7151From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 28 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Yrs. of the 18th. came yesterday. I am glad to find the legislature persist in their resolution to recruit their line of the army for the war, though without deciding on the expediency of the mode under their consideration, would it not be as well to liberate and make soldiers at once of the blacks themselves as to make them instruments for enlisting white Soldiers?...
7152James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just rec d your favor of the 17 th . The same mail brings me the “Proceedings of the Gov t of the U.S. relative to the Batture” for which you will accept my thanks. I had not supposed that so great a proportion of produce, particularly of Wheat & flour, was still in the hands of the farmers. In Penn a it was known to be the case. In N.Y. almost the whole of the last crop, is in the...
7153From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 23 September] 1800 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by Bishop M. the 44D. 53C. committed to his care. The silence which prevails as to the negociations of our Envoys, is not less surprizing to my view than to yours. We may be assured however that nothing of a sort to be turned to the party objects on the anvil, has been recd. unless indeed the publication shd. be delayed for a moment deemed more critically advantageous. As we are left...
7154From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
I reced. this morning your favor of the 17th. instant. Among the papers inclosed from N. Orleans is a copy of the Charter issued by Govr. Claibourne. From the date it appears to be prior to the Act of Congress, and not to be nullified thereby, unless the Act of Congress have a repealing effect. How far this may be the case, how far the authority of the Govr. may have been sufficient to grant...
7155From James Madison to William Bradford, 1 December 1773 (Madison Papers)
I have had the gratification of receiving both your letters, and the Pamphlets sent by Wilkinson. It is a reflection I am naturally led into whenever I write to you that I always have occasion to be returning my thanks for some kindness received without being able to retaliate. Gratitude is the only fund I can pay you out of which I am sensible your generosity accepts as sufficient: but at the...
7156James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 24 th ult: came duly to hand. I learn that the Library Com e will report favorably on your proposition to supply the loss of books by Cong s . It will prove a gain to them, if they have the wisdom to replace it by such a Collection as yours. M r Smith will doubtless write you on the subject. I have not yet read your last comunication to M r
7157James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 1 December 1831 (Madison Papers)
I return with my thanks the printed speech of Colo. Hayne on the 4th. of July last. It is blotted with many strange errors, some of a kind not to have been looked for from a mind like that of the author. I cannot see the advantage of this perseverance of South Carolina in claiming the authority of the Virginia proceedings in. 98-99, as asserting a right in a single State to nullify an Act of...
7158From James Madison to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 12 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have given to the questions growing out of your letter and communications of the 23rd. of May., and others from the Commissioners of the Navy Board, the consideration due to them. The following remarks convey the result of it. The Law which establishes the Board, containing provisions entirely new, and rendering the Constitution of the Navy Department, more complicated, at the same time that...
7159From James Madison to William Bradford, 1 April 1774 (Madison Papers)
I have another favour to acknowledge in the receipt of your kind Letter of March the 4th. I did not intend to have written again to you before I obtained a nearer communication with you but you have too much interest in my inclinations ever to be denied a request. Mr. Brackenridge’s illness gives me great uneasiness: I think he would be a loss to America: His merit is rated so high by me that...
7160From James Madison to Robert Walsh Jr., 27 November 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 11th was duly recd, and I should have given it a less tardy answer, but for a succession of particular demands on my attention, and a wish to assist my recollections, by consulting both Manuscript & printed sources of information on the Subjects of your enquiry. Of these, however, I have not been able to avail myself, but very partially. As to the intention of the framers of...
7161James Madison: Notes re publication of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
superfluous, that this brotherhood and particularly the members of it in our view, have a keen conception of their own interest which governs their negociations. Of the other writings of Mr. M. it may not be amiss to use the inducement they offer of inviting liberality in present dealing by anticipated preference in the future. The test of their value may be referred to in what is now offered...
7162To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your last favor which was of the 25th. of April has already been acknowledged. My last inclosing a letter from Mrs. Carr, was dated a few days ago only. It was put into the hands of Monr. Chevalier who has gone on to N. York, whither I shall forward this to his care. He is to embark in the packet which will sail on the 15th. inst: The recommendation from the Meeting at Annapolis of a...
7163From James Madison to Hubbard Taylor, 25 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
The two tracts of land containing 1000 acres each on Panthers Creek belonging to my Neice Mrs. Willis and myself, ware sold several years ago to Mr Ben: Bell, & Mr Tapscott, who are settled on them. I just lern by a letter from the former, who holds the lower tract, that interfering claims backed by a recent running of lines are set up in behalf of adjoining proprietors; which if not rightly...
7164To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 5 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
At the date of my last I entertained hopes of being at this time half way to Washington. Instead of that I am unable to say when I shall be able to commence the journey. The ride which we took in order to train Mrs. M. for it has been succeeded by sensations & appearances which threaten a renewal of her complaint in some degree & in some form or other. I flatter myself that as the appearances...
7165From James Madison to George Washington, 24 October 1793 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. instant did not arrive till sunday night, and being not then at home, I did not receive it till last night. I now lose not a moment in complying with its request; tho’ I foresee it cannot reach you before you will have left Mount Vernon, and before you will probably have made up a final determination on some if not on all the questions proposed. These are 1. Ought the...
7166To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. with its inclosures has been duly recd. and will be duly attended to The inclosed communications from Mr. Merry are as satisfactory as they are important. On the return of them, it will be proper I presume to acknowledge the impression made by the promptitude of the interposition, and the evidence it affords of a disposition to cherish the amicable relations &c. of the...
7167From James Madison to George Washington, 26 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed copy of Morgan’s invitation to his fellow Citizens was obtained from one of his friends, and forwarded to me from Pennsylvania. It is the most authentic & precise evidence of the Spanish project that has come to my knowledge. The instrument referred to as retained in Morgan’s hands in order to be signed by the Adventurers, would still further explain the transaction. No Quorum is...
7168From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 [January 1823] (Madison Papers)
I have duly received yours of the 6th. with the letters of Mr. Cabell, Mr Gerry, and Judge Johnson. The letter from Mr. C. proposing an Extra Meeting of the Visitors, & referred to in yours was not sent, and of course is not among those returned. The friends of the University in the Assembly seem to have a delicate task on their hands. They have the best means of knowing what is best to be...
7169From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last was committed in December to Mr. Gouverneur Morris. I was then on my way to Virginia. The elections for the new government commenced shortly after my arrival. The first was of Electors, to Ballot for a President and Vice President. The successful candidates were General Wood, Mr. Zachy Johnson, Genl Edward Stephens, Doctor David Stuart, Mr. W. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Mr. Warner Lewis of...
7170From James Madison to Henry Lee, 21 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your favour of the 9th. I communicated to Mr. Freneau the complaint of his subscribers. He answers me that the papers have been punctually sent under the best precautions allowed by the present mode of conveyance. The post Office bill now depending aims at an admission of newspapers into the mail, which will increase the expense somewhat of the subscribers, but will alone...
7171From James Madison to Jared Sparks, 5 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
I received two days ago your favour of Decr. 29. That of Augst. 25. came also safe to hand. I did not then acknowledge it, because I expected soon to have an occasion for doing it on the receit. of the letters since put into the hands of Col. Storrow. Having heard nothing from him on the subject I conclude that he retains them for a better conveyance than he had found; though I am not without...
7172James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 16 th has been rec d . It is not improbable that there will be an early occasion to send for public purposes, a ship to G.B. & France; & that Norfolk will be the port of Departure. I recommend therefore that your plow be lodged there as soon as may be, with the proper instructions to your Agent. It may not be amiss to include in them a discretion to forward the plow to any other...
7173From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 May 1796 (Madison Papers)
Congress are hurrying through the remnant of business before them, and will probably adjourn about saturday next. Petitions in favor of the Treaty still come in from distant places. The name of the President & the alarm of war, have had a greater effect, than were apprehended on one side, or expected on the other. A crisis which ought to have been so managed as to fortify the Republican cause,...
7174Enclosure: James Madison: Report on Complaints against Arming of Vessels, 31 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom the President of the United States has been pleased to refer the Resolution of the Senate of the 28th. inst. requesting that there may be laid before the Senate such documents and papers, or other information, as the President should judge proper relative to complaints against arming the Merchant Ships or Vessels of the United States; or the conduct of the...
7175From James Madison to Rufus King, 15 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your communications by Mr. Sitgreaves on the subject of the proposed conversion of the claims against the United States, under the 6th. Article of the Treaty of 1794 into a definite sum, have been duly received, and taken into consideration by the President. Although there may be good ground to contest the real justice of the amount of Debt which will be assumed by such a stipulation, yet...
7176From James Madison to John Hartwell Cocke, 10 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
The last mail brought me your letter of the 4th. inclosing one from Docr. Jones, with your answer. From the footing on which the question of his appointment now rests, and the uncertainty of an earlier provision for the vacant Chair, it may be best to acquiesce in his terms. And if this be your opinion and that of Mr. Cabell & Mr. Johnson, he can be informed by a final letter from you, that a...
7177From James Madison to William Bradford, 17 July 1779 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 29th.[?] Ulto. by yesterday’s post, and agreeable to your request take this immediate opportunity of acknowledging it. The Inhabitants of this City roused by the extortions of the times and the example of your State are instituting regulations similar to those you mention. Whether they will have the necessary prudenc[e,] firmness & perseverence, or...
7178To George Washington from James Madison, 16 April 1787 (Washington 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...
7179To George Washington from James Madison, 30 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
I found on my arrival here that certain ideas unfavorable to the Act of the Convention which had created difficulties in that body, had made their way into Congress. They were patronised cheifly by Mr R.H.L. and Mr Dane of Massts. It was first urged that as the new Constitution was more than an Alteration of the Articles of Confederation under which Congress acted, and even subverted these...
7180To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The day fixed for the meeting of the Convention was the 14th. ult: on the 25th. and not before seven States were assembled. General Washington was placed unâ voce in the chair. The Secretaryship was given to Major Jackson. The members present are from Massachusetts Mr. Gherry, Mr. Ghorum, Mr. King, Mr. Strong. From Connecticut Mr. Sherman, Doct. S. Johnson, Mr. Elseworth. From N. York Judge...
7181From James Madison to George Washington, 18 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Recollecting to have heard you mention a plan formed by the Empress of Russia for a comparative view of the aborigines of the new Continent, and of the N. E. parts of the old, through the medium of their respective tongues, and that her wishes had been conveyed to you for your aid in obtaining the American vocabularies, I have availed myself of an opportunity offered by the Kindness of Mr....
7182From James Madison to Charles Pinckney, 22 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
In your letter of the 10th of October which is only now come to hand, you inclose the accounts of Mr. Young and Yznardi, observing that you had admitted them. It is hardly necessary to intimate to you, that vouchers are necessary in all possible cases to support such accounts, and it is hoped that you have exacted them accordingly: but it is clear that most of the items charged in Mr Youngs...
7183James Madison to Robert Walsh, 25 January 1831 (Madison Papers)
The National Gazette of Jany. 2 contained a publication, edited since in a pamphlet form; from two sons of the late Mr. Bayard; its object being to vindicate the memory of their father agst. certain passages in the writings of Mr. Jefferson. The filial anxiety which prompted the publication, was natural & highly commendable. But it is to be regretted, that in performing that duty, they have...
7184From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 29 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). At the bottom of the first page of this two-page letter, JM wrote “E. Randolph Esqr.” The cover is missing. Words and parts of words encoded by JM in the official cipher have been italicized. Late in his life JM or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the beginning of the second paragraph and another bracket at the close of the sixth paragraph to designate the...
7185To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A dysenteric attack at Georgetown with its effects retarded my journey so much that I did not arrive here till a few days ago. I am free at present from the original complaint, but a little out of order with the piles generated by that or the medicine it required. The Cato in which were the busts of P. Jones and the box of books for myself never arrived till the day before yesterday, having...
7186James Madison to Robert Young Hayne, 3 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your favor inclosing your two late Speeches, and requesting my views of the subject they discuss. The Speeches could not be read without leaving a strong impression of the ability & eloquence which have justly called forth the eulogies of the public. But there are doctrines espoused (in them) from which I am constrained to dissent. I allude particularly to the doctrine...
7187From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. of March came to hand a few days before Mazzei called on me . His plan was to have proceeded hence directly to Annapolis . My conversation led him to pr [o] mise a visit to Mr. Henry from whence he proposed to repair to Richmond
7188James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 30 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In the operation of removing from my former quarters, the Digest of the City Code & business , which you had been so good as to furnish me, has, by some unaccountable accident, been either lost, or possibly so thrown out of place, as not to be found. I have written to M r Capt: Coles , to take Monticello in his way, and ask the favor of you to permit him to take another copy, from your...
7189James Madison to William C. Rives, 23 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. under your cover, the newspaper containing the explanatory remarks on the two letters relating to the power of Congress to encourage domestic manufactures. The writer of the letters is laid under great obligation by the opportune & apposite interposition in their behalf. The strange misconstructions which continue to be put on the occasion & object of them, would produce surprize...
7190From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your favor of the 17th. The same mail brings me the “Proceedings of the Govt. of the U. S. relative to the Batture” for which you will accept my thanks. I had not supposed that so great a proportion of produce, particularly of Wheat & flour, was still in the hands of the farmers. In Penna. it was known to be the case. In N. Y. almost the whole of the last crop, is in the...
7191From James Madison to Rufus King, 23 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
In the latter end of last month we received information from New Orleans of the interdiction of the deposit there for our merchandize, stipulated by the Treaty with Spain; without an equivalent establishment being assigned. A copy of the Intendant’s proclamation to that effect is inclosed. Private accounts render it probable that the Governor of the Province openly dissented from that Act, but...
7192To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the United States of the 17th inst, was referred by the President, has the honor to inclose to him, the letters and communications annexed from the Governor of the Mississippi Territory, the Governor of Kentucky and from Wm E. Hulings formerly appointed Vice Consul of the United States at New Orleans. In addition...
7193From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 11 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
The length of the interval since my last has proceeded from a daily expectation of being able to communicate the arrangements for introducing the New Government. The times necessary to be fixt by Congress have been many days agreed on. The place of meeting has undergone many vicisitudes and is still as uncertain as ever. Philada. was first named by a member from Connecticut, and was negatived...
7194From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 6th. inclosing the letter of Mr. Gilmer did not reach me till last evening. The foreign prospect for the University is very gloomy, and the domestic far from bright. We must not however despond. What occurs to me as best on the occasion is that Mr. Gilmer proceed to exhaust the experiment in G. Britain; and if necessary then to extend it to Ireland. On the question how long he...
7195To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith inclosed are a letter for yourself forwarded to my hands from General Washington, and two others for the Marquis, one from the same quarter, the other from myself. I put both the last under cover to you, not knowing what regard may be due to newspaper authority, that the Marquis is under the open displeasure of the Court, and may therefore be the less likely to receive letters thro’...
7196From James Madison to John Armstrong, 19 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
Mr Skipwith has represented himself to be aggrieved by an attachment laid by the French Government upon a liquidation in his favor, under the Convention for the purchase of Louisiana. From the Documents he has exhibited, comprising as well a statement of the grounds upon which the attachment has been imposed, as his own explanations, it would appear that the principal stress is laid upon the...
7197From James Madison to William Pinkney, 21 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I rcd. a few days ago your favor of Aug. 13. and have submitted to the President your anticipation of an outfit on the special grounds which were supposed to warrant it. He acquiesces in the reasonableness of the measure; with the reservation which you suggest, of an eventual reimbursement of the sums drawn, in case the legal title to an outfit should from any cause not be consummated. I thank...
7198To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 April 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received one letter only from you, and that of very old date, I conclude that mine which have been numerous do not pass thro’ the obstructions thrown in the way of the Mail by the small pox. I continue however to write, hoping that the channel will have been reopened by the time each letter may get to Richmond. I have also written a request to Mr. Dawson to have my letters to you taken...
7199From James Madison to Sylvanus Bourne, 25 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive a number of Letters from you, giving details of public events, occasionally enclosing the Leyden Gazette. That paper being so valuable as a compendious and faithful repository of important occurrences, I request you not only to continue to send it to me, by the opportunities which offer from time to time, but to subscribe in the name of this Department for...
7200From James Madison to William Bradford, 24 January 1774 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 25 of last month came into my hands a few days past. It gave singular pleasure not only because of the kindness expressed in it but because I had reason to apprehend the letter you recd. last from me had miscarried and I should fail in procuring the intelligence I wanted before the Trip I design in the Spring. I congratulate you on your heroic proceedings in Philada. with regard...