31From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 16 February 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 27th. Ult: has found me so nearly prepared to set out for N. York that I should not have thought it worth while to acknowledge it from hence, were it not for the more speedy rate at which the mail will travel. I am glad to find your calculations for the House of Representatives so favorable. Others which I had seen held out a different prospect in the States North of...
32From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 30 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been much obliged by your favor of the 23 instant, which I have delayed to answer, in the daily prospect of being able to include the decision of Congress on the place for the first meeting of the New Government. This point continues however unfixt. Perhaps it may be brought to an issue to day. From the result of the first question taken on it, the pretensions of Philada. bade fair for...
33From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 20 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 20 January 1788. Mentioned in Coxe to JM, 23 and 27 Jan. 1788 . Reports unfavorable prospects for the Constitution in Massachusetts.
34From James Madison to Crèvecoeur, 30 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the answer from General Washington on the subject of your memorandum to me, which I cannot so well communicate as in his own words—“With respect to the Sulla —before I attempt to give an account of the cultivation of it, and of the result, I must request the favor of you to apologize for me to Mr. St. John for not having acknowledged the receipt of it. The truth is, that until I...
35From James Madison to Crèvecoeur, [ca. 20 December 1787] (Madison Papers)
Mr Madison presents his compliments to Mr. St John, and troubles him with another letter for Mr. Jefferson. Mr. M. has received answers to his letters on the subjects of the Crab trees—the Potowmac and—James River. It is doubted whether any Scyons are to be obtained in the neighbourhood of Richmond. If they can, (and there was a chance at one particular place) they are to be forwarded...
36From James Madison to John Dawson, 1 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 April 1787. Mentioned in John Dawson’s letter to JM, 15 April 1787 . Apparently concerned the congressional resolve of 21 March 1787 which urged states to repeal all acts repugnant to the peace treaty of 1783 with Great Britain.
37From James Madison to George Eve, 2 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
Being informed that reports prevail not only that I am opposed to any amendmends whatever to the new federal Constitution; but that I have ceased to be a friend to the rights of Conscience; and inferring from a conversation with my brother William, that you are disposed to contradict such reports as far as your knowledge of my sentiments may justify, I am led to trouble you with this...
38From James Madison to Benjamin Franklin, 20 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose herewith a letter from Mr. Limozin of Havre de Grace. The external address to me, was made on a supposition of my being an attending member of Congress; and as I find from a note within the letter, in order to make me acquainted with the circumstances which were to be laid before Congress. With the highest respect and esteem I have the honor to be Sir, Your most...
39From James Madison to Horatio Gates, 11 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 26 Ult: was duly handed to me by Majr. Drumgole. However important the object of his errand may have been, it has not been possible to take any step with regard to it. No authority equal to the business exists in the recess of Congress; and the Authority of Congress has been out of existence for some time, and if we are to judge from the present aspect of things, will...
40From James Madison to Nicholas Gilman, 4 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 June 1788, Richmond . Gilman to John Sullivan, 12 June 1788: “A letter from Mr. Madison dated Richmond July [June] 4th contains the following observations—vizt ‘Mr. Pendleton was put into the chair without opposition—yesterday it was unanimously agreed that no general or particular question should be taken until the whole had been debated clause by Clause and the debate...
41From James Madison to William Grayson, ca. 15 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 15 August 1787. Acknowledged in Grayson to JM, 31 Aug. 1787 . Requests Grayson to promote the appointment of Major George Turner to a position in the government of the Northwest Territory.
42From James Madison to William Grayson, 29 May 1785 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 29 May 1785. Mentioned by Grayson in his letter to JM, 27 June 1785 . JM to James Monroe, 7 August 1785 , notes that he had answered Grayson’s letter of 1 May 1785 with suggestions concerning the revision of Article IX of the Articles of Confederation.
43From James Madison to William Grayson, ca. 7 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 7 November 1786. Mentioned in Grayson’s letter of 22 November to JM . Referred to the election of the Virginia delegates to Congress and inquired after Grayson’s health.
44From James Madison to Cyrus Griffin, 20 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 20 April 1788 . Acknowledged in Griffin to JM, 12 May 1788 . Requests pamphlets and debates on the Constitution to be sent to Jefferson. Requests copy of the debates of the Massachusetts convention.
45From James Madison to Cyrus Griffin, ca. 9 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 9 June 1788 . Mentioned in Carrington to JM, 17 June 1788 . Alluded to in Griffin to JM, 18 June 1788 . Reports his indisposition.
46From James Madison to Cyrus Griffin, 25 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 25 March 1788 . Acknowledged in Griffin to JM, 14 Apr. 1788 . Reports election to Virginia ratifying convention.
47From James Madison to Cyrus Griffin, 10 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 10 April 1788 . Acknowledged in Griffin to JM, 28 Apr. 1788 . Requests Griffin to send The Federalist No. 69 (No. 70 in the McLean The Federalist, A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, by a Citizen of New-York. Printed by J. and A. McLean (New York, 1788). edition), omitted as enclosure with his last letter. Adoption of the Constitution in...
48To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the final result of our conventional deliberations. The intended address of the minority proved to be of a nature apprehended by me. It was rejected by the party themselves when proposed to them, and produced an auspicious conclusion to the business. As I shall set out in a few days for N. York, I postpone further explanations. I have this instant the communications from N....
49To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 13 June 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Richmond, June 13, 1788. On June 25, 1788, Hamilton wrote to Madison: “I am very sorry to find by your letter of the 13th that your prospects are so critical.” Letter not found. ]
50From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 20 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Our debates have advanced as far as the Judiciary Department against which a great effort is making. The Appellate connazance of fact, and an extension of the power to causes between Citizens of different States, with some lesser objections are the topics cheifly dwelt on. The retrospection to cases antecedent to the Constitution, such as British debts, and an apprehended revival of the...
51To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [20 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of yesterday is this instant come to hand & I have but a few minutes to answer it. I am sorry that your situation obliges you to listen to propositions of the nature you describe. My opinion is that a reservation of a right to withdraw if amendments be not decided on under the form of the Constitution within a certain time, is a conditional ratification, that it does not make N. York a...
52To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 16 June 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 8th. is just come to hand. I mentioned in my last that Oswald had been here in consultation with the Antifedl. leaders. The contents of your letter confirm the idea that a negotiation for delay is [on] foot between the opposition here & with you. We have conjectured for some days that the policy is to spin out the Session in order to receive overtures from your Convention; or if...
53From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 9 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Heat of the weather &c. has laid me up with a bilious attack: I am not able therefore to say more than a few words. No material indications have taken place since my last. The chance at present seems to be in our favor. But it is possible things may take another turn. Oswald of Phila. came here on saturday; and has closet interviews with the leaders of the Opposition. Yours Affely. RC (...
54To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 22 June 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
The Judiciary Department has been on the anvil for several days; and I presume will still be a further subject of disquisition. The attacks on it have apparently made less impression than was feared. But they may be secretly felt by particular interests that would not make the acknowledgement, and wd. chuse to ground their vote agst. the Constitution on other motives. In the course of this...
55From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 16 October 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Papers of Alexander Hamilton). Manuscript much frayed along its right edge. In JM’s hand, but his signature and part of his complimentary close are missing. In the left margin alongside the first four lines of the letter appears in an old-fashioned script, “A. H. Testifies the opposition of H. to the removal of Congress to Princeton, both before and after the event.” Docketed by...
56From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 13 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 June 1788 . Mentioned in Hamilton to JM, 25 June 1788 . Describes the critical outlook for ratification of the Constitution at the Richmond convention.
57To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 27 June [1788] (Hamilton Papers)
This day put an end to the existence of our Convention. The inclosed is a copy of the Act of Ratification. It has been followed by a number of recomendatory alterations; many of them highly objectionable. One of the most so is an article prohibiting direct taxes where effectual laws shall be passed by the States for the purpose. It was impossible to prevent this error. The minority will sign...
58From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 20 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 20 November 1788. Acknowledged in Hamilton to JM, 23 Nov. 1788 . Mentioned in Duer to JM, ca. 25 Nov. 1788 . Clinton may be a candidate for vice-president. The political prospects in Virginia are not favorable for JM’s election to the new Congress.
59From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 27 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
This day put an end to the existence of our Convention. The inclosed is a copy of the Act of Ratification. It has been followed by a number of recommendatory alterations; many of them highly objectionable. One of the most so is an article prohibiting direct taxes where effectual laws shall be passed by the States for the purpose. It was impossible to prevent this error. The minority will sign...
60From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, [30 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is the final result of our conventional deliberations. The intended address of the Minority proved to be of a nature apprehended by me. It was rejected by the party themselves when proposed to them, and produced an auspicious conclusion to the business. As I shall set out in a few days for N. York, I postpone further explanations. I have this instant the communications from N....