1From Thomas Jefferson to Dolley Payne Todd Madison, 1 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate respects to mrs Madison, & his regrets that she is not likely to return so soon to Washington as he had hoped. his regret is the greater as he knows the disappointment which his daughter will feel in not finding her here. in full expectation of mrs Madison’s earlier return she had sent through Th:J. a request to mrs Madison to have the goodness to...
Your Letter of October 12th was an unexpected pleasure, and I cannot regret the occasion which gave rise to it, altho there appears now to have been some mistake respecting it. I have heard my Friend frequently mention the circumstance, communicated to him by mr Stodart, tho not untill it was out of his power to comply with it, and with Sincere Regret that it was so. for beside the high...
My Grandson William Stuben Smith, having returnd from abroad, declines the honour which I have been informd, was intended him by the President, as secretary of Legation, to the Mission to England. His Brother, John Adams Smith, has written to me; to request of the President, the appointment, if he Should deem it proper to grant it to him. As Congress do not allow a private Secretary to their...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Dolley Payne Todd Madison, 6 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate salutations to mrs Madison & thinks the case she shewed him the other day (with ear-rings & a pin) will answer mrs Randolph’s views. he begs leave to remind her of the request for such a comb exactly as she sent before. he sollicits her on his own account, whenever she shall happen to be shopping, to get a garment for him to present to Virginia, another...
5From James Madison to Dolley Payne Todd, 18 August 1794 (Madison Papers)
Orange Aug: 18. 94. I recd. some days ago your ⟨p⟩recious favor from Fredg. I can not express, but hope you will conceive the joy it gave me: The delay in hearing of your leaving Ha⟨n⟩over which I regarded as the only ⟨s⟩atisfactory proof of your recove⟨r⟩y, had filled me with extreme ⟨… dis⟩quietude, and the co⟨mmun⟩ication of the welcome event was ⟨e⟩ndeared to me by the stile in which it...
There are feelings of such a nature, as no language is adequate to express, and it is only such hearts as the President, and yourself possess, that are capable of defining; and fully understanding, the grateful feelings with which mine at this moment swells; vain indeed, would be any attempt, to convey an idea of the gratitude inspired for so essential a benefit, and to that God alone, from...
7John Jacob Astor to Dolley Payne Madison, 22 June 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 June 1813, New York. Sends “a hat Choosing by Mrs. Gallatin which he prays Mrs. Madison to accept as a Mark of her kind Remberenans of her frie[n]d Mr. Astor—who has Learnt with Deep Regreet the Indisposition of Mr. Madison and who most fervently prays to kind Providence to Restore him to hea[l]th & to continue a blessing to his Country.” RC ( CtY ). 2 pp.
8Catharine Coles to Dolley Payne Todd, 1 June 1794 (Madison Papers)
I told you my Dear Cosen that I should not stay very Long here after you was gone we propose Leaveing this next Wednesday for New york. Now for some News all the good Folks in this House are well only Cosen Sally is sikish, Capn Preston is gone, Sukey & Mrs Grenup are all so. Mr Grove is in the Pouts about you, tell Anny I have not seen Mr Porter so I cant tell how he Looks, the General is...
9William W. Wilkins to Dolley Payne Todd, 22 August 1794 (Madison Papers)
I will not delay a Moment my ever dear and valued friend to reply to your last interresting Epistle. Flattered as I am by your Condecension in consulting me on this important Occasion and truly and disinterestedly solicitous for your Welfare—the Task I undertake is far from being a painful one. As your friend I feel not the least Hesitation in forming my Opinion—ought I then to feel any...
10Phoebe P. Morris to Dolley Payne Madison, 24 June 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 June 1813. Writes “in sincere anxiety for the health of the President,” and asks for “at least a line to say whether the reports of his illness are not exaggerated.” Adds at the request of her father [Anthony Morris] that he has decided “to leave us all here except Brother that he may be at more liberty to avail himself of the first opportunity which shall present itself from any port.” RC...