1From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27–28 March 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Nothing under the title of news has occurred since I wrote last week by express except that the Enemy on the 1st. of March remained in the neighbourhood of Charlestown in the same posture as when the preceding account came away. From the best intelligence from that quarter there seems to be great encouragement to hope that Clinton’s operations will be again...
2From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 May 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The manuscript is much faded and barely legible. In his old age JM evidently selected this letter for inclusion in the first printed edition of his papers. With this purpose in mind he added at the beginning of the first paragraph and at the close of the long final one a bracket and quotation mark. Apparently at eight places in the letter he crossed out a word or...
3From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have written several private letters to you since my arrival here, which as they contained matters that I should be sorry should fall into other hands, I could wish to know had been received. If your Excellency has written any acknowledgments of them, they have never reached me. Mr. Griffin tells me he has seen several letters just recd. by Mr. Bingham from...
4From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). A Vessel from West Florida has brought to the President of Congress intelligence from Govr. Galvez of the surrender of Mobile. No other particulars than those contained in the inclosed paper are mentioned, except the verbal report of the Capt. that the Garrison consisted of about 800 including inhabitants &c. Seven or eight vessels have just arrived from the W....
5From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Nothing material has taken place since my last. The fact is confirmed that Clinton has returned to N.Y. with part of the Southern army, and has joined Kniphausen. They are at present maneuvering for purposes not absolutely known, but most probably in order to draw Gnl Washington to an action in which they suppose he may be disabled to give the necessary co-operation...
6From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Although the cover sheet is missing with the name of the addressee, “Madison Jas.” is written above the date in Jefferson’s hand. I am at length able to give you some answer on the subject of the map in the hands of Dr. Smith. As the Docr. lived out of Town and it was difficult to know when he was to be found in it, and as I supposed the request would go with greater...
7From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). The inclosed extract of a letter from General Washington No. 1 will give your Excellency a more particular account of the late embarkation from N. York than has been before obtained. On thursday last Congress were informed by General Potter & Col. Johnston who came expresses for the purpose that a general mutiny of the Pennsylvania line stationed near Morris Town...
8From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Governor of Virginia” and franked by JM. Docketed, “Madison Jas April 3. 1781,” by Jefferson. I have received your favor of the 23d of March. The publication of which you wish to have a copy for your private use is not yet finished; as soon as it is I shall take care to provide one for you. I have repeatedly...
9From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed, “Madison Jas,” by Jefferson. The inclosed paper is a copy of a report from a Committee now lying on the table of Congress for Consideration. The delicacy and importance of the subject makes me wish for your judgment on it before it undergoes the final decision of Congress. The necessity of arming Congress with coercive powers arises from the shameful...
10From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Endorsed, “Madison Jas.,” by Jefferson. On the receipt of your request as to the map I procured a copy with one of the pamphlets & have put it under the care of Col. Febiger who will have it conveyed. it is effectually secured against injury on its passage. I inclose your Excellency a letter from Mazzei although indeed its contents are of no great moment. I have not...
11From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr” and marked “private.” Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas May 5. 1781.” In compliance with your request I have procured and now send you a copy of the Constitutions &c published by order of Congress. I know not why the order in which they stand in the Resolution was varied by the committee in binding them up. The...
12From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 November 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed, “Madison Nov. 18. 1781 recd. Jan. 9. 1782.” By the conveyance through which you will receive this the Delegates have communicated to the State the proceedings in Congress to which the territorial cessions have given birth. The complexion of them will I suppose be somewhat unexpected, & produce no small...
13From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the letter was docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas. Jany. 15. 1782.” Your favor of the day of written on the eve of your departure from Richmond came safe to hand by the last week’s post. The result of the attack on your administration was so fully anticipated that it made little impression on me. If it had been consistent with your...
14From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas. Mar 18. 1782.” In my last to you on the subject of the map in the hands of Dr. Smith I informed you of the little chance of getting a copy of it for you. Nothing has since occurred wch. affords the least expectation from that quarter, but I have met with a bundle of old pamplets belonging to the public Library here in which is a...
15From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 26 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 116). The letter has not been found. A letter has been lately received from you by the President of Congress, accompanied by a bundle of papers procured from the Cherokees by Colonel Campbell. As it appears that these papers were transmitted at the request of the late...
16From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed, “Ths. Jefferson Esqr.” Jefferson wrote “Madison Jas.” above the date at the beginning of the letter. Your favor of the 24 of March with a letter inclosed for Mr. Marbois came to hand yesterday. I intreat that you will not suffer the chance of a speedy and final determination of the territorial question by Congress to affect your purpose of tracing the...
17From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Thos. Jefferson Esq.” Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas. Feby. 11. 1783.” The words italicized in the third paragraph are those written by JM in the cipher described in Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan. 1783 , ed. n. Also in LC : Madison Papers is JM’s draft of the letter. Your favor of the 31 of Jany. was safely brought by Mr. Thomson. That of the 7. inst:...
18From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : George B. McClellan Papers, Vol. I). Cover missing, but docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas Feby. 12. 1783.” I acknowledged yesterday by the post your two favors of the 30th. ult: & 7th. inst: I add this by Col: Jameson just to inform you that your letter to the Secy. of F. A. has been referred to a Committee consisting of Mr. Jones, Mr. Rutlidge & Mr. Wilson, who are to confer with...
19From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Jas. Feby. 13. 1783.” The Chevr. de la Luzerne having just given me notice that he shall send an Express to the Romulus in ½ an hour I sieze the opportunity of inclosing a copy of the British Kings Speech which presages a speedy establishment of peace. What effect this circumstance may have on your mission is at present uncertain. For myself...
20From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas.” The Committee, to whom was referred your letter to Secretary Livingston, reported to Congress yesterday that they had conferred with Mr. Morris who was of opinion that no vessel would sail from american ports after the arrival of the British King’s speech until the suspence produced by it should be removed, and that if your...
21From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The honble T. Jefferson.” Unless otherwise noted, the words italicized are those that were written by JM in the cipher described in Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan. 1783 , ed. n. After recovering the present letter from Jefferson, JM wrote “Madison Jas.” above the date line. In his old age he or someone at his direction placed a bracket at the close of both the...
22Memorandum on a Revenue Plan, [ca. 6 March] 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Jefferson Papers). Three pages of notes, undated and unsigned but in JM’s hand. Probably given to Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia about 6 March 1783. Many years later Jefferson’s secretary, Nicholas P. Trist, attached to the memorandum a page bearing the comment, “This is, I believe, in the handwriting of Mr. Madison, N.P.T .” Ca. 6 March 1783 . The contents of this memorandum,...
23From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Papers of Madison). Jefferson docketed the letter by writing “Madison Jas” above the date line. Using the JM-Jefferson Code N. 2, JM encoded the words that are italicized. Your favor of the 14. inst: written on the Susquehanna with the several letters inclosed were safely delivered to me. I did not fail to present as you desired your particular compliments to Miss K Your inference on...
24From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Address on cover is no longer legible, except for “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.” Docketed by him, “Madison Jas. May 6 1783.” On the verso of the cover Jefferson deciphered the passages written in the JM-Jefferson Code No. 2, and here italicized. This code was first used by Jefferson in his letter of 14 April 1783 to JM ( Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M....
25From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover franked by JM and addressed to “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.” Many years later, after recovering the letter, JM docketed the cover page, “Madison Jas May. 13, 1783.” Henry D. Gilpin printed all of the letter except the last paragraph ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 531–32). The...
26From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Addressed to “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.” Following the return of this letter to JM, he docketed it “Madison Jas.” above the date. Many years after the letter was written, he or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the beginning of the second paragraph and another bracket at the close of the third paragraph to designate them for inclusion...
27From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Many years later after recovering the letter, JM wrote “Madison, Jas.” above the date line. The words italicized in the present copy were written in the JM-Jefferson Code No. 2. Congress have recd. two letters from Mr. Laurens dated London [,] one the fiveteenth of March the other fiveth of April . In the former he persists in the jealousy expressed in his letter of
28From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. JM docketed the letter, upon recovering it many years later, “Madison, Jas. July 17. 1783.” Your two favors of the 1 & 17 of June, with the debates of Congress and the letter for Miss Floyd and the Cyphers inclosed in the former, and your amendments to the Constitution inclosed in the latter, have been duly recd. The latter came by yesterday’s mail. I...
29From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. After recovering the letter, JM docketed it, “Madison Jas Aug: 11. 1783.” Probably also at that time he heavily excised in ink all of his first paragraph except its opening two and closing two sentences. To the partial decipherments of the thirteen obliterated lines by Irving Brant in his biography of Madison (II, 286, 450, n. 7) and Julian P. Boyd in...
30From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Many years later, after the return of the letter to him, JM wrote “Sepr. 20. 1783” at the top of the last page. Your favor of the 31 ult: came to hand yesterday. As the reason which chiefly urged my departure for Virga. has ceased I have been led to protract my attendance on Congress by the interest I felt in some measures on foot, and the particular...
31From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 30 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Addressed to “Honble Thomas Jefferson.” Docketed by him, “Madison James of Orange.” The brackets in the first paragraph signify words or parts of words which a water stain has obliterated. My last was written on the supposition that Mr. Jones & myself would be on our way to Virga. by the middle of Ocr. and that my best chance of an interview with you...
32From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. In the right margin of the second page, Jefferson wrote in ink, now much faded, what appears to have been “to dispute Buffon theory of temperature.” Upon recovering the letter many years later, JM docketed it by inserting “Decr. 10. 1783” between the two lines of Jefferson’s comment. Using the JM-Jefferson Code No. 2, JM encoded the words that are...
33From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Lacks docket and cover. Your favor of the 11. of Decr. ulto. came safe to hand after a very tedious conveyance. Mr. W. Maury having broken up his school in this Neighbourhood in order to attempt a superior one in Williamsburg & his pupils being dispersed, I have sent the book for Mr. P. Carr into the neighbourhood of Doctr. Walker whence I supposed it would most...
34From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed. Cover missing. I wrote to you a few days ago by the post acknowledging your favor of the 10th. of Decr. Mr. Maury has since afforded me an opportunity which I cannot omit to acknowledge that of the first of Jany. which has just come to hand, and to express the concern I feel at the account it gives of your ill health. I hope earnestly that this will find...
35From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 20. Ult. came duly to hand a few days ago. I can not apprehend that any difficulties can ensue in Europe from the involuntary & immaterial delay of the ratification of the peace, or if there should that any imputations can be devised which will not be repelled by the collective force of the reasons in the intended protest; some of which singly taken are unanswerable. As you...
36From 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
37From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 May 1784. In his “Summary Journal of Letters,” Jefferson recorded that he received in Philadelphia on 24 May a letter from JM written in Richmond on 8 May ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (18 vols. to date; Princeton, N. J., 1950——). , VII, 235; Jefferson to JM, 25 May 1784). There is no clue concerning the subjects...
38From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 14 May 1784. In his “Summary Journal of Letters,” Jefferson recorded that he received on 19 June a letter written by JM in Richmond on 14 May, “inclosing on account B. Harrison John Pirkman’s draught on John J. Rogert [Bogert] Phila. for 333 1/3 D.” ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (18 vols. to date; Princeton, N. J.,...
39From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. inst: with another pr. of spectacles inclosed came safe to hand on thursday last. I shall leave the person for whose use they were intended to take choice of the most suitable & will return the other pr. to Mr. Dudley by the first conveyance, unless I meet with a purchaser which I do not expect. The arrangement which is to carry you to Europe has been made known to me by...
40From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1784 (Madison Papers)
The Assembly adjourned the day before yesterday. I have been obliged to remain here since on private business for my Countymen with the auditor’s and other departments. I had allotted towards the close of the Session to undertake a narrative for you of the proceedings, but the hurry on which I did not sufficiently calculate, rendered it impossible, and I now find myself so abridged in time...
41From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August 1784 (Madison Papers)
The decision to introduce the Mississippi question in the context of JM’s experience is necessarily an arbitrary one because an open western waterway was among his concerns from the early days in Congress until the matter was settled by the Louisiana Purchase. The main point is that JM never looked upon the problem as a Virginia riddle. As a Virginia legislator he hoped to see citizens in the...
42From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 September 1784 (Madison Papers)
Some business, the need of exercise after a very sedentary period, and the view of extending my ramble into the Eastern States which I have long had a curiosity to see have brought me to this place. The letter herewith enclosed was written before I left Virginia, & brought with me for the sake of a conveyance hence. Since the date of it I have learned that Mr. Short who was to be the bearer of...
43From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1784 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of my intentions as explained in my last dated in Philada. I came to this City on saturday last. The information I have here recd. convinces me that I can not accomplish the whole route I had planned within the time to which I am limited, nor go from this to Boston in the mode which I had reckoned upon. I shall therefore decline this part of my plan, at least for the present, &...
44From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 October 1784 (Madison Papers)
A colorful account of JM’s journey with the Lafayette entourage is supplied by Brant, who reported that after JM’s “chance encounter” with Lafayette in Baltimore the Virginian found the “northward trip … entirely too enjoyable to be cut off at New York” ( Madison , II, 325, 328). Many of the incidents on this excursion were reported by Marbois for his superiors in Paris and are found in Eugene...
45From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1784 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival here I found that Mr. Short had passed through on his way to N. York & was there at the date of my last. I regret much that I missed the pleasure of seeing him. The inclosed was put into my hands by Mrs. House who recd. it after he left Philada. My two last, neither of which were in cypher, were written as will be all future ones in the same situation, in expectation of their...
46From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
My last was dated in Philada. Octr. 17. I reached this place the 14th. day after that fixed for the meeting of the Assembly and was in time for the commencement of business. Yesterday put an end to the tedious Session. According to my promise I subjoin a brief review of its most material proceedings. An act for the establisht of Courts of Assize. This act was carried through the House of...
47From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have remained here since the adjournment of the Assembly cheifly with a view of gaining from the Office of the Attorney some insight into the juridical course of practice. This has given me an opportunity of forwarding you 6 copies of the revisal with a few of the late Newspapers under the cover which incloses this. They will go in a vessel belonging to Mr. Alexander the Gentleman who...
48From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 April 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two favors of Novr. 11 & Decr. 8. Along with the former I recd. the two pamphlets on animal magnetism & the last aeronautic expedition together with the phosphoretic matches. These articles were a great treat to my curiosity. As I had left Richmd. before they were brought thither by Col. le Maire, I had no opportunity of attending myself to your wishes with regard to him; but...
49From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August 1785 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 18th. of March never reached me till the 4 inst. It came by post from N. York, which it did not leave till the 21. of July. My last was dated in April, & went by Mr. Mazzei who picked it up at N. York and promised to deliver it with his own hand. The machinations of G. B. with regard to Commerce have produced much distress and noise in the Northern States, particularly in Boston,...
50From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 October 1785 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of the plan intimated in my last I came to this City about three weeks ago, from which I continued my trip to New York. I returned last night and in a day or two shall start for Virginia. Col: Monroe had left Philada. a few days before I reached it, on his way to a treaty to be held with the Indians about the end of this month on the Wabash. If a visit to the Eastern States had...