161From Richard Cranch to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your request I have been recollecting some particulars respecting the antient and honourable family of Quincy (from which you are descended) that I have met with in reading or that my long acquaintance with the family have brought to my knowledge. It appears from antient historians, particularly from Mathew Paris, who flourished in the thirteenth century, that Robert De Quincy...
162From Richard Cranch to Elizabeth Quincy Guild, 23 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your request I have been recollecting some particulars respecting the antient and honourable family of Quincy (from which you are descended) that I have met with in reading or that my long acquaintance with the family have brought to my knowledge. It appears from antient historians, particularly from Mathew Paris, who flourished in the thirteenth century, that Robert De Quincy...
163William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, [23 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed by a meeting of your County men to express to you their feelings & sentiments on your late return, inclose you a copy of an address which they are instructed to present—Those gentlemen who live at a distance & are now in Town , wish to be inform’d at what Time & place it will be most agreeable to you to receive them— By order of the committee W D. Meriwether Chrm n RC (...
164To James Madison from Maria E. Heineken, 24 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Previous to Mr. Heinekens Decease he wrote Your Excellency requesting to know if Mr G J E Smissaert had received his Exequator from the president for the state of new York, Which not being Answered, & having some unpleasant business With the Agents under Mr. H ⟨I⟩ Presume to request it as A favor, to know wha⟨t⟩ Period Mr. Smissaert received his Exequator, also the difft states included under...
165To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 24 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I reached this place last Week after a fatigueing journey through the Mud almost impassible. My return was very opportune for never were there such exertions by the Federalists to elect their candidates in all the districts round me, & particularly in my own. I believe however the majority will not be diminished in this district, but I am sure that if I had not opposed the unfortunate...
166To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you several letters which must have been intended for the office, & not the person named on the back. They belong therefore to your files, and I will pray you particularly as to those asking office on this & all other occasions to consider me merely as the channel of conveyance, & not as meaning to add an atom of weight to the sollicitations they convey—unless indeed I know any thing...
167To James Madison from William Cooke, 24 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
If ever the human heart, was compleatly gratified, in the accomplishment of an event, in which it had no individual interest; I can with great truth say that mine is, in seeing the Honorable Elevation, to which the United voices of the American people have raised you. We have precedents from ancient nations of their national affairs being retrieved from anarchy and confusion; and brought to...
168Samuel DeButts to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with great diffidence that I give you at this time the trouble of a letter. Yet I have a lively hope from your general character that you will overlook my presumption when you are acquainted that with every plea of honesty on my side I approach you to ask your influence to obtain justice for me from M r Sam l Carr . You will now recollect Sir my former application . Having purchased &...
169Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Dougherty, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved yours of the 19 th just in time by the return of this day’s post, to inform you that the dove coloured silk, with down in it, is mine. it is an Eider-down coverlet which I bought in Philadelphia in 1793. when I lived there. as it can be rolled into a compass not bigger than a man’s leg, I would wish it to be packed in as small a box as it can be got into, & forwarded by the...
170Thomas Jefferson to Henry Foxall, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The cook which I had in Washington ( mr Julien ) and who is now with me for a time, informs me you made for the President ’s kitchen some irons of casting for the stoves or stew-holes in the kitchen, in which the box-part & the grilles grille or bars were all solid together, and that you made them of three sizes. I must ask the favor of you to make 8. for me, to wit, 2. of the largest size & 3...
171Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My packages from Washington must be now near arriving with you, and I will pray you to forward them by such boats as are deemed trusty. there will also be from mr Taggert of Philadelphia a cask of linseed oil & keg of white lead. I inclose you a bill of lading of for a box belonging to one of my workmen, mr Nelson , which he had addressed to me, to the care of your firm, which as you will see...
172Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you several letters which must have been intended for the office, & not the person named on the back. they belong therefore to your files, and I will pray you particularly as to those asking office on this & all other occasions to consider me merely as the channel of conveyance, & not as meaning to add an atom of weight to the sollicitations they convey. unless indeed I know any...
173Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I intended to have answered your kind letter by mr Stevenson yesterday evening but he left us without my knowing it. perhaps he considered as an answer, my saying to him that I presumed it would be most convenient for the gentlemen of the committee to meet on our next court day at Charlottesville , where I will attend them. I take the liberty therefore of proposing this to them, as other...
174New York State Legislature to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The legislature of the state of New York , on the occasion of your voluntary retirement to the shades of private life, from the office of chief magistrate of the United States , cannot, without injustice to their feelings refrain from expressing their respect for your exalted character, their gratitude for your public services, and their best wishes for your personal happiness. Like your great...
175Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Trist, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve with great thankfulness your kind congratulations on my liberation from the duties & anxieties of my late situation. five & twenty years of affectionate acquaintance (perhaps it is uncivil to recall such a period to a single lady) leave me without a doubt of their sincerity. of the ground of congratulation nobody can be a more feeling judge than myself. I my present freedom of...
176From John Adams to Elizabeth Quincy Guild, 25 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased with your curiosity to investigate the history of your connections Ancestors, and as Mr. Cranch has permited me to see what he has written, and I happen to possess some books that he has not; I take the liberty freedom to make a small addition— In the second Vol of Blackstone’s Law Tracts, are the great Charter, and the Charter of the Forest with other authentic instruments...
177To James Madison from Paul Verdier, 25 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am sorrey to give you the trouble of so Small a matter, Knowing you have much buisiness of importance to attend to. Having no acquaintance with any person in the City or Should not have given you the troble. I understand the Cross post from the City to orange Court house & Charlotsvill is to be Continued which is now Carried by Mr Samuel McIntire and that his Contract is nearly out. Should...
178Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 25 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter by post yesterday desired you to send my goods from Washington by trusty boatmen. I did not then know that mr r R andolph ’s boats would go off to-day. as they are entirely trusty, I pray you to deliver to them whatever you may have for me. the molasses particularly will come safe by them. we are entirely unable to get cotton seed in this part of the country. mr Bacon at my request...
179James Maury to Thomas Jefferson, 25 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to congratulate you on your return to Monticello & hope you there enjoy that comfort in retirement which you had contemplated. I think the laws of the United States exempt from the expence of postage those who have served the high office you so lately filled: I therefore sent you a few days ago a packet of Newspapers: since the date of which the Duke of York has resigned . Annexed...
180To James Madison from Mordecai Barbour, 26 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Being disappointed in my expectations in this quarter of the World and having no prospect here of doing anything beneficial for my family, I have deemd it advisable to remove to some situation in the Western Country. And in order to make the most advantageous selection I intend in the course of this Spring and ensuing Summer to travel through Kentucky Tennessee & the Mississippi Country, in...
181To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 26 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am honored, dear Sir, by your letter of the 14th. instant in answer to mine of the 20th of february, stating, that “tho you do not enter into the aptitude of all my observations, you perceive in them a very interesting veiw of our public affairs.” Since the adoption of those measures, the relaxation of Government, in regard to the embargo, has happily changed the phrenzy, excited by the last...
182John MacGowty to Thomas Jefferson, 26 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of Writing to you as a sea faring man who has been to sea for 22 years and have had the Honour of Sailing Master of vessls with the Sea Letters, with your signature to them, Sir I have been about the world considrably and have red some, but I do not recoollect to have ever read or seen the instance of a man’s having Honour and riches enough, as it Seams Sir you have...
183To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 27 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I recd. your letter of the 9th. inst—(nearly a fortnight after its date) accompanying Dr. Trumbull’s M S. Hist. “with more delight than it would be prudent in me to express.” Your approbation of this History, is more praise to it its author, than would be the praise of any other man living, because I believe no other man is so well acquainted with the history of this country, & at the same...
184From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ the letter from Mr. Brown was probably intended for you, I could not hesitate in carrying it into effect; and finding that the Bill on the Navy Dept. will be paid, I inclose, in order to avoid the delay of a week, the sum drawn for in Bank notes. I send them to you rather than directly to Mrs. T. first because I do not know what the direct address ought to be, & 2dly. because it is...
185To James Madison from Francis Kinloch, 27 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I trust & believe, that the distance which your merit & your long services have placed between us will not render an address from me in so familiar a style improper, & that I may yet, though probably for the last time, avail myself of my having been once of your acquaintance. It seems right & proper, that I, who live almost exclusively with fœderalists, who feel in common with them a strong...
186Cunningham Harris to Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
From a conviction that the cultivation of the Benni would prove a useful acquisition to both the medical and agricultural departments, and uncertain where to procure even a partial supply of the seed, I have taken the liberty to request that you will have the goodness to forward me by an early post such a supply as may not be deemed an unwarrantable requisition on that department. I have...
187George Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made diligent search after M r Nelson ’s box, but cannot find it.— Cap t Hand I understand belongs to Philadelphia , or to Alexandria ,—he is however frequently here: I will make a point of ascertaining what he has done with the box, on his return to this place.—I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you at Monticello in the course of the spring or summer. RC ( MHi ); at foot of text:...
188James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ the letter from M r Brown was probably intended for you, I could not hesitate in carrying it into effect; and finding that the Bill on the Navy Dep t will be paid, I inclose, in order to avoid the delay of a week, the sum drawn for in Bank notes. I send them to you rather than directly to M rs T. first because I do not know what the direct address ought to be, & 2 dly because it is...
189From John Adams to William Sumner, 28 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have always cherrished an affection for you for many reasons which determine the Understanding and touch the heart.— Your Father Solicited me to receive him into my Office as a Student at Law. Having at that time three Clerks, and the Rules of the Bar as well as the Orders of the Court prohibiting any Barrister to entertain more than that number at any one time, I was compelled, much against...
190From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have yours of the 24. The enquiry as to Franzoni will be made as soon as an oppy. offers. F. Page had been appd. before your letter was recd. & his Commission forwarded. We have letters from Erving to Jany. 28. He was at Cadiz, intending it appears to adhere to the Junta Suprema, till the drama should close, and then leave Spain, by way of Gibralter, Tangier, or England, if no other course...
191To James Madison from Anthony Fothergill, 28 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Being just recovered from a long indisposition, permit me now to tender you my sincere congratulations on your elevation to a station of the highest dignity your Country could confer. A station however, at this juncture, as arduous as it is honorable, & which will call forth all your Virtues & Magnanimity to adorn. May your Administration be crowned with the happy adjustment of the existing...
192To James Madison from Gideon Granger, 28 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
G. Granger presents his compliments to the President, and informs him that it is not contemplated to continue the route mentiond by Mr Verdier after the 1st of next month. Expresses will be sent when the president wishes it; but it will be much the most convenient to have the Agent here. G. Granger has written to Mr Verdier to this effect, and he returns the letter. RC ( DLC ). See Paul...
193Thomas Jefferson to the Republicans of Essex County, Massachusetts, 28 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The reciept of your kind address in the last moments of the session of Congress , will, I trust offer a just apology for this late acknolegement of it. I am very sensible of the indulgence with which you are so good as to review the measures of my late administration: and I feel for that indulgence the sentiments of gratitude it so justly calls for. the stand which has been made on behalf of...
194James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yours of the 24 . The enquiry as to Franzoni will be made as soon as an opp y offers. F. Page had been app d before your letter was rec d , & his Comission forwarded. We have letters from Erving to Jan y
195Larkin Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot suppress the gratification which I feel, in expressing to you my sentiments of exalted respect, and veneration, for your eminent public services and private virtues. and altho’ the latter part of your Administration, was attended with circumstances, that must have been wounding to your feelings, and which I consider as eminating directly from a widely extended British influence, in...
196From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 29 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I cannot pretend to any extraordinary Knowledge of the History of this Country, or of what a general History of it ought to contain nor is my Letter written with Sufficient Care for publication: but as this is equally true of every other Thing of mine that has been published you are quite at Liberty to make what use of this you please. My Life has been passed in too much hurry to allow me to...
197To James Madison from Benjamin Rush and Others, 29 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Medical Professors of the University of Pennsylvania beg leave to address you upon a Subject highly interesting to the honor, and interest of the United States. It has been the practice of the Professors, ever since the establishment of the University, to give Certificates to the Students who have required them, of their having attended their respective lectures. These Certificates are not...
198To James Madison from William Short, 29 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Madn. P.—March 29. [1809, Paris]—make use of occasion announced by Gel. A though precarious—catarrh—& pain of writing—do not address Sec. of S—he not known yet—state of information here—zero—his nomination only known. Anxious to write so as to explain the cause of my delay here—my letters by Union sent by A —Wait on Ct. R. —postpone details for another occasion—the advantage of first seeing...
199Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 29 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your very obliging & kind letter was received by Mrs. Latrobe yesterday, & I had also your commands on business which I beg leave to answer concisely today & to write more at large tomorrow. Your directions as to the liveries shall be obeyed. The patterns of colors on Glass met with an accident. They were broken & shall be sent on, repainted , tomorrow. The sketch of the Chariot in my letter...
200Thomas Jefferson to the Convention of Bristol County, Rhode Island, 29 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The reciept of your friendly address in the last moments of the session of Congress , will, I trust, offer a just apology for it’s late acknolegement. We have certainly cause to rejoice that since the waves of affliction & peril, raised from the storm of war by the rival belligerents of Europe , have undulated on our shores, the councils of the nation have been able to preserve it from the...
201Thomas Jefferson to the Republican Mechanics of Leesburg, Virginia, 29 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The reciept of your kind address , in the last moments of the session of Congress , will, I trust, offer a just apology for it’s late acknolegement. Your friendly salutations on the close of my public life, and approbation of the motives which dictated my retirement are recieved with great satisfaction. That there should be a contrariety of opinions respecting the public Agents & their...
202Thomas Jefferson to William McCandless, 29 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved on the evening of the 1 st of March the resolutions inclosed in your letter of Feb. 20. for the purpose of being laid before both houses of Congress . usage & perhaps sound principle not permitting the President to place himself between the representatives & their constituents, who have a right to address their legislature directly, I delivered, the next day a copy of your...
203From James Madison to Benjamin Rush, 30 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been prevented from acknowledging, as soon as I could have wished, your kind favor of the 13th. inst. Under the circumstances my fellow Citizens have thought proper to place me, it is particularly grateful to me, to enjoy the good wishes of the most enlightened and virtuous among them: and above all of those whose long and personal acquaintance gives peculiar value to their favorable...
204To James Madison from John Armstrong, 30 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
We are often as much injured by our friends, in this world, as by our enemeies [ sic ]. The circumstance that immediately occasions this remark, is the effect produced here by the Speech of M. Whitbread, (who is, no doubt, well disposed towards the U. S.) no less than by that of M. Canning, who, as certainly, has no great partiality for us. The one, (as you know), declared, that we had made an...
205To James Madison from Isaac Ball, 30 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Directed by a Respectful Consideration, for the President of the United States—Permit me Sir—with deference to present this small product in the field of literature. If to diffuse happiness to mankind, and a knowledge of the human character, may be considered worthy of every rational mind—Indulge me to hope, the few pages submitted are calculated to inspire—an elevated view of the faculties of...
206To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 19th. came to hand by the last post; but that allows us so little time that I could not answer by it’s return. I had not before heard of mr. Latrobe’s claim of Lenthall’s salary in addition to his own. That some of Lenthall’s duties must have fallen on him I have no doubt; but that he could have performed them all in addition to his own so as to entitle himself to his whole...
207To James Madison from Napoleon, 30 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 March 1809, Paris. Announces the birth of Princess Hortense-Eugénie-Napoléon [daughter of Eugène and Auguste-Amélie de Beauharnais, viceroy and vicereine of Italy] on 23 Dec. 1808. RC ( DNA : RG 59, Communications from Heads of Foreign States, 1778–1903). 1 p. Written in French. Docketed by a clerk: “Recd. Augt 28th.”
208James McKinney to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
For a number of years past I have wish d to be in your employ, (provided it would be under your immediate direction) in Any capacity that I would be found usefull, that wish is now encreas d Since you have declined all publick business—I am a Native of Pennsylvania ( Lancaster County ) & have been regularly bred to farming & Manufactering of flour on an extencive Scale—I removed with my family...
209Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 19 th came to hand by the last post; but that allows us so little time that I could not answer by it’s return. I had not before heard of mr Latrobe’s claim of Lenthall’s salary in addition to his own. that some of Lenthall’s duties must have fallen on him I have no doubt; but that he could have performed them all in addition to his own so as to entitle himself to his whole salary,...
210To John Adams from William Cunningham, 31 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I know not when my sensibilities have been more exquisitely touched than they were by the perusal of your favour of the 20th. inst. and by the concluding sentence of your Letter to Messrs. Wright and Lyman, which I read at the same time. Thoroughly sensible as I am of the wrong which has been done you, I am yet persuaded that the natural effect of your own reflections upon it is to its...