5221To James Madison from William Eustis, [ca. 28 April] 1812 (Madison Papers)
General Lee should I think if it were passible be bro’t into the military service. I have said to him to day that he may have the honor of making up & organising this army: he is so much at home in every department—he is so every way qualified—his reputed extravagance excepted. He ought to be the Adj’t. General. Mr. Lewis has I suspect half persuaded him —and if it was urged upon him I think...
5222To James Madison from J. Dunham, 28 April 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1812, Windsor. Describes himself as having been a “ Federal Republican ” for twenty years, and for ten years he has studied the duties “necessary to form the scientific soldier .” Has served presidents Adams and Jefferson “with equal fidelity” and “with equal, & … entire, approbation.” “That War, with either Belligerent, might now be just , I have never doubted; but, under existing...
5223To James Madison from William Eustis, 28 April 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1812, War Department. Lists proposed appointments and alterations in the U.S. Army for JM’s approval. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, 12B-A1); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). RC 3 pp. Forwarded by JM to the Senate in a message of 28 Apr. 1812 ( Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.;...
5224To James Madison from John B. Colvin, 29 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
If his Excellency the President of the United States has not already made up his mind on the Appointment of Barbary Consuls, I should be happy if he would consider me as among the number of applicants for a station at either Tunis or Tripoli. Should the president doubt of my passing the Senate, I flatter myself that I can convince him that it is in my power to silence the opposition of One...
5225To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 29 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Honourable Saml L Mitchill of the House of Representatives of the United States having transmitted to the State Committee of fortifications a printed Letter addressed to you signed Edward Clark containing a project of fortification for this Harbour, I think it my duty as chief Engineer of the United States, and author of the plans of fortification lately compleated & now progressing under...
5226To James Madison from Anthony Charles Cazenove, 29 April 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 April 1812, Alexandria. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s remittance of $235.95 for a pipe of Lisbon wine. “I beg leave to enclose patterns of some Broad Cloths I have lately recd. from Messrs. Dupont Bauduy & Co. of Wilmington Delaware, which from their excellence cannot help pleasing any one, who takes the least interest in our infant manufactures. These patterns being small, shew the cloths...
5227To James Madison from Joseph B. Parsons, 29 April 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 April 1812, Washington. Confident of JM’s humanity, takes the liberty of stating a number of grievances under which he still labors. The first is “a violent outrage” committed on him by a marine on duty on 4 July 1802 near the Washington Navy Yard. Describes how the marine “stabbed a bayonet upwards of nine inches into the trunk of his body.” Was taken for dead but recovered, though for...
5228To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 30 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I See a bill has passed for a second district Judge in this state, And as the necessity is great I beg leave to recommend that every thing reasonable be done to support the Madisonian interest, and that you recommend a Staunch friend to your interest to that office, to this end I call to your mind Mr Mathurin Livingston Soninlaw to Governor Lewis, who I believe is now in Washington, And beg of...
5229To James Madison from William Eustis, 30 April 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 April 1812, War Department. Lists proposed appointments in the U.S. Army for JM’s approval. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, 12B-A1); letterbook copies ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). RC 3 pp. Forwarded by JM to the Senate in a message of 1 May 1812 ( Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). ,...
5230To James Madison from William Jones and Others, 30 April 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 April 1812, Philadelphia. Recommend John Dayton, merchant of Philadelphia, for the position of consul at a “Port in South America.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Dayton”). 1 p. Signed by Jones and twenty others, including Clement Biddle, George Latimer, Henry Pratt, and Robert Patton.
5231To James Madison from John Griffin, 1 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 May 1812, Albany. Informs JM that since he left Washington he has “received a letter from the Illinois Territory, mentioning that Judge Stuart was about taking his departure … with the intention of resigning his seat on the Bench of that Country.” Solicits the appointment for himself, citing as a precedent “the case of Judge Jones transferred from the Illinois, to Madison County in the...
5232To James Madison from the Inhabitants of Philadelphia County, ca. 1 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 1 May 1812. The memorialists “respectfully sheweth, THAT the Messages of the President to the two houses of Congress, with the accompanying documents, and debates and proceedings thereon … announce in unequivocal language, that WAR with one or both of the belligerent powers in Europe, which are [de]vastating the world, is become necessary to the defence of the rights and privileges of...
5233To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 2 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
It is impossible to form a satisfactory opinion at this time as to the result of the propositions contained in my letter of yesterday to the minister, a copy of which I herewith send to the Secretary of State. You will have perceived that the polestar from which I have all along graduated my compass was to remove the cause of war with England. The object of this government being directly...
5234To James Madison from William Crawford, 2 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Such frequent obtrusion, on your notice, may be deemed equally presuming & impertinent. Rectitude of intention towards you & the public can alone plead in my vindication. Your candor will induce you to meet that motive with indulgence. On a former occasion I took the liberty of intimating that the responsibility, of any present adjournment of the two houses of Congress, should rest wholly on...
5235To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 2 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
It is a grievous thing to be pressed, as I am, into the service of those who want to get into service themselves. The great mass of those sollicitations I decline: but some come forward on such grounds as controul compliance. Mr. Archibald C. Randolph, an applicant for command in the new army, is my near relation, which in his own eye and that of our common friends gives him a claim to my good...
5236To James Madison from John Mulhallon, 3 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
The present Crisis relitive both to our foreign relations and internal security requires the utmost vigilance of every freind of Humanity, our constitution and Laws and the present Administration to Detect all nefarious Writings and publications which are Circulated insediously and privatly with a vew to mislead and Deceive the Citizens of the united States and rouse the[m] up against the...
5237To James Madison from Newman Brockenbrough, 4 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
My Grandsons brot me the pleasing inteligence of your health, & that I have still a place in your remembrance—be pleased to accept of my acknowledgments for the high mark of respect, communicated by them—very few, I believe of our associates at the convention in Wmbg. in the year 1774 are now remaining on earth. We embarked in the same glorious cause at that time, & I believe have continued...
5238To James Madison from Jonathan Jennings, 4 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with the request of several citizens of the Territory which I represent, I have to suggest, that there exists apprehensions of a want a sufficent number of arms and a sufficient quantity of ammunition for the defence of that portion of the country from the apprehended attacks of the Indians. With much respect I am obediently RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRUS , J-1812).
5239To James Madison from John Bingham, 5 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Although not personally acquainted with you, yet permit me to take the liberty of giving you my sentiments, and addressing you with a few lines on the appointment of the officers of this City for having been Born and Brought up in it, am well acquainted with the Politicts of the diferent Characters of any consequence in it, having takin so decided a part in favour of my country. Since the year...
5240To James Madison from William Eustis, 5 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 May 1812, War Department. Lists proposed appointments and alterations in the U.S. Army for JM’s approval. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, 12B-A1); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). RC 3 pp. Forwarded by JM to the Senate in a 7 May 1812 message ( Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington,...
5241To James Madison from Benjamin Hamilton, 6 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 May 1812, Hamburg, Sussex County, New Jersey. Offers the services of “the uniformed company of Independent Blues … to oppose the enemies of the United States.” Expresses his indignation “at the wrongs inflicted on the nation by the insidious and treacherous governments of Europe” and declares that his officers and privates “are ready to March at a moments warning, to oppose the foe on the...
5242To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 6 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 May 1812, Washington. Lays before the president two letters, one from J. L. Broome and one from J. Targee, recommending John Ferguson for the additional district judgeship. “These papers may serve as a specimen of the communications addressed to SLM on the subject.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Ferguson”). RC 1 p. For enclosures, see n. 1. The enclosures, two...
5243To James Madison from the Inhabitants of Troy, New York, 7 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Inhabitants of the town of Troy, feeling in common with their Fellow Citizens the calamities with which the disastrous policy of the Government has overwhelmed our Country, and apprehensive of evils in prospect still more destructive and extensive, and at the same time impressed with a belief that the baneful measures of their Rulers are adopted from a mistaken impression that they are...
5244To James Madison from Duncan McArthur, 7 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 May 1812, Headquarters, Dayton, Ohio. States that under the 6 Feb. 1812 act to raise a volunteer corps it is his duty to inform JM that he now commands a regiment of “five hundred and fifty men including officers; all from the Second Division of Ohio militia who are now at this place on their march to Detroit, agreeably to the call made by the President of the United States, on the...
5245From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, 9 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
I duly recd. your favor of the 25th. inclosing the Report of the Adjutant Genl. The latter I have put into the hands of the Secy. of War; whose local knowledge will aid him in appreciating the difficulties pointed out by that officer. I hope they will be in a great measure overcome, by the judicious course you have taken in consequence of the Call made on your portion of the Natnl. Militia....
5246To James Madison from Robert Bean and Others, 9 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 May 1812, Franklin County, Tennessee. Under the terms of the act “authorising the raising of Volunteer Companies of Rangers,” they offer as “now ready for service sixty able bodied and respectable men who have subscribed their names for that purpose.” RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , B-264:6). 1 p. Signed by Robert Bean and two others, with a postscript signed by three election judges to the effect...
5247To James Madison from Andrew Brown and Others, 9 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 May 1812, Pittstown, Rensselaer County, New York. Fear for “the safety of our dearest Country, the last refuge, and only asylum of oppressed humanity—while one of the contending Pow⟨ers⟩ by an unprecedended extension and application of the doctrines of monopoly and exclusive privilege, arbitrarily assumes the controul of the ocean, the high-way of Nations.” Mention in addition “the...
5248To James Madison from Nathaniel H. Rhodes, 9 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 May 1812, Beaufort, South Carolina. Encloses “a Memorial of the Inhabitants of St: Helena Parish, relating to the defenceless situation of the harbour of Port Royal, with the resolution authorising the same,” passed at a meeting chaired by Robert Barnwell in Beaufort on 8 May. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , R-90:6). RC 1 p.; docketed as received in the War Department on 1 June 1812....
5249To James Madison from James Dill, 10 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 May 1812, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County. Refers to the letter he sent to JM “a few days since … on the peculiarly defenceless situation of this and the neighbouring counties of our Territory —since which time a fresh alarm has been created which is likely to prove destructive to our whole population.” “Intelligence lately reached us from the agent of the Delaware Nation of Indians,...
5250To James Madison from Samuel Harrison, 11 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Ever since my introduction to your Excellency at Washington in March 1806, by my worthy friend Doctor William Thornton, I have held your affability and virtues in profound admiration; and have often lamented that your important duties would not suffer me to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance, and correspondence with a Gentleman of your eminent worth, and superior Talents; But knowing the...