5701From John Adams to James Monroe, 17 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
All our intelligent Travellers to Washington, I find have an ambition to See both the present, and future President of the United States. I beg leave to introduce to you Colonelt William Sumner and his Sister, Miss Elizabeth Sumner, Children of our late Governor Sumner. Col Sumner has not only the Advantages of the best public Education at Colledge, and the Bar, but of many years service in...
5702Michael Leib to Thomas Jefferson, 29 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your recommendation would at all times be a sufficient inducement to me to patronize any one who was favord with it; and the extension of your good opinion to Joseph Dougherty has secured mine. It will add much to my gratification to be in any manner instrumental in the promotion of any wish of yours whether public or private. The times are inauspicious, not only to the nation, but to some...
5703From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 28 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
Vive la bagatelle. How shall we cure that distemper of the Mind State Vanity? You know to what a degree the ancient dominion was infected with it, and how many Sacrifices We have been obliged to make to it. You remember, how Pensilvania had it. “Pensilvania was first in Arts and Arms,”! “Philadelphia was the heart of the Union.” So said George Ross. Dr Lyman Hall of Georgia, readily...
5704Craven Peyton to Thomas Jefferson, [20 August 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
the Deed s not given you the othar day are in the office at Charlotesville except M r Henderson s that being in the care of Mr. Hay at Richm d the parts baught of R. Anderson as attorney for Seabrook is not deeded ewing to the circumstance of my objecting to pay for Hills
5705To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 27 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
The peculiarity of my situation as an officer & its hardship as a Man, will I hope excuse me for making this tresspass on your attention. The conversation which I lately held with my friend Majr. General Dearborn, in consequence I understand of your direction to Him, has occupied my most serious consideration. Conscious as I am of my incapacity, to treat the supreme executive officer of my...
5706Thomas Jefferson to Arsène Lacarrière Latour, 26 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Major Carriere La Tour , acknoleges the receipt of the Prospectus of his history of the war of Louisiana & West Florida, and asks leave to subscribe for a copy. should it be published in the original language, he would prefer that. he salutes him with respect RC ( LNHiC : Latour Archive); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “Maj r A. Carriere Latour...
5707Sketch for an Autobiography, [ca. 30 September 1816] (Madison Papers)
James Madison was born on the 16th. of March 1751. His parents James Madison, and Nelly Madison (before her Marriage Nelly Conway) resided in the County of Orange in Virginia. At the time of his birth they were on a visit to her mother who resided on the Rappahannock in the County of King George. At the age of about 12. years, he was placed by his father under the tuition of Donald Robertson,...
5708To James Madison from William Short, 15 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
Although my official relation to you has been suppressed, I think it proper to communicate to you the letter I have recieved from Count Romanzoff, of which a copy is annexed. You will see that it is an answer to mine addressed to him by order of the Sec. of State & conformably to your instructions. On the subject of Ct. Pahlen’s mission I immediately sent him the assurance he wished & referred...
5709Isaac A. Coles to Thomas Jefferson, 6 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by m r Gerry , the Son of your old Acquaintance & friend the Vice President — Being on a visit to his relations in Pittsylvania , & being desirous of taking Monticello in his route, I cannot resist the desire of introducing him to your acquaintance and civilitey civility— I have been for some weeks in daily expectation of an order to go on to Fort George
5710William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
My Son John P DuVal obtained his Commission as first Lieutenant he says in Virtue of your Recommendation he is now a Captain in the 20 th Regiment. He wishes for a Majority in one of the Three Rifle Regiments. My Son is in his Twenty Fifth Year. He has been in Service about two Years. He first Marched by Orders to Norfolk from thence to Niagara Last Spring he was Ordered to Recruit & has been...
5711Thomas Jefferson to Jean Potocki, 12 May 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your letter of Aug. 19. & with it the volume of Chronology you were so kind as to send me, for which be pleased to accept my thanks. it presents a happy combination of spar sparse and unconnected facts, which brought together & fitted to each other, forms a whole of symmetry, as well as of system. it is as a gleam of light flashed over the dark abyss of times past. nothing...
5712Mathew Carey to Thomas Jefferson, 21 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your parliamentary Manual has been for a long time out of print, & in demand. I have written to the publisher, M r S. H. Smith , to enquire whether he has any objection to a republication of it. And wish to be informed by you, whether, if he consents to its being reprinted, you have any alterations or improvements to make in it. RC ( MHi ); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, Esq r ”; endorsed...
5713Thomas Jefferson to George Ticknor, 31 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a long letter on the 14 th inst. and as it went by duplicates thro good channels, I am sure you will get it. but a gentleman going from hence to Paris direct, which he will probably reach before either of the other channels of conveyance I will repeat from that letter but a single article, the request to add to the catalogue I formerly troubled you with, the underwritten books....
5714To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, January 1810 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my thanks for your last letter.—I enclose you a few numbers of the Aurora. Shall we descend in a Calm or a storm to the our Graves? We are told your son is gone to Petersburg to put a torch to the flame of War, and that we are to be Allies of France and of all the powers on the Baltic in it. Mr Jackson has just left our city. He has been visited & entertained by Some of our first...
5715From James Madison to William Darlington, 31 December 1816 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To William Darlington, 31 December 1816. “J. Madison requests the favor of Mr Darlington to dine with him on Thursday next, at 4 o’clock. An answer is requested.” RC ( NHi ). 1 p. Printed invitation, with blank spaces for name and date, filled in JM ’s hand. William Darlington served as a Republican representative from Pennsylvania in the Fourteenth through Seventeenth Congresses.
5716Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your motions have hitherto put it out of our power to write to you from the uncertainty of the times and places at which a letter could meet you. your last however from Cayuga removes the difficulty, as we presume a letter now written will find you at Headquarters, and that these will be somewhere in the line between Sacket’s harbor and Montreal . we have heard of the movements of Gen l...
5717From William Cranch to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
Upon receipt of your kind letter of the 17th. ulto. I was too deeply afflicted by the information it contained even to thank you for it, as I aught to have done. I inferr’d from it that my dear mother had gone to join the departed spirits of her mother, her father and those other friends from whom she had been so long separated by death. It was A day or two pass’d before I was undeceived; so...
5718Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Robertson, 21 June 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
My flour of the last year being still unsold, I have said nothing to you yet on the subject of a payment out of it. but I have desired mr Gibson not to keep it on hand after the last of this month, but to take whatever he can then get for it. what that will be I know not: tho’ probably but little, and the drought of the last summer reduced the quantity one half. the same cause having destroyed...
5719John S. Stake to Thomas Jefferson, 17 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
By the advice of many of my Republican friends, I have taken the liberty of addressing you. I am the eldest Son of the late Captain John Stake an old Revolutionary officer, of Well known merrit during our Revolutionary struggles for Liberty and Independance through a seven year’s ardurous and Calamitous War: other heroes and other patriots press’d forward in the Same Career of Virrtue and...
5720To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 8 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
The enormous importation and the great amt. of British Dry goods brought in here on British Acct. totally preclude all Competi[ti]on on Our part, and our Cotton Mills are fast approaching their dissolution. Lately in the want of exports to meet those enormous importations some 7 or 8 Tons of Cotton yarn was bought up at Very reduced Prices and exported; but I cannot beleive that at present our...
5721Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 11 April 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
From the account you were so good as to furnish me I make out the inclosed statement for the last & present year. as to the first year is of flour specifically, both the crop and rent being consisting of flour only. the balance 67. Barrels. the 2 d year’s account being for flour as to the crop, and money as to the rent, I carry on the balance of 67. Barrels to the flour acc t of the 2 d year...
5722To James Madison from James Powell, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The honourable and dignifyed languidge of Your late Inaugural adress, protends a peculiarly pleaseing Guarantee To the future Honour and National Caracture of the United States. For what, but a most pitteyfull Chimera, Is our Vain pompious bumbastick Boasting, of our Liberty and Freedom, of our being, the onely Free and Inlightned Nation on Earth, If such Sacrid princoples as forme the verrey...
5723John Trumbull to Thomas Jefferson, 3 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I trust you will forgive my having so long delayed to answer your very kind letter of January 10 th —the reason has been that I could write nothing with certainty, until by passing the appropriation bill , the House of Representatives had sanctioned the agreement which was made with me by the President I have now the pleasure to say that I am authorized to paint four of the great Events of the...
5724Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Fitz, 23 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is mr Isham Lewis , son of Col o Charles L. Lewis of Buckisland , whom you must have known while you resided in this part of the country. he is my nephew, & a young man of excellent dispositions, correct conduct, & good understanding, little aided by education. the shipwreck of the fortunes of his family leaves him without resource but in his own industry, & the defects in...
5725To James Madison from John Cook, 28 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
I observe in your instructions to Congress you wish for Volunteers, and having the honor to Command a Company of Horse they as well as my officers have expressed a wish to me to present them to you as a part of that patriotic band which is always ready to Support so good a goverment. I must at the same time solicite a favour, which permit me to hope will be granted, that is for U States to...
5726To James Madison from James Jarvis, 30 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
Sir may I intrude on you so much as to write you this Letter and I hope you will not take as an insult from me, but my veins swells within me to hear you runn down so, although I am in British Government, yet that does not make me forget my native country, if I should hear a boy of my size say any thing against my country I would die beneath his feet before I would surrender I was formerly of...
5727To James Madison from George Joy, 31 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 May 1809, London. Has read the parliamentary debates on the Erskine agreement, which “are best reported in the Chronicle.” No doubt JM is better informed “than we can be here.” Encloses a copy of the instructions accompanying the 26 Apr. revision of the orders in council, as well as his letter to Canning in which Joy expresses his disappointment at the foreign secretary’s adamant stand...
5728To James Madison from the Citizens of Clark County, Indiana Territory, 13 April 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1813. “Whereas our Deligate to Congress have informed us by Circular letter that Congress by a late act, has authorised the Raiseing of four additional Companys of Rangers for the better Protection and Safety of the frontiers of our Territory and that so soon as the respective Companies were filld. and their Officers Elected that a Tender of their Services should be made to your...
5729Thomas Jefferson to John Dortic, 1 October 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 14. was recieved after an unusual delay of the post. I formerly believed it was best for every country to make what it could make to best advantage, and to exchange it with others for those articles which it could not so well make. I did not then suppose that a whole quarter of the globe could within the short space of a dozen years, from being the most civilized, become the...
5730To James Madison from Booz M. Atherton, 9 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
Pursuant to the law passed the last Session of Congress laying taxes &c. I presume that collectors will soon be appointed in the several states, & destricts. If It should not be thought advisable to appoint some other person to the collectorship of the County of Cheshire, It will be considered by me a very great favor to be considered a candidate for that office. Being of that class of...
5731From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 May 1809 (Adams Papers)
It would be impossible for me to tell you how disappointed, grieved, vexed, & everything, I was, when Mr Peabody returned from Andover a Friday Eve, & told me Mrs Adams was to return the next day home—If I had been the least apt to shed tears, I am sure they would fallen in plenty—For to have conversed with her, would have been next to having seen you my dear Sister,—I had many questions to...
5732To James Madison from James Jay, 7 June 1811 (Madison Papers)
When the just measures of Government meet with so much opposition as they do at present, it becomes the duty of every friend to his Country to support them. With this view I acquaint you that there are persons in this City and other parts of the State, who are taking measures, on a large Scale, to introduce British goods from Canada into the adjacent States. One part of the Scheme is to fix...
5733From John Adams to Hendrick W. Gordon, 18 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
we shall never be able to discharge our obligations to you for your kind attentions and attentions and assistance in our family correspondence with Russia. your care of the inclosed will add another Item to the debt of your grateful Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
5734To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 29 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the Honor to address you, the day before Yesterday, I perceive by an indorsement on my defense, before the General Court Martial which tried me, I have reserved the right to correct it, which will Enable me with propriety, to alter the manner without changing the matter, and I tresspass this observation on you, to prevent the appearance of caprice or inconsistency in my Conduct....
5735To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 10 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have long felt an inclination to write to you, two circumstances forbid me, want of matter, & having no personal weight to supply its place. Love and venerration, to Gentlemen, as well as to Ladies, sometimes prompt to a familiarity bordering on rudeness. Thus in time past I feared I might be led into an error in addressing you. The strong existence of those sensations, is the only apology I...
5736To James Madison from Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 2 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
Your communication of Sept. 23, covering one from Col Jesup, relating to spanish affairs, was rec’d by this days mail; I Know not what to think of such folly. To protect us, our ships of war could cruise off N orleans, in the Bay of Mexico & round Cape Florida. To attack spain, thro her colonies, ship of war would be of infinite service to aid in landing men, & to protect an expedition against...
5737To James Madison from David Bailie Warden, 17 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of presenting to you a memoir in the Case of the Jefferson , which was prepared and published at General Armstrongs’ request. I have transmitted, to the Secretary of State, a communication on the Subject of Prize Causes. I fondly hope, Sir, that you will be pleased to have my provisional Appointment confirmed. I shall do every thing in my power to be worthy of this trust. I...
5738To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 11 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I inclose the draft of a letter to the General officers, on the execution of the Act of the 3d. of March 1815, with a copy of the Act. You will see by a Memorandum from Mr. Monroe, that he thinks the peace establishment is to be composed of 10,000 men, exclusive of Officers. Genl. Scott agrees in that opinion; and I shall be very glad to adopt it, with your approbation. I shall write to you...
5739Englehart Cruse to Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
hearing of the Repeated Barbarrities Committed by the Ship of the Enemy on of ower Defenceless towns, I felt sorely for the same, and tried My tallent whether I might not discover Some plan by which we might not Counteract those Savage Cruelteys, I Acordingly Invented the Inclosed plan; a faint drauft of which with a specification, I take the Libberty to transmit and Sub mit, to your Jud g...
5740John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, February–3 March 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I was nibbing my pen and brushing my Faculties, to write a polite Letter of Thanks to M r Counsellor Barton for his valuable Memoirs of D r Rittenhouse though I could not account for his Sending it to me; when I received your favour of Jan. 24 th . I now most cordially indorse my Thanks over to you. The Book is in the modern American Style, an able imitation of Marshalls Washington, though far...
5741To James Madison from Joseph Anderson, 11 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
I take leave to enclose you, a Copy of a Resolution of the Senate. The Committee appointed by that Resolution, have directed me to inform you, that they will wait on you, at Such time as you may please to appoint, In order to commune with you, upon the matter referd to them. Accept assurance of my high respect. RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC docketed by JM. For enclosure, see n. 1. The enclosed...
5742To James Madison from John Armstrong, 25 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 31st of December last, requesting such information (not improper to be communicated) as may tend to explain the causes of the failure of the arms of the United States on the Northern frontier —I have the honor to submit the following documents & to offer to you, Sir, the assurance of the very high respect with which I am,...
5743From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 26 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter, my dear Caroline, gave me pleasure. As all your’s are calculated to enliven the spirits, I take them as a cordial, which during the residence of the baldpated winter and a close confinement to my chamber for several weeks, I have been much in want of. And now what return can I make you—What can you expect from age, debility and weakness? Why, you shall have the return of a...
5744To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, 4 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
About two years ago, I requested you to procure for me, by means of Gen. Armstrong, or Mr Warden, some books on Chemistry and Mineralogy, which the irregularity of intercourse between this Country and France, prevented me from obtaining. You were so kind as to write on the subject to Paris and directed the amount of what the books might cost, to be paid by one or other of those Gentlemen on...
5745To John Adams from Thomas McKean, January 1814 (Adams Papers)
In your favor of the 26th. Novembert last you say, “that you ventured to say, that about a third of the people of the Colonies were against the Revolution.” It required much reflection before I could fix my opinion on this subject, but on mature deliberation I conclude you are right, and that more than a third of influencial characters were against it. The opposition consisted chiefly of the...
5746To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 12 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my last letter I have by dint of scolding, got the answer which I communicate by this occasion to the Secretary of State. The evasions used on this occasion were curious. In the notes to the prince Regents declaration, which I enclose herewith in the Moniteur of the 8th., you will see the only answer they intended to give to my demand of the 1st. of May. The reference made in...
5747Jeremiah Platt to Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
with out the privilege of a personal acquantance with you and being at the same time sory, to trouble you in your retirement on a subject that is not interesting to you, I hope you will pardon my digression when I inform you that I have not been able to inform myself through any other Channel as Geography does not give any particulaur account or description of the timber in the state of...
5748From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 17 February 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, August 16, 1781, wrote to congress—“Mr. Temple has held offices of such importance, and a bank so considerable in America before the revolution, that his return to his native country at this time cannot fail to cause much speculation, and it is to be feared, some diversity of sentiments concerning him. As he came from London to Amsterdam, and did me the honor of a visit, in which he...
5749From James Madison to Carlo Giuseppe Guglielmo Botta, [ca. 1 January 1817] (Madison Papers)
I have been some time in debt for the obliging favor of your “Camillo.[”] Its subject as well as its Author makes me regret more than ever that my knowlege of the Italian does not enable me to do justice to the merits & enjoy the beauties of a poem in that language. A translation into English, well executed may mitigate my disappointment. In G. Britain this may take place. In this Country, the...
5750To James Madison from Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 18 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer à Votre Excellence un petit Mémoire Sur la Question qui occupe actuellement le Congrès relativement aux Manufactures. Je tâcherai d’engager Mr. Patterson, ou Mr. Guillemer, ou Mr Duane à le traduire en Anglais. Dans l’un des deux premiers cas, je le ferais imprimer. Dans l’autre, il Serait naturellement placé au Journal du Traducteur. Je fais très peu de progrès dans...