51From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 22 August 1816] (Madison Papers)
The translation of the Dey of Algiers’ letter, after a curious display of Oriental Bombast, presents the alternative of re-establishing the Old Treaty, instead of the late one as annulled by our breach of it, or a withdrawal of our Consul which means a commencement of war by him. The answer concludes with the declaration that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute. Letters...
52From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 25 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
Since the rect. of your several letters relating to the Treasury proposition, and the decision of Bank Deputies at Philadelphia, my thoughts have been duly turned to the important and perplexing subject. Altho’ there may be no propriety in recalling the proposition, it seems now certain that it will fail of its effect. Should the Banks not represented at Philada. come into the measure, the...
53From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 6 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return the answers of the Banks to the Treasury proposition. Some of them, I observe, are sore at the idea of their yielding to the temptation of gain, in prolonging the refusal to resume specie payments. The best mode of repelling the suspicion would be to dispose of their public stock, and thus reduce their dividends. Whilst they refuse to co-operate with the Treasury, that circumstance...
54From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 15 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. yours of the 11th. The difficulty which gave rise to the letter from the Treasurer is much to be regretted, and the regret is increased by the cause of it. The condition at which you glance would have been justly imposed on Mr. Sheldon. His nomination to the Senate was postponed to what was considered as the latest date, with reference in part at least to a protraction of his...
55From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 27 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. with your two letters of the 20 & 21. the General Sketch of the Finances to which they refer. That of the 25th. has also just come to hand. I return the Sketch under an Address to Washington, passing it thro’ the hands of Mr. Crawford with a request that he would hasten it to the department. The document embraces all the points occurring to me as requisite to be touched, and...
56From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 30 September 1816] (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 27th. Finding that you have been detained at Washington, I regret the more my detention here. I dropped you a few lines on the supposition that you had proceeded to Philada. addressing at the same your Reported view of our finances to Washington, and passing it thro’ the hands of Mr. Crawford as preparing him for his new and arduous trust. Mr. Monroe has not yet...
57From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 3 October 1816] (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 1st. inst: and anxiously hope that this will find you perfectly recovered from your indisposition, and in the bosom of your family in Philada. I repeat my thanks for the kind attention you offer to the routine of the Treasury business, from which I calculate on your being speedily released. ⟨I ha⟩ve written to Mr. Lowndes on the vacancy approaching ⟨in th⟩e War...
58From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 15 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
It being finally arranged that Mr. Crawford will enter the Treasury Department on Monday next, I lose no time in apprizing you of the day, on which the requisition on your kind and protracted attention to its duties, will be at an end. The letter offering the War Department to Mr. Lowndes, having been sent to N. York missed of him altogether; and it unluckily happened, that he set out, after...
59From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 11 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
The approaching meeting of Congress requires that I should be making preparation for the event. The paragraph relating to the Finances will be a very important, and happily a very pleasing one. Persuaded that your peculiar familiarity with the subject is as yet little impaired, I am tempted by your experienced kindness, to intrude so far on moments belonging to other objects, as to request...