1To John Adams from James Monroe, 4 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
I regret that I could not have the pleasure of seing you again before you left town, which I found that you had done, when I calld yesterday at your lodgings. I wanted to communicate more fully with you, respecting the part I ought to take, in the ceremonies of this day. It is possible you may be in town to day in which I case I may still enjoy that advantage. my particular object in sending...
2To John Adams from James Monroe, 20 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to forward to you by the mail of this day, a copy of the journal of the convention, which form’d the constitution of the U States. Congress having appropriated a copy for you, one for Mr. Jefferson, and another for Mr. Madison, I have chargd myself with the execution, of so much of the resolution, as relates to each of you. This instrument–having secur’d to us and to our...
3From James Monroe to Abigail Smith Adams, 1 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
I declind answering your letter, untill I could obtain some details, which were material, in relation to its object. The interest, which you take, in favor of persons a family, with whom you are so closely connected, & with whose merit, you are so well acquainted, commands my great high respect & warm approbation, and it would give me much great satisfaction, if circumstances permitted, an...
4From James Monroe to William Steuben Smith, 15 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I find, on conferring with the Secretary of the Treasury, that it will proper for me to appoint a naval officer for the customs at Pensacola, and to allow him one thousand dolrs. pr. annm. salary, with the other emoluments incident to the trust. If you are willing to accept the appointment, I will confer it on you, & will direct the commission to be issued immediately. A sloop of war will sail...
5To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
I hope you have enjoyed good health since your safe return home, and that Mrs. Madison has been equally fortunate. You have, I doubt not, found sufficient occupation in domestic concerns, to interest you. Notices from this quarter, will for a while, judging from my own experience, rather interrupt a cherished tranquility, than give pleasure. I should now write you a long letter, if I did not...
6Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the Central College, 5 May 1817 (Madison Papers)
At a meeting of the Visitors of the Central college held at Charlottesville on the 5th. day of May 1817. on a call by three members, to wit, John Hartwell Cocke, Joseph C. Cabell & Th Jefferson, present James Monroe, James Madison, John H. Cocke, and Th: Jefferson. The records of the trustees of the Albemarle academy, in lieu of which the Central college is established, were recieved from...
7To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 May 1817 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you the letter to Mrs Madison, which I omitted to take with me on my late visit, as I intimated to you, while at your house. Mr Correa came here, the day after I set out on my late trip. This visit was to counteract the anticipated mov’ments of the Pernambuco, ambassador, whose arrival, he was taught to expect from accounts receivd thence. No such person has yet arrivd. Mr. C. has...
8To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
I am so far on my route westward, after having extended my tour to the East, as far as Portland, whence I return’d to Dover in N Hamshire, & came thence, by Concord, & Hanover, into Vermont, at windsor, & by montpelier, & Burlington to this place. I visited yesterday Rouse’s point, which is within a few hundred yards of the boundary line. I met her⟨e⟩ Genl Brown, and to morrow we proceed,...
9Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the Central College, 7 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
At a meeting of the Visitors &c. held at Charlottesville 7. Oct: 1817. On information of the amount of the subscriptions to the Central College, known to be made, and others understood to be so, the board resolves, that the Pavilion now erecting be completed as heretofore directed, with the 20. dormitories attached to it, and that two other pavilions be contracted for and executed the next...
10Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the Central College, 8 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
At a meeting of the Visitors &c. 8. Oct: 1817. Certain letters from Doctor Thos. Cooper to Th: Jefferson, dated Sep. 17. & 19. received since the meeting of yesterday being communicated to the board of Visitors, and taken into consideration with his former letter of Sep. 16. they are of opinion that it will be for the interest of the College to modify the terms of agreement which might be...
11To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
Our carriage arrivd sooner, somedays, than we expected, in consequence of which, and other considerations, connected with affrs at Washington (our horses also hir’d), I am forc’d to hurry on there. It was our intention to have been with you last night, but hearing that Mr Bagot is with you, we are under the necessity, on account of our equipment, our baggage being sent on, by Richmond, to...
12To James Madison from James Monroe, 24 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have been since my return here, so incessantly engaged in the most interesting business, that I have not had a moment to say any thing to you. I am now engaged in preparing the message for Congress, whose meeting is so near at hand, that I shall I fear be badly prepard. The question respecting canals & roads is full of difficulty, growing out of what has passd on it. After all the...
13To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
You know so much of the nature of the pressure, to which I am subjected, at this time, that you will excuse my not giving an earlier answer to your letter of the 9th. The documents relating to Galvestown & amelia Island, publishd in this days paper, will reach you with this. They shew the reasons which operated with the Executive in taking the measure noticd in your letter. They appear’d to be...
14To James Madison from James Monroe, 13 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
In the proceedings of Congress there is little interesting as yet. Some question will probably be brought forward respecting the affrs. of the Spanish colonies, in some form, with intention to bring into discussion, the conduct of the government towards them, thro’ the whole of their contest with Spain, & more particularly within the last year. The recognition of Buenos Ayres, as an indept...
15To James Madison from James Monroe, 28 April 1818 (Madison Papers)
The late session, considering the flourishing & happy condition of the country, has been unusually oppressive on every branch of the Executive dept. There have been more calls for information, than I recollect to have been made at any former session, and in some instances, with a portion of the H. of R. a very querulous spirit has been manifested. The questions, involving the right in...
16To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 May 1818 (Madison Papers)
I send you within two papers which will give you the most full & correct information of the views of the allies respecting So. America, that we possess; I mean more particularly that which bears date at Moscow. Its authenticity may be relied on, as we are assur’d, by Mr Erving, by a later letter, than that which accompanied it. You will keep both till we meet, but when that will be, I cannot...
17To James Madison from James Monroe, 10 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to see Mr Todd, just before I came here, and requestd him to inform you, that some delay would necessarily occur, before I could leave the city for the summer. That I should remain here, till we heard from Genl. Jackson, on which I should return to the city, then back here, & then proceed by your house to Albemarle. In truth, besides the motive for delay, to avail my self of...
18To James Madison from James Monroe, 20 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment receivd yours of the 17., & shall do every thing in my power, to reach your house, by the day mentiond, tho’ I have little hope of it. We have met every day, one excepted, since my arrival here, on the business of the Spanish posts taken in Florida by Genl Jackson. Onis has demanded whether they were taken by order of the govt.? if not, that they be surrender’d & the Genl....
19To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
I shall not be able to get from this place so soon as I expected. You well know how much is to be attended to at such a time preparatory to my departure from the city. I send you a copy of my letter to Genl Jackson, which will unfold to you, our views on the whole subject. I wish you to shew this paper, & the Russian document to Mr Jefferson, in confidence, when you see him. Your friend RC (...
20To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
I find that I omitted to send you a copy of my letter to Genl Jackson, yesterday, as I intended, & therefore, now enclose it. Perhaps I have sent some other paper, in which case be so good as to retain it till we meet. Sincerely yours RC ( DLC ).
21To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 September 1818 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed from Mr Rush, will give you a view of our present relations with England. Retain them till we meet, which I expect will be next week. The meeting of the visitors, is to be, I understand, then, in which, we shall expect to see you, if not we shall have the pleasure of se[e]ing you at your own house as we go to Washington, which we propose doing next week. We hope that you are all...
22To James Madison from James Monroe, 5 October 1818 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 2d. yesterday. We shall set out to morrow & be with you the day after. I am much pushd by many important concerns to get to Washington as soon as possible, but will certainly remain a day with you. Mr Crowninshield has resignd, & that dept., suffers, most essentially in some interesting circumstances. I have thoughts of offering it to Mr Snider...
23To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 November 1818 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed from Mr Rush, which you will return at your leisure, gives the latest intelligence from England, except what is containd in a statment from Mr Maury, of the gradual augmentation of our shipping, beyond that of G. B., in the trade between this country & G. B. I send you a copy of the documents relating to our affrs. with Spain, from a distant date to the last session inclusive....
24To James Madison from James Monroe, 21 December 1818 (Madison Papers)
General King of the district of Maine in Massachusetts, being desirous, of making you a visit, I take much pleasure in promoting his wishes by giving him this introduction to you. His steady & firm attachment to the principles of our govt., & support of it, in the late war, by very meritorious services, are known to you. I hope that you derive no inconvenience from this severe attack of cold...
25To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 December 1818 (Madison Papers)
I believe I now send you the document you asked for, in the form, you wished it. Mr Gallatin & Mr Rush have formd a treaty with G Britain, by which the commercl. convention is continued for 10. years, the questions of boundary & fisheries are settled, as is that respecting slaves taken in the late war, & Columbia river, but on what conditions, we know not, as the treaty is not yet receivd. The...
26To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 February 1819 (Madison Papers)
A most afflicting event occurrd yesterday, the death of Genl. A: Mason, killd in a duel by Mr McCarty. They fought with muskets. The distress is universal & deep, proceeding from regret at the loss of the highly respected & meritorious individual, & the terrible example it exhibits of party feuds. The debate respecting the proceedings in Florida is still depending, tho’ it is probable that it...
27To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
Mr Vaughan, with whose character you are I presume well acquainted, left this city lately on a visit to Mr Jefferson, & yourself, by Norfolk & Richmond, having much desire to see him once more, & to become personally acquainted with you, before, he returns to Kennebeck in Maine, to remain stationary the residue of his days. He was the confidential friend of the M. of Landsdowne & Dr Franklin...
28To James Madison from James Monroe, 10 September 1819 (Madison Papers)
I receiv’d at Washington your letters respecting Mr. Lehre, Mr R. B. Lee & Mr Scott, and in consequence of the pressure of business there, declind answering them, untill after my arrival here. I had made up my opinion while in So. Car: in favor of Mr Pringle, who is a republican, President of the State Senate, and without being a very popular man, respected by all. The opposing candidates were...
29To James Madison from James Monroe, 20 October 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have been endeavouring, while here, to settle my administration on the estate of our friend the late Judge Jones, and believe that I shall accomplish it. The settlement of my account with the estate, is ⟨necessarily?⟩ involvd in the other, & in recurring to former transaction[s], I find, that I must give you, some little trouble in the affair. The two papers enclosed, will explain the...
30To James Madison from James Monroe, 24 November 1819 (Madison Papers)
I receivd your kind letter, with the information, respecting my acct., with the estate of our late friend Mr. Jones, the day after my meeting with the Commissrs.; but they admitted the item on a view of the passage in Mr Yards letter relating to it, & my assurance, that I would withdraw it, if it should not be supported by you. Your letter will be very satisfactory to them, without even a copy...
31To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 December 1819 (Madison Papers)
I send you a copy of the message which has just been sent in to Congress. The affair with Spain has been plac’d on the best ground, that great consideration had suggested, and we hope that it may be managed, in a manner, to secure the object desir’d, without war. I have reason to think, that the efforts of several powers, will be exerted, on that side; those of France, certainly will be; and...
32To James Madison from James Monroe, 5 February 1820 (Madison Papers)
I send you herewith the principal documents which have been printed since the commencment of the Session. Should any be omitted, or should there be any information on any point not touched by them, which you may desire, or [ sic ] being so advised, I will communicate it. The Missouri question, as it is call’d, still engages the attention of Congress, & will probably do it, much longer. The...
33To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 February 1820 (Madison Papers)
I send you by this days mail a copy of the journal of the convention which formd the fedl. constitution. One is allowed by the act of Congress to yourself, to Mr Jefferson & to Mr Adams. Several votes were taken yesterday in the Senate on different propositions, respecting the Missouri question, & it appears that one was adopted by a majority of 4. for the establishment of a line to commence...
34To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 May 1820 (Madison Papers)
Our troubles with Spain are not ended, nor is it possible to say when they will be. It was hoped and presumed that this minister would have been authorisd to settle every difficulty, but it appears that he came, simply, to ask explanations, and report those given to his government, to amuse, and procrastinate as his predecessor had done. He admits that he is personally satisfied, as to the...
35To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 September 1820 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶From James Monroe. Letter not found. 22 September 1820 . Offered for sale in The Collection of Autographs of Hon. James T. Mitchell (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 731 [1894], 77).
36To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
You will receive by this mail a copy of the message in which I have endeavourd, to place our institutions in a just light, comparatively with those of Europe, without looking at the latter, or even glancing at them by any remark. The state of our finances is I presume more favorable, than was generally supposd. It seems probable that it will improve in future, the quantity of goods which...
37To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
We have just receivd a letter from Mr Rush of the 20th of october, communicating one from the Spanish ambassador in London to him, of the preceding date, stating that he had been informd confidentially that the Florida treaty had been ratified. It does not appear that the information had been imparted to him, from Madrid or London or by whom. It being possible that it might have been receivd...
38To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
The question as to the admission of Missouri into the union, which is still depending, will probably not be decided untill after the holydays, & the decision is then quite uncertain. You have I presume seen a proposition of Dr Eustis, for admitting her, after a certain day, provided, in the interim, the obnoxious clause in her constitution shall be stricken out. Should this fail, it is...
39To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
Mr Lawrance & Mr Jones of New York, young gentlemen of merit, well connected there, expressing a wish to visit you & Mr Jefferson, I have felt it due to the introduction they have presented me, to make them known to you. They intend to visit Europe in the Spring, & will I am satisfied, take much interest in bearing any letters from you, or being in any respect useful to you. With great respect...
40To James Madison from James Monroe, 17 February 1821 (Madison Papers)
I regret to have to inform you of the death of Mr Wm. Burwell which took place on yesterday, after a long illness. He was a virtuous man & good member. The treaty with spain has been ratified unconditionally by her govt., & the grants annulld in the instrument of ratification. It is now before the Senate on the question whether it shall be accepted, the time stipulated for the ratification...
41To James Madison from James Monroe, 31 March 1821 (Madison Papers)
Since I have been in this office many newspapers have been sent to me, from every part of the union, unsought, which, having neither time nor curiosity to read, are in effect thrown away. I should have stopped the practice, but from delicacy to the Editors, & expecting also, that they would subject me to no charge. Lately I have been informed that the same practice took place in your time, &...
42To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 May 1821 (Madison Papers)
Had I receiv’d your letter respecting Mr. Robt. Taylor, before the appointment of General Pegram to the office of marshall was made, I would not have hesitated to appoint Mr Taylor. But I knew nothing of his wish on the subject, & being appriz’d by the person who sent forward the resignation of General Moore, that an immediate appointment of his successor, would be necessary, as judge Tucker...
43To James Madison from James Monroe, 9 March 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure to recieve your letter with one from Mr Lee, and regret that you should say one word, as to the necessity you are under to send it, or such papers on to me. I need not assure you that I am always happy to hear from you, and am glad of any occurrence which draws from you a letter. My situation, as you well know, renders it impossible for me to write you often or...
44To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 May 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 6th, and entirely concur in the view which you have taken of both the subjects on which it treats. The uniform conduct of the government, towards the Spanish provinces, has manifested a friendly interest in their favor, without taking a single step, with which the Spanish government had a right to complain, from the commencement of their...
45To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 May 1822 (Madison Papers)
Dr. Wm. Thornton who has long enjoyed your good opinion, has expressed a wish that I would also afford him a testimonial of mine, addressed to some friend, to be retained in his possession. To this request, I have willingly acceded, and have presumed, that it might be agreeable to you, and particularly gratifying to him, that it should be addressed to you. I became acquainted with him, before...
46To James Madison from James Monroe, 4 August 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have been detain’d here longer than I had expected that I should be, but hope & presume that I shall, after attending the court to morrow get as far as Judge Nelson’s in the evening, & be with you tolerably early the next day. I wish you to examine the subject between the Senate & me, respecting military nominations, that we may confer on it when we meet. I send you the material papers, the...
47To James Madison from James Monroe, 25 August 1822 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a copy of a report of the Committee of the Senate on the nominations respecting which a difference of opinion took place between that body & me, in the manner shewn by its votes in the sequel of the document. The Senate confirmed the nominations in the rank, that is, the grades to which each officer was designated, but rejected the dates from which it was proposed that their...
48To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 September 1822 (Madison Papers)
I send you here with the 10th vol: of the journals of our revolutionary Congress, the one which you intimated, was deficient in your collection. I have a complete set, with several other odd vols., form’d out of my own collection, & that of our old estimable friend Judge Jones, so that if you should want any other, it is probable, I might supply you. I send you also a detailed copy of the...
49To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 September 1822 (Madison Papers)
My affairs in Albemarle, requiring my attendance there, again, before the meeting of Congress, & the Phisician deeming the exercise useful to Mrs Monroe’s health, we have resolvd to set out thither in a few days, & to call on you & Mrs Madison on the route. If we go by Loudon, which is not decided, it may be the last of the week (next) before we see you; but if we go direct, about the middle....
50To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 February 1823 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From James Monroe. Letter not found. 3 February 1823 . Described as a three-page autograph letter, signed, listed for sale in the Charles Hamilton Catalogue No. 103 (24 Feb. 1977), item 161, summarized and abstracted as follows: “dealing with a post for Madison’s nephew, a constitutional matter concerning grants of power in which he is in apparent disagreement both with Madison and...