1John Quincy Adams to James Madison, 18 August 1834 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 30th. ulto. with its enclosures would have been received with unmingled pleasure, but for the alloy of its intimations with regard to the state of your health—The partial relief which you have recently enjoyed, I will hope may have been symptomatic of a more general renovation, and reserve for you yet years of comfort and tranquility to witness the continual gigantic growth...
2John Quincy Adams to James Madison, 1 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your friendly Letter of the 24th. ulto is received, and the remark which you make in it respecting General Hamilton, as well as your own position, in the affairs of this Union from 1804 to 1814, induce me to request an appeal to your own recollections with regard to some of the facts involved in this controversy. And first let me premise that Mr Plumer’s testimony in the pamphlet which you...
3John Quincy Adams to James Madison, 21 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
In enclosing to you a copy of a pamphlet relating to subjects not without interest in the history of our Country I avail myself of the occasion to assure you of the deep sympathy with which I have learnt the affliction with which you have recently been visited by the decease of your venerable parent, and of the undeviating respect and attachment with which I remain Your friend and Servt...
4To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 29 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed small packet, addressed to your lady, has just been received from Mr Hughes, our Charge d’Affaires to the Netherlands. To account for its present appearance, I have to remark that it was by Mr Hughes transmitted to me open, with permission, of which I have availed myself to peruse its contents. To this indulgence of Mr Hughes I am indebted not only for the knowledge of the...
5To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 27 February 1825 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance Mr Owen of Lanark, whose plans for the improvement of the condition of man, have certainly not escaped your notice & by the excellency of the ends to which they aspire carry with them a recommendation of the means by which he thinks they may be accomplished. I am, with the highest respect, Dear Sir, your very obedt. Servt. Letterbook copy...
6To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 18 November 1824 (Madison Papers)
I take much satisfaction in having the opportunity of introducing to you Mr George Sullivan a Citizen of Massachusetts the son of a former governor of that State in his life time I believe personally well known to you & distinguished during the period of our Revolutionary War as well as in more recent times. Mr Sullivan is at this time agent of the State for certain claims on the Government of...
7To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1824 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From John Quincy Adams. Letter not found. 30 June 1824. Calendared in the list probably kept by Peter Force ( DLC : series 7, box 2). Offered for sale in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892), item 99, as a printed letter, signed, “conveying two copies of fac-similes of the original Declaration of Independence, engraved by Wm. J. Stone; also the resolution of Congress respecting the...
8To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 5 May 1824 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance, the bearer, Mr Coolidge, of Boston, a young Gentleman of highly respectable character & connections, who from motives, which I am happy to have it in my power to gratify, is anxious of obtaining an introduction to you. I am with the highest respect, Dear Sir, your very humble & obedt. Servt. Letterbook copy ( MHi : Adams Papers). Joseph...
9To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 11 October 1822 (Madison Papers)
In requesting your acceptance of the copy herewith transmitted of a Collection of Documents recently published by me, I think it necessary to ask of your indulgence to overlook that part of it which is personally controversial. The transactions to which it relates having occurred during your Administration and the discussion involving in some degree sanctioned by you, I have thought they would...
10To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 21 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 13th. instt. The error in the printed Journal of the Convention, by which the motion on the 7th. of September for the establishment of a Council of State, is ascribed to you, is in the original list of yeas and nays, taken at the time by the Secretary, who probably in the hurry of writing made the mistake which you suggest of your name...
11To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 18 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I scarcely know how to apologize to you for troubling you again on the subject of the Journals of the federal Convention. I have already been indebted to you for the means of completing the Journal, which had been deposited at this Department; and in which the proceedings of the last two days were wanting. It appears by the Journal that on the 12th. of September a revised draught of the plan...
12To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 1 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
In a Letter which I had the honour of receiving from you last November, you observed, in relation to a plan of Government offered by Coll Hamilton, to the federal Convention in 1787, that it was not formally presented as a plan to be debated, but read by him, in the course of a Speech. Could you favour me so far, as to inform me of the day upon which that Speech was delivered, and the question...
13To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 24 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Cardelli the Sculptor, whom at my solicitation you have kindly permitted to visit Montpellier for the purpose of taking your Bust will have the honour of delivering you this Letter. From the knowledge I have of his talent and the success with which he has taken that of President Monroe, I hope he will execute the work to your satisfaction and with my thanks for your indulgence in giving...
14To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 14 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
A Roman Sculptor, named Cardelli, an artist of distinguished talent, reduced by political vicissitudes, and hard necessity to make eggs and leaves on the Cornices and Friezes of the Capitol at this place, but panting for posthumous glory as if he were a Roman of the age of Fabius or of Scipio, has conceived the project of making his way to immortality by taking from the life, the Busts of the...
15To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 22 October 1818 (Madison Papers)
A Resolution of Congress of 27. March last, directs the publication of the Journal of the Convention which formed the present Constitution of the United States, now remaining in this Office, and all Acts and proceedings of that Convention, which are in the possession of the Government of the United States. On the 19th. of March 1796. there were deposited in this Office by President...
16To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 15 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
In the Summer of 1816 I received under a cover from you, a Letter, addressed to Jeremy Bentham, of Queen Square Place, Westminster, a person then known to me only by reputation. I called at his house to deliver the Letter, but he was then absent in the Country, and I left the Letter to be forwarded to him. A few weeks afterwards a friend of his, who resides with him, a Mr Koe, came to my...
17To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 28 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have lately had the honour of receiving your favour of 10th May last, accompanied, by Letters for Sir John Sinclair, which I immediately delivered in person, to him for Mr Bentham, which I left at his house; and for Dr Eustis which was forwarded by Post, to the Hague. Sir John Sinclair then put into my hands the printed paper which I now enclose, requesting me to forward it to you; and Mr...
18To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 29 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Frederic Pursh a naturalized citizen of the United States & author of a Flora of North America lately published being upon his return to that Country with the object of contributing further to the improvement of Agriculture & the advancement of science by means which will require the assistance and encouragement of persons of influence in different parts of our country I have taken the...
19To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 24 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Pamphlet which I do myself the honour of transmitting to you with this Letter was some time since sent me by its author, with the request that I would forward it to you. This Gentleman who resides at Berlin and is Librarian to the King of Prussia is by birth a Spaniard. His Father was formerly in high diplomatic Office as Minister of Spain successively at several European Courts. Nearly...
20To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 27 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
The bearer of this Letter, has been made the medium of a communication to the Government of the United States, which may be useful to the important purpose of preserving and rendering permanent the Peace, between them and Great Britain. The British navy is at this moment undergoing the process of reduction to a Peace Establishment. At the same time the army is rather increasing than...
21To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 7 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of 15. Novr. last—and beg you to accept my acknowledgments for your obliging attention to the Circumstances, which though merely of a private nature, to myself had made it my duty to decline the highly honourable office, to which you had called me, and had prevented my return to the United States, on receiving your permission to that...
22To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 17 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
The Event, anticipated in the letters which I had the honour of writing you on the 7. Jany: 8. Feby: and 3d: June, has happened at the time when it was expected. On Monday Evening last the 12th. instt: I had a daughter born, the first example I believe of an American, a native of Russia. As it would have been impossible for me to have accomplished since the Commencement of this year’s...
23To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 3 June 1811 (Madison Papers)
I received on the 29th: of last Month, together with some other despatches from the Secretary of State, one, enclosing a Commission to me, as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; a new letter of leave to His Majesty the Emperor of Russia; a blank Commission for a Secretary of Legation, or Chargé d’Affaires, and an Instruction, in consequence of this new appointment...
24To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 19 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing you last on the 8th February I have been informed that a commission has been sent to Count Pahlen for a temporary mission to the court of Brazil and that an optional authority is given him to go there immediately if he thinks proper. He is not however recalled from his mission to the United States and during his absence he is to leave Mr. Politico as chargé des...
25To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 8 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
I had the honour of writing you, on the 7th: of last Month, immediately after I received a letter from the Secretary of State of 15. October, with the letter of leave to His Majesty the Emperor of Russia; and of informing you that I should not deliver that letter, untill the receipt of further Instructions from you. It was not untill last Evening that I had the pleasure of receiving your very...
26To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 7 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have received from the Secretary of State a letter, dated 15. October last, enclosing a letter of leave for the Emperor of Russia, with an optional power to me to present it immediately, and suggesting your obliging permission to me to return to the United States, to avoid the ruinous expences to which it had been intimated to you by a person particularly attentive to my interest, a longer...
27To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 30 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
The bearer of this letter, Mr. Pickman, is a Gentleman with whom for many years I have had the pleasure of a very intimate acquaintance, and for whose character I have had every reason to entertain the highest esteem. Being elected a member of the House of Representatives of the United States, to the present Congress, he is desirous of a personal introduction to the President, and in taking...
28To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 6 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
About two months since I transmitted to you certain papers respecting a native citizen of this town, named William Parker, laboring under British impressment and whose liberation had been repeatedly and fruitlessly solicited. His mother had recently received two letters from him, by which it appears, that he is on the station at Halifax, on board of the banterer, sloop of war, the vessel into...
29To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 4 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing to you two certificates, respecting William Parker, a native Citizen of the United States, impress’d into the British Service, about fourteen months since, and whose liberation it has been impossible to obtain. He is the eldest Son of a widow of very respectable character, with a family of ten children, and in circumstances to depend in some measure upon him for...
30To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, [3 December] 1803 (Madison Papers)
Some difficulty having arisen in the Senate, in considering the expediency of advising and consenting to the Ratification of the Treaty of limits between the United States, and Great-Britain signed on the 12th: of May 1803. —A Committee of that body has been appointed to inquire and report upon the subject. The difficulty arises from the circumstance that the Treaty with the French Republic,...
31To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 28 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
I now avail myself of your obliging permission, to transmit through you to Mr: Randolph the request for his certificate that the amount of the outfit allowed me on my mission to Holland, in the year 1794. was paid me in the manner I stated to you, when I had last the honour of seeing you at your office. This request is supported by all the documents I have been able to collect, and you will...
32To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 26 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
Mr: Wagner having informed me by his letter of the 11th: instt: that neither copy of the within papers which I had forwarded from Hamburg, had then arrived at the seat of the government, I have now the honour to transmit a third copy of them; and am with great respect, Your very humble & obedt: Servt: RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Duplicate Originals of J. Q. Adams, 1800–1801, 1809–12). Docketed by...
33To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 4 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a letter which I was desired to forward to you from Mr: Bourne at Amsterdam. A few days before I sailed from Hamburg, I sent you by duplicates, copies of a letter which I received there from the Swedish Minister at the Court of Berlin and of my answer to it. As it contained a proposition from the king of Sweden which may be deemed of some importance to the...
34To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 25 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to enclose copies of a letter from Mr: Engeström, the Swedish Minister at Berlin, which I received since my arrival here; and of my answer to him. You will perceive that his letter contains the renewal of a proposal made by the king of Sweden about eighteen months ago, for an arrangement between the United States, Sweden and Denmark, mutually to protect their commerce in the...
35To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 12 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 May 1801, Berlin. No. 193. Encloses original letter of recredence. Speculates on European diplomatic developments: new Russian czar probably will seek peace with both France and Britain before end of summer; partition of Turkey likely to be postponed; Malta may be returned to the Knights of Malta, with recognition of Russian protection. Believes that “the principles promulgated by the...
36To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 9 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 May 1801, Berlin. No. 192. Reports having had audience with king on 5 May, when he delivered his letter of recall and took leave. “I assured him according to my instructions of the sincere wishes of the American government that the friendship and harmony subsisting between the two Nations might be continued; and he directed me to transmit the assurances of the same disposition on his part,...
37To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 28 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I received the day before yesterday a letter dated 3 Feby. from Mr Marshall, then acting as Secretary of State, containing a permission to me to return to the United States, upon the consideration that the objects of my mission here had been entirely accomplished; and enclosing a letter of recall from this Court. I have already given notice of the circumstance to the government of this...
38To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 18 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 April 1801, Berlin. No. 190. Answers query of 28 Dec. 1800 concerning whereabouts of an American citizen, Lewis Littlepage, who plans soon to embark for home. Reports that all recent Prussian trade restrictions now are lifted, that British and Danes signed fourteen-week armistice on 8 Apr., and that Denmark is forced to suspend its membership in armed league and to make no changes in its...
39To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 11 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 April 1801, Berlin. No. 189. Reports no particulars are available on death of Czar Paul, whose eldest son Alexander has assumed throne. Notes that Alexander reappoints Count Vorontsov in London. Conveys word that Prussian troops have occupied Hanover and Danish forces have taken Lübeck. Outlines damage and casualties Danes suffered in Nelson’s attack 2 Apr. at Copenhagen. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
40To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 4 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 April 1801, Berlin. No. 188. Reports Danish occupation of Hamburg on 20 Mar. and Prussian plans to seize territories belonging to Hamburg. Conveys news, just received, of Czar Paul’s sudden death. “What its effect will be upon the politics of Europe it would for the present moment be presumptuous to conjecture.” Notes that Prussians have received British reply to Count von Haugwitz’s message...
41To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 28 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 March 1801, Berlin. No. 187. Encloses copy of Spanish declaration of war on Portugal. Reports thirty-day truce between France and Naples, the terms of which include an embargo on British ships in port of Naples. Expects general European war against Britain. Notes that Nelson has sailed for Copenhagen, that a British refusal to lift embargo of Swedish and Danish ships effectively answers...
42To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 21 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 March 1801, Berlin. No. 186. Reports continuing British embargo on Swedish shipping is likely to close Elbe and Weser to British vessels. Relays hearsay that among British seamen detained in Russian ports there are some Americans as well. Has pressed Russian minister to free such persons; recounts minister’s reluctance and his suggestions that U.S. appoint a consul in Russia and recall...
43To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 14 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
The question of peace and War between Great Britain & the North of Europe still appears to depend upon the determination of the british Cabinet, relative to Count Haugwitz’s note of the 12th: ulto. How long this may be delayed it is yet impossible to say. At the date of the last accounts we have, the king’s health, though hoped to be in a recovering state, was not such as to permit the...
44To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 7 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 March 1801, Berlin. No. 184. Conveys news, received in letters from England, of George III’s illness, Pitt’s fall from power, and the suspension of public business. Suggests that these events and Prussian firmness in support of neutral league may postpone issue of war. Speculates on British plans to accommodate Czar Paul on question of Malta. Believes British overly hopeful that Danes will...