1From James Madison to James Monroe, 31 October 1823 (Madison Papers)
I this moment only receive your letter of the 17th. Mine by this mail renders nothing more necessary in answer to it. I understand Mr. Crawford is so far recovered that he hopes to be on the road for Washington in a few days. His weakness I presume will make his journey very slow. Sending this with some other letters by an extra messenger who will hardly reach the P. Office in time I add only...
2From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 March 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your two letters of Jany. 17 & 22. were duly recd. I hope your health was restored as soon as was promised by the decrease of your fever, and that it continues to be good. I inclose a Circular required by the resignation of Mr. Key, to which I have nothing to add on that subject. Our Colleagues protest against a “Called Board” on any acct. tho’ I fear the Creditors of the university will be...
3From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 December 1819 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the copy of your Message. The moderation it breathes towards Spain will be approved generally at present, & universally hereafter. The time is passed when this policy could be ascribed to any other than its true motive. The present standing of the U.S. will secure to it a just interpretation every where. It is very satisfactory to learn that the greatest powers in Europe are...
4From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Jany. 26. came duly to hand. The information I wish to be obtained from Genl. Jackson is 1st. What was the form & dates of the appointments of Brigadier, and of Brevet Major General, accepted by him in his letter of June 8th. 1814. to the Secy. of war; and what the date of the Secretary’s letter inclosing the appointments. The term “form” refers to the distinction between...
5From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 September 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. a letter from H. Lee dated Nashville Aug. 24. stating that he had corresponded with Genl. Armstrong on the subject of the provisional order to Genl. Jackson of July 18. 1814, authorizing him on certain conditions to take possession of Pensacola; which order was not recd. by the General till on or about the 14th. of March 1815; and then open, and the envelope without post-mark; and...
6From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 10th. and return the correspondence between Col Mercer and yourself. Your letter to him of the 10th. was perfectly a propos, and can not fail I think to answer my purpose as well as yours; the substance of it being applicable to both, and coinciding with the promise of Col. M. in his letter of Novr. 12. to guard me as well as you from the threatened embarrassment. It...
7From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 October 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. from Mr. Jefferson your letter to him, with the correspondence between Mr. Canning & Mr. Rush, sent for his and my perusal, and our opinions on the subject of it. From the disclosures of Mr. Canning it appears, as was otherwise to be inferred, that the success of France agst. Spain would be followed by attempts of the Holy Alliance to reduce the revolutionized colonies of the...
8From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 December 1818 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed is of little consequence, but you will see that it ought to have been addressed to you. Dr. Eustis & his lady having given us a call, it was agreed that he & myself shd. make a short visit to Mr. Jefferson of whose state of health, I had never been able to get any precise information. We found him substantially restored from his indisposition, with good appetite, and in the daily...
9From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 3d. instant, with copies of your two letters to Judge White now returned, were not received till they had made a trip to Montpellier in Vermont; as happened at the same time to three letters from our co-visitors of the University. The letter to you from Mr. Ringold, referred to as inclosed, was omitted. Your explanatory communications to Judge White are very important, and I hope...
10From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 December 1823 (Madison Papers)
A most distressing picture has been presented to me of the condition of Mr. Cathcart and his numerous family, in the hope that as his official services which have had such a termination, were rendered whilst the Executive administration was in my hands, I might be induced to say something in his behalf. It is impossible to learn his actual distress and alarming prospects without sympathy; but...
11From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 August 1817 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of July 27. from Plattsburg was duly received, and I am very glad to learn from it, that the fatiguing scenes through which you have passed, had not prevented some improvement in your health. The sequel of your journey will have been still more friendly to it, as affording a larger proportion of the salutary part of your exercise. I hope you will find an ample reward for all the...
12From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 November 1823 (Madison Papers)
In the hurry of acknowledging yours of Ocr. 17. recd. at the last moment of the opportunity for the post office, I did not advert to the passage relating to enquiries to be made of Genl. Jackson. I hope you have not delayed your intended letter to him on that account. I should suppose it might be quite proper to ask from him copies of the documents appointing him Brigadier or Majr. General by...
13From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 13th. I beg that you will not think of the pecuniary subject till it be in every respect, perfectly convenient to you. The real sense of the nation with regard to the Revolutionary struggle in S. America can not, I should suppose, be mistaken. Good wishes for its success, and every lawful manifestation of them, will be approved by all, whatever may be the...
14James Madison to James Monroe, 15 December 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 7th. You will not doubt that our sympathies have been fully with you during the afflictions which have befallen you. I think you have done well in chusing your present situation, & for the reasons you express. I hope you will experience from it all the improvement which your health needs, and every advantage promised by it. My fear is that the Winter may be too rude...
15From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 22d. has been duly recd. I am so much aware that you have not a moment to spare from your public duties, that I insist on your never answering my letters out of mere civility. This rule I hope will be applied to the present as well as future letters. My quere as to the expedition agst. Amelia Island turned solely on the applicability of the Executive Power to such a case....
16From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have rcd. your favor of the 3d. I am much obliged by the kind manner in which you speak of my Nephew. I hope you will always consider expressions of my good will in such cases as perfectly subordinate to public considerations, and superi[o]r pretensions. In the present case I am not sure that the appt. of my nephew to the place in question ought to be desired even by himself, unless Col:...
17From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 February 1822 (Madison Papers)
A letter from Mrs. Dallas has just come under my eye, by which I find she is subsisting on very scanty resources, and is under impressions that two of her sons particularly, are not as well off as the public services of their father, and their own personal worth had promised. The elder one belonging to the Navy has, it seems, been a considerabl⟨e⟩ time without a ship. The other, George, tho’...
18From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 October 1817 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. was handed to me by your servant, at a moment & place which did not permit me to acknowlege it by him. We regretted very much the circumstances which deprived us of the expected pleasure of seeing you all on your way to Washington. I inclose the copy of your letter to Gen: Jackson. Your reasonings on the singular step taken by him can scarcely fail to convince him of...
19From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 September 1826 (Madison Papers)
Inferring from the silence of the Newspapers, since they announced your appointment as a visitor of the University, that your answer did not require a replacing one, I take for granted that you will be with your colleagues at the legal place & period. Allow me to count on your being thus far on your way in time for us to proceed hence together: I propose to set out on saturday after next: and...
20From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 October 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. yours of the 27th. Ulto. I am very sorry that I shall not be able to have the pleasure of joining you at the Meeting of the Visitors. We must await therefore that of seeing you & Mrs. M. on your way to Washington; and hope you will set out in time to spare us some days. The communications from Mr. Rush are very interesting. G. B. seems so anxious to secure the general trade...
21From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your two letters of the 13 & 15th. inst came together by the last mail (sunday evening) too late to be answered by its return on monday morning. I had recd. the printed circular of Judge Brooke notifying our Electoral nominations, on thursday last, but in the night, & not to be answered by the return Mail, which passes our post office, between 5 & 6 miles distant, by day light. The printed...
22James Madison to James Monroe, 20 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Feby. 23. was not recd. before the last mail tho’ having the Aldie post mark on the day of its date. Whether it was not duly forwarded, or was so long overlooked at the office here is not known. The latter was probably the case. We hope the agreeable information you gave of Mrs. Monroe’s convalescence has been justified by, her entire recovery. I need not now say that I recd. at the...
23From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 December 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. from Mr. Lear engaged in settling the accounts of General Hull, a request of what I may recollect on the question, whether there was a stipulation or understanding, that the General was to receive his salary as Governour, as well as his military pay. I have simply answered that my memory does not furnish any evidence which ought to influence the decision of the question. As the...
24James Madison to James Monroe, 15 September 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 10th. with a full sense of your kindness in taking so much interest in my health. Subsequent to your call on me, I had a return of fever which reduced me to a state of greater weakness than I had before experienced. For several weeks passed, have been on the recovery in strength as well as health; and if no relapse takes place, I may be able to give my attendance at...
25From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 February 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favor of the 5th. followed by a copy of the public documents; for which I give you many thanks. I should like to get a copy of the Journals of the Convention. Are they to be purchased & where? It appears to me, as it does to you, that a coupling of Missouri with Maine, in order to force the entrance of the former thro’ the door voluntarily opened for the latter is, to...
26From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Morris who was employed for several years on a confidential Mission to Spain, observes to me that in executing the trust, he incurred expences, particularly in being transferred from Cadiz to Madrid, and during his residence at the latter place, which in the then circumstances of Spain were great beyond foresight, and moreover in providing a Clerk for whose services he had occasion: and he...
27From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Ths. Lehré of S. C. is a candidate for the vacant Collectorship of Charleston, and writes that I shd bear some testimony to you in favor of his pretensions. Not having any personal knowlege of him this can relate only to his political sentiments and conduct as they were from time to time communi[ca]ted to me, and to the general standing which I have understood him to possess with his...
28From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. did not come to hand till the evening before the last. From a communication just had with my nephew, I find that he is anxious not to lose the chance of the Secretariship to the Board under the Treaty, and seems to be encouraged in his hopes by his friend Col: Barbour. It will be agreeable to him therefore, if not objectionable, that his appt. to the other place you...
29From James Madison to James Monroe, [5 August] 1818 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival here last evening I learnt that you had reachd home the day before yesterday. I am sorry I could not have the pleasure of seeing you at Montpellier on your way, And the regret is increased by the circumstances which prevent me from making the detour necessary to call on you. I left my mother much indisposed, and my sister Rose who was on a visit to her critically ill; and having...
30From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 March 1818 (Madison Papers)
I find that Mr. H. Carroll, son of Charles Carroll, who brought over the Treaty of Ghent, is very desirous, as is his father, that he should be appointed to a land office on the Missouri. You are so well acquainted with the worth of the latter both as a man and a patriot, and probably also with the character of the son, that I ought perhaps on that account alone to forbear saying a word on the...
31From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
A very near friend of Mr. Stone of Fredg. who is not ignorant of my having on former occasions testified my regard for his worth & his welfare, is very anxious that I should bring him again to your view. It seems that Mr. Stone has turned his thoughts & his hopes to the vacancy lately produced by the death of Col. Freeman; and the application to me has a more immediate reference to that...
32From James Madison to [James Monroe?], 3 November 1822 (Madison Papers)
My neighbour & your Acquaintance Mr Richard Taliaferro is desirous that one of his sons should receive a military education at West Point. His progress in the preparatory studies is certified by his present Tutor, and I have myself had a slight opportunity of witnessing that he has some knowledge of Latin. Of his general character I know nothing which is not favorable. If there be no bar to...
33James Madison to James Monroe, 21 April 1831 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. yours of the . I considered the advertisement of your estate in Loudon as an omen that your friends in Virginia were to lose you. It is impossible to gainsay the motives to which you yielded in making N. Y. your residence, tho’ I fear that you will find its climate unsuited to your period of life and the State of your health. I just observe and with much pleasure, that the...
34From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of Mar. 27. & April came duly to hand. You know already that I submit the recommendations which I can not sometimes decline, in entire subordination to your view of the comparative merits & pretensions before you. I think you perfectly right in not allowing locality to give exclusive claims to offices of general concern. I did not forget the name of Dr. Torrey, when in...
35From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 August 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the inclosing papers from the war office. The path I am endeavouring to trace is so dark & tortuous and the official lights left by the Ex-functionary behind him so scanty, that I find it difficult to do justice to the subject. It may be of some use perhaps to understand precisely in what cases usage may have sanctioned “letters of appointment,” instead of regular...
36From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 29th. Ult: was recd. by the last mail. I have not yet heard from Judge Brook, but may perhaps do so by the mail of this evening. The task imposed on us by the Convention is of so delicate a nature, that with their foreknowledge of our purpose, it ought to have been forborne. Your idea of alluding to the advantage of having the experienced Counsel of Ex. Presidts. in trying...
37From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last mail a letter from J. H. Causten, accompanied by a huge volume of Documents, and a stout pamphlet of arguments, with a printed letter to him from Mr. Pickering, on the mercantile claims agst. France, and the release of her from them by the U.S. All these articles have been doubtless sent to you also, as I am requested by Mr. C. to forward the inclosed Certificate of Agency,...
38From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 October 1823 (Madison Papers)
The friends of Mr. Geo: Conway now of Alabama, who are among my near & much respected Neighbours, understanding that an Office of Register of land is become vacant by the election of its holder to Congress, are anxious that I should name him for consideration in appointing a successor. Notwithstanding the claim they think they have to my favorable attention, I yield to their wishes with a...
39From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 November 1818 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the “Message” put under cover to me. The topics which it embraces are well presented to public attention. None of the Documents have reached us. Those relating to S. America, are I find objects of much curiosity. The inference you draw from them, leaves no doubt however as to their general complexion. I can not learn the precise state of Mr. Jefferson’s convalescence. I fear it...
40From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday’s mail brought me your favor of the 16th. with a Copy of your message: the only one reaching me; no newspaper containing it having come to hand. The view you have taken of our affairs can not but be well received at home, and increase our importance abroad. The State of our finances is the more gratifying as it so far exceeds the public hopes. I infer from the language of your letter...
41James Madison to James Monroe, 29 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment recd. yours of the 25th., and having a casual oppy. to the P. O. this evening shall get an answr. into the mail tomorrow morning. The 10th. of July is as you suppose the day for the Meeting of the Visitors, and I shall look for you here in due time. It ought to be on the 8th. at the latest. I am glad to find you so successful in overcoming the successive attacks on your...
42From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ your personal and official acquaintance with Mr. J Graham, be well known to me, I can not, on the occasion of my final departure fr⟨om⟩ the public service, satisfy myself, without expressing my sense of his great merit. Mr. Graham, recommended by my knowlege of his public Agency abroad, and of his private virtues, was invited into the Department of State, as the Chief under the Head of...
43From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 December 1823 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by yesterdays Mail your favour of the 4th. covering a copy of the Message, and another copy under a blank cover. It presents a most interesting view of the topics selected for it. The observations on the foreign ones are well moulded for the occasion, which is rendered the more delicate and serious by the equivocal indications from the British Cabinet. The reserve of Canning, after his...
44From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 1st. inst: came on slowly. I return the letter from Mr. Ingersoll whose continued drudgery in his profession, would be to be lamented, if his release from it would ensure such fruits of his literary pen, as one of his discourses to the Society, Philosophical (I think), which contained the ablest & most valuable Tableau of the Condition of the U.S. that has been published. I return...
45James Madison to James Monroe, 16 June 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have already apprised you of your mistake of the day for the meeting of the Visitors, which is the 10 th not the 15th. of July. I now wish you to know that we propose to pay a visit to Col: Lindsay, on our way, and on the following day, another. This will make it necessary to set out on Monday the 8th. You must not fail therefore to be here on the saturday or sunday preceding, and as much...
46From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
The mail of saturday brought me the Copy of your message. It is a fine landscape of our situation, and can not fail to give pleasure at home, and command respect abroad. The recommendation of the repeal of taxes is happily shaped; so also the introduction of the subject of amending the Constitution. The only questions which occur, relate to the proposed suppression of the establishment at...
47From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
Having just recd. a letter stating the circumstances in the extract enclosed, I have thought it not amiss, that they should be known to you. You will be able, or can be enabled to judge how far they merit attention. Some of them, if there be no error in the statement, seem to require & admit of correction. You will observe that the information is from a source professing & I believe truly to...
48From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. a letter from Mr. Stone, wch. I inclose as the shortest mode of making his wishes known to you. As you are well acquainted with his character, I need say little on that head. He has been unfortunate in his mercantile career, as I presume you know; but has not suffered I believe in a moral point of view. He is certainly a man of excellent understanding, of gentlemanly manners,...
49From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 31. ult. The retrospective claim for Newspapers has been made on me, in one instance only, since I was out of office. A printer in Vermont sent me a charge for a weekly paper during my term of 8 years, several years after I was out of office. I answered that I had never subscribed for the paper, and had always supposed it to have been forwarded without pecuniary...
50James Madison to James Monroe, 11 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of yours of the 5th. I wrote immediately to Mr. Trist, to forward you a copy of the Resolution you wish. Not having yet recd. the circular transcript of the Proceedings of the Session, I could not furnish one myself. I have desired Mr. Trist also to authenticate to you the day for the next meeting of the Visitors; for which my recollection assigns, the first day of October. You...