1261From James Madison to Philip Mazzei, 8 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with several letters from you since the date of my last; but some of them having been recd. in Virginia I am not able now to acknowledge all of them by their respective dates. The date of the last was in May. You ask me why I agreed to the Constitution proposed by the Convention at Philada.? I answer, because I thought it safe to the liberties of the people, and the best...
1262From James Madison to John Brown, 12 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I find by the act of your late Convention, that another is to take place in Nov. with power to propose a form of Government for Kentucky. In consequence of this information I shall forewith execute the request contained in your letter from Fort Pitt, and forward the remarks on Mr. Jefferson’s draft by the next mail. I am sorry it is not in my power to do it by this. The delay proceeded from...
1263Observations on Jefferson’s Draft of a Constitution for Virginia, [ca. 15 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
During the 1780s JM twice communicated lengthy expositions of his constitutional ideas to friends in Kentucky who had solicited his advice in anticipation of that district’s separation from Virginia. The first commentary went to Caleb Wallace in the summer of 1785 ( PJM William T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (vols. 1–10, Chicago, 1962–77; vols. 11—, Charlottesville,...
1264From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have written a number of letters to you since my return here, and shall add this by another casual opportunity just notified to me by Mr St. John. Your favor of July 31. came to hand the day before yesterday. The pamphlets of the Marquis Condorcet & Mr. Dupont referred to in it have also been received. Your other letters inclosed to the Delegation have been and will be disposed of as you...
1265From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 17 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are 4 letters from Mazzei & one from Mr. Jefferson which you will be good eno’ to dispose of. I have a letter from the former in which he begs me to add my importunities to you & Mr. Blair, for speedy succour if possible. I have one also from the latter, but it contains nothing of much consequence. His public letters to which it refers have not yet been communicated from the Office of...
1266From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 20 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledge with much pleasure your favor of the 6th. instant. The “balmy” nature of the resolutions concerning the Mississippi will I hope have the effect you suggest; though the wounds given to some & the pretext given to others by the proceedings which rendered them necessary, will not I fear be radically removed. The light in which the temporary seat of the new Government is viewed &...
1267From James Madison to George Washington, 21 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I send you the inclosed paper chiefly for the sake of the Edict which fixes on May for the meeting of the States general in France. Letters from Mr. Jefferson authenticate this document. They mention also the disgrace as it is called of the Marquis. The struggle at present in that Kingdom seems to lie entirely between the Monarchy & aristocracy, and the hopes of the people merely in the...
1268From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I inclose herewith two pamphlets on the questions agitated in France. They are written by the Marquis Condorcet, and contain more correct information than has been communicated to the public through any other channel. I inclose also a Gazette containing observations on Manufactures by our acquaintance Mr. T. Coxe. You will probably think them worth handing to the Printer for republication....
1269From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, [29 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
… I expected by this time to have been in Philada. My plan has been impeded by several circumstances. The only insuperable one has been a continued indisposition which has at length terminated in a complaint which has been promoted by my sedentary life, and which incapacitates me for travelling. I am at present having medical relief, and shall leave this as soon as I can. I calculate on some...
1270Replies to the Queries of Moustier, [30 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
1. Quelle est l’opinion des habitans les plus instruits de la Virginie, sur le Contrat de la ferme avec Mons. Rob. Morris; et quel est le systeme qu’ils voudroient y substituer? 1. It is not easy to give a precise answer to this question; many of the best informed not having been led to communicate their opinions, and others having been directly or indirectly interested on one side or the...