Your Letter of October 12th was an unexpected pleasure, and I cannot regret the occasion which gave rise to it, altho there appears now to have been some mistake respecting it. I have heard my Friend frequently mention the circumstance, communicated to him by mr Stodart, tho not untill it was out of his power to comply with it, and with Sincere Regret that it was so. for beside the high...
My Grandson William Stuben Smith, having returnd from abroad, declines the honour which I have been informd, was intended him by the President, as secretary of Legation, to the Mission to England. His Brother, John Adams Smith, has written to me; to request of the President, the appointment, if he Should deem it proper to grant it to him. As Congress do not allow a private Secretary to their...
3John Jacob Astor to Dolley Payne Madison, 22 June 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 June 1813, New York. Sends “a hat Choosing by Mrs. Gallatin which he prays Mrs. Madison to accept as a Mark of her kind Remberenans of her frie[n]d Mr. Astor—who has Learnt with Deep Regreet the Indisposition of Mr. Madison and who most fervently prays to kind Providence to Restore him to hea[l]th & to continue a blessing to his Country.” RC ( CtY ). 2 pp.
4Phoebe P. Morris to Dolley Payne Madison, 24 June 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 June 1813. Writes “in sincere anxiety for the health of the President,” and asks for “at least a line to say whether the reports of his illness are not exaggerated.” Adds at the request of her father [Anthony Morris] that he has decided “to leave us all here except Brother that he may be at more liberty to avail himself of the first opportunity which shall present itself from any port.” RC...
5Edward Coles to Dolley Payne Madison, 5 October 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 October 1812. Sends this letter by his cousin Edward Carrington, son of Judge Paul Carrington. “You will find Mr. Carrington an amiable and intelligent young gentleman; full of indignation at the wrongs and insults under which his Country suffers, and animated with an ardent zeal to avenge them by his personal efforts in the field; he attempted to raise a Volunteer Company, but having failed...
6James Taylor to Dolley Payne Madison, 13 April 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1813, Washington. “The enclosed Letter from my Son, will shew you at a glance, what must be my feelings. “Agonized as they have been, by the destruction of my property, by the Severeance of a dear and endearing part of my Domestic bliss—And this alone, alone, from my attachment to principles, emanating from my feelings to the Administration. “I now Madam, Apply at least, for decision,...
7David Bailie Warden to Dolley Payne Madison, 12 November 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 November 1812. Sends “nine other copies of the Engraving of the portrait of the President, to whom and to the family I pray you to present my respects.” “I took the liberty of writing to him by the mary amore , and of sending him some brochures . I hope soon to hear of his reelection, and of complete success to his patriotic administration.” Sends “this by Dr morell, who is a Very promising...
8Phebe Hunter to Dolley Payne Madison, 22 March 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 Mar. 1813, Philadelphia. Introduces herself as the daughter of Dolley Madison’s “old friend, Mary Bryant.” Requests “counsel” for a friend, Mrs. Auchincloss of New York, whose husband is an alien and a merchant but “attends no public meetings, belongs to no political society, has neither imported nor exported for two years past, and has petitioned to be admitted a Citizen of the U. S.”...
9John G. Jackson to Dolley Payne Madison, 11 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I am again at Clarksburg after an absence of two months, worse than mispent in the western Country. I have not even the consolation to believe that any benefit has resulted to the community from my expedition, & therefore there is no offset for ⟨m⟩y in⟨di⟩vidual sacrifices of time & money. I left General Harrison at Franklinton about the 1st. instant & the Virginia troops at Delaware four or...
10William Lee to Dolley Payne Madison, 20 March 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 March 1813, Bordeaux. Promises to “send the President a good stock of wine, Brandy and liqueurs” by Ruth Barlow when she returns to the United States. “You will hear perhaps through the President and Mr Monroe of the ground I took while at Paris concerning the affairs of the Legation.… As there is a Secretary of Legation and a private Secretary to the late minister my desire was to preserve...