7951James Madison to Marquis de Lafayette, 1 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
This late acknowledgment of your letter of Sepr. 20. is the effect of its reaching me at Richmond, where every moment of my time was in some way or other, exacted by my public situation, and of the accumulated arrears of a private nature requiring my attention since I have found myself at home. The Convention which called forth your interesting remarks & generous solicitudes, was pregnant with...
7952James Madison to Martin Van Buren, 1 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
Wishing to give the surest as well as a speedy conveyance of the inclosed letter to Genl. Lafayette, I take the liberty of requesting that it may be permitted to accompany the earliest dispatches from the Department of State, to Paris. Mrs. M. avails herself of the occasion & of my pen to return her thanks for the acceptable article* recd. through the hand of Mr. Carter Stephenson, whilst she...
7953James Madison to Thomas S. Grimké, 3 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd. the pamphlet with which you lately favd. me whilst the attention due to it was prevented by that demanded by my public situation at Richmond. I cannot thank you for it now, without alluding to the marked ability wch pervades the several articles composing the Publication. Some of the views presented in them, cannot fail to make a favorable impression even during the excited feelings of...
7954James Madison to William B. Sprague, 5 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Mr. Sprague, returns his thanks for the little pamphlet on the "Colonization Society". The interesting object, could not be more ably or impressively inculcated than is done by Doc. Nolk. J. M. adds his thanks to Mr. Sprague for the other pamphlets previously received, which breathe the eloquent strains characterizing other productions of the same origin. Draft...
7955James Madison to Haym M. Solomon, 6 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 22d. Ult. has been duly recd. In answer to its enquiries, I am to note that the persons referred to were at the time (1782) Delegates from Virga. to the Revolutionary Congress, the addition of "Junior" to my name being occasioned by its sameness with that of my father the living. The transactions shewn by the papers you enclosed were means of effectuating remittances from...
7956James Madison to Cuyler Staats, 12 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of Jany. 14. 1830 was not recd. till yesterday, with the Richmond, postmark of Feby. 8th. Your preceding letter with the volume accompanying it was recd. at Richmond, where my duties as a member of the Convention, did not prevent me to give the due attention to your favor. And on my departure from Richd. I was obliged to leave the articles with sundry other similar communications...
7957James Madison and Dolley P. Madison: Indenture for Sale of land by Dolley Payne Madison and James Madison to James … (Madison Papers)
This Indenture made this twelfth day of February A. D. 1830, between James Madison of the county of Orange and Dolley P. his wife of the one part, and James Newman of said county of the other part, Witnesseth, that the said James Madison and Dolley P. his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of twelve hundred and sixty six dollars to him the said James Madison by the said James Newman in...
7958James Madison to [Nicholas P. Trist], 15 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your favours of and have looked over the remarks enclosed in them, meant as an introduction to an explanatory comment on the proceedings of Virginia in -98-99. occasioned by the Alien & Sedition laws. It was certainly not the object of the member, who prepared the Documents in question, to assert, nor does the fair import of them, as he believes, assert a right in the parties to...
7959James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 16 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
I return the paper enclosed in yours of the 6th I have found in it the proofs of ability for such discussions which I should have anticipated. As I understand your discriminating view, (and it seems to be clearly expressed) of the Virginia documents in -98-99, it rescues them from the hands which have misconstrued & misapplied them. The meaning collected from the general scope, & from a...
7960James Madison to Josiah Quincy, 18 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison has duly received the Copy of the "Report of the Overseers of Harvard University", politely sent him by Mr. Quincy. He cannot return his thanks for the communication without expressing the pleasure afforded him by the instructive & well timed testimony borne by the President to the value of the two ancient Languages & Literatures, as branches of a comprehensive Education. J. M....
7961James Madison to Robert Lee, 22 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 12th. The motive & the matter of it, might claim for the request it makes to a degree of attention from which my age, now approaching the 80th. year, may not only excuse but properly restrain me. Under any circumstances I ought not to offer opinions on such subjects, without the reasonings on which they rest; and this under existing circumstances, is a task...
7962James Madison to Haym Salomon, 25 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. M.with his respects to Mr. S. & informs him, in answer to the enquiry in his letter of the 18th. informs that none of the persons to whom it relates are now living, & that no descendant of either is in the Natl Legislature. The only male descendant now alive is John Mercer the son of Jno. F. Mercer, misnamed it would appear W. Fr. &c by Mr. S. in his letter; and now a resident of the City...
7963James Madison to William Wertenbaker, 27 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours inclosing a letter from Mr. Skinner which I return. I think the work in question worthy of a place in the Library of the University, and the price at which it is offered reasonable. Unless the other members of the Ex: Committee think otherwise, the offer may therefore be accepted. I recd. a few days ago the inclosed letter, which you will please to communicate to the...
7964James Madison to Thomas D. Clark, 28 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, your letter of Jany. 31. and thank you for the kind sentiments which it expresses. The view you give of your condition in life, though an humble, may well be deemed a happy one, whilst you enjoy the contentment and other blessings of which you are piously sensible. The prosperity of our Country is a source of enjoyment, as well as an occasion of thankfulness for us all. And...
7965James Madison: Indenture for Sale of land by Dolley Payne Madison and James Madison to Coleby Cowherd, 9 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
This Indenture made this 9th. day of March 1830, between James Madison of the county of Orange and Dolley P. his wife of the one part and Coleby Cowherd of said county of the other part–Witnesseth, that the said James Madison and Dolley P. his wife for and in consideration of the sum of seven thousand dollars to him the said James Madison by the said Coleby Cowherd in hand paid, the receipt...
7966James Madison to Lilburn P. Perry, 11 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd., Sir, your letter of the 8th. inst.– Not withstanding the peculiarity of the case you state, I do not understand that it can be relieved by any dispensing power in the Rector. If such an interposi[t]ion be admissable, it must rest with the Executive Committee of which Genl. Cocke & Mr. T. J. Randolph are a majority; and I leave it with them to decide on your request, if you think...
7967James Madison to Robley Dunglison, 12 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 12th. I cannot think it will be amiss, scanty as our funds are, to make the small draft on them for the pertinent object you suggest. I have made the use of your friendly communication relating to young Willis that was proper without disclosing the source of it. I recd. some days ago a letter from L. P. Perry, seeking an exemption from the enactment on the...
7968James Madison to John S. Barbour, 15 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd a few days ago yours of the 9th. & shd. have answerd it immediately but for the expectation of learning that the subject of it wd. have explained itself, on the spot. The Mail due today not havg brought me any information, I proceed to mention that on the 2 or 3d. of Mar. I enclosed yr. note to Col. P. P. Barbour requesting him to recover the money from you or Bank as might happen, &...
7969James Madison to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 17 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 12th. but none yet from Mr. Randolph Being not a judge of stonework or the proper charge for it, I shall the more readily acquiesce in the judgt. of my better informed Colleagues, or in that of either if both should not in time be heard from. With friendly respects Draft (DLC) .
7970James Madison to Robley Dunglison, 23 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter inclosed in yours of the 19th. If the oriental manuscripts offered by Mr. Hodgson have the value ascribed to them tho’ Algiers is certainly not the Quarry likely to yield that sort of Treasure, They must be a desirable acquisition to our University. But in the State of its funds, there can be little hope of success agst. other bidders, tho’ not themselves much prepared to...
7971James Madison to Samuel A. Storrow, 25 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of yesterday was duly delivered by your Servant last evening. The subject of it is one in relation to which I have for a long time been obliged to mingle with considerations of friendship, rules of consistency controuling that sentiment, and the controul has latterly become more & more imperative. Direct interpositions, have, during a considerable period been not at all indulged....
7972James Madison to George Long, 30 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by the Revd. Mr. Smith of the Episcopal Church in Virginia, who crosses the Atlantic for the improvement of his health. The character you left with us makes him wish to be made known to you during his short stay in England, and I am justified by the respect due to his personal & pastoral virtues, in presenting him to you as entirely worthy of your friendly...
7973James Madison to Robert Young Hayne, 3 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your favor inclosing your two late Speeches, and requesting my views of the subject they discuss. The Speeches could not be read without leaving a strong impression of the ability & eloquence which have justly called forth the eulogies of the public. But there are doctrines espoused (in them) from which I am constrained to dissent. I allude particularly to the doctrine...
7974[Copy of James Madison] to Robert Y. Hayne [as enclosed in James Madison to Edward Everett, April 17, 1830], 3 April … (Madison Papers)
"But there are doctrines espoused from which I am constrained to dissent. I allude particularly to the doctrine which I understand to assert, that the States (perhaps their Governments) have, singly, a constitutional right to resist, and by force annul within itself, acts of the Government of the United States, which it deems unauthorised by the Constitution of the United States; although such...
7975James Madison to Ellen W. Randolph Coolidge, 8 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your acceptable favor of Mar. 20 came duly to hand, & with it, the anticipated review of the published correspondence of your Grandfather. The Author of the review has given evidence not only of a candid mind rescued from preconceived error, but of a critical judgment & an accomplished pen. The light which pierced the film over his eyes can not fail to produce a like revolution in other minds...
7976James Madison to Edward Everett, 8 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
I consult the wishes of Mr. Sparks in making you a channel of communication with him. Should he not have arrived at Washington, be so good as to retain the inclosed letter till you can deliver it in person, or till otherwise advised by him or by me. I take this occasion, Sir, to thank you for the copies of Mr. Webster’s and Mr. Sprague’s late speeches. They do honor, both of them, to the...
7977James Madison to Jared Sparks, 8 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of Mar. 8. came duly to hand. I congratulate you on your success at London & Paris, in obtaining materials, no where else to be found and so essential to the history of our Revolution. I have been looking over such of the letters of Genl. Washington to me as do not appear on his files. They amount to 28. besides some small confidential notes. Most of the letters are of some...
7978James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 10 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Feby. 7 was duly recd., and I should feel some remorse, in noting the date, if I had not excuses, that I am sure your goodness will accept. On my return from Richmond, there had been heavy arrears of epistolary and some other demands on my pen; to which was added, an attention called for by the mismanagement of my rural affairs, which has forced a change of the manager at a very...
7979James Madison to Edward Everett, 17 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 11th. was duly recd. I had noticed the stress laid in a late debate, on the proceedings of the Virga. Legislature in. 1798-9. as supporting the nullifying doctrine so called; and the frequent references also to my participation in those proceedings. But altho’ regretting the erroneous views taken of them, and making no secret of my opinions, I was unwilling to obtrude any...
7980James Madison to George Tucker, 30 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of Mar. 29, in which you intimate your purpose of undertaking a biography of Mr. Jefferson. It will be a good subject in good hands. And I wish you may succeed in procuring the means of doing full justice to both. I know not that I shall be able to make any important contributions. I was a stranger to Mr Jefferson, till he took his seat in 1776 in the first Legislature under...
7981James Madison to Thomas S. Grimke, 1 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
J.M. with his respects to Mr. G offers his acknowledgments, for the Copy of his address before the Richland School recommending the Bible as a Class book in all Seminaries of Education. The copy for the University of Virginia subsequently recd. has been duly forwarded. Draft (DLC) .
7982James Madison to Martin L. Hurlbut, 1 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd. Sir, tho’ not exactly in the due time, your letter of April 25. with a copy of your pamphlet, on the subject of which you request my opinions. With a request opening so wide a field I could not undertake a full compliance, without forgetting the age at which it finds me, and that I have other engagements precluding such a task. I must hope therefore you will accept in place of it, a...
7983James Madison to Martin L. Hurlbut, 1 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I received Sir, tho’ not exactly in the due time, your letter of April 25th. with a copy of your pamphlet, on the subject of which you request my opinions With a request opening so wide a field, I could not undertake a full compliance, without forgetting the age at which it finds me, and that I have other engagements precluding such a task. I must hope therefore, you will accept in place of...
7984James Madison to Edward Livingston, 8 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of April 29 with the copy of your speech was duly recd.; but not without a little delay occasioned by a misdirection of it to Charlottesville instead of Orange Court House. You have succeeded better in your interpretation of the Virginia proceedings in 98-99 than those who have seen in them, a co-incidence with the Nullifying doctrine so called. This doctrine as new to me as it was...
7985James Madison to George McDuffie, 8 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. a copy of the late Report, on the Bank of the U.S. and finding by the name on the envelope, that I am indebted for the communication to your politeness, I tender you my thanks for it. The document contains very interesting & instructive views of the subject; particularly of the objectionable features in the substitute proposed for the existing Bank. I am glad to find that the...
7986James Madison to Marsh, Capen, and Lyon, 11 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 4th. inst in which you suggest a compilation for the press, of my writings on political subjects With respect to such of them as have been already in print, I have no reason to suppose that a republication of them would be of the avail estimated by your partiality. And as to any manuscripts among my papers, the contents of which may be worthy of preservation,...
7987James Madison to William Allen, 14 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I shall have occasion to draw on you for $150 payable on the 20th. inst: and I must request you to place prior to the 25th. inst. $120. in the B. Bank of the U.S. at Richmond, subject to the draft of Edward Coles. You will of course sell my flour to those amounts, if not already sold. Friendly respects Draft (DLC) .
7988James Madison to Josiah Stoddard Johnston, 14 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Mr. Johnston, returns many thanks for the copy of his late very able speech in the Senate of the U. States. It would seem not easy to resist the force of its reasoning against the doctrine, which claims for the States, individually, a constitutional veto, having the effect of nullifying a law, unless overruled by three-forths of the States. RC ( ViU ); draft (DLC) .
7989James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 14 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
You will receive, from my waggons, now preparing to set out 4 more Hhds of Tobo. I inclose a note annexing to the number of each Hhd [?] particular character. We calculate that there will be at least a dozen more, which will be forwarded as fast as possible. But as these with some exceptions, will be of inferior quality, I leave it to your better judgt. to decide, whether the prospects in the...
7990James Madison to James Hillhouse, 17 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 10th. instant with the pamphlet containing the proposed amendments of the Constitution of the United States, on which you request my opinion and remarks. Whatever pleasure might be felt in a fuller compliance with your request, I must avail myself of the pleas of the age I have reached, and of the controul of other engagements, for not venturing on more than...
7991James Madison to James Monroe, 18 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 13th. We had been led to hope that your health was better established than you represent it. As it is progressive and your Constitution, tho’ like mine the worse for wear, has remains of good stamina, I will not despair of the pleasure of seeing you in July, and making a visit together to the University. Should prudence forbid such a journey, I think you ought...
7992James Madison to Thomas Ritchie, 24 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Mr. R. remarks that a Marginal note in the Enquire[r] of the 18th. infers from the pages of Helvidius, that J.M. solemnly protested agst. the Proclamation of Neutrality," as it has been called. The Protest was not agst. the Proclamation, but agst. the Executive Prerogative, attempted to be engrafted on it in the publication of Pacificus to which that of...
7993James Madison to Peleg Sprague, 27 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. M. presents to his respects to Mr. Sprague, with many thanks for the Copy of his Speech on the 16th. of April; which may justly be classed with the most interesting materials for the Legislative History of the Period. FC (DLC) .
7994James Madison to Daniel Webster, 27 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the mail of yesterday, your favor of the 24th. accompanied by a copy of your late Speech, for which I return my thanks. I had before recd. more than one Copy from other sources; and had read the Speech with a full sense of its powerful bearing on the subjects discussed, and particularly its overwhelming effect on the nullifying doctrine of S. Carolina. Altho I have not concealed my...
7995James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 31 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 26th. Having never concealed my opinion of the nullifying doctrine of S. Carolina, I did not regard the allusion to it in the Whig, especially as the manner of the allusion shewed that I did not obtrude it. I shd. have regretted a publication of my letters, because, they did not combine with the opinion, the views of the subject, which supported it. I have...
7996James Madison to Henry Colman, 1 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. M. with his respects to Mr. C. thanks him for the Copy of his "Hints addressed to the farmers of Essex." The Hints deserve attention every where; some of them particularly in this State, which though more & more exchanging its planting for a farming character, is not proportionally advanced in the rules of practice belonging to the latter Draft (DLC) .
7997James Madison to Robley Dunglison, 3 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of May 24. was duly recd. & the one inclosed in it conveyed to Mrs. Willis, as you desired, I have not seen her since. I understand her son has been some days at home; with what promises or prospects, of alleviating the misery he has inflicted on her, I know not. Your letter gave us the first knowledge of the alarming attack on Mrs. Dunglison’s health. We rejoice that it is so...
7998James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 3 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of May 29 was duly recd. The construction put, in the Presidents message, on the Veto in 1817 agst. the power of Congress as to internal improvements, could not fail to surprize me. To my consciousness that the Veto was meant to deny, as well the appropriating, as the executing & jurisdictional branches of the power, was added, the fact that as far as has ever fallen under my...
7999James Madison to Martin Van Buren, 3 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison has duly recd the Copy of the President’s Message forwarded by Mr. Van Buren. In returning his thanks for this polite attention, he regrets the necessity of observing that the Message has not rightly conceived the intention of J. M. in his Veto in 1817. on the Bill relating to Internal Improvements. It was an object of the Veto to deny to Congress, as well the appropriating power,...
8000James Madison to William Henry Harrison, 5 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time the copy of your "Remarks on Charges made agst. you during your Diplomatic residence in Columbia"; but have been prevented by ill health and other causes, from an earlier acknowledgment of your politeness. I now tender you my thanks for the communication. The Remarks are not only acceptable to your friends as they relate to yourself, but valuable in illustrating the State...