1To James Madison from Henry Clay, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Knowing that we cannot differ on the question of the object of the Internal Improvement bill, however we may on the Constitutional point, will you excuse me for respectfully suggesting whether you could not leave the bill to your successor? If it receive his approbation, within the ten days, I am inclined to think the law is valid. The notification to the two houses of the passage of any bill,...
2To James Madison from Jeremiah B. Howell, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I regret extremely that the enclosed letters were received at so late a day as yesterday. If it should so happen, you should be of the Opinion, that the application of our mutual friends, has arrived too late for you to decide on Officially, I flatter myself you will have no hesitation in favouring me, by placing these letters into the hands of your Successor, as soon as may be convenient;...
3To James Madison from Robert Polk, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
In doing myself the honor of addressing you on the present occasion, permit me to say that it is not without reluctance I have prevailed upon myself to add one to the number of those who may appear before you as Candidates for a portion of Executive favor. But relying on the liberality of your disposition for indulgence, I take the freedom to address you. A bill, providing for the prompt...
4To James Madison from Jonathan Roberts, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I ask the liberty of communicating to you the enclosed letter from Gen Howell of the Senate with the accompaniments and solicit your attention thereto. I had hoped to wait upon you but time hardly promises an allowance of that pleasure. I need not repeat you how sincerely I esteem Gen Howell or how much I should be gratified in his obtaining public employment worthy of his merits. This you...
5To James Madison from William Thornton, [3 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
To prevent any Suspicion of a deficiency in respect to you and your Lady—whom we have never ceased to more than respect & esteem—I am unwilling to permit you to depart without expressing our sincere regret that when your Departure was made known to all our Friends by her farewell visit to them, and they were thereby enabled to pay their parting respects, we remained ignorant thereof, and were...
6To James Madison from Isaac Griffin, 2 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I take this method, of bidding you a last farewell, and of thanking you, for the benefit I have derived, as one of the citizens of the united states, from your able, and faithfull services, in Some of the most important Stations in the gift of a free people—at your time of life, repose is desirable, and almost necessary—in retirement, I wish you all the happiness, that you can derive, from the...
7To James Madison from John H. Buckley and Others, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
We take the liberty to inform you of our sad misfortunes, confined in Cuba Prison, at the inhuman mercy of the cruel Spaniards. Our first misfortunes are as follow; Our vessels being sold for the purpose of privateering, we were obliged to take passage in the schooner Margaretta, Peter Anchor, commander, bound to Jamaica. To our sorrow, after being on the passage two days, the Captain brought...
8To James Madison from John B. Colvin, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Colvin presents his respectful compliments to the President, and asks his acceptance of a No.* of the “National Register.” RC and enclosure ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Cover docketed by JM . Undated; conjectural date assigned based on internal evidence and the date of the enclosure (see n. 1). Here JM inserted an asterisk, and below the last line of Colvin’s note wrote:...
9To James Madison from Isaac Wilbour, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
You will not think it arrogant if it is suggested that until perfection becomes a human priviledge we shall always be indebted to experience for that course which will best subserve publick purposes; & when experience points out every honest Man walks in the path. The Money paid for the faithful discharge of the duties of Office; is presumed to be a complete equivalent ther-for. All the...
10To James Madison from James P. Preston, 28 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
By a Resolution of the General Assem[b]ly of Virginia, it becomes the duty of the Governor to transmit you the enclosed valedictory address. In the discharge of this duty it is natural for me to reflect on the astonishing contrast which this moment presents compared with the eventfull period of your Administration. For a time our commerce was annihilated, our sacred rights abused, invaded and...