1[Alexander Rives] to James Madison, 28 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of thus obtruding on your notice two fugitive newspaper Essays, in which I have attempted to vindicate the distinguished state papers, which your pen gave to Virginia in one of the most lowering periods of our Constitutional history and which have since been adopted as the articles of her political faith, from the imputation of the disorganising doctrine of a right of...
2James Madison to A Friend of Union & State Rights [Alexander Rives], 1 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
Confidential I have rec. the letter signed "A friend of Union & State rights" inclosing two printed Essays under the same signature. It is not usual to answer communications without the proper names to them. But the ability & motives disclosed in the Essays induce me to say in compliance with the wish expressed, that I do not consider the proceedings of Virginia in 98-99 as countenancing the...
3Alexander Rives to James Madison, 7 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I was singularly gratified this morning to find by the reception of your letter, that you have thought proper to take notice of my anonymous obtrusion , and to favor me with an expression of your opinions on a vitally important subject, which I had imperfectly attempted to discuss in the hastily-written essays, which you received from me. Fearful lest I might add to the number of those, who by...