61To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 18 April 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
My last requested your orders relating to Dohrman’s payment to Me for Mazzei; and I impatiently wait for them. Resolutions have passed for carrying into effect, the Spanish, Indian and Algerine Treaties . The British is now depending. I inclose the proposition in which the opponents of it, will unite. According to present calculation, this proposition will be carryed by nearly the same...
62From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 May 1793 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you two or three days ago with an inclosure of Newspapers &c since which I have been favored with yours of the 19th. I thank you for the plans & observations which far exceeded the trouble I meant to give you. The sentiments expressed by Genest would be of infinite service at this crisis. As a regular publication of them cannot be expected till the meeting of Congress, if then, it were...
63Amendments to the Constitution, [15 August] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The committee took up the fourth amendment (containing a bill of rights) proposed by the select committee. The first clause, “No religion shall be established by Law, nor shall the equal rights of conscience be infringed,” was under discussion. Mr. Madison Said he apprehended the meaning of the words to be, that congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it...
64From James Madison to Alexander White, 14 April 1794 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two favors of Mar. 31. & Apl. 7. The motion of Clarke to suspend the imports from G. B. & Ireland till redress be obtained on the spoliations & the treaty has been the subject of much debate and is not yet decided. It is generally supposed that a considerable majority of the House are in favor of it. It is a subject however on which opinions may be much influenced by...
65From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have sent by a Vessel just sailed a small cask of port wine—a few Glass & plate wares with some knives & forks and two or three Books for Fanny. They are addressed to Mr. Anderson. Among the Books are two translations of Telemachus. One was bought before that in 2 vol: which is the proper one for her use could be met with. The supernumerary one which is the best for the English reader may be...
66From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1795 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday your favor covering a letter to Monsr. Liancourt which I have put into the hands of Noailles who will attend to the delivery of it. I inclose a copy of the P’s speech. The Senate have answered it, as was to be expected. You will see the first fruits of their open doors in the debates it produced. The answer of the House of Reps. will be reported tomorrow. It has been delayed...
67Salaries for the Congress, [16 July] 1789 (Madison Papers)
A daily pay of six dollars for both senators and representatives was proposed. Sedgwick moved to reduce the representatives’ pay to five dollars. Mr. Madison Was of opinion that a discrimination was necessary; he observed, that it had been evidently contemplated by the constitution, to distinguish in favor of the senate, that men of abilities and firm principles, whom the love and custom of a...
68Census, [8 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
A six-month time limit was proposed to complete the census. Mr. Madison said, that some states had been in the practice of taking a census, but to others it was a new business; and this consideration should demand a longer time. But there was another consideration—the marshal might die, during the time of transacting his business; the President must be made acquainted with this, and it would...
69From James Madison to James Monroe, [25?] July 1790 (Madison Papers)
After all the vicissitudes through which the assumption has passed, it seems at present in a fair way to succeed as part of the general plan for the public debt. The Senate have included it among their amendments to the funding bill, and a vote of yesterday in the House of Representatives indicates a small majority in favor of the measure. In its present form it will very little affect the...
70Discrimination between Present and Original Holders of the Public Debt, [11 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
On 8 February the Committee of the Whole took up Secretary Hamilton’s report on public credit. FitzSimons submitted eight resolutions which served as a framework for the debate. The first declared “that adequate provision ought to be made for fulfilling the engagements of the United States, in respect to their foreign debt.” This passed unanimously. The second resolution called for “the...