31From 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...
32John 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...
33Joseph 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...
34Joseph 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...
35Unidentified 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...
36William 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...
37Robert 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...
38William 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...
39From 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...
40Aquila 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...
41From 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...
42Vincent 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...
43From 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...
44From 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...
45Bowie 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...
46From 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...
47From 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...
48From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Skinner to Genl. Mason, which merits attention as a circumstancial corroboration of other indications. I return also the letter from S. Kingston with the blank copy of the new licences. It is truly mortifying that an enemy depending on us for the necessaries of life should be permitted thus to regulate our whole trade as effectually by orders of the Cabinet as it...
49Juan Bautista Bernabeu to James Monroe, 29 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 August 1813, Baltimore , “ Spanish Consul’s Office .” “On my return home from a little excursion I had the honor to receive the letter you was pleased to address me under date of the 19th. inst. inclosing copies of one from the Collector of Savannah and another from the prize-master of the British Schooner Maria; who with other Citizens of the United States, is detained at the Havana; in...
50William Lee to James Monroe, ca. 30 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 30 August 1813, Bordeaux. “Being at this moment very unwell and almost blind I have it not in my power to transmit to you copies of my correspondence with Mr. Crawford & Mr. Warden touching my controversy with the latter and the motives of my writing a certain letter to the Duke of Bassano on which the President has demanded explanations of me through the Minister. That explanation has...
51From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I this moment receive your favor of the 30th. It gives me much pleasure, that you have so soon got rid of your fever. Whenever you come on you[r] visit to Albemarle, I should be glad to see you, if you could make this a Stage and be reconciled to the little delay it would incur. I can with great conveniency give you a conveyance for the residue of the journey; and if apprized in time wd. have...
52From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of Aug. 31. In allotting Genl. Pinkney to take charge of the Expedition, I was governed by the sole consideration that it was in a manner necessary to an effective organization of the military supplies. In every other view the arrangement is ineligible. It will risk delays. It may be unsatisfactory to others, particularly Govr. Mitchell who derives weight from his...
53From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is the last information from the War & Navy Depts. Be so good as to return the letters. I have signed the Exequaturs for the Swedish Vice Consuls. But considering the source from which those appointments proceed, & the known abuses of the Sweedish flag, it seems proper that other evidence of character should be had, than the selection of Soderstrom. You may delay or issue the...
54From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Will you have such an answer given Mr. Chandler, as will accord with precedents, which I presume may admit of his communicating through a flag, shd. one be sent to Bermuda for other purposes and in the mean time to make an expert: on the ships here. The indulgences given to others who have lost Negroes, either by the Genl. or State authorities, have probably encouraged this application....
55From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from the Secy. of the Navy, gives you I presume, a confirmation of the happy success of Perry. I hope the final information from Chauncy may give us another subject for congratulations. I have detained the letter from Barclay. The exemption from the impost of articles imported by Pub. Ministers was deemed a stretch, and acquiesced in by the Rep: admn. rather than approved....
56From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 3 October] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of yesterday, & we shall expect the pleasure of seeing you with Mrs. Monroe tomorrow or next day. There is no mail from Fredg. today owing probably to high waters North of it. Inclosed is a paper or two recd. by that of yesterday. Would it be amiss to send to the press, the English papers forwarded to you. They contain sundry articles not uninteresting. I wonder that Genl....
57From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 10 October] 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is of the greatest importance that the Creek war should be crushed before it can invite or co-operate with British or Spanish attacks in that quarter, or draw other Tribes into it. In this view and under the circumstances existing, the large force from Tennissee may be adopted under the usual regulations. The Choctaw Agency may be furnished with an acceptance by the Govt. of the aid of that...
58From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the communications from you rcd. by yesterday’s mail. If Mr. Daschkoffs application can not be parried, it will be better to comply with it than to appear rigid at the present moment. It is strange however that his object should be of such importance as to overballance the expence of a special flag to Warren. Why not make his communication thro’ some of the Commanders on the Coast?...
59From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. the gratifying confirmation of the late accts. from L. Ontario, with the important addition from Harrison of the 5th. inst: These successive events will be deeply felt by the Creeks & other Southern Indians, but not in time to prevent the sequel of the disaster at Fort Mimms or the heavy expence occasioned by the preparations for the Creek war. I shall soon be on the road for...
60Richard Söderström to James Monroe, 21 December 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Richard Söderström to James Monroe. 21 December 1813, Washington. “Ever desirous of conforming myself to the regulations, which the President of the United States may be pleased to prescribe for the exercise of my official function, I have attended with due defference to your Verbel Communication of yesterday, Intimating that the President requir’d the revocation, within a Reasonable time,...
61James H. Blake to James Monroe, 31 December 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ James H. Blake to James Monroe. 31 December 1813, Washington. “In consequence of the Death of Col. George Gilpin, the office of Judge of the Orphans Court in the County of Alexandria—has become vacant. “I have been requested to communicate to you, for the information of the President, that Col. Francis Peyton of that place would accept the appointment. “Col. Peytons high & respectable...
62John S. Skinner to James Monroe, 7 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to inform you that I arrived here the day after I received your instructions and the next morning visited the Flag of Truce, lying in this Harbour. They have been supplied with such Articles as are at present necessary for the subsistence and comfort of the Crew and every proper facility will be afforded in obtaining such as may be required on their passage Home. I shall...
63Jacob Adams to James Monroe, 9 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of the 5h. and shall pay due attention to the same. In two days from this shall be ready to proceed to sea, I am still of opinion, the ship will not get away before this day week. Should you wish to send any Dispatches or messengers by setting out Imedy. they will be in time, should it be your wish, I can proceed with my ship to Gottenburg (while my return passengers are...
64Alexander Moore to James Monroe, 28 January 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Alexander Moore to James Monroe. 28 January 1814, Washington. “At the request of several persons who are very much interested in the appointment of a Judge of the Orphans Court for Alexandria County, I take the liberty of calling your attention to that subject. There is at this time a number of administrations to be granted which cannot be effected until the appointment takes place. It was...
65Ezekiel Bacon to James Monroe, 21 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 12th. Inst. accompanying my commission as Comptroller of the Treasury was received by the last mail. I am not insensible of the high honor done me by this very unexpected mark of confidence on the part of the President. The circumstance of its being so entirely unexpected & out of the range of all my past calculations, will I trust be thought sufficient to justify me in asking a...
66Burwell Bassett to James Monroe, 6 March 1814 (Madison Papers)
I was peculiarly anxious to have communicated freely with you before I left Washington relative to the situation of our lower country. But I was hurried from Washington so as to deprive me of the opportunity of calling. Permit me now to call your attention to that subject. The situation of the Northern neck is familiar to you that of the other necks namely Gloucester and Hampton is simular....
67From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of yesterday, with the accompanying papers was delivered by the Express today, by 2 oC. The subject of them presents itself in a very perplexing posture. Under the power implied where not expressly waived, the arrangement might be rejected; but respect for the character & motives of our functionary unites with other considerations against that course. The course you suggest has...
68From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Will you put the inclose case into the proper channel. It seems to have a fair claim to attention? The public I find are not yet apprised of the precise ground on which the arrangement at Quebec has left the subject of retaliation. Unless the original 23 hostages can be held in some situation responsible for those sent to England, I foresee complaint & reproach agst. the Ex: on the other hand...
69From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 9th. with the instructions &c to Genl. Winder. The communications from McComb referred to, were not sent: and I cannot therefore understand the precise footing on which the business of the armistice rests. I hope Gen: Winder will be able if not to comprehend our 46 officers in the general exchange, to have them put on parole, which will ease the public feeling with...
70From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. 13. & 14 inst: with their respective enclosures. The affair of the Convention for exchanges is as you remark peculiarly embarrassing. I hope it will end, in a mutual liberation on parole of officers, and an improved condition of the privates, we retaining the 23 hostages standing agst. that number sent to England. The discharge of those hostages, without some...
71From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of the 16th. & 20th. the last misdated, and the former delayed by high waters. Your letter to Gen: Winder is best in the moderated temper you have given it. The return of the offensive paper from Prevost will be, however lenient in the manner, not a little grating to his pride. There is so little prospect of an armistice thro’ him, that it is scarcely worth while...
72From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I return the papers relating to Moss. If the Treasury Department has no objections to the pardon recommended by the district Judge, and the Attorney Genl. thinks it legal under such modifications, let an instrument for the purpose be made out. The high waters continue to obstruct the mails. 2 from NY. and 1 from places South of it, are left in arrears by the arrival this morning. The English...
73From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have yours of the 24th. If the refusal of Bonaparte to accept peace, had not been followed by the seizure of Paris, it would have been impossible to believe his distress to be such as is represented. Even the latter event, does not extinguish doubts as to some others necessary to render it decisive. It is difficult also to calculate the effect external & internal, of the project in favor of...
74From James Madison to James Monroe, [3 June 1814] (Madison Papers)
J. Madison requests a consultation with the Heads of Dept. on Tuesday next at Eleven OClock. June 3. 1814. The object is to decide on the plan of Campaign which our means render most eligible. The Secy. of State will cause to be made out & send over, any information recd in his Dept. relative to the military or naval force of the Enemy destined to Canada or to the U.S; or to military or naval...
75David Bailie Warden to James Monroe, 10 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of communicating to you a copy of my correspondence with mr. Crawford to serve as a defence of my determination to wait for your official instructions with respect to my Consular powers. My removal from office, in the manner which I have described appeared to me to be an abuse of delegated authority: for if mr. Crawfords powers in relation to me were discretionary, as would...
76David Parish to James Monroe, 10 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
In addition to the depositions I had the honour of handing you during my Stay at Washington, I now beg leave to transmit herewith one, made by Mr. Jos: R. Paxson, a passenger arrived in the Cartel Fair American, who states a Conversation had with one of the Gentlemen at the head of the Alien office, from which it would appear that the British Government are desirous that the liberality they...
77From James Madison to James Monroe, [14 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
An Expres[s] mail from Genl. Brown, states Officially that an action took place at Chippeway with Genl. Riall (having probably the whole B. force in the Peninsa:) in which the Enemy were defeated, leaving 400 killed & wounded on the field, and escaping to their works not distant. Genl. Scott seems to have had a conspicuous share in the victory. Our loss is not mentioned. The details were to...
78Thomas Pinckney to James Monroe, 20 July 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Thomas Pinckney to James Monroe. 20 July 1814, “Head Quarters Sixth District Charleston.” “I have the honor of inclosing the Copy of a Letter received by the last mail from Colonel Hawkins. Although by the tenor of my instructions as Commissioner of the military Affairs of the United States in East Florida my agency is confined to that Province I have thought it right to forward this...
79Alexander McRae to James Monroe, 6 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have a very special favor to ask of you; it is, that you recommend to the patronage of the President Doctor Wm. P. Jones, whom General Porterfield has appointed Hospital-Surgeon near this place. Doctor Jones is a Youth of unquestionable Merit. His general deportment is modest & unassuming, and in all respects most amiable. Should the appointment with which he has been honored by General...
80Thomas Newton Jr. to James Monroe, 6 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
It is with deep regret that I inform you of a fact that will not be very consoling to you. A few days ago a Regiment of Militia was discharged after honorably serving their tour of duty without being paid. They had not money to bear their expenses home. Great clamor is raised against the government for a noncompliance with its engagements. The feds make all the profit they can possibly extract...