11To James Madison from Richard Rush, 3 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Edinburgh review reached me safely. I had read the article on the corn laws, but confess the explanation of the puzzle did not strike me. In the pencil marks it looks very simple. I suspect the reviewers took their theory from no less an authority than Smith; not that I have particularly searched this time to ascertain, but that I have observed in all their disquisitions which touch...
12To John Adams from Richard Rush, 31 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
On Sunday last I saw the President, and he mentioned to me that not a single line had been received from our commissioners in Russia since they left the U. States. He spoke of it with surprise, and seemed at a loss to account for it, unless some dispatches from them had miscarried, as it is near eight months since they went away. Yesterday he mentioned to me in conversation, that, by the late...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Rush, 13 June 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I received two days ago by Mr Gilmer your highly interesting favor of April the 26 th respecting the University of Virginia, and lose no time in saying how happy I shall be in paying every attention to it. It merits, indeed, under all views, my very best attention. The great publick results that hang upon the well-being of this University, bind me as a citizen of our country to look anxiously...
14To John Adams from Richard Rush, 26 February 1822 (Adams Papers)
I must insist upon it, notwithstanding the authority of your veto, that the subject is truly a noble one for the painter. A great patriarch, one of the chief founders of his country’s liberties, the steady advocate of her rights at the courts of foreign potentates as well as in all departments at home, is permitted by a kind Providence to live as it were into posterity, beholding the vast...
15To John Adams from Richard Rush, 27 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your very obliging and gratifying favor of the 17th of this month, with all its accompaniments, was safely received, and I have to return my particular acknowledgments for your goodness in sending them. The letter from Ghent was like all other letters from the same pen, and I have no higher commendation to bestow upon it. It would have increased, beyond measure, the value of your favor to me...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Rush, 22 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday received from Mr Bowring the enclosed letter and packet to your address, which I have great pleasure in forwarding. Mr Bowring, with whom I have had much intercourse in this country, is a man of talents and attainments, of liberal opinions in government, and of good feelings towards the United States. He has a connexion with the Westminster Review, a new periodical work established...
17To John Adams from Richard Rush, 5 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
The last kind favor that I had from you, mentioned your indisposition, and as it is a great while since, I am not without my apprehensions that you may be still unwell. Out of your own immediate family there is no one, sir, in America, or the world, who feels a livelier interest in your health and happiness than I do. I know how old you are in service, in honors, and in years. But years of...
18Richard Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 20 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
R. Rush presents his compliments to M r Jefferson , and begs he will do him the honor to accept the little pamphlet herewith sent. RC ( MHi ); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “M r Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Oct. 1815 and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Rush, American Jurisprudence, written and published at Washington, being a few reflections suggested on reading “Wheaton on...
19Richard Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 12 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I received, yesterday, your favor of the 31. of last month , and beg leave to return my warm thanks for your kind and obliging sympathy on the melancholy occasion of the death of my father . Few men, I believe, who have lived ever acted up more faithfully to what he took to be the line of rectitude and duty in all the actions of his laborious life; but in whatever lights he may have appeared...
20To John Adams from Richard Rush, 5 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to copy for your eye the enclosed lines, written by St George Tucker of Virginia, on being asked why he had ceased to court the inspirations of the muse. They struck me as very touching and beautiful both as to sentiment and manner. If you have not seen them before, perhaps they may afford you a few minutes pleasure; and the hope that they may do so has induced me to...
21From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 16 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
If I have detained the enclosed letter longer than was proper, I beg it may be ascribed, not to any insensibility to the favor done me in being allowed its perusal, but to a desire to turn it to the uses that it appeared to me to deserve. After showing it to the President, I took the liberty of reading parts of it to two of the members of his cabinet, that sentiments so important, coming from...
22To James Madison from Richard Rush, 14 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Nothing has transpired since I last wrote, except the arrival of Commodore Rodgers from Baltimore yesterday afternoon. He mentions that the travelling party reached that city on tuesday evening, in the steam boat he believes. They took up their abode at Barneys. He adds, that Lucien Bonaparte is known to possess stock in some of the institutions of Baltimore, and that it was conjectured Joseph...
23To James Madison from Richard Rush, 18 June 1817 (Madison Papers)
When it became my lot to superintend for a short time, the business of the department of state, I little imagined, that among the foreign ministers, the Abbe Correa was the one with whom my official relations were to be the least smooth. Having imbibed a veneration for his character and genius, struck with the engaging simplicity of his manners and liberality of his principles, I had, on the...
24To John Adams from Richard Rush, 2 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
It is no interference with my publick employments to write to you. I can command some portion of almost every day, and the priviledge of using it in this way is most gratifying to me. Michiavel says war ought to be the only study of a prince. We shall indeed, Sir, be taught, by terrible experience, that it must henceforth be more the study of our republick. One of our Colonels told me not long...
25To James Madison from Richard Rush, 28 December 1823 (Madison Papers)
Your very acceptable favor of the 13th of November reached me yesterday. I am not able at this time to do more than barely acknowledge its safe arrival, but this I do with my grateful thanks. It will be, under many views, extremely valuable to me. I remain dear sir with devoted attachment and respect Your obliged and affectionate friend P. S. Your kind acknowledgement of the cheese I also...
26To John Adams from Richard Rush, 23 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I was made happy by your last esteemed favor, from its assuring me that your health was restored to its usual tone. I lately spent an evening with young Mr Dallas, who came home in the John Adams. He is an intelligent young gentleman, and deals out a great deal of European anecdote, of Lords and Emperors, Kings and princes. He speaks with nothing but praise of Mr J. Q. Adams; who, he says, was...
27To James Madison from Richard Rush, 6 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Employing myself during the past month in arranging papers, I laid my hands upon the enclosed, written at the time it bears date. I am induced to send it for the mere sake of what it contains about Bonaparte; not, indeed, that we can subscribe to all it says, but that as his character seems to go on evolving new anomolies, its confident assertions about him as far back as the days of...
28Richard Rush to James Madison, 10 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I cannot longer abstain from expressing the deep interest with which I read your two letters on the power of Congress to lay duties on foreign manufactures, with a view to the encouragement of our own. To you, dear sir, I cannot say all that I think of them. They are like the voice of reason, suddenly interposed to still jarring elements. They have made a powerful impression upon the public....
29To James Madison from Richard Rush, 20 June 1817 (Madison Papers)
We have latterly had no papers from abroad. Mr Adams seems to have ceased sending them, probably from his preparations to come home. His last letter to the department stated his expectation to embark before the first of June. As to the French papers they come to us but seldom, and amount to but little when they do come. With Russia, France and Spain, our relations continue, I believe, just as...
30Richard Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 20 th of October , enclosing a bill of exchange on drawn by Joseph Marx and son , for 40 pounds sterling. It got to hand this day. The list of books enclosed , it will afford me very great satisfaction to procure in the best manner in my power. I shall hope for the pleasure of writing to you again respecting them, and beg permission to...
31Richard Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 9 October 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I received on the 26 th of last month your favor of the 14 th of August , and have had great pleasure in attending to the commissions which it entrusted to me. Law books being very costly, Thomas ’s edition of Coke Littleton is set down at £4.4, though but three volumes. Rapins history, in fifteen, may be had for £2.12. It is therefore my intention to send you for the present, only these two...
32To John Adams from Richard Rush, 4 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Out of the circle of your own family, there are none who can feel more sorrow at the heavy affliction that has fallen upon you than we do here. We heard the melancholy news two days ago. “What exalted and long-tried excellence, exclaimed my wife, has gone to the tomb.” “As soon as my confinement was over,” she continued, “I had intended that my first letter, after one to my own mother, should...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Rush, 17 July 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heretofore acknowledged your favor of the 26 th of April, and a few days ago that of June the 5 th reached me. The enclosure which it contained for Mr Gilmer I immediately forwarded to him at Cambridge, where he now is prosecuting his objects, yours, those of Virginia, and I will add of our common country. This I know from himself, and I also heard of him accidentally a couple of days...
34To James Madison from Richard Rush, 8 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
In an accidental conversation I had with Mr Gallatin in the course of the last week upon the subject of men in Pennsylvania fitted for the higher posts of the army, the name of General Thomas Craig, of Northampton county, was mentioned. Without any personal acquaintance, I could only speak of him through his long reputation as a soldier and patriot. His advanced age was adverted to, as well as...
35To James Madison from Richard Rush, 18 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to send you, enclosed, a few English newspapers. I have not been able to look over them myself, but perhaps you may be able to glean an hours amusement from them. They are the latest we have in the office. I shall have great pleasure in sending you others that arrive. Our last letters from Mr Adams are to the 29th of January. He takes no notice of the report of 19 ships of war...
36To James Madison from Richard Rush, 4 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
The extraordinary juncture of publick affairs emboldens me to trouble you with this letter, and while I do so with great diffidence I must seek the apology in the motive and proceed to its immediate subject with no other claim to indulgence beyond that which the subject, coupled with the most ardent desires for our countrys welfare, can beget. The shock given to the publick hopes in the...
37Memorandum from Richard Rush, 29 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
There is no ground for considering the property taken possession of by the naval or military officers of the United states, after the desstruction of the fort on the Apalachicola, on the 27th of July 1816, as prize of war. Prize of war must be the result of some lawful belligerent act. It implies a state of war duly declared, or existing, under national authority. Should war even exist, the...
38To James Madison from Richard Rush, 3 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
While the military nominations are under consideration, I have ventured to think that it would not be unwelcome to the executive to receive, from every source, information in regard to characters in our country who may have pretensions in this line. Under this impression I took the liberty, a few days ago, to hand to the secretary of war a paper of which the enclosed is a copy. It is with his...
39To James Madison from Richard Rush, 29 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I well remember the law to which Mr Wirt alludes. Indeed, I drew it. It was deemed necessary from antecedent evils of a most embarrassing kind, which, I believe, it has, to a great degree, cured every where but in Virginia. I have thrown a few remarks upon the enclosed sheet, to be read as an addendum to Mr Wirts letter, and designed to meet its main object. This I have done in compliance with...
40To James Madison from Richard Rush, 6 March 1822 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 20th of November got to hand in January. The letters which it enclosed for Mr Keilsall and Mr Joy, were both delivered, no difficulty having occurred this time in finding the former. I had equal pleasure in procuring his book, which was sent to Liverpool in January with directions to be forwarded in the regular packet from that port on the 1st of February. I hope it will have...
41From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 4 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
I lose no time in returning the enclosed letters, which came to hand to day, and for the perusal of which I beg leave to make my very sincere and cordial thanks. Such letters, from such a source, are a treat. It is the next thing to being in Europe, perhaps better in such times as these, and I am very thankful for the kind favor of being allowed to have them a little while in my possession. I...
42To James Madison from Richard Rush, 30 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
As a little exercise of the pen, I have just been throwing out a small pamphlet, of a copy of which I beg your acceptance. While at the bar, I had often occasion to perceive and lament the existence of a spirit too dependent and colonial. This little tract aims, as far as it goes, at showing that it is not justifiable. I was happy to hear from Mr Monroe a day or two ago, that his health is...
43Richard Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
There are so many motives for visiting Monticello , that it is no wonder all are ambitious to do so. M r Derby , a gentleman of Boston and greatly in esteem among those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, desires to pay his respects to you, and I know how largely I shall promote his gratification in thus affording him an opportunity. Inducements more than common, operate with M r Derby...
44Richard Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was on the 9 th of this month in reply to your favor of the 14 th of August , and encloset enclosed copies of two notes from Mr Blatterman . I have now the pleasure to mention, that the books, as by the enclosed bill and receipt from Mess. Lackingtons
45To James Madison from Richard Rush, 15 March 1821 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the fourth of December came safely to hand, and with it the letter for Mr Joy, and one for Miss Wright, both of which have been delivered. Mr Smith into whose hands I put the latter, informs me that there was no difficulty in forwarding it to its destination. I have to beg, dear Sir, that you will without scruple commit to my care whatever letters you may have occasion to write...
46To James Madison from Richard Rush, 15 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
Your acceptable favor of the 12th of August, reached me about a month ago. I fear that this government will continue deaf to every expostulation that can be addressed to it on the subject of the West India trade. In the negociation of 1818, when Mr Gallatin was here, we made the attempt with all earnestness to prevail upon them to give up their narrow doctrines, but to no effect; whilst...
47To James Madison from Richard Rush, 14 January 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have great pleasure in sending you by a conveyance, which I hope will prove a safe one, Eustace’s tour and Malthus on population. In place of the most approved answer to the latter work, which, as yet, I have not been able to ascertain, I send the 34th number of the Quarterly review, which you will find to contain a more full notice of its doctrines than, I believe, has heretofore been taken...
48To James Madison from Richard Rush, 6 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
Considering the struggle that is now going on in Pennsylvania, as not wholly local, I have been led to dip my pen in it. A month ago I threw together some remarks for one of the newspapers. They unexpectedly came back to me a few days since in the form of a two-penny pamphlet. I venture to enclose you one of them for the amusement of a leisure moment. Although no official promulgation has yet...
49To James Madison from Richard Rush, 1 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
Mr Ingersoll has sent me on the enclosed letter from Philadelphia, which, for the sake of the sentence it contains about impressment, I venture to enclose for your eye. Mr Ingersoll is not, as Mr King supposes, engaged in any publication upon this subject. He is investigating it, with others, preparatory to his congressional career, which I please myself with the hope will be prominent and...
50To John Adams from Richard Rush, 2 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
An old Scotch woman, in North-Shields, signing herself Ann Hewison, has sent me a manuscript Quarto of what she calls extracts from the diary of William Langborn, an American officer, kept during his travels through several parts of Europe. I copy, word for word, the following passages. London July 18. 1786. “Saturday—Did myself the pleasure, agreeably to yesterdays invitation, of dining with...
51To John Adams from Richard Rush, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your valued favors of the 5th and 10th, have gratified, instructed, and consoled me. As far as I stand informed, the administration have never dreamed that the war, or the treaty of Ghent, diminished the nicest hair of our rights to the fisheries, as we have ever before enjoyed them. On the 10th of November 1814, the joint mission wrote to the British commissioners exactly as follows—“In...
52To John Adams from Richard Rush, 30 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
I had hoped that this letter would have shaped itself by some of the agreeable topicks touched in your two most agreeable favors of the 5th and 20th; the former of which my better half has put into one of her own drawers claiming it as her own property and desiring her most dutiful compliments and acknowledgements for the handsome things said of her; and the latter of which I received...
53Richard Rush’s Account of a Visit to Montpellier and Monticello, 9 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never seen Mr Madison so well fixed any where as on his estate in Virginia , not even before he was burnt out here. His house would be esteemed a good one for any of our country seats near Philadelphia , and is much larger than most of them. The situation is among mountains, and very beautiful. A fine estate surrounds him, at the head of which he appears to eminent advantage, as well in...
54To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Rush, 8 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Owen, of New Lanark, in Scotland, well known by the exertions which he has long been making to meliorate the condition of society in this country, being about to take a trip to ours, I presume to give him this line of introduction to you. I am not able to pronounce upon the feasibility of his plans in all respects; but that they are full of benevolence all admit, as well as that they have...
55To James Madison from Richard Rush, 28 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
Not for the value of the article, but as a little token of remembrance, I beg you will allow me to ask your acceptance of, (sent by the vessel in which this letter goes,) an English cheese. Joining my wife in kind compliments to Mrs Madison, I remain, dear sir, with unalterable attachment and respect your devoted friend and servant RC ( PHi ). Enclosed in James Maury to JM , 3 July 1823 . Here...
56To John Adams from Richard Rush, 18 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
I beg you will do me the honor to accept a Copy of a discourse I delivered on the 4th of July at this place. The present crisis of our country, sir, is most momentous; but it seems greatly to be feared that the powerful and intelligent state of Massachusetts will not yield her zealous cooperation to the nation in its present struggle. With constant wishes for your health and happiness allow...
57From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
It would have been a greatr gratification to me if I could have announced to you before this time the actual appointment of Mr John Adams Smith, as secretary to the Legation at London. I have, however, great pleasure in saying that I believe but one thing is wanting to it. Mr Monroe, who yesterday favored me with a conversation upon the subject, did not hesitate to say, that he feels “a...
58From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 11 November 1816 (Adams Papers)
I find, from a conversation with Mr Monroe, that it is not the intention of government to send dispatches to Spain by the Chippewa, or to employ her, in any other way, as a dispatch vessel. Hence the rumour adverted to in your favor of the 28th ulto. must, it would seem, have originated in some mistake. I ought to have transmitted this information some days earlier, and beg leave to apologize...
59To John Adams from Richard Rush, 20 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
After having read, for a fifth time, the elegant letter of Mr. J. Q. Adams, I return it with renewed thanks; and as in the postscript to your favor of the 6th instant I think I recognise the hand writing of Mrs Adams, I must beg my respectful compliments and thanks to her also, to whom I feel indebted in part for the pleasure and benefit of perusing the letter in question. And next, sir, for...
60To John Adams from Richard Rush, 29 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
For the first time since I was a lad, I have been making an excursion this season. Health and recreation were the double motive, though I am glad to say the latter predominated. I set out on horseback for the mountains in Virginia. I had never been into the antient dominion before, except merely upon its edge. Although it is filled with “Blenheims,” and “Hagleys” and “Mount Airys.” I was still...