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Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at this place, and a favorable apportunity of addressing you, offering itself by a government vessel going to France with our late convention with that country, I avail myself of it being authorized by the President of the United States to perform the duties of this department per interim. The Country in which you reside having as well...
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at the seat of Government I have been authorized by the President to discharge the duties of that office per interim; and among the objects which have claimed the earliest attention is the Convention signed by yourselves and General Davie with the government of France. This instrument was laid before the Senate on the 16th. of December...
I have thought it my duty to submit to your consideration two letters, addressed to the Secretary, containing the application of Major Thomas A Dyson, for the office of marshal of this District of Columbia, as also Stephen Moylan’s letter of congratulation. Mr Gelsten’s having in view similar objects, is also submitted. The office, is informed by a letter from Mr Sitgreaves, that he declines...
with the letter, and the associated papers from Mr Porter, and three from Gent. in Alexandria recommending Capt Moore as register of wills in that district, I take the liberty of submitting to your inspection a letter of a more private nature just recd. from Boston—By it, my friends, it is easy to be perceived, have agreed to confuse. Explanations, it is to be hoped will remove the...
I omitted to mention that there was a mistake in making out the commission for Ray Greene of Providence. the design was, to appoint him to the office of a district Judge, the commission to him is, as judge of the circuit court—he has sent it back, & wishes to have it rectified. It is probable that Bourn was the judge of the district court. when the appointment was made—of course there was no...
I have the honor to forward for your consideration several setts of papers on subjects to which the attention of government has been pressed by the applicants. Priestman’s case will appear fully from his papers. Judge Peters certificate on the back of a former petition prefer’d to the treasurys office, excludes the idea of intentional wrong, for which purpose I have procured, & forward it. It...
The inclosed letter from the author of the former letters, would to me be too flattering, not to be read with the greatest complacency. I forward it with pleasure to the man, who deservedly commands, the affection, and the esteem of a Dickinson. The Pamphlet, which accompanies, on the agriculture of the United States, was sent to the office by Mr Williams, at the direction of Mr King. Two...
I had the honor of recg. yours of the 10th, this morning. It is much to be regreted, that Mr Madison indisposition continues. The public have much to expect from his abilities, and his Patriotism. The two returned Commissions are recorded, with blanks left for the names and dates —These will be necessary to complete the record. Joseph Clay jr. declines accepting his commission, as judge of the...
17 April 1801, Washington. Forwards a letter addressed to the secretary of state which, when opened, was actually meant for Mrs. Madison. Asks that Mrs. Madison pardon the impropriety and assures JM he is “perfectly ignorant of the contents.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.; docketed by JM.
It is from duty and inclination that I now write. After some accidental & unexpected delays on the road, I reached this place in health. Through the upper parts of Maryland & Pennsylvania, it is obvious that the federal cause is considered by it’s leaders as ruined, the sentiments of the people as changed & fast changing, in favor of the new order of things; and that these leaders from a...
The prize Ship Betsy Cathcart, in June 1796, with a British cargo on board, in her passage from one British port to another, being captured by a French privateer duly commissioned, was in distress brought into an American port. liberty to sell on repeated applications, by the captors, was refused on the part of the U.S. For the purpose of necessary repairs the cargo was permitted to be...
I received your favor inclosing papers respecting the Bingham and Cabott cause and will pay seasonable attention to them. I expect in a few days to see the Gentlemen who have had the conducting of that cause in court with whom I wish to consult on the subject, before I form an opinion. The very severe sickness of Mrs. Lincoln’s mother, and of herself, has prevented my Journeying, and the...
I ought to apologize for the many interlineations, and erasures in my letter respecting the Case of the Betsy Cathcart . It is a copy, by a little son who made mistakes, in copying from the original, which had been often interlined and altered. From a reperusal I fear, in some instances I have not expressed my ideas with sufficient clearness, and in others, have unnecessarily repeated them a...
By yours of the 12th mentioning a former letter which I have since had the honor of receiving, I was put into a state of some anxiety. The one of the 11th from some circumstance or another did not come to hand untill several days after the one of a later date. It is said by the Worcester post-Office tht. it went on to Boston & afterwards came back. On its reception, not suspecting it had been...
Since my last by a letter from Brown the Navy agent in Boston I have his accont of the condemnation, sale & repairs of the Berceau, excepting the cost which, at present, he is not able to furnish but which he will forward as soon as it is in his power—The words of the instruction are different from what I supposed they were. I supposed them to have been expressed, as Brown considered the...
Since my last , has been received your’s of the 26th & 28 of August. The former was read with great pleasure, and the subject matter of the latter had been previously attended to—I lately spent several days in Boston, find the sentiments and feelings of the opposition, much as I have heretofore stated. The republicans in spirits, the federalists depressed, and the lower classes of them, are...
you will have learnt before this reaches you, that we have failed in electing a republican member for the next Congress. The defeat was occasioned by the grossest misrepresentations & the basest arts. Emissaries were sent round the district to propagate slander in a way which could not be detected untill it was too late—Both the Worcester papers have been devoted to the federal party. The...
Perceiving by a paper, just received, that Mr Madison had arrived at Washington, I am reminded of my own situation in reference to the Government. I have had no letter for a long time, which, is considered, as a proper, though, severe punishment for my neglect in not writing myself. I have no apology, unless the want of something of importance, enough to be communicated can be allowed, as...
The Address. relieved from the danger— 2 page—3 line Quere—if the word from had not better be inserted as the word commerce understood is the object on which the verb seems immediately to operate Page 3d. — Quere, whether postage on newspapers had not better be added to the list of duties to be suspended. The means of instruction and of spreading knowledge are generally in all the States, not...
16 December 1801, Washington. Transmits the secretary of the treasury’s 14 Dec. report and the proceedings of the treasury officers, in which are described the measures authorized by the board and completed since the commissioners’ report of 28 Nov. 1800. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Reports from the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, 7A-F7). RC 1 p.; signed by JM and the other...
29 December 1801, Washington. In reply to JM’s note [not found] enclosing Indiana territorial governor’s letter of inquiry [not found], gives opinion on 3 Mar. 1791 law confirming pre-Revolutionary land titles in Illinois country and making grants to certain settlers in the region. RC ( DNA : RG 60, Letters from and Opinions of Attorneys General). 6 pp.; docketed by Wagner. Printed in Benjamin...
Sir I have carefully considered the subject you did me the honor of submiting to my attention. The people of the five N England Governments (unless Rhode Island is an exception) have always been in the habit of observing fasts and thanksgivings in “pursuance of proclamations from their respective Executives.” This custom is venerable being handed down from our ancestors. The Republicans of...
21 January 1802, Washington. Received on 20 Jan. JM’s letter [not found] enclosing that of 16 Jan. from William Bingham’s agent [Charles Willing Hare], who had already sent him a similar letter and printed statement of the case. Gives brief history of most recent trial in Cabot et al. v. Bingham lawsuit in which plaintiffs were awarded $34,630.25. Believes that Bingham’s incorrect statements...
After the utmost attention which I have been able to pay to the questions , respecting the northwestern territory, which you did me the honor of submitting to my consideration there is a difficulty in giving a decisive answer. I can find no grounds, or principles for a very confident decision in, or out of the ordinance for the establishment of that Government. Nothing can be collected to aid...
By the chronicle, received yesterday, we have learnt the fate of Mr Morton’s motion in the legislature of Massachusetts. If the only object was, to obtain an address, the measure was certainly ill-concerted, they ought first to have known their numbers. It is apparent that the friends to the motion did not expect to carry it, but meant it, as a measure to effect future elections. The inclosed...
11 March 1802, Washington. Relates circumstances of the case of the vessel Mercator , “alledged to be Danish property, and for the capture of which a claim is now made on the United States.” The Mercator was seized off Saint-Domingue by the American schooner Experiment on 14 May 1800; six hours later, while sailing under the American flag, it was seized by the British armed ship General Simcoe...
26 March 1802, Washington. “In answer to your communications, as contained in the letter of the attorney Genl. of the Mississippi territory, enclosed by Governor Claiborne respecting claims to vacant lands in that territory, I can state little more than general principles, and a loose opinion on the described cases.… Nothing can be clearer, than that all grants, made by the Spanish Government...
I have the honor of stating my ideas on the subject submitted to my consideration by your favor of yesterday. The Courts of the Columbia District, are national ones created by statute. Their powers are merely judicial, unless in particular instances particularly expressed, or necessarily implied. The mere establishment of these courts did not of course include, a particular extent of...
I have the honor to enclose to you the communications which I recd., yesterday, from the Spanish minister, together with my ideas on the Subject. I can find no provision, in the Constitution, in any law of the United States, or in the treaty with Spain, which reaches the case—I have examined them particularly. The communication states a transaction, involving a highhanded breach of the peace,...
In examining the charges against Govr. St. Clair and his defence, it is perceived, that an improper exercise of a confidence, or of a discretion, which had been placed in him, constitute an important part of them. This discretion can be rightfully exercised only when it aims at the ends for which it was intrusted. It is not directed by any special provisions, either in the ordinance, or in any...
The authority given, by law to grant patents is unquestionably confined to the citizens of the U. S. The priviledge is a monopoly, in derogation of common right, and as it is not, ought not to be, extended, to foreigners. Was it to be, it would be subject to endless abuses, privations and embarrasments to our citizens. I have no doubt on the Question. With sincere friendship your Humble Sevt....
26 May 1802, Washington. Gives opinion on the case of a Portuguese brig “which you did me the honor of submitting to my consideration.” On 28 July 1800 the brig was recaptured by Captain Rodgers of the ship Maryland after having been captured thirteen days earlier by a private armed schooner from Bordeaux. Rodgers arrived at St. Kitts on 20 Aug. with the brig. The admiralty court there refused...
The Secretary of the Treasury reported to the Board, that provision has already been made to meet nearly all the demands which will become due in Holland, during the course of the present year, but, that it is necessary to make immediate provision for the payments on account of principal & Interest which fall due there, during the first five months of the year 1803, and amounting to Four...
On examining the charges against Governor St. Clair, and his defence, unaccompanyed with any documents, I some time since wrote the inclosed, & delivered those papers to the secretary of the navy. I have perused the vouchers which were put into my hands yesterday, in support of the charges, and find nothing, which changes the opinion which I had formed on reading the defence, excepting that...
I have the honor, in compliance with your request, to submit to your consideration, my ideas respecting the case of the schooner Peggy. This vessel, if the information I have been able to collect, abroad, is correct, for it does not appear from the papers I am furnished with, was captured in the neig[h]bourhood of a west India Island, and so near the shore, and so destitute of arms, as to...
Since I forwarded you the papers respecting the schooner Peggy, Mr Pichon has furnished me with the opinion of the supreme Court, on which, their decree was founded, and which, connects their decision with the treaty. Had I have seen this opinion before, I should [have] given my own, in defference to it, with less confidence, but still differing from it. Our convictions depend on the views, we...
Deeming it of importance that you should know, as fully as possible, the state of the public mind; and the feelings, and opinions of the people, which you are obliged to meet, and to manage, especially, in that difficult part of the Country, of which I am an inhabitant, I have thought proper to submit to your inspection the inclosed letters— They prove, what I am sure has taken or will soon...
I have the honor to submit to your consideration my Ideas, generally, on the questions which arise, in the case of the Brig Los Amigos, without being able finally, to form an opinion, satisfactory to myself, on all of them. It appears from the papers, that this Brig was owned by a Spanish subject, and in the prosecution of a voyage, from Jamaica to Cabello, was captured by Capt Maly of the...
I have the honor to forward a letter recd by the last mail from the District attorney of Vermont respecting the strange affair referred to in the accompanying papers which you some time since enclosed to me. I am Sir most respectfully yours RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, LOAG ). RC docketed by Brent. For the enclosed letter from David Fay to Lincoln, 29 June 1802 (3 pp.; docketed by Brent),...
I have the honor to enclose a letter which I recd some time since respecting the continuence of Mr Smith as a marshal of the district of Pennsylvania — In looking into the act, to amend the judicial system , which passed the last Session, and compareing it with those, with which it connects, I do not find the reappointment of the marshals, which you mean to continue, absolutely, necessary; but...
I met my family in health, after a journey of dispatch, and of course, some fatigue. At Hartford, the only place in which I made any stop, The republicans appeared to be very firm, spirited, & full of confidence—They say, the opposition is incensed, strugling, and yielding. That, in may, there was a convocation of the Clergy in that place, at which Mr Morse was present, and that the sunday,...
I hope a letter , some time since, directed to you at the seat of Govt. altho it contained no treason, did not fail of reaching you. The spirit, and bitterness of the opposition is as great as ever. The numbers has however, not increased; I think, some what, diminished: Every thing, every calumny, which malice can invent, or baseness propagate, is put in circulation. Respectable people, or at...
29 October 1802, Worcester. Has considered the case of Captain Clifton, on which JM asked his opinion. “It is believed no law recognized by nations, enacted, or adopted by the U States is particularly applicable to this case, or will render it proper for the US to interpose. I doubt very much the authority of the general Govt to take, forcibly detain in custody, and bring to this country from...
The Letter from Mr. Callender inclosed to me by Morton as also Mr Morton’s I do myself the honor to forward; I mean to follow them, in eight or ten days, if the situation of my family will permit. They are getting better exerpt my youngest whose situation appears to be critical. It not being probable, that any new commissioners of bankruptcy will be appointed in Boston immediately I shall not...
Mr. John Waldo, letters from whom I have heretofore handed you soliciting for a Consulship, is now in this town. It is in compliance with his request that I do myself the honor to state to you his continued wishes on this subject. He says Mr Livingston has written you in his behalf. He has letters with him, from Barlow, Sumpter & others, which Speak very handsomely of him. He means to wait on...
+  considering the great captiousness of the opposition, I respectfully, suggest for consideration whether the following alteration, would be of any advantage viz—after the word, Yet , in the ninth line of the first paragraph , to insert, our revenues are . –  Instead of the word fiscal , in the last line of the same paragraph, to use the word, needless , or unnecessary , to guard against a...
By the last mail I recd. letters from two very respectable Gent. in the county of Essex, to whom I had written, respecting the political Conduct of Mr Whettimore the Surveyor of Gloucester . As I assured them no use should be made of their names, they are not mentioned. From one of these letters the following is an extract—“I have made particular enquiries respecting Mr Whittemores political...
It is to be feared, that I shall be too troublesome. But deeming it of importance tht. the feelings, spirit, and measures of the people, especially at the head quarters of opposition principles , should be seasonably and correctly known, I am induced to ask your perusal of the inclosed. I should have personally waited on you, but from an idea, that at the present time, it would have been...
5 January 1803, Washington. Acknowledges JM’s 4 Jan. note with the enclosures. “Wm. Holliday devises to his son Robert, ’ 1,000 acres of back lands situate about six miles distant Kentucky river, in the North western territory , being so much of a survey of 1,500 acres of soldier’s right surveyed by John Machir on my account .[’]” Nathaniel Massie previously had surveyed for William Holliday...
I ought to dismiss all scruples, and apprehensions respecting the constitutionality of the proposed bargain with France , when Gentlemen much more capable of viewing the transaction in all its various bearings have satisfied themselves on the subject. The importance of New Orleans and the Floridas, with the unimpeded navigation of the Mississippi to the U.S., to their peace and prosperity, is,...