21To James Madison from Ezekiel Bacon, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am sensible that I discharge a very delicate & perhaps officious Duty in mentioning the Name of Gideon Granger Esqr. as a Gentleman who in my opinion would afford much satisfaction to the friends of the Government in the Eastern Section of the Union as the head of one of the Departments composing the Cabinet Council of the President under the next Administration. Nothing but my sincere...
22To James Madison from Joseph B. Varnum, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In selecting Gentlemen for the great heads of Departments, in the Executive branch of the Government, I feel confident, that the greatest good of our common Country will be your primary Object; Yet it must be considered very desirable, that they should be Gentlemen, who combine Your personal confidence, with their Abilities faithfully to discharg their public Functions: In this view of the...
23To James Madison from Henry Daingerfield, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I was informed the last evening by a gentleman lately from the City of Washington that in the course of the ensuing week officers would be appoint’d to fill the various offices under the new territorial government to be established in consequence of the late division of the Indiana territory, and a Judge in the place of Judge Bruin of the Mississippi territory. If you think me qualified to...
24To James Madison from Edmund Bacon, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am sensible that I discharge a very delicate & perhaps officious Duty in mentioning the Name of Gideon Granger Esqr. Gentleman who in my opinion would afford much satisfaction to the friends of the Government in the Eastern Section of the Union as Staff hand of one of the Departments composing the Cabinet Council of the President under the next administration. Nothing but my sincere...
25To James Madison from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In Seluting Gentlemen for the great heads of Departments, in the Executive branch of the Government, I feel confident, that the greatest good of our common Country will be your primary Object; Yet it must be considered very desirable, that they should be Gentlemen, who combine Your personal confidence with their abilities faithfully to discharg their public Functions: In this view of the case,...
26To James Madison from United States Congress, 28 November 1808 to 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
It will be very agreeable to us that Mr. Granger should be advanced to one of the Cabinet Departments under the next Administration. DLC : Papers of James Madison.
27To James Madison from Peter Early, February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Genl. Meriweather is confined at his lodgings in G. Town. His signature therefore cannot be had to the recommendation herewith sent to the President. Were he here, t here is no doubt he would heartily unite with us. I am your Obt. Sert. DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
28To James Madison from Pseudonym: "Cassandra", 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your predecessor has brought the Commonwealth to the very jaws of destruction. Whether through supineness, timidity, or enthusiasm, is unimportant, as it respects the public. It may affect his character with posterity. Treason, Treason, has stalked through the land for two or three years, in all the glare of day. Its brazen front has audaciously bearded the government, & appeared to court its...
29To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Sam L. Mitchill has, tho perhaps indiscreetly, ventured to entertain a Sentiment that the speedy cessation of his Senatorial functions might coincide with the President’s wish to find a man that would answer to represent this country in a diplomatic capacity at St. Petersburgh. He therefore ventures to suggest the hint, not obtrusively, but with the intention of signifying his willingness to...
30To James Madison from William Branch Giles, 27 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Having very recently intruded one letter upon you in relation to Executive appointments, nothing but my sincere and anxious desire for your personal and political prosperity, could induce me now to make another intrusion of the same kind. You may however find some consolation, from an assurance, that this will probably be the last letter I shall ever address to you upon the same subject. It is...
31To James Madison from John Gavino, 27 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Without the honour of any of your favour sine my last adresses to you No: 68 under date 19t. Ultimo to which please be referrd: On the 19: Ulto: arrived in this Bay from Cadiz under American Collours the Ship Sidney, Samuel Thompson Master, & Daniel Tilton of Ph ilada: Super Cargo, loaded with About 240 Hogsheads Tobacco, & reported from Norfolk in Virginia, stating that she was blown off the...
32To James Madison from William L. Blair, 27 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
After congratulating you, upon your elevation to the supreme Magistracy of the nation, permit me, from the kindness, and politeness, I have experienced from you, and your family, to take the freedom to solicit a favour from you. That is, if any change should be made in the office of District Attorney for the Pennsylvania District, permit me to offer myself a Candidate for said office, And...
33To James Madison from James Taylor, 26 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Before this can reach you you will have entered up the duties of the high and important trust of President of the U: S. and I sincerely congratulate you on the event. I regret extremely that you will enter on the duties of your Office at a time so tempestuous and difficult, but Knowing your experience, judgment, moderation and firmness I felicitate our countrymen generally on your elevation to...
34To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
As the present critical situation of public affairs renders it, I should Conceive, more interesting than ordinary to the government, to be acquainted with the temper and conduct of those public officers of foreign governments who are stationed adjacent to the territories of the U. States; I persuade myself that it will be deemed no intrusion to detail to you what has occurred with relation to...
35To James Madison from John Pope, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to send you inclosed a recommendation of Mr. Thomas to the office of Judge in the Illinois Territory My acquaintance with him commenced during the present session. I believe he is qualified & that his appointment would be very popular in that Territory I am very respectfully yours & c DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
36To James Madison from John Tyler, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Colo. Miles Selden informs me he has made Application to fill the vacancy occasion’d by the death of Mr. Page, and has requested me to speak of him to you only as I think he deserves that his pretensions may accompany those which I doubt not before this have been placed in your view. This is a delicate and interesting Subject both to you and me. To you, because in many cases your Appointments...
37To James Madison from Daniel C. Verplanck, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of submitting to your consideration the enclosed letter. It is from a young Gentleman of the City of New York, of regular mercantile education, of genteel manners, good character, & most respectable connexions. Should any prior arrangement prevent you from complying with his wishes, as they relate to an appointment in your family, I must beg leave to recommend him to you as...
38To James Madison from William Jarvis, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor in my last private letter to acquaint you with my having shipped on board the Brig Betty of New York Captn. Morehouse, a pipe of Bucellos Wine a pipe of Lisbon & a quarter Cask of Port agreeable to your instructions. This vessel Sailed the early part of March last, was captured off the mouth of the Tagus, sent to England & there condemned vessel & Cargo, with the sole exception...
39From James Madison to United States Senate, 24 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Emperor of Russia having at different periods indicated sentiments particularly friendly to the U. S. with a wish that a diplomatic intercourse shd. be established between the two Countries; and it being considered that in the relations of Russia to the predominant Powers of Europe must not only give her weight with them according to the vicicitudes of the war, but that her influence in...
40To James Madison from John Gassaway, 24 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to You the Maryland Gazette, in which is contained Resolutions of a Democratic Meeting of the Citizens of Annapolis, expressive of their Sentiments, of the Measures lately adopted by the general Government. The time is but short when You will come into the Presidency of the United States, and may You, when You retire from it, go out with as much applause as when You...
41To James Madison from Daniel Buck, 24 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
You are entering upon the arduous task of directing the affairs of a great nation at a time portentious of the most astonishing events, and pregnant with the fate of the World! Europe is destined to the sway of one Man! who, aspiring to universal empire, has marked Great Britain for distruction and the nations standing in his way are as grasshoppers before him! He will sweep her commerce and...
42To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The Emperor of Russia having at different periods indicated sentiments particularly friendly to the U.St. with a wish that a diplomatic intercourse shd. be established between the two Countries; and it being considered that in the relations of Russia to the predominant Powers of Europe must not only give her weight with them according to the visicitudes of war, but that her influence in...
43To James Madison from Davis Wingate, 23 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Agreeable to Repeated applications of many of the Republican Inhabitants of the Town of Eden, Trenton, & Mount Desert, a Collection of Respectable Supporters of our National Constitution assembled at an appointment at Eden to take into Consideration the Necessary Mode of exerting their abillities in Supporting the Union, and convincing Government there Still exists (even at these remote Parts)...
44To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 23 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Newspaper accounts of the proceedings of the Legislature of Mass., during the present session, must have prepared you & the nation for results similar to the enclosed. It is not for me to assign reasons for such extraordinary conduct, different from the objects and the motives avowed. There is nothing concealed. The facts and their tendencies are on the face of the transactions and cannot...
45To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have more than one motive for complying with the request of my amiable young Friend Mr. James Craig of giving him an opportunity of paying his personal respects to you; for the Period being near when by official Rule I can only communicate with you on military Subjects, through the medium of the department, I wish now to avail myself of the liberty of private friendship, to Solicit in the...
46To James Madison from George Joy, 23 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
By the enclosed you will perceive the use I have made of the Papers you were so good to send me. This Copy I had prepared for Mr: Whitbread who has already in his hands some Essays I had written for the Chronicle for which the Debates & ca. having left no Room, I desired the Editor to pass them into his hands; and he has since assured him he thinks them very important, and shall benefit by...
47To James Madison from Francis Preston, 23 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I understood on my return from the City that the Office of Commissioner of Loans in Virginia was vacant. My Brother James P. Preston whom I named to you last Summer for Post master at Richmond wishes the appointment I therefore take the Liberty to mention him to you as a Candidate for that Office, with this single observation that he is Competent to its duties and a man of unimpeachable...
48To James Madison from James Maury, 22 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 6th. instant, and am truly mortified to inform you that Embargo breakers have continued to arrive. I now count within my district, in the whole, from the commencement of this business by the James, twenty two. Inclosed you have Copies of the reports at this Customhouse of fourteen of them as pr List annexed. As soon as I can obtain the same particulars...
49To James Madison from Isaac Hite, 22 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Mordecai Booth whose object in his present visit to Washington city is to obtain some appointment under the government from the proceeds of which to support his family which consists of a wife & eight chldren. Waller his eldest child fortunately is provided for in the navy. Mr. Booth married a widow Travis who was daughter to Ben Waller Esqr. decd. They set...
50From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 22 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to a request of Tobias Lear Esqr., contained in a letter of the 22d. of July last, received by this Department, I have the honor to request that the Bill now enclosed from his Mother Mary Lear, drawn upon me on the 11th. instant, for Five hundred dollars may be paid out of the appropriations for Barbary Intercourse, to Clement Storer Esqr., in whose favor it is drawn; charging Mr....
51To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 22 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
On the 15th. of January last I had the honor to enclose you a Letter which had been addressed to me, by Governor-General Salcedo, announcing his determination to deliver to the order of their masters certain Negro’s who had fled to the Province of Texas. Desirous to pursue on my part a like conduct as relates to slaves the property of Spanish Subjects, who might take refuge in this Territory,...
52To James Madison from John Morrow, 22 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been informed that the Office of Governor of the Mississippi Territory will be Vacant the 4th. day of March next. I would therefore beg leave to recommend the Honble. David Holmes, who has long been a member of this House and a faithful Servant of the public, as a fit person to fill that Office. This letter is written without the knowledge of Mr. Holmes, and my Opinion of his being...
53To James Madison from John Mitchell, 21 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Perceiving by the public prints that the Embargo is likely to be raised on the 4th. March; I have thought it likely that the interest of the U States might require Agents to be appointed & particularly in the Portuguese & Spanish posessions. Should this be the case, permitt me to solicit the favor of your granting Me an Appointment in that quarter. If no Appointments should be thought...
54To James Madison from John Rowan, 21 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The territory of Illinois having been lately erected I take the liberty of recommending the Honorable John Boyle as a Suitable Person to be Appointed Governor of that Territory. I have had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Boyle for Several years. He has in a very high degree those Attributes of head and heart which constitute the principal qualifications for a Station so high...
55To James Madison from Matthew Clay, 21 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
In a belief the office of Governor in the Mississippi Territory, will be vacant, on the fourth of next Month, I beg leave to recommend to notice the Hon’ble David Holmes, who is, and has been, for twelve years a member of the house of Representatives of the United States. Mr. Holmes fitness to fill this important Office can not be doubted, if known; he is highly respected by all his...
56To James Madison from William Blackledge, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
At the time I had the honor to meet you at the Presidents you expressed a desire to be informed whether Mr: Martin of Newbern if appointed a Judge of the New Orleans, or Mississippi Territories would accept of the appointmen t. I am this day favored with his answer to a letter I wrote him directly after on the subject in which he authorizes me to State that he will accept of an appointment at...
57To James Madison from John Smilie, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The undersigned composing a part of the Representation from the State of Pennsylvania, having been informed that, David Holmes Esqr. of Virginia, is mentioned, as a fit and proper person, to be appointed Governor of the Mississippi Territory, beg leave to tender to the President of the United States, this testimonial of their approbation of Mr. Holmes, for that appointment. The public...
58To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit the copy of a letter this moment received from Mr. Champagny, informing me that His Majesty the Emperor has directed the Embargo on American vessels in the Ports of France to be raised. With very high respect I am, Sir, your most obedient and very humble Servant, DNA : RG 59—DD—Diplomatic Despatches, France.
59To James Madison from Noah Webster, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am engaged in a literary pursuit, which I believe to be very interesting to my country, & in this opinion I have the concurrence of Gentlemen of the first talents in this State. In this pursuit however I have neither assistance nor patronage. I want many books which are not to be procured in America, & which cannot easily be obtained by orders, as some of them are rare in Europe. In addition...
60To James Madison from William Lewis, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
To form a rough coating or casting, for the out-side of a wall, or even for pillars that will bear all weather--harden by time and last forever, you have only to take sharp gritty sand free from earth, and that it may be perfectly so, put into Tubs or troughs of water, & after stirring it, let the water be bailed off till no particles of earth remain. This done, add no more lime to the sand...
61To James Madison from John Douglass, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Some time in Jan: 1808, I informed you that De Witt Clinton at a caucus held at Ben: Cheethams, of what he called his house of Nobles, declaired that he was in possession of information which induced him to beleive that Mr. Jefferson and yourself were acting under the Secret influance of Bonaparte, and that you had a Majority in Congress attached to you & were hostile to the liberties &...
62To James Madison from Elisha Tracy, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Notwithstanding our Legislature is to be convened this Week notwithstanding they May pass some warm Resolutions & even warmer May be Urged by a branch of the Essex Junto at New Haven; I am persuaded the peace of this State may be Voched for & the Laws of the Union May be enforsed here; I should Not be afraid even at the expence of My Head to be answerable for that part of our State lying East...
63To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
When you can find leisure, read this & the paper enclosed; & I will promise you not to request your attention again political subjects. They relate to our concerns with France & G Britain. On the 27th. of January last, a town meeting was held here, on the subject of the last embargo act. As the federalists conducting it were leading characters, & extremely opposed to Government, & their party...
64To James Madison from Louis-Marie Turreau de Garambouville, 19 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
J’ai reçu plusieurs fois des plaintes du Vice Consul de Sa Majesté à Savannah relativement aux vexations Qu’éprouvent les Français non naturalisés par rapport au Service militaire. Dernièrement on a tiré au Sort, et des Français Sujets de S. M. ont été désignés même pendant leur absence; des Officiers Subalternes ont été chez eux pour les toiser et Sur leur refus les ont menacés d’user de...
65To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 18 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The undersigned having been informed, that the Honbl. Judge Bruin of the Mississippi Territory has resigned his appointment of Judge of the said Territory from & after the 3d. day of March next, beg leave to recommend as a person well qualified to fill that vacancy, Obadiah Jones Esquire of the State of Georgia. If individual merit, strict integrity, and a warm & sincere attachment to the...
66To James Madison from Tench Ringgold, 18 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
As the period is fast approaching, when you will become the first magistrate of the United states, in whom the discretion of making all appointments is confided, I have presumed, to hold myself up to your consideration, as a candidate for some appointment in the district of Columbia. When the motive, which has induced me to make application to you, at this time, is explained, I feel confident...
67To James Madison from Donald Fraser, 18 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Permit me the honor of congratulating you, with Sincerity, upon Your elevation to the most honourable Station on Earth, That of Chief magistrate of your beloved Country: Far more hounerable than the Title of Emperor, King or Prince, Frequently usurped by Ambitious tyrants; or, devolved upon Knaves or fools, by hereditary descent. But, you were elected to preside over the destinies of your...
68To James Madison from William Crawford, 18 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a recommendation in favor of Obadiah Jones Esquire of the State of Georgia. He is the gentleman who was appointed to the same office in the year 1804 or 5 upon the recommendation of the whole of the then representation of the State of Georgia. The appointment was solicited for him without his Knowledge or approbation, and having no desire to remove to that territory he declined to...
69To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 17 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
My reason for mentioning to you this Morning the subject we conversed about, was that this is the mail day for Detroit, so that if you wished it you might have it in your power to counteract the effects of the intimation that has been given. It is said the Gentn. who is appointed a general in New-York, will not accept the appointment. Perhaps this appointment wou’d be accepted as full...
70To James Madison from William Armistead Burwell, 17 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
It is said that Mr. Hull is to be appointed secretary of War; whether this is true, I know not. For myself, I am so entirely unacquainted with this Gentleman that I could not if required give any opinion, nor shall I be understood as giving one in what I now write. But I should be wanting in the respect due you if I did not inform you that I have heard very strong objections from persons whose...