251To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, [January–April?] 1795 (Madison Papers)
Consul Bond has just notified me, that he has a draft upon me for 660 dollars, due to-day. I have 400, and am anxious to be precise in time with him. Be so good, as to lend me the remainder of that sum, which I can replace at any moment after tomorrow. RC ( DLC ). Dated 30 Oct. 1794 in the Index to the James Madison Papers , but conclusive evidence for affixing a proper date is lacking....
252To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Docket lacking. JM did not receive this letter until 9 June. See JM to Randolph, 10 June 1783 . The assembly have plunged into business without delay; and the important question of the impost has occupied their first attention. Mr. Henry is its strenuous supporter, and was the author of the resolution, by which an impost is declared...
253To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
I am much indebted to you for Bayle and the Confessional. I delivered the treatises on air, with the history of their journey from hence to Orange, to Dr. Currie. He put them into the hands of McClurg who reports in strong terms of approbation the work of Scheele, as being most learned in Chymistry. The circular letters have been dispatched, with an authentication of our commercial Character...
254To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 6 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
A notification of the inclosed appointment would be scarcely necessary to you, who were a Witness of its passage; were it not to solicit your acceptance. I have the honor to be &c. FC ( Executive Letter Book Executive Letter Book, 1786–1788, manuscript in Virginia State Library. ). In the hand of a clerk. Unsigned. Enclosure not found. As commissioner to the Federal Convention in Philadelphia...
255To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was this morning favored with yours of the 12th. instant, as I had been many weeks before with your other from Alexa. I did not recollect, that I had omitted to acknowledge the receipt of the latter until you expressed a doubt of its miscarriage. I confess, it strikes me, as expedient, that a temporary arrangement of impost should be made. The merchants, (I am told and I believe with truth)...
256To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, [27 February?] 1791 (Madison Papers)
What I now write, is not designed to impose any task on your friendship; because public duty forbids private favor. But I wish you to say to me, what I ought to do. The ardor of some men for the bank renders the hope of the land-law abortive: and this hope, which has for sometime past presented to me a prospect of emolument to myself, has alone restrained me from doing something on the subject...
257To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 21–24 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). This four-page letter lacks a cover and a complimentary close. In its original form the letter may have had at least one more page. The handwriting and contents permit no doubt that Randolph wrote the letter. He encoded in the official cipher the words italicized in the present copy. The information, contained in my two last letters, has appeared within these two...
258To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, [January–April?] 1795 (Madison Papers)
It shall be done. Put your name upon the check; it is not payable to bearer. RC ( DLC ). Addressed by Randolph. Conjectural date here assigned by comparison with Randolph’s notes to JM concerning his debt to Phineas Bond.
259To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am afraid by your omission to acknowledge my letters, that all of them, tho’ written punctually to the time, except during my absence to the Naval offices, have miscarried. Genl. Nelson refuses to join us. Colo. R. H. Lee has been appointed in his stead. This seemed proper from the conspicuousness of the Character, and the respect, due to past services. The objection to his unfoederal...
260To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Undocketed and cover missing. In my letter of the last week but one, I anticipated the cause of my failure to write by saturday’s post. The trial of the flag-ship, whose defence I undertook, added to the debt, due from me to my connections by friendship and blood, detained me in Williamsburg until the afternoon of that day. The ship...
261To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 21 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission). Unsigned and perhaps incomplete. Docketed by JM, “June 21, 1783.” Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. esq. of congress Philadelphia.” Inclosed is a state of the proceedings of the assembly for a week past, and of the expectations of future business. Having been confined at home for ten days by the demands of my clients, I have...
262To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 2 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
We arrived last night after much fatigue to ourselves and horses. Indeed I have not been free from a fever since Wednesday last. From the small opporty., which I had, to ascertain the opinion of Phila. on the subject of your motion, I am inclined to believe, that if the holders of securities, the merchants and others, associated with them, or dependent on them, were excluded, the suffrage...
263To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 4 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. Esqr of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “June 4. 1783.” JM also jotted on the cover: “Dana La: Hol: Md. Peace Estabt. New Delegation Fairfax Instrons. Claypoole for Int. opn. of Gl. W. on proceedings of Congs. Mutinous Men? of Sergts? W. Territory Secy. F. Affrs.” These...
264To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned letter in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him, “The honble James Madison jr. esqr of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 27. 1782.” Your favor by a private hand, and mentioned in that of the 17th. instant, is still journeying. My business, which urges so closely from the approach of the general court, has prevented me from going to Richmond...
265To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 7 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Feby—7—1783.” Words or parts of words enciphered in the Randolph code are italicized. See JM to Randolph, 7 Jan. , and hdn.; 4 Feb. 1783 , and n. 10. The fatal repeal is wrapt up in more than common mystery; the motives being various, as...
266To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 3 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
By this time the district-bill has passed, in nearly the same form with that of the last year, except that four additional judges are to be created. Mr. Jos: Jones, who is now absent, has thro’ Colo. Monroe signified his wish to be regenerated a judge. He will succeed. It is conjectured that the other three will appear in St. G. Tucker, Grayson, and Prentis. The constitution is not even spoken...
267To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
While I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10th. instant, I must assign as my apology for forgetting to answer the legal question, that a variety of family sickness has taken away a cool attention to business. The deed, to which the inclosed memorandum relates was executed in France. The following extract from a law of the revised code, intituled an act for regulating conveyances,...
268To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have turned my mind somewhat to the business of may next: but am hourly interrupted. At present I conceive With these objects, ought not some general propositions to be prepared for feeling the pulse of the convention on the subject at large? Ought not an address to accompany the new constitution? I was informed, that Colo. R. H. Lee attended at Northumberland court house a few days ago at a...
269To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1783 (second) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned, but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of Congress Princeton.” Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 13. 1783 E.R.” The bracketed letters are those excised from the manuscript by an overly close cropping, especially along the right margin of the second folio. Norfolk and its neighbourhood are I fear, doomed to perpetual...
270To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 21 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I have not put you to the expence of postage by inquiries after your health, I have not omitted to avail myself of information thro’ Mr. Jefferson. I learn with sincere satisfaction, that you have emerged from your late attack; but I wish, that you would prevent a return in the fall by an abstinence from study. I need not relate to you, that since the standard of republicanism has been...
271To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 19 August 1796 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 August 1796, Richmond. Introduces Edwin Burwell. RC ( DLC ). Written on a half-sheet, with signature clipped; a fragment with a Randolph signature was attached before the RC was given to the Library of Congress in 1937. These two pieces are attached to a separate sheet, at the bottom of which is written in an unidentified hand, “To the Hon James Madison / House of Reps. U.S.” A docket on...
272To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1785 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letters were forwarded by the president to my care. Learning from him, that a package, in which they were covered, contained some fresh literary information, I took the liberty of opening it; especially as it was suggested, and the event shewed, that it contained two other letters, one for Mr. Page, the other for Mr. Madison himself. The executive are at last persuaded of their...
273To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 19 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am told, that within these few days a considerable quantity of Madeira wine has been run into Virginia in the face of day; and that the opinion of the bar is, that neither law nor court exists, which can embrace the case. We shall have a total anarchy in the customs, unless you speedily forward both to us. The impost-bill, we are informed, has been matured into a law. We hear nothing of...
274To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 5 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover missing. Undocketed. Mr. Ambler will inform you of the state of your finances and will forward by this post an equal draught with that, remitted a week or two ago. We have been and still are deeply engaged in the business of the general court. This term seems pregnant with decisions, connected with politics. On a solemn hearing,...
275To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 6 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Unsigned. Docketed by JM, “Aug. 6. 1782.” I should be ashamed now to acknowledge your three favors of the 9th., 16th. and 23d. Ulto., did I not hold myself excused for having omitted this act of gratitude by the inflexible and severe toils of my profession. On Tuesday the 23d. of July I left home for Wmsburg., where from the morning of the friday...
276To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed, “Decr. 27. 1782,” by JM. Portions of the third and fourth paragraphs encoded in the Randolph cipher are here italicized. Colo. Mercer, your new colleague, will leave this country for Philadelphia in about twenty days. He wishes to become...
277To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 5 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
On saturday next the election of senators will come on. The running names are yourself, R. H L. & Gr—s—n. Your friends have resolved to nominate you; being well assured, that their labours will not be in vain. It is a mortification to me, that the election shd. be brought on before my seat commences. But Carrington has, I presume, been this day elected, and will be here to morrow. When I say,...
278To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 15th. In my letter of yesterday, I gave you a faithful narrative of my situation. On further reflection I feel the propriety of the communication more strongly. More confidentially therefore do I repose myself on you. Colo. Parker seems to think (but I am persuaded upon grounds, in no respect tenable,) that the president expects applications from...
279To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 11–13 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed, “Apl. 11th. 1782,” by JM. The cover is missing, and the letter is unsigned. The handwriting of the letter is Randolph’s, and its contents permit no doubt that JM was the recipient. We announced to you from Bush-town the difficulties, which we had encountered on our journey. Whether the roads were really better, as we advanced southwardly, or seemed so from...
280To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 29 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq. of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “March 29th. 1783.” I have just returned from Wmsburg, the seat of a majority of the keenest pursuers of my father’s estate. Nothing, I believe, will content them, but a fair experiment at law: and to guard against this is my object...
281To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 26 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
As soon as I had recovered my attention to business, I entered upon the chastisement of my notes. But I found it impossible to retrace the subject, so as to square with the resolutions proposed, without the possession of those resolutions. But I have them not, except in a mutilated state. Indeed I have an apprehension, that were I to dilate the notes, I should mingle inadvertently much of what...
282To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 8 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
Having removed hither to pass the fall and winter under the roof of my daughter Taylor, I did not receive your late letter until yesterday. If the analogy between the case at Philadelphia, and the more recent one at Washington, be strong enough to merit the application of it, with the following clue, a second search at the Treasury may perhaps succeed. Giles’s resolutions had been defeated,...
283To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, [16] November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. JM’s erroneous docket of “Novr. 10. 1782” may signify that he added it some years later, after the date line had become illegible. The contents of the letter permit no doubt that 16 November was the date when it was written. JM acknowledged it as of that date in his own letter of 26 November to Randolph ( q.v. ). The assembly have at...
284To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 10 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
On thursday last the candidates for the senate were nominated; and Mr. Henry, after expatiating largely in favor of Mr. Lee and Mr. Grayson, concluded that yourself, whose talents and integrity he admitted, were unseasonable upon this occasion, in which your fœderal politics were so adverse to the opinions of many members. Your friends Page, Corbin, Carrington and White were zealous; but the...
285To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledge with great pleasure your two favors of the 15th. & 18th. ulto., received this evening. The documents to be forwarded to you as stated in my public letter will prove the truth of your suspicion, that the occlusion of the Missi. to Virginia, would throw the western settlers into an immediate state of hostility with Spain. If the subject be canvassed, it will not be sufficient to...
286To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 3 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers have been in my hands for several weeks; having been sent, as you will perceive, to me by Mr. Brooke, for the purpose of being submitted to the chancellor. Mr. Wm. Madison having spoken to me several times at Fredericksburg on this subject, and made appointments for coming hither to bring it to a conclusion, And failing in all, I was too much at a loss, to be justified in...
287To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 29 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I beg you to attribute my late delay to any thing, but inattention to your wishes. I have not only been hurried off from home, since I wrote to you last, but returned, and found another court, which, from the involution of jurisdictions by the Act of the Congress, which expired with Adams, I had utterly forgotten. In your favor of March 25. 1801. the three additional questions, of which I...
288To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
The mail has brought me this evening a resolution concerning the Scioto lands, which was really necessary for the peace of some people’s minds, and will, I hope, be effectual to quiet a general suspicion, which the former act had created. Mr. Bev. Randolph has lately returned from P. Edward; where he saw Mr. H, who grows in violence against the constitution, and is much pleased at the idea of...
289To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I am greatly indebted to you for your prompt and efficient relief in the difficulty, which I had no reason to expect. As soon as I see my son in law Thomas Preston, whom I presume to be now in Baltimore, I shall move on to the medicinal springs either in Berkeley or Bath county. I scarcely see a man, who does not feel himself elated with the hope, that Rodgers’s pursuit of the Jamaica fleet...
290To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Princeton New Jersey.” Docketed by JM, “July 12. 17[83].” Your flight to Princeton has, I presume, been the cause of the post of thursday bringing no letter from you. The proclamation, issued by the executive last week, has occasioned much uneasiness in the minds of...
291To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 8 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
This is the last day of the chancery-term; with which and the terms of other courts I have been occupied ever since the first day of March; sometimes with two at a time, and always with an indisposition, from which I am just recovering by the observance of a Regimen. This must be my apology for not again writing to you earlier; but I shall certainly do so in the course of the week. The general...
292To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 26 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Apl. 26. 1783.” For four weeks past I have been so hurried by the general court, that I have not had leisure to write a page, irrelative to law. Indeed the calmness of our times cuts off almost every thing worthy of communication....
293To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 5 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned letter in Randolph’s hand. Addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “July 5th. 1782.” If before the receipt of your favor of the 25th. Ulto. I could have doubted concerning the policy of the act against British merchandize, the artifices of the enemy and the parricidal villainies of some of the citizens of...
294To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 29 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
The decision of Massts., had it been adverse to the constn, wd. have damned it here. But as it is, it fixes the event, if N. York, N. Hamp. and Maryland should follow the example. This must be understood with this restriction; that altho’ 9 states will force Va. by their assent to come in, there is reason to believe that no intelligence of that sort can reach us before our convention meets; as...
295To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
When I came home, I found my family in a really deplorable condition. Not to mention my children, most of whom were sick, the situation of my wife was very alarming. She gave every symptom of a painful and dangerous abortion being at hand. It is now a fortnight since she was first confined to her room, and every appearance grows more and more critical. It is almost certain, that the fœtus, now...
296To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 11 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge your favor of the 2d inst. The election for Hanover is over; Mr. Parke Goodall being returned, after a positive and unalterable declaration in public of his affection for paper money. His colleague Mr. Thos. Macon is supposed from the influence of his father over him to be an enemy to it. It is doubtful, what part Mr. Henry has taken in communicating his...
297To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 9 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Docketed by JM, “May 9th. 1783.” Cover addressed by Randolph to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” The right margin of the second of the three folios comprising the letter was trimmed so carelessly as to excise portions of the text. The due arrival of your friendly attention by every post has not been...
298To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 26 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “26. 1782.” Your favor by the last post was duly received, and enabled me to counteract a rumor, which Carleton’s letter had excited, of a thorough disposition and fixed resolution in Great Britain to close the war by the expected...
299To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 30 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
We arrived here last night, with as little inconvenience as possible. Betsey has recovered by travelling. Baltimore resounds with friendship for the new constitution, and Mr. Chase’s election depends, as it is said, upon his opinion concerning it. He waited on me, with an expectation, I suspect, of learning something to foster his opposition. I was prepared, because I had heard of his harangue...
300To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
The governor has reason to expect the death of Colo. Grayson in a short time; and therefore requested Mr. Wm. Nelson to know from me, what you wished, in a case of a vacancy in the senate. I have just written to him, expressing your decided negative. I was diverted yesterday by Mr. John Pierce of James City (the delegate) asking whether you had not become a methodist . After I had recovered...