1To James Madison from Robert Williams, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The period is now at hand when I intend retireing from the administration of this government. I did hope for the arrival of my successor by that time, but of this I begin now to despair. I shall, therefore, prepare to take an important Step—I mean a dissolution of the general Assembly, which will take place this evening. Were it not Consistant with my duty to assign any reasons for this...
2To James Madison from R. Nelson, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Having been informed that Mr. Tench Ringgold is an applicant for some appointment under the general government; we take the liberty to state, that he has always been the uniform and zealous supporter, of the measures of the present administration, and the advocate of republican institutions; Being acquainted with his character and habits of life, we have no doubt, that in any appointment,...
3To James Madison from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with a request of the Legislature of this State, I have the honor to transmit the inclosed Resolutions which have been passed by them during their Session which is just now closed. With great Consideration & respect I have the honor to be Sir Your Obed. & humle. Servant DLC : Papers of James Madison.
4To James Madison from Edward Hall, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
On the eve of your entering into the duties of the high station; to which the voice of a few people has called you, the republicans of the County of Salem (N.J.) in general Committee assembled tender to you their congratulations on the occasion. Your elevation to the presidency we consider an auspicious period in the Annals of our Country, as it assures us of a continuance of that system of...
5To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have endeavoured to ascertain how the notes wou’d be in the Senate upon the nomination of Mr. Galatin to be Secretary of State. My information is that there are seventeen votes against him—ten Gentn. will vote for him, some of them reluctantly, and that there are seven doubtful votes. This information is obtained through sources not friendly to Mr. G —— but I fear it is correct as to the...
6To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Will you permit an old and sincere Friend to congratulate his Country, on what Tomorrow Shall auspicially witness: from my Heart and Soul I rejoice at Your Elevation to the chief Magistray of our Union. Long, very long, may you en joy the best Health—as I am certain you will live long in the Blessings of the American people. With every Sentiment of perfect Respect and Esteem, for Yourself, and...
7To James Madison from William McCreery, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Being inform’d that Mr. Tench Ringgold is an applicant for an appointment under the general Government; and believing that the political tenets of Gentlemen are in such cases, very carefully enquired into, I take the liberty to state to you that so far as my knowledge & information extends, he has been invariably attach’d to our republican institutions & principles. I have the honor to be with...
8To James Madison from John Morrow, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received a letter from Capt. George Hite of Jefferson County Virginia, stating his intention to apply for an appointment for his son Robert in some of the civil departments of the government of the United States, and requesting me to inform him if any opening should take place wherein his said son could get employment. It appears that Mr. Hite, for reasons he has mentioned, did not...
9From James Madison to John Milledge, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave through you to inform the honorable Senate of the U. States, that I propose to take the Oath which the Constitution prescribes to the President of the U. States, before he enters on the execution of his Office, on Saturday the 4th. Inst. at 12 O’Clock, in the chamber of the H se . of Representatives. I have the honor to be, with the greatest Respect Sir, Yr. Most Obed. & Most...
10To James Madison from Hez Huntington, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are the resolutions adopted by the Legislature of this State at the extraordinary Session, with their inflammatory address to the people. No friend to his Country & Government Can wish the Embargo, Continued after the period arrives; where in the Judgement of Congress & the Govt. the Honor & Interest of the Nation will permit it to be raised—but & tried Congress have not receded , nor...
11To James Madison from James W. Stevens, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
At this critical and eventful period in our national Affairs I have ventured with the most perfect respect for the Administration to solicit their Attention to some Matters of minor Consideration, which in the present embarrassed State of our foreign Relations, necessarily occupying so much of the Attention of our Government, have not perhaps been the Subject of their Reflection, or at least...
12To James Madison from Henry Daingerfield, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I was informed the last evening by a gentleman lately from the City of Washington that in the course of the ensuing week officers would be appoint’d to fill the various offices under the new territorial government to be established in consequence of the late division of the Indiana territory, and a Judge in the place of Judge Bruin of the Mississippi territory. If you think me qualified to...
13To James Madison from Edmund 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. Gentleman who in my opinion would afford much satisfaction to the friends of the Government in the Eastern Section of the Union as Staff hand of one of the Departments composing the Cabinet Council of the President under the next administration. Nothing but my sincere...
14To James Madison from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In Seluting Gentlemen for the great heads of Departments, in the Executive branch of the Government, I feel confident, that the greatest good of our common Country will be your primary Object; Yet it must be considered very desirable, that they should be Gentlemen, who combine Your personal confidence with their abilities faithfully to discharg their public Functions: In this view of the case,...
15To James Madison from United States Congress, 28 November 1808 to 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
It will be very agreeable to us that Mr. Granger should be advanced to one of the Cabinet Departments under the next Administration. DLC : Papers of James Madison.
16To James Madison from Peter Early, February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Genl. Meriweather is confined at his lodgings in G. Town. His signature therefore cannot be had to the recommendation herewith sent to the President. Were he here, t here is no doubt he would heartily unite with us. I am your Obt. Sert. DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
17To James Madison from Pseudonym: "Cassandra", 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your predecessor has brought the Commonwealth to the very jaws of destruction. Whether through supineness, timidity, or enthusiasm, is unimportant, as it respects the public. It may affect his character with posterity. Treason, Treason, has stalked through the land for two or three years, in all the glare of day. Its brazen front has audaciously bearded the government, & appeared to court its...
18To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Sam L. Mitchill has, tho perhaps indiscreetly, ventured to entertain a Sentiment that the speedy cessation of his Senatorial functions might coincide with the President’s wish to find a man that would answer to represent this country in a diplomatic capacity at St. Petersburgh. He therefore ventures to suggest the hint, not obtrusively, but with the intention of signifying his willingness to...
19To James Madison from William Branch Giles, 27 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Having very recently intruded one letter upon you in relation to Executive appointments, nothing but my sincere and anxious desire for your personal and political prosperity, could induce me now to make another intrusion of the same kind. You may however find some consolation, from an assurance, that this will probably be the last letter I shall ever address to you upon the same subject. It is...
20To James Madison from John Gavino, 27 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Without the honour of any of your favour sine my last adresses to you No: 68 under date 19t. Ultimo to which please be referrd: On the 19: Ulto: arrived in this Bay from Cadiz under American Collours the Ship Sidney, Samuel Thompson Master, & Daniel Tilton of Ph ilada: Super Cargo, loaded with About 240 Hogsheads Tobacco, & reported from Norfolk in Virginia, stating that she was blown off the...
21To James Madison from William L. Blair, 27 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
After congratulating you, upon your elevation to the supreme Magistracy of the nation, permit me, from the kindness, and politeness, I have experienced from you, and your family, to take the freedom to solicit a favour from you. That is, if any change should be made in the office of District Attorney for the Pennsylvania District, permit me to offer myself a Candidate for said office, And...
22To James Madison from James Taylor, 26 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Before this can reach you you will have entered up the duties of the high and important trust of President of the U: S. and I sincerely congratulate you on the event. I regret extremely that you will enter on the duties of your Office at a time so tempestuous and difficult, but Knowing your experience, judgment, moderation and firmness I felicitate our countrymen generally on your elevation to...
23To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
As the present critical situation of public affairs renders it, I should Conceive, more interesting than ordinary to the government, to be acquainted with the temper and conduct of those public officers of foreign governments who are stationed adjacent to the territories of the U. States; I persuade myself that it will be deemed no intrusion to detail to you what has occurred with relation to...
24To James Madison from John Pope, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to send you inclosed a recommendation of Mr. Thomas to the office of Judge in the Illinois Territory My acquaintance with him commenced during the present session. I believe he is qualified & that his appointment would be very popular in that Territory I am very respectfully yours & c DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
25To James Madison from John Tyler, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Colo. Miles Selden informs me he has made Application to fill the vacancy occasion’d by the death of Mr. Page, and has requested me to speak of him to you only as I think he deserves that his pretensions may accompany those which I doubt not before this have been placed in your view. This is a delicate and interesting Subject both to you and me. To you, because in many cases your Appointments...
26To James Madison from Daniel C. Verplanck, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of submitting to your consideration the enclosed letter. It is from a young Gentleman of the City of New York, of regular mercantile education, of genteel manners, good character, & most respectable connexions. Should any prior arrangement prevent you from complying with his wishes, as they relate to an appointment in your family, I must beg leave to recommend him to you as...
27To James Madison from William Jarvis, 25 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor in my last private letter to acquaint you with my having shipped on board the Brig Betty of New York Captn. Morehouse, a pipe of Bucellos Wine a pipe of Lisbon & a quarter Cask of Port agreeable to your instructions. This vessel Sailed the early part of March last, was captured off the mouth of the Tagus, sent to England & there condemned vessel & Cargo, with the sole exception...
28From James Madison to United States Senate, 24 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Emperor of Russia having at different periods indicated sentiments particularly friendly to the U. S. with a wish that a diplomatic intercourse shd. be established between the two Countries; and it being considered that in the relations of Russia to the predominant Powers of Europe must not only give her weight with them according to the vicicitudes of the war, but that her influence in...
29To James Madison from John Gassaway, 24 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to You the Maryland Gazette, in which is contained Resolutions of a Democratic Meeting of the Citizens of Annapolis, expressive of their Sentiments, of the Measures lately adopted by the general Government. The time is but short when You will come into the Presidency of the United States, and may You, when You retire from it, go out with as much applause as when You...
30To James Madison from Daniel Buck, 24 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
You are entering upon the arduous task of directing the affairs of a great nation at a time portentious of the most astonishing events, and pregnant with the fate of the World! Europe is destined to the sway of one Man! who, aspiring to universal empire, has marked Great Britain for distruction and the nations standing in his way are as grasshoppers before him! He will sweep her commerce and...