5251To James Madison from Jeremiah Moore, 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1810. “Although the following pages, cannot, on the ground of their intrinsick merit, claim your attention. Still the principles they embrace, will never fail to meet your warmest respect, and will be cordially embraced, although clothed in rags. The rights of human nature, the glory of our frame, are no doubt better understood, and more fully enjoyed in our happy country, than any other part...
5252To James Madison from David Bailie Warden, 2 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
On my return here, I found an Edition, in 8vo, of the Essai politique sur La Nouvelle Espagne —of which I have forwarded a copy for your acceptance. Baron Humboldt is, at present, in Germany, and proposes to return soon to Paris. He accuses Major Pike of having copied a part of his map, without even the mention of his Name. A french translation of Pikes’ Journal is in the press. I beg leave,...
5253To James Madison from John Armstrong, 5 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I write this letter under feelings the most unpleasant. You will have seen by my public correspondence, that on the 26th. Ult. I was induced to write a letter to M. Champagny, contradicting the reports which were circulating here of an alledged adjustment of our differences with G. B. and that I had been principally induced to take this step by the silence of M. Pinkney. The journals of to-day...
5254To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 4 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
As Christians you all profess to be upon an equality with all other men, inasmuch as you rest your hopes for eternal life in the world to come, upon the Grace of God revealed in his son Jesus Christ. Therefore, as Christians I presume to address you. God hath given you much, may you be good stewards for the Lord of hosts. War is contrary to the spirit of Christianity, which is universal...
5255To James Madison from Williams Rutherford, 29 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 August 1813, “Washington County” [Georgia]. “ Complaint is not so much a mark of disrespect as the manner of making it , and tho, Executive officers may err—from the fallibility of mankind—it is yet a pleasing circumstance that such casual errors, (while the outlines of administration prove good intentions, and, in all superior movements, correct judgement)—fall as far short of...
5256To James Madison from Jared Mansfield, 23 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
Attached to your person from principle, & a grateful sense of the honors, & favours, at different times conferred on me, it is with reluctance, that I venture to intrude for a moment, amidst your more important concerns. My duty however, as a member of the mil. Staff here, appears to require, that I afford information of affairs in my own province, which may be of consequence to Government,...
5257To James Madison from William Duncan, 8 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
I am induced from a sense of duty to our much injured Country, to communicate to your excellency the following information received as matter of fact, from Mr. Tolado a Spanish Gentleman resident in Philadelphia, of whose Character I understand you possess some knowledge. “In pursuance of a communication of an official nature, by Dn. Lewis De Onis, to the Council of Regency in Spain,...
5258To James Madison from William Crawford, 17 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
The aim of the present address, will, I trust, be a sufficient apology for the intrusion. If the scheme it proposes shall be deemed either dangerous or impracticable, it will only subject you to the trouble of perusing it. It has always been the opinion of the subscriber—that the measures of our government should be calculated to afford security to the basis on which it ought to rest—the free...
5259Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 19 th came to hand by the last post; but that allows us so little time that I could not answer by it’s return. I had not before heard of mr Latrobe’s claim of Lenthall’s salary in addition to his own. that some of Lenthall’s duties must have fallen on him I have no doubt; but that he could have performed them all in addition to his own so as to entitle himself to his whole salary,...
5260To James Madison from John Nicholas, 4 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I fear when you see a second letter so soon that you will think yourself illy requited for your attention to the first, but like most zealots I attach so much consequence to the subject which presses upon my mind that I am not to be deterred by any common apprehension. I have seen with much anxiety the backwardness and unwillingness of Congress to enter upon the subject of taxation and my...
5261To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 5 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
The Secy of the Treasury presents his respects to the President & informs that no effort will be made to prevent the injustice to the State of Georgia unless it is brought before Congress by executive message—the inclosed Statement of the case is believed to be Sufficcient to shew the injustice of the act in question. It is supposed that a message would not be so full in stating the case....
5262To James Madison from William Lee, 16 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have been honored within these few days, by your letter of the 21st. December, to which I shall pay due attention. The confidence you have reposed in me, by continuing me for so many years in this Office, has been highly flattering, and has proved my greatest consolation, in all the painful occurrences, I have of late experienced in this city, which has now become peculiarly disagreeable,...
5263To James Madison from George W. Erving, 5 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
I had visited the principal ports of Italy, & resided two months at Naples, when (on 26 Jany) I received the distressing intelligence of Mr Barlows decease; duty to my excellent friend induced me to abandon my further plans with regard to Italy, & immediately to return hither, for the purpose of giving comfort & assistance as far as in my power to his disconsolate widow. I left Naples on the...
5264To James Madison from Erastus Roberts, 18 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I take it upon myself to communicate to you my wish to be re-appointed in the service if a suitable vacancy should present itself. I take this method because I presume it to be the one most acceptable to government, and also, from your known wish to do justice to the late Army as far as it lays in your power—taking it for granted that every mans’ character, who has served four years and a half...
5265To James Madison from Benjamin Waterhouse, 29 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty of transmitting to you the narrative accompanying this, in hopes that you may find fifteen minutes leisure for its perusal. It is the only step I could take in lieu of a journey to Washington. To what I have said there, I will only add here, that when I began to reform that very disorderly Marine-hospital, I was embarrassed at the very threshhold, for want of rules &...
5266To James Madison from Jeremy Bentham, 30 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
The offer which it is the ambition of this Address to submit to the consideration of the President of the United States is addressed (you will see immediately) not to the person, but to the Office. By an explanation thus early made some reading will be saved to you. The respect, of which the offer itself is its own best testimonial needs not, I presume, any more words for the expression of it....
5267To James Madison from Miles King, 29 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have for a long time contemplated writing to you a letter on the subject of Christianity!! A subject of the deepest interest to the human family, yet is I fear but little understood, felt or enjoyed, by the Major part, even of those who’s gracious privilege ’tis to enjoy it. I mean the inhabitants of Christendom. But considering the Manifold duties of your high station, the difficulty and...
5268Resolution of the Aldermen and Common Council of the City of Washington, 18 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Resolved unanimously by the board of Aldermen and board of Common Council of the City of Washington in joint meeting met—That the Mayor of the City—Elias B. Caldwell, Daniel Carroll of Dudn. Buller Cocke, Walter Jones Jr. & Thomas Monroe, be a Committee to carry to the President of the U.S. the expression of the Citizens of this City of their unprotected & defenceless state from menaced...
5269Memorandum from Thomas Law, [ca. 7 July] 1809 (Madison Papers)
The followg. is an Extract from Mr. Marshals life of Washington 5th Vol: Page—770. [Eight paragraphs from Marshall’s biography are quoted. They cover almost three manuscript pages and relate to efforts to build a tomb or monument for Washington. They include a congressional resolution and portions of President Adams’s covering letter to Mrs. Washington and of her reply. In the last paragraph...
5270Memorandum from William Eustis, [ca. 24 November] 1809 (Madison Papers)
The fortifications which had been commenced on the seaboard, as will appear by a statement from the war department, are in many parts compleated, furnished with cannon and capable of affording a respectable defence. But another season will be required to finish the works in the harbour of New York, those at N. Orleans and in some other places where they have been delayed by unavoidable causes....
5271Memorandum from an Unidentified Correspondent, [post 1 July] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Can the President call forth the militia of the Union, or any part of that militia, without the aid of the State Executives? This question must be decided by the constitution, and by the three acts of May 8, 1792—Feby 28, 1795, and April 10, 1812. The constitution authorizes the calling forth of the Militia on three occasions only. 1. To execute the laws of the union. 2. To suppress...
5272Receipt of Payment for Carriage Equipment, [3 February 1810] (Madison Papers)
1810 Coll. Robert Patten for the President of the United States, Dr, to Robert Fielding febr. 3. 1810 To 3 new full plated Globes for the Chariot 30,— six ℔ of the best wax canoles for do 4,80 a Case for do. & Porterage 2,— $36,80 Recd payment from Coll Patten Ms ( DLC ). Canole: a variant spelling of cannel, a hard bituminous coal that burns very brightly; also sometimes written channel
5273Memorandum from Albert Gallatin, [ca. 1 November] 1811 (Madison Papers)
Notes on President’s message sheet page 1. 1. Do the words “considerations drawn from the posture of our foreign affairs” afford a satisfactory reason for the earlier meeting of Congress? 4. The additional proofs of the repeal of French decrees are mentioned only incidentally & not as a distinct subject; and the mention of the Naples cases (subqt. to 2 Nover apparently under those decrees & at...
5274Memorandum from Albert Gallatin, [ca. 28 November] 1810 (Madison Papers)
President’s message Might not the introduction, including the statement of French proceedings have a stronger colour of congratulation if not exultation of the change since last session 1. by marking more pointedly the effect produced by the last law —2. by hinting that the embarrassment heretofore experienced in deciding on proper measures was principally owing to the pressure from both...
5275Memorandum from William Eustis, [ca. 27 March] 1812 (Madison Papers)
For consideration Qr Master Genl— 1 Colo. Tallmage if he will accept which will be determined in the morng. 2 Colo. R. B. Livingston of N. York, father to the member of Congress —to be also more particularly enquired into in case of the declension of Tallmage. 3 Morgan Lewis. Deputy Qr Masters—civil. Wm Linnard Phila. Captn. Swann N. Orleans. Anthony Lamb Albany now acting as M. Agents—One in...
5276Memorandum [from Albert Gallatin?], 13 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
The difficulties suggested by Col. Taylor in his letter to the President of the 26h. of May last, are not of a recent date, but have been a source of much inquietude to those who are particularly interested, for many years past. By the cession of the state of Virginia made to the United States in the year 1784, of the Territory North West of the River Ohio, all that tract of land lying between...
5277Treasury Department Memorandum on Compensation of Assessors, [ca. 7 January 1815] (Madison Papers)
By the 13. sec. of the act in question, the President is authorised to augment, in cases where he may find it necessary, the compensation fixed for the Principal & assistant assessors, by the act of July 22. 1813, so, however, as that no principal assessor shall, in any such case, receive more than 300 Ds. and no assist. assessor more than 150 Ds. The book which accompanies this, shews all the...
5278Memorandum from Tench Coxe, ca. 26 May 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 26 May 1810. Discusses the need to encourage American manufactures and encloses some observations on a treasury report on the same subject. Lists merchandise now imported that might be produced in America (linen, iron, hemp, liquors), since European sources are likely to be cut off by war. Also stresses the need to encourage manufactures that will supply the means of national defense....
5279Memorandum from William Eustis, [ca. 1 April] 1812 (Madison Papers)
1 That the President be authorised to cause to be inlisted, a number of the men provided by the act of Jan: 1812, being of the Infantry & Artillery, not exceeding twelve hundred to each regiment, for the term of 18 months, to be entitled to the bounty of 16 Dollars, and to three months pay at the expiration of their term of service, but not to the bounty of land. 2 This Law to be passed...