1Enclosure: Circular from Hezekiah Niles to Prominent Subscribers, 31 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
After revolving upon some suitable apology for intruding myself with the following statement and request, I have thought it most respectful to decline offering any, except to observe that if ought appears to your better judgement improper in either, that you will attribute it to any thing else than a willingness on my part to act so, in any respect towards you. For six years ending with the...
2Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 30 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Brockenbrough has been closely engaged, since our last meeting in settling the cost of the buildings finished at the University , that we might obtain a more correct view of the state of our funds, and see whether a competency will remain for the Library. he has settled for 6. Pavilions, 1. Hotel, and 35. Dormitories, and will proceed with the rest; so that I hope, by our next meeting, the...
3Virginia Council of State’s Appointment of University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 29 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The Governor called the attention of the board to the subject of appointing Visitors for the University of Virginia in Conformity with the provisions of an act of assembly passed the 25 January 1819 —Whereupon, the following persons were duly appointed Visitor—to wit: Thomas Jefferson — James Madison — Chapman Johnson — Jos. C. Cabell
4Thomas Jefferson’s View of the Expenses and Funds of the University of Virginia, [ca. 28 September 1821] (Jefferson Papers)
A view of the whole expences & of the Funds of the University Actual cost estimated d o Averages D D D Pavilions. N o 3. & 7. undertaken in 1817.18. 19,149. 81 9,574. 90 N
5Thomas Jefferson and John H. Cocke to James Breckinridge, Joseph C. Cabell, Chapman Johnson, James Madison, and Robert … (Jefferson Papers)
In obedience to the resolution of the visitors of the university at their last session, the Proctor has been constantly employed in ‘ascertaining the state of accounts under contracts already made, and the expence of compleating the buildings begun and contemplated’: and we have consequently suspended, according to instructions, ‘the entering into any contracts for the Library until we see...
6Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, David Watson, and John H. Cocke, [2 January 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
A report to the Governor having been agreed on at our last meeting, and it’s materials being chiefly in my possession, I have presumed to make a draught, and now send it for your consideration. if approved as it is, be so good as to sign it; if any material alteration be thought necessary, if such as not to deface the paper be so good as to make it & sign, if it deface the paper I must request...
7To James Madison from Hezekiah Niles, [1 November] 1817 (Madison Papers)
National Education. Respectfully Addressed to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, Past Presidents of the United States. It is not a common occasion, venerable fathers of the republic, that could induce me to prefix your names to a public address. In my estimation, there is something in it that may make me liable to be considered indiscreet, if not impertinent, by some who will not take the...
8Roberts to James Madison, 1 September 1822, with Postscript to Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson Papers)
[ Ed. Note : “ Roberts ,” who wrote under an apparent pseudonym and claimed to be a Revolutionary War veteran, composed a letter to former president James Madison dated Pennsylvania , 1 Sept. 1822. Although Madison ’s copy has not been found, a transcription of it was later sent to TJ. In a five-page document received at Monticello in the summer of 1824, the author blamed Madison for both the...
9Hezekiah Niles to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, [ca. 1 November 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
It is not a common occasion, venerable fathers of the republic, that could induce me to prefix your names to a public address. In my estimation, there is something in it that may make me liable to be considered indiscreet, if not impertinent, by some who will not take the trouble to ascertain whether I am influenced by an honest intention , or not. I am unwilling to be suspected of either of...
10To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1820 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found. 2 June 1820 . Enclosed in Dolley Madison to Lewis J. Cist, 4 July 1842 ( DLC : Dolley Madison Papers).
11To James Madison from James Maury, 7 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
I regret to find, by your letter of the 20th Feby that some of the goods sent were higher priced than you contemplated: & I can readily account for your remark so far as relates to the glasswares, the silk hose, & furniture calico: each of these being entitled to a drawback on exportation, but the expences at the excise office & custom house in stamps bonds & entry would, on such small...
12Arthur S. Brockenbrough to James Madison, 10 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
May I ask the favor of your advise, how to act on the subject of the board of the Students in consiquence of the suspension of the exercises of the schools at the University from the 6th February to the 1st of April—Up to what time should board be required of the Student? In most cases where I have settled since this suspension—I have retained board for the month of February, and only required...
13To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 22 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
After my return to Mount Vernon I looked through the letter books, and noted down the dates of all the letters recorded as having been sent to you by General Washington. The list is enclosed. Should you find upon inspection, that you possess letters of importance not comprised in this list, I hope you will have the goodness to furnish me with copies of the same. The letter dated Jany. 1789,...
14To James Madison from William Lambert, 8 April 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose two printed copies of a report relative to the latitude and longitude of the Capitol in this City; one of which is intended for your own use, the other for the use of the University or Seminary of learning near Charlottesville. With great respect, I have the honor to be, Your most Obedt. servant, RC ( DLC ). Addressed by Lambert to JM, and franked. Docketed by JM....
15Willis Alston to James Madison, 25 December 1829 (Madison Papers)
It may not be otherwise than gratifying to you to hear from one who you have long known and whose political course seldom if ever differed from yours Your late vote in convention where you stood alone I should feel proud of, having viewed your proceedings throughout I think you have very few if any old friends here who does not feel perfectly satisfied The vote you give alone I most certainly...
16James B. Longacre to James Madison, 14 October 1833 (Madison Papers)
It is entirely owing to circumstances apart from my own intentions, that I have deferred the pleasure it gives me to acknowledge the receipt of materials for a biographical sketch of yourself intended for the National Portrait Gallery furnished by a friend of your selection—The document thus furnished is very satisfactory, and leaves nothing to regret; but it’s brevity , a fault which we have...
17To James Madison from Levett Harris, 15 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
After having spent fourteen years of my life in the Service of my Country, and having had so distinguished a Share in the establishment of our Relations with the Emperor of Russia, I returned to the US under a full conviction of enjoying, as I felt I deserved, the countenance & Confidence of my Government at home, as I had done abroad. But I had not been long here, before I was apprized by Mr....
18To James Madison from Solomon Southwick, 12 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of begging your acceptance of my Address, &c. herewith Sent. I have only to add, that I went to Washington several years ago, having previously imbibed prejudi[c]es against you as a political character, but I had not conversed wit[h] you fifteen minutes, before I was convinced that I had been duped into a wrong view of your character by designing men in whom I had placed...
19Robley Dunglison to James Madison, 30 December 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have received the inclosed letter from a respectable firm in Boston, and feel disposed to employ them in purchasing the Books which we require at the University. In accordance with a regulation at the last meeting of the Board of Visitors we shall have to order Books to the amount of 500 at home & abroad: and the percentage charged by Messrs. Gray & Bowen is so moderate as I think to deserve...
20To James Madison from William Beach Lawrence, 29 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Gallatin, when he confided to me as Chargé d’Affaires of the United States the fund belonging to the University of Virginia over which he as well as his predecessor Mr. King had ⟨ex⟩ercised a control, likewise put into my hands your letter of the 12th. of August last. Several months since, the late Minister conferred with me as to the selection of a suitable person to fill the vacant...
21To James Madison from Nicholas P. Trist, [5] October 1826 (Madison Papers)
With a caution that my slowness and total inexperience in the duties of which the board of Visitors tender me the discharge, will probably call for a full measure of indulgence; and with the grateful feelings which the mark of confidence is calculated to inspire, I accept the opportunity of trying myself in the office of their Secretary. In relation to the catalogue, as my motive in...
22To James Madison from William F. Gray, 24 February 1825 (Madison Papers)
Having again become Agent for the Reviews, I send you by this mail the January No. of the North Am: Review. No. 81 of the Edinburg Review is in the press and will soon be ready for subscribers. If there be any nos. preceeding these that you have not recd. which I have reason to believe may be the case, please to send me a memo. of them and they shall be sent to you. I also take the liberty of...
23Allan Pollock Jr. to James Madison, 4 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
I sent you immediately after the rising of the Virginia Convention– a copy Life of Arthur Lee– and did not know untill yesterday that it had never been delivered to Mr. Gray by the person who I sent it by from Richd. Accordingly I send you another copy– you can settle with Mr. Gray (the Post-Master) for the same at $4– I have not a copy like the first sent you, (in Russia) or I would send it...
24Gabriel Crane to James Madison, 9 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
[ ] Now after the lapse of a number of years I have again to address a communication to you in the Name and by direction of the Supreme the Divine Author of the Scripture, to inform you that He is still upon the earth with intention of executing His most important Purposes, [relating] to its concerns. And further that I am still the organ of His Will upon the earth for the occasion as was...
25To James Madison from Isaac Coffin, 22 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
Shortly after my arrival in England last August, your invaluable present of two wild Turkies were landed in England and received by my Friends the Messrs. Earles of Liverpool. I had set out on my Travels, and your obliging Letter reached me only a few days since. You have done more for me than all my Relations and friends have been able to accomplish in seven years. The Birds are placed under...
26To James Madison from William Whann, 15 December 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. by the mail of this day a check drawn by James Monroe on this Bank for 1.200 Dolls. which, according to the endorsement I have placed to your credit in this Bank. Very Respectfully I have the Honor to be Sir Your Obt Sert RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. This sum was probably in payment for wine; see Monroe to JM, 13 Feb. , and JM to Monroe, 18 Feb. 1818 . William Whann (d. 1822) was...
27To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 November 1825 (Madison Papers)
The inclination which I expressed to you several years ago, in 1823 I believe, to devote myself to the cultivation of letters, still besets me, & I have been fortunate enough to select a subject which is capable of receiving and conferring ⟨imperishable?⟩ honour. Whether I shall be able to do it justice is a question which labour, patience, diligence, & the inspiration of the historic muse,...
28To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 September 1827 (Madison Papers)
The bearer Mr R. Bayly, a youth of this county, & son of a near neighbour & friend, has requested of me, an introduction to you, which I readily afford, considering him entitled to it, by his correct deportment, and merit. He has been a year, under direction of Captn Partridge, & has left him, with very strong testimonials in his favor. He intends to make a visit to the University, to make...
29To James Madison from Francis Preston, 15 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
A very unfortunate controversy has arisen between the Representatives of the late Colo. Wm. Campbell and Colo. Shelby of Kentucky in relation to the Conduct of the former at the Battle of Kings mountain fought in South Carolina during the revolutionary War. Some private letters of Colo. Shelby, were inadvertently published which charge him a shamefull dereliction of Duty at the most critical...
30To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 February 1823 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From James Monroe. Letter not found. 3 February 1823 . Described as a three-page autograph letter, signed, listed for sale in the Charles Hamilton Catalogue No. 103 (24 Feb. 1977), item 161, summarized and abstracted as follows: “dealing with a post for Madison’s nephew, a constitutional matter concerning grants of power in which he is in apparent disagreement both with Madison and...
31To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
I returnd to the city lately to receive our old friend General La Fayette, who after remaining here a few days, set out on Saturday for Yorktown. He has I presume reachd that port by this time. He is in good health & spirits, and less alterd in his form, than I expectd, and not at all in his mind, unless by improvment. He appears to me to have a profound knowledge of mankind, & of the present...
32To James Madison from George Joy, 2 February 1822 (Madison Papers)
I purchased, some three years ago, the first volume of the Histoire de l’Esprit revolutionaire des nobles en France, and left an Order with my french Bookseller here to send me the second as soon as it should arrive; intending after perusal to pass them to you. To various enquiries since, I have received various answers—the last of which was that they did not believe it would be published at...
33To James Madison from George Joy, 5 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 30th Ult: to take the first Conveyance from London or Liverpool; and I now find my Letter will go by the Packet of the 8th Inst. from the latter port, for which this may possibly be in time. I ought to have added, as I had here no Copy of my Letter to Captn. Pott, that my Instructions to him were to change the direction of the parcel from his name to yours and either send it...
34Henry Northup to James Madison, 13 July 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have long Anxiously sought information relative to the family of the Revd Samuil Findley President of Princetown Collidge and who diparted this life in 1766 his family At that time living in Princetown. I recently saw a publication in A News paper relative to the Revd. Nathan Perkins which stated that he Graduated at Princetown in 1769. I immediately wrote him And yesterday received his...
35To James Madison from Joseph Milligan, [ca. 28 November 1820] (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose a letter for Mrs Madison also to send through the post office a small book for her subscription it is addressed to you when it comes to hand please be so good as to hand it to her. I have had the misfortune to be under the Necessity of selling of[f] my stock for the benefit of my creditors so that my business has been suspended for 18 months past I am now...
36To James Madison from John Drayton, 3 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to present you, Memoirs of the American Revolution, lately written and published by me here: hoping they may bring to your notice, some events, which have not been publickly known of a Revolution, in which you bore so honorable a part. Hoping that you may live many years, to enjoy the honors you have received, and the good wishes of your fellow Citizens, I am Sir With...
37Tench Ringgold to James Madison, 7 July 1831 (Madison Papers)
I gave you, on the 4th instant, a short account of the death of your old and valued friend Mr Monroe; and now perform the promise, then made, to write to you again before I left this City. I have been his constant attendant & nurse, since the first of May, with the exception of one week; during all May & part of June, he had chills & fever every day, they were however subdued early in June,...
38To James Madison from Andrew Stevenson, 3 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
Immediately on my return from the mountains this fall, I seized the first opportunity to fulfill the promise I gave you, in endeavoring to obtain the documents desired & am sorry to say that owing to causes not within my controul, I have as yet been unsuccessful. Mr. Randolph is not only willing, that you should have any letters which you may wish in his possession, but expresses much...
39To James Madison from Jonathan Russell, 18 October 1819 (Madison Papers)
My particular friend, Samuel Eddy Esquire, who has recently been chosen a representative from Rhode Island to Congress, has requested of me a letter of recommendation to you for Mr. Bernon Helme of that state. He informs me that this young gentleman graduated at Brown University the present year & that Doctor Messer, the President of that University, declares “that he possesses an amiable...
40Alexander Duke to James Madison, 9 May 1832 (Madison Papers)
When I shall have enumerated the many, and concurring motives, which have induced me to obtrude myself, thus uncerimoniously on your notice, I hope I shall escape the censure of presumption, and be pardoned the act. I will give you my history, as laconically, as possible; I am the son of an old Revolutionary Soldier, who expended almost the whole of his slender fortune in the education of his...
41To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have no doubt you have occasionally been led to reflect on the character of the duty imposed by Congress on the importation of books. Some few years ago, when the tariff was before Congress, I engaged some of our members of Congress to endeavor to get the duty repealed, and wrote on the subject to some other acquaintances in Congress, and pressingly to the Secretary of the treasury. The...
42To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 September 1822 (Madison Papers)
My affairs in Albemarle, requiring my attendance there, again, before the meeting of Congress, & the Phisician deeming the exercise useful to Mrs Monroe’s health, we have resolvd to set out thither in a few days, & to call on you & Mrs Madison on the route. If we go by Loudon, which is not decided, it may be the last of the week (next) before we see you; but if we go direct, about the middle....
43To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
I presume you have heard, that both of us, are plac’d on the electoral ticket, by the convention, lately assembled at Richmond. I have receivd a letter from Col: Mercer apprizing me, of it, and also a private letter, from Judge Brooke, to the same effect: In complyance, with your suggestion, I wrote, shortly after the receipt of your letter, to Col: Mercer, & intimated your desire, not to be...
44To James Madison from Richard Bache, 10 April 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have returned you the pamphlet which you had the goodness to send me, & for which I am much indebted to you; I hope it will arrive safe. The writing on the title page, is either that of my Father or Dr Franklin, they wrote very much alike, and it is rather too much defaced to decide. The piece, I have no doubt, was written by my Grand Father, it has given me much pleasure to reprint it,...
45James P. Preston to James Madison, 9 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
My friends have presented my pretensions to the President to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of the late Treasurer of the United States—As you are acquainted with many of the incidents of my life, which have been personally eventful; and as you know that I made sacrifices in my efforts to save the Government, during your administration by encountering all the hazards connected with...
46To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Wirt declined the offices proposed to him. Mr. Lomax has accepted the Professorship of Law, and will open his school on the 1st. day of July. He has paid us a visit, and his appointment appears to have given the highest degree of satisfaction to every body, Professors Students, Neighbors, and to none more than to myself. We have now 166. students, and on the opening of the Law school, we...
47George S. McKiernan to James Madison, 8 October 1834 (Madison Papers)
An individual, who is totally unknown to your Excellency, presumes to beg a slight favour, which lies only in your Excellency’s power to grant. As all he desires is a mere specimen of your Excellency’s hand writing an acknowledgement of the receipt of this letter, will be cherished as an invaluable treasure by one who has ever admired the wisdom, and sublime qualities of your Excellency. Your...
48To James Madison from John S. Barbour, 18 April 1818 (Madison Papers)
I had until this moment intended visiting you this Evening with a view to full information in the matter so long since entrusted to me. The indisposition of my child of which I am just apprised renders my immediate return indispensible. For the present I can only say that there will be a decree for the Sale of the Mortgaged premises at the present term of the Fredericksburg Chancery Court and...
49Jared Sparks to James Madison, 30 March 1831 (Madison Papers)
Having recently engaged to write a life of Gouverneur Morris, which is to be published with a selection from his writings, I take the liberty to apply to you for a few hints respecting the part he acted in the Convention of 1787. From several quarters I have understood, that he was an active member, and had a good deal of weight and influence, but the published account of that convention is so...
50To James Madison from Herbert Marshall, [ca. 15 September 1824] (Madison Papers)
I am unwilling to trouble you—though, from the interest you have expressed in my health, & in the prosperity of my family, I am convinced you will pardon the liberty I now take, & cheerfully grant the favour I request of you. Mrs. Marshall’s health is delicate, though tolerable. Our children’s is perfectly good. Mine is little better than when I saw you last—though considerably better than it...