4401From James Madison to Robert Simpson, 16 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
I did not receive till a few days ago your letter of Decr 1. informing me that “The St. Louis County Agricultural Society” had been pleased to add my name to the list of its honorary members. I beg Sir that my acknowledgments may be communicated for this mark of its favorable attention. It affords me much pleasure to find that Institutions for the encouragement of Agriculture and its kindred...
4402From James Madison to Timothy Alden, 18 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the Resolution of the Trustees of Alleghany College with the printed copy of its Library, as forwarded by you. The Trustees were not mistaken in the belief that it would give me pleasure to know that a learned Institution had been so promptly reared in so favorable a position, and under such happy auspices. No one who regards public liberty as essential to public happiness, can...
4403To James Madison from Mathew Carey, 19 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
By this Mail, I forward you three pamphlets, of which I request your acceptance—& am respectfully, Your obt. hble. servt RC ( DLC ). These pamphlets have not been identified.
4404To James Madison from William H. Sumner, 22 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
In the hope that you will derive some gratification from the perusal of the letters of some of the distinguished citizens which are contained in the enclosed Pamphlet which has lately been published in this Town I have taken the liberty to address one to you, & avail myself of this occasion to express the respect and high consideration with which I shall always subscribe myself as your most...
4405To James Madison from James Burn, 23 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
A stranger to Mr. Madison, personally, tho’ by no means a stranger to his virtues, would most humbly and respectfully beg leave to solicit the honour of Mr. Madison’s friendship in aiding to effect the object of the inclosed letter. My son James Madison is tall for his years, straight, and well proportioned. Besides the recommendation from the highly respectable gentleman, Jas. H. McCulloch...
4406From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 26 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
I find that my letters to Mr. Rush are recd by him so punctually & conveniently when passing from the Dept. of State that I must continue to avail myself of your kindness by requesting that the inclosed one may have that advantage. With high esteem & cordial respects Draft ( NjP : Jasper E. Crane Collection of James and Dolley Madison).
4407From James Madison to Richard Rush, 27 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
Almost at the moment of receiving yours of Decr. 28. my hand casually fell on the inclosed scrap, which I must have extracted from the Author (borrowed for the purpose) on some occasion when the right of navigating the Mississippi engaged my attention. I add it to my former enclosures on that subject, merely as pointing to one source of information which may lead to others fuller & better....
4408To James Madison from Mathew Carey, 28 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
By this mail I send you a copy of a recent pamphlet, which I beseech you by all your hopes of honour & reputation here, & of happiness hereafter, to read with attention—& should it convince you of the deleterious consequences of the miserable policy this Country pursues, that you will try to open the eyes of some of the influential members of Congress to the necessity of a radical change. Very...
4409To James Madison from John Cartwright, 29 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
The Writer, who never for one moment bore a hostile sentiment towards the United States of America, which states, in their triumph over the arms of England, accomplished the wish expressed in his first political essay, published in the year 1774, entitled “American Independence the Interest and Glory of Great Britain,” now requests your acceptance of a late production of his pen, “England’s...
4410To James Madison from James Pleasants Jr., 1 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
In conformity with the act of Assembly in such case made and provided, the Executive have this day proceeded to the appointment of seven visitors for the University of Virginia to serve for the next four years. I have the honor of forwarding to you herewith a copy of the advice of Council, which mentions the names of the persons so appointed, the day of their first meeting, with supplementary...
4411To James Madison from William Thornton, 1 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter Mr. John Finch, is the Grandson of Dr: Priestley, who comes recommended to me in the highest manner. He is travelling merely to view the Country, & is not only very desirous of seeing our great mountain’s & Rivers, but our great men, & of course you & Mr: Jefferson. Mr: Finch has given Lectures on Geology, and has visited New York & Philada. Your Country will furnish...
4412From James Madison to John Howe, 2 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the mail of last evening your letter of Feb. 22. and have dropped a few lines to the President, recalling his attention to the subject of my former one. I return the letter from Mr. Marshal. I am very sorry to learn that he has been so little successful in regaining his health; and that a final failure will bequeath to his amiable relict, a situation for herself & infant charge,...
4413From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
In the early part of the year 1822 I was induced by the earnest desire of the Revd. Mr. Marshal the Episcopal Preacher in this neighbourhood, to mention, with his recommendation Mr. John Howe as worthy of a vacancy in one of the Collectorships in Rh: Island. In giving you the trouble then I departed from my general rule, & contravened my universal inclination, yielding only to my respect for...
4414From James Madison to James Burn, 3 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter inclosing one from Mr. McCulloch to the Secy. of War which recommends your son to a birth in the Military Academy; and requesting from me a like interposition in his behalf. I have for a long time found it necessary to abstain as much as possible from interfering in cases of official appointment, & this is particularly proper where I have no information to give not...
4415From James Madison to Henry Wheaton, 3 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your letter requesting me to transmit the letters of Mr. Pinkney to the care of the President I selected the proper ones, and have been waiting for an opportunity to comply with your wishes. None however has occurred except the Mail to which I am the less willing to entrust the packet as I have latterly experienced its failures in several like instances. Observing in the...
4416To James Madison from William Browne, 4 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
Being an entire stranger, I feel considerable hesitation in addressing you; The interest I feel however in the wellfare of the Gentleman in whose behalf I write, will, I trust excuse the liberty. If I mistake not, an acquaintance has for some time existed between you an[d] Wm. S. Stone Esqr. of this place. I am nearly connected with Mr. Stone, having married into his family, and have had an...
4417From James Madison to William Browne, 6 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 4th. The President has, on other occasions, been made acquainted with my esteem & regard for Mr. Stone: I shall however drop him by the mail a few lines, on the subject of your request. Draft ( DLC ). See JM to James Monroe, ante–24 Nov. 1819, PJM-RS David B. Mattern et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Retirement Series (3 vols. to date; Charlottesville,...
4418From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
A very near friend of Mr. Stone of Fredg. who is not ignorant of my having on former occasions testified my regard for his worth & his welfare, is very anxious that I should bring him again to your view. It seems that Mr. Stone has turned his thoughts & his hopes to the vacancy lately produced by the death of Col. Freeman; and the application to me has a more immediate reference to that...
4419To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 6 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
Since my arrival, in this City, where I am engaged in the publication of my Memoir, I have been honoured by the receipt of your very kind & friendly letter. I am gratified by the terms, in which, you speake of Richard Henry Lee; but regret, that you were not possessed of sufficient personal knowledge of him, to enable you, to give me a sketch, which would have graced the memoir of his Life. It...
4420To James Madison from Henry Wheaton, 6 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I am extremely indebted to you for your kind attention to my wishes. The letters can be sent at any time to the President, when you may find an opportunity, & I shall be able to have them transmitted to me at N. York without confiding in the Mail. I do not, at present, any opportunity of communicating with Montpellier. But should I learn any before I leave here, I will take care to inform you....
4421From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
My known respect for the public & personal worth of Dr. Richard Field has led to a wish from his friends that I would make it known at a moment when his name will be before you as a candidate for a Collectorship. I must apologize for any intrusion in such a case; but in speaking of Docr Field I can not say less than that from every thing I have known or believe of his character, he is well...
4422To James Madison from George Joy, 8 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I cover this Paper because it contains, I fear too true a Picture of France. I remember to have written to you, some twenty years ago, I am afraid with more levity than was becoming, that that People did not know a Bill of Rights from a Cabbage Plant —meaning the Mass, for surely they have had men among them that understood the Principles of Civil Liberty— but in fact they are not a thinking...
4423To James Madison from James Burn, 10 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I should not again have trespass’d upon your goodness, did not a sense of propriety (in my humble judgement) compell an acknowledgement of the receipt of your much esteemed favor of the 3d. Ulto., & at same time to tender my most gratefull thanks for your very polite attention to myself, & kind wishes express’d, in regard to my son. With perfect esteem I am Dear Sir your obedient servant RC (...
4424From James Madison to Mathew Carey, 11 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Feby. 28. was duly recd. with the pamphlet referred to; and I add to my thanks for it, those due for the several previous communications with which you favored me. They afford continued proofs of the ability & public spirit which you have exerted on the subject them and I can not be insensible to the friendly & flattering terms in which you invite a public exposition of my views of...
4425From James Madison to Richard Henry Lee, 11 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
J.M. presents his respects to Mr. Lee & returns the letters sent for his inspection. They contain nothing which wd. seem to require his dissent to their publi⟨cati⟩on if deemed worthy of a place in the correspondence selected for that purpose. If there be any doubtful passage, it is the allusion to a culpable love of power in the General Assembly; which may touch the personal feelings of...
4426From James Madison to James Pleasants Jr., 11 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
In the latter part of June or first of July 1783. a letter was written by the Virga. Delegates in Congs to the Govr: giving an acct. of the Meeting of Soldiers which was followed by the removal of Congs. from Philada. It is not certain whether the letter was signed by all the Delegates, or proceeded from Mr Mercer alone as was one of them. As the letter is probably on the files of the Ex. may...
4427From James Madison to James Pleasants Jr., 11 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your letter of Mar. 1. enclosing the Commission appointing me a Visitor of the University of Virginia, with a Copy of the Advice of Council referred to, of which you will be pleased to accept this as my acknowledgment. With great esteem & consideration RC ( Vi : Executive Papers); draft ( DLC ). RC addressed and franked by JM ; postmarked Orange Court House, 16 Mar.;...
4428To James Madison from George Joy, 16 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I sent you on the 4th Ult: the Debates on the King’s Speech; and I now cover to your address those on the Motion of the Marquess of Lansdown. I also annex Extracts from my Correspondence with Mr. Adams to which my recollection has been called by the speech of Lord Ellenborough. It is as well to know the true Case; which his Lordship evidently does not know. It is indeed very possible that...
4429To James Madison from Thomas L. McKenney, 20 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I was honored, in 1816, by an expression of your confidence. You gave in charge to me the very responsible duties of Superintending the U. S. In. Trade, with the Indian Tribes. To those duties I superadded other voluntary exertions in behalf of their Civilization. The system to which the Trade was confined, I soon discovered to be too feeble to sustain itself against the active interests of...
4430To James Madison from James Pleasants Jr., 22 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
Your communication from Montpelier dated the 11th. inst: with its enclosure, reached me in due course of mail. I have had careful search made for the letter a copy of which you request to be forwarded to you. I regret that it has not been found among the letters of that date from the delegation in Congress, nor in any other bundles, a number of which have been examined. Should it be discoverd...
4431From James Madison to Thomas Cooper, 23 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the little pamphlet on the Tariff before Congress which you were so good as to send me. I had previously read its contents in the Newspapers; but they are well worth possessing in the other form you have given them. I have always concurred in the general principle that the industrious pursuits of individuals ought to be left to individuals, as most capable of chusing & managing...
4432From James Madison to Thomas L. McKenney, 26 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 20th. instant; and am very glad to learn that your official transactions have had a result in every respect so satisfactory to you. As the details of them did not fall within my limited attention to public proceedings, my opinion of them could only be regulated by my original confidence & respect for you, sentiments of which I take occasion now to offer a...
4433From James Madison to Richard Cutts, 27 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 22. referring to my note to the Bank which becomes due early in May. The entire failure of my Wheat, and partial one of my Tobacco Crop last year, after like failures in preceding years with other disappointments have obliged me to apply thro’ Mr. Graham for a further indulgence from the Bank of six months, which I hope may not be refused. But if it should not, I must...
4434From James Madison to George Graham, 27 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
Whilst you were President of the B. Bank of the U. States at Washington you were so obliging as to interpose in behalf of a postponement of a debt due from me. The indulgence was for six months only; but I was led to hope that an extension of it would not be refused. Feeling as I do the obligation I am already under, it is with a double reluctance that I again trouble you on the subject. Such...
4435To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Senate has confirmd the nomination of Mr. Conway, to a land office in Alabama, as valuable in point of profit, as I am assur’d, tho’ not that, for which you recommended him. Of this be so good as to inform Mr Catlet Conway your neighbour. The vacancy at Petersbg. gave me great embarrassment, as to the person, to be selected for it. Dr. Field had...
4436From James Madison to Richard M. Johnson, 2 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. a copy of your Speech on imprisonment for debt, which I owe I presume to your friendly attention; and I take occasion, in thanking you for it to do the same for the like favors heretofore recd. from you. Your Speech & that of my neighbour in the same House, on the same subject ⟨h⟩ave infused great force into the appeal to the public sensibility. The views taken of the subject are...
4437To James Madison from Mathew Carey, 3 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd & carefully read your favour of the 11th. ult. & confess I regret extremely the view you have taken of the situation of the Country, & the operation of the tariff Bill. It is not a manufacturing question. It is a national one—& all the complicated distress, which, with few exceptions, pervades the Country, arises from regarding it in the former light. Out of an absurd jealousy...
4438To James Madison from William Taylor, 3 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
You were advised previous to my sailing from New York, of my intention to return to this Country via Tampico, where I arrived the 3rd day of January last, and thence, proceeded thro’ the Interior, to San Luis Pótosi, The Celebrated and far-famed mines of Guanajuato, The manufacturing City of Queretaro, on to the Metropolis, whence, passing thro’ Puebla, Halapa, & Vera Cruz, I reached this Sea...
4439To James Madison from Richard M. Johnson, 4 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
I was very happy to receive your favour of the 2d Inst; in which you acknowledge the receit of my remarks upon imprisonment for debt, which I sent you; I am truely gratifyed to find, that a person so distinguished, & for whom I have Such an exalted opinion is in favour of the principle, for which I have contended. I was not surprised however, at this favourable opinion, when I recollected, the...
4440Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, [5 April 1824] (Madison Papers)
At a meeting of the Visitors of the University of Virginia held at the sd. University on Monday the 5th. day of April 1824. as prescribed by the Governor of the Commonwealth, present James Madison, Chapman Johnson, John H. Cocke and Thomas Jefferson. On a view of the Commissions produced, and of a letter from the Governor, dated the 1st. day of March last past, it appears that Thomas...
4441To James Madison from James Monroe, [ca. 6] April 1824 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Livingston intimated to me some time since, his desire to hold with you and Mr. Jefferson, the same relation which he held in 1798., & that I would communicate that sentiment to you on his part, & apprize him of the result. I think that I informd you that Mr Conway had been appointed to a land office in Alabama. Having communicated to Mr. Jefferson, the views taken in the admn., respecting...
4442Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, [6 April 1824] (Madison Papers)
Tuesday April 6th. a constant and heavy rain prevented the meeting of the board. Ms ( ViU : Special Collections, Jefferson Papers). In Jefferson’s hand.
4443To James Madison from George Graham, 7 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 27th Ult. was received in due course of the mail, but as the Board of Director[s] of the Branch Bank did not meet until yesterday, I postponed an answer untill I could advise you of the success of your application; and I have now the satisfaction to inform you that the Board have assented to your proposition, and I have requested Mr. Smith to forward to you in due time the...
4444Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, 7 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
Joseph C. Cabell attended with the members present on Monday. In the University of Virginia shall be instituted eight Professorships, to wit 1st. of Antient languages. 2dly. Modern languages, 3. Mathematics. 4. Natural philosophy. 5. Natural history. 6. Anatomy. and Medecine 7. Moral philosophy. 8. Law. In the school of Antient languages shall be taught the higher grade of the Latin and Greek...
4445To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 8 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
Recollecting the conversation I had with you in Sept. last, relative to the part which Mr. Rayneval acted in the negociations for peace between England & France, & the allies of the latter, including the U.S. of America, I send you enclosed the 6th volume of “Histoire de la Diplomatie Francaise,” which treats at large of the mission of Mr. Rayneval. If you have retained my note to your request...
4446To James Madison from George Johnson, 8 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
Being now making a shipment of Corn to Madeira, I am endeavouring to get orders for Wine to be received in return—to be delivered at Cost and charges, payable at some months after delivery—and having applied to my friends Messrs James & Philip P. Barbour, from yr section of the Country (both of whom have ordered a cask) the former of those Gentlemen advised me to address a letter to you, under...
4447To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
As I once spoke or wrote to thee concerning a Gazetteer & Geography of the State of Virginia, I am anxious to have thee see my Gaz. & Geog. of New York, just published. It is a 3 dollar volume, octavo, 620 pages, & I wait thy instructions how to send it. When thou hast examined it, I should very much like to know thy opinion of it, particularly as to the freedom I have used in speaking of many...
4448To James Madison from Francis Walker Gilmer, 9 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
In the mission on which, you, and the other visitors have deputed me, I must of necessity rely a good deal on the representations of others abroad. It is of great importance therefore, that I should have the assistance of men of talent, learning, and integrity. Excuse me then for asking of you the favor to give me two letters, one to our Minister Mr. Rush, and the other to Sr. James...
4449To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
Circular Notwithstanding the reduction which was made in the rents proposed, it appears that that on the salaries will so much enlarge our surplus, that we may very safely engage 8. professors, and still have a surplus this year of 6000. D. and annually after of 5024 D. The opportunity of procuring the anatomical professor is so advantageous, that I propose to make the provisional instruction...
4450From James Madison to George Graham, 10 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your favor of the 7th. inst: acquainting me with the further indulgence granted me by the Bank: & I beg you to be assured that I am duly sensible of your kindness on the occasion. With cordial esteem & best wishes Draft ( DLC ).