6651To James Madison from Henry Colman, 21 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I fear that you must have thought me unmindful of my engagement to forward you a copy of a most curious production, the Century Sermon, which I mentioned to you, but on my return I found that the first edition was out of print; a second edition however has been published and I have addressed a copy to you by this mail. With it is a copy of Buckminster’s Sermons, which Mrs. Madison was kind...
6652To James Madison from George Graham, 21 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you the following Selections for Military appointments viz Claude Crozet to be professor of Engineering at the Military Academy. William Tell Paussin [Poussin], to be assistant Topographical Engineer. I have the honor to be Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). JM forwarded these nominations to the Senate on 24 Feb. 1817. The nomination of Poussin was confirmed...
6653From James Madison to the Senate, 22 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I transmit to the Senate a Report of the Secretary of State complying ⟨wi⟩th their Resolution of the 20th instant RC ( DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages, 14A–E3). On 20 Feb. 1817 the Senate continued discussion of a resolution, offered on 19 Feb. by John Williams of Tennessee, requesting “a copy of the correspondence between the Government of the United States and the...
6654To James Madison from Jane Baird, 22 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have been anxiously waiting, with a hope, that something would be done—by application I have made to different person⟨s⟩ through our goverment—for the relief of my dear husband who is now a prisoner in New-Spain—he went from St. Lewis in the year 1812. I am now, with seven children, living near Pittsburgh, in a condition of mind not to be described. I am informed you have an amiable Lady for...
6655To James Madison from Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 22 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to enclose, herewith nominations for the promotions required by the Naval Service of the United States; as also a nomination of the Revd. Cheever Felch, for confirmation as Chaplain in the Navy, in which station he performed duty during the whole of the late War. I have the honour to be, &c. Letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). In two...
6656To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the Senate of the 20th instant, requesting “the President to lay before the Senate a copy of the correspondence between the government of the United States and the government of Spain, relative to the subjects of controversy between the two nations, except such part as he may deem improper to disclose,” has the honour to submit to...
6657To James Madison from Thomas Ramsey, 22 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I Thomas Ramsey Born in Pennsylvania york County, Rased in Kentucky & Ohio, now forty years of age, and haveing the Honor of holding a Commission of Captn in the U,S, Rifle Regimentt, tho an obscure Individuel who is unknown to you, has been bould a nough to address a man in power, it will Reach you when you are Retiard to private life and where homage will be Rendred to you by those only who...
6658To James Madison from the Virginia General Assembly, 22 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
At the moment when you are about to lay down the power with which the voluntary suffrages of an enlightened country have invested you, and to retire to that peaceful calm which your devotion to the public service has hitherto denied you, the General Assembly of Virginia cannot forbear to tender you, on behalf of the good people of your native state, a brief expression of their esteem, their...
6659To James Madison from William Grafton Dulany Worthington, 22 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
With very peculiar sensibility I avail myself of this last opportunity, to return you, my humble & sincere acknowledgments for the honor you have Conferred on me by your selection in the Mission to South America. Born in this land of Freedom, nurtured in the pure theories of Algernon Sidney & Confirmed in the practical School of your illustrious predecessor, yourself & the great Cotemporaneous...
6660From James Madison to the Senate, 24 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I Nominate, Claude Crozet, to be professor of Engineering at the Military Academy. William Tell Poussin, to be assistant Topographical Engineer. Adam Lynn, of the County of Alexandria, to be a justice of the peace for the Same County in the place of William Newton deceased. George A Thornton of the County of Alexandria to be a justice of the peace for the same county in the place of John...
6661From James Madison to the Senate, 24 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I nominate The Rev. Cheever Felch, Acting Chaplain, to be a Chaplain in the Navy of the United States. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A2). In a clerk’s hand, signed and dated by JM .
6662From James Madison to the Senate, 24 February 1817 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To the Senate. 24 February 1817. Nominates twelve officers and thirty-five midshipmen for promotion in the Navy. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A2). 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and dated by JM (printed in Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1828). , 3:79).
6663To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 25 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the honor to submit to your consideration the object to which my recent memoir related, accounts from GBritain & India, the arrival of unprivileged American Vessels with invoices of cotton wool from in our ports and other circumstances have more deeply impressed me with the importance of the Subject. I beg leave to add the enclosed document A as an appendix to the Memoir. A region...
6664To James Madison from Richard C. Derby, [ca. 25 February 1817] (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty to address a letter to you in great haste a day or two past, intending the next day to leave this to pay a visit to Mr Jefferson before my departure for Europe. There were parts of my letter it would not be amiss to explain, I mention’d my property being over $200,000 so that should Mr Monroe think proper to appoint me a station, that united with the sum allow’d by the...
6665To James Madison from George M. Dallas, 26 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have flattered myself that you would not be disinclined to patronize a publication of my father’s life and writings. His last years were devoted to your service, and his exertions were, I beleive, rewarded by your friendship as well as by your applause. Will it be conferring too great a favour to permit the appearance of your name on the page of dedication? And, should you think my...
6666To James Madison from Theodorick Lee, 26 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have a son, who commenced his naval life, as soon as he was prepared by his education and this I think was in the year, 12. and from the date of his warrant, has been in constant & active Service. He served for more than two years under the command of Capt Jacob jones, first in the Macedonian, and then on Lake Ontario in the Mohawk. On the return of peace, he returned to the Macedonian, and...
6667To James Madison from George Robinson and Others, 26 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
We beg leave to call your attention to the situation of a worthy family residing near Pittsburgh, in the state of Pennsylvania. A Mr. James Baird, (blacksmith) removed some years ago from this neighbourhood to St. Louis, in Upper Louisiana from which place he embarked with a number of others, on a trading voyage to New Spain, leaving behind him his wife and Seven children; On this voyage he...
6668Remission for Charles Bird and Benjamin Walton, 26 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that Charles Bird and Benjamin Walton, trading under the firm of Bird and Walton, having imported a quantity of Goods, Wares and Merchandize from the Port of Liverpool in England in the ship Tiber, which vessel arrived in the River Delaware in the month of february 1813, and, with the cargo referred to, became liable to forfeiture to the United States, and...
6669From James Madison to the Senate, 27 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I Nominate Thomas Wynns, of North Carolina, to be Consul at Turks Island in the West Indies. Henry W. Long, of North Carolina, to be Attorney of the United States for the District of North Carolina in the place of Robert H. Jones. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A2). In John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . The Senate took no action on these nominations before the...
6670To James Madison from William Jones, 27 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I owe you an apology for so long detaining the enclosed letter. You are probably informed that Mr Corbin is a Director of the Office of the Bank of the United States at Richmond which will go into operation as soon as the necessary preparations can be made. You are now my dear sir about to retire from an arduous but glorious carreer followed by the grateful recollections of a free and virtuous...
6671To James Madison from William Jones, 27 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I understand a law has passed creating the Office of Solicitor to the Treasury and the intimate knowledge I have of the worth and talents of Mr E W Duval induces a wish that he should obtain that appointment. His services and experience in the Comptrollers Office while his worthy uncle filled that place afford him peculiar advantages, and his Sterling integrity professional talents and zeal...
6672To James Madison from Joseph Osbourn, [ca. 27 February 1817] (Madison Papers)
The petition of Joseph Osbourn respectfully sheweth. That your petitioner was committed to the prison of Washington county in month of October 1815 on a charge of having counterfeited bank notes & at a trial in the December term following of the Court he was found guilty of said charge, from the absence as he avers of his testimony & from the suspicion excited by counterfeited money having...
6673To James Madison from James P. Preston, 28 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
By a Resolution of the General Assem[b]ly of Virginia, it becomes the duty of the Governor to transmit you the enclosed valedictory address. In the discharge of this duty it is natural for me to reflect on the astonishing contrast which this moment presents compared with the eventfull period of your Administration. For a time our commerce was annihilated, our sacred rights abused, invaded and...
6674Remission for Joseph Osbourn, 28 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that Joseph Osbourn was convicted some time ago before the Circuit Court of the United States for the County of Washington, in the District of Columbia of a misdemeanor, in uttering and passing counterfeited Bank notes, knowing the same to be counterfeited, whereupon he was sentenced by the said Court to be imprisoned for the term of six months, and to pay...
6675From James Madison to the Virginia General Assembly, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
I have recd, fellow Citizens from Governor Preston, your address of the 22d. Ulto: The sentiments which it conveys are particularly endeared to me, as those of a State, with which I am connected by the ties of my birth & of my home; and by the recollections of its confidence & partiality, commencing at an early stage of my life, and continued under different public manifestations, to the...
6676From James Madison to James P. Preston, 1 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Having received, through you, the address of the General Assembly of Virginia, of February 10th, I have to request that you will take charge of the enclosed answer to it. I must tender you my acknowledgments at the same time, for the friendly and flattering manner in which you have fulfilled the resolution of the General Assembly. I should express my feelings very imperfectly, if, in recurring...
6677To James Madison from John H. Buckley and Others, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
We take the liberty to inform you of our sad misfortunes, confined in Cuba Prison, at the inhuman mercy of the cruel Spaniards. Our first misfortunes are as follow; Our vessels being sold for the purpose of privateering, we were obliged to take passage in the schooner Margaretta, Peter Anchor, commander, bound to Jamaica. To our sorrow, after being on the passage two days, the Captain brought...
6678To James Madison from John B. Colvin, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Colvin presents his respectful compliments to the President, and asks his acceptance of a No.* of the “National Register.” RC and enclosure ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Cover docketed by JM . Undated; conjectural date assigned based on internal evidence and the date of the enclosure (see n. 1). Here JM inserted an asterisk, and below the last line of Colvin’s note wrote:...
6679To James Madison from Isaac Wilbour, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
You will not think it arrogant if it is suggested that until perfection becomes a human priviledge we shall always be indebted to experience for that course which will best subserve publick purposes; & when experience points out every honest Man walks in the path. The Money paid for the faithful discharge of the duties of Office; is presumed to be a complete equivalent ther-for. All the...
6680Pardon and Remission for John Hugh Reilly, 1 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that at the Circuit Court of the United States for the County of Washington, in the District of Columbia, lately held in this City, John Hugh Reilly was convicted of a misdemeanor, in an assault & Battery committed by the said Reilly, whereupon he was sentenced to pay a fine of five Dollars to the United States, to satisfy the costs of prosecution and to...
6681To James Madison from Isaac Griffin, 2 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I take this method, of bidding you a last farewell, and of thanking you, for the benefit I have derived, as one of the citizens of the united states, from your able, and faithfull services, in Some of the most important Stations in the gift of a free people—at your time of life, repose is desirable, and almost necessary—in retirement, I wish you all the happiness, that you can derive, from the...
6682From James Madison to the House of Representatives, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Having considered the bill, this day, presented to me, entitled “An Act to set apart and pledge certain funds for internal improvements” and which sets apart and pledges funds “for constructing roads and canals, and improving the navigation of water courses, in order to facilitate, promote and give Security to internal commerce among the several States, and to render more easy and less...
6683To James Madison from Henry Clay, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Knowing that we cannot differ on the question of the object of the Internal Improvement bill, however we may on the Constitutional point, will you excuse me for respectfully suggesting whether you could not leave the bill to your successor? If it receive his approbation, within the ten days, I am inclined to think the law is valid. The notification to the two houses of the passage of any bill,...
6684To James Madison from Jeremiah B. Howell, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I regret extremely that the enclosed letters were received at so late a day as yesterday. If it should so happen, you should be of the Opinion, that the application of our mutual friends, has arrived too late for you to decide on Officially, I flatter myself you will have no hesitation in favouring me, by placing these letters into the hands of your Successor, as soon as may be convenient;...
6685To James Madison from Robert Polk, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
In doing myself the honor of addressing you on the present occasion, permit me to say that it is not without reluctance I have prevailed upon myself to add one to the number of those who may appear before you as Candidates for a portion of Executive favor. But relying on the liberality of your disposition for indulgence, I take the freedom to address you. A bill, providing for the prompt...
6686To James Madison from Jonathan Roberts, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I ask the liberty of communicating to you the enclosed letter from Gen Howell of the Senate with the accompaniments and solicit your attention thereto. I had hoped to wait upon you but time hardly promises an allowance of that pleasure. I need not repeat you how sincerely I esteem Gen Howell or how much I should be gratified in his obtaining public employment worthy of his merits. This you...
6687To James Madison from William Thornton, [3 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
To prevent any Suspicion of a deficiency in respect to you and your Lady—whom we have never ceased to more than respect & esteem—I am unwilling to permit you to depart without expressing our sincere regret that when your Departure was made known to all our Friends by her farewell visit to them, and they were thereby enabled to pay their parting respects, we remained ignorant thereof, and were...
6688Remission for the Brig Franklin, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that at a Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Rhode Island, lately held in that District the Brig Franklin and Cargo were condemned for a violation of the law of the United States prohibiting intercourse between the United States and Great Britain & France and their dependencies; and whereas it has been made to appear to me that the...
6689Remission for the Mercurius, Christian Bodom, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that at a Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Massachusetts, held in the year 1816, the Swedish Ship Mercurius and Cargo were condemned for a violation of the Law of the United States interdicting Commercial Intercourse between the United States and Great Britain & France and their dependencies, and whereas it has been made to appear to...