1From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 5 October] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Draft (New-York Historical Society). Although this undated, unsigned, and mutilated manuscript was written by Theodorick Bland, Jr., and endorsed “Rough drt of letter, from Col. Theok Bland Jr to Govr. Jefferson,” its message is phrased as coming from all the Virginia delegates. Whether the letter bore JM’s signature, along with Bland’s and John Walker’s, cannot be known since the recipient’s...
2Virginia Delegates’ Agreement with Ebenezer Cowell, 27 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.). Not in Cowell’s hand nor in that of any of the Virginia delegates, but signed by all of them. Endorsed, “Articles Between the Delegates of Virginia & Ebenezer Cowell about 2000 Ramport Muskets.” A copy made for Governor Jefferson by Theodorick Bland is in the Executive Papers of the Virginia State Library. Memorandum of an Agreement entered into this 27th of...
3Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Lincoln, and Benjamin Lincoln to Virginia Delegates, 1 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
Copy (Virginia State Library). Made by Arthur Lee on a single page and enclosed in Virginia Delegates to Harrison, 2 April 1782 ( q.v. ). The success of recruiting in Virginia will very much depend on the State having Arms & Clothing for the Men that may be raisd. We therefore beg you will inform us, what supply of these Articles the State may depend upon from your department. We have the...
4Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 7 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
Draft ( LC : Madison Papers). Written and initialed by JM. Addressed by him to “Govr of Virginia.” For JM’s docket, see JM to Jones, 6 Jan. 1783 , hdn. and ed. n. Recipient’s copy not found, but it was advertised for sale by George H. Richmond of New York City in his catalogue of November 1902, part 1, p. 28, item 430. JM designated the letter “official.” See JM to Randolph, 7 Jan. 1783 . Your...
5From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). The inclosed extract of a letter from General Washington No. 1 will give your Excellency a more particular account of the late embarkation from N. York than has been before obtained. On thursday last Congress were informed by General Potter & Col. Johnston who came expresses for the purpose that a general mutiny of the Pennsylvania line stationed near Morris Town...
6Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 15 April 1783—Missing Letter (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 April 1783 . After Congress had ratified the provisional articles of peace with Great Britain ( JM Notes, 15 Apr. 1783 , and n. 2), JM and Theodorick Bland, on behalf of all the Virginia delegates, apparently sent a brief letter, now missing, to Governor Harrison, informing him of the ratification (Anderson Galleries [New York] Catalogue, No. 1581 [2–3 May 1921], item 34).
7Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [8 October] 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Joseph Jones’s hand, except for JM’s signature. Although the top of the manuscript is torn so that the date is missing, the docket reads, “Lr f’m Virga Delegates Oct. 8. 82.” The mutilated condition of the bottom of the manuscript obliged the bracketed insertions of words and letters which may have been there originally. The cover is missing. We are honoured...
8Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 25 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand, except for Bland’s signature. Docketed, “Lr. f’m Del. in Congress June 25 82.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 15th. came safe to hand yesterday. The loss of the mail of the preceding week is the more regretted, as we understand that a packet from N. York for England which had been intercepted and carried into N. Carolina, made a part of it. A private...
9Virginia Delegates to Thomas Nelson, 7 November 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Edmund Randolph. JM’s name was signed by Joseph Jones. For the present week, we have nothing particular to communicate; the State of the discussion of the cession of Virginia not yet being prepared. We shall therefore postpone any farther observations on this head, intending to accompany our next information with an account of the quota of money,...
10Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [3 September] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract (Parke-Bernet Galleries Catalogue No. 2124 [20 September 1962], p. 30). The letter is described as follows: “ Madison, James ; Theodoric Bland, and Arthur Lee. A.L.s. by Bland, signed also by Madison as ‘ J. Madison Jr .’ and by Lee as ‘ A. Lee ’; 2 pp. 4to, integral blank leaf docketed on verso; Philadelphia, 3 Sept. 1782; with an erroneous pencil note suggesting that the...
11Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 24 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Joseph Jones, except for JM’s signature. Docketed, “Virga Delegates Lr. 24. Decr. 82.” We have no southern mail this week. Since our last a Frigate from France has arrived in Delaware Bay, by her we have Letters from our Commissioners at Paris so late as the 14th. day of Octr. inclosing a Copy of a Com[miss]ion to Mr. Oswald of the 21t. of Sepr. revoking...
12Virginia Delegates to Thomas Nelson, 20 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Entirely in JM’s hand, except for the signatures of the other delegates. Addressed to “His Excellency Thomas Nelson Esqr. Governor of Virginia[,] By Mr Nicholson.” Probably it was delivered by George Nicolson, returning from Philadelphia, where he had been sent by the commercial agent of Virginia to purchase matériel for state troops. See Agreement with Cowell, 27...
13Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 7 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand. Addressed to “His Excelly. The Governor of Virginia.” Docketed: “Virga. Delegates Letter May 7th recd May 16. 82[.] Will soon send information as to Inhabitant[s] transfered from Jurisdiction of Virginia to that of Pensylvania. Fifty commissions forwarded by Secretary of Congress for armed Vessels. A vigorous effort to expel the enemy from our country...
14Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written by Bland and signed by JM and Bland. Addressed to “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Governor of Virginia” and franked by JM. Docketed, “Colo Blands Lr. March 81.” Since our last nothing new has happened except the sailing of the French fleet Consisting of (as near as we can obtain intelligence) the Ships and Guns as p[er] list inclosed...
15Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 4 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
We have the Honor to acknowledge the Rect. of your Excellencies letter of the 23d. Ult. inclosing Copies of the Account & Vouchers founding the settlement of the State of Virginia with Doctor Draper for his depretiation, and leaving it in our descretion, whether to prosecute him for the indemnification of the State, or to take any steps towards establishing the Validity of the transaction...
16Virginia Delegates to Thomas Nelson, 20 November 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Joseph Jones. Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter Dated Nov 20th 1781 recd. Nov. 29th. 81.” Our Letter of the 17th. by Capt. Irish contains those communications, which would otherwise have been the subject of this weeks correspondence. We have now to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Andrews’s Letter of the 9th. conveying to us the disagreeable information of...
17Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 25 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Joseph Jones. Docketed, “Virga. Delegates Letter recd March 7. 1782. Feby: 25th.” We have your Excellencys favor of the 9th. of this month. Since our last the plan for the final settlement of the public accounts from the commencement of the War to the 1st. of Janry. 1782, which we formerly mentioned to be under consideration has been adjusted and agreed...
18Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [15 October] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Burnett, Letters Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). , VI, 507). The contents of the letter and the fact that the dates of the Virginia delegates’ letters of 1 , 8 , and 22 ( qq.v ) are established permit little doubt that the present dispatch was dated on 15 October, the Tuesday post day. The original manuscript...
19Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 14–15 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Cover missing. In the hand of Arthur Lee, except for the signatures of the other two delegates and the first sentence of the postscript, written by Mercer. Addressed to “His Excellency The Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates L. Augt 14th 1783.” For the absence of JM’s signature, see Delegates to Harrison, 24 June 1783 , ed. n. Lee’s draft of the letter,...
20Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 30 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
The delegation have received your Excellencys letr. of the 14th. Nothing yet has been done relative to the meeting of the commissioners deputed by the states of Maryland and Virginia, nor will this business be brought forward untill Congress assemble in more strength. The enclosed resolution will shew the sense entertained by the united states relative to the unauthorized possession of Post...
21Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 4 October 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Theodorick Bland, except for the signatures of Arthur Lee and John F. Mercer. Docketed: “Letter f’m Virga. Delegates 4th. Oct. 83. inclosg resolve of Congress of 5th August. relative to the offer made by Virga. of public Vessels. & of Oct. 3d. on subject of the Govrs. Letter &c. 1783.” For the absence of JM’s signature, see Delegates to Harrison, 24...
22Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by JM and signed by JM, Theodorick Bland, and Meriwether Smith. Docketed, “Letter from Delegates 1 May 1781, Not answerd.” We enclose herewith a letter from Oliver Pollock Esqr: which will inform your Excellency of a very large claim which may soon be expected on the Treasury of Virginia. Mr. Nicholson Agent for Mr. Ross arrived here yesterday. We fear it...
23Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written and signed by JM, “By order of the delegation.” Docketed, “Jas Madisons Letter Recd May 81.” The Executive of New Jersey in consequence of authority vested in them by the Legislature for that purpose, by an Act of the 27th. Ulto. established the rate of exchange between the old continental currency and the bills issued pursuant to the Act of...
24Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 6 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Cover missing. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegs: in Congress: May 6th. 1783.” Although only JM signed it, he obviously was writing on behalf of all members of the delegation. Your Excellency’s favor of the 25th. Ulto. came duly to hand yesterday. A commercial intercourse is under present circumstances carried on freely from other States with our late...
25Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 30 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Theodorick Bland’s hand, except for JM’s and Lee’s signatures. Addressed to “His Excellency the Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates Lr., July 30. 82 July, 1782.” Cover missing. We deliverd the Letter to the Chevalier de la Luzerne, enclosd in that your Excellency honord us with on the 19, together with the apology you desird for your...
26Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 22 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In hand of Theodorick Bland, except for JM’s signature. Cover franked by Bland and addressed to “His Excelly. Benjn. Harrison Esqr. Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed by Thomas Meriwether, “Lr. from the Delegs. in Congress. April 22d. 1783.” Your two Favors of April 5th & 12th came both to hand by yesterdays Post. little Interesting has happend Since our last, except...
27Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 26 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
We are sorry to inform you, that we have inquired at the board of treasury respecting the indents of interest necessary for the State under the requisition of the last year, & that the Commrs. have informed us that from the uncertainty of the productiveness of the funds appropriated by the legislature as a compliance, they were doubtful whether they could with propriety issue them at all, but...
28Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 9 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Arthur Lee, except for the signatures of Theodorick Bland and JM. The third page of the letter is docketed, “Virginia Delegates to Govr of Virginia Augt 19. 1782.” The cover is franked by “A. Lee,” addressed to “His Excellency The Governor of Virginia,” and docketed, “Lr. f’m Virga. Del. August 19. 82.” The dates on these two dockets should have been “9”...
29Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 25 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
We do ourselves the honor to inclose to your Excellency a paper which was put into our hands a few days ago by the Minister of France at a conference he had with us at his own request upon the case of Capt. Ferrier, the subject of a late Resolution of Congress. Your Excellency must have observed from that Resolution that Congress was careful to avoid a decision as to the Authority to which...
30Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [17 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract (Paul C. Richards Catalogue No. 11 [1964], item 266). The catalogue describes the manuscript as comprising two pages written by JM and bearing the signatures of Joseph Jones, Theodorick Bland, JM, and Arthur Lee. We thought it necessary to have a decision from Congress relative to the cession of our western territory, for the information of the ensuing Assembly; & therefore...
31Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 12 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 12 September 1788 . Mentioned in JCSV H. R. McIlwaine et al., eds., Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (4 vols. to date; Richmond, 1931—). , IV, 286, and alluded to in Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 23 Sept. 1788 . Encloses copies of the following papers from the Board of Treasury concerning the disputed account of Dr. George Draper for his wartime military...
32Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 8 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Addressed to “His Excelly. Thos. Jefferson Esqr. Govr. of Virginia.” Except for Meriwether Smith’s signature, the entire letter is in Theodorick Bland’s hand. In the editors’ opinion, this dispatch was from JM as well as his two colleagues, and the omission of his signature reflects merely his momentary absence at the time the letter was sealed. Having...
33Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 11 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellencies favor of the 24th. Ult. together with its enclosures. Congress have not yet Assembled nor have we an early prospect of a sufficient number of States upon the floor for business. In the recess of that body, there is no authority in existence for making the appointment you request with respect to the Cherokee and other tribes of Indians in the Western...
34Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 19 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Virginia Miscellaneous Collection, 1773–1789). In JM’s hand, except for Joseph Jones’s signature. Addressed to “His Excy. Govr. Harrison.” We had the honor yesterday of your Excellency’s letter of the 8th. inst. on the several subjects of which we must postpone an answer untill the next mail. We are sorry to be obliged to repeat our inability to add any intelligence relative to the...
35Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 22 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand. Addressed to “His Excelly Govr. Harrison.” Cover missing. Docketed, “Lr f’m Virginia Delegates inclosg Memorial of S. Nathan 1782 Oct 22d.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 12th. instant came duly to hand yesterday. A Vessel lately arrived at Boston brought Congress a letter from Mr. Adams dated Hague Aug: 18th. 1782. The paper No. 1. herewith inclosed...
36Virginia Delegates to Thomas Jefferson, 3 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland and signed by JM and Bland. Bland inadvertently dated it “1771” rather than 1781. Addressed to “His Excelly Thos. Jefferson Esqr. Govr of the State of Virginia” and franked by Bland. Docketed by a clerk, “James Madison’s Ltr April 12th. 1781.” We have been favord with Your Excellencys enclosing a State of the affair between Mr. Nathan...
37Virginia Delegates to Virginia Auditors of Public Accounts, 28 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS (Virginia Historical Society). Copy in the hand of Theodorick Bland. Initialed by him for JM and John Francis Mercer. The present copy is prefaced with the statement, “Copy of the negotiation of 3333⅓ dollars drawn on Lacaze & Mallet the original of which is in Mr. Madisons handwriting.” JM’s “original” has not been found. J Ambler Esqr. having remitted to James Madison for use of the...
38Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 29 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Theodorick Bland, except for the signatures of Arthur Lee and John Francis Mercer. Cover franked and addressed by Bland to “His Excelly. Benjn: Harrison Esqr. Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed, “Lr. from the Deleg: in Congress, April 29th. 1783.” The absence of JM’s signature, even though he apparently was in Philadelphia on 29 April when he wrote to...
39Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 13 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland, except for the signatures of JM and Arthur Lee. The last (fourth) page of the letter is docketed, “Letter from Delegates Augt 13th 1782.” Filed with the letter is its enclosure—a copy of a letter of 12 August from Secretary at War Benjamin Lincoln to Bland. This and the delegates’ letter were placed, after receipt, in a paper wrapper...
40Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 31 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Joseph Jones’s hand, except for JM’s signature. Cover franked by Jones and addressed to “His Excellency The Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “Virga. Delegates Letter 31. Decr.” Yesterdays post brought us your Excellencys favor of the 21st. intelligence being received the last week that Virginia had repealed her Law imposing a duty of 5 PCt. on imported articles...
41Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 23 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by JM. Docketed, “Lr from Delegates partly in Cypher May 82[.] April 23d 1782.” “May 82” probably signifies when the letter was received. Italicized words in the present copy appear in the manuscript as numbers, conforming with the so-called “official cypher.” A decoding and an encoding page are in the Virginia State Library. Your Excellency’s favor of the...
42Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 18 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written by JM. Docketed, “Lre from Delegates in Congress Decr 27. 1781.” Probably the letter reached Harrison in Richmond on that date. At the request of Baron Steuben, a letter from him to your Excellency is herewith inclosed. The paper from the Secretary of War to Congress also inclosed is an answer to the two Resolutions of the General Assembly...
43Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 1 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In hand of Theodorick Bland, Jr., except for the signatures of the other delegates. Cover franked by Bland and addressed by him to “His Excelly. Benjn: Harrison Esqr. Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed, “Letter fr. Virga. Dels Apl 1. 83.” Your Excelly. will have received by our Express the important Intelligence brought by the Triomphe. That Intelligence (together with...
44Motion of Virginia Delegates on Illicit Trade with Great Britain, [26 December] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 249–50). Docketed: “Dec. 26, 1781 Motion of Mr Jones Mr Madison to be considered 27.–29 Decr. 1781 Referred to Mr Randolph Mr Ellery Mr Law.” To render more effectual the regulation contained in the ordinance of the fourth day of this month for suppressing the importation into the U. States of goods wares and merchandizes of the growth produce or manufacture of Great...
45Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [ca. 17] September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City). In JM’s hand, except for Arthur Lee’s signature. Addressed to “His Excelly. Governor Harrison.” Cover missing. The copy of sundry late resolutions of Congress herewith inclosed will inform your Excellency of the necessity they have been under of enlarging their requisitions on the States. This necessity has resulted in part from the perseverance of...
46Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 3 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday’s Post arrived without any letter from your Excellency. We laid before Congress the resolution of the assembly, relating to the emission of the 18th. of March 1780, and the destruction of the old Continental money by Commissioners within the states, which was refer’d to the Superintendt. of finance to report generally upon—as the steps to be taken on the Resolution of our Assembly,...
47Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 28 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Arthur Lee, except for JM’s signature. Addressed to “His Excellency The Governor of Virginia.” Docketed by Harrison, “Lr. fm our Delegates in Congress Jany 28 ’83.” Below this, “Jany 28 1783” is written in an unknown hand. Your Excellency’s favors of the 4th. & 11th. are before us. We have laid before Congress the Enclosures which were intended for...
48Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 12 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, who signed his own name. Arthur Lee signed for the other delegates. Cover missing, but the delegates were undoubtedly addressing Harrison, even though his name is not shown either at the beginning or the close of the letter. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—March 12th. 1783.” The words italicized in the present copy...
49Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 9 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand except for Arthur Lee’s signature. Addressed to “His Excelly. Governor Harrison.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter July 9th 1782.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 29th. of June inclosing a letter to Mr. Irwin & a bill of exchange in his favor from Mr. O. Pollock was received this morning. The defect of intelligence which rendered our last so...
50Virginia Delegates to Joseph Reed, 13 July 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written by JM, except for the other delegates’ signatures. Docketed, “1781 July 13th. from Honble Delegates of Virginia.” The Underwritten Delegates from the State of Virginia have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letters of the 10th. & 12th instant, and to express their entire satisfaction at the readiness shewn by the Supreme...