1From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 24 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I was rejoiced when I found the justice of Congress had made some necessary Provision for the office you now hold, altho they withheld a Clerk. I Should have been more gratified if their Liberality had extended to that, and an increase of the Sallery. the Duties of your office, must I am Sure, occupy the greater part of your time; but nothing is harder than to convince the purse holders that...
2From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 12 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging favour of july 29th with the inclosure. I had not any objection to your taking a copy. It was my wish that you Should,—altho I hesitated at Saying So, least the partiality of a Parent Should mislead me. I feel that you take an interest in my present happiness, in the Safe return of my Son to his Native Country, altho I have not yet Seen him.—it is no Small...
3From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 14 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
I owe you many thanks for the early notice which you transmitted me, of mr Adams’s acceptance of the Appointment of State. untill yesterday, I have remaind without any direct communication from him. The Letter which I inclose for your perusal, I regret not having received a day or two Sooner, that I might have had the pleasure of communicating it to the President when he did us the favour of...
4From John Adams to Richard Rush, 15 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
I will now venture to congratulate you upon your relief from a part of the heavy burthen which has been imposed upon you for So many months. And above all I congratulate you, my son and myself on your future destination. Had Providence permitted me to choose Events my heart would have dictated none other. Accept my Thanks for your uninterrupted and invariable kindness to me and my Friends, and...
5From John Adams to Richard Rush, 28 November 1821 (Adams Papers)
I love to see a young, Man, who in the language of Montesquieu is capaple de s’estime beaucoup; but in an old Man this is rather odious than amiable. The kind Compliments in your letter of the 30th. September, make me too proud for a Man in his 89th. year; but your idea of a picture overcame all my gravity and made me laugh outright. What would the Lords of the Gentlemens and Seats in England...
6From John Adams to Richard Rush, 24 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
The Procrastination of Old Age must be my only Apology for So long for So long neglecting to acknowledge Several kind obliging and excellent Letters from your friendly Pen. And even now I am arroused to write a Simple Introduction to two Gentlemen Travellers. One is the Bearer, Mr Elliot, a Son of one of our must oppulent and respectable Citizens in Boston, Samuel Elliot Esqr. I believe you...
7From John Adams to Richard Rush, 14 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have been tenderly affected by the kind expressions of your friendship in your letter of the 9th of february. In the course of forty years I have been called to assist in the formation of a Constitution for this State. This kind of Architecture I find is an Art or Mistery very difficult to learn and Still harder to practice. The Attention of Mankind at large Seems now to be drawn to this...
8From John Quincy Adams to Richard Rush, 2 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Adams request the Honor of Mr Rush’s Company at Dinner on Tuesday the 2 of August at 5 o’Clock The Favor of an Answer is requested. NjP : Papers of Richard Rush.
Mrs. Adams presents her best respects to Mr Rush will be very much obliged to him to have the enclosed Letter delivered to Miss Hellen as soon as convenient after its reception. Mrs. A offers her best Compliments to Mrs. Rush— PHi : Gratz Collection.
10Enclosure: John Martin Baker to Richard Rush, 18 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The Consulship and Agency for Seamen, and claims, at Amsterdam ; Having become vacant by the death of the late Consul of the United States , Sylvanus Bourne Esquire; I beg leave Sir, with Respect to Solicit, and pray of the President of the United States of America , His consideration and pleasure to be appointed to that office; And beg Sir, to be permitted to state: That on the first day of...
11Enclosure: George Blaettermann to Richard Rush, 8 October 1821, enclosure no. 2 in Richard Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 9 … (Jefferson Papers)
In my note to you , written and sent off in haste, I omitted, though foremost in my mind, to beg you to return my sincere thanks to M r Jefferson as the chief means in the hands of Providence of opening before me a prospect of increased happiness and usefulness and to assure him that, when I consider the importance of the trust likely to be reposed in me, I can safely promise not to fail in...
12Enclosure: George Blaettermann to Richard Rush, 6 October 1821, enclosure no. 1 in Richard Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 9 … (Jefferson Papers)
I have received this morning your polite note with an extract from a letter addressed to you by the late venerated President of the United States , and hasten to observe in reply, that I think myself highly honored by the preference shown to my application for a Professorship in the new College , and feel deeply impressed with a sense of gratitude for being thus early made acquainted with the...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 13 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I must again beg the protection of your cover for a letter to mr Gilmer, altho’ a little doubtful whether he may not have left you. You will have seen by our papers the delirium into which our citizens are thrown by a visit from Gen l La Fayette. he is making a triumphal progress thro’ the states, from town to town with acclamations of welcome, such as no crowned head ever recieved. it will...
14Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 22 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 1. has been duly recieved, and requires my thanks for the kind offer of your services in London . books are indeed with me a necessary of life; and since I ceded my library to Congress I have been annually importing from Paris . not but that I need some from London also, but that they have risen there to such enormous prices as cannot be looked at. England must lose her...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 5 June 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking for granted this will reach you while mr Gilmer is still in England, I take the liberty of putting a letter for him, under the protection of your cover, to ensure it’s safe reciept by him. should it however, by any accident, loiter on the way until he should be on his return, I will request of you to open the letter to him, and to take out, and have delivered to Maj r Cartwright, one it...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 26 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heretofore informed you that our legislature had undertaken the establishment of an University in Virginia, that it was placed in my neighborhood, and under the direction of a board of seven Visitors, of whom I am one, mr Madison another, and others equally worthy of confidence. we have been 4. or 5. years engaged in erecting our buildings, all of which are now ready to recieve their...
17Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 25 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
This letter will be presented you by mr George Ticknor , a gentleman from Massachusets whose father is of distinguished standing in that state. this gentleman has been 4. years travelling and and sojourning in the different countries of Europe for the purposes of instruction, and with the same views will pass the approaching winter in Edinburg , Oxford , Cambridge and London
18Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, [ca. 11 June 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
Your fav r of Oct. 9. was rec d in due time, and the last envoi of books ment d in it from Lackington came safely to hand. having occn for another call of that kind, to save you trouble I address it to Lackington Hughes & co. him directly so as to require from you only it’s handing to them
19From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 14 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am later than my wishes in offering you my congratulns on your safe return to your own country. I have been for nearly 4. months past confined to the house, and mostly indeed to my couch by a painful and tedious complaint, which has very much interdicted to me the use of my pen. tho’ late, they are not the less sincere, and I am especially pleased that you return associated with our...
20Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 27 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty, in October last, to request you to put a catalogue of books , which I inclosed, into the hands of an honest bookseller, one to whom I might address myself with confidence hereafter without troubling you; and at the same time desired my correspondent in Richmond Cap t Bernard Peyton to remit a bill of 40.£ sterling to be delivered to the Bookseller to be placed by him to my...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 1822 to 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
your fav r of Oct. 9. was rec d in due time, and the last envoi of books ment d in it from Lackington came safely to hand. having occn for another call of that kind, to save you trouble I address it to him . directly so as to require from you only the having the lrs put into his hands but I leave it open, lest any thing should have intervened to render any other address more eligible. and for...
22Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 14 August 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred acknoleging your favor of May 22. until the reciept of my books should enable me to add that information to the thanks I owe you for your kind agency in procuring them. I recieve them just now in good order. I certainly did not intend you should take half the trouble you have been so kind as to give yourself in the execution of this commission; yet I feel too sensibly it’s...
23Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 20 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In your favor of May 3. which I have now to acknolege, you so kindly proffered your attentions to any little matters I might have on that side of the water, that I take the liberty of availing myself of this proof of your goodness so far as to request you to put the inclosed catalogue into the hands of some honest bookseller of London who will procure and forward the books to me, with care and...
24From James Madison to Richard Rush, 20 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Having written to you very lately, I only avail myself of the present opportunity furnished by Mr. Astor, to mention, in case of any delay or miscarriage of the letter, that yours of Decr. 13. was duly received and acknowleged. It was four months on its way, but came at length safely to hand with the books sent with it. Mr. Astor is on a visit to Europe, and will pay his respects to you in...
25From James Madison to Richard Rush, 21 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your late Treasury Rept. & return my thanks for the kindness to which I owe it. It is a valuable voucher for the prosperity of our commerce & revenue, and a pleasing specimen of the ability which presides over the Dept. A[l]tho’ I must be presumed to dissent from some of the positions advanced, & allowed to hesitate at some of the deductions from others, there is eno’...
26From James Madison to Richard Rush, 22 July 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of the papers communicated to the B. Parliament which you were so good as to forward. The enterprize of France agst. the Spanish Constitution, with the grounds avowed for it, has afforded G. Britain a fine opportunity for retrieving the character lost by her abandonment of the people of the Continent on the downfal of Napoleon, and by the apparent sympathies of her Govt....
27James Madison to Richard Rush, 13 July 1833 (Madison Papers)
The Volume so kindly presented to Mrs. Madison and myself has afforded us great pleasure. Few can read it without receiving information both new and instructive—and none without being gratified on many points interesting to their curiousity. No part of it will probably be more welcome to the public, than that which gives a hope that the work will be followed by other drafts from the same fund...
28From James Madison to Richard Rush, 24 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of Jany. 14. & May 2. came duly to hand; the former accompanied by 3 Vols. of Malthus, with a No. of the Quarterly Review, & 4 vols. of Eustace. They claim many thanks which I pray you to accept. I have not yet entered on the latter work. I have looked over Malthus, and think the world much indebted to him for the just views he has given of an interesting subject, and for the...
29James Madison to Richard Rush, 17 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your very kind letter of the 12th. The commendations you bestow on those relating to the Tariff belong rather to what so pregnant & important a subject ought to have made them, than to what they are. They were written to a friend who wished to avail himself of the presumed result of my better opportunities of elucidating the question; and whom I considered as needing such an...
30James Madison to Richard Rush, 15 March 1831 (Madison Papers)
I thank you, my dear Sir, for the Gazette kindly put under cover to me. It derives particular interest from the Columns subscribed "Temple." I had seen the preceding publication, bearing that fictitious name, with a ready inference of the real one. The general character of the Whig party in England is as eloquently painted as the position & perplexity of its leaders now in power, are...
31James Madison to Richard Rush, December 1831 (Madison Papers)
I thank you my dear Sir for the kindly put under a cover to me. It derives particular interest from the Columns subscribed "Temple". I had seen the preceding publication bearing that fictitious name, with a ready inference of the real one. The general character of the Whig party in England is as eloquently painted, as the position & perplexity of its leaders now in power are accurately...
32From James Madison to Richard Rush, 12 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
In acknowledging your favor of Sepr. last, an interval between that date & this, presents itself which would call for apology, were I less sure that you would put no misconstruction on it. The truth is, I well know your time must be so engrossed with objects more important than my correspondence, that I am unwilling to multiply its interferences; notwithstanding the temptations I feel in the...
33From James Madison to Richard Rush, 27 June 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two favors of the 18 & 20 inst. I am promised a visit from Mr. Jefferson, the ensuing month, and shall not fail to communicate to him, the one you note for that purpose. I readily conceive that Mr. Correa, may feel some conflict, in his present position, between his two characters of Philanthropist and Plenipotentiary; and that he may infer some indulgence towards the latter,...
34From James Madison to Richard Rush, 10 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Dcr. 13 came safely to hand; but was four months on its way. I have looked over, with amusement, the two posthumous works of Watson & Walpole. The former has an importance to which the latter can not pretend. But both, in drawing aside the curtain from the secrets of Monarchy, offer at once lessons and eulogies to Republican Government. As you have in hand a remnant of the fund...
35James Madison to Richard Rush, 28 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. my dear Sir your favor of the 21st. and thank you for the 2 pamphlets inclosed with it. Of the one which has for its mark the living Character it may well be said (varying a borrowed phrase), "that the keenness of the shaft is ever more than equalled by the vigor of the bow:" nor is it to be wondered that the portrait in the other, of the Character deceased, should have...
36From James Madison to Richard Rush, 5 October 1826 (Madison Papers)
At sight pay to the Order of Arthur S Brockenbrough, Proctor of the University of Virginia three hundred and ninety four Dollars thirty two cents, being the Amt. of duties paid by order of Thomas Jefferson late Rector of the University of Virginia on thirty one cases of Marble, imported into NewYork in the Ship Caroline, for the use of the said University, and the said duties being remitted by...
37From James Madison to Richard Rush, 1 August 1825 (Madison Papers)
The Mail of yesterday brought us the first information of your having reached Washington, where alone a letter would be sure of finding you; and I avail myself of the first moment to congratulate you on your safe return to your country; as I do your Country on your acceptance of a new & more important career in its service. Mrs. Madison joins me in these congratulations, as I do her in those...
38From James Madison to Richard Rush, 4 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of Aug: 12. I have been favoured with yours of Aug: 30. with which was returned my letter to Mr Keilsall; whose evanishment is not a little remarkable. Notwithstanding the trouble given you by that letter, I am not deterred from relying on your goodness to have the two now inclosed forwarded to the parties. To one of them the direction is so precise that it will readily...
39From James Madison to Richard Rush, 21 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Novr. 15. came safe to hand, with Mr. R’s farming Pamphlet, for which I return my thanks. The inflexibility of G.B. on the points in question with the U.S. is a bad omen for the future relations of the parties. The present commercial dispute, tho’ productive of ill humour, will shed no blood. The same cannot be said of Impressments and Blockades. I have lately recd. also Mr....
40From James Madison to Richard Rush, [ca. October 1825] (Madison Papers)
Docr. Js W. Wallace is desirous of exchanging his Residence in Virga. for one in the City of Washington; which wd. be made the more eligible by some official employment there. His thoughts are turned to a Lazaretto established or expected to be established. For the requisites of integrity & fidelity, he can not need my testimony; and his professional qualifications are I presume also not...
41From James Madison to Richard Rush, 27 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
Almost at the moment of receiving yours of Decr. 28. my hand casually fell on the inclosed scrap, which I must have extracted from the Author (borrowed for the purpose) on some occasion when the right of navigating the Mississippi engaged my attention. I add it to my former enclosures on that subject, merely as pointing to one source of information which may lead to others fuller & better....
42From James Madison to Richard Rush, 1 May 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of Mar. 6. accompanied by the English pamphlet on “The State of the Nation.” Keirsall’s [ sic ] “Classical Excursion” had arrived some time before. For these several favours I give you many thanks. Having not recd. at the date of my last, your favour of Sepr. 26. I take this occasion to thank you for that also, and for the accompanying Edinburgh Review. I owe...
43From James Madison to Richard Rush, 13 November 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of Sepr 10. with a Copy of the printed documents on the subject of the slave trade. The mask of humane professions covering an indifference in some & a repugnance in others to its effectual abolition, is as obvious as it is disgusting. G. B. alone, whatever may be her motives, seems to have the object really at heart. It is curious at the same time to observe her...
44From James Madison to Richard Rush, 8 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
Among the names which the vacancy in the Collectorship at Norfolk will bring to your view is that of Moses Myers Esqr. of that place. Though my personal knowledge of this Gentleman is very slight I take pleasure in saying that I have been always led to regard him as a highly respectable Merchant, and a patriotic Citizen; and in expressing the belief that if selected for the vacant Office, its...
45From James Madison to Richard Rush, 23 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
I duly recd. the English papers you were so good as to send me; and which I now return. Altho’ less interesting than they usually are even when the Parliament is not in session, they contain some things which were worth looking at; and I thank you for the opportunity of doing it. We reached our home without accident, and in the computed time. I found the agricul[t]ural prospects in this...
46From James Madison to Richard Rush, [post–17] November 1823 (Madison Papers)
The Cheese you were so kind as to order for us having been sent by Mr. Maury to Richmond with which there is little communication from this quarter at this season, it has but just come to hand. The delay has not impaired its excellent quality: and Mrs. M. & myself offer many thanks for such a luxury, with our joint & affectionate respects & good wishes to Mrs. Rush & yourself. RC ( NAlI );...
47From James Madison to Richard Rush, 1 November 1826 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ To Richard Rush. Letter not found. 1 November 1826. Described as an autograph letter signed in Stan. V Henkels Catalogue No. 934 (19–20 May 1905), item 614.
48From James Madison to Richard Rush, 17 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Francis W. Gilmer Esqr. The Buildings for our University being now adequately prepared, and the Legislature of the State having given to its funds an extent authorizing the commencement of its operations, the duty of the Visitors is turned to the appointment of Professors. It would certainly be desireable to make the selection altogether at home: But the...
49From James Madison to Richard Rush, 20 November 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have been for some time a debtor for your favor of June 21. which was accompanied by the “Apochryphal New Testament.” Accept my thanks for both. I have not yet seen any notice in this Country of Godwin’s last work; nor has it been reviewed by any of the English critics which have fallen under my eye. I think with you however that it can scarcely fail to attract public attention. It merits a...
50From James Madison to Richard Rush, 5 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
This will be presented by John P. Wilson Esqr. of this State. I cannot speak of his worth from personal knowlege, but it is well vouched to me by a friend on whom I can entirely rely. He avails himself of resources & a leisure which enable him to indulge his curiosity in a trip to Europe; and he will be so much gratified by being made known to you that I can not refuse him a line of...