1To James Madison from James Sullivan, 12 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
The best answer I can return to yours of the 22d. ulto. is the inclosed extract of our council’s Journals. One heart and one voice is here. I have the honour to remain with great respect and Attention your humble Servant DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
2To James Madison from James Sullivan, 12 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Colonel Harris of Portsmouth in New Hampshire, is passing through this town to Washington. He wishes to procure your attention; and beleives that a letter from me will do some thing towards it. His business he will explain; it grows out of the Embargo. You may rely upon any thing he says on any subject. Could there be any favour in business, of this kind, from personal, political, or party...
3To James Madison from James Sullivan, 31 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment come from the room of our representatives in the general court, where before the Senate and House I have passed the constitutional and legal qualifications of Governor of the State. this is a year of conflict. I want aid. of you I request, that, you will forward me without delay a schedule of the procedures. of the States in each election of President that has occurred Since...
4To James Madison from James Sullivan, 11 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 April 1803, Boston. “If I had an idea of what its commonly called the making of interest I should not possess confidence enough in the weight of my own character to attempt it: but in an extensive government, information, as to men qualified for offices must be had through some channel or other.” Encloses a letter signed by men “respectable and friendly to the present administration” and...
5To James Madison from James Sullivan, 26 January 1805 (Madison Papers)
I was lately attempting to furnish documents to prove the falshood of an electioneering report, very effectively circulated in this state, that a citizen in virginia possessed of 500 slaves has 300 votes in the choice of electors: but when I turned to the constitution of the united states, I found that the qualification for voters was the same as those for the most numerous branch of the State...
6To James Madison from James Sullivan, 5 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 November 1804, Boston. “Mr. Russell, who has long been in public life in this State, goes on to the Seat of government, hoping to do something for the releif of myself and others, who were concerned in the purchase of Georgia Lands, when we were under no apprehensions of a controverted title. Your attent[i]on to him, as a candid honest man, after he shall deliver this letter, will confer an...
7To James Madison from James Sullivan, 24 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 November 1803, Boston. “When I observed in the Presidents public communication that there is a convention for a demarkation of the line between the northern angle of the united States and the British dominions, I recollected that you did me the honor, some time ago, to receive from me a communication on that Subject, and I therefore now take the freedom to mention to you, that if I should...
8To James Madison from James Sullivan, 17 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
The answer respecting the constitutional voters in Virginia is very satisfactory, and will be of great use here. General Lincoln is unwell, he is advanced in life, and if our remarkably severe winter does not number and determine his days, as it has those of his co[n]tempor[ar]ies very generally, he will not be without a necessity to resign his office of collector for the port of Boston. That...
9To James Madison from James Sullivan, 30 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
The President of the united States requested of me a calculation of the quantity of flour imported from the Southern and Middle States and consumed in Massachusetts. I forwarded the imperfect calculation I was able to make from all the data under my controul. I do not incline to trouble him personally again on the Subject. The inclosed abstract gives a comparative veiw of the flour entered at...
10To James Madison from James Sullivan, 19 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
The idea of preserving the post offices, and mails inviolable is almost too sacred to allow a petition for mitigating the punishment of any one who may have been convicted of robbing them. We are very unfortunate here. A young man, labouring under an accidental, but nearly inpenetrable, deafness of respectable connexions; and one whose character stood well before; has been duly and fairly, as...
11To James Madison from James Sullivan, 12 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have never been in the habit of seeking for offices for myself, or for my friends. I have given a number of Sons all the advantages which can be derived from the modes of education among us, and have been, as yet, rendered happy by their conduct. Had I wished any thing for them under the late administration, Mr Adams and his party would have treated a proposition in that way with contempt,...
12To James Madison from James Sullivan, 18 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Sullivan. 18 June 1806, Boston. “I feel no inclination to make interest for offices, but that of Marshall in this district must soon be vacant as General Skinner is appointed Treasurer of this state. I do not know who will apply, but there will, no doubt, be many candidates. Abraham Lincoln of Worcester who has long been a magistrate there has written to me that he wishes it. He...
13To James Madison from James Sullivan, 30 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I incline to beleive that it is my duty to inform the government of the united States, that reports are very prevalent here that an immense Trade in provisions &c. is carried on in passamaquody river the boundary between the united States & the dominions of great britain. A great number of square rigged vessels are lying there, which have brought cargoes of rice flour and other provisions from...
14To James Madison from James Sullivan, 8 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
I do not know whether an apology is necessary for giving you this trouble. Under one form of government the people are the property of the ruler in another the ruler is the property of the people. I did not see the secretary of war as he returned through Boston because I was in the country. I heard of him, and I heard that he felt like a Soldier on the apparent dispute with Spain. This...
15To James Madison from James Sullivan, 16 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
I imagine that by this time you will be willing to receive, at the Seat the Soul of government, a correct statement of the facts attached to the death of Charles Austin who was lately shot in State in Boston, by one Thomas Oliver Selfridge a Lawyer. I give you a Statement on which you may rely. The republicans in Boston for four years past have obtained, from the select men, the use of fannuil...
16To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 22 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Colonel Hatch of this state goes on to the seat of government with a project of his own in the art of gunnery. If I had time to examine it I should not consider myself competent to offer an opinion upon it to the President of the united States; but I consider our situation, as a nation to be such, that every attempt to serve or unite the country ought to be encouraged. I therefore presume to...
17To John Adams from James Sullivan, 29 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am very sensible that this is out of proper mode of communication to the President of the United States; but there are certain considerations which I hope will form an apology for the intrusion I have the honor to be / with the most perfect / respect your humble / Servant MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
18To James Madison from James Sullivan, 13 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 January 1805, Boston. “I begin a letter which I intend as a communication in confidence the subject is of no greater consequence than the smaller parts of one wheel is to the whole of a great and complicated machine. “The collector for the port of Barnstable in Massachusetts, is an old man; he is more than four score years of age. He must resign. That port extends to all the shores from one...
19To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 23 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My Son Colonel Sullivan is going to Baltimore, and will probably go as far as Washington. I have requested him to wait on you with my respects; You will find him intelligent and correct in his answers to any inquiries you may be pleased to make of him. he has been very attentive to public concerns since he returned last Spring from Italy. He has been gone three years to Europe I remain with...
20To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 3 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In days of great adversity when I was surrounded inveterate enemies your notice and sentiments inspired me with firmness and gave me support. They are vanquished—They are fawning at my feet—The serpent is torpid with the cold, looking with but little hope for the return of the scorching beams of federalism. In the days of my keen anguish I intruded upon you one imprudent letter at least, will...
21To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 24 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yours of the 12th and will continue to act as discreetly as I can in the business of certificates according to your request, until the 13th of next month. Flour &c, has lately risen on an idea, of the exportation from the southern and middle States being impeded; I will have them down in a day or two. There is no engine, but what is, and will be used here against your administration....
22To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 8 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
When the affair took place lately in regard to Waterhouse I was determined never to trouble the President again on business of that yet I was induced on the 7th to inclose Mr Grays letter beleiving there was no party or competion—I have no concern & do not wish to have any influence in that Matter as there are parties—and pledge myself never to trouble you again on the business of...
23To James Madison from James Sullivan, 8 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
Men in public office suffer much from the unwarrantable intrusions of others; I have had a great share in this species of trouble, but perhaps never as much as you will have from the freedom of this Letter. I wish to whisper something into the Presidents ear, but cannot venture on the freedom of intruding a letter upon him. There is a general conversation here, that General Lincoln is to be...
24To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 18 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am aware that I am guilty of an impropriety in giving you the Trouble of this letter. Since the death of my friend Doctor Jarvis there have been many applications to me for letters on this score; my answer has been uniform, that I had no authority to trouble the President of the United States on this subject; but I cannot deny my name to Doctor Waterhouse on the Occasion. I know him to be...
25To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 21 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
By some letters from Washton lately recieved it appears that there is great interest felt in our state election, among the gentlemen near the seat of government. The republicans have made every possible fair exertion. There will be 80000 votes, 70000 are already known, in which the federal candidate has 1200 more than the republican candidate. There are some scattering votes. If there is a...
26To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 24 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time ago the Secretary of State, Mr Madison, requested of me information in regard to the method of ascertaining the boundary between the United States, on their northern angle, and the British dominions. He was lead to this by my having been the agent of our nation in the settlement of the St. croix line. I readily complied with his wishes; and now observe in the Presidents communication...
27To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 20 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I was exceedingly honoured by your condescention in your letter of the 21st. of may. The mail had scarcely gone from Boston with mine of the 14th. of april before I deeply regretted having troubled you with it. I then knew, on a moments reflection, that there was no vacancy, and that it would be ineligible for me to leave this State. The same friendly feelings which dictated your letter will...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 3 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The station to which I have been recently called by my fellow citizens encourages me to believe that the intrusion of a letter will not be offensive to the cheif magistrate of the nation. My general Sentiments on our public concerns will appear from the press, in the gazette of tomorrow, in form of a communication made this day, by me, as Governor, to both branches of our legislature. I...
29To John Adams from James Sullivan, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners have agreed that the Scoodiac is the St Croix truly intended in the Treaty of peace. I am of opinion that Benson will accompany Barclay to a Pond near the Penobscott as the source of the river. Whether the Declaration of two Commissioners only is binding, is a question in which I can hereafter have no concern. But at present I am involved in it. The Commissioners are by the...
30To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 3 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Federal party in this State, have obtained the government: their principal object, at present, appears to be the political, and even the personal destruction of John Quincy Adams—they have, yesterday come to the choice of a senator, in congress, to succeed him next year. James Lloyd had 246 votes Adams 213. It is of great consequence to the interest of Mr Adams, and to that of your...