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16 livsons. from 15th. to 30th. inclusive 0 from 23 to 30 inclusive: not charged 0 Memoires concernant impositions et droits (par Moreau) 5 vol: 40. — Encyclop: Britan: (edit: Dobson) 1st. vol. 40 — Chalmers’ Pol: Annals 1 vol: 40. — Ramsay’s acct. of slavery in W. Indies. — Douglas’ Reports Neckar on Religion — Hist: war in America 3 vol: 80. — Cicero’s Epist: to Atticus
Mr. R’s pamphlet is out & will be forwarded by the first oppy. Altho’ I have kept up an enquiry, I have not been able to collect the impression it makes. As it relates to the P. nothing seems to be said: and as it relates to parties in general very little. By Fenno’s & Webster’s papers, it appears that an effort will be used to run down Mr. R. & if necessary for the purpose to call in the...
Letter not found. 23 July 1789. Acknowledged in Turner to JM, 2 Aug. 1789 . Discusses the availability of various federal government offices. Recommends that Turner solicit a judgeship in the Northwest Territory.
Congs. not having closed their session till the day before yesterday, and the weather being extremely hot, I have thought it necessary in order to avoid the danger of a bilious attack to which I am become very subject, to wait here a few weeks which will render the journey more safe, and afford me moreover the pleasure of Mr. Jefferson’s company quite to Orange. This resolution puts it out of...
During debate on JM’s resolutions on commercial discrimination in Committee of the Whole, Parker asserted “that probably without France [i.e., French aid during the American Revolution] the legislature would not be deliberating within these walls.” When “two or three persons in the gallery, upon this made a faint attempt to clap,” Tracy moved that the committee rise for the purpose of clearing...
Letter not found. Ca. 23 April 1792. Acknowledged in Spotswood to JM, 1 May 1792 . Concerns Spotswood’s Revolutionary War claim and encloses information from Col. Josiah Parker on how to find out who drew his depreciation of pay.
Algerine corsairs had preyed on American shipping in the Mediterranean since the Revolution. In December 1793 reports arrived in the United States that Portugal had signed a twelve-month truce with Algiers. Britain had persuaded its Portuguese ally to halt the Algerine war—which had previously prevented the corsairs from entering the Atlantic—in order to concentrate the war effort against...
Since my last I have been furnished with the inclosed copy of the letter from the Senators of this State to its Legislature. It is well calculated to keep alive the disaffection to the Government, and is accordingly applied to that use by the violent partizans. I understand the letter was written by the first subscriber of it, as indeed is pretty evident from the stile and strain of it. The...
Your favor of the 11th. came to hand the day before yesterday. I am just setting off to Monroe’s and hope to prevent the trouble of an express from Monticello with the letter referred to in it. I have already acquainted you with the immediate object of this visit. I have just received a line from him expressing a particular desire to communicate with me, and reminding me that he sets off the...
The pressure of business as the session approaches its term, the earlier hour at which the House of Representatives has for some time met, and the necessity of devoting a part of the interval to exercise, after so long a confinement, have obliged me to deny myself the pleasure of communicating regularly with my friends. I regret much that this violation of my wishes has unavoidably extended...
After debate on 8 February, the motion to pay congressmen an annual salary was defeated and the bill returned to committee. The matter was resumed on 26 February in a Committee of the Whole, where Giles (Virginia) suggested that the Speaker receive a larger salary than other members because of the incidental expenses and greater duties of his office ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings...
During my recess in Virginia Mr. Jefferson put into my hands to be forwarded to you, your Letter Book which you had been so good as to leave with him. Considering the deposit as a precious one, I have been more anxious for a certain than a speedy Conveyance for it. The trip Mr. E. Livingston makes to N. York, furnishes an unexceptionable one, and I accordingly avail myself of it. We get our...
JM’s bill on navigation and trade (first presented on 17 May) was now under consideration. Jackson delivered a lengthy speech in reply to JM’s former arguments, quoting Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations to show that it was against the interest of agricultural nations to cramp the trade of mercantile states by laying high duties. Laurance, Tucker, and Smith (South Carolina) also opposed the bill....
Impressment of American seamen by the Royal Navy was a constant irritant in Anglo-American relations, especially after the outbreak of war between Great Britain and France in 1793. American consuls in the ports of Great Britain could offer some assistance to impressed Americans under a statute of 14 April 1792, but the United States had no consular offices in the West Indies, from where...
The last mail brought us the pleasure of yours, of Jany. 8th. Fanny did not bring the letter-types with her, and cannot say with absolute certainty where they are to be found. She is pretty confident however that she put them in the Closet upstairs, on the right hand shelf, among some books. The shortness of the crop of Corn at Black-Meadow is a proof of the ruinous tendency of perpetual...
I have recd. your favor of the 15th. June, as also a preceding one on the same subject: & have delayed acknowledging them till the return of Majr. Hite, an opportunity which you seem to have had in view. As far as I recollect no claims similar to your’s have yet been allowed by Congress, and some circumspection has been observed against establishing any principle that might lead to them. I can...
The Stamp Act was poisoned by the ingredient of the tax on transfers. The centinels of Stock uniting with the adversaries of the general plan formed a large majority. The carriage tax which only struck at the Constitution, has passed the H. of Reps. and will be a delicious morsel to the Senate. The attempt of this Branch to give the P. power to raise an army of 10,000, if he should please, was...
Burke moved that the House no longer permit reporting of the debates, but he later withdrew the motion. Tucker then moved that the House sanction an accurate and impartial publication of the debates. Mr. Madison Thought it improper to throw impediments in the way of such information, as the house had hitherto permitted from the purest motives; but he believed it equally improper to give the...
I recd. yours of the 26 Ult: on the subject of the bill of exchange, and at the same time a draught from Mr. Triplet for 200 dollars on a house here which has accepted it. I have not yet fixt on a Forte Piano but have several in my eye; and will make a choice as soon as I can satisfy myself, and will have it forwarded it [ sic ] as soon as an opportunity offers. The adjournment is put off till...
I have received your’s of the 22d Dec, and am sincerely sorry that I cannot be as instrumental on the occasion stated in it as My respect for the wishes of the Mr. Marshall’s and particularly for your’s, by which they are seconded, would make me anxious to be. The truth is I am not on any footing of personal acquaintance with Mr. Hammond which would justify me in asking the favor of him in his...
It being considered that, ‘tis at all times the right and at certain periods the duty of the people to declare their principles and opinions on subjects which concern the Natl. interest; that at present conjuncture this duty is rendered the more indispensable by the prevailing practice of declaratory resolutions in places where the inhabitants can more easily assemble and consult than in the...
172Militia, [24 December] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Livermore, Jackson, and Giles opposed JM’s amendment. Laurance approved of the principle of the amendment but thought it vaguely worded. Mr. Madison admitted that his proposition might not be designated with the most desirable accuracy; but he conceived its imperfection might be overlooked, if it was considered, that the whole bill was intended to be given to a select committee for arrangement...
I have recd. the few lines you dropped me from Baltimore, and daily expect those promised from Fredg. I am made somewhat anxious on the latter point, by the indisposition under which you were travelling. The question depending at your departure was negatived by a very large majority, though less than stated in the Newspapers. The causes of this disproportion which exceeds greatly the estimate...
In my last to my father I desired him to let Mr. A. Fontaine or some other friend in Louisa know that I could not be in the district before the election &c. I now inclose a letter to him, which I wish you to seal & forward. If no certain conveyance offers in time, it will [be] requisite to send it to Louisa Court House on the day of the Election; and by Morda. Collins if necessary. Since the...
Your last received was of the 28 Apl. The receipt of all the preceeding is verified by the uninterrupted dates of the Gazettes inclosed. I anxiously wish that the reception of Genest may testify what I believe to be the real affections of the people. It is the more desireable as a seasonable plum after the bitter pills which it seems must be administered. Having neither the Treaty nor Law of...
My last stated a question relating to the power of removal from offices then on the anvil of the H. of Rs. I now inclose the discussions as conveyed to the public thro’ the Newspapers. It is not necessary to apprize you that the reasonings on both sides are mutilated, often misapprehended, and not unfrequently reversed. You will perceive yourself that much of the reasoning is also founded on a...
In his annual message to Congress, Washington urged that Congress provide compensation to victims of the Whiskey Insurrection. On 17 December the House began consideration of resolutions giving effect to his suggestion ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 3d Cong., 2d sess., 790, 954, 967, 973, 987, 989). Mr....
Objections arose against the clause in the treasury department bill enjoining the secretary “to digest and report plans for the improvement and management of the revenue, and the support of the public credit.” Mr. Madison observed that by looking into the Journals of the late Congress, it would be found that, when the department of finance was established, the same words or very similar words...
On 20 January the select committee on financing a naval force against the Algerine corsairs submitted its report, which proposed an appropriation of $600,000 to support six warships. The sum was to be raised by increased impost and tonnage duties ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 3d Cong., 1st sess., 250). On...
Letter not found. Ca. 20 December 1794. Referred to in Jones to JM, 23 and 26 Dec. 1794 and 13 Jan. 1795 . Mentions that Secretary of State Edmund Randolph plans to write Jones about his request to draw a sum of money on Monroe’s account.
The election of General Anthony Wayne to the House of Representatives from a Georgia congressional district was disputed by his opponent, James Jackson, who petitioned the House on 14 November 1791 to declare him the legally elected winner of the election. Jackson’s petition alleged irregularities and also claimed that Wayne was not a legal resident of Georgia at the time of the election and...
Since we had the pleasure of Col: Taylor’s arrival I have left in his better hands the trust of keeping you supplied with whatever communications might interest or amuse you. As the political scene here, is however soon to be suspended, I can not refuse myself the last opportunity I shall have before a dispersion of the dramatis personæ takes place, of enjoying the pleasure I always feel in...
I recd. yours of the 28th. last evening. Your preceding one covering among other things your memorandums through France was acknowledged by a few lines put into the hands of a young gentleman bound to Philada. in the Stage of yesterday. The purpose of them was to apprize you that you had omitted Coxe’s answer to Sheffield and to request the favor of you to send it by Monday’s mail. Should the...
The letters from you of latest date are those of Octr. 23. 24, & 29—and of Jany 12 & 20th. The three first have been heretofore acknowledged. For the interesting contents of the two last I now thank you. I have given the explanation you desired, as to Mr. Paine, to F. A. M. who has not recd. any letter as yet, and has promised to pay due regard to your request. It is proper you should know...
During debate on the apportionment bill in Committee of the Whole on 16 February, JM opposed Vining’s proposition to grant New Hampshire five representatives. “Fractions will exist, said he, on every possible plan; this is to be a permanent law, and in its operation will probably increase those fractions. The Constitution refers to the respective numbers of the States, and not to any aggregate...
In the final political attack on Hamilton of the second session, Representative William Branch Giles on 27 February introduced nine resolutions censuring the official conduct of the secretary of the treasury. “Giles’s resolutions … were so worded as to carry innuendo that something was very wrong” (Freeman, Washington , VII, 4–5 nn. 23, 24). They were probably intended to influence the...
On 10 May the Committee of the Whole took up the report of a select committee on a petition from the merchants and traders of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This report recommended (1) that the tonnage on foreign vessels be raised from fifty cents to one dollar per ton, and (2) that foreigners be prohibited from carrying United States commodities to any port or place to which United States...
My last was as far back as the return of Sam from Harewood. I have postponed writing untill the Session should commence for two reasons. One you will readily conjecture: The other that I might inclose the introductory proceedings. From the want of a Quorum of Senators, these have not yet taken place. It was expected that the defect would be supplied to day. Whether it will be or not I cannot...
Substance of a Conversation with the President In consequence of a note this morning from the President requesting me to call on him I did so; when he opened the conversation by observing that having some time ago communicated to me his intention of retiring from public life on the expiration of his four years, he wished to advise with me on the mode and time most proper for making known that...
Document not found. Ca. 26 December 1796. On 26 Dec. 1796 JM presented to the House of Representatives the memorial of Joseph Nourse, register of the treasury of the U.S., asking for an increase in salary. It was referred to the committee on the subject of compensation. Reported in New World , 27 Dec. 1796.
This will I expect be handed you by a young gentleman, Mr. Colden, the son of an amiable lady of that name within the circle of my acquaintance in this place. I need not apprize you that the family, of which Governour Colden is the ancestor, is a respectable one. The young gentleman has been in Scotland for some years, pursuing his education, and with the approbation of his friends proposes to...
My last requested the favor of you to give me such information as you might be able on the subject of my brother’s & my joint interest in Kentuckey. I wrote at the same time and made the same request to our friend Mr. H. Taylor. I write again to him as well as to you by the present opportunity and hope thro’ your mutual and friendly assistance, to be able to understand and arrange every thing...
I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto. by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt: Cook. I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American...
Your last was of the 17th. inst: & covered one paper of the 12th. The weather has been very unfavorable for saving our crops of wheat. It has been from the commencement of the harvest either rainy, cloudy, or hot & damp. I still hope however our crops will be respectable. I have not been able to learn how Albemarle has fared. I have no reason to apprehend that you have more to complain of than...
Letter not found. 21 April 1794. Acknowledged in White to JM, 26 Apr. and 5 May 1794 . Discusses constitutional objections to Chief Justice John Jay’s appointment as envoy extraordinary to Great Britain. Reports that public opinion in England continues to support the war against France.
Letter not found. 11 December 1792. Acknowledged in Carroll to JM, 13 Jan. 1793 . Reiterates request for information about the Potomac navigation. Comments on the tax on horses as a direct tax and its unequal effect between North and South. Gives news concerning France and Browse Trist.
I have recd. yours of the 31. Ult: and am glad to find that my sister Hite has withdrawn herself from the Region of the Small pox. It gives me particular pleasure also to learn that my mother’s health has so far been restored. You will see by one of the inclosed papers that the price of Wheat continues at from 8/4 to 8/6. Whether it will rise or fall or how much, is more than I can say. I...
1790 Mr Madesan Bill Augt. 12 Ballence on A bill delever £34 – 9 – 1 20 Cash Gave Mrs H 1 – 15 — — do for Calleco 4 – 12
Speaking against JM’s motion, Burke said that many officers and soldiers had received conspicuous marks of gratitude for their services, notably in appointments to civil offices. Mr. Madison. If paper, or the honor of statues or medals, can discharge the debts of justice, payable in gold and silver, we can not only exonerate ourselves from those due to the original holders, but from those of...
The past week has been spent chiefly on the question of an Embargo. It was negatived on Friday by 48 against 46, the former composed chiefly of Eastern, the latter of Southern members. The former are now for giving the power to the Executive, even during the session of Congress. In France, everything is in a state of vigor beyond what has been seen there. Fauchèt proceeds with great...