1To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 10 May 1801, 4 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. W. P. Gardner who will present this letter carries with him a small box containing impressions of two Medals , which I have had by me some time past waiting for an opportunity safe and suitable. Mr. Gardner is a man of great worth in every civil relation and is one of those who was compelled to quit the Treasury Department thro’ the injuries done him on account of his political opinions....
2To James Madison from William Duane, 10 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Without any other title to the liberty I take, that [ sic ] what may be allowed me from the respect I have learned to entertain for your virtues and talents, exerted in the cause of my country, and which I have in a much humbler sphere endeavored to emulate, I have take[n] the liberty of addressing you, and even in this first instance to solicit a favor. The publication of “ The Aurora ” tho’...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 10 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honored by yours of the 23 May, which I should have acknowleged before could I have found a person to whose care I might entrust the delivery of a letter. Lieutt. Mc’Ilroy late commander of the Augusta has informed me of his intention to proceed this morning, and I embrace the opportunity of writing by him. Mr M’Ilroy it appears incurred the enmity of captain Sever , by drinking Mr...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 7 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The appearance of the Indian Chiefs in the House of Representatives this morning, has revived in my mind a subject upon which I have long reflected, and concerning which it was my purpose long since to have taken the liberty of addressing you. A consciousness of the superiority of the Whites, has at all times prevailed among the Indians, and influenced them much more than the generally...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 23 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Wm. Duane’s respects—No copies of the Country Aurora have ever been reserved, and only ten of the daily paper; if the Daily Aurora will be acceptable, it will be to be ordered from Philadelphia, as none of 1801. are yet bound. No map of Maryland is to be had here. I have ordered two different copies from Philadelphia, which if they should not be acceptable or either of them, can be kept here...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 18 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The bustle attendant on our election affairs here will I hope excuse the delay of three days since the receipt of your letter . Upon the receipt of the Instructions concerning the Books from London and Paris , I immediately addressed the originals to Messrs Johnson in London and Pougens in Paris, with Duplicates of each in my hand writing to Mr Erving and Mr. Short—directing the Booksellers to...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 26 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
My absence from home until this moment prevented my sending an answer to your note before. Young Coopers name is Thomas Cooper ,—he appears to be about 22 years old. Lacretelle’s book I have not here but have written for it by Mail to Philadelphia, and requested it to be sent by some private hand. Paine’s third letter gives me considerable uneasiness, he has in fact commenced the subject of...
8Statement of Account with William Duane, with Jefferson’s Order, 7 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
President of the United States 1802 To William Duane Dr. Jany 4 To 1 Glass Inkstand 1 23 " 1 Box Chessmen & Board 6 " " 1 Ream fine English 4to. post paper 7 " " 1 paper Red Inkpowder 25
9To James Madison from William Duane, 3 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of a conversation with a member of Congress who lately left Washington, I am induced to take the liberty of addressing you, to request, (if you judge it proper) a copy of Lord Hawsbury’s [ sic ] answer to Mr Kings note concerning Louisiana. I feel very often the extreme want of some leading information, upon which I could rely in rebutting the incessant attacks of the papers...
10Statement of Account with William Duane, 27 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, President U States, To Wm Duane Dr. 1803 October 18 To 1 copy Mississippi Question , $ 1 " " To 1 qrt. bottle Ink, 1 06 Novr. 1 To 1 copy Ellicott’s Journal , 6
11To James Madison from William Duane, 10 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Duane. 10 August 1805 . “Wm Duane’s respects to Mr Maddison—Sends a paper in which there is an article, that it may be proper he should see—the same information is stated in other papers of N York, of not so hostile a character as the N York Gazette. “Wm D. would have waited on Mr Maddison before now, but was desirous not to intrude while there was likely to be any interruption...
12To James Madison from William Duane, 27 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Duane. 27 August 1805 . “Francis Brueil, a French merchant connected with the Spanish Ambassador in many transactions, has recently applied to a tinman in this city to make a lantern such as is used in the service of artillery by night; one was made, and it is understood that a large number more are to be made. The Tinman suspecting that they might be intended for some purpose...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 15 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
President UStates, 1805 To Wm. Duane Dr.
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 12 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
For a considerable time reports very injurious to the public interest have been in circulation, in this city and in different parts of the State. The sentiments of the people have on no occasion been so strongly mark by sullen discontent, and public confidence has been very much shaken, by the reports in question. The peculiar situation in which I am placed is far from being grateful or...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 11 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been requested to state you if asked my opinion of the capacity and standing as a lawyer of Mr John L. Leib of Philadelphia, accident having prevented my waiting on you personally as I had proposed this day, I have taken the liberty of addressing you in this form—Mr. J. L Leib, is much more experienced than either of the young men whom I have heard named; he has had a very Extensive...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 2 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time since during your sojournment at Monticello, I forwarded you the loose Sheets of a pamphlet in the Spanish language, which I had printed Secretly. The accompanying affidavit will explain how I came to print it, under what impressions, & for whom. As I am not competent to translate Spanish, and the conduct of the Spanish Ambassador here had been so disreputable to his mission, I...
17To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 4 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The rumours in circulation here, concerning disturbances in Kentucky have excited a very strong sensation—it will be of some importance, by some means to settle the public feeling on the subject: the whole country will be with you if there is any actual exigency, if there is not the administration may derive great advantage from a seasonable counteraction of the alarm Judging it not impossible...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 16 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed is a literal copy of a communication made to me—the author I do not know, but the subject appears to me of too much importance not to be put in your possession, as I conceive my duty to my country cannot justify me in withholding from the Magistrate whose duty and evident wishes are to preserve its honor, peace and prosperity. I do not wish for any answer—I only send it as I have...
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 8 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Had I not made the brief communication a few days since concerning Commodore Truxton’s interview, I should not have deemed an anonymous article received through the Post office worthy of noting by letter—especially as it may be either well founded or malicious in its intention. I shall enclose the original note, and shall beg it to be returned as I may possibly trace the handwriting— Some...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 22 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The following is a copy of an anonymous communication made to me, which has since produced a correspondence with the writer, and a disclosure of the Cypher, therein alluded to, a copy of which I also subjoin. Copy “Mr. Duane In addition to the facts stated in your paper of this morning, you may add the following if you think proper. That in the month of July last, a confidential friend of...
21To James Madison from William Duane, 1 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I am induced to apply to you on the present occasion by an incidental hint which fell in conversation from a very intelligent gentleman in this city, who enquiring the progress of my edition of Dr. Franklin’s works, suggested that I ought to make application for liberty to copy such articles as might be deemed of value, of Dr. Franklin’s political productions while he was abroad, and that...
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 24 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed was Sent to me to be presented to you at Washington City, and forwarded hither—I take the liberty of enclosing it hence, as there is no calculating upon the period of Escape from this place—I am ever with affectionate respect DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
23To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 1 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I left late last night in the hands of your servant two letters from Richmond entrusted to me to be delivered to you—the lateness of the hour deprived me of the pleasure of delivering them in person; and as I have no business that would justify my occupying your time, I have preferred dropping this note for you, with a tender of my services in any situation which my humble talents may appear...
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 8 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Whatever maybe the ultimate issue of the violence already committed by the British, I respectfully submit if it would not be expedient to make immediate arrangements for the Establishment of Telegraphs such as would render the communication between the entrances of the Union and the principal points on the seaboard, and the seat of government prompt and clear. The expense of such an...
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 14 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
A party of citizens from this city who under an expectation of bing called by detachment on emergency to Fort Mifflin, were desirous of spending a day at the place and invited me to be one. Entertaining sentiments not favorable to Enterprise works, my views in writing to you are to represent the situation of a work already constructed, which is erected on a place very advantageous for the...
26To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 16 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received yours of the 14th—and shall attend to the matters noted in it. I have laid about for you a copy of Jawold’s animadversion by way of Answer to Malthus, in which my side of the question is taken against Malthus with much ability, tho I think he has left a great deal unsaid— The conversations on Chemistry, English Edit. I fear cannot be had—Cumberland I think may— McMahon’s...
27To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 5 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By the mail which carries this I have taken the liberty of sending you a copy or the first number of the Military library , a compilation of my own; it is my purpose to collect all that is to be had in the best books & to give them such a form as the first number exhibits, which may lead judicious men to enquire and think and inform those who are uninformed. I have obtained thro’ Genl....
28To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 12 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
There may or may not be something in the matter enclosed—if there is anything useful perhaps it may be obtained better without than with an advertisement—as the subject appears to me to be of very great importance— Tho’ I think the Dictionary Telegraph —with signs by numbers referring to the Word in the Dicty the most perfect system that can be devised—With the utmost respect DLC : Papers of...
29To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 17 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I think it my duty to enclose the letter herewith sent. I have cut the name of the person and his place of residence out, only in obedience to an injunction made to me repeatedly not to let his name be known as my correspondent. He is a man of unquestionable integrity, and is sufficently wealthy to be above all temptations to forfeit his character for worldly motives; he has sent collections...
30To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 29 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter enclosed has just come to my hands; I have no acquaintance with the Gentleman who writes it; [but] have had, he appears to [know?] received a number of communications more voluminous, but not so concise as this; all of them concur in making representations as strong and some even stronger than the Enclosed. That there has been a most nefarious scheme of speculation carried on there...
31To James Madison from William Duane, 8 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I expected before this time to have found some safe hand to transmit the Volume of papers by, but have been until this day unsuccessful. A Gentleman who sets out in a day or two promises to take it under charge in his trunk; I have it for the purpose safely packed up. I should have sent it before had I not meditated going to Washington myself. I find however that I can render more public...
32To James Madison from William Duane, 20 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed information I conceive to be better disposed of in the Department of State than in a newspaper, and therefore transmit it. I respectfully suggest that as the communicator did not perhaps expect to be thus before the Executive Department that in relation to him, to protect him from vengeance of Speculators, the letter be used only as in confidence. I have the honor to be Your...
33To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 29 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I think it my duty to enclose a letter to you received by me—I believe it contents to be true, from an overture very recently made to me, on the Subject of the Candidate for the Sn Chair—which have had no effect but disgust on me I think it proper also solemnly to declare that the Essays which appeared in the Aurora concerning Michigan were not written by Mr Griswold—I should have stated this...
34To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 20 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. Norris’s papers are in my hands, and Should have been forwarded last week, had I not been (as I have been for six weeks past) harrassed by various lawsuits; I am this day released to rest, but tomorrow my suit, or rather Gouverneur Morris’s suit against me comes on; it began on Thursday and may be expected to end tomorrow; I have had no counsel hitherto but have been induced to call in...
35To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 9 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letter contains information of a nature that ought not be unknown to the Executive, and I therefore enclose it. The subject to which it relates, induces me also to state, that much abuse of the Embargo has been committed in this port; I communicated to the Custom house information last week, of provisions and other articles put on board a vessel at one of our wharves; and...
36To James Madison from William Duane, 13 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Robert Armstrong, a native of Ireland who has come to the U States to obtain a will, on which there is much property depending at law, is desirous of obtaining permission to proceed by the Vessel now under dispatch, meaning to await the vessels departure for England, and thence to proceed to his destination in Ireland; the Will and all the papers relative thereto I have seen and am...
37To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 24 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The gentleman who bears this letter has been known by me for a considerable length of time in the Station of Surgeon at Fort Mifflin, and my knowlege of him is such that, tho’ I am sensible I take a great liberty in addressing you concerning him, I am perfectly convinced that if his merits were as well known to you, as I know them, that [you] would think me doing no more than such a duty as...
38To James Madison from William Duane, 14 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
The agents of the sometime Spanish ambassador Yrujo for what end I cannot penetrate, have Suddenly displayed an unusual eagerness to push two prosecutions against me in Yrujo’s name. One on account of the discourse which he held with Melimeli , and which Dr. Davis who is now in Barbary repo rted and resented. The other on account of Yrujo’s connexion with Burr . It was only yesterday I had...
39To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 23 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The present state of public affairs and the events which in one Shape or another must arise out it, calls for the exercise of all your sagacity and resolution. You have stood the storm of the revolution and passed through it with solid glory. You have sustained the shocks of a contemplated revolution more insidious, but not less menacing, and carried the national vessel safe through unexampled...
40To James Madison from William Duane, 1 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letter and draft will explain each other. In an effort to make an entire settlement of all my personal affairs, I have addressed, Mr. Adams of Orange Ct. House. The draft of Mr. Gooch not being indorsed by Mr. Adams is my reason for troubling you with the letter along with the draft. I wish to Send a small packet and Some information to Mr. Lyman our consul at London, and am...
41To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 4 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have learned that the military rank which you were pleased to nominate me for, has been confirmed by an honorable majority of 21 to 10 in the Senate. I owe you the expression at least of my thanks for your goodness on this occasion, and for the general benignity with which I have always been honored and favored by you; it is to me a very great solace, that exposed as I have been and daily...
42To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter from Natchitoches now before me contains the following Statements, which I think it proper to communicate, tho’ it may probably be obtained from other quarters. The letter is from a gentleman of undoubted credit & integrity “Some interesting Events are likely soon to occur in this quarter. Our Spanish neighbors talk of nothing but independence and are determined to Effect it the...