1081To James Madison from Alexander White, 17 February 1794 (Madison Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favr. of 4th instant with the enclosures, and in return as usual can say little except with respect to the weather which has been so mild as to carry of[f] the late snow and leave the grain exposed to the various changes of season which may take place, but for want of more important subjects will enter into a Family detail commencing with an event probably known to...
1082To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
The last ler. I got from you shewed the little leisure you possessed, & together with other considerations induced me to decline for a time writing to you. Indeed occupied with matters of a private nature only, I am out of the habit of communication as well as conversation with political affairs. In my tour in the upper country for Mrs Lee[’]s health, I have as much as in my power attended to...
1083To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
From the manner in which you have been pleased to communicate with me both verbally & otherwise I have been led to write to you without reserve and with less ceremony perhaps than could be justified but that I generally had in view the public good. I trusted you would believe that such was my end, and therefore hesitated not to trouble you. On no occasion perhaps has such an apology been more...
1084To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 13 January 1793 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 11th Ulto. came to hand. Notwithstanding I have hitherto been disappointed in procureing the intelligence requested respecting the Potok. Navigation, I have not desisted in my endeavours & have hopes of success. I have allways considerd the Success of this undertakeing in so important a view in many respects, that my utmost endeavours have been exerted in favor of it, & in...
1085To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 8 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your obliging favr. of the 21st. past has just made it’s way hither through the Frost, and with it’s inclosures, was a high treat in my present houseburnt state. I think anticipating the taking another Census, & shortning the Operation of any fractional inconvenience arising from the former, a happy expedient, & more constitutional than any Arrangement of those fractions, which it seems to me...
1086To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 August 1792 (Madison Papers)
I was engaged during the whole of the last week in the supreme court of the U. S. Our business was rather preparatory to some great discussions at the succeeding term, than decisive of any question. The amenability of a state is fixed for debate on the first monday in february. The state of Georgia applied for an injunction to stop in the marshal’s hands a sum of money, which had been...
1087To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 April 1794 (Madison Papers)
Our post having ceased to ride ever since the inoculation began in Richmond till now, I received three days ago, & all together your friendly favors of Mar. 2. 9. 12. 14. and Colo. Monroe’s of Mar. 3. & 16. I have been particularly gratified by the receipt of the papers containing your’s & Smith’s discussion of your regulating propositions. These debates had not been seen here but in a very...
1088To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 February 1795 (Madison Papers)
Congress drawing to a close, I must trouble you with a bundle of little commissions 1. to procure for me a copy of the correspondence between Genet, Hammond & myself at large. 2. a pamphlet entitled ‘Sketches on rotations of crops,’ to be had I believe at Dobson’s. The author in a note pa. 43. mentions some former publication of his, which I should be glad to have also; as I am sure it must be...
1089To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of May 11. Yours of Mar. 29. came to hand ten days ago: and about two days ago I received a cover of your hand writing, under which was a N. York paper of May 4. & a letter from mr. Page to Mazzei. There being no letter from you makes me hope there is one on the way which will inform me of my Congé. I have never received mr. Jay’s answer to my public letter of Nov. 19. which...
1090To James Madison from George Washington, 20 May 1792 (Madison Papers)
As there is a possibility if not a probability, that I shall not see you on your return home; or, if I should see you, that it may be on the Road and under circumstances which will prevent my speaking to you on the subject we last conversed upon; I take the liberty of committing to paper the following thoughts, & requests. I have not been unmindful of the sentiments expressed by you in the...
1091To James Madison from John Waller Johnston, 1 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have not the honor to have a personal acquaintance with you; and have taken the liberty, to write you; for which I most humbly hope to be pardoned: My wish is to beg a favor of you, which if in your power; and you will oblige me; I shall ever acknowledge it a most greatful and Singular favor; my object is to get the place of keeper of the Light-House on Cape-Henry; and I observe that...
1092To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of July 10. & 13. have been duly recieved and I now return the pamphlet inclosed in the latter, with thanks for the perusal. The author has the appearance of knowing better what has past in England than in America. As to the latter to be sure he has been ignorant enough. I am sincerely sorry that Freneau has declined coming here. Tho’ the printing business be sufficiently full...
1093To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 May 1793 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 13th. Since that I have received yours of the 8th. I have scribbled on a separate paper some general notes on the plan of a house you inclosed. I have done more. I have endeavored to throw the same area, the same extent of walls, the same number of rooms, & of the same sizes, into another form so as to offer a choice to the builder. Indeed I varied my plan by shewing...
1094To James Madison from Francis Corbin, 22 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
The determination of Congress with respect to the Ratio of Representation gives no small degree of satisfaction to a certain description of persons here—and will be, I believe, highly instrumental in promoting the adoption of the remaining Amendments to the Constitution. These Amendments we always intended to consider during the present Session—so that your conjectural Explanation was, in...
1095To James Madison from Adam Stephen, 12 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
In the reading the debates of your House, there appears some heat of parties; and it is no more than may be naturally expected, after so long a Session, and the discussion of so many and Various subjects. Mr Scots Motion for bringing the Attention of the House to the permanent Seat of Government for the United States, is in my Opinion Premature. I wish the Temper of the House may Suit it. The...
1096From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 December 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I have kept Mr. Joy’s letter a post or two, with an intention of considering attentively the observations it contains: but I have really now so little stomach for any thing of that kind that I have not resolution enough even to endeavor to understand the observations. I therefore return the letter, not to delay your answer to it, and beg you in answering for yourself, to assure him of my...
1097From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your No. 1. came to hand two days ago. When I inclosed you the papers of the last week I was too much hurried to write. I now therefore write earlier, and inclose only one of Fenno’s papers. The residue of the New York election was as follows Clinton Jay Albany 444. 1 178 The Otsego votes were rejected, about 1000. in number, of which Jay had about 850. say a majority of 700. so that he was...
1098From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 3d. inst. Your’s of July 30. came to hand yesterday. Besides the present which goes by post, I write you another to-day to go by Mr. D. Randolph who sets out the day after tomorrow for Monticello, but whether by the direct route or viâ Richmond is not yet decided. I shall desire that letter to be sent to you by express from Monticello. I have not been able to lay my...
1099To James Madison from George Nicholas, 5 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
I wish truth would permit me to say that our expectations from our new government have been realized. The fact is that there seems to be a foundation laid here for a great degree of unhappiness. This is in part owing to the constitution, in part to the uncommon mixture of extraordinary character which we have amongst us. The constitution is I think defective and bad consequences have already...
1100Memorandum from George Turner, 20 December 1791 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 20 December 1791. “Account of Indians inhabiting the North-Eastern parts of the Territory N. W. of the Ohio—Collected from good information.” Lists the locations, nations, tribes, and numbers of families of Indians. Ms ( DLC ). Two pages, in Turner’s hand, with three dockets by JM; one docket dates this document 10 Dec, another reads: “Indians, accounts of them from Judge Geo: Turner...
1101Circular Letter from George Washington and Others, ca. 14 February 1795 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 14 February 1795, Philadelphia. Solicits subscriptions for Giuseppe Ceracchi’s proposed monument to the American Revolution. Encloses a description. Printed copy ( Historical Magazine , 3 [1859]: 234–36). Addressed to JM, with the note, “From a copy in the hands of Peter Force, Esq.” Dated 14 June 1795, probably in error; date here assigned on the basis of the copy printed in Syrett and...
1102Memorandum from Roger Sherman, [ca. 4 February] 1791 (Madison Papers)
You will admit That Congress have power to provide by law, for raising, depositing & applying money for the purposes enumerated in the constitution, & generally of regulating the Finances That they have power so far as no particular rules are pointed out, in the constitution to make such rules & regulations as they may Judge necessary & proper to effect these purposes. The only question that...
1103Notes on Alexander Hamilton’s Report on Foreign Loans, [after 4 January 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The most prominent suspicion excited by the Report of the S. of the T. of Jan. 3. 1793. is that the funds raised in Europe and which ought to have been applied to the paiment of our debts there, in order to stop interest, have been drawn over to this country and lodged in the bank , to extend the speculations and increase the profits of that institution. To come at the truth of this, it...
1104Memorandum from George Turner, 10 December 1791 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 10 December 1791. “Distances on the Wabash; with observations on its navigation.” The distances are “computed French Leagues.” Tr ( DLC ). A three-page document, in JM’s hand, dated and headed: “Copy of a paper communicated by Judge Turner.” Turner was a territorial judge ( PJM William T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (vols. 1–10, Chicago, 1962–77; vols. 11—,...
1105Memorandum from John Taylor, 11 May 1794 (Madison Papers)
On the 8th. or 9th. instant T. asked leave of absence of the Senate, and expressed seriously his intention to resign. K. soon after invited T. into one of the committee rooms, and informed him, that he wished to converse with him seriously & candidly upon a very important subject. He stated that it was utterly impossible for the union to continue. That the southern and eastern people thought...
1106Memorandum from Hubbard Taylor, [ca. 22 August 1794] (Madison Papers)
Memo. for Colo. James Madison Jur. A Madison 1000 Acres of Land On panther Creek adjoining Majr John Lee. A. Madison, 1000 Acres Do. Do. adjoining his other tract, both of the Tracts lies, 4 Miles from Green River, about 20 Miles from the Mouth, & about 6 Miles from the Ohio, the Land is of a good quality lies level, & the extream part from the Creek is inclinable to be sandy, it is well...
1107Receipt from Stephen Girard, 11 May 1796 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 May 1796. Acknowledges payment of $57.33 for a cask of claret. RC (owned by Charles M. Storey, Boston, Mass., 1961). 1 p.
1108Memorandum from Thomas Leiper, ca. 29 December 1794 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 29 December 1794. Opposes the provisions of the 1794 statute that imposed duties on snuff. “The Excise is excessively high.” Philadelphia tobacconists “are of the opinion it will introduce Smuggling from Great Britain,” where drawbacks encourage reexport of snuff manufactured there from American tobacco. Urges that the tax be “laid direct upon our Mills”—instead of on the product—“which of...
1109Enclosure: Notes on Bonds, [before 13 May 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
It is certainly unnecessary here to shew that there is no distinction to be taken between debt due on bond with a condition expressed to pay principal and interest, and debts due on simple account or otherwise, whereon it was the usage to pay an interest, because there exists not in reason any difference between the two cases: for obligation results from the act of contracting , not from the...
1110Memorandum from Richard Henry Lee, 14 May 1789 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 May 1789. “The Committee of the Senate appointed to confer with a Committee of the House of representatives upon the Subject of Title have agreed to give it as their opinion to the Senate—That for preserving harmony with the H. of Representatives it will be proper for the present to follow the practise of that House in presenting their Address to the President of the United States without...