1From George Washington to James Madison, 27 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I accept very kindly the Address of the President & Professors of the University of William & Mary. The Reduction of the British Force in this State for which I feel myself highly indebted to the Noble Exertions of our Brave and Generous Allies, is a Circumstance which gives me great pleasure, not only as it affords a Return of peaceful Security to many of my fellow Citizens, but as it will, I...
2From George Washington to James Madison, 22 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Major McHenry—formerly an assistant Secretary to me, & afterwards Aid de Camp to the Marqs de la Fayette, informs me that Congress are about to appoint Official Secretaries for their Ministers abroad, & expresses a wish to go in that character to the Court of Versailles—or London. Justice, if I could divest myself of the inclination to serve this Gentleman, would compel me to represent him as...
3From John Adams to James Madison, 23 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so good as to read the inclosed Letter from Dr. Belknap and tell me, from your Recollection of what passed in Congress in 1779 1780 & 1781, whether there is any Colour for the Imputation cast on our Country by Dr Kippis. I cannot say as Dr Belknap has been informed that Dr Kippis is my Correspondent. I never wrote a Letter to him or received a Letter from him that I recollect.—I...
4From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 10 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mazzei desires me to send him an authenticated certificate of the death of Bellini, with the seal of the state. will you be so good as to get one for me, and further to say whether there will be any property remaining after his debts are paid, and of what value? Accept my affectionate salutations. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
5From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
James Wilkinson of Maryland Governor of the territory of Louisiana from & after the 3d. of July next for the term of 3. years then next ensuing, unless sooner Etc. Joseph Browne of N. York, Secretary of do. from and after Etc. * Return Jonathan Meigs of Lousiana } to be judges of the court of the territory of Louisiana from & after Etc. * John B. C. Lucas of Pensylvania Rufus Easton of New...
6From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 17th. was recieved on the 21st. I consider Armstrong’s letter as giving us the result of the two intemediate letters of Monroe not recieved and that we may anticipate the effect of his mission. on it’s failure as to the main object, I wish he may settle the right of navigating the Mobile, as every thing else may await further peaceable proceedings. but even then we shall have a...
7From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your packet came to hand yesterday with the letters of Monroe, Armstrong, Coburn, Zeigler & Baldwin. altho’ I presume the appointment of Baldwin would be proper. yet as Zeigler continues to act it may lie awhile. I inclose you a letter from a mr Thomas of Indiana inclosing a proclamation of Govr. Harrison and the names of 10. persons out of whom 5 are to be named as Counsellors. who he is I...
8From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 27th. is recieved. I put Lattimore’s letter into my bundle of Agenda to be acted on in due time. Monroe’s, Pinckney’s & Jarvis’s are now returned. I suspect that Pinckney gives us the true design of Gr. Br. to be to oust the French & Dutch from our quarter & leave the Spaniards & Portuguese. it is possible she would rather see these two last in possession of the Southern continent...
9From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 5th. came to hand on the 8th. & I now return the papers it covered. Ferrand’s decree is serious & I have more hope of it’s being corrected by Tureau than by Buonaparte. I shall be with you by the middle of the next week, & therefore defer to verbal explanation every thing public. I shall leave my daughter in a state not immediately threatening nor yet clear of serious anxiety. a...
10From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate salutations to mr Madison and incloses him the extract of a letter from mr Granger, giving information of constant trespasses committing on a certain species of timber growing on the public lands on lake Erie, of great value, and which he presumes should be the subject of a charge from the Secretary of state to Governor Hull. he presumes the Governor...
11From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of July 22. finds me in the hurry of my departure for Bedford. I return you Erving’s letter, and inclose Rankin’s petition for a pardon; as also a correspondence sent me by Lee of Bordeaux, which tho’ a little long, is entitled to a reading, as it throws light on subjects we ought to understand. I sincerely regret that mrs Madison’s situation confines her & yourself so long at...
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 4 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Bedford two days ago I recieved your favor of July 24. and learnt with sincere regret that mrs Madison’s situation required her going to Philadelphia. I suppose the choice between Physic & Baynham was well weighed. I hope the result will be speedy & salutary, and that we shall see you in this quarter before the season passes over. A letter from Charles Pinckney of May 22....
13From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
On a view of our affairs with Spain, presented me in a letter from C. Pinckney, I wrote you on the 23d. of July that I thought we should offer them the status quo, but immediately propose a provisional alliance with England. I have not yet recieved the whole correspondence. but the portion of the papers, now inclosed to you, confirm me in the opinion of the expediency of a treaty with England,...
14From John Langdon Sibley to James Madison, 10 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
By the request of Governor Claiborne, I have the Honour of forwarding to you herewith, a coppy of a French Manuscript that by accident came into my possession. It was found Amongst the papers of the late Governor Messier of the Province of Taxus; he died at St. Antonio, and after his death his family return’d Again to Natchitoches where they had before lived, & this Manuscript was brought in...
15From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 9th. has been duly recieved, & I now return the papers it covered, and particularly those respecting the ship New Jersey, on which I have bestowed due attention. I think the error of Genl. Armstrong a very palpable & unfortunate one; but one not at all chargeable on our government. by the French Convention the council of Liquidation has certain functions assigned to them, of a...
16From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I confess that the inclosed letter from General Turreau excites in me both jealousy & offence, in undertaking, & without apology, to say in what manner we are to recieve & treat Moreau within our own country. had Turreau been here longer he would have known that the National authority pays honors to no foreigner. that the state authorities, municipalities & individuals, are free to render...
17From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 20th. has been recieved, & in that a letter from Casenove and another from mrs Ciracchi: but those from Turreau & to Yrujo were not inclosed. probably the former was what came to me by the preceding post respecting Moreau: if so, you have my opinion on it in my last. considering the character of Bonaparte, I think it material at once to let him see that we are not one of the...
18From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Genl. Armstrong furnishes matter for consideration. you know the French considered themselves entitled to the Rio Bravo, & that Laussat declared his orders to be to recieve possession to that limit, but not to the Perdido: & that France has to us been always silent as to the Western boundary, while she spoke decisively as to the Eastern. you know Turreau agreed with us...
19From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Munroe’s letter most of the views of which appear to me very sound, & especially that which shews a measure which would engage France to compromise our difference rather than to take part in it and correct the dangerous error that we are a people whom no injuries can provoke to war. no further intelligence being now expected on this subject, & some measures growing out of it...
20From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The only questions which press on the Executive for decision are Whether we shall enter into a provisional alliance with England to come into force only in the event that during the present war we become engaged in war with France ? leaving the declaration of the casus federis ultimately to us. Whether we shall send away Yrujo, Casacalvo, Morales? Whether we shall instruct Bowdoin not to go to...
21From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 20th. came to hand last night. I sincerely regret that mrs Madison is not likely to be able to come on so soon as had been hoped. the probability of an extensive war on the continent of Europe strengthening every day for some time past, is now almost certain. this gives us our great desideratum, time. in truth it places us quite at our ease. we are certain of one year of...
22From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to give this a severe correction both as to stile & matter, & as early a one as you can, because there remains little enough time to submit it to our brethren successively, to have copies made Etc. think also what documents it requires, & especially as to Spanish affairs. before we promise a subsequent communication on that subject, it would be well to agree on it’s...
23From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed barbarous Italian would require more consideration to be perfectly understood than I have time to bestow on it. I believe mr Wagner reads Italian. if he does, a good translation should be made; and it sets up such serious pretensions as that I think we should give it to Eaton & desire him to make a statement of what passed between him & the Ex bashaw & such a one as we may...
24From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
how will it do to amend the passage—respecting England to read as follows? ‘New principles too have been interpolated into the law of Nations, founded neither in justice, nor the usage or acknolegement of nations. according to these a belligerent takes to itself a commerce with it’s own enemy, which it denies to a Neutral on the ground of it’s aiding that enemy. but reason revolts at such an...
25From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
will become able to regulate with effect their respective functions in these departments. the burthen of Quarentines is felt at home as well as abroad. their efficacy merit examination. although the health laws of the states should not at this moment be found to require a particular revisal by Congress. yet Commerce claims that their attention be ever awake to them. [Madison’s reply:] (a)...
26From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
As we omit in the 2d. message to enumerate the aggressions of Spain, and refer for them to the documents, we must furnish the documents for every act, particularly - 1. the capture of the Huntress - 2. the carrying our gunboats into Algesiras. - 3. the late depredations on our commerce in Europe. Extracts from Pinckney’s letters. - 4. oppressions on our commerce on Mobille - 5. the delays of...
27From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
additions proposed on some subjects suggested by mr Gallatin submitted to mr Madison by the object of the 1st. addition is to give a practical or ostensible object to the observations on Yellow fever: the true one however being to present facts to the governments of Europe, which in the ordinary course of things, would not otherwise reach them in half a century. DLC : Papers of James Madison.
28From William Hull to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Governor Hull wishes to enquire of the Secretary of State, whether he received his Letter inclosing a Copy of the proclamation, he was directed to issue, and whether for the reasons stated in his Letter the President, thought it expedient, to authorize the Governor, or any other officer, to grant permission to cut such quantities of pine timber as was absolutely necessary, under the peculiar...
29From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Tunisian Ambassador put into my hands the packet now sent, & at his request I promised it should be safely returned to him before he went away, as it contains the originals of letters. it presents a chronological view of the Bey’s correspondence with our officers, with explanatory statements of facts connecting them. I found the whole worth reading, tho’ I had read the letters hastily...
30From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the District atty of N.Y. should be immediately instructed to investigate the expedition of the Leander, & of every person concerned in it; and to learn how it has happened that the officers of the government at that place should have paid no attention & given no information of it while going on. on the report of the Atty to us we may decide what shall be done. DNA : RG...
31From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Should not Claiborne be instructed to enter into a correspondence with Casa-Calvo, to insist on keeping things in their present state, and to let him understand that if any new settlement is made in the disputed territory, and particularly the one meditated on Trinity we shall break it up. DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
32From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
What would you think of raising a force for the defence of New Orleans in this manner? give a bounty of 50 acres of land, to be delivered immediately, to every able bodied man who will immediately settle on it, & hold himself in readiness to perform 2. years military service (on the usual pay) if called on within the first seven years of his residence. the lands to be chosen by himself of any...
33From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the several modifications in mr Gallatin’s paper may be reduced to simple instructions in some such form as follows. The sum to be paid will consist I. of 2. millions ready money. II. of a residuary sum, not exceeding 3. millions, to be paid afterwards as shall be agreed. I. the ready money (as a 1st. proposition) not to be paid till possession of the whole country ceded is delivered &...
34From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
1. Spain shall cede & confirm to the US. of A. East & West Florida, with the islands & waters thereon depending, & shall deliver possession thereof on the ratification by her of this treaty. 2. The US. shall pay to Spain in the city of within after this treaty shall have been ratified on her part five millions of dollars. 3. Spain & France shall have the same privileges respecting trade &...
35From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
my list tells me I signed commissions for the following persons, which being omitted in the list now recieved from the office, renders it desirable that the office be again examined to ascertain whether the error is in their list or mine. Mar. 9. Julien Poydrass of Orleans a member of the legislative council of Orleans. 20. Lemuel Trescott of Massach. Collectr. & Inspector of Machias. the...
36From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
As the letter proposed to the Emperor of Russia may lead to something of importance, I wish to communicate it to the other gentlemen of the admn. will you therefore be so good as to correct it severely , and return it to me as you would approve it? DLC : Papers of James Madison, Rives Collection.
37From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I presume the correspondence between the Ambassador of Tunis & Secretary of State, must be considd as exhibiting the only causes of difference, & that that correspondence alone need be sent to the Senate. want of time for copies must authorize sending the originals, to be returned DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
38From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved, signed & forwarded Poydrass’s commission, & have forwarded the letter to Prevost. I inclose for your perusal a letter from Armstrong. the part therein stated changes considerably the idea we had formed of Bowdoin’s caution & prudence. that mentioned in Bowdoin’s letter is comfortable tho’ it be little more than a repetition of what Armstrong had communicated. some additional...
39From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your express arrived at 12. aclock this day & I dispatch him in half an hour with the papers for Mr. Pinckney signed. I inclose another letter to Monroe, to be forwarded by him. affectionate salutations. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
40From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 19 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter to mr Smith takes up the whole of the subject of his & your letters by the last post, and as he informs me he has a vessel on demurrage till he recieves my answer, I hire an express which will deliver it 5. days sooner than the post would. not to detain him I must refer you to my letter to mr Smith for answer to yours. I return you mr Barlow’s letter. his anxiety makes me more...
41From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe also that I signed the following Commission omitted in the list from the office. May 20. John Broadbent of Sicily Consul for Messina; yet I seem to have some faint recollection that this appointment had been approved by the Senate. [ note in Madison’s hand :] John Broadbent was submitted to, and approved by the Senate the 17 Jany. 1806, but not having received his commission, a...
42From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s by the last post was recieved yesterday, and I now return Monroe’s letters. that Armstrong should be returning so suddenly & without notice is quite an impossibility. any other hypothesis for his journey to Amsterdam would be more probable. I send you a letter from Pierpoint Edwards respecting Swartwout: his testimony against him cannot be suspected, considering their mutual relation to...
43From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 26th. came to hand yesterday. I now return you the letters recieved from you of Shrader, Bowdoin, Armstrong, Milner, Lee, Forbes, Merry, your’s to him, and Duplantier’s. I inclose a letter to me from Brudenhem to be filed & not otherwise noticed, and one from Vettenhort, in which we are bound by courtesy to do what can be done without inconvenience. In another package I inclose...
44From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the Commission made out for mr Briscoe as Commissioner of the Western road, his residence at or near Fort-Cumberland being thought to make him liable to an influence which might affect the direction of the road. Baltimore being peculiarly interested in having that road conducted along the best rout without regard to the local interests of the neighborhood, I have thought it best to...
45From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 26 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I left at Washington a great coat of which I shall have great need. should this reach you before your departure I will thank you to bring it; and it will be in time if I recieve it when you come to Monticello yourself, as it will be on my return only that it will be wanting. I have written to mr Lemaire to deliver it to you. the drought in this quarter is excessive. it begins about the...
46From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the letter of DeWitt Clinton & your answer. I think that if he can deliver or send to Mellimelli the refractory members of his family under the ordinary laws of N:Y. it will be better; but that force should be employed if other resources fail. Airth’s letter & the anonymous one from Havanna are also returned. I send you a letter from the new King of Wirtemburg, one from some...
47From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 2 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you mr Lear’s letters; in which I am sorry to find he says not a word about the Tripoline family. I presume the family has chosen not to be given up. I inclose you a letter from Salvatore Bosutti at Malta, which may be filed in the office I presume without answer. Noble’s letter & sample should I suppose be filed in the patent-office. it may be a charity tho’ it is not a duty to...
48From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 4th. is recieved. I think the course which has been taken for sending MelliMeni home is the best: & I concur with you in the expediency of giving no answer to Turreau. indeed his letter does not seem to call for one. in the present state of our affairs it will certainly be better not to appoint a Consul at St. Thomas’s. we must not risk great things for small. a Consul merely to...
49From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you some papers from the Secretary of Louisiana for your office; also a letter from Sanford to mr Gallatin for your perusal & then to be reinclosed to mr Gallatin. altho’ I have not heard of your arrival at home, yet I trust that you are there. I expect to set out for Bedford tomorrow or very shortly after, & shall be absent 10. days. This may account for delays of answers to your...
50From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The death of Meriwether Jones having taken place, I have written to mr Wagner directly to forward to mr Page a Commission for the loan office, in order to save a post and shorten the term of sollicitations. I shall set out this morning for Bedford & be back about the 25th. Affectionate salutations. DLC : Papers of James Madison.