1814 Letters

Washington, MD - 4 January 1814

I think the price of cotton will again rise. There is no doubt of a great failure on the Mississippi.

Washington, MD - 6 January 1814

Our town has met with another conflagration. I heard not a syllable of it till I reached here. I found a letter from my wife, but so horrible was the general account which the people about me gave, that it put my firmness to a severe test to open it.

St Petersburg, RUS - 7 January 1814

postponed my departure from a hope that a decisive answer might be received from the Emperor's headquarters, which would enable Mr. Bayard to go at the same time.

St Petersburg, RUS - 7 January 1814

It is my intention to leave this city on the 20th instant, and to proceed by land to Amsterdam, whence I may touch in England on my way to the United States

Washington, MD - 9 January 1814

To Admiral Warren's proposal of an armistice in 1812, Mr. Monroe replied, that notwithstanding the Repeal of the orders in Council, the subject of impressment remained unadjusted

Morrisania, NY - 17 January 1814

I believe the President to be mistaken in his notion that Bonaparte will be pestered by Insurrections. Neither Frenchmen nor any other men are prone to rise against so severe and so crafty a Chief as Napoleon.

, ENG - 20 January 1814

It was declared to me from the moment I reached London, that they never would consent to mingle the questions of maritime right between themselves & us with the politics of Europe

Washington, MD - 26 January 1814

I send you enclosed an extract of a letter that I received by my son Charles from Sir William Scott.

New York, NY - 27 January 1814

In reply to yours of the 20th of November last, requesting to be informed what was the reputation and services of Colonel Burr during the revolutionary war

Morrisania, NY - 27 January 1814

Were Federalists in Power, this Country would resemble that, but as Matters now stand, the Case is reversed. If a Charge of Inconsistency, much less of Duplicity, can be established it will injure, if not ruin, our opposition

Washington, MD - 30 January 1814

What do you do with such a house full of women and children ? Especially, how do you make out to keep the house quiet, with those two black-eyed, brown-headed, chattering, romping cousins in it

Morrisania, NY - 31 January 1814

Your Sentiments of our Rulers are just. I ask a serious Question, what Chance is there of better Rulers if the Union be preserved?

Quincy, MA - 3 February 1814

I agree with Mr. Vanderkemp, that, in declaring his opinion, he has expressed that of most gentlemen, the true cause of which I shall trace no farther than that they consider a companion more desirable than a rival.

Washington, MD - 5 February 1814

On the Maryland Memorial, a very animated debate happened in both Houses. Mr. King came out for the first time. You never heard such a speaker. In strength, and dignity, and fire

Washington, MD - 7 February 1814

Although I have seen so little of you since you were a child, I yet take a great interest in your welfare as well on your own account as from an affectionate remembrance of your dear mother.

Washington, MD - 7 March 1814

The spring is coming forward here. The ground is settled and dry ; the birds are appearing, and the grass is green. But spring does not rush forward here, as it does in New Hampshire after it has commenced.

Amsterdam, NED - 7 March 1814

It was on the 25th January that Mr. Bayard and myself left St. Petersburg, and after a very tedious journey we arrived here without accident on the evening of the 4th instant.

Morrisania, NY - 23 March 1814

Am I awake or do I dream? Is this the People that resisted a mere Claim of arbitrary Power? It seems to me I was once a Member of Congress during a revolutionary War

Washington, MD - 28 March 1814

In relation to the offer made by England to renew Jay's treaty, I intend to see and collect, and carry home, what evidence there is on the point.

Amsterdam, NED - 1 April 1814

I had the pleasure to receive your two letters of the 14th and 17th ult., and have concluded to pass through England on my return to the United States.

Paris, FRA - 8 April 1814

William Crawford letter to Henry Clay... The events which have within a few days passed in this city, and in its neighborhood, have changed every thing in France...

Washington, MD - 10 April 1814

But so long as the Enemy keeps up the Blockade, altho' English Goods may come in, the Produce of the Country not being suffered to go out, the Payment for Eng. Goods must be made in Specie

London, ENG - 21 April 1814

Mr. Bayard and myself left St. Petersburg on the 25th January, remained four weeks at Amsterdam, and arrived here on the 9th instant.

London, ENG - 21 April 1814

I regret that your patents should be put in my hands instead of being intrusted to Mr. Crawford, as no safe opportunity has as yet offered itself for their conveyance.

London, ENG - 22 April 1814

We have just heard of your arrival, but have received no letters ; and I am yet ignorant whether I am one of the new commission to treat of peace.

London, ENG - 6 May 1814

the great and unexpected events which have so entirely changed the state of affairs in Europe may have a serious effect on the nature and aspect of the war carried on by Great Britain against the United States

Paris, FRA - 13 May 1814

Expectations have been entertained by the government, and you no doubt have participated in them, that the Emperor Alexander would interest himself in the negotiation between us and our enemy.

Paris, FRA - 24 May 1814

A few days past I was informed by a friend that if I would draw up a short statement of the reciprocal causes of complaint between the United States and England, that he would cause it to be laid before the Emperor of Russia.

Jamaica, NY - 24 May 1814

Democracy honored & loved Louis XVI. - it loved & honored Robespierre & Company who murdered him, it loved and honored Bonaparte who overturned them, and should it happen that Louis 18th expels Bonaparte...

Paris, FRA - 25 May 1814

I am much obliged to you for the care you have been pleased to take of my patents, and still more grateful for the beneficial kindness I have experienced from you in the whole course of that transaction.

Paris, FRA - 26 May 1814

I passed the last evening in company with the Emperor Alexander, who, however prepossessed in his favor, has surpassed my expectations.

Paris, FRA - 28 May 1814

The French government has revoked the decision of the late Emperor permitting American armaments in the ports of France.

Washington, MD - 29 May 1814

There is no present prospect, as I think, of peace, although the Madison men appear to be very confident of such a result from the Russian embassy.

London, ENG - 2 June 1814

Since Mr. Bayard's and my joint letter of 23d ult., announcing to you that the negotiations for peace would take place at Ghent, Mr. Bayard has proceeded to that city by way of Paris.

London, ENG - 3 June 1814

I had in April last written to Mr. Crawford urging the necessity of obtaining the friendly offices of the Emperor of Russia.

Paris, FRA - 3 June 1814

Here is, however, another copy of the observations which I had put under the eyes of Emperor Alexander, while I transmitted to him, through a particular friend, the excellent and more extensive note of Mr. Crawford.

Paris, FRA - 10 June 1814

William Crawford letter to Henry Clay... The change in the place of the negotiation for peace will enable me to write to you frequently...

London, ENG - 13 June 1814

The armament fitted against America will enable the British, besides providing for Canada, to land at least 15 to 20,000 men on the Atlantic coast.

London, ENG - 20 June 1814

I received a letter from Mr. Clay, dated at Gottenburg the 1st, and informing me that he would leave it on the next day and proceed by land to Ghent

Ghent, BEL - 26 June 1814

Mr. Adams writes to you for the purpose of obtaining for the John Adams a passport similar in form to that granted for the Neptune

New York, NY - 2 July 1814

W. Gallatin letter to Dolly Madison...I understand, my dear friend, that you did not receive any letter from Payne by the last arrivals.

Paris, FRA - 4 July 1814

William Crawford letter to Henry Clay... I am not sanguine in my expectations of peace. If the failure of your exertions, to put an end to the war, shall succeed in producing unanimity at home, we shall have no cause to lament that failure.

Paris, FRA - 9 July 1814

William Crawford letter to Henry Clay... It appears that we differ in opinion upon two points. You believe that the British Government will not hesitate to make peace...

Jamaica, NY - 11 July 1814

It is manifest that the democratic Party are disappointed, and confounded, by the overthrow of Bonaparte - they affect to be, and perhaps are, alarmed at the Politics of England

unknown - 13 July 1814

Rebecca Hubbs letter to Dolly Madison.

Jamaica, NY - 15 July 1814

The Drain of Specie that is imperceptible, has the effect to lessen the cash at the Bks throughout the U. S.

Paris, FRA - 19 July 1814

William Crawford letter to Henry Clay... I dined a few days ago in company with the Marquis of Buckinghamshire. We conversed long and freely upon the subject of the approaching negotiation.

Waltham, MA - 28 July 1814

The New England Bank is the only Institution that collects & sends forward to New York the Paper of their Banks for Specie. The Directors set out with a Determination to collect money, for any one, in all Parts of the Continent

Ghent, BEL - 20 August 1814

The British will naturally attempt the conquest of what they wish to acquire by the peace. They will make great efforts in Canada with respect to the possession of Lakes Ontario and Erie, for the recapture of Detroi

Washington, DC - 23 August 1814

E. Jones letter to Dolly Madison...In the present state of alarm and bustle of preparation for the worst that may happen, I imagine it will be more convenient to dispense with the enjoyment of your hospitality...

Washington, DC - 23 August 1814

Dolly Madison letter to sister Anna...he left, beseeching me to take care of myself, and of the Cabinet papers, public and private.

Jamaica, NY - 30 August 1814

...the disgraceful loss of the Capital and the agitation it has excited brought me to town ; where the effect upon the Populace is such as might be expected.

Jamaica, NY - 2 September 1814

Yesterday I was in town to assist on the occasion of the Stoppage of the Specie Payments of the Bks. - I found everybody well inclined to adopt any measures

Jamaica, NY - 2 September 1814

What we feared has come to pass ; the Public credit has failed. The Banks in this quarter are obliged to stop the payment of specie and I presume the same causes will have the same effect at Boston and with you.

Bedford, NY - 20 September 1814

The cold weather you mention has also prevailed here. I do not recollect so cool a summer. Our corn does not look well. The crops of rye were slender ; those of wheat were good.

Washington, MD - 0 October 1814

Crawford writes from Paris that Eng. influence pervades all the States of Europe; that none are disposed to listen to our Representatives agt. England

Washington, MD - 13 October 1814

Even Mr. Madison lately complained that the Ears of every Court in Europe were closed against us ; such, as he says, have been the intrigues and misrepresentations of England

Washington, MD - 14 October 1814

Early in this month, the Federalists of the two Houses of Congress met at Crawford's to consider of the course which they ought to pursue during the Session.

Camp At Stuyvesants - 15 October 1814

There is great reason to fear that Genl. Lewis has it in contemplation, to transfer from our corps of infantry into his more favored corps of artillery and uniformed volunteers

Morrisania, NY - 18 October 1814

What are you to gain by giving Mr. Madison Men and Money? Has he not told you distinctly that he will not defend you?

Washington, MD - 19 October 1814

Genl. Lewis is removed from his command ; and that Govr. Tompkins has been requested to repair immediately to the City to command the Forces.

Washington, MD - 21 October 1814

Monroe proposes to fill the regular army to 62 thousand, by conscription

Washington, MD - 22 October 1814

While the proposition respecting an Indian boundary was declared to be a sine qua non, the boundary itself admitted of modification ; and as within it, we are called upon to relinquish only our right of pre-emption

Albany, NY - 25 October 1814

I am glad of your sanction that the character of the war is changed and that our Soil & Sovereignty must be defended, notwithstanding the incompetency of our Rulers.

Ghent, BEL - 26 October 1814

The only advantage arising from it is that a change in Europe or a reverse of the British in America might alter their views and produce a peace ; that whilst we continue here it may be made at any time

Washington, MD - 30 October 1814

We have as yet done little. The taxes are before us. I have marked out my course respecting them, and shall vote for nothing but the whiskey tax. This I am anxious to have laid.

New York, NY - 31 October 1814

The change of command in this district has taken place and General Lewis has gone to Washington for the purpose, I suppose, of resigning his commission and settling his old accounts. He is very sore at being displaced.

Bedford, NY - 1 November 1814

Every independent nation has, as such, a rightful and exclusive jurisdiction over the country within its acknowledged boundary lines.

Morrisania, NY - 1 November 1814

As to Mr. Monroe's 60,000 conscriptive men in Kendal Green, his 40,000 in Buckram, they are worthy of Mr. Dallas' Bank Stock. Your Enemy will not be deceived by such a Paper Machinery of Force and Finance

Washington, MD - 8 November 1814

We are now taking up the conscription ; we shall, I think, let Mr. Troup fill up the blanks, &c. before we state our objections to it. I doubt whether it will pass ; but what else can government do ? Voluntary enlistments will not answer.

New York, NY - 18 November 1814

On the subject of the great bank, there prevails here a singular degree of indifference.

Washington, MD - 21 November 1814

At present we are engaged about a bank. The project brought in by the new secretary of the treasury was calculated only for the benefit of the holders of the stock, created since the war.

unknown - 23 November 1814

Another of the patriots of the revolution is gone...

Litchfield, CT - 27 November 1814

...the final result of all things will be the greatest goods of Gods kingdom...

Quincy, MA - 2 December 1814

Can there be any deeper damnation in this Universe than to be condemned to a long Life, in danger Toil and anxiety?

New York, NY - 9 December 1814

I waited on the Governor to ask a furlough. He granted it, but as he said with great regret, at the necessity of my departure ; he, however, tendered me immediately a Lieut. Colonel's commission

Washington, MD - 11 December 1814

description

Washington, MD - 22 December 1814

We have done nothing here lately, except with reference to taxes. They have all passed this House, except the land tax of six millions, last year three, which will be read the third time to-day.

Ghent, BEL - 24 December 1814

Our bankers at Amsterdam informed me at the beginning of November that no remittances for the payment of the dividend due 1st January next at Amsterdam on the Louisiana stock had yet reached them.

Ghent, BEL - 25 December 1814

The treaty of peace we signed yesterday with the British ministers is, in my opinion, as favorable as could be expected under existing circumstances, so far as they were known to us.

Quincy, MA - 30 December 1814

With Mr. Gerry died one of the first and oldest patriots of the revolution a firm steady and unshaken friend of more than fifty years ripening. "Such friends grow not thick on every bough."