121To James Madison from James Monroe, 5 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I send you a letter from our ministers lately in London, and some from mr. Beasly, and a very important one from Mr Gallatin. Two letters from mr Crawford, the last of may 12., will be decypherd, & sent you, as soon as done. From what I see of these communications, we may expect that the British govt. will assume very high pretentions, in the negotiation, & that none of the other powers will...
122To James Madison from James Monroe, 20 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here this morning at 8 OClock, and have been since within 4 miles of Benedict, at Butler’s mill, where it was reported the enemy, on their march, had arrived. The report was unfounded. The enemy landed yesterday at Benedict, and had advanced their pickets, within a mile and a half of that mill, for security only. From a height, between that mill and the Patuxent, I had a view of...
123To James Madison from James Monroe, 21 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I quartered last night near charlotte Hall, and took a view this morning at 8 oClock, from a commanding height, below Benedict Creek, of all the enemy’s shipping near the town and down the river, to the distance at least, of 8 or 10 miles. I counted 23 Square rigged vessels. Few others were to be seen, and very few barges. I inferred from the latter circumstance that the enemy had moved up the...
124To James Madison from James Monroe, [21 August 1814] (Madison Papers)
I have this moment arrivd here from Nottingham, which I left, as the enemy enterd it. Not knowing that there had been a correspondent movment, of troops, by land, with those in the barges, with any degree of certainty, when I wrote you last, and se[e]ing nothing of such a force, as I went on to Nottingham, I had almost discredited the report. Nevertheless we plac’d a guard at some distance in...
125To James Madison from James Monroe, [22 August 1814] (Madison Papers)
The enemy are advanced six miles on the road to the wood Yard, and our troops retiring. Our troops were on the march to meet them, but in too small a body to engage. General W. proposes to retire, till he can collect them in a body. The enemy are in full march for Washington. Have the materials prepared to destroy the bridges. You had better remoove the records. Tr ( DNA : RG 233, Committee...
126James Monroe’s Draft Memoranda on the Events of 24–28 1814 August 1814 at Washington, [post–28 August] (Madison Papers)
The President cross’d the Potowk., after the affair of the 24th, accompanied by the attorney genl., & general mason, and remained on the south side of the river, a few miles above the lower falls, on the following day the secretary of State, likewise crossed the river, shortly after him with Mr Ringgold & rema[i]nd that night, in the same quarter, whence he proceeded & joind genl winder at...
127To James Madison from James Monroe, 31 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
Genl. winder will be in town, perhaps at McLeods this morning, if he is not already there. I am perfectly willing to resign to him the command, if the troops will act under him. I am aware that much is due to his feelings, especially after what occurrd at Baltimore. Still I am willing to command, it being understood that it is, at the request of the officers of the district, on the volunteer...
128To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
It is necessary that I should distinctly understand my own situation to give to it the greatest effect. In the absence of the secry of war, on your arrival here, and of genl winder, the duties of both devolv’d on me. It was your desire that I should act in both places, and the desire of the officers & citizens concurr’d. The duties of the military commander, were undertaken not on the...
129To James Madison from James Monroe, 8 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
I send you several interesting letters from Bal: particularly one from Genl winder to which I will prepare an answer & submit it to you early this morning. The report from Commodores Rodgers, Porter and Perry ought not to be publishd, till I get one from Genl. Hungerford & also from Stuart. It is I rather think an anomaly, for naval commanders, on land, to report at all, to the Secry of the...
130To James Madison from James Monroe, 25 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have thought much on the state of the departments at this time, and of the persons whom it may be proper to place in them, and have concluded, that whatever may be the arrangment with respect to other depts, that the dept. of war ought to be immediately filled. I think also, that I ought to take charge of it. I have been twice brought into it by circumstances, by temporary arrangment, in...
131To James Madison from James Monroe, 1 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Undersigned acting as Secretary of State to whom was referred the Resolution of the Senate, requesting the President to cause to be laid before the Senate such information in his possession, respecting the existing state of the Relations between the United States and the Continental powers of Europe as he may deem not improper to be communicated, has the honor to report: That the Relations...
132James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 4 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 24 th of sep r , to which I shall pay particular attention, and on which I will write you again soon. Nothing but the disasters here, and the duties which have devolvd on me, in consequence, the most burthensome that I have ever encounterd, would have prevented my writing you long since, as well as more recently. I had devoted this morning...
133To James Madison from James Monroe, 10 October 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Monroe. 10 October 1814, War Department. “I have the honor to lay before you a list of appointments in the army of the United States made during the recess of the Senate.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 13B–A3); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Monroe. The enclosures (57 pp.; printed in Senate Exec....
134James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 10 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
The suspension of payments in specie by the banks is undoubtedly a species of insolvency. At this time, the foundation of their credit with the public, in a principal degree, at least, is the stock of the u states in their possession. On it they issue their paper, for which they obtain an interest of about 7 p r cent. The u States pay them that interest on advances, on the credit of their own...
135To James Madison from James Monroe, [15 October 1814] (Madison Papers)
The enclosed papers will shew you, the state of the business, on the north[e]rn frontier; that is, how I found it, & what I have since done. It occurs that it will be proper to order Izard to repair to Sackets harbour, or to send Brown there, by this night mail, as he thinks most adviseable. RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Undated; unsigned. In Monroe’s hand; docketed by JM :...
136To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
The acting Secretary of State to whom was referred the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 15th inst, has the honor of submitting to the President the accompanying papers marked Nos. 1. 2. 3 and 4. as containing the information which is presumed to be called for by the said Resolution. Respectfully submitted RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 13A–E1). RC in a...
137To James Madison from James Monroe, 8 November 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Monroe. 8 November 1814, War Department. “I have the honor respectfully to submit for your approbation the following list of appointments in the Army of the United States. “I have also to request that the enclosed list of promotions may be substituted for the list of promotions in the Light Artillery and Riflemen now before the Senate, and that the name of Garret E. Pendergrast...
138James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Despatches are rec d from our ministers as late of the 31. ult o , at which time the negotiation was depending. On paper, serious difficulties seem to be remov’d, and few only to remain, the principal one of which is however important. Impressment is laid aside, for the reason urgd in the instructions to our ministers, which is strengthend, by being us’d as an argument on the part of the...
139To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
My affairs in Loudoun requiring in an urgent manner my presence, I shall go up to day & return on monday or tuesday next. A passport from the British Commander to take dispatches to Ghent being as I presume necessary, I have arrang’d in the dept. a letter to him for the purpose. I know of nothing that will suffer in my short absence. Respectfully your friend RC ( DLC : Rives Collection,...
140To James Madison from James Monroe, [ca. 15 December 1814] (Madison Papers)
The enclosed plan for raising 20.000 men in New York, was submitted to my view yesterday by Genl Scott, that I might state, as he passed to day on his way to Baltimore, whether it ought to be carried into effect, as aiding, or declind as interfering with the plans of the genl govt. I will thank you to say what you think of it. From the hasty perusal I have given it, I shod. doubt the propriety...
141To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 December 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Monroe. 16 December 1814, War Department. “The Senate having declined confirming the promotions of Captains Graham & Massias of the 1st. Rifle Regiment, the confirmation of the other promotions in the Rifle Regiment, conformably to the list now before the Senate, would be irregular. I have, therefore, the honor, in lieu of it, to propose the enclosed list.” RC and enclosure ( DNA...
142James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 21 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
On enquiry I found that major Armstead had been regularly appointed principal assessor for our district by the advice of the senate & been furnishd with his commission. It had been intended, as I understood, to appt M r Minor , but the office of Collector , having been disposed of in our county , it was decided on the distributive principle to confer the other office on some person in another...
143To James Madison from James Monroe, 10 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have seen Genls Swartwout & Porter, the first last night & both this morning. They express the ideas which prevailed last night with you, of organizing by volunteer & other laws, a force in the East to repell the enemy, & put rebellion down. They will cooperate in the necessary measures with all their means, under Tompkins &ce. I asked them what they thought of Dexter. They said, they...
144To James Madison from James Monroe, 13 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you extracts of correspondence between this Department and Officers commanding ⟨the⟩ 7th. Military district, in conformity to a resolution of the Senate of the United States of the 19th. of December. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, TP , Florida, 13A–E6); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by Monroe. JM forwarded the RC
145To James Madison from James Monroe, 24 January 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Monroe. 24 January 1815, War Department. “I have the honor respectfully to propose for your approbation, the following promotions in the Army of the United States.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 13B–A3). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Monroe. The enclosure (11 pp.; printed in Senate Exec. Proceedings, Journal of the Executive...
146To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I must mention to you in confidence that Judge anderson is willing to accept the office of Contractor, to be appointed at the close of the session. As there is no one from the western country, & he has been so long in the Senate, & was a revolutionary Soldier of merit, I think his claim very strong. The more I have reflected on the principal subject of our conversation yesterday, the more am I...
147To James Madison from James Monroe, 1 February 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Monroe. 1 February 1815, War Department. “I have the honor respectfully to propose for your approbation the enclosed appointments in the Army of the United States.” Letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ); enclosure ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 13B–A3). Letterbook copy 1 p. The enclosure (2 pp.; printed in Senate Exec....
148To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send you letters from General Jackson which give an account of a victory truly glorious. It will be well to send them to Gales, except that which I have marked to be retained—unless indeed so much of the letter of the 9th. as relates to the conduct of the Kentuckey militia should also be retaind, tho I do not see how it can be, as similar statments will soon force themselves on the public RC...
149To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 February 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Monroe. 3 February 1815, War Department. “I have the honor respectfully to propose for your approbation, the appointment of Simeon Knight, Captain in the 1st. Regiment of Infantry, as a Quarter Master General in the Army of the United States.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). 1 p. JM forwarded the nomination to the Senate on 7 Feb. 1815, and it was approved the same day (...
150To James Madison from James Monroe, 11 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send you the report in the case of genl. winder which I rejoice to find is an honorable acquital. I will send it to gales for publication if you think proper. RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). For enclosure, see n. 1. After reading the result of the congressional committee’s investigation into the British attack on Washington (for the report, see JM to George W. Campbell, 2 Nov....