1James Madison v. John Strode, Berkley Ward, Isaac H. Williams, and Jonathan Williams, 6 October 1819 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 October 1819. “At a superior Court of Chancery holden in the town of Fredericksburg, on the 6th day of October 1819, James Madison, plaintiff, against John Strode, Berkley Ward, Isaac H. Williams & Jonathan Williams, defendants; “On motion of the plaintiff, by counsel, it is ordered, that so much of the decree entered in this cause on the 17th day of september last as directs the defendant...
2Enclosure: Alden Partridge to Jonathan Williams, 19 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Reflecting a few days ago upon the manner of ascertaining the initial velocities of Military projectiles, by means of the ballistic pendulum, it struck my mind that this method is not altogether accurate. I take the liberty therefore to state to you what appears objectionable in it, requesting if I am in an error you will have the goodness to rectify it. The method above alluded to seems to be...
3To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 9 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
The object of this is to complain to the Chief magistrate of my Country, of the many outrageous sceenes of robery which are committing upon the high seas by American Citizens and in some measure under the cognizance of the American Government. Seven vessels have already been fitted out in the port of Baltimore, manned & commanded almost entirely by American Citizens and owned by American...
4Jonathan Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
After the Society was adjourned a number of members (all your particular Friends) were conversing on various subjects when the proposed sale of your Library to Congress was mentioned. It can hardly be supposed, that in this Room surrounded by a Library consisting almost wholly of donations, with your almost animated Bust looking full in our faces, we could avoid expressing our regret that the...
5To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 10 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
The annual meeting of the United States’ Military Philosophical Society will be held in the City of New York on Monday the first day of November next: The time of the day and place of meeting will be made known through the daily papers of the preceding week. The business which will then come before the Society will be 1. To receive Reports relative to the affairs of the Society since the last...
6To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 17 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for you favour of the 11th Instant although my object in writing appears to have failed. The Letter I alluded to was written by John Paul Jones and was addressed to yourself alone, he shewed it to me and asked my advice whether to forward it or not: I did advise him not to forward it, but I did not think that he would agree with me in that opinion: As the case may amuse you I will...
7From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 11 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have, just now received your favour of the 6th. Who, pray, has injured the Character of Commodore John Paul Jones? and in what manner? It would give me Pleasure to furnish any Evidence in my Power in vindication of his Character against any Injury: but I have no recollection of any Acknowledgement of Jones himself, that his Surname was Paul, though I remember that the English Publications...
8To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 6 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
As I believe there is no man in America who was more intimately acquainted with the late Capt John Paul Jones while he was in Europe than myself, I have thoughts of doing justice to the injured Character of that gallant Officer. There are two papers which would be of great use to my object, one of which is a letter written to you from Nantes by Capt Jones, stating the circumstances of an...
9To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 10 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Since my Letter to you of the 21 June, Brigre General Bloomfield communicated to me an order from the Secretary of War, which in substance agreed with the request, I had the honour to make to you, and of which you have a Copy inclosed. After compleating some official duties at Philadelphia I returned to New-York and reported myself ready to take such command as might “comport with my rank.”...
10To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 21 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
By the 27th Section of the Act of 16 March 1802 it is declared that the Engineers “shall be subject at all times to do duty in such places and on such Service as the President of the United States shall direct,” and By the 63d Article of War “the Engineers are not to assume nor are subject to be ordered on any duty beyond the Line of their profession, except by the special order of the...
11To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 29 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Honourable Saml L Mitchill of the House of Representatives of the United States having transmitted to the State Committee of fortifications a printed Letter addressed to you signed Edward Clark containing a project of fortification for this Harbour, I think it my duty as chief Engineer of the United States, and author of the plans of fortification lately compleated & now progressing under...
12To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 17 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
Perceiving by your Message at the opening of the present Session of Congress that you entertain the same favourable Sentiments relative to military Seminaries, which you expressed to me last February, I feel emboldened to transmit a Copy of the form of a Bill drawn in consequence of a Council of Field Officers of my Corps, which I called for the purpose. The Bill, except in one Section, is...
13To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 27 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
The momentary, although faint, hope that the Military Academy Bill will be called up, induces me to attend in the House all day, and prevents me from stating to you verbally its almost forlorn situation. I am convinced that there is a sufficient Majority in the House to pass the Bill without Amendment, which is now the only way it can pass, for should it go back to the Senate the session would...
14Jonathan Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I could not deny myself showing you another Instance of the usefulness of the thermometer in navigation : When science comes in aid of humanity it must be particularly pleasing to you.— Having this occasion to write to you, I will take the liberty of intimating that a kind, although monitory Letter might be of service to young Randolph . He is a very fine youth, of very good natural talents, &...
15To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 13 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty last fall of submitting to your inspection, as our Patron, Mr Massons Lectures on Fortification which he had presented to the U. S. Mily. Philo: Society. Besides the satisfaction of producing in our own Language the french improvements in this art, I was desirous of knowing whether you thought the Subject worthy of publication and dissemination. Brigadier General Morton of...
16To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 13 January 1810 (Madison Papers)
Mr. D. Masson professor at the Military Accademy has presented to our Society a manuscript copy of his lectures on fortification. This work when compleated will be a transmission of all that is known in the french language into our own, in that condensed and simple shape which is best calculated for the Rudiments of instruction. I think it my duty towards you, as patron of the society, to...
17To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 19 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honour to write on the 15th Inst. and immediately paid the $25 it contained to the Treasurer of the USMP Society: I beg leave to thank you in their name for the authority you grant to consider you their Patron, and in my own for the permission you give me of laying before you a Representation relative to the military Academy, to be disposed of as...
18From James Madison to Jonathan Williams, 15 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Feby. 23. has remained so long unanswered that I ought to state, in apology, that as I foresaw the Summer Session, would be inattentive to objects not within its particular purview, I did not enter into your idea, of presenting to it, the subject of the Military Academy. To the influence of this consideration at the time, and afterwards to the occupations of a busy period, I must...
19To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 5 June 1809 (Adams Papers)
WITH a view to collect and preserve the Military Science, which must still exist among the Veterans of our revolutionary contest, and those of our Fellow-Citizens, who may have gathered scientific fruits in the course of their travels, the Corps of Engineers have, under the auspices of the President of the United States , commenced an Institution for the purpose of establishing and...
20To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have more than one motive for complying with the request of my amiable young Friend Mr. James Craig of giving him an opportunity of paying his personal respects to you; for the Period being near when by official Rule I can only communicate with you on military Subjects, through the medium of the department, I wish now to avail myself of the liberty of private friendship, to Solicit in the...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Beverley Randolph a Cadet, who goes on to take his place under you. he is the son of a friend of mine in Virginia, born to independant expectations, but by the entire reduction of his father’s circumstances, left without any resource but in himself. my concern for the family induces me to sollicit on his behalf your friendly counsel & tutelage on all occasions;...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 26 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on seeing the military Constitutions of Nations in the Intelligencer, I thought it my duty as President of the Society to give it currency in the form of a Communication to it; for I consider the dissemination of correct military Ideas as the primary object of its Institution. I am this morning highly gratified by your favour of the 23d. and in imitation of your example, I shall...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Williams and his thanks for the peice on the subject of Militia which he was so kind as to send him. it presented the general subject in so concise and perspicuous a view, that he thought it would have a considerable effect if communicated in some way to the members of the legislature. this could not be done formally. he therefore took the...
24To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 3 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
To the Copy of my translation of the Manoeuvres of Horse Artillery by Genl. Kosciusko, which should be deposited in your office according to Law, permit to add one for your own use in the name of the U S M P Society. I have the honour to be with the highest respect & esteem Sir Your obedient Servant DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
25To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 31 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Paper has been annonymously communicated to our Society.—I have had it transcribed expressly to lay it before you, beleiving that if the Ideas it contains can be of use to our Country, this is the proper moment to communicate them where they are most likely to produce a good effect. I trust that my motive in so doing will be at once apparent & excuseable. I have the honour to be...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 28 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the copy of Genl. Kozciusko’s treatise on the flying artillery. it is a branch of the military art which I wish extremely to see understood here to the height of the European level. your letter of Sep. 20. was recieved in due time. I never recieved the letter said to have been written to me by mr Malesherbe in favor of mr Masson. the fact of such a letter having been written by...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 24 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In behalf of the U.S. Military Philosophical Society, I beg leave to present to you a Copy of the Translation of General Kosciusko’s manoeuvres for Horse Artillery.— I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your faithfull & obedient Servant DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
28To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 20 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Just before I left New York I saw General S Smith on his passage through that City, and conversing with him on the Subject of the Bill relative to the military Academy in consequence of your message I found that its being among the unfinished Business of the last Session will not give it any preference I feel extremely apprehensive that, owing to the multiplicity of matter which always is...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 18 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before you a proof Impression of the Diploma of the Society under your Patronage, which I hope will be considered as a favourable test for the estimation of American skill in the fine arts. The one belonging to you as a Member will be forwarded when the signatures of the proper Officers, who are at a distance from each other, can be obtained I have the honor to be with the...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 28 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I find by a circular letter from the Treasurer of the Military Philosophical society of May 10. that it is thought that a sum of 25. D. once paid will answer the purposes of the society as well as the annual paiment heretofore recieved: and knowing from experience the facility of forgetting these small demands and the difficulty of remitting them to a distance, I have to ask the favor of you...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 28 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received under the cover of the Letter you did me the honour to write this morning twenty five dollars, which in conformity to your desire I shall convey to the Treasurer of the US Military Philosophical Society in discharge of your contribution, according to the terms of the circular from the Treasurer to which you refer.— I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 5 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of my second visit to Warburton, the Seretary of War has agreed to a plan I proposed, of having a Battery near the Water of 13 Guns protected by a Block House or Star Redout above a floating chain to be extended across the River in the narrowest part of the Channel, at its turn round Sheridens Point. I found, by making Sections of the Land in three different directions that...
33To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 23 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
There being now in this City a considerable number of the Members of the United States Military Philosophical Society, I think it my duty in conformity to the 3d Section of the 4th Chapter of the Constitution, to call an occasional meeting to be held at the first apartment on the right hand in the War Office, on Saturday Evening 30 Inst for the purpose of stating to the members, who have not...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 21 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
After a Silence of many years, I lately received from Gov: Franklin, by the return of Mr N Biddle, several Letters on family subjects, one of which I inclose because I believe we have like sensations as to the blameable delay, if not infamous sacrifice of Doctor Franklins Fame to paltry pecuniary motives. There has been for a very long time an irreconcileable dissention between Governor...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 19 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Williams and is obliged to excuse himself from attending the meeting proposed in his note of yesterday, the constant pressure of his business having obliged him to decline meeting other societies here of which he is a member, and the observance of this as a rule being a matter of real necessity PPAmP .
36To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 18 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am highly gratified by your approbation of the amendments to the Constitution of the U.S. Mily Philo: Society expressed in the note you honoured me with a few days since. As there are more Members at present in this City than at any other place, I think it my duty to call a meeting as well to obtain their assent to the amendments, as to explain to them the origin, progress, & present State...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 3 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your circular letter of Nov. 2. with the copy of the Constitution of the United States military Philosophical society & the amendments proposed to it. and in conformity with your request to say in answer whether I assent or dissent, I hereby declare my assent to them. Accept my salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. NHi : United States Military Philosophical...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 2 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On the other side is a copy of the Constitution of the United States Military Philosophical Society, which has undergone some amendments, found essential in practice: you will discover them by comparing this copy with that sent to you with the notice of your election. William Popham, Esq. Treasurer of the Society, will receive all communications during the winter, (there being then no stated...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 12 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson salutes Colo. Williams with respect and incloses him a 10. D. bill for his arrearages for 1806. & 1807. according to notification of July 31. 07. NHi : United States Military Philosophical Society Papers.
40To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 31 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
The United States Military Philosophical Society are desirous of making the next annual account of their transactions as extensive and useful as possible: they have therefore instructed me to solicit communications; and they hope to receive a good collection, tending to promote military science, before the end of the year. The Treasurer of the Society being absent on distant command, they have...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 31 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States Military Philosophical Society are desirous of making the next annual account of their transactions as extensive and useful as possible: they have therefore instructed me to solicit communications; and they hope to receive a good collection, tending to promote military science, before the end of the year. The Treasurer of the Society being absent on distant command, they have...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 12 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing by a communication you honoured me with sometime since, that you held Capt Mansfields majority open for his return to my Corps; I cannot deviate from propriety, in transmitting for your consideration a Copy of a confidential Letter just received from him, and of my answer. It has been so generally circulated through the medium of Newspapers, that you intend to retire from Office, at...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 28 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Williams most respectfully Sollicits The President of the United States to permit him to deposit in his hands Six Copies of his thermometrical navigation requesting him to distribute them according to his pleasure among the Persons he may think proper to employ to Survey the Coast. Col. W would not trouble The President, if he knew of any other way of contributing this mite, towards so...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 22 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Williams will have the honour of dining with The President of the United States on Saturday next in conformity to his obliging invitation Col. W begs leave to lay before The President three Specimens of the Art of Mr Thiebout of Philadelphia a native american whom he intends to employ to engrave the Plate for the proposed diploma for the Mily Philo. Society.— MHi : Coolidge Collection.
45From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 12 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am again to return the tribute of my thanks for the continued proofs of favor from the American Philosophical society; and I ever do it with sincere gratitude, sensible it is the effect of their good will, and not of any services I have it in my power to render them. I pray you to convey to them these expressions of my dutiful acknolegements; and to accept yourselves thanks for the favorable...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 15 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
As Patron of the United States Military Philosophical Society, I think it proper to lay before you a transcript of the circular letter and note of transactions, which I propose to have printed and distributed among the Members. I have made a separate Copy of the Memoir on a double Gun Boat, conceiving that if there be any weight in the Suggestions it contains, their usefullness must depend on...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 24 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
When I was last at West Point, the Gentlemen of the Corps of Engineers and military academy met together, and unanimously requested me to prepare a memorial and petition to be signed by them, and presented to Congress at their next Session, praying that a Chaplain may be added to that Institution. The Secretary of War has not been able to comply with a request made to him some time since, the...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 28 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
On my passage through this City, I found the Seal of the United States military philosophical Society executed in a masterly manner by Mr. Reich. Presuming that a Fair Impression would be agreeable to you, I have directed Mr. Reich to make one and forward it with this Letter: You will perceive that I have availed myself of Mr. Barlows judicious corrections, and doubtless be pleased with the...
49To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 6 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Jonathan Williams. 6 May 1806, West Point. “Five Dollars ⅌ annum, to be remitted to Lieut Walker. K. Armistead, Treasurer of the Society at West-Point State of New York. is the Contribution established by Law, for Every Member of the U.S.M.P.S. —all Surplus Funds Will, at the End of Every Year, be a fund to be employed in premiums for Scientific improvement, as compensations for...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 26 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am highly indebted to your goodness in procuring for me so essential an improvement of my device, and I beg you to take a convenient opportunity of making my thanks acceptable to Mr. Barlow.— I have the honour to be with the most perfect Respect Your Faithfull & obed Servant DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.