41From John Adams to James Monroe, 3 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Will you please to accept a morsel of rusty Antiquity, which I know you cannot and ought not to be read, because your time is imperiously demanded for occupations more important to your Country and Mankind, as well as to yourself. Your learned, and Ingenious Son-in Law Mr Hay, may possibly have a curiosity to look into it—to him I pray you to present my Respectful Complements.— And believe me...
42From James Madison to James Monroe, [ante–24 November] 1819 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Stone of Fredg. whom you well know informs me that his son in law Chs. H. Smith of Norfolk, is a candidate for the paymastership vacated by the death of Majr. Opie; and he is anxious that I shd drop you on the subject. Notwithstanding my repugnance to do so, which is encreased by the reason I have for believing your knowlege of Mr. Smith to be equal to mine, I can not entirely disregard...
43From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 December 1819 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the copy of your Message. The moderation it breathes towards Spain will be approved generally at present, & universally hereafter. The time is passed when this policy could be ascribed to any other than its true motive. The present standing of the U.S. will secure to it a just interpretation every where. It is very satisfactory to learn that the greatest powers in Europe are...
44From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 January 1820 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Hackly called on me a few days ago on his way to Washington. I found him very intelligent and of agreable manners. He observed a commendable delicacy in the part of his Conversation, which touched his personal hopes from the Government; but it was not concealed that he aspired to some provision under its patronage. He will doubtless be if he has not already been, more explicit and...
45Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 15 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
On the failure of the house of Smith & Buchanan & their connections in Baltimore , Col o Robert Nicholas , who was doing business for them in Leghorn , was of course deprived of that employment. he was at the same time Navy-agent for the US. there. but that not affording a subsistence, he determined to return to his own country. in a letter of Aug. 17. from Poplar Forest , I took the liberty...
46Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 16 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
What can I do, my dear friend, with such letters as the inclosed, but forward them to you? and the rather as I presume you must have known the merits of the writer as well as I did: that he was an active whig and officer in the revolution of 1776. and a firm republican in that of 1800. I reject the numerous applications made to me to be troublesome to you; but now and then comes one which...
47From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 February 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favor of the 5th. followed by a copy of the public documents; for which I give you many thanks. I should like to get a copy of the Journals of the Convention. Are they to be purchased & where? It appears to me, as it does to you, that a coupling of Missouri with Maine, in order to force the entrance of the former thro’ the door voluntarily opened for the latter is, to...
48From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 February 1820 (Madison Papers)
I received yours of the 19th. on Monday. Genl. Brown, who returned from Monticello on that evening, has been since with me, till 10 OClock today. Your letter found me indisposed from exposure to a cold wind without due precaution; and I have continued so. I write now with a fever on me. These circumstances will account for both the delay & the brevity in complying with your request. The pinch...
49From James Madison to James Monroe, March 1820 (Madison Papers)
My nephew R L. Madison has turned his thoughts to the new acquisition expected from Spain on our S. Frontier, and wishes an official situation there which may be convenient for the time and improve his future prospects for a growing family. The reluctance I feel in speaking on all such occasions is heightened on this by the personal relation which may be supposed to bias me. Leaving to other...
50Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 3 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I am often placed under the dilemma of either alienating my old friends, or of giving you the trouble of reading a letter, and I have had too many proofs of your friendship not to know you will take that trouble to save me from so painful an alternative. mr Ellery , I know your difficulties, and after giving my testimony, I pay no attention to the result, leaving that to yourself who alone...