130411To James Madison from Isaac Wilbour, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
You will not think it arrogant if it is suggested that until perfection becomes a human priviledge we shall always be indebted to experience for that course which will best subserve publick purposes; & when experience points out every honest Man walks in the path. The Money paid for the faithful discharge of the duties of Office; is presumed to be a complete equivalent ther-for. All the...
130412Pardon and Remission for John Hugh Reilly, 1 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that at the Circuit Court of the United States for the County of Washington, in the District of Columbia, lately held in this City, John Hugh Reilly was convicted of a misdemeanor, in an assault & Battery committed by the said Reilly, whereupon he was sentenced to pay a fine of five Dollars to the United States, to satisfy the costs of prosecution and to...
130413To James Madison from Isaac Griffin, 2 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I take this method, of bidding you a last farewell, and of thanking you, for the benefit I have derived, as one of the citizens of the united states, from your able, and faithfull services, in Some of the most important Stations in the gift of a free people—at your time of life, repose is desirable, and almost necessary—in retirement, I wish you all the happiness, that you can derive, from the...
130414From James Madison to the House of Representatives, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Having considered the bill, this day, presented to me, entitled “An Act to set apart and pledge certain funds for internal improvements” and which sets apart and pledges funds “for constructing roads and canals, and improving the navigation of water courses, in order to facilitate, promote and give Security to internal commerce among the several States, and to render more easy and less...
130415To James Madison from Henry Clay, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Knowing that we cannot differ on the question of the object of the Internal Improvement bill, however we may on the Constitutional point, will you excuse me for respectfully suggesting whether you could not leave the bill to your successor? If it receive his approbation, within the ten days, I am inclined to think the law is valid. The notification to the two houses of the passage of any bill,...
130416To James Madison from Jeremiah B. Howell, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I regret extremely that the enclosed letters were received at so late a day as yesterday. If it should so happen, you should be of the Opinion, that the application of our mutual friends, has arrived too late for you to decide on Officially, I flatter myself you will have no hesitation in favouring me, by placing these letters into the hands of your Successor, as soon as may be convenient;...
130417To James Madison from Robert Polk, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
In doing myself the honor of addressing you on the present occasion, permit me to say that it is not without reluctance I have prevailed upon myself to add one to the number of those who may appear before you as Candidates for a portion of Executive favor. But relying on the liberality of your disposition for indulgence, I take the freedom to address you. A bill, providing for the prompt...
130418To James Madison from Jonathan Roberts, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I ask the liberty of communicating to you the enclosed letter from Gen Howell of the Senate with the accompaniments and solicit your attention thereto. I had hoped to wait upon you but time hardly promises an allowance of that pleasure. I need not repeat you how sincerely I esteem Gen Howell or how much I should be gratified in his obtaining public employment worthy of his merits. This you...
130419To James Madison from William Thornton, [3 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
To prevent any Suspicion of a deficiency in respect to you and your Lady—whom we have never ceased to more than respect & esteem—I am unwilling to permit you to depart without expressing our sincere regret that when your Departure was made known to all our Friends by her farewell visit to them, and they were thereby enabled to pay their parting respects, we remained ignorant thereof, and were...
130420Remission for the Brig Franklin, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that at a Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Rhode Island, lately held in that District the Brig Franklin and Cargo were condemned for a violation of the law of the United States prohibiting intercourse between the United States and Great Britain & France and their dependencies; and whereas it has been made to appear to me that the...
130421Remission for the Mercurius, Christian Bodom, 3 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to me that at a Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Massachusetts, held in the year 1816, the Swedish Ship Mercurius and Cargo were condemned for a violation of the Law of the United States interdicting Commercial Intercourse between the United States and Great Britain & France and their dependencies, and whereas it has been made to appear to...
130422Account with St. Mary’s Seminary, [ca. July 1809] (Madison Papers)
1809 College charges as Specified in the Prospectus. June 7. Washing two Quarters 9. Mending linen and Stockings 3. Doctor’s fees and Medicines 4. Paper, Slates, Quills &ca 3. Postage and Penny post Com” 1 31 Six months Board and Tuition 115. 135 31. Decembr. 16. Ross Grammar
130423To James Madison from Tench Coxe, [ca. May–June 1810] (Madison Papers)
The present condition of the world certainly demands all the consideration of every wise and good man, which his situation permits or requires him to bestow upon a temporal subject. The war, which in various forms and upon several grounds, has been carried on between France and her adversaries, has reached a degree of seriousness, which ensures consequences of the most extensive effects and...
130424To James Madison from the Citizens of North Carolina, [12 May 1810] (Madison Papers)
The petition of the undersigned citizens of the state of North Carolina, humbly sheweth: That at a circuit court held for the district of North Carolina on the 12th day of May 1810, Richard Kennon was indicted and convicted of passing a counterfeit Note of the Bank of the United States. Your petitioners beg leave to state to your excellency, that although the jury by whom the said Richard was...
130425To James Madison from João of Portugal, 13 May 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Joao of Portugal. 13 May 1810, Palace of Rio de Janeiro. Dom João by the Grace of God Prince Regent of Portugal, and of Algarves, within and beyond the Sea, in Africa of Guinea, and of the Conquest, Navigation, and Commerce of Ethiopia, of Arabia, and Persia, and of India etc. Send greetings to the United States of America, which he highly Esteems and Prizes. The repeated proofs, that...
130426To James Madison from John McMaster, [ca. 18 February 1811] (Madison Papers)
The Petition and representation of John McMasters now a prisoner in the common gaol in Wiscasset in the district of Maine, humbly sheweth, That your petitioner at the instance of the Attorney of the United States for the district of Maine has been sued in two actions for a supposed breach of the laws of the United States, commonly called the Embargo Laws ; that at the district Court holden at...
130427To James Madison from Napoleon, 20 March 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Napoleon. 20 March 1811, Paris. Announces the birth of his son, the King of Rome. RC ( DNA : RG 59, Communications from Heads of Foreign States, France). 1 p.; in French. In a clerk’s hand, signed by Napoleon.
130428To James Madison from James Monroe, 17 [May 1811] (Madison Papers)
Mr Madison will be so kind as to inform me whether he went yesterday to the Fair, & if he did not, whether he intends to go this evening, as in that event he will go with him—and meet him at such time as he will appoint, at the door. If he went yesterday, he will inform him, whether it was attended with any charge. RC ( NN : Monroe Papers [microfilm ed.], Misc. Papers and Undated Letters, reel...
130429From James Madison to Asher Robbins, 10 June 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 3d instant. Its declaration of your principles & sentiments on certain subjects will have the attention which is due to the frankness and explicitness with which it is made. I ought at the same time not to authorize any inference from this assurance, that might prejudice any individual whatever in your estimation. Accept my friendly respects RC (offered...
130430From James Madison to William Eustis, 20 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 13th. I am glad to learn that you are so well satisfied with the ⟨present⟩ state of the armories; and that an inconveniency to the U.S. can be relieved by so seasonable a measure as that of distributing arms to the States. It is particularly agreeable also that the important works for the defence of N.Y. are so near their completion. Will it not be well to institute...
130431To James Madison from James Brown, 15 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
The petition of James Brown of Manchester in the District of Massachusetts humbly shews, That at a District Court of the United States, holden at Boston, within and for the District of Massachusetts on the first tuesday of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and nine the United States recovered a judgment against him for the sum of $1600 and Costs of suit as a penalty...
130432To James Madison from João of Portugal, 26 May 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From João of Portugal. 26 May 1812, Palace of Real Quinta of Bõa Vista, Rio de Janeiro. Dom João, by the Grace of God Prince Regent of Portugal, and of Algarves, within and beyond the Sea, in Africa of Guinea, and of the Conquest, Navigation, and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and of India etc. I send greetings to the United States of America, which I highly Love, and Esteem. Today at...
130433To James Madison from William Gamble, 29 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
The benovolence of your disposition and the liberality of your heart will, I am confident, readily induce you to pardon the liberty I now take in trespassing on your attention, and intruding on your patience. The conversation I once had with you in consequence of the recommendatory letter of the Honbl. Richard M. Johnson of Congress, of the 19 last May, gave me reason to hope any proper...
130434From James Madison to William Eustis, 8 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have yours of the 7th. The detention of the Indians as hostages is liable to the most serious objections. The most extreme case only would justify it. And the policy of the measure is liable to those you suggest, under that view of the subject. The opinion of Clarke at least might to [ illegible ] favor of it. Is that known? The capture of Fort Wayne is I hope a mistake for the loss of...
130435To James Madison from Francis Perry, [ca. 21 September 1812] (Madison Papers)
The humble petition of Francis Perry Sheweth that your Petitioner has been confined in the penitentiary of Virginia at hard labour ever since the 30th Nov. 1810 having been convicted in the circuit Court of the United States of the crime of Robing the mail, that your petitioner means not here to palliate or deny the offence, he having for a long time pursued his purpose of repentance and...
130436To James Madison from James Dill, 22 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I had the Honour last spring of addressing to you one or two letters, which amongst a multiplicity of business will no doubt have been forgotten, I again take the liberty of writing on a subject different from the former but from the same motive; the good of the people of this Territory. Ere this reaches you a number of petitions intended to reflect on the official conduct of Judge Taylor and...
130437To James Madison from Richard Richardson & Co., 26 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
The Memorial of Richard Richardson & Co: of the City of Savannah, Merchants, Most respectfully sheweth. That your Memorialists are Agents for the Owners of the British Vessels, “The Emperor,” “The Experiment,” and “The Adventurer,” for which passports have been obtained from your Excellency, under the Act of Congress of the Sixth day of July last. That the annexed Petition presented to the...
130438From James Madison to Anthony Morris, 14 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
To the Depôts where prisoners of war are to be provided for & exchanged, is the Island of Bermuda; for which a Commissary is about to be appointed. His allowance is not fixed on, but will be not less than at the rate of $2000 per annum. A Cartel in which he will have a passage will be dispatched in about 10 days, and will probably proceed from the Delaware. If the charge should coincide with...
130439To James Madison from Nathaniel Henchman, 29 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
Strictly speaking the subscriber is not acquainted with your honor; but when he considers you as the President of the U.S. and a vigorous defender of its honor & strict independence, he considers himself near to & intimately acquainted with your person. Under those impressions you will excuse the writer for his presumption in the following lines. The scribler has the fortune to live in a...
130440To James Madison from John Chandler, 13 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
On the 8th. of August last I had Seven Negroes which obtain’d possesson of a Boat belonging to the U. States which had been left by the Commander of the Potomack Squadren of Gun Boats with a M Rowand of Virginia and Succeeded in geting on Board a British Vessel; this loss at once brings poverty and distress on me with two Helpless Children and an ag[e]d Father. I have understood that the...