111Resolution for Opening Roads to Market Towns, [ca. 30 December] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whereas the opening & keeping in repair of direct roads from the different parts of this Commonth. to the several marker Towns, and from one market Town to another would greatly encourage agriculture by cheapening the transportation of its productions to the places of consumption & exportation, and would in other respects contribute to the improvement of the Country by facilitating intercourse...
112To George Washington from James Madison, 1 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 28 Ult. accompanying the report of the Conferees &c. &c. The latter have been laid before the H. of Delegates, and a Com[mitte]e appd to report a bill & Resolutions corresponding with those of Maryland. The only danger of miscarriage arises from the impatience of the members to depart, & the bare competency of the present number. By great efforts...
113From James Madison to George Washington, 1 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 28 Ult: accompanying the Report of the Conferees &c. &c. The latter have been laid before the H. of Delegates, and a Com[mitte]e app[ointe]d. to report a bill & Resolutions corresponding with those of Maryland. The only danger of miscarriage arises from the impatience of the members to depart, & the bare competency of the present numbers. By great...
114Resolutions Appointing a Western Road Commissioner, 1 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
Resolved that Thomas Massey esquire or in case of his death or failing to act through other cause, such person as shall be appointed by the Executive in his Stead, be authorized in Conjunction with the person appointed or to be appointed on the Part of Maryland, to open and keep in repair a convenient road from such part of the Waters of the Potowmack, to such part of the River Cheat—or of the...
115Resolution Authorizing Payment to Certain French Creditors, 1 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
Resolved that so much of the Petition of Savary De Valcoulon agent for Messrs Coulougnac and Company merchants of France, as sets forth, that in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, Mr. Peter Pennet as agent for this State in France, was furnished with goods by the said Messrs Coulougnac & C o at a very low advance to a considerable amount, for which their accounts have been...
116Resolutions Authorizing Surveys for a Western Road and Canal, 1 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
During the last days of the October 1784 session of the General Assembly there was a concerned drive to answer the complaints of isolated citizens in the western counties and the Kentucky district for better roads. Some of the interest undoubtedly stemmed from the attention focused on canal building by Washington’s lobbying activities on behalf of the Potomac and James canals, but JM knew too...
117Act for Clearing and Improving the Navigation of James River, 3 January 1785 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 January 1785 . JM prepared and introduced a James River canal bill on 18 Dec. 1784 , but for reasons explained in the editorial note preceding that measure the bill was withdrawn after a copy of a Maryland canal law reached Richmond. “Good judges” decided JM’s earlier bill provided “an inadequate bait for subscriptions,” so that more liberal terms were offered to prospective investors in the...
118Act Giving Canal Company Shares to General Washington, [4–5 January] 1785 (Madison Papers)
JM was ordered to prepare a bill that would give Washington shares in the budding Potomac and James river navigation companies which the legislature was then creating as entrepreneurial ventures subject to state control. When the General Assembly, after much backing and filling, decided on a way to implement plans for the two major canals, it was thought appropriate that the most influential...
119From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
This day has put an end to our tedious Session. The principal Acts which have passed since my last, are 1. An Act remitting 1/2 of the Tax for the year 1785 within which was to have been collected that tax, and the tax of 1784 postponed into it. 2. An Act amending the tax on law proceedings &c. 3. An Act for clearing the navigation of Potowmac River. 4 An Act for clearing the navigation of...
120From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 18 Ult. came to hand yesterday. The view which it gives of the operations of the Cabinet, portends I fear a revival of those intrigues & contests of ambition which have more than once distracted & dishonoured the national Councils. Foreign appointments have generally been the parents of those mischiefs, and ought for that reason, when no other reasons oppose, to be rendered as...