1James Madison to Henry Lee, 14 August 1833 (Madison Papers)
private I have recd. your letter of June 5th. under cover of one from Mr P A. Jay of New York. I find that you have been misled on the subject of Mr Jefferson’s letter to me of Decr. 28. 1794., by an unlucky misprint of Jay for Joy (G. Joy in London) the writer of the letter to which Mr. Jefferson refers. This letter has no reference to Mr. Jay nor to any thing that could be within the scope...
2From James Madison to Henry Lee, 24 September 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of Augst. 24 was not recd. till a few days ago. I regret that I can not throw a ray of light on the cause and circumstances of the delay which attended the order to Genl. Jackson of July 18. 1814; having no recollections enabling me to do so, nor access to any document if there be any, that could assist them. I can only therefore express my wish that the occurrence may be traced...
3From James Madison to Henry Lee, 14 January 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir yours of the 6th. inst. and have looked over the printed Sheet inclosed in it. Of the literary character of the paper, I may express a laudatory opinion, without risk of contravening that of others. As a political disquisition, it embraces questions both of magnitude and of nicety, on which opinions may be various, and of which a critical review does not lie within the compass...
4From James Madison to Henry Lee, 12 May 1824 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison has recd. Major Lee’s note of the 4th in which reference is made to a contemplated new Edition of his Father’s Memoirs. The events embraced by the Memoirs will occupy so large and so important a space in the History of our Independence, that an exhibition of them from such a source cannot be made too full or too free from error. J. M. would accordingly not only feel a pleasure, but...
5From James Madison to Henry Lee, 31 January 1825 (Madison Papers)
The urgency indicated in your last letter as to the request in a former one having quickened my attention to the subject, I have at length looked enough into the evidence that the Movement of the Southern Army from Deep River to the Santee in the Campaign of 1781 was suggested by your father, to be satisfied of the fact; the more readily admitted from the acknowleged traits of his military...
6From James Madison to Henry Lee, 4 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir your letter of Aug: with a copy of the Address reported by the Committee of a late Meeting at Fredericksburg, for which you will please to accept my thanks. I am not surprized at your purpose of adopting literature as your favorite object. It will always be found a source not only of rich enjoyment, but of public distinction & usefulness also where there is a union of...
7James Madison to Henry Lee, 26 November 1833 (Madison Papers)
I received Sir, on the 9th instant your letter of Sepr. 15th. and enclose copies of such of your father’s letters to me, as are embraced by your request. They are entire with the exception of one from which the conclusion was cut off for an autographic collection. Finding that my files do not contain copies of my letters to your father, as is the case with his files and his letters to me, I...
8From James Madison to Henry Lee, 22 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison acknowledges with thanks the receipt of the volume which Major Lee has been so good as to send him. He delays the perusal of it till he can precede it by that of the work which it reviews. If injustice, however occasioned, has been done to the Memory of General Lee, a vindication of it cannot but be acceptable to one whose friendship contracted with him at the earliest date, was...
9From James Madison to Henry Lee, 25 June 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have received, sir, your letter of the 18th. inclosing the proposal of a new publication under the title of “American Gazette & Literary Journal.” Of the prospectus I cannot say less than that it is an interesting specimen of cultivated talents. I must say at the same time that I think it concedes too much to a remedial power in the press over the spirit of party. Besides the occasional and...
10From James Madison to Henry Lee, [16] February 1827 (Madison Papers)
I recd. Sir, some days ago your letter of the 2. Inst: to the object of which I have not been able to give an earlier attention. With your purpose of giving a historical character to the events of a very critical period of the war of 1812, you are very properly anxious to obtain whatever information may contribute to the authenticity and accuracy of the work; and I cannot but wish for your...
11From James Madison to Henry Lee, 29 November 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, yours of the 19th. instant. I need not repeat my commendation of your purpose to devote your talents to literary pursuits. And the tasks you now mark out for your pen, will doubtless inspire its best efforts. The campaign of Niagara in 1814, and the naval achievements in the Mediterranean, are both of them distinguished by their patriotic & Historic Attractions; and you are...
12James Madison to Henry Lee, 3 March 1834 (Madison Papers)
private Your letter of Novr. 14. came safely tho’ tardily to hand. I must confess that I perceive no ground, on which a doubt could be applied to the Statement of Mr. Jefferson which you cite. Nor can it I think, be difficult to account for my declining an Executive appointment under Washington and accepting it under Jefferson, without making it a test of my comparative attachment to them;...