1To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 16 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from the author of the former letters, would to me be too flattering, not to be read with the greatest complacency. I forward it with pleasure to the man, who deservedly commands, the affection, and the esteem of a Dickinson. The Pamphlet, which accompanies, on the agriculture of the United States, was sent to the office by Mr Williams, at the direction of Mr King. Two...
2To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 17 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 April 1801, Washington. Forwards a letter addressed to the secretary of state which, when opened, was actually meant for Mrs. Madison. Asks that Mrs. Madison pardon the impropriety and assures JM he is “perfectly ignorant of the contents.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.; docketed by JM.
3To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 5 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I received your favor inclosing papers respecting the Bingham and Cabott cause and will pay seasonable attention to them. I expect in a few days to see the Gentlemen who have had the conducting of that cause in court with whom I wish to consult on the subject, before I form an opinion. The very severe sickness of Mrs. Lincoln’s mother, and of herself, has prevented my Journeying, and the...
16 December 1801, Washington. Transmits the secretary of the treasury’s 14 Dec. report and the proceedings of the treasury officers, in which are described the measures authorized by the board and completed since the commissioners’ report of 28 Nov. 1800. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Reports from the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, 7A-F7). RC 1 p.; signed by JM and the other...
5To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 29 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 December 1801, Washington. In reply to JM’s note [not found] enclosing Indiana territorial governor’s letter of inquiry [not found], gives opinion on 3 Mar. 1791 law confirming pre-Revolutionary land titles in Illinois country and making grants to certain settlers in the region. RC ( DNA : RG 60, Letters from and Opinions of Attorneys General). 6 pp.; docketed by Wagner. Printed in Benjamin...
6To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 21 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 January 1802, Washington. Received on 20 Jan. JM’s letter [not found] enclosing that of 16 Jan. from William Bingham’s agent [Charles Willing Hare], who had already sent him a similar letter and printed statement of the case. Gives brief history of most recent trial in Cabot et al. v. Bingham lawsuit in which plaintiffs were awarded $34,630.25. Believes that Bingham’s incorrect statements...
7To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 11 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1802, Washington. Relates circumstances of the case of the vessel Mercator , “alledged to be Danish property, and for the capture of which a claim is now made on the United States.” The Mercator was seized off Saint-Domingue by the American schooner Experiment on 14 May 1800; six hours later, while sailing under the American flag, it was seized by the British armed ship General Simcoe...
8To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 26 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 March 1802, Washington. “In answer to your communications, as contained in the letter of the attorney Genl. of the Mississippi territory, enclosed by Governor Claiborne respecting claims to vacant lands in that territory, I can state little more than general principles, and a loose opinion on the described cases.… Nothing can be clearer, than that all grants, made by the Spanish Government...
9To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 12 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you the communications which I recd., yesterday, from the Spanish minister, together with my ideas on the Subject. I can find no provision, in the Constitution, in any law of the United States, or in the treaty with Spain, which reaches the case—I have examined them particularly. The communication states a transaction, involving a highhanded breach of the peace,...
10To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 26 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
The authority given, by law to grant patents is unquestionably confined to the citizens of the U. S. The priviledge is a monopoly, in derogation of common right, and as it is not, ought not to be, extended, to foreigners. Was it to be, it would be subject to endless abuses, privations and embarrasments to our citizens. I have no doubt on the Question. With sincere friendship your Humble Sevt....
11To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 26 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 May 1802, Washington. Gives opinion on the case of a Portuguese brig “which you did me the honor of submitting to my consideration.” On 28 July 1800 the brig was recaptured by Captain Rodgers of the ship Maryland after having been captured thirteen days earlier by a private armed schooner from Bordeaux. Rodgers arrived at St. Kitts on 20 Aug. with the brig. The admiralty court there refused...
12Proceedings of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, [7 June] 1802 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury reported to the Board, that provision has already been made to meet nearly all the demands which will become due in Holland, during the course of the present year, but, that it is necessary to make immediate provision for the payments on account of principal & Interest which fall due there, during the first five months of the year 1803, and amounting to Four...
13To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 17 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor, in compliance with your request, to submit to your consideration, my ideas respecting the case of the schooner Peggy. This vessel, if the information I have been able to collect, abroad, is correct, for it does not appear from the papers I am furnished with, was captured in the neig[h]bourhood of a west India Island, and so near the shore, and so destitute of arms, as to...
14To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 25 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since I forwarded you the papers respecting the schooner Peggy, Mr Pichon has furnished me with the opinion of the supreme Court, on which, their decree was founded, and which, connects their decision with the treaty. Had I have seen this opinion before, I should [have] given my own, in defference to it, with less confidence, but still differing from it. Our convictions depend on the views, we...
15To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 3 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration my Ideas, generally, on the questions which arise, in the case of the Brig Los Amigos, without being able finally, to form an opinion, satisfactory to myself, on all of them. It appears from the papers, that this Brig was owned by a Spanish subject, and in the prosecution of a voyage, from Jamaica to Cabello, was captured by Capt Maly of the...
16To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 6 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to forward a letter recd by the last mail from the District attorney of Vermont respecting the strange affair referred to in the accompanying papers which you some time since enclosed to me. I am Sir most respectfully yours RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, LOAG ). RC docketed by Brent. For the enclosed letter from David Fay to Lincoln, 29 June 1802 (3 pp.; docketed by Brent),...
17To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 29 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 October 1802, Worcester. Has considered the case of Captain Clifton, on which JM asked his opinion. “It is believed no law recognized by nations, enacted, or adopted by the U States is particularly applicable to this case, or will render it proper for the US to interpose. I doubt very much the authority of the general Govt to take, forcibly detain in custody, and bring to this country from...
18To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 1 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Mr. John Waldo, letters from whom I have heretofore handed you soliciting for a Consulship, is now in this town. It is in compliance with his request that I do myself the honor to state to you his continued wishes on this subject. He says Mr Livingston has written you in his behalf. He has letters with him, from Barlow, Sumpter & others, which Speak very handsomely of him. He means to wait on...
19To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 5 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 January 1803, Washington. Acknowledges JM’s 4 Jan. note with the enclosures. “Wm. Holliday devises to his son Robert, ’ 1,000 acres of back lands situate about six miles distant Kentucky river, in the North western territory , being so much of a survey of 1,500 acres of soldier’s right surveyed by John Machir on my account .[’]” Nathaniel Massie previously had surveyed for William Holliday...
20To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 10 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 February 1803, Washington. After examining the case JM forwarded on 9 Feb. respecting the Heinrick [ Hendrick ], he judges many of the matters complained of are “mere circumstantial errors” or such as would have been corrected had the claimants pursued the proper remedy by appeal. “However sudden, irregular, and hard on the party, the process & the judgement, may have been, it must be...
21To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 28 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 February 1803, Washington. Has examined Daniel Clark’s will and the accompanying papers received 27 Feb. “The Testator’s closing dispositions of property, are to me, as unintelligible and mysterious, as are his religious ones in the begining of his will.” The will charges the estate with paying debts and legacies, appoints executors, and creates “a trust for the sale of the estate, coupled...
22To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 14 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 March 1803, Washington. Responds to questions contained in a letter from Governor Harrison to JM which he received from the president. Finds it difficult to understand why Harrison doubts that Detroit was considered outside the limits of the Northwest Territory while it was in British possession. The resolve of 20 June 1788 confirms titles and possession of the described lands to...
23To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 18 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1803, Washington. Returns Bingham’s letters respecting his action with Cabot and others, as they are little more than repetitions of former statements, and makes the following observations, similar to those made in an earlier letter, of which he kept no copy. Bingham, who considers his demand against the U.S. as warranted by law, should certainly have the benefit of any resolve passed...
24To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 25 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
Absence from Worcester prevented my reception of yours of the 1st. Inst. for some time after its arrival, and a subsequent distressing sickness in my family which has deprived me of one child & had rendered others the subjects of but a feeble hope for several days delayed me in procuring the law referred to, and considering its provisions untill the present time. I hope no inconvenience has...
25To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 15 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
In despair of being able to form a decided opinion or one perfectly satisfactory to myself, from the facts or principles of which I am possessed, respecting the submitted question, I can only state the course and result of certain reflections on the subject. The several articles of the convention obviously designed to designate the same demands, as those which the U. States are held to...
26To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 9 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving yours, inclosing Mr Merry’s as his Britanic majesty’s minister to the United States. Its contents lead to a consideration of the immunities of public ministers, in relation to exemptions and protections, of their dwellings their domestics, servants, and labourers , in some new views of those subjects, and beyond any cases, which from my means of information, I can...
27To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 27 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 May 1804, Washington. Described as a one-page autograph letter signed of about fifty-five words in the American Art Association Anderson Galleries Catalogue No. 4143 (1935), item 286.
28To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 1 December 1804 (Madison Papers)
In examining the submitted case of Charles Massey & others assignees of Ambrose Vasse, the result is less satisfactory than I had expected. Assignees unlike executors, Administrators or partners in business, do not appear generally to possess a joint and several power of receiving and discharging the debts due from the debtors of the Bankrupt. Nor do they appear to be considered, in law, as...
29To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 28 December 1804 (Madison Papers)
As the office which I have been honored with under the General Govt. will become vacant on the commencement of a new year, should there be any thing in your department requiring the immediate attention of an Atty Genl. I would with pleasure give it that attention. Possibly there may be a convenience in having two or three blank patents signed whose dates may be accommodated to circumstances....
30To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 31 December 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration a summary result of my examination of the 3d Sec. of the law of Feby 28. 1803, respecting the three months pay of discharged seamen in a foreign country, which you requested. This Sec., in substance, requires, of the master of a vessel belonging to a citizen of the U S, on a sale of such vessel and a discharge of her company, in a foreign...
31To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 23 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Newspaper accounts of the proceedings of the Legislature of Mass., during the present session, must have prepared you & the nation for results similar to the enclosed. It is not for me to assign reasons for such extraordinary conduct, different from the objects and the motives avowed. There is nothing concealed. The facts and their tendencies are on the face of the transactions and cannot...
32From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, with Levi Lincoln, [17] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at this place, and a favorable apportunity of addressing you, offering itself by a government vessel going to France with our late convention with that country, I avail myself of it being authorized by the President of the United States to perform the duties of this department per interim. The Country in which you reside having as well...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Ellsworth and William Vans Murray, with Levi Lincoln, [18] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at the seat of Government I have been authorized by the President to discharge the duties of that office per interim; and among the objects which have claimed the earliest attention is the Convention signed by yourselves and General Davie with the government of France. This instrument was laid before the Senate on the 16th. of December...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 21 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have thought it my duty to submit to your consideration two letters, addressed to the Secretary, containing the application of Major Thomas A Dyson, for the office of marshal of this District of Columbia, as also Stephen Moylan’s letter of congratulation. Mr Gelsten’s having in view similar objects, is also submitted. The office, is informed by a letter from Mr Sitgreaves, that he declines...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
with the letter, and the associated papers from Mr Porter, and three from Gent. in Alexandria recommending Capt Moore as register of wills in that district, I take the liberty of submitting to your inspection a letter of a more private nature just recd. from Boston—By it, my friends, it is easy to be perceived, have agreed to confuse. Explanations, it is to be hoped will remove the...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 8 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I omitted to mention that there was a mistake in making out the commission for Ray Greene of Providence. the design was, to appoint him to the office of a district Judge, the commission to him is, as judge of the circuit court—he has sent it back, & wishes to have it rectified. It is probable that Bourn was the judge of the district court. when the appointment was made—of course there was no...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 9 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to forward for your consideration several setts of papers on subjects to which the attention of government has been pressed by the applicants. Priestman’s case will appear fully from his papers. Judge Peters certificate on the back of a former petition prefer’d to the treasurys office, excludes the idea of intentional wrong, for which purpose I have procured, & forward it. It...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 16 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of recg. yours of the 10th, this morning. It is much to be regreted, that Mr Madison indisposition continues. The public have much to expect from his abilities, and his Patriotism. The two returned Commissions are recorded, with blanks left for the names and dates —These will be necessary to complete the record. Joseph Clay jr. declines accepting his commission, as judge of the...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 15 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It is from duty and inclination that I now write. After some accidental & unexpected delays on the road, I reached this place in health. Through the upper parts of Maryland & Pennsylvania, it is obvious that the federal cause is considered by it’s leaders as ruined, the sentiments of the people as changed & fast changing, in favor of the new order of things; and that these leaders from a...
40Levi Lincoln’s Opinion on the Betsy Cathcart, [3 July 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The prize Ship Betsy Cathcart, in June 1796, with a British cargo on board, in her passage from one British port to another, being captured by a French privateer duly commissioned, was in distress brought into an American port. liberty to sell on repeated applications, by the captors, was refused on the part of the U.S. For the purpose of necessary repairs the cargo was permitted to be...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 5 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought to apologize for the many interlineations, and erasures in my letter respecting the Case of the Betsy Cathcart . It is a copy, by a little son who made mistakes, in copying from the original, which had been often interlined and altered. From a reperusal I fear, in some instances I have not expressed my ideas with sufficient clearness, and in others, have unnecessarily repeated them a...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 28 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
By yours of the 12th mentioning a former letter which I have since had the honor of receiving, I was put into a state of some anxiety. The one of the 11th from some circumstance or another did not come to hand untill several days after the one of a later date. It is said by the Worcester post-Office tht. it went on to Boston & afterwards came back. On its reception, not suspecting it had been...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last by a letter from Brown the Navy agent in Boston I have his accont of the condemnation, sale & repairs of the Berceau, excepting the cost which, at present, he is not able to furnish but which he will forward as soon as it is in his power—The words of the instruction are different from what I supposed they were. I supposed them to have been expressed, as Brown considered the...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 15 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last , has been received your’s of the 26th & 28 of August. The former was read with great pleasure, and the subject matter of the latter had been previously attended to—I lately spent several days in Boston, find the sentiments and feelings of the opposition, much as I have heretofore stated. The republicans in spirits, the federalists depressed, and the lower classes of them, are...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 16 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
you will have learnt before this reaches you, that we have failed in electing a republican member for the next Congress. The defeat was occasioned by the grossest misrepresentations & the basest arts. Emissaries were sent round the district to propagate slander in a way which could not be detected untill it was too late—Both the Worcester papers have been devoted to the federal party. The...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 24 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Perceiving by a paper, just received, that Mr Madison had arrived at Washington, I am reminded of my own situation in reference to the Government. I have had no letter for a long time, which, is considered, as a proper, though, severe punishment for my neglect in not writing myself. I have no apology, unless the want of something of importance, enough to be communicated can be allowed, as...
47XV. Levi Lincoln’s Remarks on the Message, [ca. 27 November 1801–8 December 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The Address. relieved from the danger— 2 page—3 line Quere—if the word from had not better be inserted as the word commerce understood is the object on which the verb seems immediately to operate Page 3d. — Quere, whether postage on newspapers had not better be added to the list of duties to be suspended. The means of instruction and of spreading knowledge are generally in all the States, not...
48IV. From Levi Lincoln, 1 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Sir I have carefully considered the subject you did me the honor of submiting to my attention. The people of the five N England Governments (unless Rhode Island is an exception) have always been in the habit of observing fasts and thanksgivings in “pursuance of proclamations from their respective Executives.” This custom is venerable being handed down from our ancestors. The Republicans of...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 2 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
After the utmost attention which I have been able to pay to the questions , respecting the northwestern territory, which you did me the honor of submitting to my consideration there is a difficulty in giving a decisive answer. I can find no grounds, or principles for a very confident decision in, or out of the ordinance for the establishment of that Government. Nothing can be collected to aid...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 13 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
By the chronicle, received yesterday, we have learnt the fate of Mr Morton’s motion in the legislature of Massachusetts. If the only object was, to obtain an address, the measure was certainly ill-concerted, they ought first to have known their numbers. It is apparent that the friends to the motion did not expect to carry it, but meant it, as a measure to effect future elections. The inclosed...