5541To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
This is the first letter, which I have written, since my convalescence after the dreadful attack from a hemiplegia, with which by a kind of sympathy with my poor wife, I was afflicted in a few weeks from her death. It happily affected no faculty of my mind, and has not taken away the sanguine hope, that altho’ I require in rough ground the aid of a crutch, I may be restored to the free use of...
5542To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 8 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
Having removed hither to pass the fall and winter under the roof of my daughter Taylor, I did not receive your late letter until yesterday. If the analogy between the case at Philadelphia, and the more recent one at Washington, be strong enough to merit the application of it, with the following clue, a second search at the Treasury may perhaps succeed. Giles’s resolutions had been defeated,...
5543To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I am greatly indebted to you for your prompt and efficient relief in the difficulty, which I had no reason to expect. As soon as I see my son in law Thomas Preston, whom I presume to be now in Baltimore, I shall move on to the medicinal springs either in Berkeley or Bath county. I scarcely see a man, who does not feel himself elated with the hope, that Rodgers’s pursuit of the Jamaica fleet...
5544To James Madison from Thomas Mann Randolph, 11 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
My promise to my Wife forces me to accept the favor your goodness has offerred. Before I parted with her I assured her that I would do any thing rather than continue to live separate from her for any length of time. To assist in the conquest of Canada has been long a favorite object with me, and the risk, suffering, and toils of another attempt would be born with pleasure. But the pain of...
5545To James Madison from Stephen Ranney, 4 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
For an officer of the Army to address the President of the United States on the subject of the propriety or impropriety of any measure which has constitutionally been adopted would I presume be deemed improper. My motive at this time being only to spread before the first Magistrate of the United States such pretention as I have expected would be sufficient to secure to me my continuance in the...
5546To James Madison from James Ray and Others, 26 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
In my travels in my circuit—I hear such lamentation, from wives—and parents—that I and a few more have thot it convenient and necessary to call or pray your attention for a few moments—on the following subject—And trust in God that you may hear our petition. Whereas a number of the U.S. Soldiers have left the service of their country, since you published, or anounced your proclamation of July...
5547To James Madison from Moses Ray, 30 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
You may deem it the height of presumption in me as a private and I may say an obscure individual to address the first Officer in Our Country. The object I have in view will I trust be a sufficient excuse for the intrusion. I have determined upon endeavouring to settle with 2 or 300 Families on the fertile banks of the Ohio, Mississippi or on any good lands Contiguous to navigable waters. Our...
5548To James Madison from William Ray, 22 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Although something of my situation is hinted at in the poem, yet perhaps not sufficient to give satisfaction. I am really in a very distressed condition. My late publication is about to be sacrificed to pay the expenses of printing, and I have no resources left. I had the misfortune, some years since, to commence business with a partner, who, by his imprudent and dishonest conduct involved me...
5549To James Madison from William Ray, 27 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Permit me, Sir, without unnecessary apologies, to tender my services to the United States, in any station that may make provision for myself and a small family. I must confess that my patriotism is not unmixed with selfish views—my circumstances are indigent, and amidst these barren mountains, I find it difficult to subsist, with the strictest industry and frugality. I have suffered every...
5550To James Madison from William Ray, 4 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Early last Spring I lodged a Book entitled “Horrors of Slavery” in the post Office, to be sent to you at Washington, together with a poetical epistle; and having some doubts respecting its safe arrival, on account of my not receiving any a[n]swer, I have taken the liberty to request you to let me know, as speedily as convenient, whether you have , or have not received it. The latter of which I...