1From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 23 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 20th inst. The claim of W. Knaggs involves an important question; what is the effect produced on the salaries of persons made prisoners by an Enemy, by and during their captivity? Civil officers are of two classes. 1st. Those holding during good behaviour 2dly. Those holding during pleasure. Whilst the offices of the 1st class continue and the officers are not removed...
2From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 18 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
You will receive herewith the Commission which conveys your appointment as Secretary for the Department of war. It will afford me great pleasure if it should be consistent with your present views to accept it. The delay in communicating with you on the subject has proceeded from the calculation that you would have left Europe before a dispatch could reach it. I leave this one in the hands of...
3From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 6 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
The limited prosecution of the plan of Lt. Gadsden, which you suggest may be proper. A general system of works on which the permanent security of N.O. is to depend, and which will probably call for a million of dollars, ought not to be hastily adopted at a moment as little threatening as the present. The observations of the young Engineer indicate good sense; but it may well be supposed that...
4From 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...
5From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 4 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
Previous to the rect. of yours of the 30th. aug. I had in acknowleging that written from Georgia, said what occurred on the subject of Dr. Bibb. I can add nothing now but a suggestion for consideration how far the Creek Agency could with propriety be offered to him. I am aware at the same time of the great probability that it would not be accepted, and of the possibility that the offer even...
6From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 21 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter of Genl: Gaines with the papers connected with it. It is to be hoped & much to be wished that a resort to the extreme measures contemplated may not be necessary: and it may be better that they shd. result from military discretion guided by imperious emergencies, than be prescribed by the Executive, without the sanction of the authority more competent to such decisions. In...
7From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 21 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr Hall inclosed in yours of the 19th. The fullest confidence is due to the truth of his statement and to the purity of his views. But it seems impossible to yield the sanction he suggests, to the wishes of his neighbours respectable as they may be. The difference between a forbearance to enforce a law, on considerations forbidding the attempt, and a notice that...
8From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 23 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. from Mr. Monroe a very extraordinary communication confidentially made to him by Col: Jessup. A copy of it is inclosed. An invasion by a Spanish force at the present period might be pronoun[c]ed a mere chimæra, if a less degree of folly reigned at Madrid; unless indeed the Councils of Spain shd be supported by a power whose councils may reasonably be more confided in. It is...
9From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, [ante–12 December 1815] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Crawford will be so good as to put convenient dates into the Blanks. If there be any thing in the Proclamation which can be made better, he will retain it, till an interview be had. See the *Proclamation in the Mississippi Territory now sent & Govr. Williams’ complaint of neglect in removing Squatters within S. C—orders thro’ the Military Commanders of Divisions, will be necessary to give...
10From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 31 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of duly receiving your letter written from Georgia, and have written one to Mr. Clay founded on its acquiescence in the arrangment tendered to you. I am truly concerned at the view you give of the situation into which the unfortunate measure of Congress has thrown Dr Bibb; and should consider myself as befriending one of the best of men and most enlightened of patriots, if I...
11From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 3 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I find by a letter from Mr. Dallas that he was to leave Washington on Tuesday last for Philadelphia. He kindly intends, however, to give official attention to the routine of business until apprised of his release. The date for this I wish to be governed by your conveniency. I have informed Mr. Lowndes of the approaching vacancy in the Department of War, and asked his permission to appoint him...
12From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 9 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of the authority vested in the President of the United States, by the Act of Congress passed the 3d. of March 1809, entitled “An Act further to amend the several Acts for the establishment and regulation of the Treasury, War, and Navy Departments,” I do hereby direct, that the following transfers be made, viz. From the Appropriation for Navy Yards to Contingent Expenses the sum of...
13From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 22 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return, with my approbation, the additional regulations for Mr. Lee, enclosed in yours of the 20th inst. If you have been correctly informed of the evidence on the claim of Mr. Carroll, it is truly extraordinary. Whether a House was a military deposit or not must depend on its being or not being occupied as such under the defined authority, and on the exhibition or the want of adequate proof...
14From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, [4 February 1817] (Madison Papers)
The letter & papers returned Feby. 4 with the following note. The arrangement communicated by the Presidt. of the U.S. Bank is So important an advance towards a universal return of specie circulation, that the Treasury sanction to it render existing circumstances evidently proper. Serious difficulties will notwithstanding remain to be encountered, if the pr[i]ncipal Banks in every State do not...