51To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [13] August 1802 (Madison Papers)
The post having made it night before his arrival yesterday and my mail extraordinarily voluminous, I have been able to read & now return you the inclosed papers only. Mr. Livingston’s shall come by the next mail. I do not like this mistake of Capt. McNiel’s, and fear it will be very embarrassing. Other d⟨is⟩patches oblige me to close here with assurances of my affectiona⟨te⟩ esteem & respect....
52To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I recd. last night or rather this morning yours of yesterday, and return the remarks of Genl. S. inclosed in it. They strengthen the opinion as to the extent of his information on certain important Subjects, and the vigor of his understanding. The late scraps of intelligence from England put together make it probable that something towards an arrangement had taken place early in July, and...
53To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the letters of mr. Pichon, and of Jones; also those of Van Polanen & Thos. Sumter. The letter to be written to Van Polanen should be so friendly as to remove all doubt from the Batavian government that our suppression of that mission proceeds from any other motive than of domestic arrangement & e[c]onomy. I inclose you a draught of a letter to the emperor of Morocco, which...
54To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed barbarous Italian would require more consideration to be perfectly understood than I have time to bestow on it. I believe Mr. Wagner reads Italian. If he does, a good translation should be made; and it sets up such serious pretensions as that I think we should give it to Eaton & desire him to make a statement of what passed between him & the Ex bashaw & such a one as we may...
55To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
Colo. Newton’s enquiries are easily solved I think by application of the principles we have assumed. 1. The interdicted ships are enemies. Should they be forced by stress of weather to run up into safer harbors, we are to act towards them as we would towards enemies in regular war in a like case. Permit no intercourse, no supplies, & if they land kill or capture them as enemies. If they lie...
56To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I send you a letter from the Ex-basha of Tripoli. Had we not better be done with this man by giving him a plain answer stating the truth & sending him the extracts from our instructions, by which he will see that if our agent ingaged any thing beyond that he went beyond his powers, and could not bind us. Nothing short of this can clear us of his sollicitations. We might go further and promise...
57To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you the S. Carolina ratification of the amendment to the constitution, & presume it possible that in a week more you may recieve that of Tennisee, after which I suppose no time should be lost in publishing officially the final ratification. Prevost accepts the office of judge of the Orleans territory, & Dickerson that of Attorney. But as J. T. M. declines the place of A. G. US. can...
58To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I return you Monroe’, Armstrong’s, Harris’s & Anderson’s letters, & add a letter & act from Govr. Mc.Kean to be filed in your office. The proposition for separating the Western country mentioned by Armstrong to have been made at Paris is important. But what is the declaration he speaks of? For none accompanies his letter, unless he means Harry Grant’s proposition. I wish our ministers at...
59To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I think it is dean Swift who says that a present should consist of something of little value, & which yet cannot be bought for money. I send you one strictly under both conditions. The drawing was made by Kosciusko for his own use, and the engraving also I believe. He sent me four copies, the only ones which have come to America. The others I give to my family, and ask yourself & mrs. Madison...
60To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. came to hand yesterday & I return you Foronda’s, Tufts, Soderstrom’s & Turreau’s letters. I think it is become necessary to let Turreau understand explicitly that the vessels we permit foreign ministers to send away are merely transports, for the conveyance of such of their subjects as were here at the time of the embargo, that the numbers must be proportioned to the...
61To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I return you the papers recieved yesterday. Mr. Erskine complains of a want of communication between the British armed vessels in the Chesapeake or off the coast. If by off the coast he means those which being generally in our waters, go occasionally out of them to cruise or to acquire a title to communicate with their Consul it is too poor an evasion for him to expect us to be the dupes of....
62To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 27th. is recieved. I put Lattimore’s letter into my bundle of Agenda to be acted on in due time. Monroe’s, Pinckney’s & Jarvis’s are now returned. I suspect that Pinckney gives us the true design of Gr.Br. to be to oust the French & Dutch from our quarter & leave the Spaniards & Portuguese. It is possible she would rather see these two last in possession of the Southern continent...
63To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 13th. came to hand only yesterday & I now return you the letters of Turreau, Yrujo & Woodward, and Mr. Gallatin’s paper on foreign seamen. I retain Monroe & Pinckney’s letters to give them a more deliberate perusal than I can now before the departure of the post. By the next they shall be returned. I should think it best to answer Turreau at once, as he will ascribe delay to a...
64To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
I return you the report, and have prepared a message, tho’ I confess myself not satisfied on the main question, the responsibility of the government in this case, and with our taking wholly on ourselves the risk of the decision. For to enable Congress to judge for themselves the record must go; & the printing that would prevent it’s being taken up this session. If we do not send in the record...
65To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 27 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Unexpected delays in getting my carriage ready will render it impossible for me to leave this till Thursday or Friday, probably Friday: and as you will be gone or going by that time, and we shall meet so soon at Washington, I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you at your own house, but get on as far as the day will let me. Mr. Gallatin left N. York on the 21st. and expected to be at...
66To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
the article against impressment to be a sine qua non. So also the withdrawing or modifying the declaration endeavor to alter the E. India article by restoring Jay’s Art. 8. Avoid if possible the express abandonmt of free ships free goods 10. Define blockade according to the British note formerly recd. 17. Expunge stipuln to recieve their vessels of war & treat officers with respect reserve the...
67To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 5th. came to hand on the 8th. & I now return the papers it covered. Ferrand’s decree is serious & I have more hope of it’s being corrected by Tureau than by Buonaparte. I shall be with you by the middle of the next week, & therefore defer to verbal explanation every thing public. I shall leave my daughter in a state not immediately threatening nor yet clear of serious anxiety. A...
68To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
Your’s by the last post was recieved yesterday, and I now return Monroe’s letters. That Armstrong should be returning so suddenly & without notice is quite an impossibility. Any other hypothesis for his journey to Amsterdam would be more probable. I send you a letter from Pierpoint Edwards respecting Swartout: his testimony against him cannot be suspected, considering their mutual relation to...
69To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 17th. is recieved. I concur in your ideas that the request from the Bey of Tunis of a frigate of 36. guns should be complaisantly refused. I think the greatest dispatch should be used in sending either the gun carriages or money to Simpson for the emperor of Marocco, and the stores to Algiers; &, if you approve it, the powder on account : or perhaps it would be better to authorise...
70To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 26th. by Doctr. Bache came duly to hand: and I now return you all the papers you inclosed except the commission for the Marshal of New Jersey, which I retain till I see you, which Dr. Bache gives me hopes will be the ensuing week, & I suppose will of course be the day after tomorrow, as you will then be free from the pressure of the post. I inclose with those papers, for perusal,...
71To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I return you the papers on Clarke’s claim, which indeed I have not considered with all the attention which should be done were this an ultimate decision, but my first impression is that the claim ought to be rejected. It is clearly a claim for money, not for land. The Commrs. of N. Y. were constituted a special court of justice to distribute the 30,000 D. of Vermont according to right, & they...
72To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
The last post brought me the counteraddresses now inclosed. That from Ipswich is signed by 40. Persons, the town meeting which voted the petition consisted of 30. There are 500. voters in the place. The Counter address of Boston has 700. signatures. The town meeting voting the petition is said to have consisted of 500. In the draught of an answer inclosed, I have taken the occasion of making...
73To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 3d. is recieved. I also have recieved a letter from B. R. Randolph. Who he is I know not. He may be of a family of Randalls of the neighborhood of Petersburg, who have lately begun to spell their names Randolph, tho’ totally unconnected with those of that name. One of them was not long since convicted of the murder of his father, and the family is generally in very ill estimation....
74To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 20. & 21. were recieved yesterday. I have sent on the letter to Turreau without alteration. It was as little as either the stile or matter of his letter deserved. I shall be with you probably on Wednesday. Mr. Barlow stays with us till then, & returns at the same time. The bearer is Mr. Chisolm the bricklayer who wished to see you before your departure. Dinsmore has suggested a...
75To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the several papers recieved by the last post, except those solliciting office, which as usual, are put into my bundle of like papers. I think it possible that Spain, recollecting our former eagerness for the island of N. Orleans, may imagine she can, by a free delivery of that, redeem the residue of Louisiana: and that she may withold the peaceable cession of it. In that case...
76To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I suppose Mr. Gamble should be told that his opinion in favor of the appointment of a Consul General for the Danish islands being founded on the supposition of a war with England, the Executive cannot at present act on that ground. It would seem indeed that in the event of war, our agent or agents in those islands would be very important persons, & should therefore be chosen with care. I...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 18 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the heads of departments and Atty Genl to meet to-day at 12. oclock on a consultation. Catalog--Paul C. Richards Autographs.
78To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
How will it do to amend the passage respecting England to read as follows? ‘New principles too have been interpolated into the Law of Nations, founded neither in justice, nor the usage or acknolegement of nations. According to these a belligerent takes to itself a commerce with it’s own enemy, which it denies to a Neutral on the ground of it’s aiding that enemy. But reason revolts at such an...
79To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I received yesterday your’s of the 22d. & learn with regret that you have been so unwell. This & the state of the ⟨country, the river &⟩ roads should delay your departure, at least till the weather is better. I should have set out this morning, but it is still raining, and the river all but ⟨swimm⟩ing at the last ford. If these circumstances are more favorable tomorrow I shall then set out, or...
80To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you a letter from W. Hampton & Fontaine Maury on the subject of apprehensions that the negroes taken from Guadaloupe will be pushed in on us. It came to me under the superscription of mr. Brent, so may not have been seen by you. Would it not be proper to make it the subject of a friendly letter to M. Pichon. Perhaps Govr. Clinton should also recieve some mark of our attention to the...
81To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Virginia resolution inclosed was, I am sure, in full confidence that you would contribute your counsel as well as myself. I have only relieved you from the labour of the premier ebauche. I must you to consider the subject thoroughly, and either make the inclosed what it should be, or a new draught. It should go on without delay, because I shall desire Monroe, if there is any thing in it he...
82To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
Robert H. Jones of N. Carolina to be District attorney for N. Carolina. He resides at Warrenton. ViU .
83Circular Letter from Thomas Jefferson, 29 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the heads of the departments to examine and consider the charges of Colo. Worthington against Govr. St. Clair with the answer of the latter and the documents in support or invalidation of the charges; & to favor him with their opinion in writing on each charge distinctly, whether ‘established’ or ‘not established,’ and whether those ‘established’ are...
84To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Thomas Jefferson. 17 April 1806. “I presume the corresponce. between the Ambassador of Tunis & Secretary of State, must be considd. as exhibiting the only causes of difference, & that that correspondence alone need be sent to the Senate. Want of time for copies must authorize sending the originals, to be returned.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). 1 p. Below this note in an unidentified hand:...
85To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
On a view of our affairs with Spain, presented me in a letter from C. Pinckney, I wrote you on the 23d. of July that I thought we should offer them the status quo, but immediately propose a provisional alliance with England. I have not yet recieved the whole correspondence, but the portion of the papers now inclosed to you, confirm me in the opinion of the expediency of a treaty with England,...
86To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
Commissions are desired for the following persons. Alexander Moore of Columbia as Register of wills for the county of Alexandria. Thomas H. Williams of Misipi. territory as Secretary of the sd. territory. Jacob Descamps of Virginia as Surveyor of the port of Charlestown in the district of Misipi. Joseph Buell of Ohio as Surveyor of the port of Marietta in the district of Misipi. James W. Moss...
87To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
Can mr. King’s report in his dispatch No. 57. Dec. 10. 97. be seen? The question is whether it was worth £50. sterl. Every person who undertakes to expend money for secret service, must take on themselves the risk of being approved or not by the government, on view of the nature of the service, which can only be judged by a knolege of what it was. This kind of expenditure is susceptible of...
88To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Thomas Jefferson. 20 March 1806. “My list tells me I signed commissions for the following persons, which being omitted in the list now recieved from the office, renders it desirable that the office be again examined to ascertain whether the error is in their list or mine. “Mar. 9. Julien Poydrass of Orleans a member of the legislative council of Orleans. “20. Lemuel Trescott of Massach....
89To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the papers reserved from the last post. Our regular answer to Mr. Livingston may well be that the Attorney General having given an official opinion that the right to the batture is in the US. and the matter being now referred to Congress, it is our duty to keep the grounds clear of any adversary possession until the legislature shall decide on it. I have carefully read Mr....
90To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 4th. is recieved. I think the course which has been taken for sending Mellimeni home is the best: & I concur with you in the expediency of giving no answer to Turreau. Indeed his letter does not seem to call for one. In the present state of our affairs it will certainly be better not to appoint a Consul at St. Thomas’s. We must not risk great things for small. A Consul merely to...
91To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 25 November] 1805 (Madison Papers)
Additions proposed on some subjects suggested by mr. Gallatin submitted to mr. Madison by The object of the 1st. addition is to give a practical or ostensible object to the observations on Yellow fever: The true one however being to present facts to the governments of Europe, which in the ordinary course of things, would not otherwise reach them in half a century. RC ( DLC ). Undated;...
92To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
It was agreed yesterday 1. that a copy of the proclamation should be inclosed to each member in a letter from the Secy. of state, mentioning that the meeting of Congress had been necessarily anticipated three weeks, because the ratificns. of the treaty & conventions for the cession of Louisiana were to be exchanged on the 30th. day of October, & suggesting the importance of a punctual...
93To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I return you the pamphlet of the author of War in disguise Of it’s first half the topics & the treatment of them are very common place. But from page 118. to 130. it is most interesting to all nations, and especially to us. Convinced that a militia of all ages promiscuously are entirely useless for distant service, and that we shall never be safe until we have a selected corpse for a year’s...
94To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I think we were under impressions last night which the papers did not justify. No single act was specified as a cause of complaint. No obstacle was stated to have been opposed to Mr. Rose’s landing & coming on. What we did, was well, but I doubt the expediency of sending a vessel. It might shew too much empressement to gratify punctilios not explained to us. These thoughts are merely for...
95To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 14th. is recieved and I now return the papers which accompanied it. I must cry peccavi I have sinned as to the answer to Sullivan’s letter. I found it in the letter itself. I now enclose you two letters from Mr. Short. I fancy he is right in supposing that by the time he could arrive at the Baltic, it’s navigation would be uncertain, if not impracticable; but certainly it would be...
96To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
If M. Dalbarton be really Jerome Bonaparte, he will have satisfied thereof the minister of his nation, thro’ whom we shall be apprised of the fact, and relieved from all trouble in deciding on it. This may yet be done, perhaps just as a frigate is ready to sail, and accompanied with a request of a passage in her; when no time will be left for consultation. Our duty to our constituents would...
97To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 20th. came to hand on the 23d. and I now return all the papers it covered, to wit Harris’s, Maurice’s & Genl. Smith’s letters, as also some papers respecting Burr’s case for circulation. Under another cover is a letter from Govr. Williams, confidential & for yourself alone as yet. I expect we shall have to remove Meade. Under still a different cover you will recieve Monroe’s &...
98To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you two letters from Rob. R. Livingston. That of the 2d. of June is just intelligible enough in the uncyphered parts to create anxieties which perhaps the cypher may remove. I communicate them for your information, & shall be glad to recieve them decyphered. I infer that the less we say about constitutional difficulties respecting Louisiana the better, and that what is necessary for...
99To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 4th. came to hand last night & I now return you the letters of Livingston, Bourne, Lee, Lynch, Villandry & mr. King. Stewart’s is retained for communication with the P. M. Genl. I send also for your perusal the letter of a mr. Farquhar of Malta. Mr. Livingston’s letters (two short ones excepted) being all press-copies & very bad ones, I can make nothing distinct of them. When...
100To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 27 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 19th. is recieved and the papers accompanying it are returned. I am sorry that Russell declines the Consulship of Tunis, for, as declining it, we must consider the acquiescence under our wishes on the grounds & for the short time he has expressed. Whom shall we send? It will be a pity to lose the opportunity of his passage in the frigates; & yet I fear we shall. With respect to...