31To James Madison from William Jones, 11 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is copy of a letter received this morning from Capt Perry. Thus Sir you see the vessels that were “built in a pond from whence they could not be removed” are afloat in safety on the broad Lake having passed the Bar in the presence of the enemy without interruption which I take to be an acknowledgement of inferiority. You will observe that the eight vessels which had passed the Bar...
32To James Madison from William Jones, 12 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
Last night Coll Duval of Annapolis came up from that place in haste to see the Secretary at War who had left this place the preceding day. Col D. states that the enemy in great force are approaching Annapolis with the evident intention of attacking it and that Colonel Carbery had received orders from Gen Smith to repair immediately to Baltimore the execution of which had been suspended merely...
33To James Madison from William Jones, 14 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed extracts and copies from Com Chauncey & Captn Perrys letters and from the private letters of General Williams to the Secretary of War will convey to you the state of things on the Lakes. The prospect is propitious whatever may be the result. The presence of the British fleet on the Lake is I take it a desperate (but successful) effort to relieve the forces at the head of the Lake...
34To James Madison from William Jones, 16 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
Mr Osgood the Naval Officer of New York is dead. The offices of Surveyor & Naval Officer are of course to fill. You mentioned Furguson Coffin and Heath. I enclose a letter from Mr Lefferts MC. to Mr Gale. Mr Alexr McComb father of Col McComb and former great Speculator is also an applicant for the Naval Office. Will you please to say which of the Candidates or what other shall fill the...
35To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 16 August] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I enclose for your information copy of a letter from Mr Anderson Navy Store keeper New York who has been with Commodore Chauncey from the commencement of the Lake service. He is a judicious active man whose services have been very important and being in Chaunceys confidence he has a perfect knowledge of the past and present state of things in that quarter. I am very respectfully Your Obdt....
36To James Madison from William Jones, 17 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I herewith transmit the proceedings of a Court Martial held at Point Petre 19th July for the trial of Lieutenant Alexander Sevier Commanding a detachment of Marines serving with the Army of the UStates in that quarter—which resulted in a sentence of dismission from the service of the U States. I have reason to believe that an impartial enquiry into the general character and conduct of Lieut...
37To James Madison from William Jones, 18 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
A letter from Genl Boyd and a private one from Genl Williams states that Com Chauncey lost two of his smallest vessels by upsetting in a squall and that by a sudden shift of wind the enemy were enabled to get between two more of his smallest vessels and the squadron but it is not known whether they were captured or escaped. They state however that Chauncey was still pursuing the enemy in order...
38To James Madison from William Jones, 21 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the proceedings of the court martial in the case of Lieut Sevier and upon reflection I think it will be better to remit than to reverse the Sentence and will be in conformity with General Pinckneys letter. Indeed as he has confirmed the sentence though stayed the execution I believe there is no other regular course but to remit. If you think to please say at the foot of the...
39To James Madison from William Jones, 23 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
On the day of your departure from this City you directed the Removal of Josiah Weston Collector of New Bedford which upon looking into the Department I took the liberty of suspending for a few days as the usual course in cases of complaint against Collrs. had been adopted in this Viz to direct some trusty person to investigate the alleged grounds of complaint and report to the Depmt. The...
40To James Madison from William Jones, 23 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have received a Despatch from Com Chauncey dated the 13th. at Sacketts Harbour where he had that day arrived with the Gen Pike, Oneida, Madison, Gov Tompkins, Conquest, Ontario, Pert, & Lady of the Lake; having left the Fair American and Asp at Niagara. He would that day take in five weeks provision and sail in the evening in pursuit of the Enemy. The aspect of this Despatch is unfavorable...
41To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 26 August] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Extract from a letter from Fort George U. C. Augt. 17. 1813 By a despatch last night at Taptoo we learn that the enemys fleet had come to Just off the Creek (12 mile Creek) handed his Sails & was preparing to land, when Com. Chauncy’s fleet appeared in Sight & was, when the express left, in chase of the Enemy. Unfortunately the weather is this day very boisterous & therefore the Comre. will...
42To James Madison from William Jones, 27 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
A friend in London has forwarded to me the latest maps of the Canadas, that of the upper province published in Jany last upon a large scale and from official authority. It is certainly the best I have seen. I send it by this days mail for your inspection and when you may find it convenient to return it I shall forward it to the secretary of War on the frontiers where it may be useful. We have...
43To James Madison from William Jones, 7 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
From day to day have I been in expectation of receiving something, at least from the Lakes of Sufficient Importance to communicate to you but my last from Chauncey is of the 20th and from Perry of the 21st. ulto. It appears by the papers that Com Chauncey must have left Sacketts Harbour again with the addition of his New Schooner last Sunday Week and it is also said that the British fleet are...
44To James Madison from William Jones, 8 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday received letters from Com Chauncey to the 28th. He was then ready and would sail that night with Gen Wilkinson onboard for the upper end of the Lake. He had sent over a flag merely for the purpose of looking into Kingston, and found the enemys fleet had sailed. The new Schooner is a very efficient addition to Chaunceys force she sails with him—his whole force in perfect order and...
45To James Madison from William Jones, 10 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have received a letter from Captain Allen commander of the U.S. Brig Argus dated L’Orient 12 June saying that he had arrived safe there in a passage of 23 days and had captured the British Schooner Salamanca. Accept my congratulations upon the pleasing event of the safe arrival of our friend Mr Crawford. It appears the armistice had been protracted to the middle of August & as that period...
46To James Madison from William Jones, 11 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a copy of captn Perrys letter of the 2d Inst received this day. You will perceive he has returned to Sandusky waiting for the movements of Genl Harrison. The following is an extract from Genl Boyds private letter to the War Depmt recd this day. It is dated 5th. Inst. at F’ George. “Gen Wilkinson arrived late last evening—the fleet is also here—the British fleet in sight.” Official...
47To James Madison from William Jones, 14 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Accept my congratulations and the glorious little victory of the Enterprize over the Boxer. It is in as high style and [ sic ] any that has preceded it and serves to enliven the national feeling during a period of suspense and anxiety. Gen Bloomfield has recieved a private letter from Col Brearley with a postscript of the 7th at Fort George. Our fleet was out on the Lake in pursuit of the...
48To James Madison from William Jones, 18 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have this morning received your favors of the 16th. and immediately sat down and made the enclosed sketch of our Treasury resources. It is made in haste but I believe will be found substantially correct. I have not met with Sheldon this morning to cast his eye over it. The original Balance and the estimates of monthly receipts & expenditures was taken from a pretty accurate statement of the...
49To James Madison from William Jones, 21 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed Handbill will inform you of a Naval Victory than which nothing ever was more complete glorious and important in the effects which it must inevitably produce. It appears that their new Ship must have been among the number. Tomorrow I trust will give us a glorious account from Chauncey the accounts thus far warrant the belief. Accept my sincere congratulations. Genl Armstrong...
50To James Madison from William Jones, 22 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received the details of Perrys Victory. It was sanguinary & severe. We lost 27. Killed 96 Wounded. Lieut Brooks of the Marines & Midshipman Laub. the only officers of note killed. The Laurence, Perrys flag ship lost 22 killed—61 Wounded and the ship utterly disabled so that in the midst of the action he shifted his flag to the Niagara when her Commander the gallant Elliot...
51To James Madison from William Jones, 22 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Be pleased to sign and transmit the enclosed transfer. It is intended to meet the 80,000 Drs. overdrawn per Second column of the Statement herewith enclosed. Very respectfully Your Obdt Servt RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). Enclosures not found, but see n. 1. The transfer stated that pursuant to the authority given the President by the act of Congress of 3 Mar. 1809, JM was directing that $60,000 of...
52To James Madison from William Jones, 25 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Unless some additional proposals come in by the northern mail this day which I do not expect, the Loan will be closed at 88¼ money for 100 Stock payable agreeably to the instalments in the advertisement. I could have closed it at 88½ allowing them to pay the whole down at the Second Instalment but some inconvenience would have arisen in varying the terms from those published and moreover the...
53To James Madison from William Jones, 1 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I herewith enclose a Tableau of the several Districts, candidates & persons recommending for appointments under the tax Laws, containing all the applications made to this time. I found Sir that the mere names would have afforded but a very partial mean of deciding as some of the letters are warm & decisive whilst others are cold and equivocal. I have therefore directed the whole of the letters...
54To James Madison from William Jones, 13 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
The letter & Postscript which you saw published in the National Intelligencer giving an acct of the tremendous Battle between Chauncey & Yeo was from Gen. Wilkinson whose imagination had converted a running fight into a close action dismasting boarding &c. Indeed there is nothing so deceptive as nautical appearance to those not familiar with such scenes. Yeo’s constant object has been to...
55To James Madison from William Jones, 14 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
The northern mail of yesterday brought an account of the partial success of Chauncey in capturing 4 of Yeo’s Schooners with about 300 regular troops onboard. I hope the mail of to day may bring me his letters. Tristram Dalton whom you had designated for one of the Collectorships in Massachusetts is also an applicant for that Office in the District of Columbia which it is thought he would...
56To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 8 November 1813] (Madison Papers)
A vacancy having occurred by the death of the late Naval Officer for the port of Philad. permit me to recommend for that place an old and valued friend, Mr Saml Clarke of Philada. whose honor integrity & Sound republican principles I have tested by the closest connexion from the year 1781 (when we were captured in the same vessel after a severe action and became tenants of the same prison...
57To James Madison from William Jones, 16 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 13th. instant, I have the honor to state, That the amount of duties accruing on goods, wares and merchandise imported into the United States from the 1st. day of July 1812 to the 31st. day of December of the same year, for which period the accounts of the Collectors of the Customs are settled, was Ds. 9,869,199.31. And the amount of...
58To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 20 December] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Measures are taken to forward the Embargo Act with a p[r]int circular to the collectors and it will go off tomorrow in order to notify the parties concerned of the passing of the Act. I have also directed Mr Sheldon so to modify the instructions as to provide for the exception of vessels licensed for the fisheries or whaling voyages and it will be printed with the utmost possible dispatch. The...
59To James Madison from William Jones, [21 December] 1813 (Madison Papers)
With anxious solicitude for the return of the Secretary of the Treasury which at the time of his departure was confidently anticipated in all the month of November I have forborne to reiterate the excessive pressure of the duties of the two Deptmts. however relieved in the details of the Treasury by the subordinate officers of that Depmt. until it has become intolerable by the interruptions...
60To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. January 1814] (Madison Papers)
No man has been more conversant with Banking Institutions, monied operations, and Stocks, than Mr Fox. He was employed in the accounting Depmt. of the U S during the revolution and in digesting and liquidating their accounts few men participated so largely. He was the first Cashier of the Pennsylvania Bank from its establishment to the yellow fever of 1793 on which account he left it as well...