1Constitutional Convention. Motion that Representation in the National Legislature Ought to be Proportioned to the Number … (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 30, 1787. The Convention having before it a proposition by Edmund Randolph that “the rights of suffrage in the National Legislature ought to be proportioned to the quotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants, as the one or the other rule may seem best in different cases,” Hamilton “moved to alter the resolution so as to read ‘that the rights of suffrage in...
2To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th instant, which I this day received, is not the first information concerning Lord Tankerville’s power of attorney. I was written to by Lady Tankerville and his Lordship, as early as November last: and immediately desired Colo. Hooe to state to me the particulars of this new office. He answered me, that he was ignorant of the duty, expected from us, and must remain so,...
3To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have forborne to answer your late letter on the subject of the petitions, until I took the steps, which the case seemed to recommend. It is a point, on which the lawyers themselves are divided, whether a new petition can be now brought for a forfeiture before the 29th of Sepr 1775. Altho’ I should not conceive such a petition very formidable, yet as there is a doubt, capable of being...
4To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a letter, which fell into my hands from a gentleman, lately arrived from England. Colo. Bassett is here, and I shall prepare a deed to be executed for the whole of the lands, adjudged to him against you. I was not satisfied, that the proof, which you sent me of improvements, was agreeable to law, tho’ the fact would certainly have acquitted some of the land: and...
5To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the rough draught of a deed, prepared to be executed by Colo. Bassett. I send it to you for your satisfaction, with an assurance that I shall not fail to accomplish the business at the next general court. I am Dear Sir with the greatest truth yr obliged and affte friend ALS , ViMtvL . See Randolph to GW, 15 May 1784 , and the references in note 2 of that document . See also...
6To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 27 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
The deed, of which I inclosed you the rough draught, has been duly executed and recorded. The register of the land-ofice has undertaken to have other patents made out in your name by the next week. I shall not however send them by the stage, which will be the first opportunity; but I shall defer it until the post. I am dear sir with the sincerest respect & esteem yr obliged & affte humble...
7To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 3 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The register is now engaged in renewing your grants. They would have been prepared for this post, if the form had been the same, as that, which has been hitherto practised. I trust, that there is little doubt of their being forwarded by the next. I am Dear sir yr obliged & affte friend ALS , MH : Jared Sparks Collection. The correspondence between Randolph and GW regarding the grants to GW...
8To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 10th of July by the last post. You will excuse me, I hope, from accepting fees for any business, which I may execute for you in the line of my profession. It is indeed a poor mode of acknowledging the repeated acts of friendship, which I have experienced from your hands: but I beg to be gratified in this, the usual way, in which lawyers give some small testimony of...
9To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 20 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the last week, I have inquired into the fruit of your chances in Colo. Byrd’s lottery, from Mr James Buchanan, of this town, the only person, on whose information I can depend for such a subject. No. 265, the prize of the ticket 4965 is a lot in Manchester; the value of which is unknown, and is therefore in all probability as yet of scarcely any. No’s. 270, 138, 237, 257,...
10To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th Ulto was put into my hands this evening for the first time. I accordingly opened the inclosed letter to Mr Bushrod Washington, which has remained with me to the present moment. It would give me the sincerest satisfaction to execute, what you there confided to him. But I believe it is too notorious, that Mr Ryan has quitted Virginia, utterly incompetent to discharge his...
11To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 4 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
I entered upon the execution of my promise to Major Washington without delay; but the paper being lengthy cannot be compleated for this post. You will be so good as not to expect it, until the next week. I shall fortify it with as many authentications, as the situation of our public records will permit. I am Dear sir yr obliged and affectionate friend & servant ALS , DLC:GW . GW’s...
12To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
With this you will receive a copy of the proclamation, authenticated by the register’s seal. I was indeed hopeful to add the testimonials of the state: but the lieutenant governor, not being in town nor expected until the departure of the post, I thought it adviseable rather to send the inclosed, than delay you. I believe that this will answer your purpose; but for fear of cavil, I will...
13To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed certificate will, I believe, authenticate the acts of Mr Harvie in his official character, to the fullest extent. This is the earliest moment, in which I could procure it. I am Dear sir with great truth yr affectionate friend & serv. ALS , NhD . The certificate has not been found, but see Randolph to GW, 9 July .
14To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 29 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d instant came duly to hand. But I am sorry to be unable to execute the request contained in it. The council-books are destroyed. The general restriction of settlement on the western waters does, I acknowledge, extend to military rights, as well others. But it continues only, until the King’s further pleasure should be known. The patent in your hands is abundant evidence,...
15To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 8 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Being so near you, as I understand myself to be, I should certainly have endeavoured to pay my respects to you today in person, were it not for the fatigue, which I have lately undergone in travelling hither. A business, similar to that, in which you are now engaged, will oblige me to return to Richmond by the 20th instant. The subscribers to the opening of James river are then to meet. I was...
16To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 2 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I accomplished my purpose of being present at the meeting of the subscribers to the James river company. Those books alone, which were opened here, were laid before us. By them it appeared, that the whole number of shares was nearly compleated; but it was thought adviseable to postpone the admission of other subscribers, until the success of the upper books should be known. This step was very...
17To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 3 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
The post-offices have not been in fault in every respect; altho’ I did not receive from the one here your favor of the 5th Ulto until last night, notwithstanding my application for letters. Your inclosures of the proceedings of the Potowmack company were duly received by me: and the business of the general court pressing very urgently upon me, the answer to your favor was undertaken by the...
18To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 2 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
The delay, which has hitherto occurred in transmitting to you the inclosed proceedings, will be ascribed, I hope, to its true causes; one of which will be found in my last letter, and the other in the daily expectation of Mr Ross’s visit to Mount-Vernon, in pursuance of our resolution of the 8th of december 1785. You may possibly be surprized, that a work, which has already expended a...
19To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 7 July 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edmund Randolph, 7 July 1786. On 12 July GW wrote Randolph : “Your letter of the 7th is this instant come to hand.”
20To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 24 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I am sensibly affected by your friendly congratulations. You will readily, I hope, believe, that I class them among the auspicious events of my life. But in truth more difficulties are in prospect, than prudence ought to have prompted me to encounter. The nerves of government seem unstrung, both in energy and money, and the fashion of the day is to calumniate the best services, if...
21To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Act you will readily discover, that the Assembly are alarmed at the Storms, which threaten the United States. What our enemies have foretold, seems to be hastening to its accomplishment; and cannot be frustrated but by an instantaneous zealous & steady Union among the friends of the fœderal Government: To you I need not press our present dangers. The inefficiency of Congress...
22To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 4 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I return to you the papers which accompanied your favor of the 25th ulto. It did not reach me, until yesterday morning, when I submitted the whole to the assembly. But the approach of the session to an end forbids them to take up new business. The day after tomorrow is fixed for their departure, and much of what is now before them must be left incomplete. I am therefore desired by the...
23To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I must call upon your friendship to excuse me for again mentioning the convention at Philadelphia. Your determination having been fixed on a thorough review of your situation, I feel, like an intruder, when I again hint a wish, that you would join the delegation. But every day brings forth some new crisis, and the confederation is, I fear, the last anchor of our hope. Congress have taken up...
24To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 2 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 27th Ulto was handed to me this moment. Solicitous as I am for your aid at Philadelphia, I could not prevail upon myself to wish you to go, unless your health would fully permit. But indeed, my dear sir, every thing travels so fast to confusion, that I trust one grand effort will be made by the friends of the united states. There is a decided prospect of a representation: and...
25To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 27 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed pamphlet speaks so fully for itself, that any explanation of it from me would be useless. I send it to you, because I know your friendship for the writer, and because I take pleasure in subscribing myself at all times, with unfeigned truth my dear sir Yr obliged friend & serv. ALS , DLC:GW . The pamphlet contained Randolph’s letter to the speaker of the house of delegates, dated...
In your letter, inclosing the Morocco signals, you desire them to be delivered to American masters of vessels. The council have interpreted this expression to mean masters of American vessels; that is, of vessels belonging to American citizens. They seem justified in this construction, by the Morocco treaty itself. One instance only of granting these signals has occurred; and the captain was...
27To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1783 (first) (Madison Papers)
RC (Harvard College Library: Dearborn Papers). Addressed in the hand of a clerk, probably George Hay, “To James Madison. Sept 13th: 1783,” and almost certainly enclosed by Randolph in his longer letter of the same date to JM ( q.v. ). If your attention to congressional business, and your cramped situation will allow you to shew civilities to a new acquaintance, I must consign Mr. Francis...
28To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1783 (second) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned, but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of Congress Princeton.” Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 13. 1783 E.R.” The bracketed letters are those excised from the manuscript by an overly close cropping, especially along the right margin of the second folio. Norfolk and its neighbourhood are I fear, doomed to perpetual...
29To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 January 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Randolph. Edmd. Jany. 27. 1784.” Altho’ your return from congress has brought you nearer in point of distance, it has fixed a wider gulph between us in point of communication by letter. But I do not mean to suffer the danger of miscarrage, to which even a private opportunity is exposed, whensoever any thing, worthy of notice, occurs....
30To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1785 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letters were forwarded by the president to my care. Learning from him, that a package, in which they were covered, contained some fresh literary information, I took the liberty of opening it; especially as it was suggested, and the event shewed, that it contained two other letters, one for Mr. Page, the other for Mr. Madison himself. The executive are at last persuaded of their...
31To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
By some inexplicable mystery, the inclosed letter from Mr. Jones, and my intended answer to your last epistolary favor, have still remained in my possession. Being engaged when the gentleman, who brought your friendly attention to me, I doubt whether I gave him an intelligible reply to his question, if my answer was ready. Our apparent disobedience to the appointment of the assembly must be...
32To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
I am much indebted to you for Bayle and the Confessional. I delivered the treatises on air, with the history of their journey from hence to Orange, to Dr. Currie. He put them into the hands of McClurg who reports in strong terms of approbation the work of Scheele, as being most learned in Chymistry. The circular letters have been dispatched, with an authentication of our commercial Character...
33To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 June 1786 (Madison Papers)
When Major Moore came to town, I was under the severe regimen of blisters and purges, produced by four violent colds, which I caught at four different courts and for the management of which I could not find the least leisure. Even now I am as hoarse as a raven, but free from fever or pain. Indeed my past fevers were slight and my pain, except from the blisters, of no account. I have never...
34To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 6 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
A notification of the inclosed appointment would be scarcely necessary to you, who were a Witness of its passage; were it not to solicit your acceptance. I have the honor to be &c. FC ( Executive Letter Book Executive Letter Book, 1786–1788, manuscript in Virginia State Library. ). In the hand of a clerk. Unsigned. Enclosure not found. As commissioner to the Federal Convention in Philadelphia...
35To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledge with great pleasure your two favors of the 15th. & 18th. ulto., received this evening. The documents to be forwarded to you as stated in my public letter will prove the truth of your suspicion, that the occlusion of the Missi. to Virginia, would throw the western settlers into an immediate state of hostility with Spain. If the subject be canvassed, it will not be sufficient to...
36Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 4 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 March 1787, Richmond . Acknowledged in Virginia Delegates to Randolph, 19 March 1787 . Enclosed papers relating to George Rogers Clark’s conduct at Vincennes ( Randolph to JM, 1 Mar. 1787 ).
37To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 7 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
This moment your favor of 26th. ulto. was handed to me. I intended constantly to inclose the gazettes to you, and was prevented only by a supposition, that the printer performed that office. It shall be remembered with pleasure hereafter. Why has congress changed the day for meeting in Phila.? I rejoice at the alteration; because it removes the terror on my spirits, that the prospect of my...
38Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 10 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to inclose to you a letter received a day or two ago from Mr. Arthur Campbell. We cannot act upon it. You possibly may. I have &c. FC ( Executive Letter Book Executive Letter Book, 1786–1788, manuscript in Virginia State Library. ). In clerk’s hand. Unsigned. Enclosure ( PCC ). Randolph to JM, 7 Mar. 1787 and n. 6.
39Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 15 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 5th. instant, and the inclosed memorial from Mr. Van Berkel. Should any public document throw a light upon his demand in the course of its discussion, it will be very agreeable to the executive to have access to it. The complaints of our merchants against the pressures of the late laws of trade have formed a distressing picture...
40To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 March 1787 . Acknowledged in JM to Randolph, 2 April 1787 . Requested JM to inform Gardoqui of the action of the Virginia council disavowing responsibility for George Rogers Clark’s seizure of Spanish property at Vincennes.
41To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am afraid by your omission to acknowledge my letters, that all of them, tho’ written punctually to the time, except during my absence to the Naval offices, have miscarried. Genl. Nelson refuses to join us. Colo. R. H. Lee has been appointed in his stead. This seemed proper from the conspicuousness of the Character, and the respect, due to past services. The objection to his unfoederal...
42Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 22 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 22 March 1787 . Mentioned in Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 27 March 1787 . Acknowledged in Virginia Delegates to Randolph, 13 April 1787 . Concerned Indian problems and the settlement of the Northwest Territory (Illinois) accounts.
43To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have turned my mind somewhat to the business of may next: but am hourly interrupted. At present I conceive With these objects, ought not some general propositions to be prepared for feeling the pulse of the convention on the subject at large? Ought not an address to accompany the new constitution? I was informed, that Colo. R. H. Lee attended at Northumberland court house a few days ago at a...
44Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 27 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I do myself the honor of enclosing to you a copy of Mr. Martin’s letter our late Indian agent, promised in my former letter. When I wrote the other day; I urged Mr. Fox’s return. It was then supposed, that the business must stagnate in his absence. But a further inspection of the public acts has satisfied us of the contrary. I hope that the opportunity reserved for revision in the inclosed...
45To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 4 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Genl. Washington is prevailed upon to agree to go to Phila. if his health will permit. He is at present afflicted with the rheumatism, so as to be unable to move himself in his bed sometimes, and often to raise his hand to his head. He purposes to travel earlier than for the meeting, that he may apologize to the Cincinnati for his refusal of their presidency. Mr. Jay’s report on the treaty...
46Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 4 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
There is every reason to believe, that Genl. Washington will be present at the convention in May. Indeed he says, that the want of health alone shall prevent him. I trust that the rheumatism, with which he is afflicted severely, will be speedily baffled. The Cherokees have begun to be troublesome in our country; and may become more so, in their expected passage thro’ Russell county, in the...
47Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 4 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting a list of the Virginia pensioners, chargeable to the united states. The instances, in which the kind and degree of disability has not been ascertained, have proceeded from a personal examination of them, and the want of an accurate entry in our books. In future a stricter attention will be paid to the subject. FC ( Executive Letter Book Executive Letter...
48To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 11 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge your favor of the 2d inst. The election for Hanover is over; Mr. Parke Goodall being returned, after a positive and unalterable declaration in public of his affection for paper money. His colleague Mr. Thos. Macon is supposed from the influence of his father over him to be an enemy to it. It is doubtful, what part Mr. Henry has taken in communicating his...
49Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 11 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I do myself the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 2d. instant, and thank you for its inclosures. Reductions of salaries are in such high fashion here, that congress have risen in character from the reform. But the resurrection of the prophets would not convince british debtors, that those ought to be clothed with an increased authority, who could enforce the british...
50Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 14 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to remind you of my letter of the first day of last december. It contained a resolution of our assembly for a meeting between Maryland & Virginia commissioners, to which the concurrence of congress was rendered necessary. The commrs of Virga. wish to know the sense of your honorable body. I have &c with the greatest respect &c FC ( Executive Letter Book Executive Letter Book,...