1From John Adams to Henry Dearborn, 17 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received, but yesterday your Letter of the 30th of August. Convinced of the Wisdom and Sound Policy of this Measure of Government, I accept with Pleasure your Commission: and will execute it to the best of my Capacity and in as Short a time as possible. My field of Investigation is however so narrow the very little can be can be expected from, Sir your / humble Servant PHC : Charles Roberts...
2From John Adams to Henry Dearborn, 4 December 1809 (Adams Papers)
In undertaking to give you an account of the Manafactories in this neighbourhood I am apprehensive, I have, engaged more than I shall be able to perform to your satisfaction. From my earliest Recollection, it has been a common observation that within two or three years, after a general Peace in Europe, American Commerce has declined to such a degree as to introduce Distress among the People...
3From John Adams to Henry Dearborn, 25 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to borrow a hand to thank you for your favour of March 11th. and for introducing to me, Mr Binon—whom I find to be a Gentleman of Sense and Letters—as well as Taste and skill—in all the fine Arts—He has been an agreeable Companion—and we have been fortunate enough to procure the best Accommodations Accommodations for him— Excuse me for I can barely write the name of your Friend,...
4From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 5 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
The President having determined to send to Algiers fifteen long brass Cannon, suitable for batteries, viz. ten twenty four pounders and five eighteen pounders, with their Carriages and necessary apparatus, and as the materials and means of fabricating them exist in your Department, I have the honor to request that you will be pleased, if convenient, to cause them to be prepared. The expense...
5From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 11 December 1804 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State presents his respects to the Secretary of War, and has the honor to inform him, that it has been determined that the brass cannon for the Dey of Algiers may be cast according to the dimensions originally intimated, and according to which Mr. Foxall has prepared the apparatus. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). For the brass cannon for Mustafa Dey, see JM to...
6From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 9 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Henry Dearborn. 9 May 1806, Department of State. “It being determined to forward to Tunis Six brass field pieces, 6 pounders, with the necessary carriages & apparatus, I have the honor to propose, that six of those in the hands of Mr. Foxall, belonging to the war Department, should be appropriated to this purpose; and that, if they can be spared, the carriages and apparatus should be...
7From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 16 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 1st. instant. We have seen nothing yet which sufficiently discloses the course which the Legislature at Boston is to take. The Governors Speech is in a tone somewhat different from his Report last Winter; but what must be thought of the disposition which could thank Osgood for a Sermon, which substitutes for the evangelical spirit he professes to feel, a...
8From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 13 November 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 7th. Tonningen being included in the Consulate of Mr. Forbes who resides at Hamburg, and being now the real commercial port of that Consulate, it would not consist with what is due to him, to comply with the wishes of Col. Russel. Mr. F. has acquitted himself as one of the most intelligent and active of the Consular Corps; and when not at Tonningen himself, is...
9From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 7 May 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 30th. Ult: accompanied by the Discourse of one of your D. D’s. This is the most signal instance I have seen, of a prostitution of the sacred functions. If such be the religion, morality, & citizenship of the federal clergy & colleges, it is not to be wondered that the pious & patriotic people of N. England are forsaking such guides, and rallying to the Republican...
10From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, [ca. 23 July] 1811 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of duly receiving yours of the 8th. inclosing a Copy of your son’s oration. In the hurry of the period, I have been able to give it a flying perusal only. But I do not accede to your limitation of its merits so much to an honest zeal. It has claims to a much higher character, with the addition of this laudable feature. I am just on the point of leaving Washington where I...
11From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 11 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
Congress have just passed the act adding twenty odd thousand troops to the Military establishment. It provides for two Major Generals & 5 brigadiers. The importance of placing this and the other forces in view, under the best commanders, speaks for itself. Our eyes could not but be turned, on such an occasion, to your qualifications & experience; and I wait for your permission only to name you...
12From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 28 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. from the Senate their concurrence (23 to 9 votes) in your nomination as a Majr. General. I give you the earliest notice, that without waiting for a formal communication, you may hasten your setting out for Washington. It is understood that your collectorship is to cease only on your being called into service, at which date your military emoluments will commence. In order to...
13From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 9 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
The last of your favors which I have to acknowlege is that of the 3d. Ult: from Boston. I am glad to see that you are again at Albany; where your presence will aid much in doing all that can be done for the reputation of the campaign. The lapse of time & the unproductiveness of the laws, contemplating a regular force, and volunteers for an entire year, under federal commissions, compel us to...
14From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 7 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of Sepr. 30. I am glad to find that you have succeeded in producing such apprehensions at Montreal as to prevent reinforcements from that quarter to the posts above. It would have been fortunate if you could have derived such Militia & Volunteer aids from Vermont & Eastward of it, as might have substantially have [ sic ] a like controul on Prevost, and thereby have...
15From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 6 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of Decr have lain long without acknowledgment. For some after they came to hand I delayed it in expectation of such further information as to Gen. Smith, as would enable me to judge better of his case; and latterly I considered it as probable that I might have an opportunity, not now expected, of making that as well as other matters, subjects of conversation with you here. I...
16From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 8 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 24. July. As my esteem and regard have undergone no change, I wish you to be apprized that such was the state of .things, and such the turn they were taking, that the retirement which is the subject of your letter, was pressed by your best personal friends. It was my purpose to have written to you on the occasion, but it was made impossible by a severe illness, from...
17From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 20 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 6th. came duly to hand. A letter about the same time was recd. by the Dept. of War, from Govr. Strong on the same subject. I desired Mr. Monroe to inclose you a copy of his answer, which will shew you the ground taken with the Govr. What will be his final ground with respect to the Genl. Govt. remains to be seen. In the mean time, and under the peculiarity of the Crisis, we must...
18From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 4 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
Being desirous of obtaining for the Department of War, services which I thought you could render with peculiar advantage, & hoping that for a time at least you might consent to step into that Dept. I took the liberty, without a previous communication, for which there was not time, to nominate you as successor to Mr. Monroe who was called back to the Dept. of State. I had not a doubt from all...
19From Richard Ridgway to James Madison, 2 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Whereas our Friend and acquaintance Richard Carter Junr. having a prospect of making application for the Registers office in the new Land office to be opened for the sale of the lands lying west of the Tuscaraway and between the United states Militirry tract and the Connecticut reserve, and calling on us for our approbation, These are to certyfy that to the best of our knowledg Richard Carter...
20From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 6 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Chevalr. de Foranda has stated in a letter to the Dept. of State, that one thousand dollars having been advanced by Don. H. Salcedo, to Lt. Pike during his late expedition, he requests that the reimbursement may be placed at his disposal. The President gives his sanction to the measure, with an intimation that it be referred to your department for execution. Will you be so obliging as to...
21From Daniel Carthy to Henry Dearborn, 19 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Not discouraged, that I did not, recieve an answer to the letter I presumed to write to you, recommending Mr Neal, as a proper person for the appointment of Surveyor of the Coast of the United States; because I have been assured it is the Course of business, at head quarters, not to reply to Such letters; therefore, presuming Still on the Strength of the Sentiment, produced by the recollection...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 18 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The House of Representatives having yesterday concluded their choice of a person for the chair of the US. and called me to that office, it now becomes necessary to provide an administration composed of persons whose qualifications and standing have possessed them of the public confidence, and whose wisdom may ensure to our fellow citizens the advantages they sanguinely expect. on a review of...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Stoddart, Secretary of the Navy having early in this month informed me by letter of his desire to resign that office, and having continued in it ever since, on my request only, I hereby authorize & appoint you to recieve the charge of the department from him, and to perform the duties of it until a Secretary of the Navy shall be formally appointed. Accept assurances of my high...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a sheet from an anonymous letter of many sheets which I have just recieved. the letter is chiefly of the sneering kind, but among a number of gigantic measures he recommends to procure fame for myself, there is one which as it may procure public good a more legitimate object appears worthy consideration at this moment while we are about to negociate for roads through the Indian...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Smith the writer of one of the inclosed letters is the republican […] in the place of Page lately elected to Congress in Virginia. a man of very great respectability. setting that aside, our service is not so urgent as to render it necessary to drag sons from their fathers. the affection of citizens to their government is worth cultivating as it’s best support. these considerations would...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 28 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just making the last arrangements for my departure. the inclosed proposition of Monsr. Dupont for the purification of our Saltpetre being of some magnitude I have thought it best to forward his letter to you, that you may decide on it yourself, and give him an answer. we have nothing material from Europe except the communication from his Britannic Majesty that understanding we were...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from a mr Quarrier of this state asking a military commission. I know little of him, but that he is young, and ought to expect to be merely a commissioned officer. those who recommend him are persons of the first respectability. the abuses in the military & naval departments seem to have been so great, that it will doubtless be indispensable that we bring them in some...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 21 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I think I once before sent you an application from the same person from whom the inclosed is, with some notes on the subject of his application to me before the 4th. of March. his recollection of a promise on my word & honour , is a proof that he recollects too much with those who know me. a much greater occasion would have been requisite to draw such a pledge from me. I do not recollect the...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 5 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for your consideration a paper addressed to me from Lieutt. Landais of the Artillery, to consider & decide whether any thing & what should be done in consequence of it.—I formerly referred to your consideration the petition of John Rowe , confined in jail for having counselled or procured a souldier to desert. he was sentenced to 3. months imprisonmt. & to paiment of costs . his 3....
30From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 14th. of August I inclosed you a note respecting some abuses said to have been committed in the works at Newport. tho’ I am since informed that the facts are possibly or even probably true, yet I find they were sent to me under a forged name. this may render circumspection necessary, as it certainly lessens the probability of the truth of the information. I thought it...