20201From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Shaw, an American Gentleman, belonging to New-York has just called upon me, and informs me that he shall proceed in the course of this day for St: Petersburg. He has a Courier’s Passport from Count Lieven, and has obligingly offered to take anything I have to forward—I therefore send the packet for Mrs. Krehmer, which I sometime since received from Miss du Roveray, and two letters from...
20202To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
My affairs in Loudoun requiring in an urgent manner my presence, I shall go up to day & return on monday or tuesday next. A passport from the British Commander to take dispatches to Ghent being as I presume necessary, I have arrang’d in the dept. a letter to him for the purpose. I know of nothing that will suffer in my short absence. Respectfully your friend RC ( DLC : Rives Collection,...
20203To James Madison from Richard Rush, 3 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
R. Rush has the honor to enclose to the President, 1. A letter from the governor of Louisiana recommending, in relation to the pirates of Barataria, that a few of the more hardened offenders only should be prosecuted, and the conduct of the rest overlooked. 2. Another letter from the same, recommending Mr Duplessis as collector of New Orleans, in the room of Mr Dubourg, whose resignation is...
20204Thomas Jefferson to William Caruthers, 3 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Nov. 22. came to hand yesterday afternoon only: and I sincerely regret it had not been a single day earlier. a few days after you called on me on your way to the North D r Thornton came and proposed to lease the Natural bridge for the purpose of establishing a shot manufactory. I told him at once you had applied for it for the same purpose a few days before, & must have a...
20205Thomas Jefferson to Louis H. Girardin, 3 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Gerardin Girardin for the two plants of Cape Jessamine which are very acceptable, and will hold himself accountable for the price. he returns the copy of Tacitus having precisely the same edition in his petit-format library in Bedford , and if mr Girardin thinks it can go safely by post to mr Anderson , he will cover it by his frank. he has the identical...
20206Robert M. Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, 3 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter , of the 24th of last month, in which you decline a reelection as president of the American philosophical Society . This letter was laid before the Society, at their meeting last evening, and excited a general regret among the members: no particular order, however, was taken on it; the Society choosing to adopt, in this particular, the Same course which...
20207Thomas Jefferson to Philip Thornton, 3 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
In the evening of the day on which you left me, I recieved a letter of Nov. 22. from mr Caruthers , desiring a conclusion on his proposition to lease the Natural bridge . you know how sincerely I had meant to give him a preference as the first applicant, & the circumstances which induced me to suppose he had declined it, and therefore to execute the lease to you. I have explained these to him...
20208From John Adams to Rufus King, 2 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged to you for the information, melancholly as it is to me, of the death of Mr Gerry. A Friendship of forty years I have found a rarity, though not a Singularity. I am left alone. While Paine Gerry and Lovell lived, there were Some that I Seemed to know: but now not one of my Contemporaries and Colleagues is left. Can there by any deeper damnation in this Universe, than to...
20209From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 2 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Gerry! Gerry! Gerry! You was the last of my Colleagues! I am left alone! It cannot be long before I Shall Join you. What Tidings Shall I carry to you? That a total degeneracy has prevail’d ; or that the ancient Virtues are revived? Are there none who rejoice in this Exit? I Shall Soon give them another moment of delight: and much good may it, do them. Ames and Parsons Sett the World in a howl...
20210From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 2 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 23d.— Gerry is gone to joine his Copatriots in lamentations over the degeneracy of his Country; at least in Sagadahock, Nantucket and Alexandria. I am, left alone, to carry the last and worst tidings to the Skies. What Shall I? What can I say of Mr Gerry’s Family? An amiable Wisdom and nine amiable Children. I can say no more— MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
20211From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning your Letter of 6. November, which I mark number 41 was delivered to me—Why it had been so long on the road I know not—That of the 3d: I had received a full week sooner—It always give me some uneasiness to be more than a week without hearing from you, but as the time for the freezing of the Russian rivers has come I was attributing the delay of your Letters to some such...
20212From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the eighth is come not to fill me with doubts because that was already effected but to make those doubts almost certainties and those of a very disagreeable nature if it must be so there is no remedy but I hope you have been misinformed about our commander and that he may prove better than you expect— What do you think of the English Speech? it is most affectedly peacable, and...
20213To James Madison from Peter Early, 2 December 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Peter Early. 2 December 1814, Milledgeville, Georgia. “In conformity with the directions of the Legislature of this State, I have now the honor of transmitting to you the inclosed copy of certain resolutions passed by that body at their late Session.” RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Early; docketed by JM . The enclosed resolutions (4 pp.), dated 18 Nov....
20214To James Madison from James Ogleby and David Winchester, 2 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
It is with real regret we for a moment withdraw your attention from national to individual interests. Having failed to receive any notice from every other quarter to our applications for the aid of Government in the prosecution of a just claim to restitution, must be our apology for intruding on your valuable time. The circumstances of our case are these: on the raising of the Embargo in the...
20215William Mitchell’s Agreement to Grind Wheat for Thomas Jefferson, 2 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I am willing to grind M r Thomas Jefferson ,s Present present Crop of wheat on the following terms VIZ, I will give a Bble of fine flour for every five & half bushells wheat. Or I will give a Bble Superfine flour for every Six bushells wheat or fifty Cents Extra on every Bble Sfine flour which ever M r Jefferson may perfer W m Mitchell ⅌
20216Thomas Jefferson’s Agreement to Lease Natural Bridge to Philip Thornton, 2 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Memorandum of an agreement entered into on the 2 d Day of December 1814. between Thomas Jefferson of Monticello in the county of Albemarle on the one part and Philip Thornton of Richmond in the county of Henrico on the other part. The sd Thomas agrees to lease to the sd
20217From James Madison to Congress, 1 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I transmit for the information of Congress the communications last received from the Ministers Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States at Ghent, explaining the course and actual state of their negociations with the Plenipotentiarys of Great Britain. RC and enclosures, two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 13A–E1; and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, President’s...
20218To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 1 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Having received a Commission of Surveyor of the Port of Boston & Charlestown, and another as Inspector of said Port, I beg leave to offer my sincere thanks for this renewed mark of your favour & confidence. Every attention, within my Power and abilities, shall be paid in the execution of the duties of these Offices, by which I will hope to merit the approbation of Government. With the warmest...
20219To James Madison from Josiah Meigs, 1 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
The Commissioner of the General Land Office respectfully represents to the President of the U States that by letters from the Governor of the Indiana Territory it appears that applications have been made to him for the purpose of obtaining leases of some reserved sections in that territory which exhibit appearances of salt springs—for the purpose of making experiments. By the 2d sect. of the...
20220Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Milligan, 1 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
1814. Dec. 1. wrote to mr Millegan to procure me Garnet ’s Naut. Almanac 15. to be forwarded by mail. & his d o for subseq t years. Blount ’s Naut. Alm. for 1815 & subsequent Stewart ’s elements of the Philos. of the human mind. 8 vo FC ( DLC
20221To James Madison from John L. E. W. Shecut, [ca. November 1814] (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to intrude myself to your notice, in the hope, that altho almost incessantly engaged, in the most arduous concerns of the nation, you may at some leisure moment condescend to honour me with your attention. With somewhat more than nineteen years Practice and close observation, I have at length been enabled to digest a new Theory and Practice of medicine, adapted to all parts of the...
20222Memorandum for Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. November 1814] (Madison Papers)
Sketch put into the hands of Mr. Dallas as outline for the Exposition of the causes & character of the war. The rupture at Ghent, with the haughty demands of the Enemy producing it, invite an explanation to the impartial world of the causes & character of the war. This the more necessary as no pains have been spared by the B. Govt. to propagate deceptive views of it. They have represented the...
20223Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Renting Natural Bridge for Manufacture of Shot, [ca. November 1814] [document added in … (Jefferson Papers)
Natural bridge . principles for renting for shot manufact y a shot tower of 160.f. height costs 7000.D. the Natural bridge , & it’s adjacent banks being more than 200 f. high, will require a building of not more than 1000.D. to wit to hold the furnace, kettles or cisterns E t c this is a saving then of 6000.D. in each site, which gives the measure of the value of each site, and belongs fairly...
20224James Ogilvie to Thomas Jefferson, November [1814] (Jefferson Papers)
The young gentleman, M r Colin Clark , who will present this letter was formerly a pupil of mine; his academical proficiency & good conduct, gave him a solid claim to my confidence & affection: of the sincerity of these sentiments I afford him an unequivocal evidence, by making him known to you.— I can scarcely indulge the hope of seeing you again, but assuredly, wherever hereafter, my...
20225John Wilson to Thomas Jefferson, November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
It is painful, to know we live in such an age, that the most laudable sentiments which can emanate from the mind of man, if they come not from the highest & as it may be called, disinterested source, lose much of the influence they would otherwise acquire. It is a knowledge of that frailty, which has determined me to lay before you, a sketch, of the doctrine & discipline, which at present...
20226From John Adams to John Taylor, 30 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
In your 4th page, you give Us your Opinion “that the moral Efforts of Mankind, towards political Improvement, have been restrained and disappointed, by the erronious Opinion, that Monarchy Aristocracy and Democracy or mixtures of them constitute all the Elements of Government.” And you proceed to State, that “it will be an Effort of your Essay to prove, that the United States have refuted the...
20227To James Madison from Joseph Bloomfield, 30 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
I hereby offer and solicit the acceptance, of my resignation, of Brigadier-General, in the army, of the United-States. It is impossible, for me to add to the high respect, with which, I have the honor to be Sir Your most faithful Obedient humble Servt. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRUS , B-1814). Docketed by James Monroe. Enclosed in Bloomfield to Monroe, 30 Nov. 1814, which was docketed as received in...
20228To James Madison from William Jones, 30 November 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Jones. 30 November 1814, Navy Department. “The promotions and appointments designated on the enclosed paper are required for the naval service of the United States.” RC ( DLC ); enclosure ( DNA : RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Nominations, 13B–A3); letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). RC 1 p.; draft of JM
20229To James Madison from William Jones, 30 November 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Jones. 30 November 1814, Navy Department. “The promotion of the within names, is required to fill existing Vacancies in the marine Corps.” Letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). The enclosed list (1 p.; printed in Senate Exec. Proceedings, Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington,...
20230Jason Chamberlain to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel myself highly flattered by the notice you were pleased to take of my Oration, in your letter of July last. Your speculations, on the study of the Classicks, meet my own views on that subject; and the method, you recommend, is exactly the one I adopted. I have seen many an ingenious young man, after a course of Classical reading in the manner you propose, become well versed in most of...
20231James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Despatches are rec d from our ministers as late of the 31. ult o , at which time the negotiation was depending. On paper, serious difficulties seem to be remov’d, and few only to remain, the principal one of which is however important. Impressment is laid aside, for the reason urgd in the instructions to our ministers, which is strengthend, by being us’d as an argument on the part of the...
20232From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter to you, was dated 17th of October 1814 which supposing the negotiation had ended in Sep’br I directed It to Saint Petersburgh, and Sent it to go by which ever way public dispatches went. I hope it will not travel further than Ghent, where by your Letter of 25th of october, yesterday received—I find you are yet. As it personally concerned us, I rejoice that you are so much nearer...
20233From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 29 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
As my Husband has thought it proper to inclose a Letter, received from our Son to the president, which I presume you may read, I inclose one to me, for your perusal, the political part of which you may read to the president if you judge best; it is a more fre e expression of his feelings, and opinions, respecting the continuence of this farze of a negotiation on the part of the British...
20234From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
My letter of Friday last informed you of the arrival of the Fingal at Havre, and of the dispatches from the Government, brought by her that we had received—I should at the same time have told you that the Ajax, the Dutch vessel in which Mr. Changuion went to America, arrived on the 21st: instt: at the Texel, after a passage of 34 days from Boston. I now add, by way of episode that the Dutch...
20235To James Madison from John Rodgers, 29 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 24th Inst. did not reach me until last Night. The estimation in which you appear to hold my qualifications to fill the important Office of Secretary of the Navy, can not be otherwise than flattering to my pride, and I would fain add, as singularly auspicious to my views, did not my own reason but too forcibly tell me that my abilities are not of a kind to justify my...
20236To James Madison from William Jones, 29 November 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Jones. 29 November 1814, Navy Department. “I have the honor to enclose, for your Signature the Brevet Commission herewith.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). 1 p.
20237From John Adams to James Madison, 28 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
When my Son departed for Russia, I injoined upon him to write nothing to me, which he was not willing should be published in French and English Newspapers. He has very scrupulously observed the rule.— I have been equally reserved in my letters to him: but the Principle on both sides has been to me a cruel privation, for his correspondence when absent, and his Conversation when present has been...
20238From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 28 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 23d gave Us all great Joy. We heard of your return to Boston, from twenty quarters: and though there was somewhat, at first a little misterious in it, yet We all conjectured the motives the consultations and ratiocinations that produced it, and unanimously approved and applauded them all. I find by a Boston Newspaper, that you are one of my Brother Authors. I cannot blame...
20239To James Madison from John Adams, 28 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
When my Son departed for Russia, I enjoined upon him to write nothing to me, which he was not willing Should be published in French and English Newspapers. He has very Scrupulously observed the rule. I have been equally reserved in my letters to him: but the Principle on both Sides has been to me a cruel privation, for his correspondence when Absent, and his Conversation when present has been...
20240Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 28 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Oct. 28. came to hand on the 15 th inst. only. the settlement of your boundary with Col o Monroe is protracted by circumstances which seem foreign to it. one would hardly have expected that the hostile expedition to Washington could have had any connection with an operation 100. miles distant. yet, preventing his attendance, nothing could be done. I am satisfied there is no...
20241To James Madison from Thomas Law, [ca. 18–26 November 1814] (Madison Papers)
When I heard of the conflagration of the Capitol &ca, I indulged the hope that a temporary misfortune would be converted to a benefit, & that I should have the satisfaction of witnessing prosperity here dated from your administration of Government. The enclosed proposition I submit to your perusal with all deference. In it I have considered the claims of the heads of departments, whose...
20242To John Adams from William Plumer, 25 November 1814 to 26 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
A variety of avocations, and a degree of ill health, has prevented me till now from making my grateful acknowledgement for the receipt of your obliging letter of the 27th of last month. You ask my opinion whether New Hampshire is prepared to adopt the measures of the Massachusetts legislature? I think they are not. Though the damning doctrine of dismemberment has advocates here, yet I do not...
20243From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
I did not mean to offend you, in what I wrote you concerning the information you gave. but I was so much watched , every word I utter’d appear’d to be made of so much importance, I was in a continual fever, lest some foolish observation should give rise to doubts of my discretion; added to which our good Friend the Chargé under pretence of receiving the same news, used to pump me very hard,...
20244From James Madison to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
I did not receive your favor of the 11th. instant till a few days ago; and I have till now been too much indisposed to acknowlege it. You are not mistaken in viewing the conduct of the Eastern States as the source of our greatest difficulties in carrying on the war; as it certainly is the greatest, if not the sole inducement with the Enemy to persevere in it. The greater part of the people in...
20245To James Madison from James Smith, 26 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
Permit Me to present My respects, and grant Me the liberty to trespass on your attention a few Moments. On the 28. of May 1800 I had the honour to bear a lieutenants Commission in the U.S. Navy, and attachd. to the U.S. Brig Generel pinckney, Under the Command of George Cross Esqr, and Samuel Haywood the latter, as second officer. The Brig pinckney being sold from the service, I got permission...
20246To James Madison from Simon Willard Jr., 26 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
I regret to trouble you with another letter & beg your indulgence with leave to inform you that I am waiting in anxious expectation to hear from you—and in an Impaired state of health with an anxiety heightened by disappointment. I was extremely disappointed on my arival at Washington to learn of the absence of a Certain friendly acquaintance on whome I relied to assist me to introduce my...
20247From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 25 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
The Evening before last Coll: Milligan arrived here from England. He had left London on Saturday Morning the 19th: and came by the way of Margate, Dover and Calais—Before he cross’d the Channel he saw at Margate and Dover, the London Evening Papers of Saturday, announcing the arrival from New-York of the long-expected Fingal—She landed four passengers on Thursday the 17th: at Portsmouth, and...
20248From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your charming letter only reached me last night the roads being very bad but it came time enough to put me in high spirits and I went immediately after to a little Ball at Miss Focks were I amased myself very much and did not return untill 3 o’clock this Morning Thank God for all the good news you gave me may he still grant us his protection and as you say turn the hearts of our enemies all my...
20249Thomas L. McKenney to William Jones, 25 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have been introduced through the entreaties and tears of the aged and the young, to an acquaintance with a rule of your office, which I beg leave to say, is as honorable to yourself, as it is promotive of the cause of morality, Religion, and the Service of the Country. I refer to the rule lately applied in the case of young Ritche, on account of his having been accessory to a fatal duel...
20250Horatio G. Spafford to Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
At length I have arrived in this city, exhausted with fatigue, having been travelling near 5 weeks. It is about 6 weeks since I crossed the St. Lawrence , on my return from Upper Canada , & I only rested one week at Albany . Under these circumstances, I regret to learn that it is much further than I had supposed, to Monticello . The winter is also approaching, & I feel in haste to return to...