1Executive Pardon, 20 July 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 July 1812. “Whereas it has been made to appear to me that a certain D. McKenny, a private in the Marine Corps of the United States, has been sentenced, by a Court Martial to suffer death—Now be it known, That I James Madison, President of the UStates, for divers good causes and considerations, do by these presents pardon and remit the sentence aforesaid; requiring all persons whom it may...
2From James Madison to St. George Tucker, 21 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I was duly favored with yours of the 8th. on the subject of the B. officer arrested near Norfolk. The circumstances which attracted your notice very justly exposed him to suspicion; and it is more than possible that he had the views tho’ not the full character of a Spy. It was thought best however to commence the war with an example of liberality, and he was permitted as a mere alien Enemy to...
3Statement of Appropriations for the Navy and Marine Corps, 24 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Balances in the hands of the Secy of Treasury Balances in the hands of Treasurer Over Pay &c of Officers & Seamen 780 119 95 25.810 65 Provisions 289.757 6 822 52½ Medicines &c 19.000 446 37 Repairs of Vessels 2.329 24 Contingent &c 11.000 1.222 79½ Navy yards 28.000 230 68
4From James Madison to Benjamin Ludlow, 25 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the address from “The Convention of Republican Delegates from the several counties of the State of New Jersey,” explaining the sentiments entertained at this crisis, by that portion of my Constituents. The sentiments are worthy the character of Citizens, who know the value of the national rights at stake in the present contest; and who are willing to do justice to the sincere &...
5From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 29 July 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 July 1812. In accordance with the 3 Mar. 1809 “act further to amend the several acts for the establishment & regulation of the Treasury, War & Navy Departments,” directs that $450,000 “be applied out of the following appropriations Viz Pay & subsistence of the Navy two hundred thousand dollars, Provisions one hundred thousand dollars, ordnance one hundred & fifty thousand dollars, to...
6From James Madison to Richard Cutts, 8 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 25th. Ult: The rancorous opposition in some of the E. States to the war, is peculiarly unfortunate, as it has the double effect of crippling its operations, and encouraging the Enemy to withold any pacific advances otherwise likely to be made. It appears that the B. Cabinet has been forced into a reconsideration of their refusal to repeal the...
7From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 8 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
The communications from the B. Govt. lately recd. thro’ Baker are of a curious character. They promise that the O. in C. would cease on the 1st. Aug: with a right reserved to renew them in May next, in case the conduct of France and of the U. S. should require it; and particularly in case the Non-Imp: Act should not be repealed within 14 days after a notification of the actual repeal should be...
8From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 9 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
The last of your favors which I have to acknowlege is that of the 3d. Ult: from Boston. I am glad to see that you are again at Albany; where your presence will aid much in doing all that can be done for the reputation of the campaign. The lapse of time & the unproductiveness of the laws, contemplating a regular force, and volunteers for an entire year, under federal commissions, compel us to...
9From James Madison to Joel Barlow, 11 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
As I write on short notice and in cypher, I must be very brief. The conduct of the F. Govt. explained in yours of May. 12. on the subject of the decre⟨e⟩ of April ⟨18⟩11 will be an everlasting reproach to it . It is the more shameful as, departing from the declar⟨a⟩tion to general armstrong of which the enforcement of the non importation was the effect the revoking decre⟨e⟩ assumes this as the...
10From James Madison to John Montgomery, 13 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. and thank you for your favor of the 9th. I never considered an assault by the mob on the post office as probable, nor allowed myself to doubt that, if made, the local authority was both able and willing to crush it. The case was brought to my attention, as was natural eno’; the post office being under the sanction of the U. S., but I was not aware, that any defensive measures,...
11From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 15 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your favor of the 13th. I had proposed to set out for Virga. on friday, and am very glad to learn that you will be with us before that takes place. I expect Mr. Monroe every moment; and Mr. Pinkney being within call, I shall be able to decide with the best advantage the several important questions on hand. Previous to the acct. of the loss of Michillimackin⟨ac⟩ orders had...
12From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 10th. and return as you request, the letter of Mr. Higginbotham. He will probably have understood from Col: Monroe that the consulate of Lisbon is the object of numerous & respectable candidates. The seditious opposition in Mass. & Cont. with the intrigues elsewhere insidiously co-operating with it, have so clogged the wheels of the war, that I fear the campaign will...
13From James Madison to James Dinsmore, 17 August 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 August 1812. Acknowledges receipt of Dinsmore’s letter of 5 Aug. [not found]. Has remitted $407 to Mr. Warnock and has received a receipt. Hopes to be at Montpelier soon. RC (owned by Robert G. Kaufmann, Wayne Township, N.J., 1985). 1 p.
14From James Madison to the Delegations of Several Indian Nations, [ca. 22 August] 1812 (Madison Papers)
You have come thro’ a long path to see your father but it is a straight and a clean path kept open for my red children who hate crooked walks. I thank the great spirit that he has brought you in health through the long journey; and that he gives us a clear sky & bright sun, for our meeting. I had heard from General Clarke of the good dispositions of several of the nations on & West of the...
15From James Madison to Richard Cutts, [ca. 26 August] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Soon after my last was sent off, I recd. your favor of . The report of the Capt: relative to what came to his knowledge at Halifax, agrees substantially with accts. thro’ other channels. It is pretty certain that the war was little looked for, and that some of its effects are not a little dreaded. Still we ought to be prepared for an angry & malignant prosecution of it, on the B. side,...
16From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, [ca. 26 August] 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Command of the Lakes is obviously of the greatest importance & has always so appeared. I am glad to find it not too late to have that of Ontario. There must have been some mistake as to the effort to obtain it. It does not appear that any application, such as is intimated has been made to the Navy Dept. Mr. Hamilton has much confidence in Lt. Wolsey, and says that he shall be furnished...
17From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
The letter from Acheson, should be known in some of its contents. I inclose it to you for reasons on the face of it. I inclose also the letter from Gilbert Taylor, as a memento to the letter you are to write to the Govr. of Tennessee, on the subject of the illegal enterprize on foot in that State. We are so far well on our way. Yrs. RC ( DLC : Monroe Papers). JM probably enclosed the 25 Aug....
18From James Madison to William Eustis, 5 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
The death of Mr. Mifflin has produced the inclosed applications for the vacancy in the deputy commissiarte [ sic ] held by him. It is probable they will meet others addressed to yourself. If Irvin is to reside or be chiefly in Philada. it does not appear very essential that the office should be filled immediately, if at all. You can judge best. Mr. Coxe has again been brought to my attention;...
19From 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...
20From James Madison to William Eustis, 6 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have thought it proper to request the return of the inclosed letters; some of which, though stating facts, & shewing the public sentiment, and on that account worth perusing, contain what ought to consign them to the fire, rather than to the public archives. The more I hear of the alarm produced in the Western Country by Hull’s disaster, and of the incoherent efforts on foot to cure the...
21From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I recd. last evening your favor of the 4th: with a subsequent note covering a letter from Mr. Graham. That from Duane, referred to as inclosed, was omitted. All the accts., printed & manuscript, coincide with the view given by Mr. Graham, of the Western feeling produced by Hull’s disaster. The great point is to seize it and give it proper direction. This requires one mind of the right sort,...
22From James Madison to Samuel Spring, 6 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of Aug 26. I recollect our Collegiate friendship with the same impressions which it gives me pleasure to find you still retain. Nor have I forgotten the pleasant hours that passed between us at a much later day under my own roof. We all feel the weight of the times and it is to be regretted that all cannot unite in the measures opposed to them. If it were proper for...
23From James Madison to William Eustis, 8 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 5th. & return the letters accompanying it. Your last instruction to Wilkinson will I suppose have given him the idea which is for the present to regulate his policy towards the Spaniards. If it be true that a proclamation of neutrality issued at the Havanna, it is a proof that they will not court hostilities with us. In the mean time, the hostile use made of the...
24From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 [September] 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 6th. I am sorry to find that Pike confides so little in our prospects. From a letter of Genl. Dearborn to the Secy. of War, it appears that the force at his disposal is more scanty than was hoped. I am not sure whether his immediate plan is to take advantage of the detachments of the B. force from Montreal, by directing his principal operations towards that place, or...
25From James Madison to Samuel Carswell, 8 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 September 1812. Described as an “Autograph Letter, signed” in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 698 (1893), item 521.
26From James Madison to William Eustis, 10 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have but a moment to inclose you the letters from Govr: Scott & others. You will communicate to Mr. Monroe what has been done in that quarter. His presence will be useful in getting every thing into system & subordination. A failure in the mail does not allow me time to examine the Volunteer Act, with reference to a Majr. Genl’s Comission to Mr. Monroe. But I see no evil from risking the...
27From 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...
28From James Madison to an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 September 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 September 1812, Montpelier. “The bearer John Neilson has been employed between three and four years by me as a House Carpenter. He has appeared to be unusually skilfull in his profession and very faithfull in the work done by him, I have never heard any thing injurious in the slightest Degree to his integrity, and believe his character in every other respect to be worthy of Confidence.” RC...
29From James Madison to William Eustis, 11 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 8th. has but just come to hand. I return the letters from Genl. D. I shall set out tomorrow morning for Washington & proceed by way of Fredg. expecting to reach Washington on Monday. Meantime will you resolve the arrangement recommended with respect to Connecticut Volunteers? Friendly respects RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers).
30From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, [ca. 15 September] 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have reecived [ sic ] your favor of the 2 Ulto. and very sincerely congratulate you on the high proof given you of the Confidence & affection of your fellow Citizens of Louisiana. The event is important in several political views, as well as gratifying to your personal friends. To myself it is a source of unfeigned pleasure. I say nothing on public affairs: because I could say nothing which...