1111From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
The gentleman who brings the inclosed letters recommending him for a public Agency at Martinique, had thoughts of proceeding to Monticello. He declines it in consequence of his conversation with me on the subject. I have apprized him, that it was not thought proper to give a formal commission in such a case without some formal or positive sanction from the French Govt. He readily enters into...
1112From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
The mail has just brought me Dayton’s letter which is inclosed, with a letter from Foronda, & a commission for Robinson DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
1113From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
The post having arrived last night after Eleven OC. & the one from below being expected early this morning, I have had but little room for bestowing thought on Dayton’s letter and your drafted answer. It would be an advantage to know the precise answer given by Mr. Rodney to the application which was made to him on the same subject. I heard this read by Mr. R. but can not sufficiently rely on...
1114From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 18th. with a return of the letters sent with it. Capt. Saunders who is alluded to in Mr. Erskine’s communications, being in the land service, and the alledged enlistment of British deserters, being into the same service, I shall address the information to Genl. Dearborn, and shall intimate to Mr. E, that foreign deserters will not be permitted to enlist...
1115From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 26 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours on the subject of the prosecution in Connecticut last night. Inclosed is a letter from Mr. Crowninshield, and one for Mr. Foster who went last evening to Gordon’s in order to reach Monticello for dinner. It may not be amiss to let him have the envelope in which Mr. Brent explains the appearance of the seal. Yrs. with respectful attacht. Privately owned.
1116From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
Havg. written to the office for a statement of our affairs with Algiers, I have recd. the inclosed letter & documents from Mr. Brent. Will it not be prudent at the present crisis as well on the Coast of Barbary as elsewhere, to soothe the Dey with a part of the Articles agreeable to him say 20. or 30 dollrs. worth; or shall we wait for further information from Lear? The tranquility in the...
1117From James Madison to 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...
1118From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
With the other papers herewith inclosed is an answer to Mr. Erskine’s letter of the 1st. instant. I have thought it proper not to forward it without previously submitting it to your perusal and corrections. Sepr. 19 The mail for the 1st. time has arrived this morning. The rider now here, who carried up the first says he did not call because he did not know that I was at home as he went, and...
1119From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Post who neglected to call on me, as noticed in my letter of yesterday, met with one at the Green spring who brought his mail back to me. I should have sent him on to Monticello with the letters &c now inclosed, but that he signified he was to go down for the ensuing mail to Fredg. To prevent a break in the whole chain, and avoid delay to your packets for Washington & Richmond, I allowed...
1120From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
Yours without date was recd. last night by the rider who went up & came down without a Valize. I presume he explained the cause of this which explained the failure of the mail due from Fredg. Whether the B. Decree is to be renounced to Congs. must depend on intermediate accts. from London. If nothing changes the posture of things with Spain, very serious questions must arise with respect to...
1121From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have forwarded your notes to the several Post masters. The inclosed letter from Pleasanton which mentions the terms on which the missionary to Batavia is engaged. I understand the $3000 to be in full of all expences &c. I directed payment out of the Foreign intercourse fund. The case of the Indefatigable & crew may be laid before Congs. either for their decision on the individual case, or...
1122From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State in compliance with the Note of the President, relating to the public property at New Orleans, as reported by Governor Claiborne to the Secretary of the Treasury, begs leave to state that no part of that property appears to fall in any respect under the purview of the Department of State, unless it be the Government House, and the lot on which it stands. This it is...
1123From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I think the grounds of a message communicating Pinkney’s & Armstrong’s letters, should be those of aiding Congs. in appreciating our foreign relations, and in judging of the influence these ought to have on their measures of precaution. The Private letter of P. would perhaps have some good effects; but besides the objection to taking such a liberty with it, the communication might be ascribed...
1124From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to the Resolution of the Senate of the 30th. Novr. last, the Secretary of State, has the honor to submit to the President for the information of the Senate, the statements herewith enclosed, from No. 1. to 11, inclusive. No. 1. A statement of impressments from American Vessels, into the British service, since the last report made from this Department, on the 5th. March 1806, founded...
1125From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
It appears that Skipwith did not communicate the Milan Decree; nor is it otherwise authenticated to us than in the Madrid Gazette & the reference in the Spanish decree. It cannot be said, that all ports are forbidden to neutrals except their own. The British decrees permit a trade with Enemy colonies, not forbidden by the mother Countries. The ports of neutrals are also open to each other, as...
1126From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to Report to the President in conformity to the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 30th. of March, that the only information which has been received respecting the letter from which the extract inserted in Gen. Armstrong’s letter to the Secretary of State, of January the 22nd. 1808, was taken, in the extract itself, to which no date is...
1127From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
Shortly after you set out from Washington, I was called on by Mr. E. Livingston, and requested to be the channel of a representation to the Executive on the subject of the Batture. Without adverting to the nature of the question involved, which connects it rather with the Dept. of Treasury than of State, I did not refuse the request; and recd. from him afterwards the letter and documents...
1128From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I got home on friday night, by taking my carriage to pieces & making three trips with it over Porter’s mill pond in something like a boat, and swimming my horses. I found the roads over the flat lands much better than I had hoped. Having been once dry and smoothed, the rains did not penetrate and left them very passable even where slightly covered with water. I was glad to learn that you had...
1129From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
Finding on my return from a little ride, that the post was here without my having recd a key to the mail, I thought it best to have a link of the chain taken off, rather than take the alternative. Hence the mail goes open; but I am enabled to send the letters addressed to me for your perusal. There are letters from Erving but old & not worth forwarding. In fact I take all of them to be...
1130From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. by the Bearer, the inclosed letter. As I understand that the Writer Mr. V. and Mr. Dunbar, are both of them acquainted with the established course, in such cases, I fulfill their expectations as well as keep within the rule of propriety, in merely saying that I believe both to be men of respectable character; and consequently not excluded from the ordinary indulgence...
1131From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of yesterday was duly delivered by the Rider. I have informed him, that I do not wish him to make any additional trip on my account. It is my purpose to set out for Washington a day or two after you do. I shall be able to fix the day by the time you call on us, which I hope you will find it not inconvenient to do on your way. If you should return in the course you came, it will be an...
1132From Alexander Wolcott to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Jesse Atwater of New Haven, in this State, is desirous of making a voyage across the Atlantic, as well for the reestablishment of his health which is at present infirm, as for the gratification of his curiosity. Mr. Atwater is a well informed sensible and trusty man, and if Government should need a confidential Messenger to carry dispatches, either to England, or France or to both...
1133From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Dade has just handed me the enclosed which he wishes to support with govt. the object it explains. In addition to the testimonies of Mr. Taylor &c &c I have a letter from my brother which speaks the same language, as justified by his personal knowledge. I am but slightly acquainted myself, with Mr. Dade, but his character as I have always viewed it thro’ his standing in the...
1134From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 29. and enclose the papers noted "to be returned." I think the best, and probably not the most expensive conveyance of Mr. S. will be in a small public vessel, whether she go directly to his destination, or deliver him in France, and unless, previous to his departure, collateral reasons should urge an early communication to France or England, it appears to be...
1135From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
The letter from me respecting the Leonidas was with the papers returned. I considered it as a mistake: But the letter was of so little acct. that I have not preserved it. Can you tell me any thing of the Randolph who has written one of the inclosed letters? We have had fine rains since my arrival, and as this neighborhood had not previously suffered from drouth, our fields are very promising....
1136From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
The letter from me respecting the Leonidas was with the papers returned. I considered it as a mistake. But the letter was of so little acct. that I have not preserved it. Can you tell me any thing of the Randolph who has written one of the inclosed letters? We have had five rains since my arrival, and as this neighborhood had not previously suffered from drouth, our fields are very promising....
1137From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I return the letters of Randolph, and Riddle. The complaint in that of the latter has been the subject of several from others as he intimates. I was not aware that any of them except McKinley were as respectable as he describes them. But answers to such letters are always to be avoided, farther than they may be given by the result itself. McKinlay was answered verbally thro’ his friend Mr....
1138From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I recd last evening yours of the 9th. with the papers to which it refers & now return as desired Sullivan’s & Ishamels letters with your proposed answer to the former. The questions arising on them are not without difficulty, and this is not a little increased by the spirit which seems to haunt the Governor. His letter furnishes agst. his own statements, the inference which is enforced by the...
1139From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 12th. with the papers it refers to came duly to hand. Among the letters now forwarded is one from Turreau inclosing a copy of one to him from Mr. Gallatin. He appears to have drawn conclusions from his conference with Mr. G. not warranted by it. Mine with him merely referred him to Mr. G. I think it will be not amiss, as he has acted & incurred expence in the case, to sanction...
1140From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 16 with the papers sent with it, were recd. last evening. Mr. Short did not seize exactly my ideas as to the concealment of his mission. If this could be made effectual, and freed from the appearance of being studied, by a direct voyage to St. P., I think it would be best. But if he is to pass thro’ France, a frank but general disclosure of his destination wd. be preferable to an...