27701To James Madison from Charles Jared Ingersoll, 7 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
The interest of the subject itself must excuse this communication, if you should think it requires an apology. I am prevailed upon to make it by motives altogether of a public nature. Congress having supported your recommendation by passing an act authorising hostilities against Algiers a squadron is to be sent to the Medittarranean. The naval renown of this country stands now so very high...
27702To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 6 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
In George Town and Alexa. your discrimination has, as it is said, few advocates. Dr. Stuart was my author concerning the opinions of the latter, Mr. Brook Beall concerning those of the former. But I collected afterward, from Mr. Laurence Washington, that Colo. Geo. Mason was strenuously in favor of your motion; and indeed what I recollect of his observations in convention coincides with this...
27703Virginia Delegates’ Agreement with Ebenezer Cowell, 27 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.). Not in Cowell’s hand nor in that of any of the Virginia delegates, but signed by all of them. Endorsed, “Articles Between the Delegates of Virginia & Ebenezer Cowell about 2000 Ramport Muskets.” A copy made for Governor Jefferson by Theodorick Bland is in the Executive Papers of the Virginia State Library. Memorandum of an Agreement entered into this 27th of...
27704To James Madison from James Frazier, 3 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 January 1805, Vienna Customhouse, Collector’s Office. “In 1795 I recvd, two commissions from President Washington, one as collector of the customs for this District and the other as Inspector, which commissions was consum’d by fire as well as my dwelling house on the 30th. Janry. 1804. I have acted under the authority given me ever since, and has endeavored to discharge my duty with...
27705To James Madison from Alexander McKim, 5 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
The solicitude I feel for the safety of Baltimore induces me to Claim your attention for a moment on that subject. Heavy guns have been procured by the City, and Considerable preparations made by the Citizens for its deffence, and with the aid of the drafted militia ordered into service, I have little doubt in a few days we will be able to meet and repell the Enemies present force, provided we...
27706To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
Owing to the interruption of the communication between this country & Holland, I have not been able to Receive any remittance from, or to draw on Messrs. Willinks & Vanstaphorst Since the 6th. July last. I was therefore under the necessity of drawing on your department under date of Sep. 22. 1808 in favor of Richard Hackley for the sum of 1400 Ds., being a few dollars more than half the...
27707From James Madison to William Hull, 1 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
I enclose an extract of a letter from the Postmaster General to the President containing information that trespasses are committing on a certain species of timber, growing on the public lands near lake Erie. It is the President’s direction that you warn by proclamation all persons from committing such trespass, and that you be afterwards watchful to cause the trespassers to suffer proper legal...
27708From James Madison to George Washington, 28 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
The information which I have by the Eastern mail rather increases than removes the anxiety produced by the last. I give it to you as I have recd. it in the words of Mr. King. “Our Convention proceeds slowly. An apprehension that the liberties of the people are in danger, and a distrust of men of property or education have a more powerful effect upon the minds of our opponents than any specific...
27709To James Madison from Robert H. Rose, 13 September 1822 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 26th Ultimo on wednesday. I write so soon to allay the apprehensions of your brother. The Securityship alluded to has entirely escaped the recollection of your Sister and myself. I have hopes that I have obtained the deposition of Mr John Hilliman of Knoxvill⟨e⟩ (as witness to the Bond) that will place the transaction in a proper point of view and...
27710To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 22 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
22 April 1805, New Orleans . “Mr. Brown the Collector, has just informed me of a contest which the Revenue Cutter has recently had with two Privateers in the Vicinity of the Balize. The particulars are as follow. For some time past, two British Privateers from Providence, have been cruising of[f ] the Mouth of the Mississippi, and were in the habit of Boarding every Vessel coming in and going...
27711To James Madison from Lewis A. Tarascon, 3 July 1824 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to submit, to your judgement An address of mine to the people at large in the view of the prosperity and the permanency of our union. The subject is a Novelty for Many Citizens, who Never had the opportunity of thinking of it—and as the work intended would require time, it seems to me that they could not be Brought too soon to their Reflexions. If you Approve of the measure, I wish...
27712To James Madison from Valentin de Foronda, 29 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
Tengo la honra de poner en noticia de este Gobíerno, de orden de S. M. C. el Rey mi Amo Fernando VII, y comunícada por el Exmo. Señor Dn. Pedro Cevallos, primer Secretario de Estado y del Despache, con fha. del 19. de Marzo, el decreto adjunto, por el que resulta la abdícacion de Carlos IV. de la Corona en su Hijo Fernando VII. interin se expiden las cartas de Cancílleria de notífícacion para...
27713To James Madison from John Stone, 1 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
In the Year 1800—in the Month of March I Received on Board of my Vessel, thirteen Portugues Seamen who were taken By me from a Wrack in the greatest distress, off the western Islands, at least 1 300 leages from Land. The Expence of Victuals & Clothing furnished them untill they were landed at Norfolk, I consider should be paid without a moments delay, either By our Govt. or the Portugues...
27714From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 1 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 March 1804, Department of State. “On the receipt of the proceeds arising from the sale of the guns and other articles lately made thro.’ Messrs. Pettit and Bayard, you will be pleased to account with and pay over what may remain, after deducting the expenses, to the Treasury.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. This is a clerk’s error for “gums” (see Coxe to JM, 3 Feb. 1804 ,...
27715Notes on Debates, 21 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782 , ed. n. The Committee to confer wth. Mr. Livingston was appointed the preceding day in consequence of the unwillingness of several States to elect either Gel. Schuyler, Mr. Clymer or Mr. Read the Gentlemen previously put into nomination, & of a hint that Mr. L. might be prevailed on to serve till the Spring. The Committee found...
27716To James Madison from Francis J. Le Breton Dorgenoy, 27 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The honor of your letter Dated November 30th. was handed to me by the Governor of the territory, on the 25th. January at about nine oClock in the morning, and immediately in Pursuance of the orders of the President Proceeded to the Bature in front of the suburb St. mary and in my official caracter Ordered away Sundry Persons whom I found labouring thereon and which Persons I know had commenced...
27717From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 10 August 1795 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of July 6, having been addressed to Williamsburg, instead of Orange Court House , did not come to hand till two days ago. Your gloomy picture of the Treaty does not exceed my ideas of it. After yielding terms which would have been scorned by this Country in the moment of its greatest embarrassments, & of G. Britains full enjoyment of peace & confidence, it adds to the ruinous...
27718To James Madison from George Davis, 13 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a Genoa Gazette received by this mornings mail, which contains the late degree sic of His Majesty the Emperor of France declaring Great Britain in a state of Blockade &c &c &c. The Vessel which has on board my letters of yesterday, is still off the harbour, & have dispatched a Boat with the hope of placing this on board. With profound respect & Consideration I...
27719To James Madison from Philip Wilson, 7 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 7 September 1802. Mentioned in Daniel Brent to Wilson, 11 Sept. 1802 (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 14), as an inquiry about Wilson’s claim against the British government on account of his ship. Brent replied in JM’s absence that “the dispatches of Mr. King which were brot. by Major Lenox, contain no intelligence concerning your claim,… but I will lose no time in examining some of his...
27720To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Letter unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Addressed by Randolph to “The Honble Jas. Madison jr. esqr. of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Jany. 15. 1782,” a misdating by a year. The extreme badness of the weather prevented me from sending a letter from hence to Richmond for the post of last week. As I am really uneasy, at a little seeming omission on my part to...
27721To James Madison from Levett Harris, 30 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Levett Harris. 30 July 1806, St. Petersburg. “Some days Since, two Italians, representing themselves to be priests of the Roman Catholick religion, called upon me, and made particular inquiries respecting America, whither they proposed going, and residing in their clerical capacities. They further requested my interference in their behalf for passage, in one of our Ships then in port,...
27722To James Madison from St. George Tucker, 11 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
On friday last I had the pleasure of recieving your favor introducing the young Count Barziza, & his friend to my Acquaintance; they did me the favor to dine with me, and I was much pleased with them both. Fortunately, Mr. Scott had not left Williamsburg; I availed myself of that Circumstance by introducing them to him, & have reason to think he may be the means of procuring them such...
27723From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 4 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your several letters of and of May 2. The views you have taken of the late intelligence from France will justly claim all our attention. Should war ensue between G. B. & F. our great objects will be to save our peace & our rights from the effect of it; and whether war ensue or not, to take advantage of the crisis, to adjust our interests with both. It is particularly...
27724Militia, [17 December] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The second section of the militia bill was still under consideration. Mr. Madison enquired if the committee had come yesterday to any resolution respecting the exemption of the members of the state legislatures: if they had not, he wished to pass them over, as it was better, in his opinion, to leave the legislatures of the states to make the whole of the exceptions themselves, especially as...
27725To James Madison from George Jefferson, 14 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 9th., and am sorry to inform you, that the price of Tobacco still continues low; indeed I apprehend that even the price which Mr. G. informed you he had been offered for yours, could not be now obtained. There has been a very great drouth with us, of which probably you have heard—and which has injured the growing crop I am told immensely: this certainly...
27726To James Madison from Thomas L. McKenney, 7 April 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose for your acceptance the documents connected with the communication made to both Houses of Congress, at its late session, by the late President of the U. States, on the subject of locating the Indians, now within our States & Territories, West of the boundaries of Missouri & Arkansas. I accompany them with the assurance of my highest respect & esteem. RC ( DLC )....
27727From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 June 1785 (Madison Papers)
Finding from a letter of Mr. Mazzei that you have never been furnished with a copy of the Bill for establishing the Christian Religion in this State, I now inclose one, regretting that I had taken it for granted that you must have been supplied thro’ some other channel. A very warm opposition will be made to this innovation by the people of the middle and back Counties, particularly the...
27728To James Madison from George W. Erving, 13 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
According to present appearances, the surprizing efforts which this country has made are likely to be crowned with complete success: it has been assisted too by a sort of fatality which seems to have accompanied the french arms from the commencement. The grossest Errors have been committed by generals of the greatest reputation; to say nothing of political Errors which have been abundant; &...
27729To James Madison from the Citizens of Harrison County, Indiana Territory, ca. 6 January 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 6 January 1810. Urges appointment of William Henry Harrison to a second term as territorial governor. Printed broadside ( DNA : RG 46, Territorial Papers of the Senate). Addressed “To the Honorable the President and Senate of the United States.” Signed by Nathan Deen and thirty others. Undated. Cover dated Jeffersonville, 6 Jan. Reprinted in Carter, Territorial Papers, Indiana , 7:710–11.
27730To James Madison from Daniel Carroll Brent, 30 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Bishop has received a letter from which the subjoined extract is made by his desire, & communicated to you: it is from a French Priest, resident at Detroit. I have the Honor to be, with perfect Respect, Dr. Sir, Your Obed: & faithful Servt. DNA : RG 107—LRUS—Letters Received by the Secretary of War, Unregistered Series.
27731From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 April 1786 (Madison Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 18th. of March. My last answered your preceding one relating to your territorial speculation. I hope it has been reced. I forgot to intimate to you, though I presume it would have been superfluous, that it will be well in every purchase to ascertain by information as far as possible, the proportion of land which lies on the river and comes within the description...
27732To James Madison from Alexander White, 14 February 1795 (Madison Papers)
Your favr. of 2d instant came to hand in course of Post. What a man wishes he will readily believe, I feel a confidence that the accounts of Jay’s successful negotiation are well founded, and that a general Peace in Europe is an event not remote. These circumstances I consider as ensuring the prosperity of our own Country, and I flatter myself that the proceedings of the present Session will...
27733To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 27 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
Your esteemed favor of the 20th of Oct. was duly recieved. Such a gratifying & valuable testimonial of your confidence, & of the esteem of my other political friends, could not fail to beget a wish that it were in my power to accept of the honorable office, rendered vacant by the death of the late Judge Cushing. But my encreasing years & difficulty of sight admonish me, in a tone, which can...
27734From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 1 May 1796 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr. Chew, with the papers to which it refers. I have not yet recd. the subsequent letter promised. I have thought it best to put every thing he has sent into your hands, that you may be the better able to take the steps which his interest requires. The Letter for Z. Taylor, will go with more safety by private hands from Orange, than thro’ the post office from this...
27735To James Madison from Masters of American Vessels at Matanzas, 30 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
The undersigned American citizens, now in this port, under the pressure of the most serious concern, conceive it our duty to address you on a subject deeply interesting to our feelings. We are well aware that the constitutional organ, through which these communications ought to be made, is the consul or commercial agent, but as neither of these officers reside here, we are under the necessity...
27736To James Madison from Jacob Wagner, 12 September 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have forwarded to Mr. Sanford the patent he requested. I have forwarded the letter addressed to Mr. Payne under the impression that it would be opened by his family: should not this be the case, I shall be happy to send it to Tripoli. From a conversation I had with the Comptroller; I thought it necessary and not amiss to write the letter, of which I enclose a copy, to the Collector of...
27737To James Madison from Erastus Roberts, 18 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I take it upon myself to communicate to you my wish to be re-appointed in the service if a suitable vacancy should present itself. I take this method because I presume it to be the one most acceptable to government, and also, from your known wish to do justice to the late Army as far as it lays in your power—taking it for granted that every mans’ character, who has served four years and a half...
27738To James Madison from John Stone, ca. 1 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 1 December 1801, Norfolk. Rescued thirteen distressed Portuguese seamen off the Azores in March 1800 and provided them with food and clothing until they landed at Norfolk. The state of Virginia has paid for their support since their arrival, but, as explained in Governor Monroe’s letter, it has declined to reimburse him. Wishes to know what steps to take in order to be reimbursed for...