I have this moment recd. yours of the 29th. ulto., with the copies of mine to judge White, which I had forwarded for your perusal. I shall take good care of them. Suspecting that there had been some unfair practice, in regard to the order from Genl. Armstrong, or rather his sanction to take Pensacola, to Genl. Jackson, I requested Mr Ringgold to procure me a copy of the letter of the 18th. of July, and of that referrd to in it, from the dept., which he did, and which I now enclose to you.1 The occurrence is, in every view, which can be taken of it, a very extr[aordinar]y one. I do not think, that you ever gave the permission, or order, stated, in Armstrongs letter, and particularly, because, you never mentiond it to me, that I recollect, and that the order, which I gave him afterwards, was in perfect accordance with your views.

The letter of Mr Ringgold, was omitted, in my last by accident. I now forward it to you, to be returnd, after perusal. I have recd. one from him, since, stating the substance of a conversation between him & Genl. Gibson, who is, a confidential friend, as Mr R. informs me, of Genl. Jackson & who assurd him, that any publication, that placd him in collision with me, would be very distressing to Genl. Jackson, independent of any effect, it might have, on his views, in other respects. It was inferrd by Mr R, that this assurance was founded on communications from Genl. Jackson to Genl. Gibson. It is certain that, from political, as well as personal considerations, I took great responsibility on myself, in the support which I gave to Genl. Jackson, while I remaind in office, and that much occurrd, which ought to have satisfied him, that I took an interest in his fame and welfare. Return me these letters.

I send you a letter, which I have also just recd., from Mr Hay,2 at Richmond, which as it refers to you, as well as to me, in an interesting circumstance, I have thought it would be agreeable for you to see, that you may be aware, of the object contemplated. I shall write to Col: Mercer, in the sense suggested by Mr Hay, that is, not to include me in the nomination, wishing to take no part in the election. I may glance at you, in the same sentiment, but without compromitting you in any respect. My letter to him will be forwarded by this mail. Return to me Mr Hay’s letter. Mr Gouverneur & our Daughter, have been with us. They left us, with one of their children, a daughter, this morning, on their return to N. York. They desird me, to unite theirs, with our best regards to you, & Mrs Madison—your friend—

I believe it can be proved, that on the 18 of July 1814., I was in Virga., on a visit to Albemarle. I left washington on the 5th., passd thro’ Richmond where I left Mrs Monroe with our daughter, & proceeded to Albemarle, where I presume, I staid, a week, & then returnd thro’ Richmond, by Hooe’s ferry, where I saw the enemy’s sloops below, & could not have passd, if the wind had not blown down the river. Of the latter fact, I informd you, & suggested my fear that Armstrong, had not carried into effect, the arrangment for the defense of the city which had been decided on, before I left it. You inform’d me, that he had apprized you of his correspondence with the governors &ce. The suggestion therefore, that the letter was on my table the next day, with my knowledge, can I am satisfied, be disprovd. I mention these circumstances that you may know all that I do, on the subject.