26201To James Madison from the House of Representatives, 31 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 December 1811. “Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House information whether, tobacco the growth of the United States is admitted into Holland, and if admitted, whether the administration en regie on that article as it exists in France, extends to Holland and the Hansiatic towns; and whether the tariff in Holland is the same as...
26202Thomas Jefferson to Jeremiah A. Goodman, 31 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The people arrived here on the evening of Saturday the 28 th with every thing well except 1. hog tired & killed on the road. the articles for Dick to carry back will be now soon ready to put on board his waggon, but it is now raining, so that it is not likely he will set off today. the inclosed paper will tell you what they are & what is to be done with them. we are in very great want of the...
26203Thomas Jefferson to Jean Guillaume Hyde de Neuville, 31 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 6. weeks from home has prevented my earlier acknolegement of your letter of Nov. 22 . I am happy to learn from that that M adame d’Houditot d’Houdetot continues in life and health. there was no person in France from whom I recieved more civilities or for whom I entertained higher regard, and it would at all times be pleasing to me to shew my senses sense of it by services to...
26204Thomas Jefferson to Irenée Amelot De Lacroix, 31 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
A long absence from home has prevented my sooner acknoleging the reciept of your letter of the 10 th . I have this day written to the President of the US. on the subject of it. but, Sir, it is important on these occasions to send testimonies of character, which I would advise to obtain from those who not only know you, but are known themselves to the government. these papers come under regular...
26205Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 31 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since I have had occasion to address a line to you, and the present is an irksome one. with all the discouragements I can oppose to those who wish to make me the channel of their wishes for office, some will force themselves on me. I inclose you the letters of several merely to be placed on the file of candidates & to stand on their own ground, for I do not know one of them...
26206Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Pollock, 31 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Nov. 19. arrived here probably a day or two after I had set out on a journey from which I have but recently returned. I lose no time in answering it. I really feel every disposition to do you justice by bearing witness to the services you rendered while agent for Virginia at N. Orleans , which my memory could enable me to do with sufficient certainty. but the obliteration from...
26207To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 30 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
In my private letter to you of the 19th. I took the liberty to intimate that I might address you by the frigate on the subject of connecting the indemnities due to our citizens with a convention of boundaries of Louisiana. I have had many hints on this subject both from Spanish & French authority. I have always discouraged the idea by a declaration as general & vague as might be, that I am not...
26208To James Madison from John Stevens, 30 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
The great importance of the subject of the following communication must be my apology for intruding on your time. A bill respecting the naval establishment has, I find, been reported in the house of representatives, by which, among other things, it is provided that Dollars be appropriated to the purpose of establishing a dock-yard for repairing the vessels of war in such central and convenient...
26209To James Madison from Calvin Jones, 30 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 December 1811, Raleigh. Encloses a return of the militia of North Carolina for 1811 [not found]. “The Militia of this state would afford good materials for an Army. They have the necessary talents, courage and patriotism, but they are very defectively armed. Many are entirely destitute of arms, and of those reported a great proportion are totally unfit for service.” Wishes to bring this...
26210Nicolas G. Dufief to Thomas Jefferson, 30 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Vous trouverez ci-inclus le premier Supplement au catalogue que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous acheminer aussi-tôt après Sa publication. Je viens de recevoir le calcul intégral & différentiel de La Croix , mais comme vous voulez toutes ses œuvres, je présume que cet ouvrage ne vous conviendra pas. Je profite de cette occasion pour vous prier d’agréer au renouvellement de l’année mes vœux pour votre...
26211Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 30 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have often been extremely mortified at the abuse of my right of transmission by mail, committed by booksellers and sometimes by foreigners in sending packages of books, which I have always forbidden when apprised in time. a recent instance is so gross it is as to require my special mention of it to you. a mr Low of New York , publisher of an Encyclopedia has sent on 3. quarto volumes by...
26212Andrew Logan to Thomas Jefferson, 30 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Forgive an intrusive young man for taking the liberty of writing to you on a subject which is of So little importance both to you and to the community generally—that it is possibly possible you may deem it not worth an answer.—In the course of last week I had a political contest with a gentleman in Lancaster ; he states to me that you sold to Englishmen all the stock of the U. S. Bank that is...
26213From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 29 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
A very droll accident happend to the inclosed Letter, as you will See by the address; I wrote two Letters yesterday, one to you, and one to the Select Men of the Town of Quincy in behalf of a poor woman who I thought Stood in need of assistance. the Letters were folded, and being call’d Suddenly down Stairs, I handed the wrong Letter to Susan desiring her to address it, the Letter was Sent...
26214To James Madison from Joseph G. Cadiz, 29 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 December 1811, Washington. Submits a short sketch of his life with a view to obtaining an appointment as consul at Buenos Aires. Mentions that he was born in Caracas and resided there until he was sixteen, then went to Barcelona, where he was employed for two years as a clerk in a commercial house. He immigrated to Havana, where he worked as a clerk, then went to Baltimore for three years....
26215Thomas Jefferson to William Lambert, 29 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 6 weeks has prevented my sooner acknoleging your two favors of Nov. 14. & 22. which I found here on my return, the former with a letter from Bishop Madison . I am very thankful for your calculations on my observations of the late Solar eclipse. I have for some time past been rubbing off the rust of my mathematics contracted during 50. years engrossed by other pursuits, and have...
26216Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 29 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 19. arrived here just as I had set out for Bedford , from whence I returned a few days ago only, & found your letter here. I thank you for mr Lambert’s calculation on my observations of the late eclipse of the sun. I have been for some time rubbing up my Mathematics from the rust contracted by 50. years pursuits of a different kind, and thanks to the good foundation laid at...
26217To John Adams from Daniel Johnson, 28 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose to you a Prospectus of a work, which I am about printing, should sufficient encouragement be found, to justify the undertaking. I have been casting my eyes over the list of our venerable political fathers, to select some man to commence my lists, and from whom I might at the same time be enabled to gain some chara c ter of the author. I have been induc e d...
26218From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 28 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Paris. June 14, 1783. Gentlemen—Permit me to address the enclosed Memorial to your excellencies, and to explain to you my reasons for so doing. It is because many consequences now at a great distance, or unforeseen by us, may arise between our two countries, perhaps from very minute and incidental transactions, which in their beginnings may be imperceptible and unsuspected as to their future...
26219William W. Clayton to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been Very unfortunate Coming from Frederricks bg on my way near to your Place in Bedford I lost my Horse died on the Road I was Taken sick and Compelled to stay on The Road untill my money Is nearly Exausted I wish To Get to M r Clays near To your Possessions in Be Bedford a few shillings wou d aid me RC (
26220Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 28 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return after an absence of 6. weeks in Bedford I find here your favor of the 5 th informing me of the dismission of Livingston’s suit. as this has been for want of jurisdiction, without any investigation of the merits of the cause, the public impression mind will remain unsettled & uninformed as to the justice of the case, and their impression produced by Livingston’s squalling as if his...
26221Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Nelson, 28 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The suit of Livingston against myself having been dismissed from court for want of jurisdiction, the merits of the case still unexplained to the public, I am apprehensive the impression made by Livingston’s squalling may be strengthened by the false inference that I wished to get rid of the case in that way, which is not true. I believe therefore it is due to myself, & still more to the...
26222To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 27 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I received your very acceptable letter of the 20th. and I shall attend to its request with great pleasure. I neither believe that our “ souls ” or our “ marrow ” are to be tried. The only thing to be put to risque is our “ wind ”. “Armour & attitude”, now-a-days mean only what they did in the days of Æolus.—Quâ data porta ruunt—The seas are upturned and the shipping interest annihilated—But...
26223Circular Letter to State Governors, 27 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to forward to you a copy of “an act for the appointment of representatives among the several states, according to the third enumeration.” As the subject will necessarily engage the attention of the legislature of your state at an early period, I have thought it proper to hasten the transmission of this document to you, And Am, &c. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL ). U.S....
26224To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 27 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I addressed a line to you yesterday on a minor subject; at this time, my mind is intent on a very important point. It has been confidentially communicated to me, that there are two revolutionary officers on the list of candidates for the office of Commander in chief of the national Army; Governor Hull & General Brooks. Governor Hull & General Dearbo[r]n were in my mind the most prominent...
26225To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 27 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have once more escaped from the Jaws of death last night for the first time I went to the Theatre. At ½ past eleven it caught on fire 800 persons present & in a few minutes the whole was in flames. I kept back to permit the crowd to precede me until the black warm smoke suffocated all around me, & falling also I made a mighty effort & sprung forward far enough to descend about 12 feet on the...
26226From James Madison to Congress, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, Washington. “I lay before Congress copies of Resolutions entered into by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, which have been transmitted to me with, that view, by the Governor of that State, in pursuance of one of the said Resolutions.” RC , two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 12A-D1; and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, 12A-E2). Each RC 1 p.; in the hand of...
26227To James Madison from Lafayette, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, La Grange. Discusses Franco-American relations and introduces Mr. de Correa. “When I have left town Some days ago symptoms seemed to promise a Better Answer to Mr. Barlow’s note than had been for a long while obtained by An American Minister—I hope he is By this time coralled to send of the frigate, and will not Any Longer Delay these few lines depending upon him to Give you...
26228To James Madison from Henry Lee, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, Baltimore. This letter will be presented by Major Clark of Little York in Pennsylvania. He was introduced to JM many years ago but has sought this reintroduction in the belief that JM will have forgotten him. He was an aide-de-camp of General Greene until he was appointed accountant general of the army. RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Docketed by JM. John Clark, Jr. (1751–1819), entered the...
26229Thomas Jefferson to William & Samuel Craig, 27 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 6. weeks occasions this late acknolegement of your favor of Nov. 29. covering a letter from Doct r Stephenson of Belfast . and asking my directions with respect to a small box from him containing 2. plants of a grass which I had asked under the belief it’s introduction would be useful to our country. if the box be as small as I expect, so that it might not be an abuse of the mail...
26230Thomas Jefferson to John Low, 27 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 6. weeks from home has occasioned the delay of acknoleging the reciept of your two letters of Nov. 29. & Dec. 15. the former announcing to me the forwarding a sets set of the Encyclopaedia, which published in New York , which, it says, I subscribed for a few years ago. there is certainly some mistake in this matter. possessed as I am of every Encyclopedia which has ever been...
26231Thomas Jefferson to William Mann, 27 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 6. weeks in a distant county is the cause of this very late acknolegement of your letter of Nov. 11 . covering the copy of a spa in Chancery by Gourley against a group of defs among whom I am named, without being able to conjecture the cause of it. you are free to consider the spa as served on me personally. I observe that mr Nicholas is a def. and presume he will not let us...
26232To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 26 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
During the time Cobbett was abusing me in his newspaper to the great joy of a number of our tory Citizens, I met Hamilton Roan in a family in which I was called to see a patient. We had met before at Major Butlers table. He took me by the hand in the most cordial manner. “Our situation said I Mr Roan is a good deal alike in Philada—We are both in an enemy’s country.” “no Sir ” (said he)—“I am...
26233To James Madison from William Hawkins, 26 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to transmit to you, the enclosed authenticated copy of certain resolutions which have been adopted by the General Assembly of this State, approbating the sentiments contained in your message of the 5th Ultimo, to the Congress of the United States; attributing the evils which we have experienced “wholly” to the “unprincipled conduct” of the belligerent powers of Europe; and...
26234Alexander von Humboldt to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Pour ne pas ouvrir une longue lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de Vous adresser par l’intremise de Mr Correa , j’ose Vous ecrire une seconde fois, pour Vous incommoder d’une priere. Auriez-Vous la grace, Monsieur, de m’envoyer par Monsieur Barlow dix livres de graines de tabac de Virginie et 4 livres de tabac de Maryland . C’est un cadeau de la plus haute importance pour moi Daignez agreer...
26235Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The Arrival of the Constitution frigate Has Blessed me with a very welcome Compensation for your Long Silence— I Have first Enjoy’d the kind Letters directed to me, then took a share in those to mde de tessé and to my friends Humboldt and tracy —they Have Given me So much to think and to Say that I feel the insufficiency of Epistolary Correspondance , and more than Ever the Need of personal...
26236James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Fearfull letters from so many different places may impress you with doubts of the character of the writer—I shall even tell you what I been about—The want of Antimony ( all indespensible in the Letter foundry) induced me to visit France , first to procure an immedeately supply, and in the next place to make arrangements for a regular supply for the future, with this adventure we had reason to...
26237From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 25 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I never was so much at a loss how to answer a Letter, as yours of the 16th. Shall I assume a Sober Face and write a grave Essay on Religion Philosophy, Laws or government? Shall I laugh like Bacchus among his grapes, Wine fats Vatts and Bottles? or Shall I assume the Man of the World, the Fine Gentleman, the Courtier, and Bow and Scrape with a smooth smiling Face, soft words, many compliments...
26238To James Madison from Charles Collins, 25 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
Well assured that matters of high consideration press upon thy attention I feel diffident in diverting thee a moment therefrom, but would just say in a brief manner that for sometime past I have felt it my duty to abstain from the consumption of the produce of Slaves and there being some in our society similarly situated I have been induced to commence the trading in such articles as do not...
26239To James Madison from William Hawkins, 25 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 December 1811, Raleigh. Transmits the enclosed resolutions at the request of the General Assembly of North Carolina. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 45, Misc. Letters Received). Both the RC and the enclosure are printed copies, one page each, with Hawkins’s signature and JM’s name as addressee added to the RC and the signatures of the clerks of both houses of the North Carolina General Assembly...
26240To James Madison from Willie Blount, 24 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 December 1811, Knoxville. “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 10th Instant, in reply to an address of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, which will be laid before that body, at next Session. It breathes the true American Spirit, and contains Sentiments worthy of the chief Magistrate of an independent Government, who is determined it shall remain so. I...
26241To James Madison from Anthony Charles Cazenove, 24 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 December 1811, Alexandria. “Enclosed is Messrs. Murdoch Y. W. & Co.’s draft on you in my favor for £60. Stg for your last pipe of wine, the amount of which you have been good enough to remit me per your letter of 16th. instt. The vessel I have mentioned before will sail for Madeira, in case you should have any further commands to go by her.” RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 1 p. Docketed by JM....
26242Thomas Jefferson to James Leitch, 24 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
6.℔ oznabrigs thread 3.℔ blue & green thread, of the size of oznabrigs thr d RC ( ViCMRL , on deposit ViU : TJP ); dateline beneath signature; written on a small scrap; at foot of text: “M r Leitch.” Not recorded in SJL .
26243From James Madison to Congress, 23 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I communicate to Congress copies of an Act of the Legislature of New York, relating to a canal from the Great Lakes to Hudsons river. In making the communication, I consult the respect due to that State; in whose behalf, the commissioners appointed by the Act, have placed it in my hands for the purpose. The utility of canal navigation is universally admitted. It is not less certain that...
26244To James Madison from John Gassaway, 23 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 December 1811, Adjutant General’s Office, Annapolis. Transmits a general return of the Maryland militia for 1811 [not found]. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , G-31:6). 1 p. Docketed by a War Department clerk as received 26 Dec. 1811.
26245To James Madison from Jonathan Russell, 23 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 December 1811. Introduces Thomas L. Halsey, Jr., who will hand this letter to JM and is “a Gentleman with whom I have been well acquainted from his childhood.” Halsey desires either to serve in the army, if the country should be involved in war, or to obtain a consular appointment to South America. He will faithfully discharge any trust, and “I shall feel personally much gratified in the...
26246From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 22 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of Nov, might have been sooner acknowledged, if I had been younger, my eyes brighter, my fingers steadier, and if I had less writing to do, and fewer letters to answer. I have the honor to coalesse in the “consolidated” opinion of your neighbourhood, that the Presidents Message and the documents attending it do honor to the Government to the President his Ministers and...
26247From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
After I had written the letter of which I now enclose a copy, intending to have it ready for Mr: Smith, an opportunity was presented me of sending it by another conveyance—and Mr Smith not being ready to go, I dispatched it; so that as he is now upon his departure I shall send by him two letters instead of one, for you—And as the Winter opportunities are so unfrequent, I write by him also to...
26248From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
More than four months have again passed away, since I have received a line from you, and nearly seven since the date of your last Letter—I should feel this less severely, if that and your other most recent letters had not left a source of uneasiness upon my mind, which nothing but more agreeable information can remove—Although the communication direct from this Country to the United States was...
26249To James Madison from John Geddes, 22 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you an Address unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives of this State. It gives me peculiar pleasure, at this moment of general feeling and Interest, to assure you, that in thus adopting this address unanimously, the House have fully expressed the sentiments of their constituents, whose decided opinion it is, that the period has now arrived when an...
26250Thomas Sully to Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
An association has lately been formed in this City consisting of Artists, & Amateurs, residing in different parts of the Union; Under the Title of Society of Artists of U.S. I am requested to communicate to you in the name of the Society . That you were unanimously elected a m an Honorary member at a special meeting held on the 15 th inst : Your love for the Arts & Sciences, and your long &...