158851From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 11 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Our country is in a high fever. So in all Europe—so are the four quarters of the globe. Who first contracted, or first generated the disease? Montreal was no sooner surrendered in 1759 than the conqueror of Canada was discarded from the English Cabinet—a simple maniac ascended the throne, and a machivilian maniac who had been his preceptor became his prime minister. The design was conceived of...
158852To John Adams from Joseph Bemis, 11 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Gentlemen of the town of Canton conven’d last evening in order to make an arrangement for the selection of Gentlemen to join the County convention propos’d to be holden at Dedham, the 17th. inst. 9 OClock AM and at Marshe’s Tavern—Having made the aforesd. selection, it was then suggested after honourable mention of your name and appeared to be the unanimous wish of the assemblage that you be...
158853To John Adams from Ebenezer Seaver, 11 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Since Mr Dearborn and myself vesited you on Saturday last, we have called on General Heath and requested his Attendance with you, at the proposed Convention at Dedham. But from his Rehumatic complaints he declines honouring them with his companey, but this we hope will not prevent your Attendence. if it should, your Opinion on the present state of Affairs, in the form of Resolutions, would be...
158854From 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...
158855To James Madison from Orchard Cook, 11 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Merchants of this Place—who were Republicans lately forwarded to your Excely an address—requesting a cessation of Arms &c. This was done in haste, immediately on the reception, at this Port, of the revocation of the Orders in Council. I wish to assure Your Excellency, that it would be the last of our Wishes that any of the Rights or Honour of the U. S should be sacrificed to G. B. for the...
158856To James Madison from William Willis, 11 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have had considerable oppertunities since the declaration of the present war, of finding the sentiments of the people respecting that measure; both on the Atlantic, and in the interior. And if some fortunate event dous [ sic ] not present itself soon to reconcile the Citizens of these States to the war, the ensuing elections will be much affected, And I fear that if many disastrous...
158857To James Madison from Mathew Carey, 12 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I take up my pen once more, for probably the last time, on the subject of the present crisis. Many persons suppose that the determination to dissolve the Union, which has been formed by the leaders of the federal party in New England, has arisen from the measures of the last and present administration. It is an utter error, & a belief in it has a tendency to lead to ruinous results. To apply...
158858Benjamin Brown to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1812, with Jefferson’s Note (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote the principal Agent of the Mut l A Society ( M r S Greenhow ) on the subject of the Arrearages due the Society on Account of Hendersons Mill—he states that all claims which have Accrued since the Mill House was pulled down will be remitted—the time when that was done to be verified by the affidavit of two disinterested persons; but that all claims prior thereto would be required to be...
158859Gibson & Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
We inclose you as you direct a note for your Signature, to renew with at Bank— we have received a Box for you from New York said to contain a Spinning machine, which we have not yet met with an opportunity of forwarding Gibson & Jefferson ⅌ James Ligon RC ( ViU : TJP-ER ); in Ligon’s hand; between dateline and salutation: “Thomas Jefferson Esq r ”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Aug. 1812 and...
158860To John Adams from Catherine V. R. Malcom, 13 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
If I have not addressed you before it was not that gratitude did not prompt an expression of the feelings your early patronage & continued kindness had excited— You are pleased to enquire the name and age of our Child—We have given him his Grandfathers name of William—he is 2½ Years and rather (if a Mother may be credited) promissing than otherwise— I am proud my dear Sir to find that the...
158861From John Adams to William Bentley, 13 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr Knox, a Son of General Knox, the Bearer of this Letter, was appointed a Midshipman on Board the Constitution fourteen years fifteen years ago, and afterwards a Lieutenant on Board the Chesapeake. He Served in the Navy about three years, and afterwards made a Voyage to the East Indies. He has lately Studied Medicine and Surgery under Dr Smith at Hanover. The War has revived his inclination...
158862From 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,...
158863To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 13 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
It is with sincere reluctance, that I trouble you upon the subject of a vacancy which I am told has been created, this day. It is understood that Capt. C. Irvine has been appointed Commissary Genl. I submit myself to your consideration for the office of Supt of military stores, of the duties of which I have had many occasions to think and much opportunity to acquire information. Tho it is not...
158864To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 13 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I received yours, of 7th only by yesterday’s mail. What I can do at this time here with respect to money is nearly completed. But I had intended before my return to Washington, to go to Albany in order to see Gen. Dearborn & Govr. Tompkins together and to be able to give you a better account of the situation & prospect of our affairs there. It is also necessary that I should spend one week...
158865To James Madison from the Citizens of Greene County, Georgia, 13 August 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 August 1812. “At a meeting … held at Greenesborough … for the purpose of addressing the President of the United States on the Expediency of taking immediate possession of the Floridas … the following address & resolutions were unanimously adopted.… The petition … Respectfully Sheweth “That it is an acknowledged Constitutional right, sacred to the people of the United States, peaceably to...
158866From John Adams to Ebenezer Seaver, 14 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of your Letter of the 11th. It is all over with me. I can recollect an Old Anecdote and repeat it with the Garrulity of Age: But close thinking is out of the question. You must have Seen proofs enough that any novel Scenes or extraordinary Exertions or fatigue are two much for my Nerves. There are other reasons of an higher Order than this, which render it improper for me to...
158867To James Madison from Jared Mansfield, 14 August 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 August 1812, New Haven. Recommends Alfred P. Edwards for the consulate at Lisbon. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Edwards”). 1 p. Edwards, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, was a successful merchant in New York and the son of Pierpont Edwards, a district judge in his home state (Merchants, Ship Masters, and Insurance Agents of New Haven to Gallatin, 10 Aug. 1812, and Gideon...
158868From John Adams to Joseph Bemis, 15 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
The last Evening I received the favour of your polite and obliging Letter of the eleventh of this month; and the Gentleman of the Town of Canton by their kind remembrance of me, diserves my thanks. My Age and the usual concomitants of Age would render it improper to attend at Dedham, however agreable to my Judgment and Inclination may be the Object of the Matter . What shall I Say to all...
158869From Abigail Smith Adams to E. Miller, 15 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Will you permit Listen to a Friend to your Reputation to your rising prospects, to your rising prospects, to your future pursuits and to the happiness of your family to tender you some advice, nor deem it an intrusion? It is a Subject of much delicacy which I scarcely know how to begin yet such is the partiality I have entertained for you from the amiableness of your manners and the good...
158870From 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...
158871To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 15 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I was this day honored with your letter of the 9th. inst. having been placed in a very unpleasant situation I have endeavored to make the best arrangements for the ultimate success of our Army, that circumstancies permit, the perticular circumstancies which have occasioned the most unfortunate imbarrasments, were my having no orders or directions in relation to uper Canada, (which I had...
158872To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 15 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
If there is any medical, or other office, which is or may soon be vacant, in or near Boston, it cannot as I conceive be so well applied, as by giving it to Doctor Waterhouse. His history is singular. He has been a Professor thirty years, in our University, & this has long been in the hands of high federalists; such as Ch. Jus. Parsons, the “Boston Rebel,” & similar men. The Doctor was in the...
158873To James Madison from the Citizens of Fayette County, Kentucky, 15 August 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 August 1812. “As the people of the United States being citizens of a free goverment, have a natural, unalienable and constitutional right at all times peaceably to assemble and express their oppinions respecting public measures—and as it is Justly deemed highly important in the present interesting crissis, that all good citizens should yield their support to the war in which we are now...
158874To James Madison from Robert Cutchins and Others, 15 August 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 August 1812, St. Marys, Georgia. “Sundry Officers of the United States Navy” inform JM that “Batram [ sic ] G. Hipkins, hath for upwards of five Years last past, been a Sailing Master, in the Navy of the United States, and that he hath lately been remov’d therefrom, upon sundry charges, without havaing [ sic ] had an opportunity, of confronting, or refuting the same.” Request that the...
158875Elbridge Gerry to Thomas Jefferson, 15 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter of the 11 th of June , in my sick chamber, & the pure friendship which it breathed, raised my spirits, then under the inevitable depression of disease. Friendship increases by its duration, almost in geometrical proportion; & yours was prior to that of my eldest surviving friend, in Massachusetts . Your remarks in regard to the British faction, are (in my mind,)...
158876From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
You are So waggish and roguish with your Woofs and your Warps and your Webs, that I am almost afraid to write or Speak to you. Yet I wish We were nearer together. I was a little alarmed at the Story of the pacific Commission. Some body was pleased to call the Sarcasms in the Repertory, “Severe.” They ought to have been called the Snarlings of Park the Puppy, and the Squealings of Park the...
158877To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 16 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
The flames of War, which are again spreading universally over Europe, have at length caught across the Atlantic, and involved our Country in the Conflagration—Numerous as the obstacles to a safe and speedy Communication of Correspondence between us and our friends in the United States have heretofore been they are now greatly aggravated and multiplied—We received on the 5th: of this Month, the...
158878To James Madison from Thomas Leiper, 16 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
The appointment of Captain Callender Irvine to the office of Commissary General gives universal satisfaction. Captain Irvine’s friends would have asked you for this favor some time ago but he objected to it and I verily believe his sole reason was he did not like to ask his friends for the security that was necessary. I am informed in a line I have no reason to doubt of the correctness of the...
158879From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 17 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the Eighth, is another Monument to virtue and Piety, I would rather have your Birth and descent than that of any Howard or Montmorency, any Bourbon or Austrian, any Guelph or Stewart. The Antifederalists, Democrats, Jacobins, Republicans and Frenchmen, for all these Shades of Faction, and graduations of Party united twenty Years ago, to raise a popular clamour against me, for...
158880From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 17 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Has not this long term of rainy weather made you sick? it has almost every body arround us—& I sensibly feel it effects—Poor Norton had a very billious turn, which confined him to his bed a week, & to the House a fortnight—But means have been mercifully blessed for his recovery, though he looks very feeble, & thin of flesh, & more like his Mother than ever—Abby, was taken in the same manner a...