1From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 7 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the contents of the letter permit no doubt that Pendleton was the recipient. The post has been very irregular for several weeks past & this week the Mail South of Annapolis has failed altogether; by which means I lose the pleasure of your alternate favor. A vessel from France informs us that the frigate freigted with the event at York had...
2From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 16 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I make use of the opportunity afforded by the return of Col. Hoomes to inclose a parcel of the late newspapers, which may contain some things not in the other papers you get. You will find in them all the particulars known here concerning the affairs of France; and sketches of the business as yet brought before Congress. The Presidents Speech & the two answers are I believe also in the...
3From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 16 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I was very glad at not being disappointed in my expectations of a favor from you by yesterday’s post. Several reports in quick succession of the arrival & progress of the predatory band under Arnold had rendered us exceedingly anxious to hear the truth & particulars of the matter. Some letters by the post tell us that the Governor with Baron Steuben was wholly...
4From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 24 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
If the contents of the Newspapers of this place find their way into the gazettes of Richmond you will have learnt that the expedition of Genl: Lincoln against the insurgents has effectually dispersed the main body of them. It appears however that there are still some detachments which remain to be subdued. & that the Government of Massts. consider very strong precautions as necessary agst....
5From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 6 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Nat W. Pendleton, Wytheville, Va., 1961). Docketed by Edmund Pendleton, “James Madison Esqr. Aug. 6th. 1782.” I shall pay due attention to the request contained in your favor of the 29th. relative to the slave of your nephew. Should I however be so fortunate as to recover him, the price of slaves here leaves no hope that a purchaser will be found on the terms demanded. We have had several...
6From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 28 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. and acknowledge with great pleasure your favor of the 8th. instt. The remarks which you make on the Act of the Convention appear to me to be in general extremely well founded. Your criticism on the clause exempting vessels bound to or from a State from being obliged to enter &c in another is particularly so. This provision was dictated by the jealousy of some particular States,...
7From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 3 September 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honble. Edmund Pendleton Esqr. Caroline County Virginia.” I am favored with yours of the 27th. ultimo. This letter will be the most agreeable of any I have long had the pleasure of writing. I begin with informing you that the Commander in chief and the Ct. Rochambeau, the former with a part of the American Army, and the latter with the whole of the...
8From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 26 September 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Yesterday’s post disappointed me of the expected pleasure of a line from you. I hope the next will not fail to make amends for it. I have nothing to add to the inclosed paper except that Ternay is yet unreinforced, Graves at Sea no one knows where or for what purpose, and Rodney with 10 Ships of the line still at the Hook, though according to some private accounts he...
9From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 22 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
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...
10From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 23 February 1793 (Madison Papers)
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...
11From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 11 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but Pendleton docketed the letter, “James Madison Esqr. Decr. 11. 1781.” I am favored with yours of the 3d. instant. Other letters by the same conveyance confirm your report of the election of Mr. Harrison to the chief Magistracy. Several other appointments are mentioned which I make no doubt are all well known to you. On whatever side Mr....
12From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 2d. instant. From the sentiments expressed in it you will hear with pleasure that the proposed assumption of the State debts, was yesterday negatived, after many days deliberation, by 31 vs 29. We hoped that this vote would have been mortal to the project. It seems however that it is not yet to be abandoned. The other part of the Secretary’s Report has been...
13From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
The receipt of your favor of the 29th Ult: which did not come to hand till a few days ago was rendered particularly agreeable to me by the prospect it gives of a thorough reestablishment of your health. I indulge the reflection and the hope that it denotes a remaining energy in the Constitution, which will long defend it against the gradual waste of time. Your representation of the politics of...
14From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 30 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 19th. inclosing a bill for amending a defective law gave me particular pleasure as it involved a proof of more health than report had allowed you. I anxiously wish that a blessing the smallest degree of which in your hands is always producing good to your Country may in the fullest manner be re-established. You are not wrong in supposing apprehensions in many of danger from...
15From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 25 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. came to hand yesterday. You were right in saying “that the Northern Cocks are true game” but have erred in adding “that they die hard on the Representation bill.” Their perseverance has gained them a final victory. The bill passed on friday last in the form in which it was sent from the Senate; that is with the distribution of 120 members among the States, and the...
16From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 18 September 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Pendleton, “James Maddison Esqr. Sepr. 18th. 1781.” I was yesterday favored with yours of the 10th. instant. The various reports arrived of late from Chesapeake prepared us for a confirmation from our correspondents of a fortunate rencontre between the 2 fleets. A continuation of these reports although unsupported by any authentic evidence still keeps up...
17From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 19 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last was committed to Majr. Rogers of your County who embarked some days ago from this place for Virginia. I have been since favored with yours of the 7th. instant; and am much & truly gratified with the proof it contains of your good health. We have not yet either the President or Vice President on the ground. The former is expected in a few days. The latter we are told will certainly come...
18From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Your favor of the 13th. came safe yesterday. The past week has brought forth very little of consequence, except the disagreeable and I fear certain information of the arrival of the Corke fleet. Our last account of the embarkation at N. york was that the Ships had fallen down to the Hook, that the number of troops was quite unknown, as well as their destination,...
19From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 8 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison, Esq. Jan. 8, 1782.” I have before me your favor of the 31st. Ulto. I regret much the refusal of Mr. J. to become a member of the Virga. delegation, not only as it deprives his country of that particular service, but as I fear it proceeds from a fixed disinclination to all public employments. Yesterday was opened for the first...
20From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 20 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledge with much pleasure your favor of the 6th. instant. The “balmy” nature of the resolutions concerning the Mississippi will I hope have the effect you suggest; though the wounds given to some & the pretext given to others by the proceedings which rendered them necessary, will not I fear be radically removed. The light in which the temporary seat of the new Government is viewed &...
21From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 17 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The Southern Post having not yet arrived, I have not the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your favor, which I have found you too punctual to doubt his havg. for me. The best news I have to give you is contained in the inclosed paper in a letter from Eustatia, which comes from a person known to many Gentlemen here who say it may be fully credited. The Saratoga...
22From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 29 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison jr. Octr. 29. 1782.” A continuance of Mr. Jones’s indisposition has procured me the office of answering yours of the 21st. instant. His relapse has been more severe than I was aware, and will keep him a prisoner in his room for some time to come. His disorder is at present rather...
23From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. did not come to hand till this afternoon. I thank you for the very just & interesting observations contained in it. I have not yet met with an oppy. of forwarding the Report on Manufactures; nor has that subject been yet regularly taken up. The constitutional doctrine however advanced in the Report has been anticipated on another occasion, by its zealous friends; and I...
24From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 3 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Convention of N. Hampshire have disappointed much the general expectation. Instead of adopting the Constitution they have adjourned without any final decision until June; this expedient being found necessary to prevent a rejection. It seems that a majority of 3 or 4 members would have voted in the negative, but in this majority were a number who had been proselyted by the discussions, but...
25From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have delayed for some time writing in the daily expectation that I should be able to resume the subject of the Representation-bill the progress & fate of which were mentioned in my last. A motion for reviving it in another form has been some days on the table and is now the order of the day, but has been kept back partly by a general torpor resulting from the critical loss of the bill and...
26From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 2 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Yesterday’s post was the first that has failed to bring me a line from you since our correspondence commenced. I hope it has not been owing to any cause which concerns your health. We had it yesterday from under Genl Washington[’s] hand that another embarkation is actually departed from N. York, amoun[ting] to abt. 2500 troops. There is little d[oubt] that they will...
27From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 19 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honble Edmund Pendleton Esqr. Caroline County Virginia.” Yesterday’s post brought me your favor of the 11th instant, which if my recollection does not fail me is an act of supererogation, the terms of our contract entitling Mr Jones alone to your correspondence of the present week. To show you how acceptable it is to me I have selected the inclosed...
28From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 16 October 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the letter is docketed in Pendleton’s hand, “Jas. Madison jr. Esqr. Octr. 16. 1781.” When you get a sight of the Resolution of the Gen: Ass: referred to in your favor of the 8th. you will readily judge from the tenor of it what steps would be taken by the Delegates. It necessarily submitted the fate of the object in question to the...
29From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 20 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Cover franked by “J. Madison Jr” and addressed by him to “The honble Edmund Pendleton Esqr. Caroline County Virginia.” Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison Esqr. Augst. 20. 1782.” At the date of my last I had little doubt that the post of this week would have conveyed you some further lights on the subject of negociations for peace. A continuation of the silence...
30From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 16 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Unsigned and cover missing. Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison, jr. Esqr. July 16th. 1782.” Your favor of the 8th. instant escaped the danger of late incident to the post; the robbers having removed to the Northward for the purpose of attacking the Eastern mail which fell into their hands near Trenton last week. It is said to have been the identical party. I am...
31From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 31 July 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the letter is docketed by Pendleton, “James Maddison jr. Esqr. July 31. 1781.” I have the pleasure of your’s of the 23d. I congratulate you on your return to Caroline and on the safety of your estate from the ravages of the Enemy. The mail of last week having been intercepted near Wilmington has kept back the post a day later than his usual...
32From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 12 September 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The address sheet is missing, but Pendleton wrote on the letter: “James Maddison, Esqr. Sepr. 12. 1780.” Although the originals of most of the letters from Pendleton to JM have not been found (see headnote to Pendleton to JM, 27 August 1780 ), JM’s letters to Pendleton, insofar as their present location is known, are with one exception in two repositories—the Library...
33From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 18 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of afforded me much pleasure by the information it gave of the return of such flourishing health, and has laid me under great obligation by the valuable state it inclosed, of the great question lately argued in the federal Court at Richmond. We are all anxious to learn the decision of the Judges, though there is a report, that they decline giving their opinions, & were that not so,...
34From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, [5] November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Cover missing. Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison Esqr. Nov. 4. 1782.” JM misdated the letter. His textual references to “yesterdays mail” (which could not have been that of 3 November, a Sunday), to “Yesterday” as the date of Elias Boudinot’s election to the presidency of Congress ( Notes on Debates, 4 November ), and to “my letter of this date to Mr....
35From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, [24] October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In its present state the original letter lacks its last line. In the copy below, this line is taken from Madison, Writings (Hunt ed.) Gaillard Hunt, ed., The Writings of James Madison (9 vols.; New York, 1900–1910). , I, 75. At the head of the letter, JM left a space between “Octr” and “1780” without filling in the date of the month. In view of what he states in the...
36From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 9 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The address sheet is missing, but JM, probably late in life, wrote “To Mr. Pendleton” at the top. Pendleton docketed the letter “James Maddison Esq Jan. 9th. 1781.” I have again the pleasure to begin with acknowledg the receipt of a favor from you, that of the 1st. inst: having come to hand yesterday. On Thursday last Congress were informed by Genl. Potter & Col....
37From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 8 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 30 Ult: and am joined by my partner in the sincerest returns for your kind congratulations and friendly wishes. I hope this will find you in more confirmed health, and enjoying the commencement of a new year with every prospect that can make it a happy one. One of the papers inclosed gives you the latest news from Europe. It is to be hoped that the dawn of peace...
38From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 19 September 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I was in hopes when I wrote my last that I should be able by this post to congratulate you on the arrival of the french fleet from the W. Indies But so far is this from being the case, that it comes from authority which seems to have a just claim to our faith that Admiral Rodney is actually at the Hook with 12. Sail of the line & 4 frigates. It is still said however...
39From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 1 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Unsigned letter in JM’s hand. Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison jr. Esqr. Octr. 1. 1782.” We have red. no addition since to my last to the intelligence from Europe: except an anecdote mentioned in a letter from the Marquis de la Fayette, which exemplifies the tergiversation of Mr. Grenville. On his interview with the Ct. de Vergennes he said that the...
40From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 14 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honble. Edmund Pendleton Esqr. Caroline County Virginia.” I have your favor of the 6th. inst: before me. The defect of intelligence from your correspondents here must have been removed soon after you wrote, unless a miscarriage befell my letter as well as that of Mr. Jones who wrote the week before by the intercepted mail. Such accidents or sickness...
41From 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...
42From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 15 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am particularly obliged by your favor of the 3d. which incloses your remarks on the Judiciary bill. It came to hand yesterday only, and I have not had time to compare your suggestions with the plan of the Senate. Nor do I know the alterations which may have taken place in it since it has been under discussion. In many points, even supposing the outline a good one, which I have always viewed...
43From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 4 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your recommendation of Docr. Morrow was handed me some time ago. I need not tell you that I shall always rely on your vouchers for merit, or that I shall equally be pleased with opportunities of forwarding your wishes. The only act of much consequence which the present Session has yet produced, is one for enumerating the Inhabitants as the basis of a reapportionment of the Representation. The...
44From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The last favor for which I am to thank you is of June 9th. For some time past I have been obliged to content myself with inclosing you the Newspapers. In general they give, tho’ frequently erroneous and sometimes perverted, yet on the whole, fuller accounts of what is going forward than could be put into a letter. The papers now covered contain a sketch of a very interesting discussion which...
45From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 2 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for the readiness with which you have complied with my troublesome request on the subject of the Stamp-Act. I made it on a supposition that you had been present at the proceedings of the Virga. Assembly, which I find was not the case. But, knowing the accuracy & extent of your intelligence on all such interresting occurrences, I consider the particulars with which...
46From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 23 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Mathematical notations by Pendleton appear on the cover sheet. I have nothing new this week for you but two reports: the first is that very great discontents prevail in N. York among the German Troops for causes pretty similar to those which produced the eruption in the Pennsylvania line. It is further said on this head that a party of 200 have deserted from Long...
47From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 13 November 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The honble Edmund Pendleton Esqr. Caroline County Virginia.” I was favored with yours of the 5th. yesterday. There are some flattering reports here of a meeting between the fleets which brought another drubbing on the English, but the most probable report is that the British fleet have returned to their station at the Hook, judging it inadvisable to...
48From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 14 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was favd. on saturday with yours of the 2d. instant. The Judiciary is now under consideration. I view it as you do, as defective both in its general structure, and many of its particular regulations. The attachment of the Eastern members, the difficulty of substituting another plan, with the consent of those who agree in disliking the bill, the defect of time &c. will however prevent any...
49From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 3 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Unsigned letter in JM’s hand. JM franked the letter and addressed it to “The honble Edmund Pendleton Esqr. Caroline County Virginia.” Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison jr. Esq. Sepr. 3d. 1782.” An unknown hand, seemingly contemporaneous, lightly sketched in ink in the center of the page an unhappy British lion courant being pursued by an Indian, probably...
50From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 4 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
You will see by the papers herewith covered that the proposed assumption of the State debts continues to employ the deliberations of the House of Reps. The question seems now to be near its decision, and unfortunately, tho’ so momentous a one, is likely to turn on a very small majority, possibly on a single vote. The measure is not only liable to many objections of a general cast, but in its...