1Address of the President to Congress, 8 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and House of Representatives. In meeting you again I feel much satisfaction in being able to repeat my congratulations on the favorable prospects which continue to distinguish our public affairs. The abundant fruits of another year have blessed our Country with plenty, and with the means of a flourishing commerce. The progress of public credit is witnessed by a...
2From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 1 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit for the information of Congress letters recently recieved from our Consuls at Gibraltar and Algiers , presenting the latest view of the state of our affairs with the Barbary powers. The sums due to the government of Algiers are now fully paid up: and, of the gratuity which had been promised to that of Tunis , and was in course of preparation, a small portion only remains still to be...
3From Alexander Hamilton to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [31 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Arrangement made by the President of the United States, with respect to the subdivisions of the several districts thereof into surveys, the appointment of officers, and the assignment of compensations, pursuant to the act of Congress, passed the third day of March, 1791, entitled “An act repealing, after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits, imported...
4From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 25 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
No occasion having arisen, since the last account rendered by my predecessor, of making use of any part of the monies heretofore granted to defray the contingent charges of the government, I now transmit to Congress an official statement thereof to the 31st. day of December last, when the whole unexpended balance, amounting to 20,911. D 80 c was carried to the credit of the Surplus fund, as...
5From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 17 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before both houses of Congress, for their information, the report from the Director of the Mint now inclosed. RC ( DNA : RG 46 , LPPM , 7th Cong., 1st sess.); entirely in TJ’s hand; date reworked by TJ from 16 to 17 Feb.; endorsed by a Senate clerk. PrC ( DLC ). RC ( DNA : RG 233 , PM
6From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 2 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before you 1. a return of Ordnance , arms, & military stores the property of the US. 2. returns of muskets & bayonets fabricated at the armouries of the US. at Springfield & Harper’s ferry, and of the expenditures at those places: and 3. an estimate of expenditures which may be necessary for fortifications and barracks for the present year. Besides the permanent magazines established...
7From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 11 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now communicate to you, a memorial of the Commissioners for the City of Washington together with a letter of later date, which, with their memorial of Jan: 28: 1801 . will possess the legislature fully of the state of the public interests, & of those of the city of Washington, confided to them. The monies now due, & soon to become due to the State of Maryland, on the loan guarantied by the...
8From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 22 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I communicate for information a copy of the speech of Arthur St. Clair , governor of the territory N.W. of the Ohio, delivered to the Convention assembled under the act of Congress for enabling that territory to form a constitution & for it’s admission into the union, which copy has been transmitted to me through authentic channels. This outrage on the justice and wisdom of the National...
9From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 26 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Some statements have been lately recieved of the causes decided or depending in the courts of the Union, in certain states, supplementary, or corrective of those, from which was formed the general statement accompanying my message at the opening of the session. I, therefore, communicate them to Congress, with a report of the Secretary of State, noting their effect on the former statement, and...
10From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 16 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now transmit a statement of the expences incurred by the US. in their transactions with the the Barbary powers , and a Roll of the persons having office or employment under the US. as was proposed in my messages of December the 7th. and 22d. neither is as perfect as could have been wished; and the latter not so much so as further time & enquiry may enable us to make it. The great volume of...
11From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 24 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I communicate to both houses of Congress a Report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of our Marine hospitals , which appear to require legislative attention . As connected with the same subject, I also inclose information respecting the situation of our seamen and boatmen frequenting the port of New Orleans, and suffering there from sickness & the want of accomodation. there is...
12From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 18 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
In a message of the 2d. instant, I inclosed a letter from the Secretary at War on the subject of certain lands in the neighborhood of our military posts, on which it might be expedient for the legislature to make some provisions. a letter recently recieved from the Governor of Indiana presents some further views of the extent to which such provision may be needed. I therefore now transmit it...
13From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 27 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before you the accounts of our Indian trading houses , as rendered up to the 1st. day of January 1801. with a report of the Secretary at War thereon, explaining the effects and the situation of that commerce, and the reasons in favor of it’s further extension. but it is believed that the act authorising this trade expired so long ago as the 3d of March 1799. it’s revival therefore as...
14From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 22 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose sundry documents supplementary to those communicated to you with my message at the commencement of the session. two others , of considerable importance, the one relating to our transactions with the Barbary powers , the other presenting a view of the offices of the government , shall be communicated as soon as they can be compleated. RC ( DNA : RG 233 , PM , 7th Cong., 1st...
15From James Madison to the Senate, 26 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
To the Senate of the United States. The considerations which led to the nomination of a Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia, being strengthened by evidence since received of the earnest desire of the Emperor to establish a diplomatic intercourse between the two Countries, and of a disposition in his Councils favorable to the extension of a commerce mutually advantageous; as will be seen by the...
16From James Madison to the Senate, 21 December 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 December 1812. Nominates seven men, “Midshipmen since 1806, and now acting Lieutenants,” to be lieutenants in the U.S. Navy and nine, including Samuel P. Todd, to be pursers. Printed copy ( Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). , 2:312).
17From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 1 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Robert Williams of North Carolina to be Governor of the Missisipi territory. Daniel T. Tomkins of New York to be judge of the court of the District of New York. RC ( DNA : RG 46, EPEN , 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC ( DLC ); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Notation in SJL : “Nomns. Williams. Tompkins.” On this day, Isaac A. Coles delivered the message to...
18Enclosure: Draft Message on Western Defense, 16 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate The pacific measures which were adopted for establishing peace between the U.S. and the North Western Indians, having proved ineffectual, and the military operations which thereon became necessary, tho’ successful in the first instances, being otherwise in the last as was stated to you in my communication of instant, it behoves us to look forward in time to the further...
19From James Madison to the Senate, [4 April 1816] (Madison Papers)
I withdraw the nominations of John Balkam, William Campbell and John Burley, as stated in my message of the 21st March: and I nominate the said John Balkam, of Massachusetts, to be principal assessor for the 1st. Collection district of the same state in the place of Shubael Downes resigned: The Said William Campbell of Virginia, to be principal assessor, for the 10th Collection district of the...
20From James Madison to the Senate, 22 January 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 January 1810. Transmits a report of the secretary of the treasury “on the subject of Disbursements in the intercourse with the Barbary Powers” in response to the Senate resolution of 27 Dec. 1809. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, 11A-E4). RC 1 p. Enclosures are Gallatin to JM, 16 Jan. 1810 (1 p.), transmitting accounts of expenditures, 1805–9 (153 pp.). Printed in...
21Reply of the President to the Senate, [13 December] 1790 (Madison Papers)
These assurances of favorable attention to the subjects I have recommended, and of entire confidence in my views, make the Impression on me which I ought to feel. I thank you for them both. And shall continue to rely much for the success of all our measures for the public good, on the Aid they will receive from the wisdom and integrity of your Councils. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Senate Records); FC (...
22From James Madison to the Senate, 29 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I nominate, Alexander Scott of Maryland, to be commissioner under the act providing for the payment for property lost Captured or destroyed by the Enemy and for other purposes. John J Abert to be Topographical Engineer in the Souther[n] division of the army. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1). In John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . The Senate approved the...
23From James Madison to the Senate, 22 February 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1810. Transmits a report from the secretary of the treasury in compliance with a Senate resolution of 16 Feb. 1810. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, 11A-E4). RC 1 p. For enclosures, see Gallatin to JM, 22 Feb. 1810 . Received, read, and tabled on 23 Feb. ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States ... (42 vols.;...
24From James Madison to the Senate, 17 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I Nominate William R. King, of North Carolina to be Secretary of the Legation to Russia. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1). In John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . The Senate approved the nomination on 23 Apr. 1816 ( Senate Exec. Proceedings, Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). 3:46).
25From James Madison to the Senate, 3 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with their resolution of the 3d instant, the Senate are informed that the office of the Secretary of the Treasury is not vacated, and that, in the absence of Albert Gallatin, commissioned as one of the Envoys to treat with Great Britain and Russia, the duties of that office are discharged by William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, authorized therefor according to the provisions of...
26George Washington to the Senate, [ca. 4 January 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Your house has been pleased to communicate to me their resolutions, purporting a decision by them that it is expedient &c. From whence an implication arises that in their opinion they might have decided that no such appointments were expedient. After mature consideration and consultation, I am of opinion that the constitution has made the President the sole competent judge to what places...
27From James Madison to the Senate, 2 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
I nominate, Valentine Southall, of Virginia to be collector of direct tax and internal duties for the 19th collection district of the same State in the place of Thomas. J. Randolph resigned. Peyton S. Symmes, of Ohio to be register of the land office at Cincinatti in the Same State in the place of Symmes removed. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A2). In John Payne...
28From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 13 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate James Bowdoin of Massachusets Minister Plenipotentiary for the US. at the court of Madrid. George W. Irving of Massachusets to be Secretary of legation for the US. at the court of Madrid. William Brown, late of Columbia, now of Orleans, to be Collector of New Orleans. William Lyman of Massachusets to be Surveyor & Inspector for New Orleans. Thomas Tingey of Columbia to be a captain...
29From James Madison to the Senate, 25 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
Commissions having been issued during the recess of Congress to the following persons as Collectors of direct taxes and internal duties, I now nominate them to the Collectorships respectively annexed to their names. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1). In John Payne Todd’s hand. Of the appended list of fifteen names in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM , the Senate...
30From James Madison to the Senate, 26 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
Commissions having issued during the recess of the Senate to the following persons, I now nominate them to the Offices respectively annexed to their names. … RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1). In John Payne Todd’s hand, followed by a list, in a clerk’s hand, of nineteen nominees to be principal assessors of the revenue throughout the nation, signed by JM . The...
31From James Madison to the Senate, 28 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
I transmit to the Senate a Report of the acting Secretary of the Treasury, containing the information requested by their Resolution of the 27th. inst. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 46, President’s Messages, 13A-E4). For enclosure, see n. 1. JM enclosed a report from William Jones, 28 July 1813 (3 pp.; printed in ASP American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of...
32From James Madison to the Senate, 29 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I nominate, John B. Jasper, to be Surveyor of the port of Slades Creek North Carolina in the place of Osmond Tooley resigned. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1). In John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . The Senate confirmed the nomination on the same day ( Senate Exec. Proceedings, Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3...
33From James Madison to the Senate, 20 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I nominate William Wirt of Virginia to be Attorney of the United States for the District of Virginia in the place of George Hay resigned. Constant Freeman, late of the Army of the United States, to be Accountant of the Navy, in the place of Thomas Turner deceased. Miles King, of Virginia to be the Navy Agent at Norfolk, in place of John H. Fawn resigned. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive...
34From James Madison to the Senate, 18 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I Nominate, John Swart, of New York to be Collector of the direct tax and internal duties for the Seventh district of the Same State in the place of George Tiffany resigned. Jacob Tysen, of New York, to be principal assessor for the 26th district in the same state in place of David Mersereau resigned. William P. Moore of Virginia to be principal assessor for the 26th, district of the same...
35From James Madison to the Senate, 6 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
I nominate Shubael Butterfield of New Hampshire Thomas G. Chase ″ Massachusetts Robert Lyman ″ Ditto William Brown ″ New York Edwin B. Newton ″ Ditto John H. Duncan ″ Pennsylvania Elijah J. Weed
36From James Madison to the Senate, 8 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I nominate Jacob D. Williamson, of Virginia, to be principal Assessor of the 8th collection district of the same State, in the place of John Stephenson, resigned. Hasting Jennings, of South Carolina, to be Collector of direct taxes and internal duties, for the 8th collection district of the same State; William Langley having declined the appointment. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings,...
37From James Madison to the Senate, [ca. 7 February 1817] (Madison Papers)
I nominate Henry Wilcox of Ohio, to be surveyor and inspector of the port of Marietta same state in the place of Joseph Wilcox deceased. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A2). In John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . Undated; date assigned based on the date published in Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of...
38From James Madison to the Senate, 29 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I nominate William Gamble of New Jersey, as Consul for the Island of St Eustatia. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1). In John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . The Senate approved the nomination the same day ( Senate Exec. Proceedings, Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). 3:5o, 51–52).
39From James Madison to the Senate, 23 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
I transmit to the Senate a report of the Acting Secretary of War, in compliance with their resolution of the 8th instant. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages, 14A–E6). RC in John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . JM enclosed a report from George Graham (see Graham to JM , 21 Jan. 1817 ), providing “the amount of money paid by the government of the...
40From James Madison to the Senate, 21 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I nominate, Emanuel Wambersie of Georgia, to be consul at Ostend, in the Low Countries. Henry Wilson, of Maryland, to be consul at L’Orient in France. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1). In John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . The Senate approved the nominations on 1 Apr. 1816 ( Senate Exec. Proceedings, Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the...
41From James Madison to the Senate, 24 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I Nominate, Claude Crozet, to be professor of Engineering at the Military Academy. William Tell Poussin, to be assistant Topographical Engineer. Adam Lynn, of the County of Alexandria, to be a justice of the peace for the Same County in the place of William Newton deceased. George A Thornton of the County of Alexandria to be a justice of the peace for the same county in the place of John...
42From James Madison to the Senate, 10 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I lay before the Senate for their consideration & advice, as to a ratification Treaties concluded with the Several Indian Tribes according to the following Statement. List of Indian Tribes with whom treaties have been made since the last Session of Congress viz. Weas, and Kickapoos tribes of Indians Treaty concluded at Fort Harrison between Benja. Parke and the Chiefs & Head men of those...
43From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 2 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Robert Smith, now Secretary of the Navy, to be Attorney General of the United States. Jacob Crownenshield of Massachusets to be Secretary of the Navy. Obadiah Jones of Georgia to be one of the judges of the court of the Missisipi territory. PoC ( DLC ); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Isaac A. Coles delivered TJ’s message to the Senate on 2 Mch. The Senate dispensed with the...
44From James Madison to the Senate, Ca. 7 February 1817 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To the Senate. Ca. 7 February 1817. Forwards a list of twenty-five people nominated for appointments as army surgeons, surgeons’ mates, engineers, paymasters, and lieutenants in the infantry and rifle regiments. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A2). 1 p.; in John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . Undated; date assigned based on the date published in Senate Exec....
45From James Madison to the Senate, 24 February 1817 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To the Senate. 24 February 1817. Nominates twelve officers and thirty-five midshipmen for promotion in the Navy. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A2). 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and dated by JM (printed in Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1828). , 3:79).
46From James Madison to the Senate, 26 February 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 February 1813. “I nominate Brigadier General James Wilkinson, Brigadier General Wade Hampton, William R. Davy of South Carolina, Morgan Lewis now Quarter Master General, William H. Harrison of Indiana Territory, and Aaron Ogden of New Jersey, to be Major Generals in the Army of the U. States. “Thomas Posey to be Governor of the Indiana Territory. “George Poindexter to be a Judge of the...
47Enclosure: Draft of Message to the Senate, [before 12 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
By a resoln of the Senate of the 14th. of May. 1800. the President was requested to instruct the proper law officer to prosecute William Duane editor of the newspaper called the Aurora for certain publications in that newspaper of the 19th. of Feb. 1800. learning on my accession to the administration that the prosecution had been so instituted as to rest principally, if not solely, on the act...
48From James Madison to the Senate, 2 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
I nominate the persons named in the accompanying list for the Offices respectively, as stated in the letter from the Secretary of War. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 14B–A1); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 94, Letters Sent). RC in John Payne Todd’s hand, signed by JM . For enclosures, see n. 1. JM enclosed a 28 Dec. 1815 letter from Secretary of War William...
49From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 1 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate the following persons to office, as respectively stated. David Latimore of the Missisipi territory to be a member of the legislative council thereof, in the place of Adam Bingaman who declined qualifying; the said David Latimer being one of two persons nominated by the House of Representatives of the sd territory for appointment in the place of the said Adam Bingaman. John Taylor of...
50From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 28 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Charles Tenant Porter of East Tenissee to be Marshal of East Tenissee for four years from the expiration of his present commission of Marshal. Edward Scott of East Tenissee to be Attorney for the US. in the district of East Tenissee. Algernon Sidney Stanford of Maryland to be Collector & Inspector of the revenue for the port & district of Vienna in Maryland. Ormond Tuley of North...