51From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Will you have such an answer given Mr. Chandler, as will accord with precedents, which I presume may admit of his communicating through a flag, shd. one be sent to Bermuda for other purposes and in the mean time to make an expert: on the ships here. The indulgences given to others who have lost Negroes, either by the Genl. or State authorities, have probably encouraged this application....
52From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
I now return the papers sent with yours already acknowledged. They are well worth perusing & preserving. As Dr. Eustis will soon embark for Holland, you will not forget to put him in possession of what has passed with Changuion on the subject of a Commercial Treaty. It may be proper also that he should be apprized of the condescention of the Sovn. Prince to the B. Govt. in forbidding Dutch...
53From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the papers brought me from the Dept. of State by the mail of this morning. If it be found that Warden bargained with Dr. Stephens, his reasonable charges must of course be allowed. But, unless, the oral communications from W. thro’ S. be of importance and distinct from the case of the chargéship, it has but too much the aspect of a public expence incurred by W. for the purpose of...
54From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
Yours of 21–22d. is just recd. You may authorize Mr H. de Neuville, to communicate with you previous to his formal recognition. Roth intimated that he wd. probably visit me here with his credentials. If he desires it, or you think it eligible, let him know that I will receive him with pleasure. The bias of his own mind, if ascertained, may decide the question. Mine has none. The Letters of...
55From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 29th. Ult: and return the letters from Mr. Adams & the communications from Mr. Harris. The step taken by the Emperor is an extraordinary one; Being produded [ sic ] by no pretended misconduct in the Amn. functionary, it is levelled at the relations between the two Countries, and would justify more than it is the disposition of this, to do on the occasion. Without...
56From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
The letter from Acheson, should be known in some of its contents. I inclose it to you for reasons on the face of it. I inclose also the letter from Gilbert Taylor, as a memento to the letter you are to write to the Govr. of Tennessee, on the subject of the illegal enterprize on foot in that State. We are so far well on our way. Yrs. RC ( DLC : Monroe Papers). JM probably enclosed the 25 Aug....
57From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
As you appear to have read hastily the letter from Jessup, I send it back. That Onis is intriguing at N.O. is probable; and that the Spanish Govt. may meditate at [ sic ] attack there is possible; I should say impossible if there were less of folly in its Councils: or it might not possibly be backed by another Govt: altho’ it is not easy to conceive that this can be the case. The mercantile...
58From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter on the subject of Wyer. He puts both himself & us in an awkward position. He asks an appt. & the moment he gets it, tells us he has neither the money nor credit to execute it: and if we assist him, we admit what was no recommendation to the appt. As to a loan, have we any authority to lend money or to take a bond of legal validity? And does not an advance imply that...
59From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return the Petition of Getz, which being without other proof than his own oath, might justly require a resort to the District Atty or &c &c. If however on consultation with the Treasy. Dept. a pardon be deemed proper, let one be made out. The communications from Brent at Madrid were returned several days ago. They are not without good sense, but betray a conscious deficiency of weight of...
60From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from De Kanzow. Do on the subject what you think best. If the exequatur be granted it would be well that it be understood as an ad interim one, untill the Swedish Govt. make an appointment conformable to our rule. I enclose for your perusal a letter from Dickins. It may be worth while to ascertain the individual to whose change in his favor he refers, (probably Genl. Smith)...
61From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is the last information from the War & Navy Depts. Be so good as to return the letters. I have signed the Exequaturs for the Swedish Vice Consuls. But considering the source from which those appointments proceed, & the known abuses of the Sweedish flag, it seems proper that other evidence of character should be had, than the selection of Soderstrom. You may delay or issue the...
62From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 9th. with the instructions &c to Genl. Winder. The communications from McComb referred to, were not sent: and I cannot therefore understand the precise footing on which the business of the armistice rests. I hope Gen: Winder will be able if not to comprehend our 46 officers in the general exchange, to have them put on parole, which will ease the public feeling with...
63From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 21st. (a mistaken date). I hope Mr. Bagot, if willing to arrange in any mode, a reciprocity on the Lakes, will immediately issue instructions to discontinue augmentations or preparations of force on the B. side. The state of things on our side, will correspond without instructions; but a communication to the proper officers, of what may be the British intentions...
64From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Not a word from abroad, or the West, since you left us. Dearborn has still one eye on Montreal, and the other on Niagara: forcing the attention of the Enemy to both, with a purpose, doubtless of striking, himself, at either or both according to circumstances. The story of an armament agst. Plattsburg is groundless. Niagara was very weak at the last date, and more in danger of attack, than...
65From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I just receive yours of the 13th. The instruction to Capt: Lewis, to make an effort, en passant, in behalf of Duplessis was too strongly called for to be witheld. The opportunity may and it is presumed, will be used for other salutary purposes, Lewis being well acquainted with St. Domingo, and of our interests in relation to it. The advantages promised by Austin’s association with Holmes in...
66From James Madison to James Monroe, 3 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of July 31. and return the answer to Mr. B. with one or two alterations, the chief of which is an extension of the arrangement to Lake Champlain. An entire prohibition of armed vessels there where there is much smuggling from Canada, might not be convenient to us; nor would it be reciprocal, considering the manner in which the waters of that Lake are divided between the...
67From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 25 January 1816–31 March 1816] (Madison Papers)
On the question of publishing the secret journal & foreign correspondence of the Revolutionary Congs. it is not easy to give a satisfactory opinion, without some revisal of both. If a selection is made, the task ought to be executed with great care and without any tincture of partialities of any sort, and would be tedious & dilicate, even with that exemption. If an entire publication be...
68From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers & letter from Mr. Graham give the information from the Neptune in its first imperfect Edition. Mr. Dallas writes that at Philada. where the Ship was at the moment come to the Wharf, it was understood that the Baggage of Mr. G. & Mr. C. was on board, & that the Ship had sailed without them, because the time appd. for their arrival had elapsed. Nothing was sd. at Philada. of...
69From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 10 October] 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is of the greatest importance that the Creek war should be crushed before it can invite or co-operate with British or Spanish attacks in that quarter, or draw other Tribes into it. In this view and under the circumstances existing, the large force from Tennissee may be adopted under the usual regulations. The Choctaw Agency may be furnished with an acceptance by the Govt. of the aid of that...
70From James Madison to James Wilkinson, [17 November 1813] (Madison Papers)
You are instructed to make known to Sir George P. in answer to his letter of Ocr. 17 & for the information of his Govt. that the Govt. of the U.S. adhering unalterably to the principle & purpose declared in the commun[i]cation of Genl. Dearborn to him on the subject of the 23 Amer. Soldiers prisone[r]s of war sent to England to be tried as Criminals, & the confinement of a like number of B....
71From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I rcd. from Mr. Graham during your trip to Loudon the inclosed letter from Mr. Bagot. The subject of it is delicate. The first remark is that it belongs to Congress, not to the Ex. unless provided for by conventional arrangement explanatory or supplemental. The 2d. remark is that it has the aspect of equity, and may have been countenanced by the conversations of our Minister at London. 3d. But...
72From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment recd. yours of the 8th. & 9th. A failure in the mail, occasioned the recet. of them at the same time. I have not had time to examine the Volunteer Act, which has been forwarded to me, the present mail which brought it, remaining but a short period, & that being occupied in reading papers &c. now sent to the Secy. of War, & others requiring attention. He will shew you those...
73From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I must ask the favor of you & Mr. Rush to attend to the subject of the letter from Mr. Munroe & the one inclosed in it. As the building proposed is to be on public ground, for pub: use, & eventually to be purchased, with rent in the mean time, paid, by the public, the Ex: sanction merits enquiry & consideration. There is always some risk of error, in yieding [ sic ] to sudden impulses,...
74From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
There is much force in the reasons given herein for an appt. of a Successor to Genl. Smith, which I had proposed to delay till our return to Washington, if not till the Meeting of Congs. Unless you think some other preferable on the whole to the Depy: Marshall, direct a Commission for him, or if you please a blank one, to be made out & forwarded for our signature. Yrs RC ( NN : Monroe Papers)....
75From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of yesterday between 5 & 6 OC and made known its contents to the Secy of W. & N. & to Genl. W. The information derived importance from the lateness of its date. You know that extensive & pressing calls have been made for militia, and we hope they will be prompt. Some of Laval’s horse, upwards of 100, arrived yesterday, & will be immediately where they ought to be. As our troops...
76From James Madison to James Monroe, [22 August 1814] (Madison Papers)
Since mine of this morning Tatham has arived and speaks of reinforcements to the first Column of the Enemy at Notingham. Taylor, I understand is also here just from Parker, with a report that the Enemy have 3000 in the Potowmac. This must be a great exaggeration, if there be not more shipping than we know of. It wd. seem not improbable that if they have land force of any sensible importance,...
77From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of Aug. 31. In allotting Genl. Pinkney to take charge of the Expedition, I was governed by the sole consideration that it was in a manner necessary to an effective organization of the military supplies. In every other view the arrangement is ineligible. It will risk delays. It may be unsatisfactory to others, particularly Govr. Mitchell who derives weight from his...
78From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from the Secy. of the Navy, gives you I presume, a confirmation of the happy success of Perry. I hope the final information from Chauncy may give us another subject for congratulations. I have detained the letter from Barclay. The exemption from the impost of articles imported by Pub. Ministers was deemed a stretch, and acquiesced in by the Rep: admn. rather than approved....
79From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 3d. inst: I think with you that it will be best to decline a correspondence with Cochrane & to substitute Mr. Baker. He is the proper functionary and ought to be preferred, if to be communicated with for other purposes, as is decided on. Cochrane may be simply answered that this course will be taken; and the answer may go not directly from yourself, but thro’ Mr....
80From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
Mr. De Neuville arrived here on Saturday and sets out this morning on his return. I inclose his letter of Credence with a note of the date of its delivery. Be so good as to have an answer to the K. of the Netherlands sent to me for signature. That to the K. of Wertemburg is returned. Friendly respects The inclosed letters [ sic ] from I. B. may be worth attention in estimating and comparing...
81From James Madison to James Monroe, 31 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure this moment of receiving yours of the 29th. inst: I am particularly glad to find that you will be able to set out at so early a day for Washington. To the advantage of preventing an inconvenient chasm in the public business, will be added the opportunity of a provident attention to the accomodations required by your establishment here. The House occupied by Mr. Smith is the...
82From James Madison to James Dinsmore, [ca. 24 April 1809] (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 17th. and will attend to the bill of Articles inclosed in it. I can furnish you with the $500 whenever you chuse to draw on me, or to signify that it be sent. ⟨You⟩ may dispose of the Porch at the S. W. end of the House as my Mother pleases. The area to the S. Wing may be omitted; but Mr. Chisolm, must run up the wall so as to have a proper face, when the area...
83From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. 13. & 14 inst: with their respective enclosures. The affair of the Convention for exchanges is as you remark peculiarly embarrassing. I hope it will end, in a mutual liberation on parole of officers, and an improved condition of the privates, we retaining the 23 hostages standing agst. that number sent to England. The discharge of those hostages, without some...
84From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 24th. Mr. Coles leaves me this moment on his way to Washington. There will certainly be an advantage in sending him in a pub: vessel; and I am glad it can be done with so little expence. If the Congs: will Suffice for the pacific, it will be better than to send the Guerriere, which may possibly be wanted for other service. You have not yet alluded to my...
85From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I return the letters from Mr. Pinkney, Plumer, Gray &. Allen. The only objection to the appt. of L. recommended by Mr. P. is his being a foreigner. If there be no Citizen, fit for the place who is a competitor, the difficulty may be got over. Decide as you think best. There are blank commissions signed in the office of State. With respect to Col. Gray, it is to be remarked that a personal...
86From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Skinner to Genl. Mason, which merits attention as a circumstancial corroboration of other indications. I return also the letter from S. Kingston with the blank copy of the new licences. It is truly mortifying that an enemy depending on us for the necessaries of life should be permitted thus to regulate our whole trade as effectually by orders of the Cabinet as it...
87From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
I snatch the opportunity by the bearer of yours of this date, to send to the Ct. House for the next rider who does not call here, the line you request in answer. As the report alluded to is erroneous as I supposed it to have been, a contradiction seemed to be due to the manner in which it was given to the public. Mr. Gales you will see has undertaken one which will probably be sufficient....
88From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I have expressed a hope that you would leave Richmond before a Commission of Secretary of State, could reach it, yet as it may have happened otherwise, & as it may be agreeable to you to have it previously in your hands, I now inclose the document as just compleated. There is the less objection to this step, as in case it should pass you on the road, another can readily be made out on...
89From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
Since my arrival here I have recd. yours of the 25th: The claim of Aspinwall seems not to be resisted. Barney I understood did not wish the Consulate at London after knowing that no salary was attached to it. If I do not forget my conversation with Col. A: I noted that cirstance [ sic ] which did not extinguish his inclination. It will be proper that the individual appd. whoever he may be,...
90From James Madison to James Monroe, [11 March] 1812 (Madison Papers)
It has so happened that the above &c did not come to my knowledge till the arrival of the bearer. I return them with regret for the hurry. Mr. P. did not come to dinner with me owing as I presume to the late hour of our separation. I concur in the idea you express. RC ( DLC : John Henry Papers). Undated; in JM’s hand, written at the foot of Monroe to JM, 11 Mar. 1812 . Date assigned here on...
91From James Madison to James R. Pringle and Thomas Bennett, 10 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your letter of January 25th, with the Resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, which it Covered. On retiring from the public Service, I shall count among the circumstances grateful to my recollection, this unanimous expression of approbation and regard from the legislature of South Carolina. The period during which the...
92From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
Among the papers herewith inclosed are letters from the Govt. at Santa fee, and among these one to the French Minister at Washington inclosing another to the Minister of Foreign relations at Paris. In opening the general packet addressed to the Executive, that for Serrurier was so involved as to be opened unintenti[on]ally at the same time. The more important one for Paris escaped this...
93From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Will it not be proper to make without delay the appts. for running the lines under the Treaty of Ghent. Promptitude on our side may produce it on the other, and it is particularly desireable to hasten the decision as to Moose Island. If nothing better can be done for Wilkinson, he may be employed for the most Western line, which as I recollect, may be traced without a science which he does not...
94From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Govr. C. to you, and add one on the same subject, to me from the district Atty. at N. Orleans. The course taken by Gen. Jackson is truly astonishing; the more so as his professional knowledge of municipal law, ought to have protected him agst. such a misguidence. Whatever may be the definition of a Camp, or the military authority within it, the latter can never be...
95From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Will you put the inclose case into the proper channel. It seems to have a fair claim to attention? The public I find are not yet apprised of the precise ground on which the arrangement at Quebec has left the subject of retaliation. Unless the original 23 hostages can be held in some situation responsible for those sent to England, I foresee complaint & reproach agst. the Ex: on the other hand...
96From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Wirt, and the letter & paper from Mr. Mitchell. You cannot do better than pursue the result of your consultation with Mr. Rush on the subject. He is acquainted with what passed between me & Judge Tucker & Mr. Wirt. It seems proper that Mr. Mitchell be instructed to send if he be permitted the persons under his care, to the U.S. We are bound by respect to the laws,...
97From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 12th. which was due yesterday, but the mail it seems lost a day between Washington & Fredg. I hope the arrival of Bloomfield will contribute to lessen the collisions, which are so inconvenient. In the mean time your & the Secy. of the Navy’s advice cannot but be useful; and I dare say, from Bloomfield’s character, that it will occasionally be acceptable to...
98From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 29 November 1816] (Madison Papers)
It will be proper to take the steps suggested by Mr. Joy for obtaining further information. My enquiry as to Nootka Sound had reference to the grounds of the Brit. claim there, and its analogy to that of the U.S. at the mouth of Columbia. See Vancouvre’s acct. of the B. proceedings at Nootka: also Capt: Morris’s communication to Mr Graham Ocr. 24. 1816. RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). Undated;...
99From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
I recd. duly yours intimating your intended visit to the Sulphur Springs. I hope you will derive from it all the benefit wished. The mail from the N. this morning brings nothing more than you will find in the enclosed N. paper. The paper from N. York did not come to hand. The final act of the drama at Paris is not yet announced. It would seem that the allies can if they please, force Louis...
100From James Madison to James Monroe, [6 September] 1811 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Hamilton from the John Adams reached me yesterday. He reposes to day, and will be with you tomorrow. I send by the bearer, the dispatches opened at the Dept. of State &c. The packets of less importance Mr. H. will take with him tomorrow. The Secy of the Navy you will observe suggests the disclosure of the intelligence recd. from Mr Russel. An abstract of the matter in the letter to Mr....