1James 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...
2From James Madison to Thomas Ritchie, 18 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 10th. inst: was recd. a few days ago & I give it the earliest answer which circumstances have permitted. It has been impossible not to observe the licence of construction applied to the Constitution of the U. States; and that the premises from which powers are inferred, often cover more ground than the inferences themselves. In seeking a remedy for these aberrations, we must not...
3To James Madison from Thomas Ritchie, 10 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
Do not be surprised at receiving this Letter. I have been frequently tempted to appeal to your judgment, and ask your Advice. Not a dark Cloud has come over the public horizon, but I have turned towards you as a ⟨sort?⟩ of last resource. My profound reverence for you as a Politician, and my unfeigned regard for you as a man, have impelled my thoughts in that direction: but to this moment I...
4From James Madison to Thomas Ritchie, 13 August 1822 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Aug 7 is so full & satisfactory an answer to my request of July 2. that I ought not to withold my thanks for it. The delay was immaterial. But I lament most sincerely the afflicting causes of it. With much esteem & friendly respects The Enquirer of the 6th. very properly animadverts on the attempts to pervert the historical circumstances relating to the Draught of the Declaration...
5To James Madison from Thomas Ritchie, 7 August 1822 (Madison Papers)
My own indisposition, and the melancholy succession of calamities which has befallen the family of Dr. Foushee, have prevented my earlier acknowledgment of your respected favor. My wish too to oblige an interesting stranger would have prompted me to attend sooner to his application, if these circumstances had not intervened. It is my candid opinion, that Mr. Spafford’s Gazetteer for Virginia...
6From James Madison to Thomas Ritchie, 2 July 1822 (Madison Papers)
I recd. some time ago a letter from Mr. H. G. Spafford at Ballston Spa N.Y. in which he says “I wish your Booksellers would encourage me to write a Gazetteer of Virga. I could travel all over the State, collect materials, & prepare the work for the press, in about 2 years on a salary of $1000 a year, & a few copies of the work.” I answered that I could not undertake to judge how far a...
7From James Madison to Thomas Ritchie, 15 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 8th. instant on the subject of the proceedings of the convention of 1787. It is true as the public has been led to understand, that I possess materials for a pretty ample view of what passed in that Assembly. It is true also that it has not been my intention that they should for ever remain under the veil of secrecy. Of the time when it might be not improper for them...
8To James Madison from Thomas Ritchie, 8 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I know not whether I can take the liberty of writing you on the subject of this letter; but I have had so many proofs of your goodness towards me, that I am tempted to address you. Whatever be your reply, I pledge myself not to abuse your confidence. If you wish me not to speak of it, I pledge myself not to do so. I have long understood—and within the last 12 months from a mutual friend—that...