51To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 2 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed I send you a letter from Mrs. Lee to Mrs. Madison, to whom be pleased to present my best respects & wishes, which was intended to have been conveyed by Mr. Todd. It affords me very great satisfaction to hear from every quarter, that you enjoy in your delightful retirement fine health with philosophic Ease. That you may long continue in possession of these blessings, enhanced as they...
52To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 5 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
I was honored by your letter of March last on the 11th. of that month. The papers inclosed came safely to hand. The subject of the cotton culture, commerce and manufacture can never cease to be of primary interest to any man who understands and feels a concern in the means of promoting the wealth of the United States. The present embarrassments of the maritime commerce of the world, in which...
53To James Madison from Charles Stewart, 6 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have been honor’d by the receipt of your Excellencys letter & inclosures of the 30th Ulto. I hasten to assure you, that whatever is in my power to serve the General Fayett or his friends, will be afforded with the greatest pleasure. If Mr. Deperron is desirous of embarking onbd. the Franklin as a passenger, he is most heartily welcom, and to everything my Cabin & personal attention, will...
54To James Madison from Edward Caffarena, 12 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to present my respects to You Sir the 25th: of July last Year, giving you notice, that I had Shipped on Board the Ship Gosport of Philadelphia, Isaiah Bunker Master, two Boxes to your address containing a Statue of Bonaparte, with a Pedestal, and finding myself deprived of your new’s accusing the reception of the same, this induces me by way of precaution to inclose herein a...
55To James Madison from John Love, 15 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of seeing the President who passed on this road in the spring to Washington, and who being satisfyed from the appearance of the Lawler wheat contrasted with the common kinds, that it was not injured by the hessian fly, engaged with me for 200 bushls: for himself, and requested I would also reserve the same quantity for you, to whom He said He would write. Not having had the...
56To James Madison from Hezekiah Niles, [ca. 15] July 1817 (Madison Papers)
After revolving upon some suitable apology for intruding myself with the following statement and request, I have thought it most respectful to decline offering any, expect [ sic ] to observe that if ought appears to your better judgment improper in either, that you will attribute it to any thing else than a willingness on my part to act so in any respect towards you. For six years ending with...
57To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 17 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
On my return from Geneva, I found your friendly letter of March last. Most sincerely do I congratulate you on the happy & honorable termination of your political labours. Few indeed have the good fortune, after such career as yours, to carry in their retirement, the entire approbation of their fellow citizens with that of their own conscience. Never was a country left in a more flourishing...
58To James Madison from John Pope, 20 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
If you have retained a letter I wrote you about the first of April 1812 the day preceding your message to Congress recommending an embargo, you would oblige me by enclosing it or a copy to me by mail with an endorsment of the time or about the time it was received. I trust it is unnecessary for me to assure you that no improper use is intended to be made of the letter. I do not know if I was...
59To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
The promptitude & success of our subscription paper, now amounting to upwards of 20,000. D. with a prospect much beyond that renders the decision immediately necessary of some important questions which I had thought might have laid over to our periodical meeting the last of September. Having an opportunity of writing to Genl. Cocke, I invited him to join me in a visit to you on Friday the...
60Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The promptitude & success of our subscription paper , now amounting to upwards of 20,000.D. with a prospect much beyond that renders the decision immediately necessary of some important questions which I had thought might have laid over to our periodical meeting the last of September. having an opportunity of writing to Gen l Cocke , I invited him to join me in a visit to you on Friday the 25...
61To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
I am so far on my route westward, after having extended my tour to the East, as far as Portland, whence I return’d to Dover in N Hamshire, & came thence, by Concord, & Hanover, into Vermont, at windsor, & by montpelier, & Burlington to this place. I visited yesterday Rouse’s point, which is within a few hundred yards of the boundary line. I met her⟨e⟩ Genl Brown, and to morrow we proceed,...
62To James Madison from Thomas Todd, 27 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
I regret very much that your request respecting the horses has not been sooner complied with, the delay is attributible to a variety of causes, which it would be tedious to both you & myself to detail. I now have the pleasure of sending you four bays—One four years old, two of them five and one six—they have been since my last under the management of a person in whose Judgement & integrity I...
63Enclosure: Circular from Hezekiah Niles to Prominent Subscribers, 31 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
After revolving upon some suitable apology for intruding myself with the following statement and request, I have thought it most respectful to decline offering any, except to observe that if ought appears to your better judgement improper in either, that you will attribute it to any thing else than a willingness on my part to act so, in any respect towards you. For six years ending with the...
64To James Madison from Thomas Todd, 6 August 1817 (Madison Papers)
Since my return from Lexington from whence I wrote you, Mrs. T. has received two letters from her son Walter, pressing for permission to spend the ensuing winter in Philadelphia & attend the lectures of Dr. Cooper. As the request is complied with, I have to solicit the favour of you to advance to him (if convenient) such sum of money as you deem necessary for the outfit & to fix him there til...
65To James Madison from Joseph C. Cabell, 22 August 1817 (Madison Papers)
As soon after the afflicting scene produced by the death of my mother as I could find time to write I have copied the enclosed papers for the loan of which I return you my sincere thanks. It is to be regretted that such tables are not kept at all the colleges along the atlantic Coast, as well. They would soon throw abundant light on the nature of our climate. I have sent subscription papers...
66To James Madison from Charles Bagot, 26 August 1817 (Madison Papers)
We had hoped to have availed ourselves during the present month of Mrs. Madisons & your kind invitation to visit you in Virginia. Nothing but the intense heats, which have confined us almost entirely to the house, prevented our proposing to have this pleasure a fortnight ago. We anxiously hope that we are still not too late to be permitted to profit by your goodness, and we shall feel greatly...
67To James Madison from John French, 26 August 1817 (Madison Papers)
It is the Pride of an American citizen that he can under its republican institutions address his rulers without the Monarchical formalities which disgrace Euroupe. Under these impressions and during a time that tried “Men’s souls” under your administration, when a faction sought to have riven assunder our sacred blood bought Cinch of the Nation, (the Constitution), I had the presumtion to...
68To James Madison from Donald Fraser Sr., 30 August 1817 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to present, for the honour of Your acceptance, a copy of a few verses of mine; which, may afford you a few minutes’ amusement, at a leisure hour. For, triffles, light as air, may amuse a Philosopher, after profound reflection. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, Sir, Your Obdt. humble Servant P. S. A recent anecdote . When the President of the U. S. Landed in this City, a...
69To James Madison from Charles Stuart Waugh, 30 August 1817 (Madison Papers)
Could I take the liberty of asking the loan of Rollins Roman History?; or any other written on the Roman Commonwealth in yr library? Should the work be in the French language, it will be acceptable. The esteem and respect, with which you honored my Father, and which was duly appreciated by him; and above all yr love for the advancement of literature, will be I hope a sufficient apology for the...
70To James Madison from Jeremy Bentham, [September] 1817 (Madison Papers)
Length of intervals considered, our correspondence has been better suited to an antediluvian life, than to one which is so near its close as mine is. I mention this—not in the way of reproach to yourself, from whom at no time, to such an address as mine, was any answer at all matter of debt, but purely in the way of regret on my own account. Two works of mine—not to mention a number of others...
71To James Madison from Lewis Deblois, 3 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
It is with great reluctance I presume to address you on the subject of my private concerns, but the extreme anxiety of my family and friends on account of my present indigent situation, and the great need we have of succour from some source obliges me once more to trouble you. I will be as brief in my statement, and take as little of your valuable time, as my ability will permit. It is only a...
72To James Madison from Charles Bagot, 5 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday received your very kind letter of the 31st of last month, and we should immediately have set out on our journey to Montpellier, had I not just received some information which will make it unavoidably necessary for me to delay our journey for a few days. I am assured that the President is expected on the 10th or at latest on the 12th of this month in Washington, where He will remain...
73To James Madison from Antonio Capellano, 5 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
Understanding from Mr Lee that it was your desire I should go to your Seat to take your Bust in the month of September, I have the honour of informing you that I am now at leisure & will sett off at any moment you may be pleased to appoint. The price of a Bust, the natural size in Italian Marble is $800. I need not assure you Sir, that if you do me the honour of permitting me to take your...
74To James Madison from Richard Rush, 6 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
Considering the struggle that is now going on in Pennsylvania, as not wholly local, I have been led to dip my pen in it. A month ago I threw together some remarks for one of the newspapers. They unexpectedly came back to me a few days since in the form of a two-penny pamphlet. I venture to enclose you one of them for the amusement of a leisure moment. Although no official promulgation has yet...
75To James Madison from Charles Stuart Waugh, 8 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
If it is not giving you too much trouble, it will be doing me a great Kindness to be favoured with the loan of Hook; and I thank you extremely for your friendly offer. I have taken the liberty of sending you a Chemico, Agricultural work by Sir, Humphrey Davy. If it is new to you, you will be pleased with it. I have been told that you are devoted to the subject embraced in this work. I have the...
76To James Madison from William Eustis, 13 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
I should be wanting in justice to those feelings of respect and friendship which your invariable kindness and friendship have inspired if I neglected any longer to acknowlege your Letter of March last borne as I presume by Mr Preston to England and transmitted to me at Brussels a short time before my leaving that city for the Hague. A long time on its route it was the more welcome as an...
77To James Madison from George Graham, 15 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 10th Inst. covering a Letter to you from Mr. French was duly received. On examining the files of this Dept. it appears that his recommendations for a Commission in the Army were placed on file, but burnt with all the other papers of that description when the enemy were at this place. I return you Mr. French’s letter, And am with great respect & esteem—yours &c RC ( DLC ). Docketed...
78To James Madison from Armistead T. Mason, 15 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the Ultimo covering a subscription paper for the Central College of Va. Altho’ my knowledge of the deficiency of public spirit in this section of the state forbids me to hope for any considerable contributions in this County towards that Institution, yet it is an object so interesting & important that I will not be discouraged from making every...
79To James Madison from Morris Birkbeck, 18 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
I should have had the pleasure of presenting the inclosed letter to you on my way through Virginia in May, had not the circumstance of my travelling with a numerous family confined me in the direct route to Pittsburg. My motive for transmitting it to you now is the hope of interesting you in a plan for the benefit of a number of my countrymen, who, like myself, not having partaken of the...
80To James Madison from Joshua Stow, 20 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
Our semi-anual election for the State Legislature, was held this week on monday; the result of which, is the complete change of Connecticut. Hierarchy and Aristocracy no longer rule this state. In the House of Representatives there will be about two republicans to one federalist, and the republican-ticket for the nomination of twenty persons (from whom the twelve who compose the Governors...
81To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 25 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty to cover to you, by a late mail, a couple of printed copies of the Memoir on cotton, with some material additions, since it was returned in March last: It is not thought safe to publish it in the News papers, or, in any other way, to suffer the suggestions to come into the view of rival foreign governments or cotton growers. A ship, with 2200 bales of British E. I. cotton,...
82To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 12 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
The long and dangerous indisposition of my son at Hallifax Court house, so entirely deranged my plans for the continuance of journey through Amherst & Nelson, and return through Albemarle & orange to the city that I was compelled to retrace my steps by the same rout, without even being able to call at Monpellier to enquire after your health & that of Mrs Madison & Mr Todd: Unfortunately after...
83To James Madison from Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to make known to you, that on Tuesday the 7th. instant, at Charlottesville, a number of respectable Gentlemen of Albemarle and the adjacent Counties, who had held a prior meeting in form on the preceding evening with that view, united themselves to constitute an agricultural Society. An Organization was completed, many regulations were adopted, and the title of “Agricultural...
84To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
Our carriage arrivd sooner, somedays, than we expected, in consequence of which, and other considerations, connected with affrs at Washington (our horses also hir’d), I am forc’d to hurry on there. It was our intention to have been with you last night, but hearing that Mr Bagot is with you, we are under the necessity, on account of our equipment, our baggage being sent on, by Richmond, to...
85To James Madison from John Gardiner, 29 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
I take leave to present to you a Map (of the military bounty Lands in the Illinois Territory) which I have had engraved for the use of the Soldiers of the late Army; the utility of the Map, & the moderate price which I demand for it from such Soldiers as wish to have one, (a dollar) will I trust meet your approbation of its publication: permit me to add, that your directions “to Keep out of...
86To James Madison from Edmond Kelly, [ca. 30] October 1817 (Madison Papers)
It is almost unnecessary for me to mention that the diligence with which I am watched by the friends of England Caused that Inspection of all I write by which Traitors found themselves discovered. I find it has only encreased their Caution but not stopped their progress their hopes from recent promises of an Invasion seem to have encreased their Confidence. General perhaps Lord A Jackson has...
87To James Madison from Hezekiah Niles, [1 November] 1817 (Madison Papers)
National Education. Respectfully Addressed to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, Past Presidents of the United States. It is not a common occasion, venerable fathers of the republic, that could induce me to prefix your names to a public address. In my estimation, there is something in it that may make me liable to be considered indiscreet, if not impertinent, by some who will not take the...
88Hezekiah Niles to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, [ca. 1 November 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
It is not a common occasion, venerable fathers of the republic, that could induce me to prefix your names to a public address. In my estimation, there is something in it that may make me liable to be considered indiscreet, if not impertinent, by some who will not take the trouble to ascertain whether I am influenced by an honest intention , or not. I am unwilling to be suspected of either of...
89To James Madison from William Taylor, 3 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
It was not until a few days ago that I returned to this City, and only yesterday that I had the pleasure to receive Your note of the 25 Augt Covering a Letter for the President which I shall this day present to him, and altho’ the Consulship at Amsterdam was disposd of, before my wishes were Known to the President (as he himself has been pleased to state) yet your Letter is not only highly...
Extract from the proceedings of the AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY of Albemarle. Resolved , That Messrs. Thomas M. Randolph, John H. Cocke, Joseph C. Cabell, David Watson and James Barbour, be a committee, whose duty it shall be to consider of, prepare and report to a meeting to be called for that purpose, the plans or methods of proceeding, best calculated in their estimation for the attainment of the...
91To James Madison from Daniel Lescallier, 6 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to offer you the first and last numbers at the same time, of a publication, being a translation from the persian language to which I have employed some time since my leisure hours. I shall be happy if it is agreable. The explanation of your receiving the 1st. and 8th. or last at the same time, is that on the 12th. of may last I had given a letter of introduction to you, to one of our...
92To James Madison from George Tebbs, 8 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
At an early period of life, I was engaged in business of a mercantile nature, which from want of experience, and riper years soon rendered it expedient for me to look to some profession for future support. The crisis had formed and the determination taken, but a still more imposing task yet remained. Destitute of the advantages of education I viewd. the learned professions with mingled...
93To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
We are sadly at a loss here for a Palladio. I had three different editions, but they are at Washington, and nobody in this part of the country has one unless you have. If you have you will greatly aid us by letting us have the use of it for a year to come. It will come safely by the stage, and may be left at the stage office of either Milton or Charlottesville, & either postmaster will pay the...
94Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
We are sadly at a loss here for a Palladio . I had three different editions, but they are at Washington , and nobody in this part of the country has one unless you have. if you have you will greatly aid us by letting us have the use of it for a year to come. it will come safely by the stage, and may be left at the stage office of either Milton or Charlottesville , & either postmaster will pay...
95To James Madison from Charles Valérie de Perron, 18 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
Being at the moment of reaping the invaluable advantage of your powerful recommendation to Commodore Stewart, let me be permitted to follow the dictates of my heart in testifying you the whole extent of my gratitude, and how happy I feel to be indebted to you for the kind and gracious reception I have met with. Presented under your auspices, it was Scarce possible I should not have been...
96To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, 24 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
On receipt of the inclosed letter I wrote to Mr Jefferson saying that I did not wish to go to Williamsburgh—that if I could be so placed as to earn a moderate Income for the next year at Charlottesville I should prefer it: but that I meant to leave Philadelphia, & could not afford to subsist a twelve month on my present funds & unemployed. I wrote to the same purpose requesting an immediate...
97To James Madison from James Monroe, 24 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have been since my return here, so incessantly engaged in the most interesting business, that I have not had a moment to say any thing to you. I am now engaged in preparing the message for Congress, whose meeting is so near at hand, that I shall I fear be badly prepard. The question respecting canals & roads is full of difficulty, growing out of what has passd on it. After all the...
98To James Madison from Parke Street, 25 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
I some time since took the liberty of enclosing to you, a paper of which the one now forwarded is a Copy; And at the same time I requested of you if you saw no objection, to get your Lady to acknowledge the service of it, & that you would be so good as to return it to me by post. I was emboldened to make this request of you Sir, in Consequence of both you & Mrs. Madison having heretofore...
99To James Madison from George Tebbs, 1 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
A few days after my return from Orange, Capt. Winston call’d and obliged me with reading of your favour in answer to both him and myself, upon the subject we had address’d you. I feal the more sensibly my being prevented the pleasure of visiting Mtpelier as I intended; being obliged to attend Culpeper Court the succeeding week, a circumstance which did not occur during the short interview I...
100To James Madison from Robert Walsh Jr., 5 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
Immediately on the publication of the 2d. Vol. of the American Register, in the month of August last, I requested the publisher to send a copy, in my name, to Mr. Madison. Having been informed by Mr. Todd, at Montpellier, that it had not been received there, I, again, on my return to Baltimore, gave the same directions. These, I fear, were not complied with, as I was informed, a few days ago,...