1To John Adams from James Madison, 17 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 28th. Ult: was duly received, tho’ with more delay, than usually attends the Mail. I return the interesting letter from your son, with my thanks for the opportunity of perusing it. I have caused the archives of the Dept of State to be searched with an eye to what passed during the negociations for peace on the subject of the fisheries. The search has not furnished a precise...
2From James Madison to John Adams, 12 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. of Sepr. was handed to me, by Docr. Freeman, at my abode in Virga. just before I left it for this place. His transient stay afforded but a slight opportunity for the civilities I wished to shew to one who enjoys so much of your esteem, and who appeared so well to deserve them. He was so good as to call at the door since my arrival here; but being at the moment engaged,...
3To John Adams from James Madison, 3 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto. by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt: Cook. I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American...
4To John Adams from James Madison, 5 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor on the subject of Docr. Waterhouse, inclosing a letter from him which is now returned. Previous to this communication, the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Excellent friend, & the friend of mankind, had been filled by the appointment of his son Dr. James Rush. Besides the numerous & respectable interpositions in favor of it, I felt a pleasure, in putting this...
5To John Adams from James Madison, 7 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
On my return two days ago from a Meeting appointed to report to the Legislature of the State a proper Scite for a University, I found your obliging favor of July 22. with its inclosed copies of Docr. Mayhews Sermon. I have read with pleasure this symbol of the political tone of thinking at the period of its original publication. The author felt the strength of his argument, and has given a...
6From James Madison to John Adams, 3 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 21st. Ulto. inclosing one to yourself from Mr. Malcom. I return the latter as desired. Mr. Malcom was not in time to be taken into consideration along with others having the same object with him. I need not say that if it had been otherwise, and his comparative qualifications had entitled him to the appointment, I should have felt a pleasure in knowing that...
7To John Adams from James Madison, 3 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 21st ulto. inclosing one to yourself from Mr. Malcom. I return the latter as desired. Mr. Malcom was not in time to be taken into consideration along with others having the same objects with him. I need not say that if it had been otherwise, and his comparative qualifications had entitled him to the appointment, I should have felt a pleasure in knowing that...
8From James Madison to John Adams, 22 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Being informed that our Mediterranean Passports and papers of navigation have been recently counterfeited and used by persons not entitled to them, and being referred to you for explanations respecting it, permit me to request you to make a deposition reciting your knowledge of the subject as circumstantially as may be and especially what you know respecting the interest Mr. Willis the...
9From James Madison to John Adams, 5 August 1819 (Madison Papers)
I pay with much pleasure the debt of thanks for the copy of Mr. Wells’s Oration so kindly forwarded by you. It is a concise and well presented view of the great event celebrated, with a judicious selection of circumstances proper to be combined with it. I avail myself of this as of every occasion of renewing to you assurances of my high esteem and best wishes. RC (DSI–AC: Adams–Clement...
10From James Madison to John Adams and Others, 17 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last mail your letter of the 12th. inst: inviting me to the reception at Richmond of Genl. La Fayette. And I have to regret that the obstacles to a compliance with a late kindred invitation will not permit me to avail myself of that so kindly conveyed by you. I can only therefore express at a distance the sincerity with which I shd. mingle my affectionate gratitude with the...
11From James Madison to John Adams, [22] May 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 22d Ult: with the two vols. bearing the name of Condorcet. If the length of time they remained in your hands, had been in the least inconvenient to me, which was not the case, the debt would have been greatly overpaid, by the interesting observations into which you were led by the return of them. The idea of a Government “in one center” as explained and espoused...
12From James Madison to John Adams, 5 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor on the subject of Docr. Waterhouse, inclosing a letter from him which is now returned. Previous to this communication, the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Excellent friend, & the friend of mankind, had been filled by the appointment of his son Dr. James Rush. Besides the numerous & respectable interpositions in favor of it, I felt a pleasure, in putting this...
13To John Adams from James Madison, 22 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 22d Ult: with the two vols. bearing the name of Condorcet. If the length of time they remained in your hands, had been in the least inconvenient to me, which was not the case, the debt would have been greatly overpaid, by the interesting observations into which you were led by the return of them. The idea of a Government “in one center” as explained and espoused...
14From James Madison to John Adams, 17 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 28th. Ult: was duly received, tho’ with more delay, than usually attends the Mail. I return the interesting letter from your son, with my thanks for the opportunity of perusing it. I have caused the archives of the Dept of State to be searched with an eye to what passed during the negociations for peace on the subject of the fisheries. The search has not furnished a precise...
15To John Adams from James Madison, 5 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I pay with much pleasure the debt of thanks for the copy of Mr. Wells’s Oration so kindly forwarded by you. It is a concise and well presented view of the great event celebrated, with a judicious selection of circumstances proper to be combined with it. I avail myself of this as of every occasion of renewing to you assurances of my high esteem and best wishes. MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
16From James Madison to John Adams, 7 August 1818 (Madison Papers)
On my return two days ago from a Meeting appointed to report to the Legislature of the State a proper Scite for a University, I found your obliging favor of July 22. with its inclosed copies of Docr. Mayhews Sermon. I have read with pleasure this symbol of the political tone of thinking at the period of its original publication. The author felt the strength of his argument, and has given a...
17Enclosure: Circular from Hezekiah Niles to Prominent Subscribers, 31 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
After revolving upon some suitable apology for intruding myself with the following statement and request, I have thought it most respectful to decline offering any, except to observe that if ought appears to your better judgement improper in either, that you will attribute it to any thing else than a willingness on my part to act so, in any respect towards you. For six years ending with the...
18From James Madison to John Adams, 3 February 1795 (Madison Papers)
I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto. by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt: Cook. I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American...
19To John Adams from James Madison, 12 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. of Sepr. was handed to me, by Docr. Freeman, at my abode in Virga. just before I left it for this place. His transient stay afforded but a slight opportunity for the civilities I wished to shew to one who enjoys so much of your esteem, and who appeared so well to deserve them. He was so good as to call at the door since my arrival here; but being at the moment engaged,...
20To James Madison from John Adams, 28 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
When my Son departed for Russia, I enjoined upon him to write nothing to me, which he was not willing Should be published in French and English Newspapers. He has very Scrupulously observed the rule. I have been equally reserved in my letters to him: but the Principle on both Sides has been to me a cruel privation, for his correspondence when Absent, and his Conversation when present has been...
21From John Adams to James Madison, 22 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Thank you for your favour of the 12th. The Anecdote mentioned in my Letter of the 4th of September, is of no consequence to the Public, though, it may interest the private Feelings of your Family and mine. Mr Stodert was my Auther. After all possibility of thinking seriously on the Subject was passed, Mr Stodert informed me of the Letter from Mrs Madison to Mr Steel mentioned in mine to you of...
22To James Madison from John Adams, 25 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday Morning expecting a Letter from Dr Rush I Sent early to the Post Office: but my Messenger brought me a Letter from Dr Waterhouse, which I inclose; having no words of my own to express my Feelings. The Shock was Sudden and unexpected. I had a Letter from Rush dated the 10th.; apparently written in full health and fine Spirits. An unchangeable Friend Ship of thirty Eight Years had...
23To James Madison from John Adams, 17 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
My Election to the Presidents office, was but by a majority of one or at most two votes. Mr Jeffersons was by no majority of the people and by a majority of one only in the house after thirty or 40 votes had been equally divided between him and Mr Burr. Mr Jeffersons second election was by a great majority and his third would have been by a greater still if he had not declined. Your Election...
24From John Adams to James Madison, 23 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so good as to read the inclosed Letter from Dr. Belknap and tell me, from your Recollection of what passed in Congress in 1779 1780 & 1781, whether there is any Colour for the Imputation cast on our Country by Dr Kippis. I cannot say as Dr Belknap has been informed that Dr Kippis is my Correspondent. I never wrote a Letter to him or received a Letter from him that I recollect.—I...
25To James Madison from John Adams, 23 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed Letter Supposes more importance in my Judgment than it deserves. Whatever it is worth, however, it is all in favour of the request in it. Waterhouse is another Rush: and for no other Reason that I can conjecture than his respect and able Services to the national Government for the last fourteen Years, has been cruelly treated by the worst Faction against it. I Submit the Subject...
26To James Madison from John Adams, 31 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have subscribed with Mr Gray and others a recommendation of Hendrick W Gordon Esquire a copy of which is enclosed. As he requests a seperate Certificate, I enclose his letter and can sincerely say that from an acquaintance with him, of several years, I believe that what is said of him, in the Certificate, and in his letter, to be no more than he deserves; He is a civil, well bred man,...
27To James Madison from John Adams, 6 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
As I feel a kind of Ambition to introduce to the past present and future Presidents of U.S. Some of our most amiable Men, least bigotted least Superstitious Characters, and most catholic Minds, (in the moral, not Ecclesiastical Sense of the Word) I take the Liberty to introduce to you The Rev. Mr Henry Colman. As it was known that he intended a Journey to the Southward for his Health which is...
28To James Madison from John Adams, 17 June 1817 (Madison Papers)
Accept my thanks for your favour of last month. The safe Arrival of your books has quieted my conscience. There is nothing within the narrow Compass of human knowledge more interesting, than the Subject of your Letter. If “the Idea of a Government in one Center Seems to be every where exploded” perhaps Something remains, undefined, as dangerous, as plausible and pernicious as that Idea. Half a...
29From John Adams to James Madison, 17 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
A young Gentleman, and his Father, have requested me to mention his Name to The Secretary of The Navy. I choose rather to mention it to you. The youth has a fine Person, an elegant Figure, a fine Countenance, healthy vigorous and robust. His Education has been Accademical and mercantile in a very respectable House. His Father Served five years in our Revolutionary War, and his Grandfather was...
30From John Adams to James Madison, 19 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
My Election to the Presidents Office was but by a majority of one, or at most of two Votes. Mr Jeffersons was by no Majority of the People, and by a Majority of one only in the House after Thirty or forty Votes equally divided between him and Mr Burr. Mr Jeffersons Second Election was by a great Majority and his third would have been by a greater Still, if he had not declined. Your Election...
31From John Adams to James Madison, 21 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr Malcom was three years in my family at Philadelphia as my private Secretary; and during that time his conduct was ingenuous faithful industrious and attentive and entirely to my Satisfaction. His connections in New York were respectable, and his Education to Letters and the Bar regular. Altho, since the dissolution of that connection between him and me there has been no intercourse and very...
32From John Adams to James Madison, 4 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have So often taken the Liberty to introduce Gentlemen to The President of The United States, that tho’ it might be an usurpation at first, it Seems now to be a kind of Right by Prescription. Upon no Occasion that I recollect, have I assumed this Priviledge with more pleasure than in now introducing Dr James Freeman whom I esteem one of our first litterary Characters and one of the best of...
33From John Adams to James Madison, 5 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I ought to make an apology to you for the trouble I give you to read so many of my letters upon subjects with which perhaps I should have nothing to do. but as I am requested to give a simple letter of introduction to a gentleman going to Washington, I could not refuse it. Mr Andrew Eliot a respectable Merchant of Boston has a petition to present to the Administration or to the legislature or...
34From John Adams to James Madison, 6 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
As I feel a kind of Ambition to introduce to the past present and future Presidents of U.S. Some of our most amiable Men, least bigotted least Superstitious Characters, and most catholic Minds, (in the moral, not Ecclesiastical Sense of the Word) I take the Liberty to introduce to you the Rev. Mr. Henry Colman. As it was known that he intended a Journey to the Southward for his Health which is...
35From John Adams to James Madison, 14 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
The Reverend, Mr Henry Colman of Hingham, my Neighbour and Acquaintance has a Brother, as I am informed, who wishes to be considered as a Candidate, for a Commission in the Army. As the Brother is unknown to me, I can Say nothing of his Pretensions. But I can Say of the Minister, that in point of Taste and Sense he is fit for a Companion of a Jefferson and a Madison, and in point of Learning...
36To James Madison from John Adams, 29 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will not think me a Fanatic, because I introduce Clergymen to you. The Truth is that none but Clergymen here have much Litterature or Science, I cannot say that reading and writing is the exclusive Priviledge of Clergy, as it once was in the World; but we bare too near a resemblance to that dark Age. The Gentleman who will have the honour to present this Letter has given proofs to...
37To James Madison from John Adams, 21 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Mr Malcom was three years in my family at Philadelphia as my private Secretary: and during that time his conduct was ingenuous faithful and industrious, attentive and entirely to my satisfaction. His Connections in New York were respectable and his education to letters, and the bar regular. Altho since the dissolution of that connection between him and me there has been no intercourse, and...
38To James Madison from John Adams, 11 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Francis C. Gray a Son of our late Lt. Governor, after an Education at Colledge, two years travels in Europe under the Protection of your Minister in Russia and three years Study of the Law has been called to the Barr, and now has the laudable curiosity and noble Ambition of Seeing his native Country. And who should he naturally wish to see in it so much as its first Magistrate. I hope he will...
39To James Madison from John Adams and Others, 12 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
By a resolution of the Citizens of Richmond we are authorised to make arrangements for the reception of General La Fayette “in such manner, as may best comport with his convenience and testify the veneration of the Citizens for his character, their sense of his Services and their affection for his person.” It will certainly be highly gratifying as well to the General as to our fellow Citizens...
40To James Madison from John Adams, 14 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I was Yesterday honoured with your favour of the fifth inclosing Dr Waterhouses Letter to me of the 23 of April, announcing to me the unexpected and afflicting News of the death of one of my oldest and most intimate Friends Dr Rush. Though I can scarcely look over an Obituary without mourning Some ancient Friend or acquaintance, none has affected me more Sensibly than the Sudden departure of...
41From John Adams to James Madison, 31 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have subscribed with Mr Gray and others a recommendation of Hendrick W Gordon Esquire a copy of which is enclosed. As he requests a separate Certificate, I enclose his letter and can sincerely say that from an acquaintance with him, of several years, I believe that what is said of him, in the Certificate, and in his letter, to be no more than he deserves; He is a civil, well bred man,...
42From John Adams to James Madison, 2 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am very apprehensive that the liberties I so frequently take of writing to you will appear importunate if not impertinent But I beg it may be fully understood that none of my letters are to be answered; and that I shall perfectly acquiesce in your decisions well knowing the multiplicity of Candidates, the difficulty of making the selections & that the President is the only ultimate and...
43To James Madison from John Adams, 17 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to you Col, William Sumner, and to Mrs Madison his Sister Miss Elizabeth Sumner; children of our late Governor Sumner; They have requested an introduction from me; And as I think it right that the President should know, & that his family should know something of the characters who appear at Washington I beg leave to say that Mr. Sumner has the advantages of Education,...
44From John Adams to James Madison, 22 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that General Dearborne, Mr Morton and other Gentlemen have recommended Mr Winthop for a Consulate abroad and I am requested to add my testimony to theirs in his favour. My Acquaintanc with him has been only general, but his Father and Grandfather, his Name and Family have been esteemed and Venerated all my Days, his Education was publick, he has travelled in Europe and his moral...
45To James Madison from John Adams, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
Thank you for your favour of the 12th. The Anecdote mentioned in my Letter of the 4th of September is of no Consequence to the Public, though, it may interest the private Feelings of your Family and mine. Mr Stodert was my Auther. After all possibility of thinking Seriously on the Subject was passed, Mr Stodert informed me of the Letter from Mrs Madison to Mr Steel mentioned in mine to you of...
46From John Adams to James Madison, 11 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Francis C. Gray a Son of our late Lt. Governor, after an Education at Colledge, two Years travels in Europe under the Protection of your minister in Russia and three Years Study of the Law has been called to the Barr, and now has the laudable curiosity and noble Ambition of seeing his native Country. And who should he naturally wish to see in it so much as its first Magistrate. I hope he will...
47To James Madison from John Adams, 17 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
A young Gentleman, and his Father, have requested me to mention his Name to The Secretary of The Navy. I choose rather to mention it to you. The youth has a fine Person, an elegant Figure, a fine Countenance, healthy vigorous and robust. His Education has been Accademical and mercantile in a very respectable House. His Father Served five years in our Revolutionary War, and his Grandfather was...
48To James Madison from John Adams, 5 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I ought to make an Apology to you for the trouble I give you to read So many of my Letters upon Subjects with which perhaps, I should have nothing to do: but as I am requested to give a simple Letter of Introduction to a Gentleman going to Washington I could not refuse it. Mr Andrew Eliot a respectable Merchant of Boston has a Petition to present to The Administration or to the Legislature or...
49From John Adams to James Madison, 25 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to present you, what I think a Curiosity. Dr Mayhews Thirtieth of January Sermon, preached and printed almost Seventy Years ago. It made a great Sensation in New England: and not a little Noise in old England where Several Editions of it were reprinted and one especially which was inserted in a Collection of Tracts in four Volumes under the Title of “The Pillars of Priestcraft and...
50From John Adams to James Madison, 23 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter supposes more importance, in my judgement, than it deserves. Whatever it is worth however, it is all in favour of the request in it. Waterhouse is another Rush; and for no other reason that I can conjecture, than his respect & able services, to the national Government, for the last 14 years, has been cruelly treated by the worst faction against it. I submit the subject, to...