1To James Madison from Robert Polk, 10 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
Permit me, with the respect due to your character and station to address you with a view to request your favorable regard in a case relating to my personal interests. In so doing I am unconscious how far I may be trespassing upon the rules of official decorum, but must trust, for my apology, to that liberality which has uniformly distinguished your character. It is not without reluctance that...
2To James Madison from Robert Polk, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
In doing myself the honor of addressing you on the present occasion, permit me to say that it is not without reluctance I have prevailed upon myself to add one to the number of those who may appear before you as Candidates for a portion of Executive favor. But relying on the liberality of your disposition for indulgence, I take the freedom to address you. A bill, providing for the prompt...