31Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 22 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
We do ourselves the honor to communicate to your Excellency the European intelligence which we have received to the 22d. of September by the last French packe[t.] The Affairs of Holland were at that time in a gloomy state as they respected the Patriots, and it is to be apprehended that before this, they must have been brought to a serious issue: it appears hardly possible that the event can be...
32From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, ca. 14 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 14 February 1786. Mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 18 March 1786 , where JM noted the arrival of a letter written by the Attorney General “dated prior to his receipt of mine.” Apparently JM wrote Randolph some time in the middle of February concerning Jefferson’s plea that work on the state capitol should be suspended until his set of plans could be completed and sent to...
33From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 19 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
Some considerable time ago I wrote a letter to my Nephew, Bushrod Washington, and used the freedom of addressing it to your care—At that time I conceived he was living at richmond, but the establishment of circuit Courts it seems has changed his plan: he now intends to fix at Fredericksburg. Will you allow me the liberty my dear sir, to request the favor of you to open my letter to him, if it...
34From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 19 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
It gave me great pleasure to hear that the voice of the Country had been directed to you as chief magistrate of this Commonwealth, & that you had accepted the appointment. Our affairs seem to be drawing to an awful crisis: it is necessary therefore that the abilities of every man should be drawn into action in a public line, to rescue them if possible from impending ruin. As no one seems more...
35From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since I got home which was on the day preceding our election, I have received your favor of the 29th. of Feby. which did not reach New York before I had left it. I view the amendments of Massachussetts pretty nearly in the same light that you do. They were meant for the people at large, not for the minority in the Convention. The latter were not affected by them; their objections being...
36From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 30 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ it is not my intention to derive any pecuniary advantage from the generous vote of the Assembly of this State, consequent of its gratuitous gift of fifty shares in each of the navigations of the rivers Potomac and James; yet, as I consider these undertakings as of vast political & commercial importance to the States on the Atlantic, especially to those nearest the centre of the Union, &...
37From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned. Cover franked by JM and addressed to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison. Sep: 13. 1783.” Our Ministers in Europe have made some amends for their long silence by voluminous despatches brought down to 27th. July. They were recd. yesterday by Congress. No definitive treaty had then been signed by any of the parties, though all...
38Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of has been duly received, though we are sorry to inform you, the packett had sailed a few hours before, so that we could not by that opportunity forward the inclosures. We have applied to Genl. Knox respecting the arms; but he has declined reporting to Congress even in favor of a sale: so that we have giv’n up all thoughts of procuring them from the Confederacy: the Genl. has...
39Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 16 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your Excellencies favor of the 4th Inst. enclosing a list of Pensioners came to hand this morning together with the talk to the Cherokee Indians alluded in that which I had the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a few days past. We shall do ourselves the honor to lay before Congress all the intelligence you have been pleased to transmit respecting the Cherokee Indians, as the best excuse for...
40From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 27 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
A Congress was made for the first time on monday last and our friend C. Griffin placed in the chair. There was no competition in the case which you will wonder at as Virginia has so lately supplied a president. N. Jersey did not like it I believe very well, but acquiesed. I postponed writing by the last mail, in hopes of being able by this to acquaint you with the probable result of the...
41From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I mentioned in a late letter that I had addressed to your care a small box of books for the University. I now inclose the Bill of lading. Inclosed also is a bill of lading for another Box destined for Mr. W. Hay. Will you be so good as to have it handed to him. I paid two dollars for its freight from France to this port, which he may repay to you. The money you remitted by me to Col....
42From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 20 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Being in your debt for ten volumes of Buffon, I have endeavored to find something that would be agreeable to you to receive in return. I therefore send you by way of Havre a dictionary of law Natural and municipal in 13. vols. 4to. called le Code de l’humanite. It is published by Felice, but written by him and several other authors of established reputation. It is an excellent work. I do not...
43From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 25 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure of your two favors of the 1 and 7. instant. The refusal of Mr. Henry to join in the task of revising the Confederation is ominous; and the more so I fear if he means to be governed by the event which you conjecture. There seems to be little hope at present of being able to quash the proceedings relative to the affair which is so obnoxious to him; tho’ on the other hand...
44From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
The period since my last has been so unfruitful of occurrences that I have not thought it worth while to trouble you with a letter and I do it now more to prevent too long a chasm, than for the sake of any interesting communication. Our public letter gave you the latest authentic information from Europe. A general war seems not improbable; a war between the Turks & Russians has actually...
45From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Gentleman who does me the honor of delivering this letter to you is Mr Anstey. He is introduced to me in a very favorable point of view by our old acquaintance & friend Colol Fairfax of Bath, & by Mr Jay of New York. Mr Anstey being on a tour to Charleston, & purposeing to take richmond in the route, I use the liberty of introducing him to your civilities—and to assure you of the great...
46From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 20 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Many years later, after recovering the letter, JM docketed it, “Sep: 20. 1783 JM.” I have nothing to add to my last on the subject of foreign affairs, further than that the Court of France has fixed on L’Orient as a free port for the U. S. The Virga. Cession underwent a decision of Congs. a day or two after my last. The form which they have given it...
47From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 16 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
It was not in my power to obtain the enclosed in time, to forward them by the last Mail; but they will, I hope, reach you seasonably for your intended meeting on the 26th—by the present mail. I feel very sensibly, the honor and confidence which has been reposed in me by the James river Company; & regret that it will not be in my power to discharge the duties of the office of President of the...
48From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday your favor of the 23d. Ult. The first countenance of the Assembly corresponds with the picture which my imagination had formed of it. The views of the greater part of the opposition to the fœderal Government, and particularly of its principal leader, have ever since the Convention, been regarded by me as permanently hostile, and likely to produce every effort that might...
49From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers will give you a view of the business in the Convention at Poughkepsie. It is not as yet certain that the ratification will take any final shape that can make New York immediately a member of the new Union. The opponents can not come to that point without yielding a compleat victory to the federalists, which must be a severe sacrifice of their pride. It is supposed too that...
50From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have put off writing from day to day for some time past, in expectation of being able to give you the news from the packet, which has been looked for every hour. Both the French & English have overstaid their usual time ten or 15 days, and are neither of them yet arrived. We remain wholly in the dark with regard to the posture of things in Europe. I received two days ago your favor of Decr....
51From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 12 Ulto. came safe to hand through the conveyance of Capt. Barber together with the several articles inclosed. The letter from Mr. Jefferson speaks of the state of things on the 11th. of Novr. on the other side of the Atlantic as follows. “The lamp of war is kindled here not to be extinguished but by torrents of blood. The firing of the Dutch on an Imperial vessel going down...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Monsieur L’Olive, proposing [to] pass thro’ Virginia, I take the liberty of presenting him to your Excellency’s acquaintance, and notice. He is a very wealthy and worthy citizen of this country, and will justify by his merit the attentions you will be so good as to shew him. He has the disadvantage of not speaking our language, and I do not know whether your Excellency may...
53From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison. Sep: 30, 1783.” Your favor introducing Mr. Corbin and that by the last weeks post have both been recd. The former did not get to Princeton before Mr. C. had left it, nor did I get to this place before He was so near leaving it that I had no opportunity of manifesting my respect for your recommendations...
54From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 12 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 27. Ulto. My last was sent from Alexandria, and as the receipt of it is not mentioned, I fear that it may have miscarried. I have not sooner written from this place, because I waited for an opportunity of collecting the features & complexion of the new Government, which in its legislative capacity never became practically organized till the 6th. instant; and...
55Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 2 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellencies favor of the 15th. Ult. to the Delegation. Any additional information which may be acquired upon the subject of Mr. Van Berkels Memorial will be punctually transmitted. I lament exceedingly the Situation into which our Trade is thrown under the late Laws. It will occasion a deminution of the Revenue which we are in no...
56From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 25 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary’s despatch will have communicated to you the Resolution of Congress giving their sanction to the proposed Meeting in May next. At the date of my last a great division of opinion prevailed on the subject; it being supposed by some of the States that the interposition of Congress was necessary to give regularity to the proceeding, and by others that a neutrality on their part was a...
57From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 26 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 17th. inst: inclosing a letter from Mr. Jones and a copy of the ecclesiastical Journal, came safe to hand. If I do not dislike the contents of the latter, it is because they furnish as I conceive fresh and forcible arguments against the Genl. Assessment. It may be of little consequence what tribunal is to judge of Clerical misdemesnors or how firmly the incumbent may be...
58From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 5 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to the request of your last letter (dated about the middle of Septr) I had an attested copy of the proceedings of the Potomac Company—& those of the Directors, taken from their Books and sent it to you by Post, in time for the Meeting which was proposed to be held by the Directors of the James river navigation on the 26th of that month in Richmond; and requested, if it should be...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 3 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A journey into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy has prevented my sooner acknoleging the receipt of your private favors of July 12. 1786. and Jan. 28. and May 3. 1787.—I am anxious to hear what you have done in your federal convention. I am in hopes at least you will persuade the states to commit their commercial arrangements to Congress, and to enable them to pay their debts,...
60From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 13 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
At the time your letter from the Rocks was delivered to me, I had neither pen, ink, paper, or a table to write on at command; consequently could only verbally acknowledge the receipt of it, which I did by Mr Wormley: since my return home I have met your other favor of the 29th Ulto. The great object, for the accomplishment of which I wish to see the inland navigation of the Rivers Potomac &...