51From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 25 January 1816–31 March 1816] (Madison Papers)
On the question of publishing the secret journal & foreign correspondence of the Revolutionary Congs. it is not easy to give a satisfactory opinion, without some revisal of both. If a selection is made, the task ought to be executed with great care and without any tincture of partialities of any sort, and would be tedious & dilicate, even with that exemption. If an entire publication be...
52From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers & letter from Mr. Graham give the information from the Neptune in its first imperfect Edition. Mr. Dallas writes that at Philada. where the Ship was at the moment come to the Wharf, it was understood that the Baggage of Mr. G. & Mr. C. was on board, & that the Ship had sailed without them, because the time appd. for their arrival had elapsed. Nothing was sd. at Philada. of...
53From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 10 October] 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is of the greatest importance that the Creek war should be crushed before it can invite or co-operate with British or Spanish attacks in that quarter, or draw other Tribes into it. In this view and under the circumstances existing, the large force from Tennissee may be adopted under the usual regulations. The Choctaw Agency may be furnished with an acceptance by the Govt. of the aid of that...
54From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I rcd. from Mr. Graham during your trip to Loudon the inclosed letter from Mr. Bagot. The subject of it is delicate. The first remark is that it belongs to Congress, not to the Ex. unless provided for by conventional arrangement explanatory or supplemental. The 2d. remark is that it has the aspect of equity, and may have been countenanced by the conversations of our Minister at London. 3d. But...
55From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment recd. yours of the 8th. & 9th. A failure in the mail, occasioned the recet. of them at the same time. I have not had time to examine the Volunteer Act, which has been forwarded to me, the present mail which brought it, remaining but a short period, & that being occupied in reading papers &c. now sent to the Secy. of War, & others requiring attention. He will shew you those...
56From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I must ask the favor of you & Mr. Rush to attend to the subject of the letter from Mr. Munroe & the one inclosed in it. As the building proposed is to be on public ground, for pub: use, & eventually to be purchased, with rent in the mean time, paid, by the public, the Ex: sanction merits enquiry & consideration. There is always some risk of error, in yieding [ sic ] to sudden impulses,...
57From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
There is much force in the reasons given herein for an appt. of a Successor to Genl. Smith, which I had proposed to delay till our return to Washington, if not till the Meeting of Congs. Unless you think some other preferable on the whole to the Depy: Marshall, direct a Commission for him, or if you please a blank one, to be made out & forwarded for our signature. Yrs RC ( NN : Monroe Papers)....
58From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of yesterday between 5 & 6 OC and made known its contents to the Secy of W. & N. & to Genl. W. The information derived importance from the lateness of its date. You know that extensive & pressing calls have been made for militia, and we hope they will be prompt. Some of Laval’s horse, upwards of 100, arrived yesterday, & will be immediately where they ought to be. As our troops...
59From James Madison to James Monroe, [22 August 1814] (Madison Papers)
Since mine of this morning Tatham has arived and speaks of reinforcements to the first Column of the Enemy at Notingham. Taylor, I understand is also here just from Parker, with a report that the Enemy have 3000 in the Potowmac. This must be a great exaggeration, if there be not more shipping than we know of. It wd. seem not improbable that if they have land force of any sensible importance,...
60From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of Aug. 31. In allotting Genl. Pinkney to take charge of the Expedition, I was governed by the sole consideration that it was in a manner necessary to an effective organization of the military supplies. In every other view the arrangement is ineligible. It will risk delays. It may be unsatisfactory to others, particularly Govr. Mitchell who derives weight from his...
61From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from the Secy. of the Navy, gives you I presume, a confirmation of the happy success of Perry. I hope the final information from Chauncy may give us another subject for congratulations. I have detained the letter from Barclay. The exemption from the impost of articles imported by Pub. Ministers was deemed a stretch, and acquiesced in by the Rep: admn. rather than approved....
62From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 3d. inst: I think with you that it will be best to decline a correspondence with Cochrane & to substitute Mr. Baker. He is the proper functionary and ought to be preferred, if to be communicated with for other purposes, as is decided on. Cochrane may be simply answered that this course will be taken; and the answer may go not directly from yourself, but thro’ Mr....
63From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
Mr. De Neuville arrived here on Saturday and sets out this morning on his return. I inclose his letter of Credence with a note of the date of its delivery. Be so good as to have an answer to the K. of the Netherlands sent to me for signature. That to the K. of Wertemburg is returned. Friendly respects The inclosed letters [ sic ] from I. B. may be worth attention in estimating and comparing...
64From James Madison to James Monroe, 31 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure this moment of receiving yours of the 29th. inst: I am particularly glad to find that you will be able to set out at so early a day for Washington. To the advantage of preventing an inconvenient chasm in the public business, will be added the opportunity of a provident attention to the accomodations required by your establishment here. The House occupied by Mr. Smith is the...
65From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. 13. & 14 inst: with their respective enclosures. The affair of the Convention for exchanges is as you remark peculiarly embarrassing. I hope it will end, in a mutual liberation on parole of officers, and an improved condition of the privates, we retaining the 23 hostages standing agst. that number sent to England. The discharge of those hostages, without some...
66From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 24th. Mr. Coles leaves me this moment on his way to Washington. There will certainly be an advantage in sending him in a pub: vessel; and I am glad it can be done with so little expence. If the Congs: will Suffice for the pacific, it will be better than to send the Guerriere, which may possibly be wanted for other service. You have not yet alluded to my...
67From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I return the letters from Mr. Pinkney, Plumer, Gray &. Allen. The only objection to the appt. of L. recommended by Mr. P. is his being a foreigner. If there be no Citizen, fit for the place who is a competitor, the difficulty may be got over. Decide as you think best. There are blank commissions signed in the office of State. With respect to Col. Gray, it is to be remarked that a personal...
68From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Skinner to Genl. Mason, which merits attention as a circumstancial corroboration of other indications. I return also the letter from S. Kingston with the blank copy of the new licences. It is truly mortifying that an enemy depending on us for the necessaries of life should be permitted thus to regulate our whole trade as effectually by orders of the Cabinet as it...
69From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
I snatch the opportunity by the bearer of yours of this date, to send to the Ct. House for the next rider who does not call here, the line you request in answer. As the report alluded to is erroneous as I supposed it to have been, a contradiction seemed to be due to the manner in which it was given to the public. Mr. Gales you will see has undertaken one which will probably be sufficient....
70From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I have expressed a hope that you would leave Richmond before a Commission of Secretary of State, could reach it, yet as it may have happened otherwise, & as it may be agreeable to you to have it previously in your hands, I now inclose the document as just compleated. There is the less objection to this step, as in case it should pass you on the road, another can readily be made out on...
71From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
Since my arrival here I have recd. yours of the 25th: The claim of Aspinwall seems not to be resisted. Barney I understood did not wish the Consulate at London after knowing that no salary was attached to it. If I do not forget my conversation with Col. A: I noted that cirstance [ sic ] which did not extinguish his inclination. It will be proper that the individual appd. whoever he may be,...
72From James Madison to James Monroe, [11 March] 1812 (Madison Papers)
It has so happened that the above &c did not come to my knowledge till the arrival of the bearer. I return them with regret for the hurry. Mr. P. did not come to dinner with me owing as I presume to the late hour of our separation. I concur in the idea you express. RC ( DLC : John Henry Papers). Undated; in JM’s hand, written at the foot of Monroe to JM, 11 Mar. 1812 . Date assigned here on...
73From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
Among the papers herewith inclosed are letters from the Govt. at Santa fee, and among these one to the French Minister at Washington inclosing another to the Minister of Foreign relations at Paris. In opening the general packet addressed to the Executive, that for Serrurier was so involved as to be opened unintenti[on]ally at the same time. The more important one for Paris escaped this...
74From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Will it not be proper to make without delay the appts. for running the lines under the Treaty of Ghent. Promptitude on our side may produce it on the other, and it is particularly desireable to hasten the decision as to Moose Island. If nothing better can be done for Wilkinson, he may be employed for the most Western line, which as I recollect, may be traced without a science which he does not...
75From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Govr. C. to you, and add one on the same subject, to me from the district Atty. at N. Orleans. The course taken by Gen. Jackson is truly astonishing; the more so as his professional knowledge of municipal law, ought to have protected him agst. such a misguidence. Whatever may be the definition of a Camp, or the military authority within it, the latter can never be...
76From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Will you put the inclose case into the proper channel. It seems to have a fair claim to attention? The public I find are not yet apprised of the precise ground on which the arrangement at Quebec has left the subject of retaliation. Unless the original 23 hostages can be held in some situation responsible for those sent to England, I foresee complaint & reproach agst. the Ex: on the other hand...
77From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Wirt, and the letter & paper from Mr. Mitchell. You cannot do better than pursue the result of your consultation with Mr. Rush on the subject. He is acquainted with what passed between me & Judge Tucker & Mr. Wirt. It seems proper that Mr. Mitchell be instructed to send if he be permitted the persons under his care, to the U.S. We are bound by respect to the laws,...
78From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 12th. which was due yesterday, but the mail it seems lost a day between Washington & Fredg. I hope the arrival of Bloomfield will contribute to lessen the collisions, which are so inconvenient. In the mean time your & the Secy. of the Navy’s advice cannot but be useful; and I dare say, from Bloomfield’s character, that it will occasionally be acceptable to...
79From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 29 November 1816] (Madison Papers)
It will be proper to take the steps suggested by Mr. Joy for obtaining further information. My enquiry as to Nootka Sound had reference to the grounds of the Brit. claim there, and its analogy to that of the U.S. at the mouth of Columbia. See Vancouvre’s acct. of the B. proceedings at Nootka: also Capt: Morris’s communication to Mr Graham Ocr. 24. 1816. RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). Undated;...
80From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
I recd. duly yours intimating your intended visit to the Sulphur Springs. I hope you will derive from it all the benefit wished. The mail from the N. this morning brings nothing more than you will find in the enclosed N. paper. The paper from N. York did not come to hand. The final act of the drama at Paris is not yet announced. It would seem that the allies can if they please, force Louis...
81From James Madison to James Monroe, [6 September] 1811 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Hamilton from the John Adams reached me yesterday. He reposes to day, and will be with you tomorrow. I send by the bearer, the dispatches opened at the Dept. of State &c. The packets of less importance Mr. H. will take with him tomorrow. The Secy of the Navy you will observe suggests the disclosure of the intelligence recd. from Mr Russel. An abstract of the matter in the letter to Mr....
82Joseph Wheaton to James Monroe and James Madison, 1 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here on My way to upper and lower Sandusky ordered there by Major J.C. Bartlett D.Q. Master General who entered on the duties of his office in the place of Col Morrison this day —at 6. p.m. on reaching this met the post Rider, direct from upper Sandusky who presented Governor Meigs (who is also here with two hundred Men going on to Sandusky) with a letter from General Harrison—that...
83From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have received from Mr Graham the Communications to you from Algiers, which being copies I do not return. The course before us is obvious. The ground taken in the last instructions must be adhered to. The Dey must distinctly understand, that altho’ we prefer peace we are prepared for War; and will make no change in the late treaty, nor concession of any sort to avoid it. It appears from Shaws...
84From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
Among the inclosures is a very extry letter from Mr De Neuville. It was brought by his private Secretary from whom I thought it better for several reasons to receive it, than to let him proceed with it to your House. As its contents were neither known nor guessed, it was possible that they might call for an attention which my knowlege of them might hasten, and it was desirable for you that you...
85From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 29 June 1815] (Madison Papers)
Onís is to have a final conversation with Mr. Dallas today. From his answer in writing to the letter from Mr. D. it may be inferred that he will not concur in our proposition, whilst we cannot accede to his. It will consequently be necessary for a letter to go directly from the Dept. of State here to that in Spain, which may be sent by a special conveyance. In this mode a communication may be...
86From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
Nothing important has occurred since my last. The inclosed letter from Dr. Jackson was accompanied with a letter from the Emperor Nap: and another from Caulaincort, circulars, such as have been in our prints, with a few adaptations to the U.S. Genl. Wilkinson rejects an offered Commission for Treating with the N. W. Indians. The others appd. are Harrison, in his place, McArthur, & John Graham....
87From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 16. & 17. I return the letter of M. De Kantzow. Our expectation of letters from Mr. Russel, or of his speedy return, will justify our delay in taking up the subject, and will be a proper answer to it. It will be well not to encourage too much the idea of a treaty; first because, it is not very probable that Sweeden will admit her Colonies to be included, as a part of...
88From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
Herewith are the papers recd. from Mr. Hughs. He seems to have been no wise sparing of diplomatic politeness to the Spanish Govr. You will of course express the satisfaction afforded by the successful execution of his commission in reference to our Captive Citizens with an approbation of the interest taken in behalf of the English & French Captives; and forward the documents to Mr. Erving,...
89From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the written on your return to the City. It may be best to taper off with Sweeden by appointing a Scy. of L. to be Chargè on the departure of Russell and the reasons you give favor that of Hughes; whose wishes rather than understanding seem to have listened to your remarks on the subject. It must be kept in mind however, that in Case Mr. R. shd. chuse to prolong his...
90From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
Altho the inclosed letter is anonymous, the idea it suggests, of requiring an admission of our Cotton in a half man⟨u⟩factured State at least by nations whose luxuries fully manufa⟨c⟩tured, are admitted into the U.S. is not unworthy of attention. The general idea I believe has not escaped, in the instructions to Mr. Gallatin & Mr. Pinkney. But it may be well to enforce it and particularly in...
91From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I may perhaps consult too much my own wishes public & personal, and too little a proper estimate of yours, in intimating the near approach of a vacancy in the Department of State, which will present to your comparison, as far as lies with me, that sphere for your patriotic services, with the one in which they are now rendered. Should such a transfer of them be inadmissible or ineligible, on...
92Daniel D. Tompkins to James Monroe, 5 June 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Daniel D. Tompkins to James Monroe. 5 June 1815, New York. “A. Clark Esqr, who visits Washington with Mrs. Clark, for the benefit of her health, wishes to be made Known to the President and yourself. He is at present Clerk of the house of representatives of this State and was formerly my private Secretary. He is a young gentleman of good education & standing & I hope you will pardon the...
93From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favors of the 16 & 17. The communication of de Forrest is extremely interesting. The view it gives of the B. policy towards the U.S. is so strikingly just, and so strictly accords with that which has regulated the course of the Executive that it is much to be regretted that his paper is not in a form and is without an authority, to be published. If it had been in the form of...
94From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 23d. and learn with much pleasure that you are not disinclined to the Station wch. the one answered by it, presented to your consideration. In discharging the duties of this Station, I am aware that the Functionary must carry into it, a just respect for his own principles, and above all for the dictates of his Conscience. But with the mutual knowledge of our...
95From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of yesterday, with the accompanying papers was delivered by the Express today, by 2 oC. The subject of them presents itself in a very perplexing posture. Under the power implied where not expressly waived, the arrangement might be rejected; but respect for the character & motives of our functionary unites with other considerations against that course. The course you suggest has...
96From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 14th. The confidential letters in it were returned by the same mail addressed to you as you suggested. The case of Genl. Ripley is in several respects a delicate one. If he is not satisfied with being breveted, and insists on a Court of Enquiry as a matter of right, ought he not still to have one? A refusal may subject the administration, to a suspicion of...
97From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 16 from Fredg. is recd. That of the 11th. from Washington came also duly to hand. Be so good as to drop me notice of the day of your leaving Richmond, and previous notice as soon as you fix on the day of your intended departure from Albemarle. The information may be useful in regulating any intermediate communications that may be called for. I shall fix on my return to the City,...
98From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 2d. inst: last night. Your observations on the policy called for by the crisis produced by Hull’s surrender are entirely just; and I feel all the value of the aid you offer in meeting it in a proper manner. Both before & since our parting conversation on that subject, the idea has been revolved in the hope that some shape might be given to it worthy both of your standing...
99From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of the 16th. & 20th. the last misdated, and the former delayed by high waters. Your letter to Gen: Winder is best in the moderated temper you have given it. The return of the offensive paper from Prevost will be, however lenient in the manner, not a little grating to his pride. There is so little prospect of an armistice thro’ him, that it is scarcely worth while...
100From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
Since my return hither, the purpose of which I intimated in a line to Albemarle previous to my leaving home, I have recd. yours of the 3d. I hope the mountain air will contribute to re establish your health, and that you will not leave it till the effect is fully produced. Notwithstanding the Ns. paper Statement, neither a messenger nor dispatches have been recd. from our Ministers in Europe....