5231To James Madison from Edward Fitzgerald, 13 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
Owing to many losses, by Failures, Stagnation in Trade, mentaining a large, helpless family, for nearly three years, and last of all, the loss of a Schooner & Cargo on her way from here to Norfolk last week worth upwards of three Thousand Dollars, this has finally reduced me, with a wife, nine Sons, and three daughters, to a State of the utmost distress. This is Sir my present situation, as...
5232To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 25 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I would hereby take the liberty of introducing to your notice the bearer of this, Mr. Hassler, who has recently returned from Europe, with the apparatus of instruments, which, in execution of his mission for that purpose, he had there procured for the Government of the United States. A descriptive list of these instruments (which are at present in my custody) has lately been transmitted to the...
5233To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Nothing new has occurrd since mine of yesterday. I have yours of the 5th. Mr Eustis has been with me, & we have communicated on the subject of yours to him. He expresses a strong desire for me to take the command, & thinks that a volunteer comn., would serve the purpose. We will confer fully on this subject to day, and come to a decision, and by to morrow’s mail you shall have the result. The...
5234To James Madison from James B. Johnson, 17 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty as a free citizen of a free country of addressing thee on one of the most important subjects that ever attracted the attention of a citizen of the United States. And hope that liberty will be excused & that thee may read and consider the contents with that serious consideration for which so weighty a matter loudly calls. The subject is the manumition of the Africans held in...
5235To James Madison from John Rhea, 4 May 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 May 1810, Washington. Encloses a copy of his circular letter to his constituents. RC ( DLC ); enclosure ( DLC : Madison Collection, Rare Book Division). RC 1 p. Enclosure (3 pp.) is Rhea’s 20 Apr. 1810 printed letter to his constituents (reprinted in Cunningham, Circular Letters of Congressmen , 2:687–93), which quoted extensively from JM’s 29 Nov. 1809 annual message to Congress . Rhea was...
5236To 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,...
5237To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 28 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose two letters from the district attorney of Georgia, respecting the misbehaviour of Benjamin Wall Marshal for that district. The business of the Savannah custom house had been transacted in so improper manner for a great length of time by the successive collectors, that unable to arrange & understand their respective accounts, I was obliged to send there last winter...
5238To James Madison from David Daggett, 26 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have received by the mail of this day a letter inclosing a Petition to the President of the United States in behalf of Aaron West, a sergeant in the 6th: Regiment of United States infantry stationed upon Governors Island near NewYork, stating that the Petitioners are apprehensive that as he has been lately tried by a Court martial for desertion, he may be under sentence of death, & praying...
5239To James Madison from William Eustis, 15 February 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 February 1812, War Department. Transmits a “general return of the Militia of the United States, taken from the latest returns received by this Department from the several States and Territories” [not found]. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). 1 p.
5240To James Madison from William Farquhar, 17 July 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 July 1812, Natchez. Asks that JM permit him “to remain peacably untill He can dispose of his property lawfully aquired here; Pay his debts which are but few; and retire, to oppose in another land Napoleon the Tyrant the plague of Europe.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, War of 1812 Papers, Letters Received regarding Enemy Aliens). 1 p.; docketed by JM. William Farquhar of Natchez was described on the...