11To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 24 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I received by the last Mail a commission from the Executive of Virginia appointing me in conjunction with Genls. Porterfield & Trigg Commissioners on the part of the State of Virginia to superintend &c the line between the Virginia Military reservation, & the lands ceded to the U States by the State of Virginia. Altho’ I feel anxious to undertake the duty of that office, so important to a...
12To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 26 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
I am highly gratified with the declaration of War by Congress, & the friends of the administration in this quarter unanimously approve of it. After so many outrages, & so long forbearance it was expected that greater uninanimity [ sic ] would have been witnessed in the decision: but knowing as I do the secret springs which move some of the Minority hitherto associated with the republicans I am...
13To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 13 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
The last papers announce that Congress on your recommendation have laid an Embargo, & conjecture naturally points to war as the next step to be taken. I am rejoiced that the crisis has produced a corresponding attitude because I fully believe the national spirit & the national honor demand it; And if the Government were now to succumb—what with the pressure from abroad & at home—it would be...
14To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 30 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have been intending for some time to write you but the alarming & fatal illness of my beloved Mother has suspended my correspondence entirely—she expired on the 22d. It excites the most gloomy reflections that nothing can conquer the inveterate hostility of the opposition: the damning proofs of british perfidy furnished by the documents you communicated to Congress have failed to unite them...
15To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 27 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have once more escaped from the Jaws of death last night for the first time I went to the Theatre. At ½ past eleven it caught on fire 800 persons present & in a few minutes the whole was in flames. I kept back to permit the crowd to precede me until the black warm smoke suffocated all around me, & falling also I made a mighty effort & sprung forward far enough to descend about 12 feet on the...
16To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 8 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
It was very gratifying to learn from your letter that Harrison had arrived at Vincennes without any other rencontre with the indians than the battle near the Prophets town. I greatly apprehended that encumbered by his wounded, & badly supplied with provisions they might follow on his heels & gall his army in the most distressing manner. Their forbearance augurs well of their conduct during the...
17To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 26 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
Having commenced my sheep Shearing I cannot resist the desire to send you a sample of a singular fleece produced by a species of sheep purchased in this Country by me. The Animal is entirely covered with similar wool & has a curious appearance tho it differs from the ordinary sheep only in its wool. I presume it would be valuable in the manufacture of shawls &c. If you obtain any information...
18To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 19 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. reached me on the 16th. The preceding day was that of our Election, on which the District turned & I am sorry to say the Federal Candidate obtained a majority of 102 votes—he is elected. Mr. McKinley never was here before & his coming ruined our hopes, as his manners &c are unpopular, & here the People vote for men more than principles. On the morning of the election I...
19To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 5 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
Judge Nelson has resigned his judicial office & the Executive of Virginia will soon appoint a successor. The Law requires that he shall reside within the Circuit & the probability is that the preference will be given to a Candidate already here rather than incur the risque of offending by sending a stranger to us. My Friends have solicited my consent to be a Candidate & some of them have...
20To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 1 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
I often resist the desire to write you from a consciousness that the labors of your station make the task of reading letters irksome; & render any thing like a regular correspondence impossible. But as our meeting again is doubtful, or at best remote; I venture sometimes to obtrude myself upon you as the only mode in which I can have the pleasure of communing with you. A conjecture has reached...