11From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his compts. to Mr. Adams & asks the favor of a call on him at his house this morning for a few minutes, as he may be passing to the Capitol Hill. As J. M. may happen at the moment to be at the President’s House, it may perhaps be as well for Mr. Adams to take that in his way. RC ( MHi : Adams Papers). Docketed by Adams, who noted: “Same day—recd.” JM nominated Adams to be...
12From James Madison to Caesar A. Rodney, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison requests the favor of Mr. Rodney to meet at his house tomorrow at 11 o. c. the other members of the Administration for the purpose of a consultation. Printed copy (Goodspeed Catalogue No. 369 [1943], item 1126).
13From James Madison to the Senate, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
To the Senate of the United States. I nominate Robert Smith now Secretary of the Navy to be Secretary of State. William Eustis of Massachusetts to be Secretary of War. John Quincey Adams of Massachusetts to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of St. Petersburg. Thomas Sumpter Junr. of South Carolina to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of Rio Jeneiro. Henry Hill of New York to be...
14To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Very seldom did I ever ask the attention of the President of the U States to any Candidate for office in those days when my recommendation would have weight. Nor should I now do it, was I not thoroughly convinced from my long knowledge of yr. goodness that you would take pleasure when proper, to recollect those who have been like myself always personally attached to you, especially when they...
15To James Madison from James Taylor, 6 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
James W. Moss e[s] quire now of Mason County in this State has made some arrangements to move to that part of the Indiana Territory which appears by a late law of Congress to be made a Separate Territory. He has suggested to me a wish to recieve some secondary appointment in the Illinois Territory, such as Secretary, Register or reciever of public Monies or indeed any other you might please to...
16To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Washington County, Maryland, 6 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1809, Hager’s Town. The “republican Citizens” of Washington County met at the courthouse on 4 Mar. to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the day when “ correct principles ” triumphed over “a party , whose obnoxious measures whilst in power deservedly lost them the confidence of the people; and also to celebrate this day , upon which Jas. Maddison is exalted to the presidential chair.”...
17From James Madison to William Eustis, 7 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed commission will inform you that I have taken the liberty to nominate you to fill the Office of Secretary of War, vacated by the resignation of General Dearborn, and that the Senate have compleated the appointment. I transmit the Commission with a hope that I shall have the pleasure of learning that your Country will have the benefit of your services in that important station. I...
18To James Madison from Epaphras W. Bull, 7 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Before this you will have seen the proceedings of the Legislature of this State. It is with much satisfaction I inform you that they are read with indignation and abhorrence by evry friend of the administration. There is but one sentiment among us that they are treasonable in principle. I am confident many very many of our opponents will not justify the measures. We will support the...
19To James Madison from Seth Lewis and Others, [7 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
The undersigned practising Attornies at law within the Mississippi Territory beg leave respectfully to represent to your excellency that they Consider it Compatible with the privileges of free men to express their Opinions on Subjects interesting to themselves; and the Community in which they live. They have learned that one of the Judges of this Territory has resigned and that, that office is...
20Executive Pardon, [7 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
James Madison , President of the United States of America To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting — Whereas it has been made to appear to me that a certain Negro lad, named Nathan , was, at a Circuit Court of the United States , for the county of Washington in the District of Columbia, holden in December last, duly convicted of a burglary by him committed in the house of Francis...
21To James Madison from G. Anderson, 7 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will pardon me for soliciting your interposition in favor of the bearer hereof, my son Walter G. Anderson who has been in the Navy of the United States for about six years, which service he did not wish to quit, but from a severe stroke of the paralytic his physicians advise him to do so, and as his narrow circumstances render employment of some kind absolutely necessary, your...
22To James Madison from George Joy, 8 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1809, London. He has written Lord Grenville regarding inconsistencies in the parliamentary debates over the naval blockade, the enforcement of which has exceeded “the rule of the War of 1756.” He attended the debates where Rose and Canning spoke, the latter saying with “the most consummate Impudence” that he would not discuss the state of American negotiations. Joy took “copious Notes”...
23To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 10 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to your instructions, I have made arrangements to provide the most necessary articles of furniture required for the President’s house. The first and most expensive of these are Looking Glasses of large dimensions. I have already purchased conditionally 3 pair, the largest of which is 8 ft. 6 in in highth, and I have in view one other pair, of very considerable highth & width. The...
24To James Madison from Rebecca Blodget, [ca. 11 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
It might be expected that a woman & a stranger shou’d apologize for the freedom of addressing The President Of The United States—but, my dear Sir, I never made an apology in my life, and it wou’d take me longer to frame one than to write the petition which will be the subject of this address. It is in behalf of Col Burr—to whom it is but just to declare, that I act without his authority, or...
25To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 11 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Prevented by a severe cold from paying You my Congratulations, personally, on the 4th of March, I requested our mutual Friend Mr Deblois to present them, hoping, ere’ this day, to have had the pleasure of renewing them myself. As the weather & roads still keep me from that satisfaction, I cannot longer delay begging You to accept my sincere professions of Joy on Your being placed at the Head...
26To James Madison from George Joy, 11 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1809, London. Reports that at least eight ships from America have recently arrived in a British port in violation of the Embargo. Seeks appointment for himself and Samuel Williams as commercial agents for U.S. in London. Williams is known as an honorable man on the exchange and would be a valuable representative, particularly if Joy’s business took him elsewhere. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
27To James Madison from the Mother Superior of the Ursuline Convent, 11 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1809, New Orleans. Congratulates JM upon his inauguration and asks for the same “Solicitude paternelle” for the convent’s work in educating the young as was enjoyed during the Jefferson administration. RC ( DLC ). 2 pp. Written in French and signed: “ Sr. de St. Xavier farjon / Superieure des Religieuses ursuline .” Docketed by JM. Enclosed in W. C. C. Claiborne to JM, 20 Mar. 1809 .
28To James Madison from Joshua Barney, 12 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Immediately after the affair of the Chesapeake (July 4th.) I went to Mr. Jefferson, making him a tender of my personal services. As our country seems yet to be menaced by foreign powers, I still hold it my duty to continue that offer, which I now do to you as President of the United States. I do it the more cheerfully because I am not unknown to you personally. I shall always feel a sincere...
29To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 12 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Previously to the establishment of arrangements for carrying on the work during the ensuing Season, I beg to lay before you a proposition of which I hope to receive your approbation, and which I beg specially to explain on account of the personal interest I appear to have in it. Independently of my Salary, the expenses of the direction of the public works have been, Salary of the Clerk of the...
30H. Lewis to Dolley Madison, 12 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 March 1809, Philadelphia. Asks that his stepson be appointed an official courier to carry diplomatic dispatches to England. Requests that Mrs. Madison “have the goodness, after mentioning the Matter to the President, to inform Mrs. Lewis or me, whether the appointment has been made or not, And if it has not; in what manner an application for it should be made.” RC ( DLC : Dolley Madison...
31From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I have been very tardy in acknowledging your favors of Jany. 17 & 24th. and the very valuable present from Mrs. E. Livingston, I am not the less sensible of them. I pray you to tender her in my behalf, my sincerest thanks for such a token of her kindness. The cloth has been highly admired both for the manufacture, of which she has the merit, and for the material which affords a specimen...
32To James Madison from William Heath, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Although I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with you, duty and affection prompt me to address you, in sincere Congratulation, on the triumph of principal, in the recent Election of President, and Vice President, of the United States. Having been Contemporary, with Hancock, the Adams’s, Warrens and others, in the Councils of this now State, in those “times which tried mens souls,”...
33To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Litchfield, Connecticut, [13 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
At a numerous & very General Meeting, of the Republicans of the Town of Litchfield, convened at the Inn of Capt. John Phelps on the thirteenth day of March AD. 1809. Gen. Timothy Skinner was called to the Chair, John Welch Esq. was appointed Secretary And the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted. Whereas , At the present alarming & inauspicious crisis in the affairs of Nations & of...
34To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Retired as I live from the political World, and devoted as I am Obliged to be to the duties of my profession, I have not been an indifferent Spectator of the events Which have elevated you to the Chair of the United States. Permit me to express, not only the pleasure I feel in common with a great majority of your fellow Citizens, but to unite my Congratulations with those of your early and...
35From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 March 1809. Acknowledged in Cathcart to JM, 12 May 1809 . Orders wines.
36To James Madison from Pierpont Edwards, 13 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 March 1809. Mentioned in Edwards to JM, 18 May 1809 . Discusses complaints against Joseph Willcox, federal marshal for Connecticut, and recommends that John Brainard be appointed in his place.
37From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been obliged as you will note to avail myself of your indulgence in answering your favor the 20th. Ult. I have looked over attentively your observations at the Cambridge Meeting, and tho’ I do not enter into the aptitude of all your observations, I perceive in them a very interesting view of our public affairs. On the question whether a publication of them would be useful, I am...
38To James Madison from George W. Erving, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you unofficially & very much at large on the 12t Jany; it will not be necessary, & may not be proper, for me to trouble you at present in the same manner; indeed I am not able to add anything of consequence to whatever information is contained in my official letter to the secretary of State of this date: As I think it however proper to explain particularly the...
39To James Madison from Gideon Granger, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
G Granger presents his most respectfull compliments to the President and, at the request of the Citizens of the County of Muskingum in Ohio, incloses for his perusal some resolutions passed by the Citizens on the 25th. of Feb. A copy has been sent to the Intelligencer for publication. At a meeting of a respectable number of the Citezens of the County of Muskingum and State of Ohio agreeable to...
40To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The plan on which the Presidents square is proposed to be planted having been approved by the late President U.S. I had given the necessary directions prior to the 4th. of March last. The principal work which will be done during my departure will be the planting of trees & shrubs near the outer Wall as far as the Ground is finished, the manuring such parts as were omitted on account of the...
41To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I solicit your directions as to the adaptation of the rooms in the East end of the President’s house to the use of the President and the Secretaries in Cabinet Council. If the first room occupied by Mr Coles as a sitting room be considered as sufficiently large for this use, supposing that used as the bedchamber to contain the Books & papers not in constant use, it would save much delay,...
42To James Madison from the Republican Committee of Talbot County, Maryland, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
At a Period, the most eventful ever witnessed by Man, when the whole civiliz’d World is engag’d in War —a War in which much of the Blood of Europe has fed the arid Lands of the South, or been congeald upon the frozen surface of the North; whilst the British Lion, and the Gallic Cock, emulous for the extent of outrages on the Law of Nations and the Rights of Neutrals, seem determind that the...
43To James Madison from Daniel Buck, 14 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 March 1809, Norwich, Vermont. Buck [a former Federalist representative who had served in the House of Representatives with JM] advises the president to prevent a British incursion into “the Spanish provinces at the south” by sending U.S. troops “and [by] energetic exertions to supplant the British, as well as the French, by the seizure of the Mexicoes.” Suggests that disaffection in “the...
44From James Madison to John Armstrong, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 14 March 1809. Offered for sale in Charles Hamilton Catalogue No. 80 (5 Sept. 1974), item 275, which describes the one-page letter as a request that Armstrong obtain French permission to import merino sheep, noting that the letter reads in part: “The value of this breed to our Country is now generally understood, and acquisitions of specimens are acceptable services to the...
45From James Madison to the Chairman of the Republican Meeting of Elbert County, Georgia, 15 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 10 of Feby. addressed to the President of the U. S. inclosing the proceedings of the Meeting of Citizens of Elbert County, having arrived after the expiration of the term of my predecessor, it devolves on me to acknowledge the receipt of it. And I can not do this without expressing the satisfaction afforded by resolutions breathing sentiments of so much patriotism, at a...
46From James Madison to the Chairman of the Republican Society of Hancock County, Massachusetts, 15 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd the resolutions of the 23d. of Feby. conveyed thro’ you, by the meeting of inhabitants from the Towns of Eden, Trenton, & Mount Desert, in the County of Hancock in the State of Massachts. The determination expressed by the Meeting to maintain the authority of the laws and the national rights, becomes Citizens who know their duty & love their Country. In referring the embarrassments...
47From James Madison to Napoleon, [15 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
To our Great and Good Friend His Imperial and Royal Majesty the Emperor of the French, King of Italy and Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine. I have received your Imperial and Royal Majesty’s Letter of the 7th February 1806 announcing the marriage of your much loved son the Prince Eugêne Napolêon with the Princess Augustê Amêlie of Bavaria which was celebrated at Munich on the 14th of...
48To James Madison from William Chambliss, 16 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Not being able to procure an appointment In the United States Service—I enlisted hoping by this to be promoted—I am now With B. Genl. W Hampton as Clerk—With whom I expect Very Soon to Visit your City—but this is not altogether Certain—If I can get either a Commission of Any Kind in the Army or Navy I shall be extreemly Glad as it is my Wish to be Constantly in the Service—If I cannot obtain...
49From James Madison to the Chairman and Secretary of the Republican Meeting of Washington County, Maryland, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your Letter of the 6th Inst: conveying the resolutions of a portion of my fellow Citizens of Washington County in the State of Maryland. Whilst I return my thanks for their kind expressions of confidence and regard; I feel much satisfaction in observing the patriotic spirit breathed by their resolutions unanimously adopted. The situation of our Country justly awakens the...
50From James Madison to Napoleon, [17 March] 1809 (Madison Papers)
To our Great and Good Friend His Imperial and Royal Majesty the Emperor of the French, King of Italy and Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine. I have just received your Imperial Majesty’s letter of the 29th of March 1807, communicating the intelligence that the Princess Eugêne Napoleon Vice Queen of Italy, was happily delivered on the 14th of that Month of a Princess who had received...
51From James Madison to William Pinkney, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will learn by the communications from the Dept. of State, that the discussions of Congs. on our foreign relations had an issue less operative than was at one time looked for. The aversion to war, the inconveniences produced by or charged on the embargo, the hope of favorable changes in Europe, the dread of civil convulsions in the East, and the policy of permitting the discontented to be...
52To James Madison from William Jarvis, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to address you the 25th. Ulto. by the Brig Vestal of Hull, Lennant Jones, Master, acquainting you that in consequence of your instructions, I shipped on board the Brig Hetty Captn Morehouse in Octr. 1807 a pipe of port Wine say Lisbon Wine a pipe of Bucellos & a quarter Cask of port, which vessel being captured carried into England & herself with the rest of the Cargo...
53To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
On opening my letters from France in the moment of my departure from Washington, I found from their signatures that they were all from literary characters except one from mr. Short, which mentioned in the outset that it was private, & that his public communications were in the letter to the Secretary of State, which I sent you. I find however on reading his letter to me (which I did not do...
54To James Madison from James Powell, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The honourable and dignifyed languidge of Your late Inaugural adress, protends a peculiarly pleaseing Guarantee To the future Honour and National Caracture of the United States. For what, but a most pitteyfull Chimera, Is our Vain pompious bumbastick Boasting, of our Liberty and Freedom, of our being, the onely Free and Inlightned Nation on Earth, If such Sacrid princoples as forme the verrey...
55To James Madison from James Purcell, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
As men in public offices are Subject to Recive public addresses and private proposals—I Solicit yr indulgence to Consider of my proposals which may not be the most unworthy of yr Notice. Sr yr Long inguaged attention to the wellfare of yr Country and the Liberty of Mankind in General has proved to the people that you are a Man whoes tried integrity and unblemished Fidelity Deserves yr...
56Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The time of the President U.S. is so occupied by matters of so much more importance, that I did not mention to him the subject on which you did me the favor to speak to me, the purchase of a grand piano-forte, before my departure. I have again tried the instrument I mentioned to you, & accurately examined its state of repair & construction, & altho’ I still think it a very excellent one, I...
57To James Madison from Thomas E. Birch, 17 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1809, Inglesville, Montgomery County, Virginia. A native of the British West Indies, Birch solicits a naval commission on the basis of his experience under Horatio Nelson and other British commanders and with Stephen Decatur, Sr., aboard the Rising Sun in the Revolution. Since 1793 he has been “engag⟨ed⟩ in the education of the Columbian youth,” while publishing books on elocution....
58From James Madison to the Chairman and Secretary of the Republican Committee of Salem County, New Jersey, 18 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The proceedings of “the Repubn. Delegates of the several Townships of the County of Salem[”] in N. Jersey, on the 3d. inst: transmitted by you, have been duly recd. It is highly agreeable to find in these proceedings our national embarrassments traced to their true source, in the injustice & aggressions of foreign powers; and equally so to see the measures for counteracting them so entirely...
59From James Madison to the Chairman of the Republican Committee of Essex County, New Jersey, 18 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the address conveyed thro’ you, from “The Republican Citizens of the County of Essex in the State of New Jersey” with equal sensibility to the friendly motives which suggested it, and to the patriotic sentiments which it expresses. Persuaded that the true interests of our Country, not less than the precepts of Religion & humanity, make it the duty of those entrusted with public...
60To James Madison from William Eustis, 18 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Being absent from town I did not ⟨rec⟩eive untill the evening of the 15th. your Letter of the 7th instant accompanied with a Commission of Secretary to the war department. Impressed with a just sense of the honor conferred on me by this distinguished mark of your confidence, and by the very obliging manner in which it was communicated, I have delayed an answer no longer than was necessary to...