5201To James Madison from Josef Yznardy, 29 August 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 August 1811, Rota. Reports developments since leaving Cadiz in February 1810 when the French closed the port. Has been refused access to the city, but has been able to communicate with Hackley. Describes the efforts he and his son have made to rescue American property and repatriate seamen when eight vessels were stranded in the Bay of Cadiz in March 1810. Met with little success. His son...
5202To James Madison from Josef Yznardy, 29 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
By a letter of 1st April from Mr. Smith Secretary of State I have observed with much regret that your Excellency has not thought proper to aprove the agreement which I made with Mr. Hackley, authorized to do so by Mr. Erving under the Secure Supposition that it woud have merited the approbation of your Excellency, and in favor of the mutual interests of myself & Mr. Hackley; my advantage was...
5203Resolution of the Aldermen and Common Council of the City of Washington, 18 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Resolved unanimously by the board of Aldermen and board of Common Council of the City of Washington in joint meeting met—That the Mayor of the City—Elias B. Caldwell, Daniel Carroll of Dudn. Buller Cocke, Walter Jones Jr. & Thomas Monroe, be a Committee to carry to the President of the U.S. the expression of the Citizens of this City of their unprotected & defenceless state from menaced...
5204To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 8 February 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 February 1810, Philadelphia. Warns JM to expect “ill treatement” after the return of Francis James Jackson to Great Britain. Offers advice on preparations for war. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , A-22:5). 1 p. Signed “A friend of this country.” Docketed by a War Department clerk as received 12 Feb. 1810.
5205To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 15 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 October 1809, Urbana. Demands that JM implement the principles of the report on public credit that he signed with Alexander Hamilton and Oliver Ellsworth on 18 Sept. 1783. RC ( NN ). 3 pp. Unsigned. JM’s correspondent was referring to the “Address to the States by the United States in Congress Assembled” of 26 Apr. 1783 (see PJM William T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The Papers of James...
5206To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 24 February 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 February 1810, Charleston. Criticizes the decision of the Jefferson administration to reduce the naturalization period for foreigners to four years. “Experience teaches us daily, that there is but little confidence to be placed in them.” Argues that foreigners may be “received among us” and permitted to hold land and conduct business, but they should “never … be permited to vote at...
5207To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 9 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
The moment is now approaching which will probably place in your hands the Destinies of millions, a moment important to yourself your country and Posterity: You have arrived at a crisis which requires not only the aid of much human wisdom but of an Almighty hand for the rule of your Government: To you Sir the American Empire is now entrusted To you Sir the American Nation look up for Safety and...
5208To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 6 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Sentiments of an individual on the Great subject of national concern may be thought assuming and intruding but when proceeding from upright honest principles produced by perhaps the Superior and immediate Spirit of our divine maker to be suggested to the rulers of the country now assembled by a humble private character without any party spirit in such case as this apoligy seems...
5209To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
It is one of the greatest blessings of our republican Goverment and administration; the Ease, and facility with which, any man can approach the chief magistrate of the nation; and however weak he may be in his political opinions, if he has the love of his Country at heart, it will be a free pasport to his president, under these considerations I have taken the liberty to suggest some few...
5210To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 19 February 1815] (Madison Papers)
The most lamentable delusion seems to have prevailed in the formation of every plan for the establishment of a national Bank which has hitherto been submitted for the consideration of Congress. Your objections to the Bill which you lately returned to the Senate are correct and conclusive as far as relates to its capacity of being useful to the public or private interests of the country during...
5211To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [19 November] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Since the perusal of your late Message, I have been led to reflect upon the actual situation of our country, of which your communication to Congress professes to be a faithful exposition; and as I cannot bring my mind to the same results with your Excellency, I trust you will allow me the liberty of expressing some doubts, with my reasons for them, in regard to the prosperous state of our...
5212To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 2 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
Feeling an interest in your wellfare I think proper to inform you that there are numerous incendiaries in and about Washington employed by the British who are watching there opportunity to make way with you by the dagger or poison. I dowbt not that immediately on the receipt of this you will take effectual measures to prevent their insiduous purposes. Hoping that this may reach you in time I...
5213To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 27 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
A friend to the United States of America, who, with many other’s, is compelled against his will to fight on board of the vessels of your enemy, has, fortunately, at this time, an opportunity of transmitting you an information as he hopes may be of use to your country. He subscribes not his name, and has good reason for it: of which, ere long, you will undoubtedly be informed, and will so...
5214To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 27 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I presume to take the liberty of writing you a letter on a subject, which has and does at the present bear great weight on my mind, That is the treatment of the Soldiers of the 8th. Regt U S Infy., Since Major Daniel Appling has taken the command, delivered from Col. P Jack—Sometime about the first of last august, Major Appling to my certain knowledge has whiped soldiers since he has had the...
5215To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 2 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
I do not mean to dictate but only as a friend to your Administration and as one of the family of the Union to communicate my sentiments in a few particulars as briefly as I can conveniently. I have suggested to you a mode of raising an hundred thousand troops or militia by classing the Citizens of the United States in such a manner as that the amount of the State tax each class annually pays...
5216To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 12 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
The writer of this Communication deems it his duty as one of a suffering Community to state to the Executive of the United states that unless immediate measures are adopted to prevent the further drain of Specie from the middle & southern States that universal Bankrupcy must ensue. In gods name why not meet the Crisis firmly & utter at once fifty or one hundred millions of paper medium & make...
5217To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 15 February 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty to call your attention to certain Strictures contained in the 2d & 3d columns of the second page in the inclosed news paper. To you Sir the Nation has a right to look for an honest upright man at the head of the Treasury department. The People of the United States have not only a right to expect Sir, that the high officer to whom you entrust the management of all the...
5218To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 21 April 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 April 1812, New York. Having just learned that the government intends to appoint an additional judge for the district of New York, recommends John Ferguson of this city. “He is a man of honor and probity, and sincerely attached to the present Administration of the General Government.” Believes that Governor Tompkins and Mr. Sanford would confirm this. “The appointment of Mr Ferguson would...
5219To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 20 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
There appears to be at this time 11. Sail of Armed Vessels Vitze. 4. 74s. Certainly 2 64s. 74 in disguise 2 Frigates 3 Sloops of War & two or three small Tenders or Cutters There appears to be at Blackstones Island Four sail Vitz: 1. 80 Gun ship which went up this morning 1 Transport 1 Brigg & 2 Sloops. In all 19 Sail vitzt. 1. 80 Gun ship 4. 74s. do 2 64 do 4 Frigates 3 Briggs 4...
5220To James Madison from the Merchants and Traders of Harrisburg, [ca. 2 March 1814] (Madison Papers)
Memorial of the Merchants & traders in the Borough of Harrisburg respectfully represent. That your memorialists having to transact much of their mercantile business with merchants in the city of Philadelphia through the medium of the Post office consequently are under the necessity of remitting by mail large sums of money to the merchants in the city of whom they purchase merchandize &ca. It...
5221To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
As a Citizen of the United states, I feel it my duty to give you the following information. I trust that the nature of the communication I am about to make, will equally remove the idea of delation or mischief towards the individual; but if such were the impressions it is to produce, as my only object is to serve the Country and yourself, my personal respect for you shall outweigh this...
5222To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 6 July] 1812 (Madison Papers)
I advise thee to be cautious and prudent. Massachusetts will not go to war. The union I fear will be shaken if war continues. Enclosed is a paper from which you may judge of the feelings of the People. RC ( NN ). Undated; date assigned here on the basis of a Salem, Massachusetts, 6 July postmark. Docketed by JM, “June 1812.” Enclosure not found.
5223To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, July 1812 (Madison Papers)
An old friend presumes to address you on a subject extremely interresting to the society of which he is immediately a member and not uninterresting to the goverment of his country . He should not have disturbed you at this time, this crisis in our political affairs, when every energy of your mind is known to be directed to the best interests of our country, amidst a number of almost...
5224To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 26 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
An officer in the British service, I have been dispatched to this place, by the order of my Goverment, for the purpose of arming, and rousing the Creek Nation of Indians, by every possible means , to make War on the people of the U.S. The policy adopted by my country, is such, as my breast cannot approve, and indeed, the cause , as well as the mode of prosecuting the war, on their part, I...
5225To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 6 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
On reading in one of our Public prints a definition of Treason given as by one of the Circuit Judges of the United States I was led to reflect whether or not it be timely and Advisable to amend or modify the Constitution of the United States so as to make it Treasonable to attempt to dissolve the Union or to aid or encourage it by writing publishing or pronouncing anything that might be...
5226To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 24 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
Rais’d by the honorable Suffrages of the American people, to the most dignified state amongst mankind, conjecture, is now lost in certainty and it may fairly be pronounced, that you were born for the benefit of the human family. It would be superfluous to attempt to show by any species of argument, that to those who have assisted in raising you to an emenence, to which they believ’d you were...
5227To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 14 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
Although I have not the honor to be personally acquainted with you, yet I shall take the liberty to write you a few lines. I am acquainted with the different political parties in this City, and throughout the State; and am in the freequent habit of discussing different Political subjects, with Federalists, Clintonians &c; and in general, with such as have not made up their minds, at all...
5228To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 23 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
The illicit commerce between Great Britain & the United States, through the Channels of Halifax, and amelia Island, being, as is supposed, unquestionable, would it not be adviseable to prohibit any Intercourse whatever with those places, and generally, with every place in the possession, &c. of G. B. on the Continent of North America, or within one hundred leagues thereof, or such other...
5229To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 4 October 1814] (Madison Papers)
As General Armstrong was one of your principal Secretaries, Bon Amie and Bottle Companion, enjoying your confidence in a super-eminent degree, it would be cruel, as well as ungenerous in me to doubt for a single moment his honor or veracity. In his letter to the public, he states, “that you informed him that you was also an object of the suspicions and menaces of the militia of the District.”...
5230To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 25 April 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 April 1811. “The Subject of this letter has given me much pain. It induces me to trespass on You for the 3d & last time.… No Benefit can result to me by this act; On the contrary I might draw upon myself, an host of Enemies, with the Secretary of War at their head.… The present letter is on the existing state of our Military Establishment & the arms & implements of War.… In adverting to our...