28831To James Madison from William Willis, 23 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Willis. 23 July 1806, New Bedford. “I herewith Enclose you the original as well as a coppy of a Certificate of my Character from all the justices of peace in this town of my Nativity and request the favor of you to cause the Coppy to be deposited in the office of State with the documents which my Enemies have causd to be lodged against me as every instrument of this kind is in a...
28832To James Madison from William Willis, 9 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 March 1801, Norfolk, Virginia. Arrived on 8 Mar. after departure from Spain in mid-December, passing through Paris, London, and Martinique en route. Nothing new reported from Barcelona before his departure, and American squadron in Mediterranean will keep sea-lanes safe. Spoke with Talleyrand in Paris and learned of his support for amicable Franco-American relations. On subject of a general...
28833To James Madison from William Willis, 1 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1802, New York. Has terminated his business and found a passage to France. Hopes to be in Barcelona in forty days. “I am inform’d (indirectly) that one of the Mr Montgomerys of Alicant were about to apply for the consulate of Barcelona, and from this I am led to conjecture the source of a great part of the Clamor rais’d against me, and such an opportunity no doubt will be very...
28834To James Madison from William Willis, 25 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 August 1803, Barcelona . “Mr. John Leonard has arrived here, as it seem’d to be the wish of the Government that I should give up the Consulate to him I have done it and shall attend the Orders of the president.… I have secret information that Mr Leonard has power to arrest me and send me to America this I submit to. It has been my fate to love and Serve my Country with Zeal, and to lay...
28835To James Madison from William Willis, 11 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have been about five weeks confin’d to my bed with a malady caus’d by the bad medecine given me last winter to destroy me but am now on the recovery and hope to recover in 2 or 3 weeks more. I with difficulty write: but as the subject is very interesting to the U S I suffer a little pain to serve my Country. I understand the French government have it in view to obtain the Floridas from Spain...
28836To James Madison from William Willis, 15 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 September 1802, Barcelona. Encloses copies of letters “giving information of the affairs of Tripoli, with the objects the Triplins Seem to have in view.” Commodore Morris in the schooner Enterprize passed within sight of Barcelona on 12 Sept., “and I Extremely regret his not Calling, because but three or four days before, there was a Tripoline Cruiser of About thirty Tons on this Coast.”...
28837To James Madison from William Willis, 17 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I Enclose you a letter Rec’d by an express Vessell dispatch’d by Mr. Eaton our Consul at Tunis, The Contents of which will shew you the unhappy State of our affairs in that Quarter. We have no information yet of the arrival of any American Ship of war in these Seas but expect them daily. There are now twenty-five Vessells in this Port, and the Coast; this must wait for some Vessell to arrive...
28838To James Madison from William Willis, 29 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I herewith Enclose you Copies of my Last of the 19th. inst., Since which nothing New has taken place. I have not yet been able to get the Papers and Plate Promised me from the Person who has told me he has them, as he has removed them out of the Gates, and when I have been for them, he has either been absent or he had Company; but I am Confident he will make no bad use of them. As Soon as I...
28839Petition from Colin C. Wills, 20 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr President of the United States of America The petition of Colin C. Wills (a native of Virginia) humbly sheweth, That your petitioner hath by his assiduity & genius attained the art of making brushes, but is in such indigent circumstances that he is utterly unable to carry on his trade, for the want of materials to work on, Your petitioner has a wife & two...
28840To Thomas Jefferson from David Willson, 4 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Sir I Wish you to send me Promicion for the Brig Eliza & Sarah my self master and men to Load for the New Orlands as there is several People Wishes to send freight there the Brig is one hundred and sevan Tons Just fit for A New orlands Packet Part of the freight Will be flour— you may Depend the Brig Shant Due Eny thing Elce onley Run A Packet Be Twene here and there. I hav a Large famley of...
28841Proposal for a National Coffee House, 22 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Subscriber observing with surprise the want of a House of entertainment on Capitol Hill, for the reception and deliberation of the friends of administration, at a period when the only House is supported by the Minority with energy and Spirit, he proposes opening the National Coffee House & Hotel on Capitol Hill, to be in readiness on the day Congress Shall convene, and being inadequate to...
28842To James Madison from Richard Willson, 15 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
The great length of time that has elapsed since my first application to the President for some appointment under Government will, I presume exempt me from the imputation of being importunate. In January last I resigned my employment in the Office of the Treasurer of the United States and employed my little Capital in a line of business that Promised handsome emolument; but the Embargo an...
28843To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Willson, 26 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment of Librarian being about to be made, I am impelled by the deranged state of my finances to solicit the appointment:—and not having the honor of a Personal Acquaintance with your Excellency, I beg leave to refer to Joseph H Nicholson Esqr. of the House of Representatives, and Robert Wright Esqr. of the Senate, for any information requisite on the subject, and relative to my...
28844To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Willson, 21 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with surprise that I observe the friends of Government destitute of a Coffee House or Hotel to assemble at, on Capitol Hill, at a period when the opposite party are supporting the only House with energy & spirit. I have formed the plan of opening a National Coffee House and Hotel, on the Hill for the entertainment of the Republican friends, and my finances having continued totally...
28845To James Madison from Richard Willson, 22 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1804, Washington. “I hope you have made it Convenient before this, to lay your hands on the letters written to his Excellency the President, by the Honble. Robert Wright and Joseph H Nicholson Esquires, in my favor. And as I am about to depart from hence, perhaps never to return, finding it vain to expect any employment under the present administration, I feel a desire to carry...
28846To James Madison from Richard Willson, 28 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 January 1802, Washington. “Having determined to apply to the President for the appointment of Librarian to Congress, I obtained letters of recommendation from Mr. Nicholson yesterday morning; and being informed the President would be at the Capitol by 11. O clock, and that there was not a moment to be lost in making my application, I determined to send him Mr. Nicholsons letter under cover....
28847To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Willson, 15 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had my fortune considerably impaired in the Revolutionary War, and a variety of unfavorable and imperious circumstances concurring to increase my embarrassments, I am impelled to solicit your Excellency for some appointment under Government. On my arrival at this place from Queen Ann’s County, my place of nativity and late residence, I found the sentiments of my few old friends and...
28848To James Madison from Richard Willson, 24 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Richard Willson. 24 November 1805, Washington. “Having very considerably impaired my Paternal Estate in the service of my Country when an Officer in the Revolutionary War and having a large Family to support on very scanty means, I am irresistibly impelled to solicit the President of the United States, through you Sir, for some appointment under the Government. “And as I have not the...
28849To Thomas Jefferson from James Jones Wilmer, 7 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I did myself the honor some time ago to transmit you a copy of the publication entitled “Man as he is &c.” I am about printing a second edition with the 3d part added, which will make the work compleat, and meet with, I trust, your entire approbation. Having in my time contributed to the stock of knowledge in the republic of Letters, I think I have some small claim on my Countrys protection....
28850To Thomas Jefferson from James Jones Wilmer, 15 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to present you with a Copy of a recent Publication, entitled “Man as he is” &c.—Its favorable reception by virtuous and intelligent minds will be very pleasing to Sir, Your most respl. and obt. Servant RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Sep. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Man as He Is, and the World as It Goes ,...
28851To Thomas Jefferson from James Jones Wilmer, 19 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Most respectfully presented, believing, that whatever tends to promote the happiness of the United States, will always be acceptable to the President thereof— signed, DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
28852To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Wilson, 24 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The person who is the Bearer of this, has in his possession specimens of Copper Ore found in Orange County, State of Virginia, which he is solicitous to shew to the President—Considering this discovery (if the facts be as he states) highly important at this interesting crisis I have advised him to wait on you without delay— I have succeeded, tolerably, among the gentlemen here, in procuring...
28853To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Wilson, 17 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Alexander Wilson, author of American Ornithology , would be happy to submit the first volume of this work to the inspection of Mr. Jefferson, if he knew when it would be convenient for the President. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
28854To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Wilson, 18 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg your acceptance of a small trifle in Natural History which though imperfectly executed is offered with all the sincerity of affection to the best Friend and brightest ornament of this happy Country. If It afford you a moments amusement I shall think myself amply rewarded. On my return from a visit to the Falls of Niagara in October last I killed two Birds on the shores of the Mohawk...
28855To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Wilson, 30 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour last spring of presenting your Excellency with drawings of two Birds which I supposed to be both non descripts untill the receipt of your very condescending Letter to me of Ap. 7th. referring to 8 Buffon. 342. Pl. enlum. 566. which I find to contain a Bird of the same Species with one of those sent but unnoticed by me before. Allow me, sir as an atonement for this mistake once...
28856To James Madison from Wilson and Blackwell, 28 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 November 1803, Trenton. “Our appointment to promulgate the laws U. S. in this state, extending only to those of the Seventh Congress, we have not published those passed this session, as such publication could not be deemed official. Should it be your pleasure, signified to us, we will immediately commence the promulgation of the acts of this Congress. The True American has probably as...
28857To James Madison from Archibald Wilson Jr., 18 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 April 1804, Greenock. “I wrote you a few days ago by the Americain Brigt. Brandy Wine Miller Capt. Collins who sailed from this port to Newyork on the 15th. Inst. and took the liberty therein to point out the impropriety of the Consul of the United States for the Clyde residing at Glasgow for the reasons therein sugjested that of Ocationing delays & adding to expence—let me inform you what...
28858To James Madison from Archibald Wilson Jr., 13 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1804, Greenock. “I arrived in this Country in July last and expect to remain for some length of time, as I am a Citizen of the United States and it is a right I by no means wish to relinquish I would take it as a singular favor if you would have the goodness to acquaint me if any or what new regulations may have taken place during my absance from that Country with respect to Citizens...
28859To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Wilson, 9 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will excuse my presumption, in writing to you, altho an Utter stranger; I have no excuse to plead except my necessities. I am Sir, the son of a Capt Wilson, who served during the late glorious Revolution in a Regiment Commanded by Col: Henry Neal. After his return he married the Sister of Cæsar Rodney Esqr the Governor of Delaware State. After the Death of Mr. Rodney, he, as well as...
28860To James Madison from George Wilson, 24 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 24 September 1802. Mentioned in Daniel Brent to Wilson, 18 Oct. 1802 (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 14), as a request for partial payment of the sum due for printing the laws of the last session of Congress. Brent conveyed JM’s response that “as it does not consist with the practice of the Government to make partial advances in cases of such small interest,… he has declined the...