5651To James Madison from Obed and Aaron Mitchell, 4 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 March 1802, Nantucket. “We the Subscribers being owners of the ship Minerva Sailed from this place on a whaling voyage to the Brazils & Woolwick [Walvis] Bay in 7th Mo 1799, upon her return with a full load of oil … the 5th of 10th Mo 1800 was captured by a French Privateer of 12 Guns.” The vessel was ordered to Guadeloupe, but on 14 Oct. it was retaken by the British ship Gaite and “ordered...
5652To James Madison from John Taylor, 4 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am told that very high credentials are in the Secretary of State’s office in favour of my old school mate Edmund J Lee, you must know more of him than I do. But a long intimacy & Friendship which I have been happy enough to enjoy with this modest & as I think unassuming Gentleman, induces me to feel an interest in his welfare & prosperity, & if his known diligence & capacity for Business...
5653To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 23 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 23 August 1805, “County of Acadia Sixty Miles from New Orleans.” “In the course of my Journey I have found the Citizens much desturbed by a report of the retrocession to Spain of the Country west of the Mississippi. I have possitively asserted, that the Report was groundless; but it had acquired such general currency, that many good disposed Citizens cannot be...
5654To James Madison from William B. Randolph, 20 November 1824 (Madison Papers)
The object of this communication is to ask a favour; one of no great magnitude indeed, but such as you know well, none know better, how to grant and to graduate. It is known to you that I have been in the service of the Government now more than sixteen years in a branch of the Treasury Department, where your influence acting upon the private interest of its superior placed me; and where your...
5655To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 26 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
The Gentlemen from the Eastward have at length made their appearance & I expect in a day or two a Congress will be once more form’d. This commencement however has discovered so great a relaxation in the Confœderal springs that I doubt the machine will not be long kept in motion, unless great & effectual repairs are made. For my part I have no hopes but in a convocation of the States. In this...
5656To James Madison from John Graham, 23 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I recieved the Night before the last a Packet from you in which I found your Letter of the 19th. Inst. As the Gentlemen in Mr. Gallatin’s Office did not feel themselves competent to issue the orders necessary & proper in the Case of Genl. Turreau’s vessels, I yesterday transmitted to Mr Gallatin, an Extract from your Letter to me on that Subject; and today I have written a Note to Genl....
5657To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I here transmit in course the last numbers of the Leyden Gazette. Altho’ many months have passed since the preliminaries of peace were signed between F. E we are yet waiting for the final arrangment of this important buisness; which leaves us in a State of suspense painfull to the mind & extremely prejudicial to the general Interests of Commerce. Some persons are of opinion that we are not yet...
5658To James Madison from John Mitchell, 25 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 June 1803, Le Havre . Since he closed his letter of this date, the ship George has landed and reports having been boarded by British frigates in the Channel and having been “treated perfectly Polite by all the Captains.” The captain of the brig Peggy complains of the treatment he received from the captain of the British frigate Ranger , “who took three men from Him all of whom appear on the...
5659To James Madison from Robert Brent, 17 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mrs. Barry now of New York, a Lady of the most amiable Character, has met with severe afflections since she left this City, in the Death of her Husband and her Daughter. Her only remaining one is pronounced to be in a decline. Her Husband, before his Death, had been recommended to take a Voyage to Madeira, for the benefit of his own and his Daughters Health, and had actually made a contract, I...
5660To James Madison from William Lee, 21 August 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 21 August 1806, Bordeaux. “I have the honor to transmit you herewith a duplicate of my returns of American vessels which have entered and cleared at this port from the 1st. of January to the 30th of June [not found]. “Since my last respects of the 30th of last month the public mind has been kept in continual agitation by the negotiations that are now going on in Paris; at...
5661To James Madison from Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 14 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Carlos Martínez de Yrujo. 14 October 1805, Philadelphia. Has the honor to send JM the attached copy of a letter just received from the governor of Puerto Rico, to the effect that the American brigantine Neptune, which was supposed to have been captured by a French or Spanish cruiser called Resource, Captain Janet, has not come to his port nor any of the others in his district. Asks JM...
5662To James Madison from Charles Pettit, 2 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 June 1804, Insurance Office of North America, Philadelphia. “I do myself the honour to transmit to you the inclosed extract of a letter from Paris, of the 12th. of February last, as it contains information which it appears to me ought to be made known to Government; and this mode of communication is preferred as being more likely to be acceptable than thro’ the channel of a Newspaper. And...
5663To James Madison from James Fenner, 3 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I am informed that Judge Barnes of this District, in consequence of a severe malady under which he is now suffering without hope of recovery, has sent forward his resignation as District Judge. Presuming the report to be true, I take the liberty of nominating the Hon David Howell, at present our District Attorney, as the Successor of Judge Barnes. Your knowledge of Mr Howell renders it...
5664To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 October 1804, New Orleans. “Your Letter dated ‘Virginia August 28th.,’ reached me on the evening of the third instant. “A number of Spanish Officers are yet in Louisiana, and there is no doubt with me, but they encourage the Discontents which arise here. I shall take an early opportunity to intimate to the Marquis of Cassa Calvo, that the continuance of these Officers in our Territory, ‘so...
5665To James Madison from William F. Gray, 27 August 1825 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 24th. and the Books returned by you, came to hand together. I showed your letter to Mr. Withers, and have obtained from him Nos. 43 and 44 of the North American Review to complete your set, which I send to you by this days Mail. Very respectfully, Your obt. Svt. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM .
5666To James Madison from Robert Patton, 15 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
After having had three good tryals of the Grey horses, I mentioned in my former letter, & finding them to be good travelers, very gentle & well broke, I have ventured to purchase them for you. I have Sent them forward this morning by young Mr. Vanarsdale, the Son of the person from whom I purchased them. He has had great experience in driving. I would therefore advise you (unless you have a...
5667To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
The question as to the admission of Missouri into the union, which is still depending, will probably not be decided untill after the holydays, & the decision is then quite uncertain. You have I presume seen a proposition of Dr Eustis, for admitting her, after a certain day, provided, in the interim, the obnoxious clause in her constitution shall be stricken out. Should this fail, it is...
5668To James Madison from William Lambert, 19 February 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose for your perusal, the last letter I have received from bishop Madison, by which you will perceive the strong interest that truly valuable man takes in the object and completion of my undertaking to fix a first meridian for the U. S. Other communications having a similar tendency, are now before the Select Committee of Congress to whom my papers have been referred....
5669To James Madison from Edward Thornton, 13 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour of transmitting to you the copy of a letter, which His Majesty’s Consul at Norfolk has received from Captain Douglas relative to the affair of the French Ship Anne of Bordeaux, and I lay it before you without extenuation, because although he expresses himself with some warmth on the improper language made use of by the French Consul at Norfolk, and which neither the occasion...
5670To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 10 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
When I last took the liberty of addressing you, I was engaged I believe in the examination of Reuben Kemper and John Callier. Col. Kennedy of the conventional army had been arrested and held to bail, and had thereupon applied to me for a writ of habeas corpus , to bring up the recognizance ; in consequence of which I stand charged before the public of denying to a freeman the sacred writ of...
5671To James Madison from James Taylor, 13 October 1806 (Madison Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 20th. of april in answer to the one I had the honour to address to you at the time I forwarded the strawberry vine & cutings came duly to hand. I assure you I shall think my self amply paid for the trouble of forwarding them if they should flourish & you should deem them worthy of your acceptance. It gave me great pleasure to hare [ sic ] by my friend Genl Sandford...
5672To James Madison from Andrew Ellicott, 31 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 December 1801, Lancaster. Since writing the enclosed, has given the map to Duane who will deliver it. Examination of it will require reference to the manuscript sent the president. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers). 1 p. Cover marked by Ellicott: “Captn. William Duane.” Ellicott to JM, 29 Dec. 1801 . See Ellicott to JM, 24 Nov. 1801 , and n. 1.
5673To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 31 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
Blocks and Iron work were under his entire direction with ample means of procuring. In Com. C. letter of the 8th July he mentions some little Iron work wanting for the Mohawk but does not intimate any detention on that account. The only cause of delay which then appeard arose from the necessity of changing the Officers and crews on account of Captain Smiths absence. This with some final...
5674To James Madison from Nathaniel Gorham, 20 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I must beg you to excuse my freedoms: it is with a good intention that I am led to mention that the idea of 6 Cents pr Gallon on Mollasses excites a considerable degree of uneasiness here—not that any objcect [ sic ] to that duty on what is consumed in the Country—but only as it will injure the distillery & consequently the Fishery. The answer that a suitable draw back upon Rum will be...
5675To James Madison from David Jameson, 23 August 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). I have to acknowledge your favour of the 8th. mentioning the reports from the West Indies. Notwithstanding our Bay is so closely watched by the Enemy’s private armed Vessels we have had some arrivals, and they give us reason to believe Jamaica is invested by the combined Fleets. If it is, I must suppose so great an Armament will find little...
5676To James Madison from Ephraim Webster, 30 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 30 September 1812. Acknowledged in Eustis to Webster, 12 Oct. 1812, as having been received and transmitted to Erastus Granger, agent for the Six Nations in New York, “with the inclosed Talk” and with instructions “to enquire into the facts therein stated” and “to keep the Indians quiet if possible” (DNA: RG 75, LSIA).
5677To James Madison from George W. Erving, 17 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was dated on the 9 April: You will doubtless observe that what I th erein mentioned respecting the abdication of Charles, h is indisposition to Reign, & his character in general, d oes not comport with the facts stated in the accompanying official letter, & the documents which are th erewith inclosed. I can only say that I know no thing now which alters my first...
5678To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 17 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
Circumstances have prevented my availing myself of your kindness, in permitting me to retire: before this. The peculiar State of our money transactions, the critical Situation of Europe & of our own affairs with Spain, made me think it Essential to remain here till my place could be Supplied, & the rather as Mr Graham the only man in whom I had Sufficient confidence to leave our business with,...
5679To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 13 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
As the number of additional Majr. Genels. recently appointed will enable the Executive to select such as may be best qualified for the most important commands, I hope the power will be exercised freely, and in such maner as the public good may require, regarding no other concideration than that of the qualities of the respective officers, and be assured Sir that no one will more readily &...
5680To James Madison from Hubbard Taylor, 10 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
Com’dore Richard Taylor, is the bearer of the votes of the Electors of this State. They were unanimous; Genl. Walter lamented much at his not being able to attend. His Vote was concurrent, with those properly given I can assure you there is great uninimity in this State as to the Embargo, and the approbation of the measures of the Administration, and will readily support such measures as may...
5681To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
The question of Peace or War is still undecided; and as France plays for Time, and England (in which there is a public opinion) for a good Case to lay before the Nation, the negotiation may be spun out still longer; tho’ it continues to be said, as has been said for the last fortnight, that the next Messenger would enable the Ministry to bring it to a close. The objection of the British...
5682To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
This is the first letter, which I have written, since my convalescence after the dreadful attack from a hemiplegia, with which by a kind of sympathy with my poor wife, I was afflicted in a few weeks from her death. It happily affected no faculty of my mind, and has not taken away the sanguine hope, that altho’ I require in rough ground the aid of a crutch, I may be restored to the free use of...
5683To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1802, Amsterdam. States that he has decided to send his wife “to the Country for her health the ensuing season”; therefore, he will not return with her to the U.S. as suggested in his recent letters. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
5684To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 16 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In Randolph’s hand but lacks signature, cover, and docket. The words in italics are those encoded by Randolph in the official cipher. Your favor of the 5th instant remained impenetrable in a great measure, from our misapprehension of the new cypher. I wish that the stimulus, administered in the close of it, had also been among the inscrutable arcana, until I had...
5685To James Madison from Daniel D. Tompkins, 6 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 28th. of September was received by me last evening. I have reflected, in the short interval, upon the course which duty to my family and to my Country required me to pursue in relation to your obliging offer; and have concluded to decline the acceptance of the department of state. A variety of public and private considerations have produced this determination. These...
5686To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of July 29. Since that I have received yours of May 27. June 13. & 30. The tranquillity of the city has not been disturbed since my last. Dissensions between the French & Swiss guards occasioned some private combats in which five or six were killed. These dissensions are made up. The want of bread for some days past has greatly endangered the peace of the city. Some get a...
5687To James Madison from Hodijah Baylies, 31 August 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 August 1804, Collector’s Office, District of Dighton. “Enclosed is the deposition of Preserved Read, master of the Sloop Polly of Somerset in this District, which arrived here on the 25th. inst. from Turks Islands. “On his outward bound passage from this port for Turks Islands, he was plundered by a French Privateer. He could obtain no information of the name of the privateer or of the...
5688To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 28 November 1799 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 25th. Aug: I immediately wrote to you; but I have reason to apprehend, from the fate of one or two other letters written about the same time, that it was lost by a robbery of the mail between Baltimore & Fredericksburg. I have just been informed of the loss of the others to which I refer; & lest that addressed to you should have been among them, permit me to...
5689To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 5 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
At Mr Astor’s request I enclose a letter which he read to me. I gave him no opinion on the contents. But he desired me to request that if it was not thought proper to give to the person he means to send a recommendatory letter for Mr Adams, the enclosed might be considered as private and not be sent to the Department of State. I have not yet received the papers for Mr Poinsett; but there...
5690To James Madison from Jacob Read, 8 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to offer you my Congratulations on your Election to the Office of the Supreme Executive of the United States, and my Very Sincere Wishes that your Presidency may be happy and honorable to yourself, and peaceful and prosperous to our Country, which has Conferred on you So distinguished a Mark of Confidence and respect. I hope Sir I do not presume too far on our former Acquaintance...
5691To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, ca. 13 April 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 13 April 1784. Mrs. Trist was at Fort Pitt awaiting transportation down the Ohio for a reunion with her husband. She wrote Jefferson regarding a misunderstood report that Virginia had “reward[ed] merit by making our friend Madison Governor.… I have wrote to him, but before I got your letter, which I beg you to forward” ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al.,...
5692To James Madison from the Indiana Territorial Legislature, 21 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 October 1809, Vincennes. Forwards resolution urging the reappointment of William Henry Harrison as territorial governor. Printed copy ( National Intelligencer , 8 Dec. 1809). Signed by Gen. Washington Johnston, Speaker of the House, and Thomas Downs, president of the council. JM reappointed Harrison for a second term of three years on 19 Dec. 1809 ( Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the...
5693To James Madison from John Gavino, 14 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 September 1801, Gibraltar. No. 71. Encloses duplicates of his 8 Aug. letters to Barron and commends Barron’s blockade of Tripolitan cruisers, which has caused fresh desertions from their crews. Tripolitan vessels have struck sails and are in the mole with only about twenty seamen left. The Tripolitan admiral and eight others have sailed as passengers to Malta. At Cathcart’s request, encloses...
5694To James Madison from Benjamin Richardson and Others, 7 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
It is with extreme reluctance that we take the liberty of addressing you, with the view of expressing our feelings on the subject of a promotion lately made in the Marine Corps, which we cannot avoid regarding as reflecting on ourselves. When a Brevet Commission was confered on Captain Miller, who commanded us at the battle of Bladensburg we regarded it as a honour confered on the rest of the...
5695To James Madison from the Chiefs and Sachems of the Wyandot Nation, 5 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
The petition of your children, the principal chiefs, and sachems of the nation of Wyandots, in behalf of themselves, their warriors, their women and children. Fathers : Listen to your children the Wyandots, who are now desirous of letting you know their sentiments. Fathers, listen ! We, your children, now address you, on a subject of the utmost concern to ourselves, our women, and children; we...
5696To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 3 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Yr. Obliging favr. of the 21st. past, is just come to hand. The question concerning the power of removing Officers was important, and ’twas much better to investigate it fully, tho’ at the expence of a weeks discussion, than take a wrong step in it. I concur in Sentiment with the Decision. The Argument that the Power of removal should follow that of Creation, has weight, but is abundantly...
5697To James Madison from Elisha Tyson, 13 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
It is only under the apprehension of its being my duty, that I am induced to address a letter to thee upon the present occasion. The Spanish Privateer schooner Genl. Morla, with 32 affrican negroes on board, having put into this Port, under the pretext of being in distress, was libeled for a breach of the laws of the U. S. In a conversation which I have just had with the collector of this...
5698To James Madison from Samuel Coleman, 27 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 31st. May and 24h. instant. The wine mentioned in the first is on the ground floor of the Capitol and of course in as cool a situation as can be procured for it. No opportunity within my knowledge has offered for a conveyance of it to George Town; nor have I been able as yet to dispose of it here. The contents of the second will be duly attended to, and...
5699To James Madison from the Citizens of New Orleans, 20 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
Named by a numerous meeting of the Citizens of New-Orleans in order to lay before you the expression of their Sentiments on the Subject of the insult lately offered to our flag in the Gulf of Mexico by a Spanish Squadron; we hasten to transmit to you the resolutions adopted in that meeting. You will perceive in them those Strong feelings, which, on Such an occasion, must animate the Hearts of...
5700To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Washington County, Kentucky, [28 August] 1809 (Madison Papers)
At a meeting of a large number of the inhabitants of Washington County; in the Court-house, in Springfield, Kentucky on Monday the 28th. of August 1809 (previous notice thereof being given by advertisement) to consult, and declare their opinions on the late measures of the Cabinet, of Great Britain, in refusing to confirm the conditions enterd into by their Minister, with the executive of the...