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...
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...
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...
4Catharine 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...
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...
6William 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...
3 August 1797, Philadelphia. Acknowledges letter of 23 June [not found]. “In the first place you ask me for a description of the Drawing room, I now hasten to give it you—that we have none at all—for that old what shall I call her —with her hawks eyes, gave out that the weather was too warm, and it would affect her nerves, they must be very delicate of course, but I suppose we shall have it in...
8From James Madison to Dolley Payne Madison, 2 December 1799 (Madison Papers)
Neither the chart of your uncle, or the memory of your brother could save me from two errors on our way down, we made out, notwithstanding to reach Town before sunset. I found at Mr. Watson’s a room prepared for me, and an empty one immediately over it, but they are both in a style much inferior to what I had hoped. You must consequently lower your expectations on this subj[e]ct as much as...
9H. Lewis to Dolley Madison, 12 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 March 1809, Philadelphia. Asks that his stepson be appointed an official courier to carry diplomatic dispatches to England. Requests that Mrs. Madison “have the goodness, after mentioning the Matter to the President, to inform Mrs. Lewis or me, whether the appointment has been made or not, And if it has not; in what manner an application for it should be made.” RC ( DLC : Dolley Madison...
10Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The time of the President U.S. is so occupied by matters of so much more importance, that I did not mention to him the subject on which you did me the favor to speak to me, the purchase of a grand piano-forte, before my departure. I have again tried the instrument I mentioned to you, & accurately examined its state of repair & construction, & altho’ I still think it a very excellent one, I...