15181Thomas Williamson to Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The above certificate was obtained from M r Hay for the purpose of deciding a Bet between M r M c Intosh and myself but not proving satisfactory to him, I must beg the favour of you to say whether you have not been in London —or whether you have even ever seen the present King of Great Britain —If the above information could have been got here, I should not have taken the liberty (which I beg...
15182To John Adams from William D. Williamson, 1812 (Adams Papers)
About a year since, I received from under your hand, a very obliging letter, which was full of information as to the several inquiries I had previously taken the liberty to propose. While I would express my grateful acknowledgements, for that valuable communication; I have to regret my necessity of troubling you again with Still further enquiries. I would here promiss an assurance, that,...
15183To John Adams from William D. Williamson, 12 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
Acquainted with your ready disposition to communicate information, tho unacquainted with you personally, I would, with due deference, beg leave to make of you a few enquiries. Previously, however, I would give assurance, that all means, within my power, have been used to get the wished-for information, without encroaching, in this way, upon your moments: I have consulted the different...
15184Robert Williams to William Eustis, 12 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 May 1809, Boston. Asks the secretary of war to intercede with JM on behalf of William Stanwood, who has been arrested “for allowing goods to be landed from his Vessell prior to entry at the Custom House.” This was Stanwood’s first voyage as master of a ship, and he was not only inexperienced but also sick “in body and Mind, being just on the recovery from the Yallow feaver.” Clemency from...
15185To James Madison from Robert Williams, 29 January 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 January 1810, Lenox Castle, North Carolina. Seeks appointment for his brother, Marmaduke Williams, who has moved to Madison County, Mississippi Territory. Since Congress is considering a new federal judgeship in that territory, hopes his brother can be considered. “Permit me the liberty to say that his family consists of a wife whom you know, five small children, and about 12 Slaves Clear...
15186To James Madison from Robert Williams, 2 November 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 November 1811, Washington, Mississippi Territory. Offers to fill a judicial vacancy in the Orleans Territory occasioned by the death of Judge Mathews. States that he is making this application because some of his “most respectable neighbours & acquaintances” are about to relocate in the Opelousas and Attakapas, and they wish that he “should make one of their number, & fill this appointment”;...
15187To James Madison from Robert Williams, 11 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty of addressing you, ⅌ last Mail, in the event of the death of Judge Matthews, which was at that time, reported here to be a fact, but which report I am happy to inform you has been Since Contradicted. I am with great & usual respect yrs RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. Williams to JM, 2 Nov. 1811 ( PJM-PS Robert A. Rutland et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Presidential...
15188Thomas D. Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ you are retired from the noise & bustle of public business, still I presume you behold with anxious eye the laudable exertions of every class of Citizens, to render their domestic commerce & manufactures more extensive; & you look forward in anxious expectation of that glorious time when we shall be able to defy the belligerent nations of the Europe , & to declare ourselves totally...
15189Thomas H. Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 12 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have enquired at M r Magruder’s office with respect to the Batture Pamphlet destined for M r Poydras . M r Magruder was not in the office, but the Door Keeper who was s charged with the distribution of the Pamphlets informed me that there were not enough by 20. or 30. for the members present—. so that it is clear M r Poydras
15190To James Madison from Thomas H. Williams, 14 June 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 June 1809, Washington, Mississippi Territory. Forwards petition from Seth Lewis and twelve other attorneys who recommend Drury W. Breazeale for the vacancy in Madison County, Mississippi Territory, if Congress will pass a law establishing a judicial district there. Takes this action as acting territorial governor and suggests the petition should go to the secretary of state, but “in giving...
15191To James Madison from Perrin Willis, 13 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
Having heard that Mr Lee has declined accepting the appointment of accountant to the War Department; I beg leave to renew my application for that situation. And to assure you, Sir, that my zeal for the publick good will in case of your pleasure to appoint me, prompt me to discharge with punctuality and fidelity the duties of the station. I have recently discovered that the vacancy supposed to...
15192To James Madison from Perrin Willis, 11 September 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 September 1813, Orange Court House. “As I am now about to leave for ever my native Country (of which you are the head) I can see no crime in submiting to you a few of my thoughts in the way of my profession. “It is generally acknowledged War is the most necessary and useful of all the sciences. The various kinds of knowledge which ought to furnish the soldiers mind, are not without great...
15193To James Madison from Perrin Willis, 12 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have been informed that the Government intend building an observatory in this place. Though the commission on the Sum to erect such a building would be nec[e]ssarily Small, I am desirous to be appointed agent to purchase the ground and erect the building. The performance of the duty with that fidelity which I purpose will develop to the Government my talent for business and thereby render me...
15194To James Madison from Perrin Willis, 30 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
It is with the utmost diffidence that I again appeal to your generosity for an office under the government and could only be urged to the act by the most pressing necessity. I have discovered by experience, the unpleasant fact that my present avocation is not to be conducted but with an adequate capital. And not possessing that requisite I shall very soon be compel’d to discontinue it; When I...
15195To James Madison from Perrin Willis, 4 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
As circumstances rendered it necessary for you to appoint Mr Hagner Accountant of the War Department, I hope and trust some other vacancy will occur which you may deem proper to confer on me. My devotion to the interest of my Country during the many years I was in her service very much strengthens my claim to her patronage. I do not choose to follow the example set by most applicants, of...
15196To James Madison from William Willis, 27 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
Your Enemies and the Enemies of the Republican party calculate much on the success that Otis, and the Other agents from this State will meet with in their Mission to Washington. I must beg pardon Sir for the suggestion I am about to make Viz. that it would be a great mortification to your friends as well as a detriment to the cause for it to be believed that their mission has had the least...
15197To James Madison from William Willis, 11 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have had considerable oppertunities since the declaration of the present war, of finding the sentiments of the people respecting that measure; both on the Atlantic, and in the interior. And if some fortunate event dous [ sic ] not present itself soon to reconcile the Citizens of these States to the war, the ensuing elections will be much affected, And I fear that if many disastrous...
15198Matthew Wills to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Ashlin handed me your letter of the 20 th instant wherein you exp r essed a desire to get Some live Carp and I having the Seine that is halled at M r Ashlins &
15199To John Adams from James R. Willson, 25 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
An offective son, & one of the children of the church presumes to address you an epistle. I long admired your measures in preparing to expend this nation in time of peace, & thus prevent war from spreding ruin over the land. Now all the nation is convinced of the propriety of your measures respecting the navy & impropriety of the measures of your successors. Our navy has done wonders. God...
15200To James Madison from James R. Willson, 1 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
The manuscripts, & pamphlets, which I had the forwardness to offer you will probably be of no use to you. You have perhaps all possible information relative to the western members of this empire. My object, you will doubtless believe, was an honest intention to promote the welfare of the land which gave me birth, where all my friends live—& friendship to yourself. If you have condescended to...
15201To James Madison from Edward P. Wilmer and Others, 12 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 August 1813 , “ Island of New Providence Nassau .” “We the undersigned being chosen by Eighty American Prisoners, now confined in the Prison House, of Nassau to represent their present unfortunate situations; Therefore do humbly beg leave to enter into detail of their distresses, and hardships under which they labour. Most Sir, of your petitioners have been confined at this place for a...
15202To James Madison from James J. Wilmer, 16 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I do myself the honour to enclose you an Epitome of the work contemplated. My Funds will not admit of printing the whole at present. Several writers have undertaken to write, as they call it, “a defence of Mr. Jefferson’s administration”; their mode may be right, but my manner of doing it will be viewed in the present specimen. There is something singular in this humble offering, that the very...
15203To James Madison from James Jones Wilmer, 13 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 June 1812, Baltimore. Prays JM to accept the enclosed and asks to be placed “in a situation to be further useful.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. At the foot of the page Wilmer placed a printer’s fist indicating the notation, “Residence, Havre de Grace.” For enclosure, see n. 1. Wilmer probably enclosed a copy of his tract An Address Delivered in Havre-de-Grace, June 4, 1812: in Consequence of a Pamphlet...
15204To James Madison from James Jones Wilmer, 22 February 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1812, Chelsea, Harford County, Maryland. States that as a result of a recent “demise,” which JM may have seen in the newspapers, he is “placed in peculiar adverse circumstances,” which he considers “hard” after his services to his country and now that he is in his sixty-second year. Seeks a “personal interview” to convince JM “of the propriety of this application.” Asks JM to...
15205James Jones Wilmer to Thomas Jefferson, 10 [July] 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor of enclosing you a paper of the “Sun,” containing some matters communicated in this place, on the 4 h Ins t and is a conclusive correspondent, to an Address also delivered in this Town, on the 4 h of last month . I did myself the honor to transmit you a copy of that work while at Baltimore ; also a Copy was forwarded to the President of the U.S. who was pleased to express...
15206To James Madison from Andrew Wilson, 5 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
Nothing short of being in possession of the most absolute and irresistable mode of annoying and occasionally vanquishing an imperious Enemy, could induce me, under the pressure of my present Misfortune, thus to importune your Excellency on a Subject of great importance to the United States. A series of Discoveries and Inventions in Military and Marine Tactics , calculated on indubitable and...
15207To James Madison from John Wilson, 25 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
With the greatest reluctance I address you on the following subject, why dont your excellency call on the Governors, of Pensylvania & Virginia to send their volunteers to the frontiers as well as the poor Ohio boys and Kentuckians, observe the new states have been very attentive and done as much for there country as any other state, and finding the[y] are oblidged to leave there familys and in...
15208John Wilson to Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Please to accept the enclosed, you were so good to examine the M.S., you will peruse it, I hope, with more satisfaction now it is in print. I thank you for having said the reformation would be desirable if it could prevail, because, I think, on reviewing the subject in a fairer form, you will be convinced, that admitting the custom is to change ey into ies or y preceded by a consonant, yet you...
15209To James Madison from John Wilson, [ca. August] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I should abstain from the indelicacy of addressing a person to whom I am unknown and so far beyond my circle, did I not confidently look for an apology in that discernment inseparable from a gentleman elevated to the highest station of this Country. Desirous of publishing with the greatest prospect of success a M.S. which I think may be beneficial to literature, I herewith take the liberty of...
15210John Wilson to Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
we learn that in Europe , however obscure an author may be, he freely addresses the highest literary adepts; and altho’ he may not possess any previous knowledge of the gentlemen, he runs no risk of incurring the imputation of obtruding.—That an indulgence so cheerfully granted in Europe , could meet in our Country with the slightest damp, is what my pen would blush to intimate. Various...