1To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, [6 November] 1810 (Madison Papers)
… of some troops for this place: but I know not on what foundation. If only two or three hundred men came; I think it highly probable that several from our settlement would join them: but I have no great apprehension that any body of men will go from this place alone , to attack Mobile. Lawyer Kennedy a Major of the militia seems indeed very solicitous to impress the idea, that as the...
2To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 14 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Since the letter and P.S. accompanying this were addressed to your Excellency; I have received letters from Govr. Holmes & Genl. Claiborne, of which I do myself the honour to inclose copies: and have this day been favoured by Major Gibson with a letter addressed to him by Coll. Bowyer, and which he has been kind enough to give me for the purpose of its being forwarded to you. You will not...
3To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 6 December 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 December 1810, Fort Stoddert. Reports that there is no sign of any force from Baton Rouge. “The party which assembled from this district, have moved down to a bluff nearly opposite to the town of Mobile.… Governor Folch attempted to cross the bay with a force to disperse them; but a storm arose, and he was compelled to return. They have occasioned a general terror to the inhabitants.… Their...
4To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 14 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
On monday last a report was brought to this place from Pensacola; that a fleet of 30 sail of British were off the Barancas, at the mouth of the bay. I felt extremely anxious to ascertain both the fact, and the sentiments with which such an event would be viewed by Govr. Folch: for altho’ it might prima facie, be presumed that it would be very grateful to him as a Spaniard, yet without a minute...
5To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 27 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 February 1811, Fort Stoddert. Acknowledges having received JM’s letter of 22 Dec. [not found] “about three weeks ago.” “Since that was written you will have seen that the authority given to governor Claiborne, instead of having the effect … to extinguish illegal enterprize, has only given a new direction to it: and that nothing probably but the timely, tho’ barely timely, arrival of Col....
6To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 17 February 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 February 1812, Fort Stoddert. Is uncertain whether he has deviated from “etiquette” in addressing a public letter to JM personally, rather than to the secretary of state. “The idea … was suggested by a friend, and there was not time enough then to avail myself of it without losing another week.… I feel that I have lost too many weeks already, occasioned at first by a total ignorance of the...
7To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 11 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is with a mind oppresed by a state of sadness at the events which have already taken place and experiencing the most solemn apprehensions as to the future, that I again take the liberty of addressing your Excellency. On monday the 30th. of August, agreably to expectations which we had been taught to form six or eight weeks before, but some what later than was at first expected; the Indians...
8To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 23 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
As I have observed in the instructions from the Secretary of State to Govr. Claiborne, which have lately reached this Country; that weekly communications from him were expected relative to the State of things in West Florida; I feel less apprehensive of being considered as guilty of intrusion, in the frequent reports which I have thought it proper to trouble you with, relating to events more...
9To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 28 November 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 November 1810, Fort Stoddert. “The situation of our country here [which] becomes every day so truly critical … will excuse me, I hope, if I should even communicate to you more frequently or more fully than may be deemed absolutely necessary.” Has no doubt that “the alarm excited in the summer, induced the government to take the best measures” possible, but the “judicial arm is (for the want...
10To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 6 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
When I had last the honour of addressing you, I did not think it probable that any event would speedily occur which would render it proper for me again to intrude upon your attention: nor am I certain at the present moment that any will occur which will absolutely require the interference of the chief magistrate of the Union: but so great is our distance from the seat of government, and so...