1951To James Madison from Benjamin Richardson and Others, 7 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
It is with extreme reluctance that we take the liberty of addressing you, with the view of expressing our feelings on the subject of a promotion lately made in the Marine Corps, which we cannot avoid regarding as reflecting on ourselves. When a Brevet Commission was confered on Captain Miller, who commanded us at the battle of Bladensburg we regarded it as a honour confered on the rest of the...
1952Treasury Department Memorandum on Compensation of Assessors, [ca. 7 January 1815] (Madison Papers)
By the 13. sec. of the act in question, the President is authorised to augment, in cases where he may find it necessary, the compensation fixed for the Principal & assistant assessors, by the act of July 22. 1813, so, however, as that no principal assessor shall, in any such case, receive more than 300 Ds. and no assist. assessor more than 150 Ds. The book which accompanies this, shews all the...
1953To James Madison from Benjamin Tallmadge, 6 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
Bodily Indisposition obliged me to leave Washington a few weeks ago, & the same Cause forbids my return at this time. Permit me to state a Request, which the absence of the Secretary of the Navy, I hope may justify. I have a Son about twenty years old (Benjamin Tallmadge Jnr. by name) who has been a Member of Yale College to his third or Junior Year. He has long been very desirous of entering...
1954To James Madison from John Peter and Others, Ca. 6 January 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Peter and Others. Ca. 6 January 1815. “We the Subscribers, citizens of Geo. Town beg leave restpectfully to recommend, the Appointment of James S. Morsell Esqr. to the office of Judge, vacated by the Death of Judge Fitzhugh. “Being much interested, that a gentleman of Professional Talents, assiduity, & Character; should succeed & knowing those requisites, to be preemminantly his,...
1955To James Madison from James Jameson and Others, 6 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
Humbly shews, the petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Freeport in the District of Maine, that they are deeply interested in the fate of one of their fellow citizens now under sentence to be shot, for the crime of desertion from the service of the army of the United States. William Furbush who has been found guilty of that Crime and received the sentence aforesaid, has for...
1956To James Madison from Benjamin Wailes, 5 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the Liberty (though an unknown private Citizen now nearely sixty years of age who bore his part in, and now bares in mind our Revolutionery troubles in Seventy Six[)] to address this to you with a fi[r]m and manly confidence makeing known that there are Certin Caractors in this place who are constantly trading with our Enemy now at Tangers, they openly go Down and have purchased...
1957To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 4 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I had some time ago the honor to apply to you for the favor of Warrants, as Midshipmen in the Navy for my Sons James Sidney Coxe & Henry Sidney Coxe. As I am not acquainted with the course, which it has appeared to you proper, or which it may be found practicable to adopt in those cases, I have taken the liberty, by this mail, to request of my friend Jonathan Roberts Esquire, to enquire, in...
1958To James Madison from Newel Kimbel, 4 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
Plese your Honor I have A oppotunity ⟨to⟩ Writes A line to in form you of my Situation Wich is not verry Agreable to me Sir I Enlisted A Board this friget And then Runn Away And En⟨listed⟩ in the twnty fith Regt. of infantry And the officr belonging to the Lead Ship Broat me Back Agan And I am verry much Diseatfide of Staying: that I Cannot contain my Self And Would Wish to Return Back to the...
1959To James Madison from Stephen Pleasonton, 4 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
In presenting the enclosed petition of Mr Shipley of Delaware, S. Pleasonton would respectfully remark to the President, that a remission was granted in February last for that part of the forfeiture in the case, which accrued in the Pennsa District, and which remission he supposed would operate equally in the District of Delaware. He accordingly sent to Mr. Rodney, Attorney for Mr. Shipley, a...
1960To James Madison from John Taylor, 4 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am told that very high credentials are in the Secretary of State’s office in favour of my old school mate Edmund J Lee, you must know more of him than I do. But a long intimacy & Friendship which I have been happy enough to enjoy with this modest & as I think unassuming Gentleman, induces me to feel an interest in his welfare & prosperity, & if his known diligence & capacity for Business...
1961From James Madison to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 3 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 28 Dcr. communicating the agreeable result of your reconsideration of your first determination on the subject of the Secretaryship of the Navy. It only remains to say that no obstacle has been created by another nomination to the Senate, and to repeat my hopes that you will be with us as soon as possible. Accept my friendly respects RC ( MSaP ). See Crowninshield...
1962To James Madison from David Jones, 3 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I must call your attention once more to the Lakes. You must see the object of the British is to reestablish themselves once more in the united States, if they can be so called, with propriety. I am now Sorry you ever entered into any Negociation But I approved of it at the Time, not that I ever expected any good arising from it, but I hoped it would Silence the Tory Clamour, that is a vain...
1963To James Madison from Caleb Nichols, 3 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
If there is but one Size and Model after which to build a Vessel of War which can outrun those built after any other Model and of any other Size that Size and that Model Should be found out and all our National Vessels Should be built of that Size only and after that Model and no other; or, our Vessels must be built after a Model which will enable them to outsail all British Vessels of the...
1964To James Madison from Elijah Sparks, 3 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
In July 1813, it was your good will and pleasure, to address me, through the Secy. of State, a commission, as Attorney for the General Government, in the Territory of Indiana. Some time ago it was your Will & pleasure to revoke that appointment, by Commissioning a Successor. The first intimation given me of you disposition, touching the subject, was a publication in a Western Newspaper,...
1965To James Madison from James B. Church, 2 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you most heartily on the happy termination of the late War. I have now to beg the Favor of your reference to my Communication of 26th. Decr. 1813, and to observe, that after so considerable a lapse of Time, & the Circumstances which I stated in my Respects aforesaid, it will be highly necessary for me to have my Consular Authority supported by new Credentials from you. We shall...
1966To James Madison from Edward W. DuVal, 2 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letter, unasked and unexpected, reached me, some days since, with a request that I would cause it to be handed to you. In yielding to the friendly wishes of the writer, I beg you will believe that I am influenced by no vainglorious motive. While I appreciate the feeling that dictated this testimonial of regard, and am duly sensible of the honor of being presented to Your notice, I...
1967To James Madison from James Maury, 2 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
Peace having been at length agreed on, I take the earliest Opportunity of continuing the offer of my services in the situation of Consul, which I have so long had the honor of holding in this place: and, altho’ years must have, in some degree, rendered me less active, yet they cannot diminish the attachment I have to my countrymen or the desire I have invariably possessed of being useful to...
1968To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 2 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have now the honour of laying before you, a Report of the operations of the Mint for the last year. From the Treasurer’s statement of the coinage, herewith transmitted, it will appear, that during the above period, there have been struck & issued— In Gold coins, 15,454 pieces, amounting to $77,270 In Silver coins 1,460,575 pieces, amounting to 561,687 50/100 In Copper coins, 357,830...
1969To James Madison from Daniel Smith, 2 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
Haveing heard a grate deel said about Torpedoes before the war began, and Since, but not under standing there haveing done any thing, I have Drawn some plats, and how made and ⟨u⟩sd. or managed I will indevour to Exsplane, Fig 1 A is a tight vessel sharp at boath ends with a Door at B to fit to exsclude the water to be fastened with an Iron bar: with a steepel at each end—cc are two Cross bars...
1970To James Madison from James Williams, 2 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
The only apology that I make in again Addressing you is That The United States, from the joint operations of a number of Causes, aided by an Extensive Geographical Situation, appear to be destined to become One of the most populous, most prosperous, powerfull and Splendid Empires. It is Therefore of the greatest Importance To Establish their fiscal Concerns on Unchangeable Principles, and To...
1971From James Madison to Congress, 2 January 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Congress. 2 January 1815. “I lay before Congress a Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, containing a statement of proceedings under the ‘Act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland in the State of Maryland to the State of Ohio.’” RC and enclosures, two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 13A–E1; and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, President’s...
1972Presidential Proclamation, 2 January 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Presidential Proclamation. 2 January 1815. Revises building terms and conditions for the city of Washington. Suspends the first and third articles of the 17 Oct. 1791 building regulations until 1 Jan. 1816. Adds an exception that “no wooden house covering more than three hundred and twenty square feet, or higher than twelve feet from the sill to the eve [ sic ] shall be erected, nor shall...
1973To James Madison from Abram Speers and Others, [post–16 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
The Undersigned Citizens of Indiana County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania haveing Long known Daniel McQu[i]lkin now a Sergeant in the detachment of 22nd. Infantry under the Command of Captain Cormack at Fort Fayette near Pittsburg as a man of sober and correct morals and habits and well qualafied to discharge the duties of a Lieutena[n]t or Subaltern in the Army of the United States the...
1974To James Madison from Nicholas Fish and Others, [post–20 August 1814] (Madison Papers)
To his Excellency James Madison President of the United States of America The Memorial of the Undersigned is most respectfully addressed. Your Memorialists, convinced that your Excellency’s high situation affords no privilege more grateful to your feelings than the extension of forgiveness to the condemned & relief to the unfortunate, venture to address your Excellency on a Subject which has...
1975To James Madison from George Joy, 31 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
It is long since I had the honor of addressing you; much longer since I had that of receiving a Line from you; the last being of the date of Janry 1811. I have very sudden notice of Mr: Carroll’s arrival and Departure; and write this in the Coffee House with him, without any opportunity of referring to or enclosing any papers save the printed section of the Pamphleteer No 8. which, if the...
1976To James Madison from Benjamin Homans, 31 December 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Benjamin Homans. 31 December 1814, Navy Department. “I have the honor to enclose for your Signature the Warrants herewith, they being required for the Service.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). 1 p.
1977To James Madison from Daniel D. Tompkins, 31 December 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Daniel D. Tompkins. 31 December 1814, Albany. “Mr. William D. Cheever of Troy, being on his way to Washington, has intimated to me a desire to have an opportunity to pay his respects to you during his continuance at the seat of government. I take the liberty of giving him this line of introduction & of saying that he is a gentleman of respectability & character.” RC ( DLC ). Docketed by...
1978Account for the President’s Furniture Fund, 31 December 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Account for the President’s Furniture Fund. 31 December 1814. Shows a $6,000 debit against the account of the United States with Lewis Deblois, agent for the President’s furniture fund, consisting of $4,712.40 in “Sundry payments from Vouchers No. 1 to 55 Included” and $94.24 for Deblois’s two percent commission on the above amount for a total of $4,806.64 in charges against the United...
1979To James Madison from Elisha Tracy, 30 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Leaving here tomorrow morning & feeling much anxiety respecting the Issue of the Bank Bill—the failure of which is precisely what the oposition at the East wishes, Calculating that on that Event, they can depreciate the public paper to from fifty to sixty Cents on the dollar—(never having intended a seperation of the Union) but flattering themselves that they can so far paralize the measures...
1980To James Madison from William Eustis, 29 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege your Letter of the 21st instant, announcing my appointment, and enclosing my commission, as Envoy Extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to the court of his Royal Highness the Sovereign Prince of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. With a just sense of the honor conferred on me by this distinguished mark of confidence from the...
1981To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 28 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
On the 26th inst I recd. a note from the Duke of Wellington informing me that peace was signed on the 26th. and Congratulating me on the event. Yesterday evening he called upon me, as well as the Secy of legation Lord Fitzroy Somerset. I am informed he despatched a messenger immediately for Vienna. It is generally believed that nothing has been satisfactorily arranged at that place. The...
1982To James Madison from Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 28 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
At the special request of my political friends, & the permission of my family, I have prevail’d on myself to accept your very honorable appointment of Secretary of the Navy of the U States; if you have not named any other person for that office to the Honl. Senate, in consequence of my letter of 26th. Inst. I will come on to washington in a week at farthest; this reconsideration I hope you...
1983To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 27 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
That you may see some proof of my diligence, I send a part of the proposed work. It grows upon my hands. The search into facts, is more tedious than I thought it would be. I wish, however, to give you the whole of my own views of the subject; and you can then mould the matter as you please. But I am afraid of the stint of time. I have no opportunity to write on the present occasion, except at...
1984To James Madison from Pierre Samuel DuPont de Nemours, 27 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
J’interromps et abandonne une Lettre assez longue que j’avais l’honneur de vous écrire, dont le principal objet êtait de proposer à Votre Excellence quelques vues militaires pour votre Guerre défensive dans la campagne de 1815. Un moyen de faire armure avec le Simple vêtement. Un autre de rendre vos Bataillons d’Infanterie plus redoutables, en vous passant pour le troisième rang des fusils qui...
1985To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 26 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I am sensible, Sir, in addressing to you personally my letter I am deviating from forms usually observ’d, and from which most assuredly I should not have departed in the present instance, if it were not precisely the intermediate time betwixt the retiring of mr. monroe from the department of State, and your nomination of his successor; I hope therefore, Sir, you will accept this my apology, as...
1986To James Madison from Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 26 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your polite & friendly communication of the 15 Int. has been duly rec’d, wherein you state that your thoughts have been turned to me as a proper person for Secretary of the Navy Department; for this expression of your kind & frankly avowed opinion of my fitness for the office, be pleased to accept the thanks of a grateful heart, & be assured, if I could, consistant with the duties I owe my...
1987From James Madison to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 23 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
My letter of 15th will have informed you that I had taken the liberty of naming you to the Senate for the vacancy in the Secretaryship of the Navy. I have now the pleasure to inclose a Commission by which you will see that the Senate have sanctioned the appointment. I repeat my hope that it will not be inconsistent with your views to undertake that very important service, and that its urgency...
1988To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 23 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I hope it will not be thought obtrusive in times like these for an obscure individual, who thinks he can suggest something to the advantage ⟨to⟩ the nation, to ask the attention of the Chief magistrate for one moment. Suppose a national Bank were to be established which should divide its Capital at the end of a limited time, but till then should make no dividend? Its capital would increase not...
1989To James Madison from William Jones, 22 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I took occasion, some short time since, verbally to represent to you the merits & qualifications of Mr E W Duval, which fit him for the correct discharge of more important duties than those in which he has been engaged in the Navy Department, and to suggest his peculiar fitness for the trust of paymaster of the Navy, should that office be created by law. My regard for this gentleman, founded...
1990To James Madison from Samuel Shipley, 22 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Petition of Samuel Shipley of the Borough of Wilmington in the State of Delaware, Miller, Respectfully Sheweth That on the second day of september in the year 1809. a certain vessel or schooner called the Emma, having an American register, & owned by a certain Stephen Devers of the city of Baltimore, arrived at the port of Wilmington, in this State, from the island of St. Domingo, in the...
1991To James Madison from Benjamin Homans, 22 December 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Benjamin Homans. 22 December 1814, Navy Department. “I have the honor to enclose the nomination of Bernard Henry, to be a Captain in the Flotilla Service.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). 1 p. JM forwarded the nomination to the Senate on 23 Dec. 1814, and it was confirmed the following day ( Senate Exec. Proceedings, Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United...
1992To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, Ca. 22 December 1814 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From Thomas Cooper. Letter not found. Ca. 22 December 1814. Enclosed in Cooper to Alexander J. Dallas, ca. 22 Dec. 1814 (1 p.; DLC ; undated; addressed to Dallas as secretary of the Treasury at Washington and postmarked 22 Dec.; dated 1 Sept. 1813 in the Index to the James Madison Papers ), in which Cooper states, “I have written by same post to the President, or on consideration I inclose...
1993From John Adams to James Madison, 21 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Knowing the immense weight of your cares, it gives me pain to interrupt you a moment. But when a young Scholar, Lawyer and amiable character asks an introduction from me I cannot refuse it. Such is George Ticknor Esqr an his travels in his own Country first, and in foreign Countries afterward. He is ranked here, with our Everett & Buckminster, choice spirits, as we think them. With great...
1994To James Madison from John Adams, 21 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Knowing the immense weight of your cares, it gives me pain to interrupt you a moment. But when a young Scholar, Lawyer and amiable character asks an introduction from me I cannot refuse it. Such is George Ticknor Esqr on his travels in his own Country first, and in foreign Countries afterward. He is ranked here, with our Everett & Buckminster, choice spirits, as we think them. With great...
1995To James Madison from Lekeel Cosmeaux, 21 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I feel mortified for my Country at the Report made by the secretary of the treasury. That the want of a few million of Dollars should so much Embarris Goverment—When there is no Country on Earth that has so many ways & means to Raise money as America for this Reason I take the liberty to name some articles which ought to be Taxed. All manufactored Cottons are taxed in England 6 Cent ⅌ yard and...
1996To James Madison from William Eustis, 21 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of receiving by the mail of this day your favor of the 15th instant, in which it affords me great satisfaction to recognize a continuation of your delicate attention. Without having contemplated such an appointment, I shoud not decline attempting to execute the duties required by it, in case it should be confirmed. With the highest respect & esteem your obedt servt. RC ( DLC...
1997Presidential Proclamation, 21 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Whereas a Treaty between the United States of America and the Wyandot, Delaware, Shanoese, Seneca, and Miamie Nations of Indians, was concluded and signed on the twenty second day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fourteen, by the Commissioners of both nations, fully and respectively authorized for that purpose, and was duly ratified and confirmed by the President...
1998From James Madison to William Eustis, 21 December 1814 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To William Eustis. Letter not found. 21 December 1814. Acknowledged in Eustis to JM , 29 Dec. 1814 , as informing Eustis of his appointment as U.S. minister to the Netherlands and enclosing his commission.
1999To James Madison from Payton Gay, 20 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Having had the honour of an introduction to you, some time since, I presume on the ground of personal acquaintance, and my zealous attachment to your wise and able administration, to solicit an appointment in your army. I have ever been devoted to the cause of my Country from the earliest dawn of my reason, and at the age of eighteen, bore a Commission in the military service of the United...
2000To James Madison from James Taylor, 20 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your well Known disposition renders any apology useless for the application I have now the Honor to make; It is too well Known and understood by every American; And precludes the possibility of doubt, of your willingness, and Goodness, to sanction views, so far as may be compatible with the public Welfare. I have a Son at Sacketts Harbor, a leiutt, on board the US: F, General Pike, who altho’...