1To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 17 October 1815 (Madison Papers)
From my own knowledge of Majr. Harris’s charactor and services, and from information received from many officers of distinction, I have no doubt of the correctness of the accompanying narative, and I think his claim to rank, as stated by Genl. Ripley, no more than he is clearly entitled to. His highly respectable standing in society, added to his faithfull and distinguished services, form such...
2To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 14 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
I was the last evening honored with your letter of the 6th. Inst. Why Genl. Smyth has not thought it expedient to request a Court of Enquirey, I am at a loss to conjecture, the method he has prefered, towit, a newspaper defence & Justification, is unusual in such cases, and not calculated to produce a satisfactory result. I had presumed that his friends would advise him to request a regular...
3To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 21 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
Will not the late discovery of Treasonable intentions, render it expedient to be more cautious, in appointing Federal characters (especially in the Northern States) to the higher grades in the Army. A conciderable portion of Field officers are Federal, and if a still greater proportion of the Genl. officers should be of that description, would not the active supporters of the Government, and...
4To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 7 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
The good of the service as well as a due regard to my own charactor, induces me to give you a scetch of the present state of affairs in the 9th. Military District. The Act of Congress for improving the organization of the Staff of the Army, and repealing such parts of the former Laws as come within the purview of the new Act, is concidered as displacing the officers who were appointed under...
5To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 17 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
By the request of Genl. Boyd I take the liberty of stating to you my opinion of his conduct at the landing of our Troops in uper Canada near Fort George. On that occasion I had an opportunity of observing the conduct of Genl. Boyd while landing at the head of his Brigade, under a very heavy and galling fire from a large body of British Troops, his conduct & that of Col Scott on that occasion...
6To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 6 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Eakin late Pay-Master for this District having requested me to say what I know of his character as a Public Officer—I feel no objection to stating that as far as my acquaintance with Mr. Eakin’s Character extends, he has been attentive to the duties of his Office and has been considered as a capable & correct Officer. Such appears to be the genl. Opinion of the principal...
7To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 12 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
As the ultimate question in relation to war must soon be decided, and it may be concidered expedient to appoint a Collector for this place, I take the liberty of observing that as you were pleased to mention to me, the propriety, (if practicable,) of placing the Collectorship in such hands as would render it convenient to restore me to that place, in the event of a short war, I have prevailed...
8To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 15 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I was this day honored with your letter of the 9th. inst. having been placed in a very unpleasant situation I have endeavored to make the best arrangements for the ultimate success of our Army, that circumstancies permit, the perticular circumstancies which have occasioned the most unfortunate imbarrasments, were my having no orders or directions in relation to uper Canada, (which I had...
9To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 13 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
As the number of additional Majr. Genels. recently appointed will enable the Executive to select such as may be best qualified for the most important commands, I hope the power will be exercised freely, and in such maner as the public good may require, regarding no other concideration than that of the qualities of the respective officers, and be assured Sir that no one will more readily &...
10To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 26 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
Our political opponents in, and out, of the Legislature, are endeavouring to inspire as general an opposition to the measures of the Genl. Government as possible, how far they will venture toward an open resistence, is uncertain, nothing but their fears will prevent their going all lengths. It is said that they have not received so satisfactory information from New York, as they had expected....