1From James Madison to William Jones, [13 February] 1811 (Madison Papers)
I return with my thanks the printed document you were so good as to send. There is an obscurity in the passage which you note, that calls for some such emendation as you suggest; unless the term sequestration has a meaning in the French Code, different from that generally attached to it. The translation may also be inaccurate; the more probably so, as there are two in the Newspapers not...
2From James Madison to William Jones, 12 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed commission will inform you of your appointment to be Secretary of the Navy. I hope it will not be incompatible with your views, to aid the public, especially at the present conjuncture, with your valuable talents; and that you will be able, without delay, to enter on the important duties of the Department committed to you; no temporary provision having been made for the vacancy...
3From James Madison to William Jones, 20 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
In persuance of the act of Congress providing that in case of absence from the seat of Government, of the Secretary of the Treasury, the President of the United States may authorise a Person to perform the Duties of that officer, during his absence, I am to ask the favor of you, and hereby authorise you to perform the same. RC ( PHi : William Jones Papers). In a clerk’s hand, signed by JM. JM...
4From James Madison to William Jones, 12 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 12th. I hope the arrival of Gen: Bloomfield will lessen the military collisions which take place in your neighborhood. In the mean time your sentimts. & those of the Secy. of State must be useful. The step you have taken for strengthening the defence at Annapolis appears to be very proper. A proper understanding and concert between Washington Baltimore &...
5From James Madison to William Jones, 14 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 11th. and am much gratified by the account from Capt: Perry. It is to be hoped that the success of what was to follow in his movements, will correspond with that of his preparatory advances. The occurances under Harrison appear also to be in a favorable unison. I concluded my journey early on the fourth day, after I left Washington. I gained strength on the road,...
6From James Madison to William Jones, 19 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
The mail has just brought me your several favors of the 16th. with the accompanying papers. If nothing occurs ad[v]erse to the appointment of Ferguson to be naval officer, & Haff to be surveyer, in place of Schenk at New York, you will be so good as [to] issue commissions accordingly. If there be no blanks signed, it will be necessary to forward some for those & future purposes. I return the...
7From James Madison to William Jones, 21 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 18th. I hope the next information from Chauncy will convert our anxieties into congratulations. The same hope is applicable to Perry. I was called on yesterday by a Capt. Chapman with a proje[c]t of a vessel to be Chinese rigged, but to depend essentially on sweeps; to be made absolutely invulnerable by Cotton & other defences, and to be fitted for firing ships...
8From James Madison to William Jones, 22 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I inclose an affecting letter from Mr. Coffin . It is I suppose too late to take it even into consideration. Were it otherwise, and his recommendations as may be the case equal to those in behalf of Mr. Haff, who can not well have more merit, and is less in want, it might not be amiss to re-weigh the subject. Friendly respects I return the proceedgs in the case of Lt. Sevier, with the...
9From James Madison to William Jones, 29 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return with my thanks the Map of Upper Canada. I return also the papers relating to Weston. As a further report is promised by Coffin it would be premature to remove him. If he is willing to resign however, I think the respectable opinions we know of agst. his official conduct, render that course not improper. It is hard, no doubt that officers holding their places during pleasure, should be...
10From James Madison to William Jones, 6 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Among the letters which will go of course to Mr. Sheldon’s file of candidates, is one from Dr. Sage, stating circumstances of another sort, which claim a prompt & rigid attention. It is probable that you will have recd. the information from some official source; or that it may have been forwarded to the Dept. of State. It is equally due to Mr. Penny, and to the most obvious policy, that the...