The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
 |
TO JAMES MONROE. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO JAMES MONROE.
10 O'C. A.M.
Since mine of this morning Tatham has come and
Enemy at Notingham. Taylor, I understand is also
here just from Parker, with a report that the Enemy
have 3000 in the Potowmac. This must be a great
exaggeration, if there be not more shipping than we
know of. It wd. seem not improbable that if they
have land force of any sensible importance, that it
would be equal to some distinct object, otherwise it
wd. not be taken from the real operative force. It is
sd. Parker is moving up parallel with the frigates; but
at what point they were I do not learn. I take for
granted that there are arrangements where you are
for quick intelligence from every important point.
The papers of all the Officers are under way to retired
places.[83] I fear not much can be done more
than has been done to strengthen the hands of Genl.
W[inder]. As fast as succorers arrive here they will
be hastened on, but the crisis I presume will be of
such short duration, that but few Even from the
neighboring Country will be on the ground before it is
over. Genl. Douglas's Brigade will receive another
spur, so will the Militia who are to rendevouz at a
Church in Fairfax near this. Wadsworth is taking
Blandensbg.
It appears that the reinforcements in Canada,
amount to 8 or 10,000.
The papers of the State Department had been moved the day
before, Monroe having notified the clerks in his office to make the
best disposition possible of them. They were taken first to a grist
mill belonging to Edgar Patterson on the Virginia side of the Potomac
a short distance from the Chain Bridge; but this place being deemed
unsafe were moved to Leesburg and placed in an empty house, where
they remained for some weeks, until the British fleet had left the
Chesapeake. See letter of S. Pleasanton, August 7, 1848, to W. H.
Winder in A Sketch of the Events which Preceded the Capture of Washington,
by E. D. Ingraham.
| The writings of James Madison, | |