1From John Adams to James Madison, 23 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so good as to read the inclosed Letter from Dr. Belknap and tell me, from your Recollection of what passed in Congress in 1779 1780 & 1781, whether there is any Colour for the Imputation cast on our Country by Dr Kippis. I cannot say as Dr Belknap has been informed that Dr Kippis is my Correspondent. I never wrote a Letter to him or received a Letter from him that I recollect.—I...
2To James Madison from John Adams, 23 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
Will you be so good as to read the inclosed Letter from Dr Belknap and tell me, from your Recollection of what passed in Congress in 1779. 1780 & 1781, whether there is any Colour for the Imputation cast on our Country by Dr Kippis. I cannot say as Dr Belknap has been informed that Dr Kippis is my Correspondent. I never wrote a Letter to him or received a Letter from him that I recollect. I...
3To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 1 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
Colo. Heth has at length brought the Money, and taken up your dr[a]ft for £100. which enables me to transmit your Bond, and the Auditor’s receipt. It will ever give me satisfaction to serve you, being with very great esteem & regard, Dear Sir Your obedt Servt Know all men by these presents that I, James Madison Junior of the County of Orange in Virginia, am held and firmly bound to his...
4To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 22 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
I did myself the pleasure to write you and enclosed the £100. Bond cancelled—with the Auditor’s Receipt in full discharge thereof. I hope the letter arrived safe. It will give us all here very great satisfaction to hear you are perfectly recovered. I am Dear Sir With very great esteem & regard Your obedt Servt The enclosed failed to reach Mr. Page before he left home; will you do me the favor...
5To James Madison from Richard Clough Anderson, 27 August 1792 (Madison Papers)
It is with the greatest reluctance at any time that I can prevail on myself to solicit an appointment, or should I do it at present but at the particular desire of several of my friends in this country. I have therefore taken the liberty provided you think me qualifyed to use your interest in having me appointed to settle the Accounts of the United States with this State as I have observed...
6To James Madison from Francis André, 25 March 1794 (Madison Papers)
I Read over with attention, your Speeches in Support of your Resolutions, & those of sundries against them, amongst the Chief’s reasons alledged, for their voting against them, the Strongest, & most unanswerable were— Mr. Smith of (S C) says they would affect materially those States, where manufactures had not made any great progress, & who had the more Bulky Articles of Exportations, that our...
7To James Madison from John Bacon, 18 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
It may be matter of surprize to you to receive a letter from a person whose name you, probably, may never have heard. I have been gratified by reading the printed debates in Congress on the important subject of the treaty-power . I have been particularly pleased with the political principles which, on various occasions, appear uniformly to have influenced your conduct. In the late debates in...
8To James Madison from John Baker and Others, 2 December 1795 (Madison Papers)
We the Under Signd. Citizens of the Town Of portland And falmouth in the Destrict Of Main, have Severely Sufferd by british piracy, which has Causd Us After Two years waiting with the Greatest patiance To forward On A Memoriel To Congress And in Order To Conciliate All parties Concernd it was Addrest To the Speaker of the house. Our Good Opinion of your publick Spirit Disintredness Integrety...
9To James Madison from Robert Ballard, [ca. 1 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has wrote the Officers of this Port, for the exact Sum, each Officer has received, up to the first of January. I hope the Secretary is of Opinion that our Fees are too small and that he will lay a Statement thereof before Congress, for Their Consideration. I have estimated on a frugal Plan the Sum I must expend for the Support of my Family, and find it will...
10To James Madison from Robert Ballard, 1 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
I had a long while impatiently waited to see the Secretary of the Treasurys report on the mode of compensation to the Officers of Revenue. Since that report was made, I cannot see by the debates, that the Honble. Congress, have acted on it. To speak of myself, my fees as Surveyor last year did not exceed £300—out of that sum, I have to pay for House rent & Clerks hire, £175. From last December...
11To James Madison from Robert Ballard, 25 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
Through some of my friends in Congress, I hope application is made for a further allowance in fees to the surveyor at Entry of Vessells under One Hundred Tons burthen, and for an allowance in fees from the Coasting Vessells. Vizt. Vessells from a Forreign Ports with Dutiable Goods All under 70 Tons, Two Dollars All above 70 Tons, Three Dollars From 60 to 100 Tons are generally the Sized...
12To James Madison from Alexander Balmain, 8 December 1794 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you, as I said I would, by Mr. Adam Douglass one of our Merchants, but, to my great Mortification, he did not deliver the letter, & brought it back to me. I waited on Doctor Baldwin with the money you left in my hands as a compensation for his Professional Services. The Doctor said it was perfectly satisfactory, & that he had made no charge against you upon his books. I am now to thank...
13To James Madison from Joseph Barnes, 20 December 1792 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 20 December 1792, Philadelphia. A list of proposed alterations to the 1790 federal patent law, followed by “observations tending to demonstrate the Necessity and equity of the proposed amendments.” Includes remarks on how James Rumsey’s discoveries in working with steam power have been denied legal protection. “Since it is not the wish of any good Citizen, ’tis presumed the...
14To James Madison from Joshua Barney and Others, 13 March 1794 (Madison Papers)
The American Masters of vessels now Forcibly detained here being occasionally Assembled for the purpose of mutual communications and comparison of Sentiments on their present Distressed situation. A Gazette from the United States was Introduced which contained the Resolutions by you proposed to the house of Representatives Jany 3d last, which were read with universal applause, and as the least...
15To James Madison from William Barton, 26 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Before I left New York, I had an Opportunity of explaining to Mr. Page the nature of the Circumstances, which obliged me to decline an Acceptance of the office, with which I was lately honored by the President and Senate. It is, therefore, unnecessary to trouble You, with a recapitulation of my inducements to that act of self-denial; having requested Mr. Page to communicate them to You. I...
16To James Madison from John Baylor, 20 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the Liberty of requesting the favour of you to transact an affair of the greatest consequence to my poor Brother George’s Estate, his Acct with united States as an Officer of the 3d Regiment of Light Dragoon, is yet unsettled, a Statement of which by Capt: Barret one of his officers and also his Deposition respecting the Accts: are in Mr. Pearce’s office, or with the Commissioners...
17To James Madison from John Beckley, 4 May 1795 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on this day week from New York, stating the causes which had induced a postponement of the settlement with Mr: Dohrman, until I could hear from you on the subject. I returned from New York on Friday evening and have been very unwell ever since, with the fever & Ague, occasioned by a cold caught in travelling, and I drop you this line merely to request as speedy an Answer to my...
18To James Madison from John Beckley, 20 April 1795 (Madison Papers)
I was detained by bad weather & other causes, so that I did not reach this until friday evening. The next day I saw Mr: Dorhman, who promises fairly, altho’ at the same time he talks of the scarcity of Money, his distresses &c. I expect to see him again to day, and you may be assured nothing in my power shall be omitted to obtain of him a full and satisfactory settlement. I have not seen...
19To James Madison from John Beckley, 15 October 1796 (Madison Papers)
I received your favor of the 1st: instant, covering one for Colo. M. which I shall forward to morrow; the mystery of his recall is not developed here, and can only be resolved into the personal hatred of Hamilton to Mr: M: and Mr: J:—and the intrigue of enlisting the interest of the Pinckney family, in the appointment of a president; and you may be assured that neither Hamilton or Jay, wish...
20To James Madison from John Beckley, 17 October 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 3d: instant, and a preceeding one of 25th: Septr. came duly to hand. I should have written yo. immediately on my return from N. York, had not several circumstances occurred to prevent it, particularly the delay of a Meeting which was had last evening between Melancton Smith, on the part of the republican interest of NY. (specially deputed) and the principal movers of the same...
21To James Madison from John Beckley, 20 June 1796 (Madison Papers)
A few days ago a barrel of hams arrived to your address, which I immediately took into possession and had them opened—there were twelve apparently sound hams, which I have had hung up to dry & smoke. If it is agreeable to you, as I think it doubtful that they would keep ’till the winter, I will take them for my familys use and pay you the price of them, when we meet again, or in any other way...
22To James Madison from John Beckley, 20 November 1793 (Madison Papers)
I drop a line to inform you, that I returned to this place with all my family, on Saturday last, and that there is now as perfect safety from contagion of any kind as was ever known here; there is not known a single case of the yellow fever in the City or its suburbs; the Citizens have returned almost universally, the public Offices are all opened, as well as all the public & private...
23To James Madison from John Beckley, 2 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
A severe indisposition, the consequence of a violent cold which I caught on my return from Carlisle, has prevented an earlier acknowledgment of your favor of the 12th: ultimo. Its effects, however, are now subsiding, and I hope soon to be perfectly restored. I have not been able to discover any material change in the situation of the Virga. accounts, the Commissioner pursues his former course,...
24To James Madison from John Beckley, 10 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
Since I wrote you last, a considerable change has taken place in the state of our foreign & domestic intelligence. Advices from France as late as the 14th: July, exhibit a crisis in the internal affairs of that Country, which ’ere this must be determined and would probably decide the issue of the revolution; the Marquis Fayette appeared at the bar of the National Assembly & denounced the...
25To James Madison from John Beckley, 25 May 1795 (Madison Papers)
I have written you twice by post, once from New York and once since my return, but being without any acknowledgment of their receipt, am fearful of some miscarriage or failure thro’ the post Office. I stated to you very fully the reasons that delayed the settlement with Mr: Dohrman, and shall now repeat them; By the Mortgage to you of Novemr: 1788, the debt is specified and acknowledged to be...
26To James Madison from John Beckley, 10 September 1795 (Madison Papers)
I have purposely delayed answering your favor of the 10th: Ulto. until now, because of some political events here of a nature the most extraordinary, and in which you, as well as others, stand particularly involved and named; they stand connected with the causes of Mr: Randolphs resignation, and will be fully explained to you by Mr: Nicholas. To that Gentleman I must also refer you for all...
27To James Madison from John Beckley, 1 August 1792 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty by favor of Mr: Jefferson, to forward to you sundry papers, which I thought would be useful for your information respecting the progress of the Virginia accounts; and it has been my constant purpose, hitherto, to follow them by a communication of such other circumstances on the subject as I might be able to collect, but, until yesterday, I have not been successful in...
28To James Madison from John Beckley, 27 April 1795 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 April 1795, New York. Mentioned in Beckley to JM, 4 May 1795 . Explains reasons why a settlement of Arnold Henry Dohrman’s debt to Philip Mazzei has been postponed. Needs to hear from JM.
29To James Madison from Thomas Bell, 2 October 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 2 October 1792. Mentioned in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany). Bell was an Orange County neighbor of JM’s (William H. B. Thomas, Patriots of the Upcountry [Orange, Va., 1976], pp. 18, 58).
30To James Madison from Thomas Bell, 13 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 November 1792. Mentioned in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany).
31To James Madison from William Bingham, 17 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I observe by the public Prints, that the Bill for the Establishment of the Impost has returned from the Senate, with considerable Reduction of the Duties on Several Specified Articles. I will not undertake to Scrutinize the Reasons that have urged the Amendments. But, as the Bill is now before the House of Representatives, I will take the Liberty of commenting on that part of it, which limits...
32To James Madison from Martha Daingerfield Bland, 2 February 1791 (Madison Papers)
As a representative from the State of Virginia, I take the liberty to ⟨e⟩nclose you a parcel of papers. The ⟨c⟩laim I have upon the United States is ⟨ce⟩rtainly a Just one and perhaps under ⟨y⟩our patronage may meet with success. ⟨The⟩ president advised me to write to Colonl ⟨Lu⟩tterlow who he informd me resided in ⟨W⟩ilmington (N C)—but looking over ⟨a⟩ philadelphia paper the other day I...
33To James Madison from Pechy Bledsoe, 28 February 1794 (Madison Papers)
The hapiness of having had a slight acquaintance with you, induces me to trouble you with a small piece of business, respecting The servise of a man from your own County, whose Discharge you will Receive inclos’d. I made application to Colo. Maddison Senr. for Advice respecting the Conduction of this business. Himself, with several other Gentleman Supposed my Power of Attourney was not...
34To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
Expecting in a few days to embark for Hispaniola under a Consular Commission from the United States—I feel very desirous to have the Consular Bill now pending in Govt. matured & passed as early as other public Interests will permit; wishing not to have gone till it was finished I requested leave of Govt to tarry yet a while but the Secy of State informed me it was “peculiarly interesting to...
35To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 28 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
Being informed that some Members of the House of Representatives are opposed to allowing any emoluments whatever to our Consuls resident in foreign Ports—I am led to request the exercise of your influence in support of such a gratuity as may not have a tendency to burthen the trading Interest—which consequence I think cannot arise from a small contribution chargeable on each Vessell according...
36To James Madison from Stephen R. Bradley, 18 February 1797 (Madison Papers)
Previous to Colo. Monroe’s departure for Europe he transmitted to me papers and documents accompanying a Claim to five thousand acres of Land in the Township of Middlesex in this State in right of his wife, this Township was held under a Patent from The late province of New York and was one (among many) of those patents which were extinguished in the late treaty or Settlement between New York...
37To James Madison from Arthur Breese, 11 April 1794 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 22d. Ultimo. I Recd. a few days since. I live on the Sadaqueda Patent, three Miles from Lot No. 2. and am perfectly well acquainted with its general, situation, quality &ca. It is situated on the Mohawk river, near the confluence of two large Creeks, The Oriskany, & The Nine Mile Creeks—at the Distance of Nine Miles from Fort Stanwix, at which place a Canal, will be cut, so...
38To James Madison from Arthur Breese, 17 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 13h. May last, was handed me some time since by Mr. Vanwyck. He informed me that since he had seen you, Mr. Bailey & himself had agreed to take the Lot you sold them at the Estimated quantity 900. acres, Declining a Resurvey . I am inclined to believe that the Lot would more than hold out, Nine hundred Acres. I have the honor to be Sir with much Respect Your Very Obt. Sert....
39To James Madison from Arthur Breese, 16 April 1794 (Madison Papers)
Some time since by the Mail I recd. a letter from you respecting Lot No. 2. Sadaqueda Patent I forwarded my answer immediately. By the last Mail I Recd. a letter from Mr. Wm. Morris, inclosing one from you to me. For fear that my first letter should get lost, I now inform you that I am perfectly well acquainted, with the general situation, & Quality of your Lot; and that it is worth four...
40To James Madison from Arthur Breese, 28 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
You must pardon me, for not answering your letter, before this time. My opinion is that if you could sell one half of your Lot in the rear, for something near its Value, It would be advisable for you so to do. Since the receipt of your letter, I have used every exertion to sell the rear part of the Lot, or rather 200 acres of the same. But the term for payment expiring so soon was unable to...
41To James Madison from Francis Brooke, February 1794 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
February 1794. Applies for the customs collectorship at Tappahannock, Virginia. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers). 3 pp. Badly faded. Addressed by Brooke to JM in Philadelphia. Francis Taliaferro Brooke (1763–1851) was the brother of Robert Brooke, who became governor of Virginia in December 1794. Although Francis Brooke was married to a niece of George Washington, the president appointed Laurence...
42To James Madison from the Governor of Virginia, 24 December 1795 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 24 December 1795, Richmond. A circular letter from Gov. Robert Brooke to Virginia’s delegation in the House of Representatives. Listed in Executive Letterbook (Vi). Encloses copies of the Virginia General Assembly’s joint resolutions proposing four constitutional amendments (possibly the printed version, In the House of Delegates, Saturday, December 12, 1795 … [(Richmond,...
43To James Madison from John Brown, 8 June 1795 (Madison Papers)
This being the appointed Day 25 Senators attended & the Budget was opened & read. No discussion has yet taken place, & it has been determined that untill otherwise ordered by the Senate no publication of its contents shall be made. This will account for my not giving you particulars. I will however barely hint to you, that Capt. Blaneys statement where inacurate, was in favor of the...
44To James Madison from Hardin Burnley, 28 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
A few days ago I wrote a letter to Majr. Madison giving him some information on the general business of the present Session, which I suppose he has probably communicated to you. I now take the liberty of obtruding on you a short communication on the same subject. The revenue bill which proposes a reduction of the public taxes one fourth below the last year’s amount is with the Senate. Whilst...
45To James Madison from Hardin Burnley, 3 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have to apologize to you for not answering sooner the enquiries which you requested me to make before you left Virginia. I have deferred my answer ’till this time that I might be able to give satisfactory information on the subject of your enquiries. On application to Col: Harvie which I made immediately after the receipt of your favor I coud obtain no further information than this, that...
46To James Madison from Hardin Burnley, 5 [December] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my letter to you which I wrote a few days ago the resolutions of the Committee on the amendments proposed by Congress have been reported. Those which respected the ten first were agreed to with even less opposition than they experienced in the Committee, & that wh. passed on the 11th & 12th. was rescinded by a majority of about twelve. The amendments with the resolutions on...
47To James Madison from Zachariah Burnley, ca. August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. August 1789. Mentioned in JM to Hamilton, ca. 5 Oct. 1789 . Requests JM’s aid in obtaining a clerkship for his son, Reuben.
48To James Madison from Maria Butler, 23 November 1793 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will be indulgent, to the liberty I am about to take, in an address to you on a subject; that I hoped my Country would have saved me the pain of Mentioning. Deeply interested for the present, and future wellfare, of A Little helpless charge, that has been left to my care Alone, from the fatal Fourth of Novb —When I with them, was removed in a moment, from the sunshine of prosperity,...
49To James Madison from Pierce Butler, 12 June 1795 (Madison Papers)
I recd. the favour of Your letter a few days before my departure from Charleston. The person in question I find proved unworthy of the introduction, and of Your acquaintance. He begd hard for the letter. I at first declined giving it; He renewd his solicitation: I thought it might be the means of keeping Him in the right path; under this consideration I took a freedom that I have now to...
50To James Madison from Pierce Butler, 23 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Harper, a Delligate from this State, desirous of the honor of Your acquaintance, so very earnestly entreated me to give Him a letter to You that I coud not parry it. You will receive at his hand a few lines from me. If it is the means of keeping Him right, it may, in a degree, Apologise for the liberty I took. It is necessary however, that I shoud frankly give to You my opinion of Him. My...