1Lewis Cass to John Armstrong, 25 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Agreably to the opinion of Genl. Harrison and myself expressed in our last letter to you, I shall leave this place in the morning for Detroit accompanied by a select band of Indian Warriors. When I had last the honour of seeing you in Washington I submitted both verbally and in writing difficulties which occurred to me respecting some of the duties attendant upon the intercourse with the...
2Thomas H. Cushing to John Armstrong, 8 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose copies of a letter from commodore Hotham of the 7th. instant, & my reply of the same date. It is presumed that Mr. Stewarts history, and the time and manner of his leaving this country are well known at Washington. His family resides in this town on a valuable real estate held in his name, and is in possession of considerable personal property which, it is...
3William Henry Harrison to John Armstrong, 8 September 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 September 1813, Seneca. “I have the honor to inform you that I am now in complete readiness to embark the troops the moment Governor Shelby shall arrive. I shall march from hence for the margin of the lake in 3 days & shall loose no time in prosecuting the contemplated offensive measures. The batalln. of the U.S. rifle Regt. & the recruits from Knoxville for the 24th. Regt. will I fear not...
4William Henry Harrison to John Armstrong, 18 March 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of the 3rd and 4th instant. Previously to the arrival of the arrangement from the Office of Coll Walback designating the Officers to superintend the recruiting service, I had ordered Colonel Miller to take command of Sandusky and Put in Bay being at that time under some apprehensions for the safety of the latter. The Colonel received...
5William Henry Harrison to John Armstrong, 15 September 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 September 1813 , “ Head Quarters Mouth of Portage River on Lake Erie .” “You will have been informed from the Letter of Commodore Perry to the Secretary of the Navy of the brilliant naval victory obtained by him & the capture of the whole of the Enemy’s flotilla on this lake. I arrived here the day before yesterday with a part of the troops from Seneca town & this morning General Cass has...
6From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong of New York, 26 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
We find it of advantage to the public to ask of those to whom appointments are proposed, if they are not accepted, to say nothing of the offer, at least for a convenient time. the refusal cheapens the estimation of the public appointments and renders them less acceptable to those to whom they are secondarily proposed. the occasion of this remark will be found in a letter you will recieve from...
7Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 13 December 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the reciept of your favor of Nov. 26. I wrote to mr Gelston , asking the favor of him to forward the plough you were so kind as to bring me to my correspondents at Richmond with a bill of any expences incurred on it, which would there be paid. accept now my thanks for your care of it, & with them my congratulations on your safe return to your own country. I am happy to see that...
8Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 5 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearers hereof, mr Alexander M c Rae & Major John Clarke proposing to visit France on their private concerns, I take the liberty of presenting them to your notice & patronage. mr M c Rae has been a member of the council of state of Virginia , & Lieut t Governor, highly esteemed for his talents & correctness of principle, moral & political. Maj r
9Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 21 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Another General , it seems, has lost us another thousand men by suffering them to be surprised; and this too by an enemy who by so many similar lessons had taught us that surprise is his habitual resource. our only hope is that these misfortunes will at length elicit by trial the characters qualified by nature, from those unqualified, to be entrusted with the destinies of their fellow...
10Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 6 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Coles , the bearer of public dispatches, by an Aviso . he has lived with me as Secretary, is my wealthy neighbor at Monticello , & worthy of all confidence. his intimate knolege of our situation has induced us to send him, because he will be a full supplement as to all those things which cannot be detailed in writing. he can possess you of our present situation...
11Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 14 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1 st inst. is recieved. in the case of Gen l Kosciuzko , he having lived & died in Switzerland , his executor living in Virginia , the trust as to the mass of his property being to be executed there, and his bona notibilia being in the treasury of the US. I thought it best to ask the advice of the
12From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 21 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed General Kosciuszko of your kind attention to the location of his lands, and of your refusal to accept of any thing for it, expressing a pleasure at the opportunity of rendering him a service, and he in answer desires you to be assured how sensible he is of this mark of recollection & friendship, and the pleasure he has recieved from this testimony of regard from an old brother...
13Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 17 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4 th was recieved on the 14 th . Gen l Kosciuzko , on leaving the US. in 1798. left in my hands an autograph will disposing of his property in the US. to a charitable purpose; of which will he made me executor. his residence under one government, his property in another, and his executor in a third induced me to write to the Secretary of the treasury & the Attorney Gen l of...
14From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 13 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 4. has been duly recieved. on recurring to the deed of Genl. Kosciuzko to Madame Felix I observe he guarantees to her 1st. the existence of the land , that is, that these lands were real, and not merely ideal, as many which had been sold in Europe. 2. the situation, to wit geographical situation. 3. title. 4. contents. 5. delivery of possession. the objections mentioned in...
15Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 20 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
A M. Jullien , one of the literati of France proposes to write the history of Gen l Kosciuzko , and requests me to obtain for him the materials for that part of it which he passed in the service of the US. of this I know nothing myself, for I believe I hardly knew Kosciuzko personally during the revolutionary war. our intimacy began on his last visit to America . I imagine you knew more of him...
16From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong of New York, 29 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Will Genl Armstrong do Th: Jefferson the favor to come & take family soupe with him to-day at half past three? Th:J. will ask the same favor of mr Madison. free conversations with Genl. Armstrong will give him a truer idea of the dispositions of this government towards those of Europe than written instructions can possibly convey. RC ( NBLiHi ).
17Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 8 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long ago, in my heart, congratulated our country on your call to the place you now occupy . but with yourself personally it is no subject of congratulation. the happiness of the domestic fireside is the first boon of heaven: and it is well it is so, since it is that which is the lot of the mass of mankind. the duties of office are a Corvée which must be undertaken on far other...
18Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 19 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th was recieved yesterday. the will of Gen l Kosciuzko was proved in our circuit court of May. soon af ter that I recieved a repetition of mr Zeltner ’s claim, and one als o from a
19From James Madison to John Armstrong, 2 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
The Officers of the French Government in St Domingo having made that Government a debtor to Mr Tucker of Massachusetts by a restraint which left him no alternative, Mr Pichon undertook to liquidate the compensation due, for which he delivered Mr Tucker a draft on Paris. On the presentation of this draft payment has been refused on account of an alledged defect of authority in Mr Pichon. It has...
20From James Madison to John Armstrong, 14 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
The rein given by Great Britain thro’ the arbitrary decisions of her Admiralty Courts to the Cruizers against our commerce, has produced already heavy losses to our merchants, and a very general indignation throughout the nation. You will have observed the notice taken of the British conduct in the Message of the President to Congress at the opening of the Session. I now transmit a copy of a...
21From James Madison to John Armstrong, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 14 March 1809. Offered for sale in Charles Hamilton Catalogue No. 80 (5 Sept. 1974), item 275, which describes the one-page letter as a request that Armstrong obtain French permission to import merino sheep, noting that the letter reads in part: “The value of this breed to our Country is now generally understood, and acquisitions of specimens are acceptable services to the...
22From James Madison to John Armstrong, 6 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
On reviewing the letters from you not yet acknowledged I find them under the following dates, viz 12th Novr. 24. 25. & 30th Decr 14th Feby and 18th March last. I have the pleasure to observe to you that the President entirely approves the just and dignified answer given to the venal suggestions emanating from the French functionaries as explained in your letter of the 24th of December. The...
23From James Madison to John Armstrong, 11 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
The communications which you will recee: from & thro the War Office present the state of things produced on our Southern Frontier by the Creek War: & by the start it has had of the movements for meeting it. It is of so much importance that it should recee. a decisive blow, before the success of the Creeks shall have operated on the other Tribes & on the views of the English & Spaniards, as...
24From James Madison to John Armstrong, [3 June 1814] (Madison Papers)
J. Madison requests a consultation with the Heads of Department on Tuesday next at Eleven OClock. June 3. 1814. The object is to decide on the plan of campaign which our means, miltary & naval, render most eligible. In the mean time the Secretary of War will cause to be made out & send over, RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers); draft ( DLC ); Tr ( DLC , series 3). RC cover bears Armstrong’s note:...
25From James Madison to John Armstrong, 26 October 1806 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of June 2. last to the Secretary of State was recd. during my late recess in Virginia, where it could not be conveniently answered; and since my return, I have till now been prevented by indisposition from giving it the proper attention. From a search into the correspondence of the Commissioners of which you wish a copy, I find that no part of it can have relation to the period of...
26From James Madison to John Armstrong, 30 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
Before my return hither I recd. yours of the 8th. inst: and have since recd. those of the 11th. 13. 17. & 20: The order relating to a discharge of Militia from Norfolk referred to in the first was not inclosed in it, and has not come otherwise to hand. There can be no question, under existing circumstances, but as to the degree in which the force at that place, may be prudently reduced. The...
27From James Madison to John Armstrong, [29 December] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Besides the answer to Genl. McClure, it may be proper to instruct Genl. Wilkinson to say frankly to Prevost that the burning of Newark was the effect of misapprehension in the officer, not an order from the Govt. This may be done in terms neither authorizing an inference that the measure exceeds a just retaliation, nor precluding a reflection on the facility with which a perseverance of the...
28From James Madison to John Armstrong, 13 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
On viewing the course which the proceedings of the War-Department have not unfrequently taken, I find that I owe it to my own responsibility as well as to other considerations, to make some remarks on the relations in which the Head of the Department stands to the President, and to lay down some rules for conducting the business of the Department, which are dictated by the nature of those...
29From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
A Commission by which the President appoints you Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic is herewith inclosed, with a letter of credence to the First Consul. The delivery of these will be an occasion of which you will avail yourself to assure the French Government of the continuance of those friendly dispositions which the United States have hitherto expressed, and...
30From James Madison to John Armstrong, 27 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Enemy having evacuated the City of Washington & no obstacle remaining to a re-union of the members of the Executive there, J. Madison requests that this may take place with as little delay as may be. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , P-80:8). In JM ’s hand. Docketed as received in the War Department in August 1814.
31From James Madison to John Armstrong, 4 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 1st. inst: suggesting a recall of the vessels allotted for L. Huron &c. with a view to another destination of them. The force which can be assembled at the East end of L. Erie, by the 10th. of June is greater than I had relied on; and if employed towards Burlington heights & York, can not fail to have a salutary effect in different directions. Whether it...
32To James Madison from John Armstrong, 7 June 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 June 1813, War Department. “I have the honor respectfully to propose for your approbation the following appointments in the Army of the United States.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). 2 pp. The appended list of nineteen appointments to the infantry and general staff of the U.S. Army included those of David R. Williams as Brigadier General and James Tilton as Physician and Surgeon...
33From James Madison to John Armstrong, 30 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
It ought certainly to be at the discretion of Izard to accommodate his movements to those of the Enemy, and to his information from the other Commanders. The question as to Col: Drayton appears to be precluded, by the list of original vacancies which includes none of his former rank. Tr ( DLC , series 3). Headed: “Note To the Secretary of War on Izard’s letter of July 19.—asking if he ought...
34From James Madison to John Armstrong, [ca. 4 February 1814] (Madison Papers)
J. M wishes a conversation on this proposal of Genl. M. & on the recent one of General Taylor, when it will be most convenient for the Secretary of War, to call for the purpose. RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers). Undated; conjectural date assigned based on evidence in n. 1. On 24 Jan. 1814 John Mason returned to Armstrong letters from Virginia militia Brig. Gen. Robert B. Taylor regarding the...
35From James Madison to John Armstrong, 29 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of the 6th. & 25 of May were both recd. tho’ at a late day. Of the latter a duplicate has also come to hand. The Consular Register of Paris, has, I find been transmitted to the Dept. of State instead of remaining in the Office there. It has been examined with a view to that part of your letter which supposed it to contain a Deposition meant to implicate your name in a certain...
36From James Madison to John Armstrong, 5 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
With the exception of several letters on special subjects, my last was dated on the 24th of November; since which I have received from Mr Livingston his letters of Septr. 14 & 21st & October 10 & 23d, and yours of the 20th of October 1804. Congress did not adjourn till the night of the 3d instant. The greater part of their Acts were passed in a late stage of the session, and a number of them...
37From James Madison to John Armstrong, 6 September 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 6 September 1804, Department of State. Offered for sale by B. Altman & Co. (advertisement, Wall Street Journal , 15 July 1973), where it is represented as a one-page letter stating that U.S. claims regarding debts contracted by the French in Saint-Domingue have not been met nor has Livingston reported on the matter. JM asks to be informed about the probability and time of...
38From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
Note to Secy of War on a letter of Jennings Dy: Coy. of purchases, and an endorsemt. by the Secy. of War: & on a letter &c. from Genl. Cushing relating to attack on Stonington. As a little time will probably decide as to the force allotted by the Enemy to the Chesapeake, it may be as well not to reject the addl. 500. called out by Govr. Barbour for the security of Richd. & that Quarter. The...
39From James Madison to John Armstrong, 2 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
From the period when the misunderstandings between France and the United States encouraged the Agents and cruizers of the former in the year 1797 to fall upon the trade of the United States, till the capture of Curaçoá, this Island served as a station for Commissioning and fitting out privateers, for holding judicial proceedings over prizes, for selling them, and in short could scarcely be...
40From James Madison to John Armstrong, 19 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The apparent objections to the proposed establishment of a post, so distant, are very strong. Much weight however is due to the concurring opinions of Govr. Clarke and General Howard; both men of Judgment and possessed of many advantages for a correct exercise of it in such a case. RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers); draft ( DLC ); Tr ( DLC , series 3). Draft includes JM ’s heading: “Note on a...
41From James Madison to John Armstrong, 18 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Wanted copies of the instructions to General Brown, for carrying into effect the plan of operations, agreed on in the Cabinet on the 7th. of June. Copies of the instructions to General Winder on his taking command of his Military district, and since. The Secretary will let me see the requisitions of Militia to be placed between this place and Baltimore before they go forward. Tr ( DLC , series...
42From James Madison to John Armstrong, 2 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
Note on Genl. Lewis letter to Secy. W. July 28. 1814. asking whether he is to Judge of the menace of invasion requiring calls for Militia. Genl. Lewis, as other Commanders of Districts, shd. be authorized to call for militia according to the danger threatened. Where the cases are not too urgent they ought to be reported for previous sanction here: When the urgency will not permit this delay,...
43From James Madison to John Armstrong, 10 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of June 29th to Mr Livingston I have received his several communications under the dates of the 25 & 26th of July 8th. 28 & 29th of August & 4th of September. The course which the proceedings under the Convention for indemnifying our Citizens, has taken, seems to require no particular addition to the remarks and instructions already in your hands, until the result of them shall...
44From James Madison to John Armstrong, 8 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours from Albany of the 28th. ult. So much depends on the ultimate character of the present campaign, that whilst I hav⟨e⟩ the fullest confidence that the best exertions will be made, I cannot suppress my anxieties; and the less so, as one of the elements on which we are to act is of so inconstant a nature. The loss of our command of Lake Champlain, at so critical a moment, is...
45From James Madison to John Armstrong, 17 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
Note to Secy. of War on Cushing’s letter & enclosures of Aug. 12. 1814. Cushing seems to view the extraordinary threat of Hardy in its proper light. It was determined before the Secy. of State left the City, that Mrs. Stewart on whom the misbehaviour of her husband ought not to be visited, might be removed to him, whenever Gen Cushing thought no injury could result from intelligence she might...
46From James Madison to John Armstrong, 25 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
It is represented by the parties interested in the ship New Jersey and cargo, for which indemnity is claimed under the late Convention with France, that a disallowance of the claim is likely to proceed from an idea that Insurers do not in such cases take the place of the Insured. As the Convention has provided for its own exposition and execution, it has been thought best that these should be...
47From James Madison to John Armstrong, 26 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Your account dated 25th December last, which has not been examined at the Treasury for want of the vouchers, containing a charge for Office furniture, it is necessary to apprize you that such an allowance has never been made and cannot therefore at the Treasury, be admitted. The Commissioners under the Louisiana Convention have deposited with Mr Skipwith the papers, furniture and utensils of...
48From James Madison to John Armstrong, 15 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your[s] of the 8th. from Sacket’s Harbour: & shall look in a few days for some result of the critical posture of our military affairs on the St. Lawrence. The weather here has become suddenly very cold, but without snow or rain; and seems to be getting back to a milder state. If it has not been more than proportionally worse at the scene of operations, the prosecution of them will...
49From James Madison to John Armstrong, 5 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
If there be occasion for an appt. in the Quarter Masters Dept. Mr Tyler may be commissioned. If no occasion, & he will accept one of the original vacancies in a Company, he may be appointed to it. RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers). Unaddressed; addressee identified based on internal evidence. Septimius Tyler wrote James Monroe on 13 Sept. 1814, repeating his request for a commission in the...
50From James Madison to John Armstrong, [6 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
Noted to the Secy. of War. July 6. 1814 on the reported plan for 90 odd thousd. Milit[i]a. The reference to the Military Districts as places of service is liable to two remarks the one that the reference is in some respects too vague, the other that in other respects, they are too restrictive. Distr: No. 1. illustrates both Remarks, the first by its great extent & numerous objects the second...