1From James Madison to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st. instant. Altho’ I have not learned that Mr. Adams has yet signified to the Department of State his wish to return from the Mission to St. Petersburg, it is sufficiently ascertained by your communication, as well as satisfactorily explained by the considerations suggested. I have accordingly desired the Secretary of State to let him understand that as it...
2From James Madison to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 1st. instant. Altho’ I have not learned that Mr. Adams has yet signified to the Department of State his wish to return from the Mission to St. Petersburg, it is sufficiently ascertained by your communication, as well as satisfactorily explained by the considerations suggested. I have accordingly desired the Secretary of State to let him understand that as it...
¶ To Adams Herbert & Co. Letter not found. 1 May 1816. Acknowledged in Adams Herbert & Co. to JM , 3 May 1816, as a letter including payment for Madeira wine.
4To 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...
5From 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,...
6To 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...
7From 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...
8To 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...
9From 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...
10From 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...
11To 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,...
12From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 16 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
Previous to my return to this City, I recd. a letter from Mrs. Adams, your highly respectable Mother, communicating your anxiety to leave a situation rendered insupportable by the ruinous expences found to be inseparable from it; & taking for granted that you had written or would write to the Secy. of State to the same effect. The answer to her was, that as it was not the intention of the...
13From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 15 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have received your several favors of February 8 April 19 June 3 and August 17, all of them in triplicates or duplicates. I need not say how agreeable it would have been to me, and I am persuaded satisfactory to the public, if your inclination and circumstances had favored the new allotment of your Services. Being ignorant of the obstacle arising from the particular state of your family, and...
14From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 10 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with two letters from you, which, having come to hand during a most busy season, have remained to this date unacknowledged. The first, of Sepr. 27. 1815. was brought by the person to whom it referred as the medium of a communication to this Government relating to the Ships of war at Venice. Altho the description and price of such an addition to our naval force, and the...
15From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his compts. to Mr. Adams & asks the favor of a call on him at his house this morning for a few minutes, as he may be passing to the Capitol Hill. As J. M. may happen at the moment to be at the President’s House, it may perhaps be as well for Mr. Adams to take that in his way. RC ( MHi : Adams Papers). Docketed by Adams, who noted: “Same day—recd.” JM nominated Adams to be...
16From James Madison to Thomas Boylston Adams, 5 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. the two Volumes of Lectures on Rhetoric & Oratory by your brother J. Q. Adams Esqr. Having not had an opportunity of perusing them, I can only return my thanks through you, and anticipate the pleasure promised by the application of his talents & taste to those interesting subjects. Accept my friendly respects MHi : Adams Papers.
17From James Madison to Alexander I, 10 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 July 1809, Washington. Appoints John Quincy Adams U.S. minister plenipotentiary to Russia. “He will explain to your Majesty, the peculiar position of these States, separated by a wide ocean from the Powers of Europe with interests & pursuits distinct from theirs, and consequently without the motives or the aptitudes for taking part ⟨in⟩ the associations or oppositions which a ⟨different⟩...
18From James Madison to Alexander I, 25 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 February 1811, Washington. “John Quincy Adams who has for some time resided near your Majesty in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, having been selected to fill a distinguished and important office at Home, we have desired him to take leave of your Majesty, and to embrace that occasion to assure you of our continued friendship and sincere desire to preserve and...
19From James Madison to Alexander I, 4 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
John Quincy Adams Esqr., who for several years past has resided with you as the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, being required by the public interest to undertake other functions, we have directed him to take leave of you and to embrace that occasion to assure you of our continued friendship and sincere desire to preserve and strengthen the harmony and good understanding so...
20From James Madison to Joseph Anderson, 14 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Anderson, and informs him that he will, on Friday next, at 11 o’clock receive the Committee of the Senate instructed to communicate to the President their resolution of the 16th ultimo. The committee are apprized, by his late message to the Senate, of the grounds on which he will be obliged to decline the proposed conference with the committee upon the...
21From James Madison to John Armstrong, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 14 March 1809. Offered for sale in Charles Hamilton Catalogue No. 80 (5 Sept. 1974), item 275, which describes the one-page letter as a request that Armstrong obtain French permission to import merino sheep, noting that the letter reads in part: “The value of this breed to our Country is now generally understood, and acquisitions of specimens are acceptable services to the...
22From James Madison to John Armstrong, 11 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
The communications which you will recee: from & thro the War Office present the state of things produced on our Southern Frontier by the Creek War: & by the start it has had of the movements for meeting it. It is of so much importance that it should recee. a decisive blow, before the success of the Creeks shall have operated on the other Tribes & on the views of the English & Spaniards, as...
23From James Madison to John Armstrong, [3 June 1814] (Madison Papers)
J. Madison requests a consultation with the Heads of Department on Tuesday next at Eleven OClock. June 3. 1814. The object is to decide on the plan of campaign which our means, miltary & naval, render most eligible. In the mean time the Secretary of War will cause to be made out & send over, RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers); draft ( DLC ); Tr ( DLC , series 3). RC cover bears Armstrong’s note:...
24From James Madison to John Armstrong, 30 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
Before my return hither I recd. yours of the 8th. inst: and have since recd. those of the 11th. 13. 17. & 20: The order relating to a discharge of Militia from Norfolk referred to in the first was not inclosed in it, and has not come otherwise to hand. There can be no question, under existing circumstances, but as to the degree in which the force at that place, may be prudently reduced. The...
25From James Madison to John Armstrong, [29 December] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Besides the answer to Genl. McClure, it may be proper to instruct Genl. Wilkinson to say frankly to Prevost that the burning of Newark was the effect of misapprehension in the officer, not an order from the Govt. This may be done in terms neither authorizing an inference that the measure exceeds a just retaliation, nor precluding a reflection on the facility with which a perseverance of the...
26From James Madison to John Armstrong, 13 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
On viewing the course which the proceedings of the War-Department have not unfrequently taken, I find that I owe it to my own responsibility as well as to other considerations, to make some remarks on the relations in which the Head of the Department stands to the President, and to lay down some rules for conducting the business of the Department, which are dictated by the nature of those...
27From James Madison to John Armstrong, 27 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Enemy having evacuated the City of Washington & no obstacle remaining to a re-union of the members of the Executive there, J. Madison requests that this may take place with as little delay as may be. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , P-80:8). In JM ’s hand. Docketed as received in the War Department in August 1814.
28From James Madison to John Armstrong, 4 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 1st. inst: suggesting a recall of the vessels allotted for L. Huron &c. with a view to another destination of them. The force which can be assembled at the East end of L. Erie, by the 10th. of June is greater than I had relied on; and if employed towards Burlington heights & York, can not fail to have a salutary effect in different directions. Whether it...
29To James Madison from John Armstrong, 7 June 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 June 1813, War Department. “I have the honor respectfully to propose for your approbation the following appointments in the Army of the United States.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). 2 pp. The appended list of nineteen appointments to the infantry and general staff of the U.S. Army included those of David R. Williams as Brigadier General and James Tilton as Physician and Surgeon...
30From James Madison to John Armstrong, 30 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
It ought certainly to be at the discretion of Izard to accommodate his movements to those of the Enemy, and to his information from the other Commanders. The question as to Col: Drayton appears to be precluded, by the list of original vacancies which includes none of his former rank. Tr ( DLC , series 3). Headed: “Note To the Secretary of War on Izard’s letter of July 19.—asking if he ought...
31From James Madison to John Armstrong, [ca. 4 February 1814] (Madison Papers)
J. M wishes a conversation on this proposal of Genl. M. & on the recent one of General Taylor, when it will be most convenient for the Secretary of War, to call for the purpose. RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers). Undated; conjectural date assigned based on evidence in n. 1. On 24 Jan. 1814 John Mason returned to Armstrong letters from Virginia militia Brig. Gen. Robert B. Taylor regarding the...
32From James Madison to John Armstrong, 29 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of the 6th. & 25 of May were both recd. tho’ at a late day. Of the latter a duplicate has also come to hand. The Consular Register of Paris, has, I find been transmitted to the Dept. of State instead of remaining in the Office there. It has been examined with a view to that part of your letter which supposed it to contain a Deposition meant to implicate your name in a certain...
33Madison’s Draft of Robert Smith to John Armstrong, 5 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the oppy. by Mr. to forward copies of my several letters lately written to you; & to add the present. The arrival of the J. Adams brought your letters of the following dates . From that of the 16th. April, it appears that the seizures of Amn. property lately made, had been followed up by its actual sale, & that the proceeds had been deposited in the Emperors Caisse prive. You...
34From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
Note to Secy of War on a letter of Jennings Dy: Coy. of purchases, and an endorsemt. by the Secy. of War: & on a letter &c. from Genl. Cushing relating to attack on Stonington. As a little time will probably decide as to the force allotted by the Enemy to the Chesapeake, it may be as well not to reject the addl. 500. called out by Govr. Barbour for the security of Richd. & that Quarter. The...
35From James Madison to John Armstrong, 19 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The apparent objections to the proposed establishment of a post, so distant, are very strong. Much weight however is due to the concurring opinions of Govr. Clarke and General Howard; both men of Judgment and possessed of many advantages for a correct exercise of it in such a case. RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers); draft ( DLC ); Tr ( DLC , series 3). Draft includes JM ’s heading: “Note on a...
36From James Madison to John Armstrong, 18 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Wanted copies of the instructions to General Brown, for carrying into effect the plan of operations, agreed on in the Cabinet on the 7th. of June. Copies of the instructions to General Winder on his taking command of his Military district, and since. The Secretary will let me see the requisitions of Militia to be placed between this place and Baltimore before they go forward. Tr ( DLC , series...
37From James Madison to John Armstrong, 2 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
Note on Genl. Lewis letter to Secy. W. July 28. 1814. asking whether he is to Judge of the menace of invasion requiring calls for Militia. Genl. Lewis, as other Commanders of Districts, shd. be authorized to call for militia according to the danger threatened. Where the cases are not too urgent they ought to be reported for previous sanction here: When the urgency will not permit this delay,...
38From James Madison to John Armstrong, 8 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours from Albany of the 28th. ult. So much depends on the ultimate character of the present campaign, that whilst I hav⟨e⟩ the fullest confidence that the best exertions will be made, I cannot suppress my anxieties; and the less so, as one of the elements on which we are to act is of so inconstant a nature. The loss of our command of Lake Champlain, at so critical a moment, is...
39From James Madison to John Armstrong, 17 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
Note to Secy. of War on Cushing’s letter & enclosures of Aug. 12. 1814. Cushing seems to view the extraordinary threat of Hardy in its proper light. It was determined before the Secy. of State left the City, that Mrs. Stewart on whom the misbehaviour of her husband ought not to be visited, might be removed to him, whenever Gen Cushing thought no injury could result from intelligence she might...
40From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your[s] of the 8th. from Sacket’s Harbour: & shall look in a few days for some result of the critical posture of our military affairs on the St. Lawrence. The weather here has become suddenly very cold, but without snow or rain; and seems to be getting back to a milder state. If it has not been more than proportionally worse at the scene of operations, the prosecution of them will...
41From James Madison to John Armstrong, 5 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
If there be occasion for an appt. in the Quarter Masters Dept. Mr Tyler may be commissioned. If no occasion, & he will accept one of the original vacancies in a Company, he may be appointed to it. RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers). Unaddressed; addressee identified based on internal evidence. Septimius Tyler wrote James Monroe on 13 Sept. 1814, repeating his request for a commission in the...
42From James Madison to John Armstrong, [6 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
Noted to the Secy. of War. July 6. 1814 on the reported plan for 90 odd thousd. Milit[i]a. The reference to the Military Districts as places of service is liable to two remarks the one that the reference is in some respects too vague, the other that in other respects, they are too restrictive. Distr: No. 1. illustrates both Remarks, the first by its great extent & numerous objects the second...
43From James Madison to John Armstrong, [8 October] 1813 (Madison Papers)
“It cannot be doubted that the distruction of the Blockhouses &c. on our side of the Perdido without a reparation not to be expected, is a cause of War. The doubt is whether it be a case in wch the Ex. Authy. can resort to it without the Sanction of the Leg:re. especially as the hostile step by the Spansh: officer may not have been authorized by his Superiors. The probaby. that it has been...
44From James Madison to John Armstrong, 20 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
Note To the Secy. of War on Govr. Shelby’s letter of Augst. 4 put into the hands of J. M. Aug. 19. The Secy. of War will state his opinion on the case presented by Govr. Shelby. Have not analogous cases of a disproportion of officers, and of mounted volunteers serving as militia been heretofore acted on. Draft ( DLC ); Tr ( DLC , series 3). Draft included among documents dated 16 Aug. 1814 in...
45From James Madison to John Armstrong, 7 August 1814 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To John Armstrong. Letter not found. 7 August 1814. Described as a one-page draft or memorandum in the lists probably made by Peter Force ( DLC , series 7, container 2).
46From James Madison to John Armstrong, 13 September 1811 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. instant, inclosing a newspaper statement of a conversation imputed to you, has been recd. with the respect due to the motives for the communication. I need scarcely say that evidence of that sort could have no weight with me, when opposed by so much improbability, and by the predispositions which it could not fail to find in me. I might add that the disproof furnished by...
47From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Secy. of War will send To save time & copying, the letters & instructions & orders from the War Dept. may be sent in the record or the retained draughts. Draft ( DLC ); Tr ( DLC , series 3). Maj. Gen. William Henry Harrison set out for Cincinnati from Washington on 22 Dec. 1813 (Esarey, Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison, Indiana Historical Collections, 2:610). For Maj. Gen....
48From James Madison to John Armstrong, 28 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Treaty of Greenville in 1795. may be the basis of the new Treaty, with any improvements which may be eligible under existing circumstances. ______ The former allowances to the Indians may be continued; and if deemed necessary by the Comrs., enlarged. Those suspended by the war should not be made up unless indispensable to keep the Indians quiet; as present supplies will suffice for actual...
49From James Madison to John Armstrong, 27 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
It does not appear that Izard, tho’ the Senior officer of the District has been made acquainted with the plan of operations under Brown, or that any correspondence exists between those officers. It would certainly be advantageous that each should be apprized of the instructions and views of the other; as well as of the movements & forces of the Enemy, and of all material occurrences within...
50From James Madison to John Armstrong, 10 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Instructions to Genl. Brown or Officer commanding on the Niagara subsequent to July 5. do. to the Officer commanding at Sackett’s Harbour do. to Genl. Mc.Arthur, and the Officer Commanding at Detroit. do. to Genl. Izzard subsequent to July 27. do. to Genl. Lewis subsequent to the mission of General Mapes & his associate. Draft ( DLC ); Tr ( DLC , series 3). Here JM canceled the following:...