1To James Madison from George Bernard and Others, [ca. October] 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your petitioners George Bernard, William Langhorne, Henry D. Ende, and William M. Allen beg leave to shew that the great inconveniencies experienced by the people of our Western Country in going to market, with the benefits & advantages that would result from improvement of roads & countries through which they pass, have led us to contemplate the establishment of a turnpike and Stage road on...
2To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, ca. 2 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 2 October 1809. Offered for sale in Parke-Bernet Catalogue No. 1516 (1954), item 274, which describes the letter as a ten-line note regarding the “claim of Govr. Harrison for an annual compensation … respectfully submitted to the President,” docketed at the top “Vincennes, August 30th, 1809,” and endorsed by JM, “Approved.” Also mentioned in Gallatin to William Henry...
3To James Madison from William Ray, 4 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Early last Spring I lodged a Book entitled “Horrors of Slavery” in the post Office, to be sent to you at Washington, together with a poetical epistle; and having some doubts respecting its safe arrival, on account of my not receiving any a[n]swer, I have taken the liberty to request you to let me know, as speedily as convenient, whether you have , or have not received it. The latter of which I...
4From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, [5 October] 1809 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Smith has had an official conversation with Mr. Jackson, and is to see him again today at One OC. He is to be with me in the mean time at ½ after 10, when I wish you to join the consultation. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers). Docketed by Gallatin. For conjectural date, see n. 1. The only Thursday falling between 3 Oct., when British minister Francis James Jackson presented his credentials to...
5To James Madison from Hubbard Taylor, 5 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have just met with Major Morrison on his Way to the City of Washington, and I cannot omit droping you a line. I wrote you since the return of Major J. Taylor, wherein I informed you of your Land business &C. and also took the liberty to say some thing on the subject of Leasing the Saline Salt Works, & probably I may have exceeded the limits of an individual. If so hope you will excuse it, as...
6To James Madison from George Joy, 5 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 October 1809, Gothenburg, Sweden. Transmits copy of his letter to JM of 9 Sept. Awaits in Gothenburg the arrival of “the Documents necessary to support my Pretensions,” which have been delayed by irregular mail and wartime interruptions. If he does not receive papers within forty-eight hours, proposes proceeding to Copenhagen without them. The wind and weather make it possible that the...
7From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I inclose for perusal a letter from Mr. Dupont D. N. What does he mean by his desire “to contribute” to the Execution of his project of Education? You will observe that he has sent for you a copy of the Works of Turgot, as far as Edited. Be so good as to point out the mode in which you wish them to be transmitted. I expect a Waggon here next month which can take them to Orange, if you prefer...
8To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 6 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
My Son Richard Rush has requested me to beg the favor of you to accept of the enclosed pamphflet upon the Administration of Justice in Pennsylvania. At the same time, receive Dear Sir a copy of three lectures upon Animal life extracted from a new edition of my medical inquiries now in the press, a Mark of the great regard, of your sincere & Affectionate Old friend RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM....
9To James Madison from James Riddle and Others, [ca. 8 October] 1809 (Madison Papers)
A representation has been forwarded to the Sec’y at war, praying that Lieutenant Small who Commands the Garrison in this Place may be bro’t to a court martial for his barbarous and inhuman Conduct towards his Soldiers and his abuse of the Inhabitants of the town. Reposing Unlimeted Confidence in you, Sir, as the Supreme Executive of the Nation and as Commander in Chief, of the Military We in...
10From James Madison to the Republican Meeting of Washington County, New York, 9 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. fellow Citizens; your Address of the 14th. Sepr. with a just sense of the favorable manner, in which it reviews and approves the course pursued by the Administration first in relation to the arrangement made in April last with the M. P: of H. B. M. and next in consequence of the disavowal of that arrangement. Whatever may be the sequel of this abortive result to a transaction so...
11To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I recieved last night yours of the 6th. & now return mr. Dupont’s letter. At a time when I had a hope that Virginia would establish an University I asked of mr. Dupont & Dr. Priestly to give me their ideas on the best division of the useful sciences into Professorships. The latter did it concisely; but Dupont wrote an elaborate treatise on education which I still possess. After I saw that...
12Madison, Francis James Jackson, and Robert Smith, 9 October–11 November 1809 (Editorial Note) (Madison Papers)
The role played by JM in shaping Robert Smith’s correspondence with Francis James Jackson poses editorial problems of unusual difficulty. These problems do not require the removal of obstacles to an understanding of JM’s views about the conduct of the British minister during his short and unfortunate mission; they raise, instead, ultimately unanswerable questions about the extent to which JM...
13Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 9 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1809, Department of State. Expresses regret that British government has disavowed the agreement signed with David Erskine and then sent by the new British minister no explanation of this disappointing act. States terms understood to be the price Great Britain would exact prior to an official revocation of the orders in council now hampering American commerce. If there is any...
14To James Madison from the Inhabitants of the Louisiana Territory, [ca. 10 October] 1809 (Madison Papers)
The remonstrance of the undersigned inhabitants of the Territory of Louisiana, Most respectfully sheweth, That the term of service of John B. C. Lucas, judge of the General Court, and Commissioner of Land Titles in this Territory, is by law almost expired, and his re-appointment to the first, and continuance in the last office, is deemed by them as a great public calamity. The undersigned feel...
15To James Madison from Stephen Cathalan, 12 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Copy of mine of the 3d. June last is herewith. I have had since the pleasure to make the personal & worthy acquaintance of Mr. R. C. Nicholas Nephew of Robt. Smith Esqre. Secretary of State, he is on the eve of leaving this place for Tunis. He was bearer of a passeport with strong recommendation from you, I shewed him all the civilities & attentions in my power & was glad that he used of the...
16To James Madison from John G. Jackson, 12 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Have the goodness to enclose the within Packet to Mrs. Washington. We hear very little now of the movements of the British Cabinet towards us, & still less of Jackson’s course—the public expectation has so long been abused that a state of Apathy and indifference has in some degree succeeded the excitement produced by British perfidy. They do not now contemplate the evils inflicted by G B with...
17To James Madison from Charles Peale Polk, 12 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
My feelings are deeply excited by the Step which I now take in addressing a letter to you, not knowing in what light it may be viewed. But of this I am conscious that I do it with the most respectful motive. I take the liberty of enclosing several letters for Your perusal, and among them One which I had the honor of receiving from you in April 1801, in which you were pleased to say “I shall...
18To James Madison from Francis W. Small, 12 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Permit me respectfully to solicit a suspension of your Excellencys opinion, respe[c]ting a Memorial addressed to you from a party in this Town, until next Mail, wch. Memorial is calculated to injure me in your estimation, and that of the Public, and in the mean time with due deference, I beseech your perusal of a candid statement of the facts, which I have transmitted to the Honle. the Sec. of...
19From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 October 1809. Acknowledged in Jefferson to JM, 25 Oct. 1809 . Listed in Jefferson’s Epistolary Record (DLC: Jefferson Papers) as received in Richmond on 20 Oct. Encloses a check on the Bank of Norfolk.
20To James Madison from the Inhabitants of the Michigan Territory, ca. 15 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 15 October 1809 Petitioners seek removal of Gov. William Hull on the grounds that he has dealt unfairly with Canadian owners of fugitive slaves, consorted with a Chippewa Indian who murdered a tribesman, issued illegal orders to the militia, allowed the territorial defenses to deteriorate, implemented an illegal arrangement with an Indian interpreter regarding a trading license, wasted...
15 October 1809, Urbana. Demands that JM implement the principles of the report on public credit that he signed with Alexander Hamilton and Oliver Ellsworth on 18 Sept. 1783. RC ( NN ). 3 pp. Unsigned. JM’s correspondent was referring to the “Address to the States by the United States in Congress Assembled” of 26 Apr. 1783 (see PJM William T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The Papers of James...
22To James Madison from Richard Purdy, 16 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 October 1809, Orange Court House. Encloses draft on JM from Gideon Gooch for $47.59. Expects JM knows the circumstances and hopes it will be convenient to remit the amount promptly. RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 1 p. Enclosed draft (1 p.), dated 8 Oct., is for £14 5 s . 7 d .
23From James Madison to the Secretary of the Republican Meeting of Columbia, South Carolina, 17 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the Resolns. unanimously entered into by the Citizens of Columbia, & covered by your letter of the 20th. of Sepr. The very unexpected & inauspicious turn given to our relations with G. B. by the disavowal of the friendly Arrangt. concluded by her accredited Minister, cd. not fail to excite a lively sensibility among a people conscious of their own just purposes, and satisfied of...
24To James Madison from Caesar A. Rodney, 17 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Poydras declined the printing of Mr. Lisley’s able & argumentative work, which had been translated at the Secretary of States office, & which only required to be corrected previously to publication. The enclosed pamphlet was transmitted to me, by Mr. Poydras (& which I had not seen before) as the work he desired to have correctly translated & printed. Not being conversant with the French...
25To James Madison from Francis W. Small, 17 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had hoped, to have been enabled to forward to you, pr. this Mail, my vindication from the vile charges, that have been exhibited against me, in the “Common Wealth,” but I cannot possibly do so, until next Mail, then however, they shall positively be forwarded, and until then , I respectfully hope, and humbly crave, a suspension of your opinion, feeling perfectly confident, and convinced,...
26To James Madison from Nicholas Boilvin, 17 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 October 1809, Prairie du Chien. Wrote president earlier but received no answer, so he makes another effort to acquaint JM with the Indian situation on the Mississippi. Tribes living on frontier would have attacked settlements in destructive fashion but are afraid of the Sioux, Falsovoin, Fox, and “a large Party of Puants, all of whom are in favor of the United States.” These Indians have...
27To James Madison from David Bailie Warden, 18 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am almost ashamed to address you again on the subject of my continuance here as Consul and agent of Prize Causes, but my anxiety prompts me to it. With General Armstrongs’ advice, I had proposed to embark for Washington, on board the vessel which carries this, charged with his dispatches and communications, but the arrival of the Wasp has destroyed my project, and prevented me from having...
28To James Madison from the Merchants and Underwriters of Philadelphia, ca. 19 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 19 October 1809. After the Embargo law expired, the memorialists outfitted and dispatched several ships with valuable cargoes to European ports. Neutral character of ships was established by adequate documentary evidence, but “in every instance in which they have been met with by Danish cruizers, they have been captured … and with their cargos have been condemned (with very few...
29To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1809, Warren. Introduces Maj. James Morrison of Kentucky, “one of the most respectable of the revolutionary Officers, and one of the most amiable men I am acquainted with.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Nicholas was nearing the end of his service as a Virginia congressman (he resigned on 27 Nov.).
30To James Madison from Jonathan Robinson and Samuel Shaw, 19 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1809, Montpelier, Vermont. Recommends Cornelius P. Vann Ness for the office of U.S. attorney in Vermont. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Vann Ness”). 1 p. Jonathan Robinson and Samuel Shaw were, respectively, a Republican senator and a Republican representative from Vermont during the Eleventh Congress. On 19 Dec. 1809 JM nominated Vann Ness to be U.S. attorney for...