Printed copy (John Heise Autograph Catalogue No. 2457 [1928]).
67From James Madison to the Senate, 15 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
To the Senate of the United States In compliance with the Resolution of the Senate of the 13th instant, I transmit extracts from letters from Mr. Pinkney to the Secretary of State, accompanied by letters and communications to him, from the British Secretary of State for the Foreign Department; all of which have been received here since the last Session of Congress. To these Documents are added...
68From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 16 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 1st. instant. We have seen nothing yet which sufficiently discloses the course which the Legislature at Boston is to take. The Governors Speech is in a tone somewhat different from his Report last Winter; but what must be thought of the disposition which could thank Osgood for a Sermon, which substitutes for the evangelical spirit he professes to feel, a...
69From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 16th. came to hand yesterday. I hope you have not made any sacrifice of any sort to the scruple which has superseded my arrangemt. with Mr. Barnes. The execution of it would have equally accorded with my disposition & my conveniency. The Gazette of yesterday contains the mode pursued for re-animating confidence in the pledge of the B. Govt. given by Mr. Erskine in his arrangemt....
70From James Madison to the Senate, 20 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
To the Senate of the United States In compliance with the Resolution of the Senate of the 19th inst.; I transmit such information as has been received, respecting Exiles from Cuba, arrived, or expected within the United States; also, a letter from Genl. Turreau connected with that subject. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings). In a clerk’s hand, signed by JM. Enclosure was probably a...
71From James Madison to the Senate, 26 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
To the Senate of the United States. The considerations which led to the nomination of a Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia, being strengthened by evidence since received of the earnest desire of the Emperor to establish a diplomatic intercourse between the two Countries, and of a disposition in his Councils favorable to the extension of a commerce mutually advantageous; as will be seen by the...
72From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. a private letter of Mar. 30. from Genl. Armstrong, in which he desires me “to present him most respectfully and cordially to you, and inform you that by the next public ship that goes to America, he shall have the pleasure to send you, an alteration of Mr. Guillaumes’ plough, which in light soils, is a great improvement upon the old one.” To me he adds, “By the same vessel I...
73From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter accompanied the skin of an Animal, not named by the writer, which belongs to the Region of the Rocky Mountains. The bundle being too large for the Mail, I shall forward it by some other oppy; perhaps as far as Orange, by a waggon I shall soon have on the return thither. You will have seen that a re-nomination of J. Q. A. for Russia, has succeeded with the Senate. In framing...
74From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from Mr. S. came under cover to me. It was brought by the vessel lately arrived at Phila. from Dunkirk. It appears that he had not left Paris, for Petersbg: nor meant to do so, untill he shd. hear further from the U. S; as he has probably explained to you. Mr. Coles had rea[c]hed Paris; but in the absence of the French Court, nothing could be said very interesting on the...
75From James Madison to Simon Snyder, 8 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Not having received your letter of the 20th. Ult: covering a Resolution of the Legislature of Pa. on the subject of Wts. & measrs untill Congress had adjourned, I think it proper to intimate this circumstance as an explanation of the failure to comply with the wish of the Legislature that the Resolution should be presented to Congs. at that Session. Draft ( DLC ). Docketed by JM.
76From James Madison to Jonathan Williams, 15 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Feby. 23. has remained so long unanswered that I ought to state, in apology, that as I foresaw the Summer Session, would be inattentive to objects not within its particular purview, I did not enter into your idea, of presenting to it, the subject of the Military Academy. To the influence of this consideration at the time, and afterwards to the occupations of a busy period, I must...
77From James Madison to George Luckey, ca. 15 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 15 July 1809. Acknowledged in Luckey to JM, 10 Aug. 1809 . Comments on Luckey’s views on dueling.
78From James Madison to David Gelston, 16 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Not recollecting that I have remitted you your advances for duties on wine &c. as stated in your favor of June 9. I now inclose a note for the amount $146.20. Should my recollection have failed me, it will cost you the trouble of returning it at your leisure. Accept my friendly respects RC ( NEh ).
79From James Madison to the City Council of New Orleans, 23 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd:, fellow Citizens, Your act of June 10th. with the sensibility due to the kindness of its expressions towards me personally; and with all the gratification which the just & patriotic veiw it takes of the public welfare, ought to inspire. The peace & plenty which have distinguished our Country, amid the convulsions and calamities forming the general character of the times, and under...
80From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival at O. C. House on thursday I found your favor of the 12th. inst: with the document expected, & the letters from Short & Warden inclosed. The whole are now returned. No copy of the document was in the Office of State, as you suppose must have been the case. This was owing to the letter being written by your own hand at Monticello, and being sent on to Mr. S. without being opened...
81From James Madison to Robert Smith, 27 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 July 1809. Mentioned in JM to Gallatin, 28 July 1809 . Acknowledged in Smith to JM, 31 July 1809 . Makes a few observations on several points for consideration raised by the British repudiation of the Erskine agreement. Declines returning to Washington.
82From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 28 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 24th. The conduct of the B. Govt. in protesting the arrangement of its Minister surprizes one in spite of all their examples of folly. If it be not their plan, now that they have filled their magazines with our supplies, and ascertained our want of firmness in witholding them, to adopt openly a system of monopoly & piracy, it may be hoped that they will not persist in...
83From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 30 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have recd. yours of the 26th. If the sketch of Erskine’s instructions be faithful, ⟨it⟨ shews as clearly that Canning was determined to prevent an adjustment, as that Erskine was, to effect it. The proof is the stronger of C.s insidiousness, as he must have known from the answer of Mr. Pinkney to the expedient which wd. substitute the capture of our trade under our laws for...
84From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
Herewith you will receive a packet, which being wrapt up in a large one for me, from the Dept. of State, was taken out of the mail of yesterday, and not observed before the rider had set out. I find myself under the mortifying necessity of setting out tomorrow morning for Washington. The intricate state of our affairs with England produced by the mixture of fraud & folly in her late conduct,...
85From James Madison to Dolley Madison, 7 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
We reached the end of our journey yesterday at one o’clock; without interruption of any sort on the road. Mr. Coles had been here sometime, one, if not two of the expected dispatch vessels of England, had just arrived, and Mr. Gilston after a short passage from France, entered Washington about the moment I did. You may guess therefore the volumes of papers before us. I am but just dipping into...
86From James Madison to Dolley Madison, [9 August] 1809 (Madison Papers)
I hope you receid., my dearest, a letter written by the last Mail. I write this in haste just to tell you that P. & myself are well; & that I am making exertions to get thro’ the necessary business, with a hope of setting out on my return tomorrow. It is very possible however that I may be detained till friday Morning. I send you all the foreign news in the inclosed papers. That from France...
87Presidential Proclamation, [9 August] 1809 (Madison Papers)
By the President of the United States of America , A Proclamation . Whereas in consequence of a communication from His Britannic Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, declaring that the British Orders in Council of January and November, 1807, would have been withdrawn on the tenth day of June last; and by virtue of authority given, in such event, by the eleventh section...
88From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
I got home from my trip to Washington on Saturday last; having remained there three days only. You will have seen in the Procln. issued, the result of our consultations on the effect of what has passed on our commercial relations with G. B. The enforcement of the non-intercourse act agst. her, will probably be criticized by some friends and generally assailed by our adversaries, on the ground...
89From James Madison to Ferdinand L. Claiborne, 22 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
To the inclosed letter, which you will be pleased to communicate to the House of Representitives of the Mississippi Territory, I feel pleasure in adding my acknowledgments for the friendly sentiments expressed in your transmission of the address of that Body; praying you at the same time, to accept in return, assurances of my esteem and of my best wishes. To the Representatives of the...
90From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
Mr. & Mrs. Gallatin reached us on saturday last; and in fulfilment of their promise to you propose to set out for Monticello, tomorrow morning. We are preparing to accompany them. I see by the papers that Mr Smith has probably recd. dispatches from Mr. Pinkney, by a late arrival; but being in Baltimore, I have not yet heard from him on the subject. The newspaper dates from London were not...
91From James Madison to John Graham, 29 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours accompanied by the Resolution of M. T. recommending 10 persons &ca. with Poindexters seclection [ sic ]. As I presume there is no blank commission signed for such a case, I must ask you to forward one without delay; and you will oblige me further, by any lights you can throw on the characters in question. I am a stranger to all of them. Should there be a blank Commission in...
92From James Madison to William Eustis, 30 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
Several considerations appearing to render it expedient that the Commander in Chief, now with the Army in the Territory of Orleans, should be at the Seat of Government, as soon as the prerequisites to his setting out, will permit, you will please to transmit him instructions to that effect. Should the correspondence between the Navy Dept. and Capt: Porter, not have been otherwise communicated...
93From James Madison to John Graham, 2 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the Copy of Clarke agst. Wilkinson, with my thanks for your attention in forwarding it. I have not had time to do more than to turn over a few casual pages; but having just recd. another Copy, it is unnecessary to detain that belonging to the office. I return also the letters recd. by yesterday’s mail. Would it not be proper to let Mr. Rodney have the contents of that from...
94From James Madison to John Graham, 3 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
The arrival of the Mail has just brought me yours of the 1st. inst: and with it the inclosed letters from Govr. Holmes. You will observe that he concurs with Mr. P. in three of the Selections; and that the two names on which he differs, stand first in the legislative nomination. I have signed the Commission, leaving the blanks to be filled; according to the Govrs. recommendation; substituting...
95From James Madison to Richard Cutts, 7 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 23d came duly to hand. I wish the favorable dispositions you speak of may continue to increase among those whose weight has heretofore been unfortunately shuffled into a foreign scale against that of their own Country, and even against that in which their own immediate and particular interests were placed. It will probably soon be seen how far the arrival of Jackson with his...
96From James Madison to the President of the Virginia Agricultural Society, 10 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 10 September 1809, Montpelier. The list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany) notes that the letter consisted of one page and calendars it as: “Forwarding at the request of Elkanah Watson of Albany, N. Y. ’Certificates of honorable testimony,’ ’Diplomas of membership’ etc. With prices at which he will supply same.”
97From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I send herewith a few papers which have come to my hands along with those addressed to myself. Jackson according to a note sent from Annapolis to Mr. Smith was to be in Washington on friday evening last. The letters from Mr. Pinkney brought by him, were dated June 23. and merely rehearsed a conversation with Canning; from which it would seem, that C. readily admitted that his second condition...
98From James Madison to Robert Smith, 15 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. with the papers to which it refers. The determination of Jackson to withold even informal intimations of his authorized communications, previous to the ceremony of his reception, and his apparent patience under the delay of this preliminary, are sufficient proofs that his instructions are not of a nature to produce a conciliatory effect, and much less to change...
99From James Madison to Samuel Dexter, 20 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. tho’ after some delay, your favor of the 30. Ult: and thank you for the friendly sentiments which you have been pleased to express. The situation into which our Country has been cast, by the violence, and particularly by the turn, given to the spirit of party, is deeply to be lamented. It has manifestly stimulated the foreign enemies of our prosperity, to presume on the debility...
100From James Madison to David Ramsay, 20 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received the Resolutions of the Meeting of Citizens in Charlestown, on the 5th. instant, covered by your favor of the same date. These Resolutions comprize too many circumstances enhancing the value of the patriotism they breathe, not to afford particular satisfaction. However a difference of views may be indulged on subordinate questions of policy, a Union of all, on such as evidently...