1To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 9 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
The object of this is to complain to the Chief magistrate of my Country, of the many outrageous sceenes of robery which are committing upon the high seas by American Citizens and in some measure under the cognizance of the American Government. Seven vessels have already been fitted out in the port of Baltimore, manned & commanded almost entirely by American Citizens and owned by American...
2To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 10 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Since my Letter to you of the 21 June, Brigre General Bloomfield communicated to me an order from the Secretary of War, which in substance agreed with the request, I had the honour to make to you, and of which you have a Copy inclosed. After compleating some official duties at Philadelphia I returned to New-York and reported myself ready to take such command as might “comport with my rank.”...
3To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 19 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honour to write on the 15th Inst. and immediately paid the $25 it contained to the Treasurer of the USMP Society: I beg leave to thank you in their name for the authority you grant to consider you their Patron, and in my own for the permission you give me of laying before you a Representation relative to the military Academy, to be disposed of as...
4To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 17 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for you favour of the 11th Instant although my object in writing appears to have failed. The Letter I alluded to was written by John Paul Jones and was addressed to yourself alone, he shewed it to me and asked my advice whether to forward it or not: I did advise him not to forward it, but I did not think that he would agree with me in that opinion: As the case may amuse you I will...
5To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 27 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
The momentary, although faint, hope that the Military Academy Bill will be called up, induces me to attend in the House all day, and prevents me from stating to you verbally its almost forlorn situation. I am convinced that there is a sufficient Majority in the House to pass the Bill without Amendment, which is now the only way it can pass, for should it go back to the Senate the session would...
6To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 17 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
Perceiving by your Message at the opening of the present Session of Congress that you entertain the same favourable Sentiments relative to military Seminaries, which you expressed to me last February, I feel emboldened to transmit a Copy of the form of a Bill drawn in consequence of a Council of Field Officers of my Corps, which I called for the purpose. The Bill, except in one Section, is...
7To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 21 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
By the 27th Section of the Act of 16 March 1802 it is declared that the Engineers “shall be subject at all times to do duty in such places and on such Service as the President of the United States shall direct,” and By the 63d Article of War “the Engineers are not to assume nor are subject to be ordered on any duty beyond the Line of their profession, except by the special order of the...
8Jonathan Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
After the Society was adjourned a number of members (all your particular Friends) were conversing on various subjects when the proposed sale of your Library to Congress was mentioned. It can hardly be supposed, that in this Room surrounded by a Library consisting almost wholly of donations, with your almost animated Bust looking full in our faces, we could avoid expressing our regret that the...
9Jonathan Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I could not deny myself showing you another Instance of the usefulness of the thermometer in navigation : When science comes in aid of humanity it must be particularly pleasing to you.— Having this occasion to write to you, I will take the liberty of intimating that a kind, although monitory Letter might be of service to young Randolph . He is a very fine youth, of very good natural talents, &...
10To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 13 January 1810 (Madison Papers)
Mr. D. Masson professor at the Military Accademy has presented to our Society a manuscript copy of his lectures on fortification. This work when compleated will be a transmission of all that is known in the french language into our own, in that condensed and simple shape which is best calculated for the Rudiments of instruction. I think it my duty towards you, as patron of the society, to...