2701From James Madison to Congress, 11 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I transmit to Congress copies of a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, from Captain Decatur of the Frigate “United States,” reporting his combat and capture of the British Frigate, Macedonian. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on that officer and his companions on board, for the consummate skill and conspicuous valour, by which this Trophy has been added to the naval arms of the United...
2702To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
Yours of yesterday was recieved last night. The McGehee who is the subject of it, is an overseer of mine at a place, which on account of it’s importance to me, mr. Randolph takes care of. He employed McGehee, & solely superintends him. We consider him as extremely industrious, active, attentive, and skilful in the old practices, but prejudiced against any thing he is not used to. We have...
2703Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you remarks on your letter to Mr Carr: not much differing from the spirit and substance of my former letter . I do not disagree with you in the least as to the measure of national happiness in the two countries, but the worst government in other respects is certainly the most powerful. Your plan of a Militia, I and Gen l John Steele took pains to recommend about the year 1802–3 but he...
2704To John Adams from Stephen D. Kingston, 29 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
The obligation confered by the letter you did me the honor to write in September last will always be highly estimated, and as the subject on which I took the liberty of troubling you appears to involve important considerations particularly as to our treaties. I beg leave to inclose the printed documents laid before the Legislature of this State. I am sorry to add in vain. With great Respect...
2705Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 27 th Ult. has been duly recieved. you have had a long holiday from my intrusions. in truth I have had nothing to write about; and your time should not be consumed by letters about nothing. the inclosed paper however makes it a duty to give you the trouble of reading it. you know the handwriting and the faith due to it. our intimacy with the writer leaves no doubt about his...
2706Thomas Jefferson to James Ogilvie, 4 August 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 24. was very long on it’s passage to me. it gave us all pleasure to learn from yourself the progress of your peregrination, and your prospect of approaching rest, for a while, among our Western brethren. of ‘ restfor the body, some, none for the mind .’ to that, action is said to be all it’s joy: and we have no more remarkeable proof of it than in yourself. the newspapers...
2707From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 19 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
The History of Queen Ann’s reign and of the Treaty of Utrecht is So instructive, that it is worth while to look into the Life of Mesnager, and into that of the Abby Gautria. Mesnager was a Merchant of Rouen; in great Commerce but preferring Politicks of to trade Louis 14th. informed of his Talents, Sent him twice into Spain, to regulate the commerce of the Indias; and after wards into Holland...
2708Skelton Jones to Thomas Jefferson, 7 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter dated June the 25 th came duly to hand. I have seen the master commissioner Ladd and informed him that any arrangement which should be made between you and himself would be satisfactory to me. He has appointed the 20 th of Oct r as the day of meeting, of which I expect he will inform you. He will also give notice of the postponement to David Copeland one of the parties concerned....
2709To James Madison from John Carroll, 3 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 November 1809, Baltimore. Introduces Julius de Menou, a young man who wishes “an opportunity of expressing his respectful veneration for your worth and character, his love and attachment to the government and manners of this country, in which he has been educated from his infancy.” Adds his own expression of high esteem. RC ( DLC ). 2 pp. Docketed by JM. Carroll was the archbishop of...
2710John Harvie to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I had thought that our conversation in Charlottesville was too explicit clear and unambiguous in its nature, to be misunderstood by either party, but as several passages in your letter indicate that we do not view its spirit in the same light, I will endeavour for the purpose of placing the subject upon its proper footing to recite as accurately as I can what passed between us. Should I...
2711Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith (of Maryland), 23 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the reciept of your favor of July 14. I had recieved one from Gov r Nicholas on the same subject; had answered it and written to the President . I stated to mr Nicholas , that mr Appleton had been appointed by the old Congress on my sollicitation
2712Thomas Jefferson to John E. Hall, 1 January 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Nov. 15. came during a long absence of mine from this place , which has occasioned this delay of the answer. the MS. notes in my pamphlet on the Batture, were only corrections of the press, I believe; for I have not a copy of it. these I inserted in most of the copies I sent out, but not in all of them; and I have no others to add. it was printed by mr Serjeant in N. York , who...
2713Thomas Jefferson’s Labeled Diagrams Related to Calculations of Altitude of the Peaks of Otter, [ca. 10–17 November 1815] (Jefferson Papers)
to obtain the altitude a.b. from 2. stations c. & d. each in the plane of the axis of a mountain a.b. and themselves on an inclined plane. a. the apex, or summit of the mountain. a.b. it’s Axis. b. it’s base in the level of a river. c. the plane of the instrument at it’s 1 st station. d. it’s plane at it’s 2 d station. c.d. the inclined plane measured. de. the same continued to the axis at e....
2714Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
While at Monticello I am so much engrossed by business or society that I can only write on matters of strong urgency. here I have leisure, as I have every where the disposition to think of my friends. I recur therefore to the subject of your kind letters relating to mr Adams and myself, which a late occurrence has again presented to me. I communicated to you the correspondence which had parted...
2715To James Madison from David Bailie Warden, 21 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to send you a Brochure “on the principles, and laws of armed neutrality,” of which the contents, from particular circumstances, are highly interesting to the United States. The Head quarters of the Emperor of France are already Twenty leagues beyond Wilnaw. It is generally believed, that Russia will make but a feeble resistance against his immense army, supported by Austria,...
2716John Koontz to Thomas Jefferson, 2 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I was Informed yeasterday that you had some of the morino sheep a Stock I have for some time wished to be posses d off—but did not until then know they where so near me Should my information be correct and you Should think proper to sell any of them please to Drop me a line Pr mail—and Insert your price for two Ewe s and a ram I have been a long time keeping Store and continue the Business but...
2717To James Madison from William Lee, 17 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
Some circumstances having occurred, since I had the honor to write you on the subject of the appointment, you had the goodness to offer me; I have thought it best after mature reflection, to accept the same, if you have not Sir before this gets to hand, selected another person. It will take me from ten, to fifteen days, to close all my concerns here and at the farthest, I can be in Washington...
2718To James Madison from William Gray, 21 January 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Gray. 21 January 1814, Boston. “Permit me to introduce to your notice the Honble Moses Carleton of Wiscasset, who is a very respectable Character, a firm supporter to the General Government, and is a Gentln. of real worth & probity, any civilities shewn him will be considerd as conferd upon me. ” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Carlton’s business in Washington was probably related to a 20 May...
2719Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Detained by some business, beyond the time that I assigned in my last, I think proper to inform thee, & that I still am preparing to go to Washington , & to see thee, as I informed thee before. In the mean time, I presume to trouble thee with a solicitation in behalf of some interest I wish to make at Washington . The present Post-Master of this city, is a most worthy man, my intimate friend....
2720To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 12 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
The writer of this Communication deems it his duty as one of a suffering Community to state to the Executive of the United states that unless immediate measures are adopted to prevent the further drain of Specie from the middle & southern States that universal Bankrupcy must ensue. In gods name why not meet the Crisis firmly & utter at once fifty or one hundred millions of paper medium & make...
2721To James Madison from Benjamin Hamilton, 6 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 May 1812, Hamburg, Sussex County, New Jersey. Offers the services of “the uniformed company of Independent Blues … to oppose the enemies of the United States.” Expresses his indignation “at the wrongs inflicted on the nation by the insidious and treacherous governments of Europe” and declares that his officers and privates “are ready to March at a moments warning, to oppose the foe on the...
2722Larkin Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 3 March 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
A small package of Garden seed was this day delivered to me, with your address; by a very safe conveyance to Richmond I have committed it to the care of M r James Barbour , with a request that he would transmit it to you without loss of time, as the season for sowing the seed has commenced. Permit me to avail myself of this occurrence to express to you my unabated devotion, and high respect...
2723To James Madison from Robert Goodloe Harper, 6 February 1817 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Goodloe Harper. “Thursday eveng” 6 February 1817. “Genl. Harper will have the honour of attending the President of the united States at dinner on Saturday next.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
2724To James Madison from Jehu Crack, 12 April 1814 (Madison Papers)
Considering the very importent affairs you must now have to Occupy your attention, it is with the greatest, reluctanc⟨e⟩ and diffidence, I take the liberty of adressing you in behalf of the society of which I have the honour to be president, every member of which are genuine rebublicans—and with heart and hand, Sword or pen would defend the great cause to the last. We formed into a Body the...
2725John Barnes to Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
In making my Arangem ts for the 1 st paymt to the loan 25 th May for $2500. I was Necessi t ated, to procure a disc t for $1480—and now find—my self deficient nearly—$1000—(exclusive of your expected $360—) to be provided for, against 25 h Instant, when the 4 th and last paym t is to be made for $2500—soon as you can make it convenient—to remit me—will be very Acceptable—the times are...
2726To James Madison from the Inhabitants of Northampton, Massachusetts, [1 July] 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Memorial and Remonstrance of the Inhabitants of the Town of Northampton, in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Humbly sheweth That your Memorialists have received, with inexpressible surprize and pain, an Act of Congress declaring War against Great Britain, and the Proclamation of the President consequent thereon and earnestly desiring to consult the best means, under...
2727From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have Sent to The Post Office this Morning, your Diploma, as Member of our Accademy. How many years ago ought you to have had it? I hope you will now communicate your Speculations to that Body through Mr Quincy their corresponding Secretary. I should advise Mr George Marsden to petition Congress for Relief, Setting forth his Service Commissions and present Circumstances. of Meteroric Stones I...
2728Thomas Jefferson to the Inhabitants of Albemarle County, 3 April 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Returning to the scenes of my birth & early life, to the society of those with whom I was raised, & who have been ever dear to me, I recieve, fellow citizens & neighbors, with inexpressible pleasure, the cordial welcome you are so good as to give me. long absent on duties which the history of a wonderful aera made incumbent on those called to them, the pomp, the turmoil, the bustle & splendour...
2729To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I had an interview with Mr Bagot yesterday on the subject of the fisheries. He proposes, to allot for our use, a certain tract on the Labrador shore, lying between Mt Joli & the strait of Belle Isle, the Esquimaux bay, a distance of more than 150 miles, being between 2. and 3. degrees. Ships which descend the St. Lawrance pass, generally, I believe, thro that Strait by Mt. Joli. His idea is,...
2730To James Madison from the Tennessee General Assembly, 22 April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 April 1809, Knoxville. A joint resolution notes that the country has long been assailed by the belligerents of Europe, “and we are at length placed in a situation … [where] an appeal to the sword in defence of our rights cannot be much longer deferred.” Within the nation differences of opinion exist, but “the great mass of our fellow citizens in every part of the union are equally devoted...
2731From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will derive some merit from its being the latest date, and I hope will reach you soon. it comes to inform you that mr Tarbel has Letters for you—your Father has given you his opinion respecting the publication of the extract of his Letter to dr price by mr Morgan. I send you the copy from the original and am ready to ask mr Morgan, in the words of the play. “who was the dupe? with...
2732Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Milligan, 28 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter from M r Sam l H. Smith I am informed that the President had engaged you to come on here as soon as I should be ready to examine and pack the library, and that mr Dougherty was to superintend the transportation. I have been a fortnight laboriously engaged in revising the books, & placing them on their shelves every one in the place and order in which it stands in the Catalogue....
2733To James Madison from John Mason, 9 March 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 March 1813 , “ Indian office .” “In conformity with the law of 2d. March 1811 —I have the honour to transmit a statement of the salaries of the agents assistant agents and Clerks at the several trading houses with the Indian tribes—from the 1st. day of april 1812 the day to which payment was last made for them from the treasury for one year amount $10383.28 and to sollicit that you will be...
2734To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Alex. Bryant Johnson returned me the ms—Had I more time I Should be tempted to write a geogological history of a part of this western world—Say between the little falls and Lakes—but now I give it up, and, nevertheless, can not cease of collecting materials. I lately finished a treatise—on agriculture—I ought rather to Say—its Skeleton—but it remains yet in the brouillon. And now I am...
2735Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Thompson, 5 August 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Th Jefferson returns his thanks to Doct r Benjamin Franklin Thompson for the pamphlet he has been so kind as to send him, and owes him special acknolegements for the indulgence with which he has been pleased to view the general tenor of his political life. the sentiments of the pamphlet bespeak through the whole a glow of genuine republicanism, which it is ever delightful to him to percieve,...
2736To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 30 March 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 March 1811, Philadelphia. Introduces the bearers, Mr. Caldwell and Major Plenderleath, who were introduced to him as gentlemen of “uncommon worth” by his son-in-law in Quebec. They hold, respectively, civil and military commissions under the British government. On their travels in the U.S. they wish “to do homage to the person and Character of the President of the United States.” RC ( DLC...
2737To John Adams from Anonymous, August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your communication in the late Chonacle has capt all your other transactions—not content with plunging the Provinces in a wicked and unjust Rebellion against the mother Country—not content with hagging with the vilest Nation on Earth, when Great Britain offerd every thing that we could wish, yet by the War was in —Not content after you was forgiven by the Best of Kings & all the true friends...
2738William W. Hening to Thomas Jefferson, 8 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately received a letter from Judge Tucker , inclosing an extract from a gentleman in Salem (Mass.) who is collecting materials for a history of printing in America , from its first introduction.—The writer suggests, that at one period, the publication of News-papers, in Virginia , was either discouraged or totally prohibited; and the object of Judge Tucker ’s enquiry of me is, to know,...
2739To James Madison from the Maryland General Assembly, 7 January 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 January 1812, Annapolis. Forward in compliance with a resolution passed by the General Assembly of Maryland an authenticated copy of sundry resolutions passed at the November 1811 session. RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 1 p.; signed by William Thomas, president of the Senate, and Tobias E. Stansbury, Speaker of the House of Delegates. For enclosure (3 pp.; docketed by JM), see n. 1. On 19 Nov....
2740William Tunnicliff to Thomas Jefferson, 13 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
From the little knowledge you have of me, I am in hopes you will excuse this liberty I now take in addressing a few lines to you You may remember on my return from London with the little articles I procured for you, it was then, and still is my wish, to get into some employment in the executive department, your answer then was a very good one, from your then situation in life (as to...
2741To James Madison from James Monroe, 31 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
Owing to some accident I did not receive your letter of the 28. untill after Mr Rush left me, which I much regret, as it deprivd me of the opportunity, of conferring with him, on the answers to be given to those of the French & Russian ministers, which accompanied it. I am astonished at the contents of both, as they put us to trials, which, if either of them had good sense or moderation would...
2742To James Madison from Bushrod Washington, 27 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1809, Mount Vernon. Recommends Edmund Jennings Lee for the vacant assistant judgeship of the District of Columbia circuit court. RC ( DNA : RG 59, Letters of Application, 1809–17). 1 p.
2743To James Madison from Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 9 March 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Benjamin W. Crowninshield. 9 March 1815, Navy Department. “I have the honor to enclose for your signature the Commissions herewith.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). 1 p. The enclosed commissions were probably for appointments that JM submitted to the Senate in a message dated 14 Dec. 1815 ( Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United...
2744Thomas Leiper to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January [1814] (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 9 th of last month to which I refere—In that letter was enclosed an extract of a letter wrote by you and the report of the day was it was adressed to Doctor Logan — All your friends here were but of one opinion you never wrote it it was a forgery But since their has appeared in the same paper on the 11 th the same extract with a preface annexed which staggers our faith and...
2745To James Madison from Abraham G. Lansing, 8 [May] 1813 (Madison Papers)
The condescention shewn by your Excellency to my application in behalf of my son for the appointment of Surgeon in the United States Army —I have had the Honor particularly to acknowledge thro my respected Freind Genl. Smith —in soliciting that appointment I took the Freedom to mention the circumstances which influenced me to address you unsupported by a recommendation from the Gentlemen who...
2746André Thoüin to Thomas Jefferson, 7 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Permettez moi d’avoir l’honneur de vous présenter M. Correa de Serra , naturaliste portugais, mon honorable collegue à la Societé d’agriculture de Paris , à l’Institut de France , aux annales du Museum et mon respectable ami. Entrainé par une passion irresistible vers l’étude de la nature, de Ses loix et Surtout de Ses productions, il a voyagé dans diverses parties de l’Europe et S’est lié...
2747To James Madison from Robert Lewis Madison, 27 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
Your letter has just come to hand and I was surprised to find that my letter to my Father, informing him of your having sent me 250$ had never been received. I wrote to him agreeably to your request a few days after its reception—but suppose from the negligence and inattention of the Post Masters that it has never reached him. By this time you have seen in the Intellingencer J. Cooper’s...
2748From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 [August] 1811 (Madison Papers)
I just find by the letters from W. that you had at length been liberated from your detention there. Mr. Graham having left the packet for you unsealed, I have glanced over the papers relating to Grassin & the letters of Foster. I am glad to find that the Owner of the Privateer, domicil[i]ated here, is taken in hand. There can be no legal difficulty I presume in dealing with him. Foster seems...
2749To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Never Shall be obliterated the few days, which I enjoy’d at Quincÿ—I fostered allways indeed a faint hope—to See you once more, and know, that I Should meet with a cordial reception—but never my ardent imagination did reach to that which I received—From you I expected all the warmth of an old friend—but—even if I was more presumtuous—I could laÿ no claim whatever on the numerous civilities,...
2750Thomas Jefferson to Valentín de Foronda, 4 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 26. came to hand in the succeeding month and I have now to thank you for the pamphlet it contained. I have read it with pleasure, and find the constitution proposed would probably be as free as is consistent with hereditary institutions. it has one feature which I like much; that which provides that when the three co-ordinate branches differ in their construction of the...