11To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Kent County, Maryland, 4 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 March 1809. With Dr. John Thomas presiding and Cornelius Comegys serving as secretary the citizens offer JM congratulations upon his taking “the presidential chair” and hail the continuance of republicanism as it was practiced under President Jefferson. “Although a wise and just policy has thus preserved us from the political vortex of Europe,” the war now waging there constitutes a threat...
12To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Garrard County, Kentucky, 4 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Document not found. 4 March 1809, Lancaster, Kentucky. Acknowledged in JM to the chairman of the meeting, 29 Apr. 1809 . A set of resolutions lauding JM on his inauguration and expressing a willingness to support the administration against foes at home and abroad.
13Students of Jefferson College to Thomas Jefferson, 4 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
As you now retire from the great theatre of political action, after having spent a number of years in the immediate service of your country—Permit us to hail your retreat from the important office you so lately filled with honor and dignity—to the calm retreats of domestic life. With hearts abounding with gratitude to you as an instrument in the hand of divine Providence, in promoting the...
14Margaret Bayard Smith’s Account of Madison’s Inauguration and Ball, [4 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
On the morning of Mr Madison ’s inauguration, he asked Mr Jefferson to ride in his carriage with him to the Capitol , but this he declined, & in answer to a friend one who enquired of him why he had not accompanied his friend—he smiled & replied, “I wished not to divide with him the honors of the day—it pleased me better to see them all bestowed on him.” A large procession of citizens, some in...
15Citizens of Washington, D.C., to Thomas Jefferson, 4 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The Citizens of Washington cannot forego the last opportunity, which may, perhaps ever occur, to bid you a respectful and affectionate farewell. As members of the great and flourishing nation, over which you have so illustriously presided, your virtues, talents, and services command their esteem, admiration and gratitude. Embarked in the fate of this solitary republic of the world, they have...
16Thomas Jefferson to the Citizens of Washington, D.C., 4 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve with peculiar gratification the affectionate address of the citizens of Washington , and in the patriotic sentiments it expresses, I see the true character of the National Metropolis . the station which we occupy among the nations of the earth is honourable, but awful. trusted with the destinies of this solitary republic of the world, the only monument of human rights, & the sole...
We have at length got through the argument on the Cause for which I came here. It was finished yesterday after having taken up nearly four days—The opinion of the Court will probably be given in the course of the week, and my intention is to leave this place, to-morrow week, which will be the 13th:—I depend therefore upon the pleasure of seeing you again at latest in three weeks from this day....
18To James Madison from Louis Dubois, 5 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I send you a march which I composed in your honor, I take the liberty to offer it to you as the tribute of a Stranger to your eminent talents and patriotism which brought you to the first seat of these united States. It is only a march, but in the scale of society, who pay his Share of talents and usefulness to the common good, has done his duty; as the head of this Enlightened Republic, I...
19To James Madison from Henry Lee, 5 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Yr. speech which reached here last night is so far as my information reaches much approved, for its modesty & generality & reserve of promises. A few think you might have well avoided that positive decleration about impartiality of the late admn. to foreign nations, as the public mind is divided on that question & the published state documents authorize a great deal to be said in contradiction...
20John G. Jackson to Dolley Madison, [5 March 1809] (Madison Papers)
Farewell my dear Sister & say good bye for me to my beloved friend Madison. He carries with him into the Presidency the most affectionate good wishes of my heart: produced by an intimate acquaintance with his public & private virtues for nine years past; & I can say with great truth that not one single act of his life during the period I speak of has excited a momentary doubt as to its...
21Thomas Jefferson to John Benson, 5 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 3 d and am very sensible of the kind wishes of my friends at Fredericksbg that I should pass a day with them on my return home. at any other season I should have done this with great pleasure; but we have such terrible information of the impassable state of the roads that I dare not attempt it. the route I go is by cross roads altogether, not cut by...
22John Norvell to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your liberality and goodness will pardon the liberty I take in addressing this note to you. Believing that if you can be satisfied of my reputation and real character as a moral and honest young man, and of my competency to fill the situation of a clerk in one of the departments, you will be kind enough to interest yourself in my favor, I beg leave to solicit your patronage, in procuring a...
23James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I was favored with your’s accompanying the wool , on the 21 st ult ; and have delayed answering untill I could make my-self sufficiently acquainted with the subject and communicate such facts as would enable you to form some oppinion on it yourself— I find non of the wool you alude as sold so high in N York , has been employed by our hatters;— and M r Tybout says when wool is much disposed to...
To tell you that I am exceedingly grieved , to hear that you have been very sick, would be to inform you, of what I am sure you already know. For, when three Sisters love each other, with such sincere affection, the One, does not experience Sorrow, Pain, or affliction of any kind, but the Others Heart wishes to relieve, & vibrates in tender Unison. Like a well organized musical Instrument, one...
25From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his compts. to Mr. Adams & asks the favor of a call on him at his house this morning for a few minutes, as he may be passing to the Capitol Hill. As J. M. may happen at the moment to be at the President’s House, it may perhaps be as well for Mr. Adams to take that in his way. RC ( MHi : Adams Papers). Docketed by Adams, who noted: “Same day—recd.” JM nominated Adams to be...
26From James Madison to Caesar A. Rodney, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison requests the favor of Mr. Rodney to meet at his house tomorrow at 11 o. c. the other members of the Administration for the purpose of a consultation. Printed copy (Goodspeed Catalogue No. 369 [1943], item 1126).
27From James Madison to the Senate, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
To the Senate of the United States. I nominate Robert Smith now Secretary of the Navy to be Secretary of State. William Eustis of Massachusetts to be Secretary of War. John Quincey Adams of Massachusetts to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of St. Petersburg. Thomas Sumpter Junr. of South Carolina to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of Rio Jeneiro. Henry Hill of New York to be...
28To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Very seldom did I ever ask the attention of the President of the U States to any Candidate for office in those days when my recommendation would have weight. Nor should I now do it, was I not thoroughly convinced from my long knowledge of yr. goodness that you would take pleasure when proper, to recollect those who have been like myself always personally attached to you, especially when they...
29To James Madison from James Taylor, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
James W. Moss e[s] quire now of Mason County in this State has made some arrangements to move to that part of the Indiana Territory which appears by a late law of Congress to be made a Separate Territory. He has suggested to me a wish to recieve some secondary appointment in the Illinois Territory, such as Secretary, Register or reciever of public Monies or indeed any other you might please to...
30To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Washington County, Maryland, 6 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1809, Hager’s Town. The “republican Citizens” of Washington County met at the courthouse on 4 Mar. to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the day when “ correct principles ” triumphed over “a party , whose obnoxious measures whilst in power deservedly lost them the confidence of the people; and also to celebrate this day , upon which Jas. Maddison is exalted to the presidential chair.”...
31Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 6 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Coles , the bearer of public dispatches, by an Aviso . he has lived with me as Secretary, is my wealthy neighbor at Monticello , & worthy of all confidence. his intimate knolege of our situation has induced us to send him, because he will be a full supplement as to all those things which cannot be detailed in writing. he can possess you of our present situation...
32Republicans of Georgetown to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The republicans and friends of the late administration, of George Town , animated by the purest sentiments of gratitude and affection, beg leave to express to you those emotions inspired by the interesting crisis of your departure from public life. Devoted as you have been for so long a period of time, to the service of your country, endeared by your unceasing cares for our national...
33Thomas Gimbrede to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Gimbrede has the honor to offer to M r Jefferson a Little Sketch in Cameo , which if he should deem it worthy of his acceptance, he will please to receive it, as an evidence of my Esteem & high consideration, with an unfeigned wish that in your retirement—you may experience that tranquility & happiness that your usefulness in public Life has so Eminently entitled you to. RC ( DLC );...
34Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, 6 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved safely your letter of May 30. & with it your astronomical work & Political essay on the kingdom of New Spain , for which I return you my sincere thanks. I had before heard that this work had begun to appear, & the specimen I have recieved proves that it will not disappoint the expectations of the learned. besides making known to us one of the most singular & interesting countries on...
35Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Presidential Appointments, [ca. 6 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
candidates Sec retary of State War Missisi pi Gov r v. Williams Holmes .
36Nathaniel Rochester and William L. Brent to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In conformity to a resolution entered into by the republican Citizens of Washington County in the State of Maryland , assembled at Hagers Town , we, the Chairman and the Secretary of the meeting, have the honor of transmitting to you the following extract from their proceedings.—we remain with sentiments of the highest esteem and respect N. Rochester W m L. Brent
37Margaret Bayard Smith to Thomas Jefferson, [by 6 March 1809] [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
I have seen in your Cabinet, a Geranium , which I understood you cultivated with your own hands. If you do not take it home with you, I entreat you to leave it with me. I cannot tell you how inexpressibly precious it will be to my heart. It shall be attended with the assiduity of affection & watered, with tears of regret; & each day as I attend it, will I invoke the best blessings of Heaven,...
38Thomas Jefferson to Margaret Bayard Smith, 6 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to mrs Smith, and sends her the Geranium she expressed a willingness to recieve. it is in very bad condition, having been neglected latterly as not intended to be removed. he cannot give it his parting blessing more effectually than by consigning it to the nourishing hand of mrs Smith. if plants have sensibility, as the analogy of their...
39Thomas Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, 6 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Smith to print for him 100. copies of the within letter each on a separate sheet of 4 to letter paper. he would be glad to have them by Thursday evening if practicable. he salutes him with esteem & respect. RC ( DLC : Henley Smith Papers); dateline at foot of text; endorsed by Smith. Not recorded in SJL . Samuel Harrison Smith (1772–1845) was born in...
40Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Circular to Office Seekers, [ca. 6 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
THE friendship which has long subsisted between the President of the United States and myself gave me reason to expect, on my retirement from office, that I might often receive applications to interpose with him on behalf of persons desiring appointments. Such an abuse of his dispositions towards me would necessarily lead to the loss of them, and to the transforming me from the character of a...