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...
11Edward Coles to Dolley Payne Madison, 5 October 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 October 1812. Sends this letter by his cousin Edward Carrington, son of Judge Paul Carrington. “You will find Mr. Carrington an amiable and intelligent young gentleman; full of indignation at the wrongs and insults under which his Country suffers, and animated with an ardent zeal to avenge them by his personal efforts in the field; he attempted to raise a Volunteer Company, but having failed...
12James Taylor to Dolley Payne Madison, 13 April 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1813, Washington. “The enclosed Letter from my Son, will shew you at a glance, what must be my feelings. “Agonized as they have been, by the destruction of my property, by the Severeance of a dear and endearing part of my Domestic bliss—And this alone, alone, from my attachment to principles, emanating from my feelings to the Administration. “I now Madam, Apply at least, for decision,...
13David Bailie Warden to Dolley Payne Madison, 12 November 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 November 1812. Sends “nine other copies of the Engraving of the portrait of the President, to whom and to the family I pray you to present my respects.” “I took the liberty of writing to him by the mary amore , and of sending him some brochures . I hope soon to hear of his reelection, and of complete success to his patriotic administration.” Sends “this by Dr morell, who is a Very promising...
14From Thomas Jefferson to James and Dolley Madison and Anna Payne, 27 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson was much disappointed at breakfast this morning not having till then known of the departure of mr & mrs Madison & miss Payne . he hopes they will come and dine to-day with the miss Butlers who were assured they would meet them here, and tomorrow with mrs Gallatin & mrs Mason . affectionate salutations. RC ( ICHi ). Departure of Mr & Mrs Madison & Miss Payne : the Madisons, along...
15From 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...
16Phebe Hunter to Dolley Payne Madison, 22 March 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 Mar. 1813, Philadelphia. Introduces herself as the daughter of Dolley Madison’s “old friend, Mary Bryant.” Requests “counsel” for a friend, Mrs. Auchincloss of New York, whose husband is an alien and a merchant but “attends no public meetings, belongs to no political society, has neither imported nor exported for two years past, and has petitioned to be admitted a Citizen of the U. S.”...
17From James Madison to Dolley Payne Madison, [30 July] 1818 (Madison Papers)
We arrived here about half an hour by sun. We had a hot ride, but have not suffered from it. The ladies enquired affectionately after you, and recd. the message with which you charged me. None of the deputies were with Mr. Jefferson. We set out this forenoon for Mr. Divers, with whom we shall dine & pass the night, and tomorrow morning proceed for Rockfish Gap. I fear I shall not have an...
18John G. Jackson to Dolley Payne Madison, 11 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I am again at Clarksburg after an absence of two months, worse than mispent in the western Country. I have not even the consolation to believe that any benefit has resulted to the community from my expedition, & therefore there is no offset for ⟨m⟩y in⟨di⟩vidual sacrifices of time & money. I left General Harrison at Franklinton about the 1st. instant & the Virginia troops at Delaware four or...
19William Lee to Dolley Payne Madison, 20 March 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 March 1813, Bordeaux. Promises to “send the President a good stock of wine, Brandy and liqueurs” by Ruth Barlow when she returns to the United States. “You will hear perhaps through the President and Mr Monroe of the ground I took while at Paris concerning the affairs of the Legation.… As there is a Secretary of Legation and a private Secretary to the late minister my desire was to preserve...
20H. 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...
21John G. Jackson to Dolley Madison, 21 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letters particularly the one for Mr. Dublois are upon business the most urgent please forward them as soon as convenient. I have recd. one short letter from you since we parted, not one from Lucy. Never was a poor sinner so much exhausted with an election campaign as I am; what with riding & talking I am quite sick; the second monday in March I was at M⟨or⟩gantown from thence to...
22“Signora Catoni” [Sarah McKean] to Dolley Madison, 3 August 1797 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
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...
23Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 20 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 March 1809, Philadelphia. Encloses samples of “two kinds of lace” for use in the chariot ordered by JM. The coach will be finished by 15 May, “the Chariot about a fortnight later.” Has examined a “very handsome” English chariot made in London last July which has influenced his thinking. Mrs. Latrobe [a friend of Dolley Madison’s since childhood] is suffering from an eye inflammation, but...
24John G. Jackson to Dolley Madison, [5 March 1809] (Madison Papers)
Farewell my dear Sister & say good bye for me to my beloved friend Madison. He carries with him into the Presidency the most affectionate good wishes of my heart: produced by an intimate acquaintance with his public & private virtues for nine years past; & I can say with great truth that not one single act of his life during the period I speak of has excited a momentary doubt as to its...
25Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 7 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am here & expected to have been tomorrow in Washington. It is however necessary, I find that I should see Mr Finlay, who is making the Chairs & Sofas for your Drawing room in his Shop, & therefore I shall stay tomorrow & arrive in the city on Tuesday. Your Chariot is in great forwardness, & will be one of the handsomest things Philadelphia has produced. The Coachee has its last Coat of paint...
26Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 29 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your very obliging & kind letter was received by Mrs. Latrobe yesterday, & I had also your commands on business which I beg leave to answer concisely today & to write more at large tomorrow. Your directions as to the liveries shall be obeyed. The patterns of colors on Glass met with an accident. They were broken & shall be sent on, repainted , tomorrow. The sketch of the Chariot in my letter...
27From James Madison to Dolley Madison, 7 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
We reached the end of our journey yesterday at one o’clock; without interruption of any sort on the road. Mr. Coles had been here sometime, one, if not two of the expected dispatch vessels of England, had just arrived, and Mr. Gilston after a short passage from France, entered Washington about the moment I did. You may guess therefore the volumes of papers before us. I am but just dipping into...
28Benjamin 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...
29Phebe P. Morris to Dolley Madison, 22 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 July 1809, Bristol, Pennsylvania. Thanks Mrs. Madison for gift of an “elegant representation of your present Self” which “Mr & Mrs Cadwalader who have lately seen its lovely & greatly beloved original at Washington … pronounce … to be as correct a resemblance as the painters art can pourtray.” She “wants most anxiously to embrace the dear Original; if it is not among the secrets of state,...
30Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 4 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am more mortified than I can express at the conduct of the Coach-maker, I have had the misfortune to employ in your service, in furnishing to you a Carriage, which even before it has been used is discovered to be so extremely faulty. I am the more irritated and disappointed, as he has in every other instance in which I have employed or recommended him, done himself so much credit, as to have...