31From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I recd. last evening your favor of the 4th: with a subsequent note covering a letter from Mr. Graham. That from Duane, referred to as inclosed, was omitted. All the accts., printed & manuscript, coincide with the view given by Mr. Graham, of the Western feeling produced by Hull’s disaster. The great point is to seize it and give it proper direction. This requires one mind of the right sort,...
32From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 [September] 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 6th. I am sorry to find that Pike confides so little in our prospects. From a letter of Genl. Dearborn to the Secy. of War, it appears that the force at his disposal is more scanty than was hoped. I am not sure whether his immediate plan is to take advantage of the detachments of the B. force from Montreal, by directing his principal operations towards that place, or...
33From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment recd. yours of the 8th. & 9th. A failure in the mail, occasioned the recet. of them at the same time. I have not had time to examine the Volunteer Act, which has been forwarded to me, the present mail which brought it, remaining but a short period, & that being occupied in reading papers &c. now sent to the Secy. of War, & others requiring attention. He will shew you those...
34From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Not a word from abroad, or the West, since you left us. Dearborn has still one eye on Montreal, and the other on Niagara: forcing the attention of the Enemy to both, with a purpose, doubtless of striking, himself, at either or both according to circumstances. The story of an armament agst. Plattsburg is groundless. Niagara was very weak at the last date, and more in danger of attack, than...
35From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Still without authentic information from Abroad. The Halifax papers expect Adml. Warren with a naval force, and an offer of peace. It appears that Wellington has gained a victory over Marmont; The extent of it not ascertained. From the West the accounts are that a B & Indn. force amounting to about 600 left Malden after the surrender of Detroit, to attack F. Wayne, & in case of success, to...
36Isaac Clason and Others to James Monroe, 21 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 January 1813, New York. “Several persons, neutral foreigners, as well as Americans, whose private affairs require their presence in England have applied to us to procure them passages, and having now in this Port a very fine ship lying idle, we ask permission to send her to England as a cartel to be commanded by our Cap. Joseph Skinner and Cap N. Willis or one of them.” Remark that the...
37William Henry Harrison to James Monroe, 26 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose herewith a duplicate of my letter of the 25th. Inst: together with the official report of Col: Lewis, to Genl. Winchester of the Action of the 18th. Inst: (No 1.) That you may be enabled to judge of the propriety of the Steps which were taken by me previously to the unfortunate event at the River Raisin, I proceed to give you an account of the Situation of the...
38Andrew C. Mitchell to James Monroe, 30 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 January 1813, Washington. Seeks an appointment as agent for the exchange of prisoners of war at Quebec, “the only vacant Post, where an agent for that purpose is admitted under the late arrangement between Sir John Borlasse Warren & my father.” Urges the establishment of an agency at Quebec on the grounds that “at the commencement of the ensuing campaign … a first Engagement may place...
39Isaac Cox Barnet to James Monroe, 23 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
My Several communications by Doctor Stevens were under dates of the 25th. to the 30th. January inclusively, and I had the honor of adressing to you copies by Mr Doolittle with a letter introductory of him—on the 11st. [ sic ] Inst. Both these Gentlemen, according to last accounts—must be now about putting to sea the first from Nantes—the latter from L’Orient. From the high approbation lately...
40William Cocke to James Monroe, 24 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
In my last I promised to advise you of the result of the Voninteer Expedition from East Tennessee United with the troops of the United States that march against the Semenolia Indians after a march of near Seven hundred miles with out being retarded by Ice Snow hammocks or Marshes which afforded the Enemy great Oppertunities for advantague we arrived at Paynes Town in the Lochway Settlements...
41William Shaler to James Monroe, 13 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
By an indirect occasion to Natches I have the honor to inform you that an express has just arrived here with letters from the Mexican camp at La Bahia which confirm the intelligence previously received by desertors and communicated by my letter of the 6 in. The papers I have the honor to enclose herewith contain the best account of those occurrences, and as they are corroborated by many other...
42Unidentified Correspondent to James Monroe, [20 March] 1813 (Madison Papers)
There never was a Government upon earth, so much imposed upon as ours is at present, by some of its own officers—almost every one of them here seem to vie with each other who shall defraud and injure her the most in the public opinion. In the Navy agents department—In the Collectors Department—In the District Attorneys Department—And in the Federal Marshals department—it is notorious, that the...
43Stephen Belknap to James Monroe, 24 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
Knowing it an indispensable duty I owe, our beloved Cuntry at this momentous period, (and equally due from every good Citizen) to make every effort for her defence aganst the Stratagems of, both Foren, & domestic foes, and to give information of approaching dangers: Permit me to make the following communication, as lately made known to me by an inteligent gentleman now present, (but will leave...
44From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 1 April] 1813 (Madison Papers)
The views with which the U.S. entered into the war, necessarily dispose them to a just peace. The promptitude with which the mediation of H.I.M. was accepted and the purpose of sending ministers to St.P. without waiting for the determination of G.B. is proof of this disposition. An armistice as sparing an effusion of blood, & as contemplating an auspicious result to the mediation, can not...
45John Thomas Ricketts to James Monroe, 19 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have in common with many other Inhabitants, felt some uneasiness at the defenceless situation of the district of Columbia at This critical time. The common rumer for the last Ten days that Admiral Warren was about to attact Baltimore, the arming of Lanchas and small craft for that purpose, and more Especially as this report has come direct from the admiral himself by several sources, and...
46Joseph Wheaton to James Monroe, 26 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty to write you from this place on the 20. and to detail Such information relating to opperations in this quarter as occured at the time, also as to my own destination. Governor Meigs arrived at this place on the evening of the Same day—he has been exerting all his powers to bring forward Such portions of his Militia as have been required of him—but the weather has been most...
47Joseph Wheaton to James Monroe and James Madison, 1 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here on My way to upper and lower Sandusky ordered there by Major J.C. Bartlett D.Q. Master General who entered on the duties of his office in the place of Col Morrison this day —at 6. p.m. on reaching this met the post Rider, direct from upper Sandusky who presented Governor Meigs (who is also here with two hundred Men going on to Sandusky) with a letter from General Harrison—that...
48Unidentified Correspondent to James Monroe, 8 May 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 May 1813, Baltimore. “I am gratifyed with receipt of yours of the 7th Inst and to find that my letter has been recd by you in the spirit in which it was written. I cannot but again repeat to you that you have too much confidence in our security we are yet very insecure altho the destruction of Havre de Grace has had a good effect here—our City Corportation has authorised Genl Smith to under...
49William Widgery to James Monroe, 10 May 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 May 1813, Portland. “Sensible of the multiplicity of business, to which the Presidents, attention is continually called nothing but the most urgent necessity could have induced me, to have troubled him, at this time, in behalf of the town of Portland, and Its, vicinity. This town, is the metropolis of Maine lying about 60, miles, North East of Portsmouth, in Newhampshire, the district of...
50Robert Taylor to James Monroe, 3 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have reason to believe, that a very nefarious trade with the enemy is now carrying on, from the ports of North Carolina. I think it my duty to lay the enclosed original affidavit before you; that the Government may take such measures thereon, as, in their wisdom, may seem proper. I have written to the Governor of North Carolina & enclose a copy of my letter. I have the honour to be, Very...
51William Shaler to James Monroe, 14 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith several letters and other papers just received from San Antonio and Nacogdoches which I believe give a faithfull picture of affairs there. The truth is that verry little is required to ensure complete success to this revolution in the four provinces, if that little is withheld it must as certainly fail, and independent of other considerations, envolve...
52From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 18th. by Mr. Mercer and have weighed as well as I could the pros & cons of the little enterprize half-formed by you. If it cd. be eligibly undertaken under any auspices, I am sure it would be under yours. But I confess its success would seem to require more celerity & secrecy than might be attainable, and in our situation offensive measures even on a small scale would...
53Aquila Giles to James Monroe, 3 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 August 1813, New York. “I hope it will not be considered as trespassing too much on your time, again to solicit the favor of you, to use your influence with the President, to obtain for me the Command of one of [the] Regiments to be raised for the defence of this City. I think I can with confidence say, that such an appointment, would be very generally acceptible to the Citizens of all...
54From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter on the subject of Wyer. He puts both himself & us in an awkward position. He asks an appt. & the moment he gets it, tells us he has neither the money nor credit to execute it: and if we assist him, we admit what was no recommendation to the appt. As to a loan, have we any authority to lend money or to take a bond of legal validity? And does not an advance imply that...
55Vincent Gray to James Monroe, 14 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
Supposing that it would not be uninteresting to you to hear something relative to the unfortunate Sufferers in Fort Principe, from Florida, I take leave to enclose to you herewith, the answer of the Captain General to my note on that subject; written in conseguence [ sic ] of a letter recd. from Governor Claiborne, in behalf of those unfortunate men. His Excellency the Captain General, does...
56From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 12th. which was due yesterday, but the mail it seems lost a day between Washington & Fredg. I hope the arrival of Bloomfield will contribute to lessen the collisions, which are so inconvenient. In the mean time your & the Secy. of the Navy’s advice cannot but be useful; and I dare say, from Bloomfield’s character, that it will occasionally be acceptable to...
57From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the papers brought me from the Dept. of State by the mail of this morning. If it be found that Warden bargained with Dr. Stephens, his reasonable charges must of course be allowed. But, unless, the oral communications from W. thro’ S. be of importance and distinct from the case of the chargéship, it has but too much the aspect of a public expence incurred by W. for the purpose of...
58Bowie and Kurtz to James Monroe, 18 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
As you were pleased to say to our Senior, at the interview he had the honor to have with you on Saturday last, that you would take into consideration, and give an early answer, to the proposal he made to you, of trying our claim on the United States, for the ship Allegany and our part of her Cargo, lost at Gilbraltar in their service, in the form of an amicable Suit, in one of the Courts of...
59From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favors of the 16 & 17. The communication of de Forrest is extremely interesting. The view it gives of the B. policy towards the U.S. is so strikingly just, and so strictly accords with that which has regulated the course of the Executive that it is much to be regretted that his paper is not in a form and is without an authority, to be published. If it had been in the form of...
60From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the papers relating to Yeaton, with the opinion of the attorney general on the case. According to that opinion, the claim of the Revenue officers does not commence, till recovery of the forfeiture takes place, and recovery means a receipt of the forfeiture & readiness for its distribution. The revenue officers are then barred of their claim or will be barred by a pardon issued...