7231From James Madison to George Ticknor, 2 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favour of Novr. 21. inclosing a copy of your “Remarks concerning Harvard University.” I have found in them much edifying to other Institutions, as well as a triumphant vindication of reforms & improvements in that one. With my thanks for your polite attention, I send, as you request, a Copy of the Code enacted for the University of Virginia; praying you at the same time to be...
7232From James Madison to Ferdinand R. Hassler, 3 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yr. favor of Novr. 25. with a copy of the papers relating to the Survey of the Coast for which I return my thanks. Not being able to bestow on them a critical examination, I might infer in part the merit of what has been done from the Scientific & other qualifications, a confidence in which led to your Selection for the important Work. With an expression of my continued esteem &...
7233From James Madison to James Francis Madison Shepherd, 8 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 20th. Ult. was not recd. till yesterday afternoon. I find on recurring to my files and my memory, that I can afford no evidence of the fact in question. I have nothing from the pen of Docr. Shepherd that alludes to it. In a letter of april 7th 1821. He says “A family of the negroes that belonged to my brothers Estate have been taken back for the benefit of Betsy Shepherd: if...
7234From James Madison to Robley Dunglison, 12 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Dr. Dunglison begs him to accept a Bonnebouche of Madeira Wine. Having been long from the Island before it was drawn from the Cask, and long afterwards under the Cork, it is ready now for the Cup & lip. Printed facsimile of draft (in John M. Taylor, From the White House Inkwell [Rutland, Vt., 1968]).
7235From James Madison to James Barbour, 15 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed speaks for itself. Should there be an opening at West Point, the pretensions of young Lewis are certainly very respectable, and, as you know, respectably vouched. I do not trouble the President, because your communication as far as the occasion may require will be sufficient. Health & prosperity RC (owned by Henry N . Flynt, Greenwich, Conn., 1961); draft ( DLC ). RC addressed by...
7236From James Madison to Thomas Ritchie, 18 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 10th. inst: was recd. a few days ago & I give it the earliest answer which circumstances have permitted. It has been impossible not to observe the licence of construction applied to the Constitution of the U. States; and that the premises from which powers are inferred, often cover more ground than the inferences themselves. In seeking a remedy for these aberrations, we must not...
7237From James Madison to John H. Peyton, 21 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of your letter on the subject of yr. Ward Lewis I made known to the Govt. at Washington, your wishes for his admission into the Military Academy with the considerations in support of them. His pretensions seem to be such as can not fail to attract a favo⟨rable⟩ attention, if there be an opening at West Point, & no bar in the rule of selection by Congressional Districts laid down...
7238From James Madison to Edward Livingston, 27 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 13. came duly to hand, with a copy of the executed part of your penal Code for Louisiana. With every disposition to comply with your request in the full extent of it, the reflection could not escape me, that I ought not to obtrude suggestions affecting the essentials of your work, if any such occur; and that a critical examination of its details and definitions was a task...
7239From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1825 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday evening yours of the 24th. inst: inclosing a paper drawn up with a view to the question of “Roads & Canals,” and to the course of proceeding most expedient for the Legislature of Virga. now in session. In my retired position it is difficult to scan the precise tendency of measures addressed to the opinions & feelings of the States & of their Representatives; these being...
7240To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d yesterday evening yours of the 24 th inst: inclosing a paper drawn up with a view to the question of “Roads & Canals,” and to the course of proceeding must expedient for the Legislature of Virg a now in session. In my retired position it is difficult to scan the precise tendency of measures addressed to the opinions & feelings of the States & of their Representatives; these being...
7241From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I return Dr. Emmet’s letter as requested. Wall’s qualifications as a Drawing Master, are sufficiently authenticated to make his connection with the University very desirable. But there seems little ground for hope, that he will exchange for it his present advantages in New York. The only material attraction, beyond the fees, is that of a Pavilion, rent free; of which his tenure would be of...
7242To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 7 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I return D r Emmet’s letter as requested. Wall’s qualifications as a Drawing Master, are sufficiently authenticated to make his connection with the University very desirable. But there seems little ground for hope, that he will exchange for it his present advantages in New York. The only material attraction, beyond the fees, is that of a Pavilion. rent free; of which his tenure would be of...
7243From James Madison to Peter S. Du Ponceau, 10 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of yours of the 4th. I made search on my Book Shelves, for a copy of the printed Document to which you refer; but without success. And I know not that one is to be procured in this neighbourhood. From a late notice in a Newspaper of Richmond, where it was originally published, it is questionable whether a copy be attainable even there. That you may not be altogether...
7244From James Madison to Ebenezer Bancroft Williston, 12 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of Decr. 30 has been duly recd. Whatever pleasure I might feel in aiding you in the object which it communicates, I know not that I should be justified, especially from recollections after such a lapse of time, in pronouncing on the comparative merits of Congressional Speeches during the period to which you refer. The best I can do is to comply as far as I can with your other...
7245From James Madison to Thomas J. Rogers, 16 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favour of the 5th. inst; with a copy of the 3d. Edition of your Biographical Remembrancer. I observe that you have increased its value by lengthening the Roll of deceased Worthies selected for its pages. You justly regard such a task as saving from oblivion merits & memories to which posterity ought to be enabled to do justice. It is indeed from such materials that some of...
7246From James Madison to Peter S. Du Ponceau, 23 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 17th. instant & thank you for the Extract you took the trouble of making from the Speech of Mr. Dupin. It is as beautiful in itself, as it is flattering to the U. States. The free system of Government we have established is so congenial with reason, with Common sense, and with a universal feeling, that it must produce approbation and a desire of imitation, as...
7247From James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 25 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. from Mr. Jefferson a letter (Circular) on the foreseen vacancy in the Law Professorship. It is accompanied by a letter from Professor Pictet of Geneva, which I am desired to forward for perusal of the Visitors now at Richmond. Mr. J. wishes the letter, after perusal, to be returned to him from Richmond. I take this occasion to return my thanks, heretofore as well as now due,...
7248From James Madison to Thomas W. Cobb, 25 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 19th. inst. and am very sorry that instead of the pleasure I shd take in satisfying the several enquiries it makes, I find myself unable to do it as to either of them. The great lapse of time, without intervening calls on my memory, has effaced from it every impression that could be of avail to the gentlemen on whose behalf you have written. I cannot even...
7249From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
Your Circular of the 20. postmark 23. inst. was recd. last evening; and the letter from Mr. Pictet forwarded as desired to our Colleagues at Richmond. I concur in your mode of providing for the foreseen vacancy, which I sincerely lament on every acct; as I should, in any admissible mode, that would avoid the necessity for an extra meeting of the Visitors. I am acquiescent also in your order of...
7250Remarks on an Extract from Hamilton’s Report Published in the Richmond Enquirer, 25 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
In the Richmond Enquirer of the 21st. is an Extract from the Report of Secretary Hamilton, on the Constitutionality of the Bank, in which he opposes a resort, in expounding the Constitution, to the rejection of a proposition in the Convention, or to any evidence extrinsic to the text. Did he not advise, if not draw up, the Message refusing to the House of Reps. the papers relating to Jay’s...
7251To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Circular of the 20 th instn post marked 23 rd was rec d last evening, and the letter from M r Pictet, is forwarded as desired to our Colleagues at Rich d . I concur in your mode of providing for the foreseen vacancy which, I sincerely lament, on every account; as I should in any admissible mode that would avoid the necessity, for an Extra meeting of the Visitors. I am
7252From James Madison to Thomas Law, 27 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
The copy of your address before the Columbian Institute, kindly sent me, was duly recd. I find that further reflection has confirmed you in your favorite plan of a Paper Currency; and that you have added a corroboration from names of high authority on such subjects. The practicability of a paper emission equal in value to specie, cannot I think be doubted: provided its circulating quantity be...
7253From James Madison to Anthony Morris, 27 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your favour of the 24th and am much obliged by the friendly attention of which it is a proof. There must be some mistake in the case it mentions. No dividend on Stock of the U. S. can belong to me. On my first entrance into public life, I formed a resolution from which I never departed, to abstain, whilst in that situation from dealing in any way, in public property or...
7254From James Madison to Robert Taylor, 30 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by yesterday’s mail yours of the 26 inst: enclosing a Copy of the amendment to the Constitution of the U.S. proposed in the Senate, and asking my opinion on the subject. It seems to be generally agreed that some change in the mode of electing the Executive Magistrate is desirable, that would produce more uniformity & equality; with a better security for concentrating the Major will of...
7255From James Madison to James Barbour, 10 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
Col: McKenney supposing that the favorable opinion I formed of him during my long residence in Washington may corroborate the confidence & friendly dispositions he flatters himself you have derived from a more temporary acquaintance, I can not refuse him the justice of saying that I always regarded him as a very intelligent upright & patriotic Citizen: and that his official conduct was...
7256From James Madison to Thomas L. McKenney, 10 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 4th. inst: and in compliance with its request, inclose a few lines to Secretary Barbour. I have declined troubling the President directly on the subject. The Article in the North Amn. Review concerning the Indians, is evidently from one who with opportunities the most favorable for his purpose, has made the best use of them; and who has given moreover, to his...
7257From James Madison to John Payne Todd, 15 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
(I will not withold the epithet notwithstanding the little regard you seem to pay to the feeling it expresses). I have the mortification & grief of being obliged to recur, by another letter, to the subject of my former one. The 3d month is now wearing away since that was written pressing you in the strongest terms, & for the most cogent reasons to return immediately to your home & yr. parents,...
7258From James Madison to John H. I. Browere, 16 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 4th. with the accompanying paper. You are very happy in having a poetical friend so capable of decorating the products of your Art with those of his own. Mrs M. wishes the proper returns to be expressed to Mrs. Browere for all her kind intentions. In reference to your infant daughter, she thinks she cannot do better than leave the baptismal name, to the parental...
7259From James Madison to Levett Harris, 24 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 8th. expressing your solicitude concerning the debt of J. P. Todd, on which I am sorry it is not in my power to make any definite communication. His protracted absence leaves me without such a knowledge of the extent of his situation as might throw light on the suggestions suited to it. It is his wish I trust, to give to the transaction so unfortunate in its...
7260From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 17th. was duly recd. The awkward state of the Law professorship is truly distressing, but seems to be without immediate remedy. Considering the hopeless condition of Mr. Gilmour, a temporary appointment, if an acceptable successor were at hand, whilst not indelicate towards the worthy moribund incumbent, might be regarded as equivalent to a permanent one. And if the hesitation of...