51To James Madison from William Jones, 10 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to lay before You, the proceedings of a Court Martial, held at Fort Norfolk, on the 1. aug: 1812—with the sentence of Death, pronounced by said Court, upon George Allen, a private of marines. And a reference to a similar sentence, by another Court Martial upon … Potts a private of Marines the proceedings of which, are not to be found, either in the War or Navy Departments; but...
52To James Madison from William Jones, 10 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have received a letter from Captain Allen commander of the U.S. Brig Argus dated L’Orient 12 June saying that he had arrived safe there in a passage of 23 days and had captured the British Schooner Salamanca. Accept my congratulations upon the pleasing event of the safe arrival of our friend Mr Crawford. It appears the armistice had been protracted to the middle of August & as that period...
53To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 16 August] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I enclose for your information copy of a letter from Mr Anderson Navy Store keeper New York who has been with Commodore Chauncey from the commencement of the Lake service. He is a judicious active man whose services have been very important and being in Chaunceys confidence he has a perfect knowledge of the past and present state of things in that quarter. I am very respectfully Your Obdt....
54To James Madison from William Jones, 22 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
Upon a presumption that my letter of July 22d must have miscarried I now do myself the honor to forward you a Copy thereof, observing to your Excellency that a supply of Arms &c &c as a part for which an Annual appropriation was made by Act of Congress April 2d 1808 is highly necessary, the reception of which would be highly gratifying to the State & very pleasing to me. I have the honor to be...
55To James Madison from William Jones, 29 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The defenceless condition of this State & the imminent & increasing danger of hostile attack induced the General Assembly at their late Session in this month to direct me again to press these subjects upon your consideration, conformably to their request the Council of War have appointed Col. Nathaniel Searle Junr (whom I beg leave to introduce to your notice) a special messenger to present to...
56To James Madison from William Jones, 21 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed Handbill will inform you of a Naval Victory than which nothing ever was more complete glorious and important in the effects which it must inevitably produce. It appears that their new Ship must have been among the number. Tomorrow I trust will give us a glorious account from Chauncey the accounts thus far warrant the belief. Accept my sincere congratulations. Genl Armstrong...
57To James Madison from William Jones, 1 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
If water alone is their object they can get it with facility in the Potowmac without hazard, but I think the greater probability is that being correctly informed of the state of preparation of our ships at New york they may have gone to the Hook and to the East end of the sound in order to watch their movements. In the last New york paper it is said a Spaniard spoke a 74 with 7 other ships of...
58To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 28 September 1814] (Madison Papers)
I have been extremely uneasy for the fate of those vessels until the receipt of this. None but a seaman can appreciate the danger and hair breadth escape of this Squadron; and to continue or remain at all near the lower end of the Lake at this Season must in all probability end in the destruction of the fleet. Gen Brown has been most unreasonable in his expectation of Naval cooperation. RC (...
59To James Madison from William Jones, [21 December] 1813 (Madison Papers)
With anxious solicitude for the return of the Secretary of the Treasury which at the time of his departure was confidently anticipated in all the month of November I have forborne to reiterate the excessive pressure of the duties of the two Deptmts. however relieved in the details of the Treasury by the subordinate officers of that Depmt. until it has become intolerable by the interruptions...
60To James Madison from William Jones, 22 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Be pleased to sign and transmit the enclosed transfer. It is intended to meet the 80,000 Drs. overdrawn per Second column of the Statement herewith enclosed. Very respectfully Your Obdt Servt RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). Enclosures not found, but see n. 1. The transfer stated that pursuant to the authority given the President by the act of Congress of 3 Mar. 1809, JM was directing that $60,000 of...
61To James Madison from William Jones, 26 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed I am persuaded is written by some personal enemy to Com Chauncey. Will you have the goodness to examine whether it is not by the same hand as that sent to you by Mr Gales. Sincerely your Obdt Sert The brother officers of Chauncey entertain but one opinion of him and that is in the highest degree honorable to him. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM . Enclosure not found, but it may have...
62To James Madison from William Jones, 26 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
I feel that as a member of your Cabinet I ought to avoid adding to the number of solicitors on the subject of appointments and I promise you not to tresspass often. Permit me to say that I believe the appointment of Doctor James Rush as successor to his illustrious father would give as general satisfaction as that of any other; both on account of the merits of the candidate and the profound...
63To James Madison from William Jones, [18–20 May] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Extract from a letter of Capt. Sinclair dated Norfolk. May 16. 1813. I was yesterday evening at the Capes—where there were 4–74s. 5 Frigates—1 Ship, apparently a merchantman—2 Brigs of War—and armed Schooners, making in all 22 Sail. They are moored, forming a line up the Bay Channel and also a line across the Channel to Hampton Roads—just at the tail of the Horse shoe. These are the Squadron...
64To James Madison from William Jones, 9 July 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Jones. 9 July 1814, Navy Department. “I have the honor to enclose for your signature, a Brevet commission for Anthony Gale now a captain in the marine Corps & who has been of that grade more than ten years: and a Brevet commission for Richard Smith also a captain in the Marine Corps, who is recommended by Commodore Chauncey and the other commanding naval Officers at Sacketts...
65To James Madison from William Jones, 16 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed are copies of letters from Commodore Chauncey which came to hand yesterday. The public papers will inform you of the attack made by the enemy upon the village of Oswego and I have the satisfaction to say that whatever may have been the issue it could not involve any of our Ordnance or naval Stores as none had been sent below the falls from which the whole either had or would in a...
66To James Madison from William Jones, 11 April 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Jones. 11 April 1814, Navy Department. “The promotions & appointments designated in the papers herewith marked A & B are required to supply existing deficiencies.” Letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosures ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). Letterbook copy 1 p. The letterbook copy of the enclosures (1 p.) consists of a list marked “A,” which named seven persons to be navy surgeons,...
67To James Madison from William Jones, 6 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
I send the enclosed letters for your perusal. James T Leonard was next in command to Com Chauncey until arrested upon charges of misconduct and is now under arrest waiting the investigation of a Court martial. I know not who was the commanding naval officer that so precipitately destroyed the stores, nor is it possible to anticipate the consequences as it respects the equpment of the New Ship....
68To James Madison from William Jones, [18 October 1814] (Madison Papers)
I respectfully submit the enclosed in order to suggest the expediency of instructing Mr Crawford to encourage and facilitate the emig[r]ation of a few Parisian or German medallists. It appears to be a fact that but one artist is to be found in the U States capable of executing in a decent style the medals voted by Congress to the Navy officers and that person has been exclusively engaged on...
69To James Madison from William Jones, 30 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
The northern mail which ought to have arrived yesterday has been received but not a line from Sacketts Harbor. You will perceive by Captain McDonnoughs letter enclosed that the enemy at the Isle au Noix had not on the 13th. Inst. began to plank their Ship. (Col Gardner says she is a 16 Gun Brig). I almost regret commencing the new Ship at Vergennes—God knows where the money is to come from!...
70To James Madison from William Jones, 26 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
The existing instructions from this Department rendering the Naval Commanders on certain stations subordinate and obedient to the Military Commanders is in my judgement fraught with consequences extremely injurious to the service and to the public interest. The first direct effect is that officers of talent character and spirit will not submit to the degradation and will decline or resign. The...
71To James Madison from William Jones, 14 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
In exhibiting to you the list of proposed promotions from Masters Commandant to Captains I omitted to explain the circumstances of the Case of Master Commdt. Leonard who stands first upon the list and is omitted in the list I submitted to you for promotion. The Enclosed Naval General orders will exhibit his case. He has not been since employed and you will determine whether the public interest...
72To James Madison from William Jones, 6 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to your order of the 3d Inst I have the honor to Report the Several documents herewith enclosed lettered from A to H containing all the information in this Department on the various subjects of your enquiry. I am with great respect Sir your Obdt Servt RC and enclosures ( DLC ); letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosures ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). For enclosures, all dated 6 June...
73To James Madison from William Jones, 22 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a Resolution of the General Assembly of this State pass’d on the 8th Inst and in conformity therewith permit me to request your Excellency to give orders to the proper officer to furnish me with two thousand stand of arms & six pair of Field peices vizt two pair of six pounders & four pair of four pounders with such quantities of ammunition &c for...
74To James Madison from William Jones, 17 February 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Jones. 17 February 1814, Navy Department. “I have the honour to submit to your consideration, the following List of promotions and appointments during the late recess of Congress.” Letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). Letterbook copy 1 p. The enclosure (1 p.) listed four promotions, including that of Oliver Hazard Perry from master commandant to...
75To James Madison from William Jones, 28 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
As it is possible my letters of July 22d & of August 22d may not have reached your Excellency, I am advised by the Council of War of this State to forward a triplicate & to inform your Excellency that in consequence of an Alarm by the appearance of three British Frigates near point Judith on the 13th Inst the Citezens of the Island of Rhode Island with a promptness that does them very great...
76To James Madison from William Jones, 12 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is probable you may have seen the attack upon Commodore Murray in the Democratic Press and as he is the senior officer in the Navy of the U. States I deem it but just that he also should be heard and therefore enclose his letters and its enclosures for your perusal. The gentlemen to whom he alludes as being present I know very well they are worthy men and our political friends. Murrays...
77To James Madison from William Jones, 19 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have this instant received a hand Bill from the press of the Wilmington Del. Watchman enclosed to me by the Collector of that place announcing circumstantially the capture and destruction of the Java (a British Frigate Mounting 49 Guns) by the Constitution Commodore Bainbridge off the coast of Brazil. The Java was bound out to Bombay with Lieutenant Genl Hislop and other officers onboard. 60...
78To James Madison from William Jones, 23 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
On the day of your departure from this City you directed the Removal of Josiah Weston Collector of New Bedford which upon looking into the Department I took the liberty of suspending for a few days as the usual course in cases of complaint against Collrs. had been adopted in this Viz to direct some trusty person to investigate the alleged grounds of complaint and report to the Depmt. The...
79To James Madison from William Jones, 23 March 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Jones. 23 March 1814, Navy Department. “The Appointments and nominations designated in the enclosed paper are required for the Naval service.” Letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). Letterbook copy 1 p. Jones listed ten persons to be nominated as navy pursers, including Benjamin F. Bourne, Joseph B. Wilkinson, the son of Maj. Gen. James Wilkinson,...
80To James Madison from William Jones, 27 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I understand a law has passed creating the Office of Solicitor to the Treasury and the intimate knowledge I have of the worth and talents of Mr E W Duval induces a wish that he should obtain that appointment. His services and experience in the Comptrollers Office while his worthy uncle filled that place afford him peculiar advantages, and his Sterling integrity professional talents and zeal...
81To James Madison from William Jones, 21 July 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 July 1813, Navy Department. “The appointments, & nominations on the enclosed paper, are required to fill existing vacancies.” Letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). Letterbook copy 1 p. The copy of the enclosure (5 pp.) lists 122 promotions and appointments in the navy. Notes near the end of the list read: “Transmitted to the President 23. July 1813” and “The...
82To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. May 1813] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Will the President please to say what answer I may give to Mr Gray and if the prayer of his petition cannot be granted what reasons I may assign. I recollect that the distinction in Gerards case was that he had entered the waters of the US not knowing of the War and was taken and detained there until ransomed. I do not recollect the merits of the other cases to which Mr Gray alludes, but I...
83To James Madison from William Jones, 8 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
Will you be pleased to name the three 74s now building one of which is to be launched on the 20 Instant at Charlestown Massts. and the other two are in great forwardness. I am very respectfully your Obdt Servt RC ( DLC ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). RC docketed by JM . JM inserted an asterisk here and wrote below Jones’s signature: “*1. Independence / 2. Union / 3. Franklin (the...
84To James Madison from William Jones, 7 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
From day to day have I been in expectation of receiving something, at least from the Lakes of Sufficient Importance to communicate to you but my last from Chauncey is of the 20th and from Perry of the 21st. ulto. It appears by the papers that Com Chauncey must have left Sacketts Harbour again with the addition of his New Schooner last Sunday Week and it is also said that the British fleet are...
85To James Madison from William Jones, 8 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday received letters from Com Chauncey to the 28th. He was then ready and would sail that night with Gen Wilkinson onboard for the upper end of the Lake. He had sent over a flag merely for the purpose of looking into Kingston, and found the enemys fleet had sailed. The new Schooner is a very efficient addition to Chaunceys force she sails with him—his whole force in perfect order and...
86To James Madison from William Jones, 14 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 12th Inst enclosing my Commission as Secretary of the Navy for which mark of your confidence I pray you to accept my sencere acknowledgements. Having seen my nomination in the public prints I had given to the subject the consideration due to so weighty and important a trust, and although I feel the full force of the responsibility proposed to be vested in...
87To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. January 1814] (Madison Papers)
No man has been more conversant with Banking Institutions, monied operations, and Stocks, than Mr Fox. He was employed in the accounting Depmt. of the U S during the revolution and in digesting and liquidating their accounts few men participated so largely. He was the first Cashier of the Pennsylvania Bank from its establishment to the yellow fever of 1793 on which account he left it as well...
88To James Madison from William Jones, 29 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
Presuming that it may be acceptable to you to know the progress and prospects of the subscriptions to the Bank of the United States which in the existing state of things so materially involves the financial operations of the government, and the currency and credit of the country; I have the pleasure to communicate to you such information as I possess on the subject either officially or...
89To James Madison from William Jones, 13 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of the resolution of Congress, of the 19th. of March 1812, directing the Secretary of the Treasury to employ a person to digest and reduce to such form as Shall be most conducive to the interests of the United States, a Statement of the number, nature, extent, Situation and value of the arts and manufactures of the United States &c Tench Coxe Esqr. of Philadelphia, was employed...
90To James Madison from William Jones, 1 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I herewith enclose a Tableau of the several Districts, candidates & persons recommending for appointments under the tax Laws, containing all the applications made to this time. I found Sir that the mere names would have afforded but a very partial mean of deciding as some of the letters are warm & decisive whilst others are cold and equivocal. I have therefore directed the whole of the letters...
91To James Madison from William Jones, 11 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
The determination which I was compelled to form and communicate to you on the 25th of April last has acquired irresistible confirmation by all the circumstances attending my private affairs since that period. The enclosed letter (received yesterday) is submitted to your inspection to show that the only remaining hope I had of alleviation has vanished. The first paragraph of the letter from...
92To James Madison from William Jones, 10 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Accept my congratulations upon the event of another brilliant achievement by our brave Tars. The U S Ship Peacock Captain Warrington of 20. 32 pd. carronades and two long 12 pds has captured the British Sloop of War Epervier of 18. 32 pd carronades after an action 45 minutes in which the enemy lost 8 killed and 15 Wounded and was excessively cut to pieces having 5 feet water in her hold. The...
93To James Madison from William Jones, 16 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
Mr Osgood the Naval Officer of New York is dead. The offices of Surveyor & Naval Officer are of course to fill. You mentioned Furguson Coffin and Heath. I enclose a letter from Mr Lefferts MC. to Mr Gale. Mr Alexr McComb father of Col McComb and former great Speculator is also an applicant for the Naval Office. Will you please to say which of the Candidates or what other shall fill the...
94To James Madison from William Jones, 18 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have this morning received your favors of the 16th. and immediately sat down and made the enclosed sketch of our Treasury resources. It is made in haste but I believe will be found substantially correct. I have not met with Sheldon this morning to cast his eye over it. The original Balance and the estimates of monthly receipts & expenditures was taken from a pretty accurate statement of the...
95To James Madison from William Jones, 18 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
On the subject of the Claim of Mr Mix for the cost of Torpedos said to have been prepared and placed in the channel leading to Norfolk by order of General Taylor, having referred to the act of the 16 July 1813 I cannot perceive that the execution of the duties enjoined by that law falls within the province of this Department, as every thing of the kind hitherto has been under the direction of...
96To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 20 December] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Measures are taken to forward the Embargo Act with a p[r]int circular to the collectors and it will go off tomorrow in order to notify the parties concerned of the passing of the Act. I have also directed Mr Sheldon so to modify the instructions as to provide for the exception of vessels licensed for the fisheries or whaling voyages and it will be printed with the utmost possible dispatch. The...
97To James Madison from William Jones, 25 April 1814 (Madison Papers)
Circumstances over which I have no controul having coerced a determination on my part to retire from the honorable station in which your confidence and good will had placed me, it is proper that I should apprise you of my intention in anticipation of that event though I shall not intimate my design to others. I shall endeavour to remain at my post if possible until the next meeting of Congress...
98To James Madison from William Jones, 13 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
The letter & Postscript which you saw published in the National Intelligencer giving an acct of the tremendous Battle between Chauncey & Yeo was from Gen. Wilkinson whose imagination had converted a running fight into a close action dismasting boarding &c. Indeed there is nothing so deceptive as nautical appearance to those not familiar with such scenes. Yeo’s constant object has been to...
99To James Madison from William Jones, 13 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
The proofs I have had of your confidence and regard and the belief that the opinions which I have formed upon a deliberate view of the state of the national currency and its effects upon public and private property, will not be unacceptable to you in the present crisis of our affairs; I take the liberty of submitting to your inspection the copy of a letter which I had occasion to address to a...
100To James Madison from William Jones, 11 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
Agreably to a Resolution of the Legislature of this State, pass’d at their Session the last week, I do myself the honour to forward you the enclosed Memorial, and beg leave to observe— That as the War in which the United States are engaged is particularly distressing to this State, and as the danger of an Invasion most certainly increases as War progresses, and the distressing privations of...