1Madison in Congress, February–May 1787 (Editorial Note) (Madison Papers)
JM presented his credentials to Congress on 12 February 1787, marking his return to the federal council after an absence of more than three years. The interval had seen a continuing decline in the prestige and influence of Congress—a trend that had begun with the coming of peace in 1783. Indicative of this trend was the spotty attendance of the delegates, for between 3 November 1786 and 17...
2To James Madison from William Grayson, 24 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged by your kind favor and am sorry I have little to communicate from this quarter worth your acceptance; We have been a caput mortuum for some time past except the little flurry that was kicked up about Philada. Carrington I presume has giv’n you full information on that point; during the contest, the Enemy wanted to raise a mutiny in our camp by proposing to go to Georgetown at...
3To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
My leasure furnishes me with the opportunity, but the country around does not with materials to form a letter worthy your attention. The scale of my observations is a narrow one & confin’d entirely within my room: & the subjects of my researches in which I am but seeking to make some proficiency, as I shod. only detail to you the sentiments of others, give me nothing to supply the deficiency....
4From James Madison to William Short, 16 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter came to my hands a few days ago from Mr. W. Nelson, with a request that I would forward it. Being apprehensive that no opportunity may soon offer, of sending it by a French packet, I make use of a private conveyance which I hope will be equally safe and more expeditious. By the same conveyance you will I understand be furnished with a commission for taking depositions in a...
5From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am just furnished by Mr. Pollock with a box containing a few Peccan Nuts, which Mr. Jno. Vaughan of this City undertakes to forward by a Vessel just sailing for France. Monday last was the day for the meeting of the Convention. The number as yet assembled is but small. Among the few is Genl. Washington who arrived on Sunday evening amidst the acclamations of the people, as well as more sober...
6To James Madison from Arthur Campbell, 12 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
Being neither acquainted with your Secretary at War, nor Doctor White the Superintendant for the Southren Department, I have taken the liberty to request your notice to the affairs of the Southren Indians which are now in such a state, that the Spaniards on one hand and other improper intruders on the other, may excite them all to become our enemies; or at best useless friends, whereas a...
7To James Madison from William Nelson, Jr., 7 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of your polite promise to take charge of any letters that I might wish to send to my friend Mr. Short, I take the liberty of troubling you with the inclosed, and beg the favor of you, to have it put into the mail at New York, which goes by the French-packet. Mr. Wythe and Mr. Blair sailed from York this morning for the head of Elk. May not a favorable effect be hoped from the...
8To James Madison from William Short, 7 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
One imprudence frequently begats a second, & I feel that it is the liberty I took of writing to you by the last packet, which emboldens me in some measure in writing by this. Mr. Crevecoeur the French Consul at New-York & who sails in the present Packet for that place, tells me he will not leave me until I put him in some way of being introduced to your acquaintance when he shall arrive...
9From James Madison to William Irvine, 5 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
When I left N. York which was on thursday last nothing had been done in the business which you had particularly at heart. A motion was made soon after you left us, to the effect which you urged. It was referred to the department to which the subject of it belonged. The report disapproved of the expedient and it was found needless to pursue it farther in Congress. The next proposition was that...
Ms ( DLC ). In an unknown hand, probably that of a clerk in the office of the secretary of Congress, with corrections in JM’s hand. Docketed by JM at the top of the first page, “Acts of States giving Congress regulation of trade.” The dating of this document is uncertain, but it was most likely prepared for JM’s use at the Philadelphia convention. It was drawn up after the Annapolis convention...
11Vices of the Political System of the United States, April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Long before the deputies assembled at Philadelphia in May 1787, JM had begun mentally “to revolve the subject” to be discussed at the Federal Convention ( JM to Washington, 16 Apr. 1787 ). No other delegate came to that historic meeting so well prepared as JM, ready to confront the complex problems of establishing an energetic national government based on republican principles. His many years...
12From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Seeing little chance of a direct conveyance of your furniture to Fredg. we have availed ourselves of one to Norfolk for which it embarked a few days ago under address to the care of Col. Parker. It was accompanied with a certificate protecting it from the duties. I inclose the charges here, which amount to £89..12. of this currency. I did not add the side board, because I wished not to obtain...
13Virginia 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...
14To James Madison from Ambrose Madison, 28 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 April 1787. Mentioned in JM’s letter of 13 June 1787 to Ambrose Madison (MH). Concerned information regarding the illness of James Madison, Sr., and the results of the spring election.
15Appendix: Meteorological Journal for Orange County, Virginia, 1 April–26 June 1786, and 18 January 1787 (Madison Papers)
1786 Thermr sunrise Wind sunrise Weather Sun-rise Thermr 4 OC. PM Wind 4 OC. P.M. Weather 4 OC. P.M. Shooting &c. of Plants & c. Appearance & c. of birds & c. Miscellanea April 1 43 NE mixture of snow & hail driving with considerable force 43 NE still snow & hail driving from NE. Thermr. 26. in air Forward cherries & a few peaches killed. 2
16Notes on Debates, 26 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
The question on the motion to repeal the rule was called for. After some little conversation Mr. Clarke moved that it might be postponed, which was agreed to. Nothing further was done in this business till Wednesday May 2. when I left N. York for the Convention to be held in Philadelphia. It was considered on the whole that the project of shutting the Mississippi was at an end; a point deemed...
17Notes on Debates, 25 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison observing to Congs. that he found a settled disinclination in some of the delegations to concur in any conciliatory expedient for defending the Missippi agst. the operation of the vote of seven States , and that it was hence become necessary to attack directly the validity of that measure to the end that the adversaries to it, and particularly the instructed delegations, might at...
18To James Madison from John Pendleton, 24 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
By the inattention of the Book Keeper who handed me the amount of the advance made to you in January you receive now £14. more than was due on your Account; I did not discover this error until the money was paid & entered at the Treasury & therefore defer rectifying the mistake till the end of the present quarter. Be pleased to observe the statement subjoyned which will shew the error I...
19From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of March 19. I have had the pleasure of yours of Decr. 16. Jany. 30. and Feby. 7. which were handed to me by Col Franks. Along with them were received the copying machine and other articles referred to in them. You will accept my warmest thanks for all these favors. The packet for the Governor of Virginia under the same cover with your letter of Feby. 7. has been...
20Notes on Debates, 23 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Jay’s Report stating objections agst. the motion of Mr. Madison for sending Mr. Jefferson to Madrid was taken into consideration. Mr. Madison observed that Mr. Jay had not taken up the proposition in the point of view in which it had been penned; and explained what that was; to wit, that it was expedient to retract the step taken for ceding the Mississpi, and to do it in a manner as...
21From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 22 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
The period since my last has afforded such scanty materials for a letter that I have postponed it, till I have now to thank you for yours of 7th. inst: which came to hand two days ago. I always feel pleasure in hearing from you, but particularly when my concern for your doubtful health is relieved by such an evidence in its favor. At the same time I must repeat my wishes to forego this...
22From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure of your’s of the 11 inst. acknowledging mine of the 2d. In some of your letters I observe you do not say whether any have been recd. from me or not. I have not omitted to write in a single instance since our correspondence commenced. The time approaches so nearly now when I shall have an opportunity of asking verbal communications on confidential points that I forbear to...
23Account with the Commonwealth of Virginia, [20 April] 1787 (Madison Papers)
By an act of the October 1785 session of the Virginia assembly, delegates to Congress from Virginia were allowed a salary of “six dollars per day while attending on, travelling to, and returning from Congress,” to be paid quarterly ( Hening, Statutes William Waller Hening, ed., The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in...
24From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
No definitive steps are yet taken for the transportation of your furniture. I fear we shall be obliged to make use of a conveyance to Norfolk as soon as one shall offer. I have examined the workmanship of the man in Chappel Street. The face of it is certainly superior to that of your workman. Whether it may prove much so for substantial purposes, I do not undertake to say. Should Mrs. Monroe...
25Notes on Debates, 19 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
The instructions of Virga. agst. relinquishing the Missippi were laid before Congs. by the delegates of that State, with a motion that they should be referred to the department for F. A. by way of information. The reference was opposed by Mr. King & Mr. Benson as unnecessary for that purpose, the instructions having been printed in the newspapers. In answer to this it was observed that the...
26Resolution to Transfer Negotiations with Spain to Madrid, [18 April] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Resolved that the present State of the negociations with Spain, and of the affairs of the United States, renders it expedient that the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of France, should proceed under a special Commission to the Court of Madrid there to make such representations, and to urge such negociations, as will be most likely to impress on the said Court the friendly disposition of...
27Notes on Debates, 18 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
See Journal till April 18th [1787] Wednesday It having appeared by the Report of Mr. Jay on the instruction agreed to monday the 2d. inst & on information refd. to him concerning the discontents of the western people: that he had considered the act of 7 states as authorising him to suspend the use of the Misspi. and that he had accordingly adjusted with Mr. Guardoqui an article to that effect;...
28From James Madison to George Washington, 16 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of the 31 of March, and find with much pleasure that your views of the reform which ought to be pursued by the Convention, give a sanction to those which I have entertained. Temporising applications will dishonor the Councils which propose them, and may foment the internal malignity of the disease, at the same time that they produce an ostensible...
29Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 16 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your Excellencies favor of the 4th Inst. enclosing a list of Pensioners came to hand this morning together with the talk to the Cherokee Indians alluded in that which I had the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a few days past. We shall do ourselves the honor to lay before Congress all the intelligence you have been pleased to transmit respecting the Cherokee Indians, as the best excuse for...
30From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Apl. 4. has been recd since my last. The probability of Genl. Washington’s coming to Philada. is in one point of view flattering. Would it not however be well for him to postpone his actual attendance untill some judgment can be formed of the result of the meeting. It ought not to be wished by any of his friends that he should participate in any abortive undertaking. It may occur...