James Madison
The Public Record
James Madison was an American statesman and political theorist who served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. A member of the Democratic-Republican Party, he played a crucial role in the drafting and promotion of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, earning him the title 'Father of the Constitution.' Madison's presidency was marked by the War of 1812, during which he faced challenges such as British interference with American shipping and the burning of Washington, D.C.
The continued evidence afforded in this correspondence of the hostile policy of the British Government against our national rights strengthens the considerations recommending and urging the preparation of adequate means for maintaining…
I transmit to Congress an account of the contingent expenses of the Government for the year 1811, incurred on the occasion of taking possession of the territory limited eastwardly by the river Perdido, and amounting to $3,396.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:I lay before Congress copies of resolutions entered into by the legislature of Pennsylvania, which have been transmitted to me with that view by the governor of that State, in…
I lay before Congress copies of resolutions entered into by the legislature of Pennsylvania, which have been transmitted to me with that view by the governor of that State, in pursuance of one of the said resolutions.
It is no less certain that scarcely any country offers more extensive opportunities for that branch of improvements than the United States, and none, perhaps, inducements equally persuasive to make the most of them.
The particular undertaking contemplated by the State of New York, which marks an honorable spirit of enterprise and comprises objects of national as well as more limited importance, will recall the attention of Congress to the signal…
As some of those advantages have an intimate connection with the arrangements and exertions for the general security, it is at a period calling for those that the merits of such a system will be seen in the strongest lights.
It may reasonably be expected that the good effects of this critical defeat and dispersion of a combination of savages, which appears to have been spreading to a greater extent, will be experienced not only in a cessation of the murders…
The families of those brave and patriotic citizens who have fallen in this severe conflict will doubtless engage the favorable attention of Congress.
While it is deeply lamented that so many valuable lives have been lost in the action which took place on the 7th ultimo, Congress will see with satisfaction the dauntless spirit and fortitude victoriously displayed by every description of…
by which it will be seen that that subject of difference between the two countries is terminated by an offer of reparation, which has been acceded to.
I communicate to Congress copies of a correspondence between the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain and the Secretary of State relative to the aggression committed by a British ship of war on the United…
It was hoped that the successive confirmations of the extinction of the French decrees would have induced the Government of Great Britain to repeal its orders in council.
The practice of smuggling, which is odious everywhere, and particularly criminal in free governments.
An enlarged philanthropy and an enlightened forecast concur in imposing on the national councils an obligation to take a deep interest in their destinies.
I can not close this communication without expressing my deep sense of the crisis in which you are assembled.
A prohibition is equally called for against the acceptance by our citizens of special licenses to be used in a trade with the United States.
The unfriendly spirit of those disclosures indemnity and redress for other wrongs have continued to be withheld.
In a society under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign as in a state of nature.
In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates.





