91From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
The mail not having returned from Milton when my messenger left the Court House on monday evening, & it having been inconvenient to send thither at any time since, I can not now acknowledge any favor which may have come from you since my last. Among the letters inclosed is one from Higginson seconding the application from Philada. for your patronage to a demand on the vice Govt of the La plata...
92From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. yours of the 30th. Ulto. with the several papers to which it refers. I have directed the commissions for Shore & Bloodgood to be made out, and have sent the extract from Clark’s letter as you required to Genl. Dearborn. He had however been made acquainted with it by Mr. Brent, before the letter was forwarded to me. May it not be as well to let the call for the Dockets be a...
93To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 1st. was received yesterday. I now return the letters of Higginson, Davis &c. praying that a public vessel may be sent to demand their vessels of the Viceroy of La Plata, indemnity for the detention, & a full performance of existing contracts with the Spanish merchants of La Plata. It would certainly be the first instance of such a demand made by any government from a subordinate....
94To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 3d. came to hand yesterday. I am content that the questions relative to Commissioners of bankruptcy and dockets should remain until we meet: altho’ I think there are reasons of weight for not leaving the latter for Congress to do, for that would be abandoning it. The repeal of that law has been unquestionably pleasing to the people generally; and having led Congress to it, we owe...
95From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 7 September] 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 6th. instant was duly brought by the last mail. I inclose under cover to Mr. Brent, the answers to the Merchts. of Boston & Philada., which if approved you will be so good as to seal & send on to him. I inclose also a letter from Mr. Brent to me, for the sake of the explanation it gives relative to the consulate at Nantz. If Mr. Grant should not go, it is to be recollected that...
96To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 10 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yours by yesterday’s post is recieved. The letter to Higginson & others is entirely approved, and is sealed & forwarded to mr. Brent. The Consulate at Nantes must be disposed of according to our former arrangement. I do not know whether the mr. Lynch recommended is the one who was living at Nantes when I was in France, or his son. Of that one there is something not favourable resting in my...
97From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 10th. is duly recd. I answered by duplicates Mr. Sumter’s resignation as soon as it had been submitted to you. Mr. Livingston’s request that he may appt. a successor has not yet been answered. It is probable he will expect to know your determination in the first letter that may be written to him. The blanks of which Mr. Brent reminded you, came to me from you some time ago, and...
98To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 13 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the papers which came in your letter of the 11th. I am not satisfied that the ground taken by Chancellor Livingston is advantageous. For the French government & the Spanish have only to grant him all he asks (and they will in justice & policy do that at once) and his mouth must be shut: because after-sought objections would come from him to great disadvantage. Whereas the true...
99From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. yours of the 13th. I had been apprised of the application by the Mayor of N Y. for a guard. Considering as you do, that the federal Govt. have only an incidental connection with the case of the French Negroes, I have waited for more particular information concerning them, before writing to Pichon, who I learnt from Mr. Brent, and also from himself, was exerting himself to get...
100To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I recieved yesterday your’s of the 15th. In the hope of seeing you here tomorrow I return no papers. I will pray you not to fail in your visit. I have recd a letter from mr. R. Smith disapproving of the countermand of the John Adams for reasons detailed; & one from mr. Gallatin disapproving of the original order for her sailing. (He had not then, Sep. 9. heard of the countermand.) The vessel...
101To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 27 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Unexpected delays in getting my carriage ready will render it impossible for me to leave this till Thursday or Friday, probably Friday: and as you will be gone or going by that time, and we shall meet so soon at Washington, I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you at your own house, but get on as far as the day will let me. Mr. Gallatin left N. York on the 21st. and expected to be at...
102Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, ca. 18 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 18 October 1802. Lists commissioners of bankruptcy for Vermont for whom commissions are to be made out, including Samuel Prentiss, Darius Chipman, Richard Skinner, Mark Richards, Reuben Atwater, James Elliott, and Oliver Gallup; “Also a Commission for Robert ⟨Elliott Coc⟩kran to be Marshal of S. Carolina vice Charles B. Cockran resigned.” RC ( ViU ). 1 p. RC torn, partially obscuring the...
103To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Will you give the inclosed a serious perusal, and make such corrections in matter & manner as it needs, & that without reserve, & with as little delay as possible, as I mean to submit it in like manner to the other gentlemen, singly first, & then together. The part respecting the treasury department is not yet prepared. A concluding paragraph is also to be added, when we see if any other...
104From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the United States of the 17th inst, was referred by the President, has the honor to inclose to him, the letters and communications annexed from the Governor of the Mississippi Territory, the Governor of Kentucky and from Wm E. Hulings formerly appointed Vice Consul of the United States at New Orleans. In addition...
105To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
I had before heard this matter spoken of, but did not suppose it seriously intended. If there be any danger of it, the Secretary at war shall be desired to give orders at Màssac̀ & Fort Adams to stop them by force. But would it not be well to write to the Govr. of Kentucky to have the perso⟨ns⟩ arrested & bound to their good behavior or the peace? RC ( DNA : RG 59, NFL , Spain, vol. 2). Filed...
106From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [21 February] 1803 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed report as altered is acquiesced in by Mr. L. In two instances recurred to Congs have already interposed; one of them the Paoli at last Session. The judgmt. of the Court agst Capt. Maley was pd. by Congs. Several Dutch & British precedts. can also be cited. The 7 Art: of the British Treaty & 21 of the Span: go on the responsibility of those Govts. for irregular acts of the Officers...
107From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to report to the President of the United States, upon the note of the Minister of his Danish Majesty, Dated on the 9th. inst, as follows. That it appears that the Danish Brigantine Henrich, Capt. Peter Scheele, sailing from Hamburg, loaded with an assorted Cargo, and bound to Cape Francois, was captured on the 3d. of Octr. 1799 by a French Privateer, and on...
108To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
I return you the report, and have prepared a message, tho’ I confess myself not satisfied on the main question, the responsibility of the government in this case, and with our taking wholly on ourselves the risk of the decision. For to enable Congress to judge for themselves the record must go; & the printing that would prevent it’s being taken up this session. If we do not send in the record...
109From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
The answers from the Govr. & Intendant at N. Orleans to the Spanish Ministers letter were recd. by him yesterday. The Intendant himself states that he had taken his measures, merely on his own judgmnt., without orders from his Govt. and in opposition to the judgment of the Govr: but it appears that his determination had not been changed by the first interposition of Yrujo. As his second letter...
110From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will find in the gazette of this morning the letter from d’Yrujo, which he wished to be printed, and which will I hope do good. Pichon has also written a strong letter to the Govr. of Louisiana, summoning him on his responsibility, to see that the Cession of that province to France be not affected, nor the amicable relations of the Republic to the U. States, be endangered, by a...
111From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
In the inclosed Intelligencer you will find the letter from Pichon to the Govr. of Louisiana. Having been written without reference to its publication, it is less carefully fitted than Yrujo’s for the contemplated impression; and in connection with that presents some points for sophistical comments, which are made rather more, than less salient by the reflections of the Editor. The letter will...
112To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. is recieved and I now inclose a letter to the Secretary of the navy, which be pleased to seal & deliver after perusal. I think not a moment should be lost in forwarding the stores to Algiers, as it is of im⟨po⟩rtance to keep those powers quiet. Might it not be useful to propose to the Dey with a year’s annuity in stores to recieve another year’s in money? The answer from...
113To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 17th. since which yours of the 14th. is recieved, and I now return the letters of Mr. Livingston & O’Brien. I hope the game mr. Livingston says he is playing is a candid & honourable one. Besides an unwillingness to accept any advantage which should have been obtained by other means, no other means can probably succeed there. An American contending by stratagem against those...
114From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
A letter from Hulings of Feby. 15. says that at that date the Intendant had not revoked the interruption of the deposit; but had from regard to the wants of the Colony, opened the market to flour & other provisions brought down the Mississippi; the articles being subject to a duty of 6 perCt. if consumed there, and to the usual export duty, (I believe 12 perCt) if sent as an indulgence in...
115To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 17th. is recieved. I concur in your ideas that the request from the Bey of Tunis of a frigate of 36. guns should be complaisantly refused. I think the greatest dispatch should be used in sending either the gun carriages or money to Simpson for the emperor of Marocco, and the stores to Algiers; &, if you approve it, the powder on account : or perhaps it would be better to authorise...
116Memorandum to Thomas Jefferson, [14 April] 1803 (Madison Papers)
1t. Quer. if the laws give any authority at present beyond the limits of the U. S? 2 “This Mission having reference to the Commerce”—may repell, more than the expression used, the criticism of illicit principal objects of the measure. 3 “including the fish” 4. if practicable he might note occasionally the variations of the Needle. RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). Undated. Docketed by Jefferson,...
117Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 May 1803. Directs JM to issue commissions to Samuel Ward of Massachusetts to be naval officer for Salem, Massachusetts; Samuel Osgood of New York to be naval officer for the district of New York; Jeremiah Bennett, Jr., of New Jersey to be collector of customs for the district and inspector of the revenue for the port of Bridgeton, New Jersey; and George House of Connecticut to be master of...
118To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 July 1803 . Invites “Mr. Madison & family […] at half after […].” “Many thanks to mrs. Madison for the trouble she has been so good as to take.” RC (owned by Charles M. Storey, Boston, Mass., 1961). 1 p.; torn and blotted so as to be nearly indecipherable. Dated “Wednesday”; since Jefferson left Washington on 19 July, this invitation could have been dated 6 or 13 July. Below this line, in...
119Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
Commissions to be made out. Thomas Rodney of Delaware to be judge of Missipi. vice S. Lewis Thomas Rodney of Delaware. } to be Commrs. &c West of Pearl river. Robert Williams of N. Carolina Ephraim Kerby of Connecticut } to be Commrs. &c East of Pearl river. Robert Carter Nicholas of Kentucky A blank commission for the Register East of Pearl river. Tenche Coxe of Pensylvania to be Purveyor....
120To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
It was agreed yesterday 1. that a copy of the proclamation should be inclosed to each member in a letter from the Secy. of state, mentioning that the meeting of Congress had been necessarily anticipated three weeks, because the ratificns. of the treaty & conventions for the cession of Louisiana were to be exchanged on the 30th. day of October, & suggesting the importance of a punctual...
121From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 26 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
Having recieved some days ago, but not in time for the last mail, the inclosed petition, I have thought it proper to forward with it a pardon, that in case it should be extended to the party, delay might be avoided. I know nothing more of the convict or of the merits of the petition than are to be gathered from the petition itself and the letter from W. Jones. It is signed, I observe by...
122To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I return you the petition of Samuel Miller with the pardon signed. Mr. Kelty had spoke to me on this subject and told me that he and mr. Craunch should join in a recommendation. I wish mr. Wagner would obtain this before he delivers the pardon. I return also mr. King’s letter which has really important matter, especially what respects the Mare clausum, the abandonment of the colonial system, &...
123To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
If M. Dalbarton be really Jerome Bonaparte, he will have satisfied thereof the minister of his nation, thro’ whom we shall be apprised of the fact, and relieved from all trouble in deciding on it. This may yet be done, perhaps just as a frigate is ready to sail, and accompanied with a request of a passage in her; when no time will be left for consultation. Our duty to our constituents would...
124From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
My arrival here was delayed till monday evening last; first by the completion of the business depending at Washington, and then by the breaking down of my carriage just after I had set out which detained me three days. I found at the post office your letter covering the pardon for miller, which was forwarded by the ensuing mail, with the intimation to Wagner which you wished. Yesterday I had...
125To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I recieved yesterday the inclosed letter & papers from Governor Mercer, requesting my approbation of the relinquishment of a part of their claim to bank stock in England in order to obtain the residue. This it seems is required by an act of the legislature of Maryland, but with what view, or to what end I am unapprised, never having seen the act. It cannot certainly be with a view to raise any...
126To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. came to hand yesterday. I now return Paine’s Duane’s Lear’s, Simpson’s & Toulman’s letters, and the two protests on impressment by a British and a French armed vessel. I am glad of the latter, as it will serve as a set-off against French complaints on the British trespasses on us. But the former is an afflicting subject. With every disposition to render them all...
127From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd yours of the 13. covering the papers from Govr. Mercer. The act of Maryland is I believe in the Office of State, having been sent thither by the Govr. after his return to Annapolis. The object of it in requiring the sanction of the President to the measures of the Ex. of the State, was I believe to prevent an interference with national measures, as well as to be a check in...
128To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you two letters from Rob. R. Livingston. That of the 2d. of June is just intelligible enough in the uncyphered parts to create anxieties which perhaps the cypher may remove. I communicate them for your information, & shall be glad to recieve them decyphered. I infer that the less we say about constitutional difficulties respecting Louisiana the better, and that what is necessary for...
129From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 16th. with the accompanying papers. The communications &c. recd. since my last are enclosed. The letters from Paris are important, but I do not see in them the wish of the F. Govt. to retract the bargain with our Ministers, so much as an anxiety to secure its execution agst. the intrusions of G. B. and to feel thro’ their pulse, whether we were or were likely to be in...
130From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 18. with inclosures has been recd. I must write to Wagner for Livingston’s Cypher, before I can return the letter from him. I have with me Monroe’s Cypher only. The letters sent you by last mail from those Ministers probably contain the information in cyphered passages of the letter in my hands. The subject of Duane’s letter being somewhat delicate & important, under several...
131To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of the 18th. & 20th. were recieved on the 21st. The letters of Livingston & Monroe are sent to mr. Gallatin as you proposed. That of Simpson to mr. Smith for the purpose of execution. All of them will be returned. Thornton’s, Clarke’s, Charles Pinckney’s, Graham’s, Appleton’s, Davis’s, Mitchell’s, Newton’s, & Derieux’ letters are now inclosed. With respect to the impressment of...
132From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two favors, one of the 24th. instant the other covering the letters from Mr. Gallatin, & Barnes now returned. I had thought it might be best not to answer Thornton’s letter because in some parts his manner did not deserve it, because he speaks with out the known sentiments of his Govt. and because the Minister of higher grade expected, will be likely to give a more eligible...
133To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
By the last post I recieved & forwarded your letter to Duane, in which there was nothing but what was safe and proper. Duane is honest, & well intentioned, but over zealous. These qualities harmonise with him a great portion of the republican body. He deserves therefore all the just & favorable attentions which can properly be shewn him. By the same post I recieve from the collector of Norfolk...
134From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have recd the letters sent me by the last mail under two covers, and return those belonging to your own files. I inclose herewith also the communications last recd from the office of State. I can not without losing the present opportunity make comments on any of them. A few only invite them. Yours with respectful attacht. Docr. Wallace in whose behalf the letters from Mr. Brent & Mr Thomson...
135From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I recd. last night the inclosed letter from Yrujo. Mr. Wagner informs me that a copy was sent directly to you by the same mail, but as a further security for your receivg. the communication without delay, I take advantage of the present oppy. of forwarding the original. It is a curious circumstance that near three months after the sale of Louisiana, the French ambasr. should have given the...
136To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the several papers recieved by the last post, except those solliciting office, which as usual, are put into my bundle of like papers. I think it possible that Spain, recollecting our former eagerness for the island of N. Orleans, may imagine she can, by a free delivery of that, redeem the residue of Louisiana: and that she may withold the peaceable cession of it. In that case...
137Memorandum to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 1 October] 1803 (Madison Papers)
✓ (0) for “before” is suggested “without” the former seeming to imply that after the suspension, an assignt. had been made. ✓ (1) after or for “friendly” insert “proper” omit “without difficulty or delay.” There was perhaps somewhat of both, and it may become expedient to say so to Spain. (2.) [“]The enlightened mind of the first Consul of France saw in its true point of view the importance of...
138From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [5 November] 1803 (Madison Papers)
The Louisiana documents did not come from Mr. Gallatin till a day or two ago. I have this morning delivered 38 revised pages, which will go to the press, a few of which have been some time in the ty⟨pes⟩. There will be abt. ⅓ or ½ as many more. No time will be lost. The bulk of the work will apologize to the House for the delay. RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). Undated; date assigned here on the...
139To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you Clarke’s memoranda. The following articles seem proper for Executive attention. An instrument vesting in the Collector of Natchez the powers of the Administrator, Treasurer & Contador. Instructions to Claiborne to suppress useless offices to remove any existing officers. to appoint others. It would be well these could go by next post. Would it not be well to send in what...
140From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to a Resolution of the Senate, passed on the 22d of last month, requesting the President of the United States to cause to be laid before them such information as may have been received, relative to the violation of the flag of the United States, or to the Impressment of any seamen in the service of the United States, by the Agents of any foreign Nation, I do myself the Honor to...