251From James Madison to David Gelston, [15 May 1809] (Madison Papers)
I am favored with yours of the 11th. and thank you for your promised attention to the Wine &c. from Lisbon. If the wine should not be cased, I beg that you will be good eno’ to have that precaution taken agst. injury on its way to this City. Accept my respects RC (owned by Marshall B. Coyne, Washington, D.C., 1987). Calendared in PJM-PS Robert A. Rutland et al., eds., The Papers of James...
252Pardon for Gaude Petit, alias Frederick, 24 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that at a late Court of the United States for the District of Louisiana, Gaude Petit, Alias Frederick, was indicted for Piracy, where upon he was found guilty by the Jury, and condemned by the Court; and whereas it has been represented to me, that this is the first criminal offence with which the said Gaude Petit alias Frederick has ever been charged in...
253From James Madison to Congress, [23 May] 1809 (Madison Papers)
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. On this first occasion of meeting you, it affords me much satisfaction to be able to communicate the commencement of a favorable change, in our foreign relations; the critical state of which induced a Session of Congress at this early period. In consequence of the provisions of the act, interdicting commercial intercourse with...
254From James Madison to John G. Jackson, 27 May 1811 (Madison Papers)
I duly recd. yours inclosing a sample from your long fleeced Ewe. I have seen no ⟨way?⟩ particularly capable of deciding on its merits. I suspect the question of its value depends on the weight of the fleece, finding that wool nearly as long is not very rare in certain breeds, and that the coarseness of its staple brings it under the denomination of Combing wool. A chance only, of turning the...
255From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of and now return the letter of Docr. Waterhouse, with the Newspapers sent with it. He appears to be a man of ability & learning, and to have been rendered interesting to several distinguished friends to the administration by the persecutions he has suffered from its Enemies. Like many others however I see at present no reward for him, but in his own virtues. The Treasury of...
256From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 26 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the and return the N. York Memorial inclosed in it. Interpositions for relief in such cases are of a delicate nature when proceeding from the Legislative the most competent authority. When claimed from the Executive, they are peculiarly delicate. The only ground on which the latter can proceed, seems to be that of increasing the security of the revenue, by suspending a...
257From James Madison to Samuel Greenhow, 2 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
I duly recd. your letter of the 17th. Ult. and have delayed remitting the additional premium which is the subject of it, in order to accompany it with the preceding policy. This I have not succeeded in finding, if another than that inclosed was sent me as I presume was the case. I now send a check on the Bank of Columbia for two hundred & forty dollars, which I hope can be readily turned into...
258From 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...
259From James Madison to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 27 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of the 23 & 24. instant inclosing the correspondence with the Navy Board. This institution being without a precedent in our political System, and the definitions of the act of Congress not being as precise and as full as under other circumstances they might have been made, some difference in the construction of particular passages might well happen. But I had not...
260From James Madison to William Jones, 22 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I inclose an affecting letter from Mr. Coffin . It is I suppose too late to take it even into consideration. Were it otherwise, and his recommendations as may be the case equal to those in behalf of Mr. Haff, who can not well have more merit, and is less in want, it might not be amiss to re-weigh the subject. Friendly respects I return the proceedgs in the case of Lt. Sevier, with the...
261From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
Since I rendered the account of our Merinos sent on by My Overseer, I have learnt, that Mr. Hooe of Alexanda. considers the lamb yeaned after their arrival, as allotted to him by the intention of Mr. Jarvis. I have not yet investigated the merits of his claim, by comparing what he may have recd. from Mr. J. with the language of Mr. J’s letter to me; but I think it very possible that the claim...
262From James Madison to John Graham, 30 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 30 August 1810. Acknowledged in Graham to JM, 3 Sept. 1810 . Asks Graham to examine the registers delivered to the State Department by Mrs. Skipwith to see whether they contain the papers JM had requested earlier. Also inquires about the delegation of executive powers under the law of June 1794.
263Presidential Proclamation, 2 January 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Presidential Proclamation. 2 January 1815. Revises building terms and conditions for the city of Washington. Suspends the first and third articles of the 17 Oct. 1791 building regulations until 1 Jan. 1816. Adds an exception that “no wooden house covering more than three hundred and twenty square feet, or higher than twelve feet from the sill to the eve [ sic ] shall be erected, nor shall...
264From James Madison to William Darlington, 15 January 1816 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To William Darlington. 15 January 1816. JM invites Darlington to dine with him the following Saturday, at 4 p.m. RC ( NHi ). 1 p.; printed invitation, with blank spaces for name and date, filled in Dolley Madison’s hand and addressed by her. On verso is Darlington’s 18 Jan. 1816 acceptance, stating that he “will certainly, deo volente, do himself the pleasure to attend accordingly” (ibid.)....
265From James Madison to Jonathan Dayton, [post 26 September] 1812 (Madison Papers)
The letters to be answered under address to Mr Levi Canning &c. has [ sic ] been recd. The friendly motives & public objects which they manifest, as well as the interesting observations contained in them, entitle the writer to acknowledgments. Any further communications having in view the public good will of course be acceptable. Draft ( NjP ). Unsigned. Addressee not indicated; identified on...
266From James Madison to John G. Jackson, 19 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
Mrs. M. has just put the inclosed into my hands. I hope it will find you well, with all those around you. At this distance from Washington the foreign intelligence would not reach you as soon, as it does directly thro’ that channel. The printed accts. turn chiefly on the general distress in Europe from the stagnation of business, succeeding the preternatural activity & consumptions of war, and...
267From James Madison to the House of Representatives, 12 January 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 January 1810. Transmits a report from the secretary of state in response to the House’s resolution of 3 Jan. 1810. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages). RC 1 p. In a clerk’s hand, signed by JM. Enclosures are Robert Smith’s 11 Jan. report (2 pp.) (misdated in Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States ... (42 vols.; Washington,...
268From James Madison to the Senate, 24 February 1817 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To the Senate. 24 February 1817. Nominates twelve officers and thirty-five midshipmen for promotion in the Navy. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A2). 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and dated by JM (printed in Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1828). , 3:79).
269From James Madison to William Raynolds, 20 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 30th. Ult: pledging the support of the officers of the 4 Brigade, in the 3d. Division of Ohio Militia, to such measures as may be adopted by the Govt. at the present conjuncture. With every allowance for the extraordinary course of events in Europe, the violent & unprovoked conduct of the principal Belligerents towards the U. S. justifies the feelings which it...
270From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 29 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return the draught of instructions to the Commissioners for treating with the Chicasaw Indians. Not being aided by a map, I am not sure that I understand distinctly all your demarkations. I take for granted they are correct, unless it be otherwise in the reference to the portion of the Chicasaw lands lying within the State of Tennessee. You will be able to decide on re-examining that part of...
271From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, [post–17 August 1816] (Madison Papers)
If Mr. Dallas, taking into view with this the other circumstances of the case known to him, thinks relief ought to be granted, he will send the papers to the Dept of State with an intimation that a pardon be forwarded for my signature. RC ( DNA : RG 59, Petitions for Pardon and Related Briefs). Undated; conjectured date assigned based on a 17 Aug. 1816 note to James Monroe written by Dallas on...
272From James Madison to Edward Coles, 29 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your two letters on the subject of a successor to the Treasury of the Mint. A Commission ha⟨s⟩ been forwarded to Dr. Js. Rush. We are very happy at hearing that you are in a sure road to the reestablishment of your health. Do not risk an interruption by a precipitate abandonment of your Physician, and return to Washington. However much we ⟨wo⟩uld be gratifyed in seeing you, I insist...
273From James Madison to the Senate, 26 February 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 February 1813. “I nominate Brigadier General James Wilkinson, Brigadier General Wade Hampton, William R. Davy of South Carolina, Morgan Lewis now Quarter Master General, William H. Harrison of Indiana Territory, and Aaron Ogden of New Jersey, to be Major Generals in the Army of the U. States. “Thomas Posey to be Governor of the Indiana Territory. “George Poindexter to be a Judge of the...
274From James Madison to the Vermont General Assembly, 26 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received the address of the General Assembly transmitted to me on the 15th ult. with the impressions which ought to be made by the sentiments expressed in it. Conscious as I am, how much I owe the high trust with which I am invested, to a partiality in my fellow citizens which overrated my qualifications, I am compelled to mingle my regret that these are not more adequate, with the...
275Memorandum of Conversations with John Armstrong, 24 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
In the morning, a note by an Express from Genl. Winder was handed me. It was addressed to the Secretary of war. Not doubting the urgency of the occasion, I opened & read it; and it went on immediately by the Express to Genl. Armstrong who lodged in the seven Buildings. Finding by the note that the General requested the speediest Counsel, I proceeded to his Head Quarters on the Eastern Branch,...
276From James Madison to Congress, 11 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 June 1812. “I transmit for the information of Congress copies of letters which have passed between the Secretary of State and the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain.” RC and enclosures, two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 12A-D1; and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, 12A-E2). Each RC 1 p.; in the hand of Edward Coles, signed by JM. For...
277From James Madison to John G. Jackson, 4 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 21st. I cannot too much applaud Your zeal & that of your associates, in efforts to retrieve what has been lost by the want of that or something else in others. The present sacrifices you are yourself making call for peculiar acknowledgments. I am constrained at the same time to remark that according to the view taken here, of the prospects before Genl. Harrison,...
278From James Madison to Daniel Eccleston, 18 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. the Medallion of General Washington accompanying your favor of Jany. 1; and return my thanks for it. The high veneration in which his Memory is held in his own Country, renders such tokens of respect to it, in others, at once grateful in themselves, and just titles to esteem in those, who looking beyond a national horizon, can do justice to the worthies & benefactors of...
279From James Madison to John Armstrong, 27 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Enemy having evacuated the City of Washington & no obstacle remaining to a re-union of the members of the Executive there, J. Madison requests that this may take place with as little delay as may be. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , P-80:8). In JM ’s hand. Docketed as received in the War Department in August 1814.
280From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [9 March] 1812 (Madison Papers)
As the Intelligencer will not publish the Message & documents just laid before Congs. for the present Mail, I send you a copy of the former. It is justified by the Documents, among which are the original credential & instructions from the Govr. of Canada, and an original dispatch from the Earl of Liverpool to him approving the conduct of the Secret Agent. This discovery, or rather formal proof...
281From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 19 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 15th. with a prospectus of the “Emporium of the Arts & Sciences,” and a letter from Mr. Jefferson, now returned to you. Considering the plan as formed for solid usefulness, and the execution of it in able hands, I regret that I can not patronize it in the mode, of which so high an example is before me. The numerous applications, incident to the Station I am in,...
282From James Madison to John Armstrong, 4 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 1st. inst: suggesting a recall of the vessels allotted for L. Huron &c. with a view to another destination of them. The force which can be assembled at the East end of L. Erie, by the 10th. of June is greater than I had relied on; and if employed towards Burlington heights & York, can not fail to have a salutary effect in different directions. Whether it...
283First Inaugural Address, [4 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
Unwilling to depart from examples, of the most revered authority, I avail myself of the occasion now presented, to express the profound impression made on me, by the call of my Country to the station, to the duties of which I am about to pledge myself, by the most solemn of sanctions. So distinguished a mark of confidence, proceeding from the deliberate and tranquil suffrage of a free and...
284From James Madison to the House of Representatives, 25 January 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 January 1811. Transmits a report of the superintendent of the city stating the expenditures under the act of 28 Apr. 1810 for the better accommodation of the Post Office and Patent Office and for other purposes. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 11A-D1). RC 1 p. In a clerk’s hand, signed by JM. Printed in ASP American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive,...
285James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d your favor of the 19 th . You will see in the newspapers the result of the Advances made by G.B. Attempts were made to give shapes to the arrangement implying inconsistency and blame on our part. They were however met in a proper manner & readily abandoned; leaving these charges in their full force, as they now bear on the other side. The B. Cabinet must have changed its course...
286Presidential Proclamation, 8 April 1816 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Presidential Proclamation. 8 April 1816, Washington. Proclaims the treaty with the Cherokee Indians to be in force (see JM to the Senate, 26 Mar. 1816, and n. 1). Printed copy ( Daily National Intelligencer, 18 Apr. 1816).
287To John Adams from James Madison, 5 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor on the subject of Docr. Waterhouse, inclosing a letter from him which is now returned. Previous to this communication, the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Excellent friend, & the friend of mankind, had been filled by the appointment of his son Dr. James Rush. Besides the numerous & respectable interpositions in favor of it, I felt a pleasure, in putting this...
288From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of Ocr . with that inclosed from Warden. His tale is plausibly told but entitled to little confidence. Be assured he is not the man he passed for with all of us originally. His apparent modesty & suavity cover ambition vanity avidity (from poverty at least) & intrigue. These traits began to betray themselves before he last left the U.S. On his arrival in Paris with his...
289From James Madison to the Senate, 2 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
I nominate the persons named in the accompanying list for the Offices respectively, as stated in the letter from the Secretary of War. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 94, Letters Sent). RC in John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . For enclosures, see n. 1. JM enclosed a 28 Dec. 1815 letter from Secretary of War William...
290From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 17 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The arrangement proposed in yours of the 14th. just recd. with respect to Majrs. Butler & Hayne, appear to be eligible, tho’ the latter may not find it convenient, being, I understand, an inhabitant of S.C., to be allotted to the N. Division of the Army. It is desirable to gratify Gen. Jackson, and it is fortunate that in this case it can be done, with an accom[m]odation at the same time to...
291From James Madison to St. George Tucker, 21 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I was duly favored with yours of the 8th. on the subject of the B. officer arrested near Norfolk. The circumstances which attracted your notice very justly exposed him to suspicion; and it is more than possible that he had the views tho’ not the full character of a Spy. It was thought best however to commence the war with an example of liberality, and he was permitted as a mere alien Enemy to...
292James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly rec d your favor of the 13 th . The general idea of disposing of the supernumerary Merino Rams for the public benefit had occurred to me. The mode you propose for the purpose seems well calculated for it. But as it will be most proper as you suggest, to let our views, be developed to the public, by the execution of them, there will be time for further consideration. When the Sheep...
293From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 20 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 6th. came duly to hand. A letter about the same time was recd. by the Dept. of War, from Govr. Strong on the same subject. I desired Mr. Monroe to inclose you a copy of his answer, which will shew you the ground taken with the Govr. What will be his final ground with respect to the Genl. Govt. remains to be seen. In the mean time, and under the peculiarity of the Crisis, we must...
294From James Madison to William Eustis, 16 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 August 1810. Acknowledged in Eustis to JM, 26 Aug. 1810 . Inquires about the authorship of a disrespectful note and forwards a letter from George Colbert.
295From James Madison to Hobohoilthle, [6 November] 1809 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States who sits in the place of General Washington, the head of that Government, and your Father, talks to you this day. He receives by Colo. Hawkins your Talk on the 29th. of September. That Talk was at Chattuckfoule. It was from Cowitah and Cussituh, the head towns of Muscogee. It has come strait as if from your mouth to his ear. He answers you. You are the Father...
296From James Madison to the House of Representatives, 1 July 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 July 1812. “In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 26th of June, I transmit the information contained in the documents herein enclosed.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages). RC and enclosures printed in ASP American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States … (38 vols.; Washington, 1832–61)....
297From James Madison to the Mother Superior of the Ursuline Convent, 24 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 11h of March, with the sentiments due for the respect and confidence which it expresses, on behalf of the pious Institution which you superintend. In a Country where all rights, religious as well as civil, are protected by the laws, and guaranteed by an enlightened public opinion, the best of securities exists for the tranquility and esteem of those, whose...
298From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 28 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 24th. The conduct of the B. Govt. in protesting the arrangement of its Minister surprizes one in spite of all their examples of folly. If it be not their plan, now that they have filled their magazines with our supplies, and ascertained our want of firmness in witholding them, to adopt openly a system of monopoly & piracy, it may be hoped that they will not persist in...
299James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [9 March 1812] (Jefferson Papers)
As the Intelligencer will not publish the Message & documents just laid before Cong s for the present Mail, I send you a copy of the former. It is justified by the Documents, among which are the original credential & in s tructions from the Gov r
300From James Madison to William Jones, 24 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the Transfer signed as sent to me. The inclosed communication from the Vice President, is a striking proof of the traiterous & scandalous practices which escape punishment in certain quarters. It will merit whatever attention can be usefully given to it by the Navy or Treasury Dept. The fact charged on the Collector of Newbury Port, if verified, subjects him to the severest notice....