351To James Madison from Alexander Tunstall, 10 May 1820 (Madison Papers)
Alexander Tunstall will attend with pleasure to the directions of Mr. Madison respecting a package containing two Books, which was received yesterday, per the ship Comet from London, directed to the care of Charles K. Mallory Esqr. He has no knowledge of the Cost of the Books, & therefore is unable to ascertain the duty on them. RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Alexander Tunstall...
352To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 May 1820 (Madison Papers)
As the measures which were adopted at the last meeting of our visitors were of a very leading character I have thought it proper to inform our absent colleagues of them; and have delayed the communication only until I could add what has been done under the resolutions of the board. As this latter information has not been received by you, I inclose you my letter to General Taylor for perusal...
353To James Madison from John Rhea, 17 May 1820 (Madison Papers)
I did anxiously desire to have visited You as I passed through on my way home, and had anticipated the pleasure of seeing Mrs Madison and Yourself—but some business in Tennessee requires my attention as soon as possible. The late has been a long session of Congress, and there has been some troublesome business—inclosed is a copy of a speech and of a circular letter, which please to accept. In...
354To James Madison from Mason Locke Weems, 18 May 1820 (Madison Papers)
I send by the stage a copy of what the Critics in these things call “A very interesting history of the Great French War” —in all its ramifications, I presume, of numbers, moods, Cases &c &c! This Copy belongs to your modest & worthy Son P. Todd Esqr who subscribd to me for it, last winter. I can’t conclude without adding my fond hopes that Doctr. Hunter has had the honor to amuse yourself &...
355To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1820 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found. 2 June 1820 . Enclosed in Dolley Madison to Lewis J. Cist, 4 July 1842 ( DLC : Dolley Madison Papers).
356To James Madison from Benjamin Silliman, 9 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
I learned with some mortification that my printed circular relative to the Journal of Science had been forwarded to you—which was contrary to my intentions. I beg leave however to return my thanks for your very handsome treatment of the subject & to acknowledge the receipt of the 5$ enclosure. I hope you will not think me presuming if I take the liberty of forwarding the 1st. No of Vol 2...
357To James Madison from Thomas Sumter Jr., 9 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
Having by chance obtained in this distant part of the World from the Artist who took it 20 years ago, a portrait of Mr. Jefferson which is said by conoisseurs to be admirable for its execution, and which I think is the best likeness I have ever seen of him; I am convinced, if neither they nor I are mistaken on these points, that there are many persons in the U. States who have higher claims to...
358To James Madison from Levett Harris, 15 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
After having spent fourteen years of my life in the Service of my Country, and having had so distinguished a Share in the establishment of our Relations with the Emperor of Russia, I returned to the US under a full conviction of enjoying, as I felt I deserved, the countenance & Confidence of my Government at home, as I had done abroad. But I had not been long here, before I was apprized by Mr....
359To James Madison from William Maury, 19 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
I received, & thank you for your very friendly letter to me at Charleston last year, which set my mind at ease, as you would accept no apology for a Merchants interference with Agriculture. This letter relates only to my proper department, it is to ask you to ship your Crop (which I am informed is now in Fredericksburg), on board the Arethusa, a remarkably fine coppered Ship, now loading at...
360To James Madison from George Alexander Otis, 20 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
The translator of de Pradt’s Europe for 1819. hopes it may find acceptance as an apology for addressing So distinguished a fellow Citizen as the twice elected Chief Magistrate of the only free Nation. The writer also begs permission to offer the first Volume of his translation of Botta, which if it should be so fortunate as to meet the approbation and merit the high patronage of the late...
361To 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...
362To James Madison from Frances Wright, 28 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
The Tragedy of Altorf, a copy of which I presume to request your acceptance, was favourably received, some time since, in the Theatres of New York and Philadelphia. The kindness which, as a young and unknown Author, I then experienced, has added sentiments of heartfelt gratitude and affection to that admiration which I had previously conceived for the people of America, from the consideration...
363To James Madison from Levett Harris, 29 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
I return You my acknowledgments for Your very kind Reply of the 21st inst to the Letter I had the honor to address You on the 15th. I purpose leaving here in All next Week for Monticello, on a Visit to Mr Jefferson, whose Stay there, he writes me is limited to about two Weeks, and I shall thence Repair to pay my Respects at Montpellier. I beg You to Accept in Advance the Renewed Assurances of...
364To James Madison from Joseph Wheaton, 1 July 1820 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed copy of a Statement (correctly made,) is some evidence of the truth of the memorial presented to the House of Representatives United States in N. York when you was a member of it, and which with your aid gave me the appointment of Sergeant at Arms to that Honorable Body, with that memorial and the enclosed Statement, and your personal knowledge of me for thirty years past, with...
365To James Madison from Peter Cardelli, 19 July 1820 (Madison Papers)
J’ai expedie deux bustes pour Votre Exellance au potomac crik dans le memme endrois que j’avais envoye; les Autres—Un c’est celui de Mr. Jefferson —et l’Autre de Mr. Clay ils ont une preparation que l’on peut toujour les laver. Je suis pret a partir bien tot; mon intention est de faire un grand tour jusque à la nouvelle Orleans et eax Quantoqui en debitent mes Ouvrajes; mes forses sont bien...
366To James Madison from Lafayette, 22 July 1820 (Madison Papers)
I Have not Had for a Long time the pleasure to Hear from You, and Beg You not to Leave me in this painful privation of Your Correspondence. It Has been Lately my fate to be entangled in a Long, boisterous Session; where much has been Said in favour of liberty, but much Has been perpetrated against it. Yet upon the whole I do not know whether the talkers Have not Had the advantage of the doers....
367To James Madison from George Watterston, 4 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
I beg you to accept the accompanying copy of a little work of mine, published a few winters ago. With most of the characters delineated in it, you are, I believe, well acquainted & will therefore be enabled to judge of the truth & correctness of the Sketches. I have it in contemplation to undertake a history of your administration, which I conceive to be the most interesting period, except the...
368To James Madison from Andrew Ramsay, 5 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
Mr. John Graham arrived at my house on the 23d. ultimo from Rio de Janeiro, in extreme ill health, and is now greatly worse—indeed, becoming weaker and weaker every day. His liver is seriously affected, and with it, a severe bowel complaint, which has reduced him to a mere skeleton. We are under the most serious apprehensions as to the result, and unfortunately, his brother Mr. George Graham...
369To James Madison from Jacob De La Motta, 7 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
The services of those who have acted well for their Country, can never be requited; and in a government like ours, the retirement of the first magistrate and relinquishment of his exalted station; does not lessen the respect that the people should, at all times entertain for him. Under this impression, and believing that you have ever been, and still continue to be, liberal in Your views of a...
370To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
I recieved yesterday the inclosed Letter proposing to me an interposition which my situation renders impracticable. The gentlemen of my family have manifested at times some opposition to mr. Nelson’s elections: which has produced an intermission of intercourse between the families: and altho’ I never took the smallest part in it, and nothing but what is respectful has ever passed between mr....
371To James Madison from Andrew Ramsay, 30 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 13th. instant, and to communicate its contents this morning to Mrs. Graham, who returned to my house yesterday, after a short visit to her relations in Maryland. To a mind filled with deep affliction, and to the family throughout, your friendly and affectionate expressions of condolence at the death of Mr. Graham, together with Mrs. Madison’s,...
372To James Madison from Richard Rush, 30 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
The Mr Keilsall to whom the enclosed letter is addressed, I have not, by all the inquiries which it has been in my power to make since I came to London, been able to find out. I therefore return it, not without regret at my disappointment, which however is lessened by the excuse which the act of returning it affords me of writing to you. The last time I had that pleasure, was, if I recollect...
373To James Madison from Charles Pinckney, 2 September 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have long intended to write to you but somehow or other have neglected it—it is a long while since we have seen each other—within a few days it will be 33 Years the day we dined together on signing the Constitution —what changes have taken place since & in my opinion, one of the worst to us is that we are so much older than we were then—for in spite of all that the divines & philosophers may...
374To James Madison from Mackay & Campbell, 4 September 1820 (Madison Papers)
Your favour 1st. inst. to our prior, covering your sett of exchange on Maury & Latham for £100 Sterlg. is before us. Seven weeks ago we Valued on these Gentlemen for £150 Stg. on account your 8 Hhd’s Tobacco & on account 8 Hhds of our own, Shipped per Scipio, Capt. Drummond, from Jas. River. Our Bill was made under the supposition that we were to Value for proceeds your Tobo. as well as our...
375To James Madison from Thomas Ewell, [6] September 1820 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of directing this to you, to ask your encouragement of an establishment designed to promote medical science, by the means of relieving the diseased poor around us. There is not in our country a population equal to that of this city and Georgetown, (exceeding twenty thousand,) which has not some medical institution for the relief of the sick. In addition to the number of poor...
376To James Madison from Bernard Smith, 6 September 1820 (Madison Papers)
Having voted against the proposed restriction on Missouri, attempts are making to prevent my re-election to a seat in Congress. This question is not generally understood and the restrictionists are actively employed in endeavoring to destroy the popularity of those who opposed the measure. In 1804, you appointed me to a situation in the Dept. of State, which I held for Six years. Soon after my...
377To James Madison from Maury & Latham, 13 September 1820 (Madison Papers)
We beg leave to inform you that by the Scipio, Capt Drummond, for Norfolk, we shipped the goods you directed should be purchased, and consigned them to Mess Moses Myers & Son, requesting them to receive Mess Mackay & Campbells instructions respecting them. We judged it best to send them to Norfolk as there may be no vessel from hence to the Rappahannoc this twelvemonth. We must apprize you...
378To James Madison from George Hay, 18 September 1820 (Madison Papers)
When I left Montpelier, I did not imagine that we should bring away more than we had carried. I find however, that three books belonging to the library, and a fourth belonging to Mr. T’s room, were transferred from the apartment to which Mrs. Scott was conducted, to Mrs. Hay’s chamber, and stowed away by her maid among her baggage. This petty larceny was not discovered until several days after...
379To James Madison from Bernard Smith, 20 September 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 13th. inst. The reasons which you give, for not wishing publicity to be given to your opinion as to the manner in which I discharged my official duties, while you were at the head of the Govt., are satisfactory. It is gratifying to me to learn, that you “should always be ready to bear the testimony requested, under...
380To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 September 1820 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶From James Monroe. Letter not found. 22 September 1820 . Offered for sale in The Collection of Autographs of Hon. James T. Mitchell (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 731 [1894], 77).
381To James Madison from Edward P. Page, [ca. 24 September 1820] (Madison Papers)
[ … ] I am greatly encouraged to find that what I have been zealously contending for has recently been maintained by the Revd. Holland Weeks of Abingdon Massachusetts. A council of Presbyterian ministers have excommunicated him for entertaining similar dangerous heretical opinions to mine. Glory to God Babylon is on fire he declared before his judges “there is not a single truth remaining in...
382To James Madison from Edmond Kelly, 26 September 1820 (Madison Papers)
I hope you are perswaded that no wish to catch at popularity Induced me to write my former letters—that is the road usually traveled by obscure demagogues whose object it is to exalt themselves, and I wd. deserve contempt had I been actuated by any such motive—every days experience verifies the truth of Lord Mansfields observation that the applause of the mob is not always the meed of merit,...
383To James Madison from Edmond Kelly, 30 September 1820 (Madison Papers)
The conclusion of my last letter was an opinion that if America should manufacture for herself & if Spain should manufacture her own Merino wool & her Iron (& both are unequaled in any other part of the world) that the ship of british Monopoly will loose her Main Anchor—will drift down the current of Adversity & become a wreck on the shore of Mediocrity. This I believe probable but it is so...
384To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 11 October 1820 (Madison Papers)
At the request of the author, I have the honour of transmitting to you, for your kind acceptance, a volume of poetry, for your good opinion of which, I know he would feel much gratified. An elementary book for the use of schools, new in its design & arrangement, will be issued from the press by the same author, in a fee [ sic ] months; at which time I shall have the pleasure of sending to you...
385To James Madison from Joel K. Mead, 12 October 1820 (Madison Papers)
I must rely upon the object I have in view to plead my apology for the freedom I take in obtruding upon your leisure this note. I have for some years viewed with some solicitude the want of an institution for the instruction of indigent youth of native genius and talents in the higher branches of literature, the sciences and the liberal arts. I mean more particularly those, who, having...
386To James Madison from Charles D. Coxe, 20 October 1820 (Madison Papers)
On the dismissal of Lieut Col. Gale from the Marine Corps, The officers have alledged to me, through my friend Mr. Pleasonton of the Treasury Department, that, as they do not conceive I have resigned my commission in that Corps, they would be very glad of my being placed at the head of it; to which the date of my Commission would entitle me. I conceive it now to be in your power to do me a...
387To James Madison from Thomas W. Maury, 23 October 1820 (Madison Papers)
My relation Mr. Wm. Maury of Liverpool will in a short time commence a long tour thro Kentucky, Tennessee & Mississippi, and from thence to New-Orleans. Being now absent on a tour to the eastward, and expecting to have no leisure on his way thro Virginia, he has requested me by letter, to ask the favor of you to give him letters to a few of the distinguished gentlemen in those states. If you...
388To James Madison from Maury & Latham, 24 October 1820 (Madison Papers)
We beg to hand Accot sales of your Tobacco pr. scipio, with your Accot Currt. balance £35..12..5. due to you. By the next vessel for Virginia we shall ship the 10 sacks of Salt which you wish for. Mess MacKay & Campbell handed us your dft for £100. on us, & which we shall accordingly appropriate to them if such is your wish—it will in that case leave a balance of £64.7.7. against you,...
389To James Madison from Thomas Read, 1 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed by Mr. Helme a late Graduate of Brown University in the state of Rhode Island, who at this time lives with me in the Character of a family teacher of the languages &c. Mr. Helme, has at this time a small Vacation & he & my young son Landon C. Read are visiting the upper country for amusement and instruction. Any civilities which you may please to shew them sir, will be...
390To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 12 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of a very kind letter of the 13th Ulto. from Mr. Jefferson, in which he recognizes me as one he is pleased to stile “ a fellow laborer indeed, in times never to be forgotten ,” & to treat me as a long tried public and personal friend, I have been led to reply to him, in considerable latitude. I was, at the moment of the receipt of his letter, meditating an application to Mr....
391To James Madison from Francis Corbin, 13 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
In the early part of September I intended to have done myself the Honor and pleasure of paying my respects to you and to Mrs: Madison. But, just about that time, I heard that you had a great deal of company—Mrs. Mayo —Mrs. Scott & c.—and, therefore, fearing that my visit might be inconvenient, at that juncture, I postponed it. Since then Mrs. Corbin has added a 7th Son to my before numerous...
392To James Madison from Richard Rush, 15 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
Your acceptable favor of the 12th of August, reached me about a month ago. I fear that this government will continue deaf to every expostulation that can be addressed to it on the subject of the West India trade. In the negociation of 1818, when Mr Gallatin was here, we made the attempt with all earnestness to prevail upon them to give up their narrow doctrines, but to no effect; whilst...
393To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
You will receive by this mail a copy of the message in which I have endeavourd, to place our institutions in a just light, comparatively with those of Europe, without looking at the latter, or even glancing at them by any remark. The state of our finances is I presume more favorable, than was generally supposd. It seems probable that it will improve in future, the quantity of goods which...
394To James Madison from Joseph Milligan, [ca. 28 November 1820] (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose a letter for Mrs Madison also to send through the post office a small book for her subscription it is addressed to you when it comes to hand please be so good as to hand it to her. I have had the misfortune to be under the Necessity of selling of[f] my stock for the benefit of my creditors so that my business has been suspended for 18 months past I am now...
395To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from our antient friend Tenche Coxe came unfortunately to Monticello after I had left it and has had a dilatory passage to this place where I recieved it yesterday and obey it’s injunction of immediate transmission to you. We should have recognised the stile even without a signature, and altho so written as to be much of it indecypherable. This is a sample of the effects we...
396To James Madison from Edward Caffarena, December 1820 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your favor dated Novr: 1st: 1817 I had the honor to present my respects in June 1818; confirming by duplicate last Year the same, & not finding myself honor’d with an answer, I suppose they must have been lost. I hope You will excuse me if I intrude for a third time to express my sentiments, that it never was my intention to offend You Sir, in forwarding the Statue of Napoleon,...
397To James Madison from John Tayloe, 1 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
The concerns of the Steam Boat Washington have been hitherto so injudiciously conducted, that the Stock has, so far from being valuable as we were authorised to expect, been until now so unproductive, that I flatter myself you will concur with me, that an additional effort should be made to promote its interest. Should I have the honor to possess your good opinion of my zeal and discretion in...
398To James Madison from Andrew Stevenson, 3 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
Immediately on my return from the mountains this fall, I seized the first opportunity to fulfill the promise I gave you, in endeavoring to obtain the documents desired & am sorry to say that owing to causes not within my controul, I have as yet been unsuccessful. Mr. Randolph is not only willing, that you should have any letters which you may wish in his possession, but expresses much...
399To James Madison from George Alexander Otis, 5 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
I beg your acceptance of my warmest acknowledgements for the kind interest which you were pleased to express for the success of my enterprise on receipt of my first Volume. The second, which I have now the honour to address to you, I have laboured with all the care of which I am capable. And shall feel still dubious whether with Success until I have the opinion of the highest authority in my...
400To James Madison from Edmond Kelly, 6 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
Persons influenced by the british Govt have made such efforts to misrepresent me that I deemed it necessary to explain my motives for these Coms. & thereby to shew their necessity—& as it is now evident that I am opposed to all demagocical pursuits, that my object is to preserve a proper subordination to the laws & to expose & defeat british Incendiary Emissaries engaged in factious...