121From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
My last was dated in Philada. Octr. 17. I reached this place the 14th. day after that fixed for the meeting of the Assembly and was in time for the commencement of business. Yesterday put an end to the tedious Session. According to my promise I subjoin a brief review of its most material proceedings. An act for the establisht of Courts of Assize. This act was carried through the House of...
122To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Being just acquainted by a letter from President Griffin that Mr. Paridise is in N. York and proposes to sail in the first packet for France I drop you a few lines which will go by that conveyance if they arrive in N. York in time; which however I do not much expect. The proposed Constitution still engrosses the public attention. The elections for the Convention here are but just over and...
123From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 14 May 1784. In his “Summary Journal of Letters,” Jefferson recorded that he received on 19 June a letter written by JM in Richmond on 14 May, “inclosing on account B. Harrison John Pirkman’s draught on John J. Rogert [Bogert] Phila. for 333 1/3 D.” ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (18 vols. to date; Princeton, N. J.,...
124From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mr Warville has just arrived here, and I seize an opportunity suddenly brought to my knowledge to thank you for your several favors, and particularly for the pedomiter. Answers to the letters must be put off for the next opportunity. My last went off just as a vote was taken in the Convention of this State which foretold the ratification of the new Government. The latter act soon followed and...
125To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, with Enclosure, 22 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last dated Novr. 15 from this place answered yours of May 11th. on the subject of your printed notes. I have since had opportunity of consulting other friends on the plan you propose, who concur in the result of the consultations which I transmitted you. Mr. Wythe’s idea seems to be generally approved, that the copies destined for the University should be dealt out by the discretion of the...
126From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last was from Richmond of the 4th. of December, and contained a sketch of our legislative proceedings prior to that date. The principal proceedings of subsequent date relate as nearly as I can recollect 1st. to a rejection of the Bill on crimes & punishments, which after being altered so as to remove most of the objections as was thought, was lost by a single vote. The rage agst. Horse...
127From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Lacks docket and cover. Your favor of the 11. of Decr. ulto. came safe to hand after a very tedious conveyance. Mr. W. Maury having broken up his school in this Neighbourhood in order to attempt a superior one in Williamsburg & his pupils being dispersed, I have sent the book for Mr. P. Carr into the neighbourhood of Doctr. Walker whence I supposed it would most...
128From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Shortly before the Philadelphia convention adjourned, JM confided to Jefferson his opinion that the proposed Constitution would “neither effectually answer its national object nor prevent the local mischiefs which every where excite disgusts agst the state governments” (6 Sept. 1787 [partly in code]). The letter printed below, running to seventeen manuscript pages, contains JM’s detailed...
129To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter did not get to my hands till very lately though it was covered by one from Mrs. Carr dated Aug: 21. I conferred a few days ago with Mr. Wythe on the subject of your Nephew in Williamsburg, and had the pleasure of receiving the most favorable account of his capacity, his diligence and his disposition. He is now in the College and enjoys the advantage of Mr. Wythe’s valuable...
130From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
My last went via England in the hands of a Swiss gentleman who had married an American lady, and was returning with her to his own country. He proposed to take Paris in his way. By that opportunity I inclosed copies of the proceedings of this State on the subject of the Constitution. North Carolina was then in Convention, and it was generally expected would in some form or other have fallen...