1813 Letters

unknown -

MEMORANDA. Preference to be given to contracts for supplying the army with provisions. - This is so indubitable that how any hesitation on the subject could take place is not easily understood.

Bedford, NY - 1 January 1813

Whether our religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers, is a question which merits more consideration than it seems yet to have generally received, either from the clergy or the laity.

unknown - 5 January 1813

My decided opinion is that if the 35,000 can be got into the field early in the spring, they will be abundant to every purpose, especially if we do not press at once against Halifax.

Bedford, NY - 12 January 1813

Notwithstanding the inducements I have to make frequent visits to New-York, I have not been there for four years past. The state of my health, and the regimen it requires, not permitting me to be far or long from home.

Columbia, SC - 15 January 1813

Another mail, and still no letter! I hear, too, rumours of a gale off Cape Hatteras the beginning of the month! The state of my mind is dreadful.

Columbia, SC - 19 January 1813

To-morrow will be three weeks since, in obedience to your wishes, Theodosia left me. It is three weeks, and not yet one line from her. My mind is tortured.

unknown - 12 February 1813

I have the honor to state that I still believe it practicable to organize the taxes within three or four months after the passing of the laws in the shape reported.

Albany, NY - 12 February 1813

Influenced by the considerations suggested in your letter I have been induced to acquiesce in the wishes of my political friends & consent to be their Candidate.

Jamaica, NY - 14 February 1813

You will have observed in the Public Paper the notice of my appointment to the Senate ; this decision has created some embarrassment in my mind

Bedford, NY - 22 February 1813

You request me to be one of the godfathers. Baptism is too generally regarded as being little more than a customary ceremony ; and yet the purpose of it, and the names used on the occasion, show it to be a solemn procedure.

, SC - 25 February 1813

It was there, in the chamber of my wife, where every thing was disposed as usual; with the clothes, the books, the play-things of my boy around me, that I sustained this second shock, doubled in a manner that I could not account for.

unknown - 25 February 1813

Last Tuesday evening my wife was delivered of a boy. I communicate that event because I believe it will give you pleasure.

New Orleans, LA - 0 March 1813

I learn with very great affliction of the death of your cousin H. and the increased illness of your uncle. They are calculated to teach us that neither youth, talents, or fortune, can secure happiness here.

unknown - 5 March 1813

We have hardly money enough to last till the end of the month. The loan is opened for 12th and 13th instant.

Jamaica, NY - 7 March 1813

I yesterday wrote a confidential letter to Gov. Strong concerning your appointment to the Senate

York - 9 March 1813

I have been searching but in vain for something to enlighten me as to the nature of the action which you would propose to bring against Wilkins

unknown - 18 March 1813

I this evening received such an answer as I expected and desired from - (Gov. Strong).

Jamaica, NY - 29 March 1813

A separation of the Churches, so that each Shepherd may have his own Flock, can alone put an end to these Disputes.

Limstone - 31 March 1813

Henry Clay letter to Adam Beatty... Under the act for raising twenty thousand infantry for the term of one year, when Henry Clay left Washington it was understood that but one regiment would be allotted to K. ...

unknown - 5 April 1813

It is determined finally to associate Mr. Bayard in the Mission Extraordinary to St. Petersburg.

Bedford, NY - 14 April 1813

Marks of respect to the characters of such men as Dr. Elliot, not only tend to console their afflicted relatives, but also to cherish the virtues by which they were distinguished.

Port Gibson, MS - 16 April 1813

I hasten to acquaint you that I should prefer suing them directly, in the character of your assignees, for the amount of the advance you made to them, in bills rendered negotiable by my indorsement

Treasury Department, MD - 17 April 1813

I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter written this day to the Secretaries for the War and Navy Department, which gives a general view of our fiscal situation for this year

Baltimore, MD - 22 April 1813

In a conversation with General Armstrong, he appeared disposed to make an excursion towards the scene of action on our northern frontier.

Department Of State, MD - 27 April 1813

Should Great Britain accept the mediation of Russia and a negotiation ensue, you may perhaps find it advantageous to bring to the view of her ministers the relation which the United States bear to the Floridas

New York, NY - 28 April 1813

My son, Mr. Charles King, who is the bearer of this letter, will embark in a few days for Lisbon, from whence he may find it necessary to proceed to England

New York, NY - 28 April 1813

Upon the presumption that my son, Mr. Charles King, will be permitted to go from Lisbon to London, I have taken the liberty to give to him this Letter of Introduction to you

Philadelphia, PA - 2 May 1813

I do not very well understand the object of your letter respecting the Floridas. But it suggests two observations which I beg leave to submit to your consideration.

Washington, MD - 5 May 1813

As the contemplated arrangements on the subject of impressment will be reciprocal in form ; as what Great Britain may deem a concession will be balanced by a concession on the part of the United States

Washington, MD - 6 May 1813

My candid opinion is that if we do not secure, in a clear and distinct manner, the forbearance of the British practice, in consideration of the exclusion of British seamen from our service, that it were infinitely better that nothing should be done.

Wilmington, NC - 8 May 1813

I apprehend that you have misunderstood my meaning on the subject of an informal arrangement respecting impressments.

Washington, DC - 12 May 1813

Dolly Madison letter to Edward Coles...For the last week all the city and Georgetown (except the Cabinet) have expected a visit from the enemy...

Bedford, NY - 31 May 1813

The literary productions of Britain and America being interesting to each other, many are of opinion, and I concur in it, that the English language and its orthography should be the same in both countries.

Washington, MD - 4 June 1813

Thus far the weather has been comfortable, and so long as one keeps within doors, the heat is not oppressive. Much walking, however, is not practicable, especially as there are few trees in this city, to keep off the sun.

Concord, NH - 4 June 1813

His Excellency has been escorted this afternoon, from Pembroke, by a more respectable and numerous escort than Concord ever witnessed

Concord, NH - 5 June 1813

I have been told the President's message has a pacific aspect in the apprehension of many Federalists, in this quarter. I think it very warlike.

Amherst, MA - 9 June 1813

On the subject of orthography, gentlemen might have been easy, as any considerable changes must prevent the sale and use of a work of this sort, and they might rationally conclude that I would not put myself to an immense trouble and expense, to writ

Washington, DC - 10 June 1813

Dolly Madison letter to cousin Edward Coles...About the picture, if Mr. D. will return it safe in six months, more or less, he may send for it as soon as ever he chooses.

Gottenburg, NED - 22 June 1813

Mr. Bayard and myself have been appointed, jointly with Mr. Adams, ministers, with full powers to treat of peace with such ministers as may be appointed on the part of Great Britain.

Washington, MD - 28 June 1813

We shall probably get up some resolutions, directly attacking the war. If so, I suppose I shall shoot my little gun. We have some fine fellows on our side of the House.

unknown - 2 July 1813

Dolly Madison letter to Edward Coles... Mr. Madison recovers; for the last three weeks his fever has been so slight as to permit him to take bark every hour and with good effect.

Washington, MD - 4 July 1813

We are yet on the taxes ; they will probably pass. It will take so long to adjust the details, and to bring the bills before the House to be discussed on their general principles

St Petersburg, RUS - 27 August 1813

We have not received, as you had suggested, the information that the mediation of Russia had been refused by Great Britain

St Petersburg, RUS - 28 August 1813

This, however, has given rise to an important communication on the part of Mr. Baring, a copy of which, as well as of my answer, I now enclose.

Jamaica, NY - 29 August 1813

The Russian Minister soon after informed Mr. Adams that the Emperor was pleased to learn that the war with England could not lead to any new connexion between America and France

Waltham, MA - 13 September 1813

Your letter confirmed my opinion on the subject of the Russian mediation, - Indeed some Letters received from Mr. Adams, by his Friends leave no doubt, but part of Colo. P.'s information was erroneous.

Paris, FRA - 22 September 1813

Within a few days past I have received a letter from General La Fayette, addressed to you respecting his lands in Louisiana.

Jamaica, NY - 30 September 1813

...if Col. Pickering be right in his supposition that Russia has not authorized the offer of her mediation, it is very extraordinary that no intimation has been made in the English Papers

Ramsgate, ENG - 8 October 1813

It was long before I knew that your son was arrived in this Country. It was by accident only that I was informed of it. May I be permitted, without giving offense, to complain a little of this?

St Petersburg, RUS - 18 October 1813

This letter will be delivered to you by Mr. G. M. Dallas, who had accompanied me as private secretary, and who is desirous of spending a few months in England before his return

St Petersburg, RUS - 18 October 1813

I cannot recommend to you too much discretion and caution during your stay in England.

Jamaica, NY - 22 October 1813

Perry's victory (to applaud which I was glad to see you took a part) has enabled Harrison to recover Detroit and invade upper Canada.

Bedford, NY - 25 October 1813

I have chosen for this letter a subject that is more within your province than in mine.

Jamaica, NY - 1 November 1813

Being in town to-day I saw Doct. Mason, and asked him if the Report circulated under his name and authority, of what Col. Hamilton told him a little before his death, was true

St Petersburg, RUS - 21 November 1813

I received a few days ago a letter from Mr. Baring, copy of which is enclosed, and which, if considered as coming from the British government, sufficiently explains its views.

Washington, MD - 19 December 1813

With sixty thousand men all Canada may be conquered, says Genl. Armstrong (who would be named Lieutenant Genl., if he could), in a single campaign

Morrisania, NY - 27 December 1813

It is possible, therefore, that Mr. Madison may blow up civil broil into civil war. But the result must be ruin to his tools here, and awful vengeance on his supporters elsewhere.

Washington, MD - 29 December 1813

I arrived here last evening, and here learned of the Portsmouth fire and the consumption of my house.