1To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 30 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
The bearer of this letter, Mr. Pickman, is a Gentleman with whom for many years I have had the pleasure of a very intimate acquaintance, and for whose character I have had every reason to entertain the highest esteem. Being elected a member of the House of Representatives of the United States, to the present Congress, he is desirous of a personal introduction to the President, and in taking...
2Theodosia Burr Alston to Dolley Madison, 24 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
… You may, perhaps, be surprised at receiving a letter from one with whom you have had so little intercourse for the last few years. But your surprise will cease when you recollect that my Father, once your Friend, is now in exile; and that the President only can restore him to me & to his country. Ever since the choice of the people was first declared in favor of Mr Madison; my heart, amid...
3To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 22 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 March 1809, Leghorn. The American consul encloses correspondence with Armstrong in Paris related to schooner John , copies of which he has also sent to U.S. consul William Lee at Bordeaux. These papers prove that the John owner violated the Embargo. His appointment must be sent to the new authorities in Leghorn, but even though his accreditation was to the old regime the local prefect has...
4To James Madison from John Armstrong, 20 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a note just received from Lafayette which confirms my belief in the interest M. F. takes in our business. Lafayette is not in the secret of the invitation stated in my letter of the 18: but his friend appears to be privy to the wishes and intentions of the Minister. I am very truly your most respectful & obedient humble servt RC ( DNA : RG 59, Diplomatic Despatches, France)....
5To James Madison from John Armstrong, 6 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
The journals of yesterday gave us your proclamation announcing an arrangement with the British Minister at Washington. Those of to-day give us M. Canning’s disavowal of that minister’s conduct, and would make us believe that M. Erskine had gone in the very face of his instructions. There is nothing astonishing in all this. It is a true specimen of modern diplomacy. New hopes from Austria—from...
6To James Madison from John Armstrong, 20 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Jos. Tate who, after an absence of fifteen years, returns to the U. S. heartily sick of all he has seen abroad. His story may not be unknown to you, and is less recommendatory than his character. In the five years I have been in Paris, tho’ oppressed by poverty and injustice, his conduct has at all times been regular and respectable. He was the Acquaintance of M....
7To James Madison from John Armstrong, 30 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
We are often as much injured by our friends, in this world, as by our enemeies [ sic ]. The circumstance that immediately occasions this remark, is the effect produced here by the Speech of M. Whitbread, (who is, no doubt, well disposed towards the U. S.) no less than by that of M. Canning, who, as certainly, has no great partiality for us. The one, (as you know), declared, that we had made an...
8To James Madison from John Armstrong, 18 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
A letter from the Emperor of the 9th instant Says, “I shall soon be at Paris and shall bring with me a beautiful female, called Peda. I am much satisfied with what has been done in Germany, and as to Poland, there is a perfect understanding between us and Russia.” Of the terms which have been either offered or accepted, on this occasion, we know nothing certainly, but rumor says, that Napoleon...
9To James Madison from John Armstrong, 5 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I write this letter under feelings the most unpleasant. You will have seen by my public correspondence, that on the 26th. Ult. I was induced to write a letter to M. Champagny, contradicting the reports which were circulating here of an alledged adjustment of our differences with G. B. and that I had been principally induced to take this step by the silence of M. Pinkney. The journals of to-day...
10To James Madison from Ezekiel Bacon, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am sensible that I discharge a very delicate & perhaps officious Duty in mentioning the Name of Gideon Granger Esqr. as a Gentleman who in my opinion would afford much satisfaction to the friends of the Government in the Eastern Section of the Union as the head of one of the Departments composing the Cabinet Council of the President under the next Administration. Nothing but my sincere...
11To James Madison from Daniel Baldwin, 29 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ I have not the pleasure of being personally acquainted with you—yet, being a Soldier of ’76, and beleiving you to be the friend of such, I take this method to make myself known, and beg you to excuse the liberty. I had the honor of bearing a Captains commission in the first New-Jersey Rigiment, during the Revolutionary War; and of sharing in the hottest conflicts and troubles of my...
12To James Madison from Daniel Baldwin, 18 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will not think strange that I offer an oppinion to your Honor in this dangerous hour, being an old soldier from the Walls of Quebec untill I lost my leg. Being confident in my own mind, that there never will be peace and tranquility in this noble parte of the world, as long as the British Retains one foot of Ground in our northern parts, ( Called Canada ,) Now I think is the time for us to...
13To James Madison from Isaac Ball, 11 April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 April 1809, New York. Thanks JM for his letter of 4 Apr. that authorized Ball to list JM “in the Catalogue of Respectable patrons” if a new edition of his book on “Animal Œconomy” is published. RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Docketed by JM.
14To James Madison from Isaac Ball, 30 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Directed by a Respectful Consideration, for the President of the United States—Permit me Sir—with deference to present this small product in the field of literature. If to diffuse happiness to mankind, and a knowledge of the human character, may be considered worthy of every rational mind—Indulge me to hope, the few pages submitted are calculated to inspire—an elevated view of the faculties of...
15To James Madison from Mordecai Barbour, 26 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Being disappointed in my expectations in this quarter of the World and having no prospect here of doing anything beneficial for my family, I have deemd it advisable to remove to some situation in the Western Country. And in order to make the most advantageous selection I intend in the course of this Spring and ensuing Summer to travel through Kentucky Tennessee & the Mississippi Country, in...
16To James Madison from Philip Barbour, 8 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been permitted by Governour Harrison in the praise of whose Judgement & descretion I Need Say Nothing, to Search for Salt Water in the neighbourhood of the U. States Saline, With the priviledge of using it during the Continuance of the present Case. I have sunk one Well in which there is an abundance of water, But of an inferior quality, from this Circumstance it Cannot be Manufactured...
17To James Madison from Joel Barlow, April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
April 1809. Sends on letter “from Mr. Lee” recommending William Bass for the consulate at Antwerp and mentions that Walter Livingston, Jr., may deserve consideration for the secretary’s post at the Paris legation, if a vacancy occurs. “I dont know but I ought to make an apology once for all for consenting sometimes to be the organ of such applications. It is a business I very much dislike but...
18To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 9 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Latrobe has informed me that you wished to have the Encyclopedie sent to your house with the bill. I now send them by the Bearer of this. I take the liberty at the same time to offer you some other books, of which I enclose a notice. Your very obt. Mr. Madison bo’t of J. Barlow The french encyclopedie methodique—incomplete, consisting as follows 93 vol. bound & 14 half vol. unbd. letter...
19To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 6 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Col. Swan has desired me to hand you the enclosed letter. It seems as if it should have been addrest to the Secy. of the Treasury. But he asks only for a suspension of a decision, and as that cannot be final without you, it may not be improper. With great respect— RC ( DLC ). Enclosure not found. James Swan emigrated from Scotland to Boston in 1765, served in the Revolution, and engaged in...
20To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 9 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I observed with pleasure in your inaugural speech that you still keep in view the immense importance of public improvements, the advancement of science, & the general diffusion of information, as essential to the happiness of our country. And I cannot but hope that the time is now approaching when some portion of the attention of Congress may be fixt on these objects. The ample scope of your...
21To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 13 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I send you the books you marked. Likewise a work I before forgot, of which I have a duplicate. It is the French Biographical Dictionary in nine volumes . This however you can give back to the man if you dont choose to take it—no harm is done except your trouble of looking at it—as he can bring it back in the carriage. Yr. obt. Sevt. RC ( DLC ). Probably [Louis Mayeul Chaudon], Nouveau...
22To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 9 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Encyclopedie methodique which I have to dispose of is complete as far as the 58th. livraison, and I shall agree to complete it as soon as the intercourse is open, as I presume the impression is finished. I have on hand in text 93 whole vols. bound 14 half vols. in boards. in plates 12 whole vos. bound & 15 half vos. in boards The price, as I find by a note stuck into one of the vols. &...
23To James Madison from John Barnes, 21 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I regret exceedingly my Unfortunate situation—will not—at present, permit me the Honor, of paying my Personal respects—to the President of the U States. The inclosed Note of the late President I received on his leaving Town, with directions to Mr Davidson for the sum & date to have the Blanks filled up with—which Mr. Davidson—(have now) adjusted—and wait Only—the endorsemts. to be deposited in...
24To James Madison from Joshua Barney, 12 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Immediately after the affair of the Chesapeake (July 4th.) I went to Mr. Jefferson, making him a tender of my personal services. As our country seems yet to be menaced by foreign powers, I still hold it my duty to continue that offer, which I now do to you as President of the United States. I do it the more cheerfully because I am not unknown to you personally. I shall always feel a sincere...
25To James Madison from William Bentley, 16 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
My worthy friend, General Dearborne informed me, that the President of the United States would kindly accept any expression of my sincere confidence in him. The highest esteem & his distinguished reputation & virtues, as well as respect for his high station must oblige me to put all the value of myself, in my own discretion. Permit me, Sir, to say, that during the Administration of President...
26To James Madison from Thomas E. Birch, 17 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1809, Inglesville, Montgomery County, Virginia. A native of the British West Indies, Birch solicits a naval commission on the basis of his experience under Horatio Nelson and other British commanders and with Stephen Decatur, Sr., aboard the Rising Sun in the Revolution. Since 1793 he has been “engag⟨ed⟩ in the education of the Columbian youth,” while publishing books on elocution....
27To James Madison from Rebecca Blodget, [ca. 11 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
It might be expected that a woman & a stranger shou’d apologize for the freedom of addressing The President Of The United States—but, my dear Sir, I never made an apology in my life, and it wou’d take me longer to frame one than to write the petition which will be the subject of this address. It is in behalf of Col Burr—to whom it is but just to declare, that I act without his authority, or...
28To James Madison from Nicholas Boilvin, 28 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 May 1809, Prairie du Chien. Boilvin, the Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, complains that the Michilimackinac Trading Company, which is operated by British subjects, is sowing dissension among the Indian tribes. He makes several recommendations, including troop reinforcements to awe the Indians and intimidate the British traders. If Boilvin’s suggestions are not implemented, he believes the...
29To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 April 1809, Amsterdam. The consul reports that American vessels are now being allowed “to depart in Ballast or with Specified Cargoes at the option of those concerned.” An enclosed newspaper gives the details of a royal decree which lifts the restrictions on U.S. ships “in the Ports of Holland.” Has discussed the situation with the minister of foreign affairs and made assurances that the...
30To James Madison from John Boyle, 6 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
I owe to you an apology for the resignation of the office of Governor of the Illinois Territory which you so lately had honoured me with & I had agreed to accept —When I reached this State a vacancy had taken place in the court of appeals the spring term of which was immediately to commence—Owing to the unexpected absence of another of the judges an apprehension was entertained unless the...