1From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 26. and return the projected answer to Adml. Cochrane, with a few pencilled alterations, which you will perceive the Scope of; and adopt, or remodify as you may think best. The last one is intended to obviate the apparent inconsistency occurring to you. The only ground on which the B. Govt. could properly, or prudently call the attention of this to the affair in...
2From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 1 April] 1813 (Madison Papers)
The views with which the U.S. entered into the war, necessarily dispose them to a just peace. The promptitude with which the mediation of H.I.M. was accepted and the purpose of sending ministers to St.P. without waiting for the determination of G.B. is proof of this disposition. An armistice as sparing an effusion of blood, & as contemplating an auspicious result to the mediation, can not...
3From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 21st. is just recd. I am sorry to learn that your health continues to fluctuate, as well as that you are detained from your intended trip, which would doubtless aid it, by the causes you mention. I hope the next information will be more favorable. The omission to sanction the appt. of Commodore Lewis ⟨pr⟩oceeded from a misapprehension of your letter. I thought, on a hasty […] my...
4From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
I ascribe to the heat of the weather my not having yet had the pleasure of your promised visit. We hope when the obstacle is removed that we shall have the gratification increased by the company of Mrs. Monroe. Among the papers now forwarded is another note from Mr. F. His late ones breathe a spirit which it is difficult to account for without the painful supposition that he believes it not...
5From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favors of the 16 & 17. The communication of de Forrest is extremely interesting. The view it gives of the B. policy towards the U.S. is so strikingly just, and so strictly accords with that which has regulated the course of the Executive that it is much to be regretted that his paper is not in a form and is without an authority, to be published. If it had been in the form of...
6From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Still without authentic information from Abroad. The Halifax papers expect Adml. Warren with a naval force, and an offer of peace. It appears that Wellington has gained a victory over Marmont; The extent of it not ascertained. From the West the accounts are that a B & Indn. force amounting to about 600 left Malden after the surrender of Detroit, to attack F. Wayne, & in case of success, to...
7From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have yours of the 12th. intended for the 11th. inst. I have no map by which I can judge of the comparative values of the 2 offers of Mr Bagot as to the fisheries. There will be some delicacy in referring the arrangement to Mr. A. who prefers a decision here, and will say that we having better means of procuring the necessary information we ought not to put the task & responsibility on him....
8From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours covering the letters to Mr. Changuion & Genl. P. My hint as to the pecuniary arrangements for tracing the cases of the Negroes carried off was not meant to limit the amt. necessary for so important an object, but to diminish as much as possible the pecuniary discretion and the vague pretensions of the agents, so much perplexity having been experienced from such sources. I am...
9From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I this moment receive your favor of the 30th. It gives me much pleasure, that you have so soon got rid of your fever. Whenever you come on you[r] visit to Albemarle, I should be glad to see you, if you could make this a Stage and be reconciled to the little delay it would incur. I can with great conveniency give you a conveyance for the residue of the journey; and if apprized in time wd. have...
10From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 23d. and learn with much pleasure that you are not disinclined to the Station wch. the one answered by it, presented to your consideration. In discharging the duties of this Station, I am aware that the Functionary must carry into it, a just respect for his own principles, and above all for the dictates of his Conscience. But with the mutual knowledge of our...
11From James Madison to James Monroe, [13 September] 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your favor of this date. I need not express the perfect confidence I feel in the friendly & considerate inducements to your suggestion. But having made definitive preparation for the intended visit; having in no instance omitted it for many years, & the motive being strengthened by the late one recd. by myself, I think the omission, if tested by prudential calculations of a...
12From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 23d. I inclose another respectable application for the place held by the late Mr. Daingerfield. I am sensible of the delicacy attending the selection, as it relates to yourself; and will, if I can, converse with Mr. Nelson, on all the views which ought to be taken of the subject, before I form a final opinion. Being on a visit to Mr. Jefferson for a few days I may...
13From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 18th. by Mr. Mercer and have weighed as well as I could the pros & cons of the little enterprize half-formed by you. If it cd. be eligibly undertaken under any auspices, I am sure it would be under yours. But I confess its success would seem to require more celerity & secrecy than might be attainable, and in our situation offensive measures even on a small scale would...
14From James Madison to James Monroe, [22 August 1814] (Madison Papers)
I recd yours of 11 P.M. about 20 minutes ago. You will hear from Genl. A. or myself by other express who will leave this about 9 or 10 OC. If the force of the Enemy be not greater than yet appears, & he be without Cavalry, it seems extraordinary that he shd. venture on an enterprize to this distance from his shipping. He may however count on the effect of boldness & celerity on his side, and...
15From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of yesterday, with the accompanying papers was delivered by the Express today, by 2 oC. The subject of them presents itself in a very perplexing posture. Under the power implied where not expressly waived, the arrangement might be rejected; but respect for the character & motives of our functionary unites with other considerations against that course. The course you suggest has...
16From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I inclose for your perusal 2 letters from Mr. Jefferson. I apprehend that his idea of recoining for circulation the Exposè, would be more tardy as well as difficult than he calculates. His letters however are interesting; and may be communicated in such parts as you think proper to Mr. Dallas. I wish them of course to be returned. I see by several papers that a very unfair play is going on,...
17From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 July 1810. Acknowledged in Monroe to JM, 25 July 1810 . Concerns the employment of Bizet, a French gardener.
18From James Madison to James Monroe, [3 June 1814] (Madison Papers)
J. Madison requests a consultation with the Heads of Dept. on Tuesday next at Eleven OClock. June 3. 1814. The object is to decide on the plan of Campaign which our means render most eligible. The Secy. of State will cause to be made out & send over, any information recd in his Dept. relative to the military or naval force of the Enemy destined to Canada or to the U.S; or to military or naval...
19From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday the 2 letters from Onis herewith returned, and today copies of the papers transmitted by Mr. Crowninshield, which as the originals are in the Dept. I retain. The law of Nations, and our position in relation to the contest between Spain & Spanish America, will of course govern the reply to these representations. The remarks of Judge Story as to the fisheries are valuable, and...
20From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 14th. The confidential letters in it were returned by the same mail addressed to you as you suggested. The case of Genl. Ripley is in several respects a delicate one. If he is not satisfied with being breveted, and insists on a Court of Enquiry as a matter of right, ought he not still to have one? A refusal may subject the administration, to a suspicion of...
21From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 11 August 1814] (Madison Papers)
Is not Mr. Neilson’s request within the opinion of Mr. Rush agst the departure of American vessels with B. licence. Walkers case falls under a general regulation wch. Genl. Mason has in view. RC ( DNA : RG 59, War of 1812 Papers, Correspondence regarding Passports). In JM ’s hand. Undated; addressee not indicated. Conjectural date assigned and addressee identified based on evidence in nn. 1–2....
22From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 [August] 1811 (Madison Papers)
I just find by the letters from W. that you had at length been liberated from your detention there. Mr. Graham having left the packet for you unsealed, I have glanced over the papers relating to Grassin & the letters of Foster. I am glad to find that the Owner of the Privateer, domicil[i]ated here, is taken in hand. There can be no legal difficulty I presume in dealing with him. Foster seems...
23From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I omitted in mine of yesterday to advert to the remark in yours relating to Genl. Ripley. If he be retained in service preferably to the pretensions of others, he ought doubtless to be breveted. And should he be postponed, that compliment if liable to no objection not known to me, would alleviate his disappointment. In the latter view, it ought to be understood however that the brevet is not a...
24From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
Another Mail has arrived without a word from or of Mr. C. I inclose a letter from J.P.T. which gives a better glimpse from London, than has otherwise appeard. I inclose another from Mr. C. which was not followed by the supplement contingently promised. The contents are inconsistent with the ordinary calculation of dates and events. But in the present period, nothing is incredible that is not...
25From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from Genl. R. with those which it covers, will put you in possession of the wishes of Genl. Ripley. Be so good, after communicating with Mr. Dallas, if at Washington, as to have the proper answer given to it. If I mistake not, the Majr. Rowland recommended by Mr. Bealle &c. is already appointed, or has been named to the Dept. of State for that purpose. Affe. respects RC (...
26From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I expected this morning to have reached Genl. W. & yourself before your departure from Montgy. C.H. but was delayed so that I did not arrive there till 6 OC. Partly to obtain quarters, partly with a view to be within communication with you, I have proceeded thus far, in company with Mr. Rush Genl. Mason &c; and avail myself of the Bearer to inform you that I will either wait here till you join...
27From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 16 from Fredg. is recd. That of the 11th. from Washington came also duly to hand. Be so good as to drop me notice of the day of your leaving Richmond, and previous notice as soon as you fix on the day of your intended departure from Albemarle. The information may be useful in regulating any intermediate communications that may be called for. I shall fix on my return to the City,...
28From James Madison to James Monroe, [14 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
An Expres[s] mail from Genl. Brown, states Officially that an action took place at Chippeway with Genl. Riall (having probably the whole B. force in the Peninsa:) in which the Enemy were defeated, leaving 400 killed & wounded on the field, and escaping to their works not distant. Genl. Scott seems to have had a conspicuous share in the victory. Our loss is not mentioned. The details were to...
29From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 2d. inst: last night. Your observations on the policy called for by the crisis produced by Hull’s surrender are entirely just; and I feel all the value of the aid you offer in meeting it in a proper manner. Both before & since our parting conversation on that subject, the idea has been revolved in the hope that some shape might be given to it worthy both of your standing...
30From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of the 16th. & 20th. the last misdated, and the former delayed by high waters. Your letter to Gen: Winder is best in the moderated temper you have given it. The return of the offensive paper from Prevost will be, however lenient in the manner, not a little grating to his pride. There is so little prospect of an armistice thro’ him, that it is scarcely worth while...
31From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed paper gives the report sent you yesterday in all its circumstances. It is probable that the Battle of the 18th. June terminated in a shock to B. affairs and possible that it may have been fatal. Some of the circumstances are at the same time little consistent with others, and it is possible that the substance may be a fabrication. This is certainly the case if the Bramble spoken...
32From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 8th. accompanied by the joint & several Commission for Mr. Shaler & the two naval Commanders, which I have signed. I have signed also a blank sheet, for the provisional use noted with a pencil as suggested by Mr. Pleasanton. The case of Genl. Wilkinson is, like that of some others truly distressing. The office in the Customs at N.Y. I suppose is shut agst. him....
33From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the communications from you rcd. by yesterday’s mail. If Mr. Daschkoffs application can not be parried, it will be better to comply with it than to appear rigid at the present moment. It is strange however that his object should be of such importance as to overballance the expence of a special flag to Warren. Why not make his communication thro’ some of the Commanders on the Coast?...
34From James Madison to James Monroe, 31 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
The rider bringing me the mail of this morning, is accompanyed by one who goes on to you. Perc[i]eving that his bag is entirely empty, I send a few of the newspapers which contain all the latest news. The communications from Detroit will put you in possession of the arrangements made by Col: But. on the subjects of Malden, Mackinac, & Isle au bois blanc. He appears to merit the character he...
35From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. the gratifying confirmation of the late accts. from L. Ontario, with the important addition from Harrison of the 5th. inst: These successive events will be deeply felt by the Creeks & other Southern Indians, but not in time to prevent the sequel of the disaster at Fort Mimms or the heavy expence occasioned by the preparations for the Creek war. I shall soon be on the road for...
36From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
If I did not misunderstand you when in Washington the Gardener Beza, was not now engaged or wanted for your service, and would not, probably, be unwilling to undertake a job for me. Should this be the case, I would ask the favor of you to send him down as soon as possible. I wish to employ him, & 2 or 3 hands under him, in preparing a piece of ground for a Garden, and to have it executed in a...
37From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 23d. It gives me much pleasure to learn that your health is so firmly re-establishing itself. I hope there may never be an occasion for subjecting it again to such severe trials. I have myself experienced much benefit from a change from Washington to my farm, altho’ the business going on at the former place, has occupied me so much at the latter, that I have...
38From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
Since my return hither, the purpose of which I intimated in a line to Albemarle previous to my leaving home, I have recd. yours of the 3d. I hope the mountain air will contribute to re establish your health, and that you will not leave it till the effect is fully produced. Notwithstanding the Ns. paper Statement, neither a messenger nor dispatches have been recd. from our Ministers in Europe....
39From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 7th. and return the communications from Mr. Adams. The arrangement of the fisheries is a delicate subject, as it relates to the public sensibility; to its intrinsic merits; and to the peculiar importance attached to it by respectable names. It will be better to do nothing, than to surrender the point of right, or to accept what may be of small value, with an actual...
40From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
On perusing your letters to Mr. DeNeuville, and Mr. Gallatin, some ideas occurred which induced me to put them on paper for your consideration. Those relating to the first letter are interlined with a pencil. Those relating to the 2d. are partly so, & partly penned on a separate sheet. In the communication to Mr. G. I thought it might be not amiss to suggest the several topics which he may...
41From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 3 October] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of yesterday, & we shall expect the pleasure of seeing you with Mrs. Monroe tomorrow or next day. There is no mail from Fredg. today owing probably to high waters North of it. Inclosed is a paper or two recd. by that of yesterday. Would it be amiss to send to the press, the English papers forwarded to you. They contain sundry articles not uninteresting. I wonder that Genl....
42From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I return the papers relating to Moss. If the Treasury Department has no objections to the pardon recommended by the district Judge, and the Attorney Genl. thinks it legal under such modifications, let an instrument for the purpose be made out. The high waters continue to obstruct the mails. 2 from NY. and 1 from places South of it, are left in arrears by the arrival this morning. The English...
43From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
The 2 letters of Mr. De Neuville present topics which are not agreeable. The one demanding the recall of Mr. Lee will be sufficiently answered by his actual return to the U.S. and an intimation that without any particular examination of the charge agst. him, this Govt. could not fail to respect the wishes of M. C. M. in such a case. The other letter complaining of the toast of the Post Master...
44From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Will you have such an answer given Mr. Chandler, as will accord with precedents, which I presume may admit of his communicating through a flag, shd. one be sent to Bermuda for other purposes and in the mean time to make an expert: on the ships here. The indulgences given to others who have lost Negroes, either by the Genl. or State authorities, have probably encouraged this application....
45From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Having extended our trip to Monticello, as far as Mrs. Coles’, and not got home till last evening, I have fallen a little into arrears. I now acknowledge your 2 favors of the 26 & 30 ult. The event in France is so abrupt, & pregnant with so many consequences probable & possible, that no precise estimate of them can be formed, without further lights from Europe. In the mean time prudence marks...
46From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
I now return the papers sent with yours already acknowledged. They are well worth perusing & preserving. As Dr. Eustis will soon embark for Holland, you will not forget to put him in possession of what has passed with Changuion on the subject of a Commercial Treaty. It may be proper also that he should be apprized of the condescention of the Sovn. Prince to the B. Govt. in forbidding Dutch...
47From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the papers brought me from the Dept. of State by the mail of this morning. If it be found that Warden bargained with Dr. Stephens, his reasonable charges must of course be allowed. But, unless, the oral communications from W. thro’ S. be of importance and distinct from the case of the chargéship, it has but too much the aspect of a public expence incurred by W. for the purpose of...
48From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
Yours of 21–22d. is just recd. You may authorize Mr H. de Neuville, to communicate with you previous to his formal recognition. Roth intimated that he wd. probably visit me here with his credentials. If he desires it, or you think it eligible, let him know that I will receive him with pleasure. The bias of his own mind, if ascertained, may decide the question. Mine has none. The Letters of...
49From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 29th. Ult: and return the letters from Mr. Adams & the communications from Mr. Harris. The step taken by the Emperor is an extraordinary one; Being produded [ sic ] by no pretended misconduct in the Amn. functionary, it is levelled at the relations between the two Countries, and would justify more than it is the disposition of this, to do on the occasion. Without...
50From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
The letter from Acheson, should be known in some of its contents. I inclose it to you for reasons on the face of it. I inclose also the letter from Gilbert Taylor, as a memento to the letter you are to write to the Govr. of Tennessee, on the subject of the illegal enterprize on foot in that State. We are so far well on our way. Yrs. RC ( DLC : Monroe Papers). JM probably enclosed the 25 Aug....