From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 August 1814
To James Monroe
Brookville Aug: 26. [1814] 10 OC. P.M
Dear Sir
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;1 and avail myself of the Bearer to inform you that I will either wait here till you join me, or follow & join you as you may think best. Let me know your idea on the subject by the bearer. If you decide on coming hither, the sooner the better. Mr. Rush will remain here also. Mr Jones is with my family & his own on the other side of the Potowmac; but will come to the City the moment he hears of its evacuation. Genl Armstrong & Mr. Campbell are I understand at Fredericktown. I shall given them immediate notice of the change in the state of things, and desire them to conform to it. A letter from Genl. Smith (of Winchester) to Genl. A. was put into my hands by an express at Montgomery C.H. stating that a Brigade of Militia wd. come on or not as might be desired. I have sent it open to Genl. W. who can judge best of the answer proper to be given, and will act on the letter accordingly. Accept my best wishes & great esteem.
J. Madison
RC (MdHi: William Henry Winder Papers). Addressed in JM’s hand, with his note: “To be opened by Genl Winder.” Year assigned based on internal evidence.
1. JM’s stopping place at Brookeville was the home of Quakers Caleb and Henrietta Bentley, who had offered food and shelter to a continuous stream of military and civilian refugees over the past few days. Margaret Bayard Smith, whose daughters were at the Bentleys’ and told her what had happened, described the scene: “Just at bed time the Presd. had arrived and all hands went to work to prepare supper and lodgings for him, his companions and guards, beds were spread in the parlour, the house was filled and guards placed round the house during the night. … All the villagers, gentlemen and ladies, young and old, throng’d to see the President. He was tranquil as usual, and tho’ much distressed by the dreadful event, which had taken place not dispirited” (Pitch, Burning of Washington, 162; Margaret Bayard Smith, The First Forty Years of Washington Society, ed. Gaillard Hunt [New York, 1906], 107).