11To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7–8 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Feby. 7. 1783,” and further docketed in an unknown hand, “Ths. Jefferson 7. Feb. 1783.” The italicized words are those written by Jefferson in cipher and decoded interlinearly by JM. For the nature of the cipher, see Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan. 1783 , ed. n. I write by this post to the Minister of foreign affairs, but will repeat to you the facts...
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I write by this post to the Minister of foreign affairs, but will repeat to you the facts mentioned to him and some others improper for a public letter, and some reflections on them which can only be hazarded to the ear of friendship. The cold weather having set in the evening of the 30th. Ult. (being the same in which I arrived here) the Chevalr. de Ville-brun was obliged to fall down with...
13To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1783 (first) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed and cover missing, but undoubtedly written to JM. Patsy putting the inclosed into my hands, obliges me to make a separate letter of it, that while I give it the protection of your address I may yet pay it’s postage. I suspect by the superscription (which I saw before Majr Franks amended it) and by what I know of Patsy’s hierogliphical writing that miss...
14To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1783 (second) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). At the bottom of the first of four pages Jefferson wrote “Honble James Madison.” Docketed by JM, “Ths. Jefferson. 14 Feb. 1783.” Also on the docket appears, in an unknown hand, “See passage relating to Mr. Adams.” The words italicized are those written by Jefferson in the cipher described in Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan. 1783 , ed. n. Unless otherwise noted, the decoding...
15From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Patsy putting the inclosed into my hands obliges me to make a separate letter of it, that while I give it the protection of your address I may yet pay it’s postage. I suspect by the superscription (which I saw before Majr. Franks amended it) and by what I know of Patsy’s hierogliphical writing that Miss Polly must get an interpreter from Egypt. Be so good as to remind the ladies and gentlemen...
16From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 11th. came to hand last night. From what you mention in your letter I suppose the newspapers must be wrong when they say that Mr. Adams, had taken up his abode with Dr. Franklin. I am nearly at a loss to judge how he will act in the negotiation. He hates Franklin, he hates Jay, he hates the French, he hates the English. To whom will he adhere? His vanity is a lineament in his...
17To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Tho. Jefferson Apl. 14. 1783.” Alongside this docket JM also wrote “April.” Using a new cipher which JM and Jefferson evidently had devised while they were together in Philadelphia, Jefferson encoded the words which are here italicized. This cipher will be designated hereafter as “JM-Jefferson Code No. 2.” Meeting at our quarters with a mr. Levi...
18From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 April 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Meeting at our quarters with a Mr. Levi going to Philadelphia and having no other employment, I write by him just to say that all is well, and that having made our stages regularly and in time we hope to make better way than Mr. Nash did. The Carolina letter bearer is here also. We pass one another two or three times a day. I never saw Mr. Ingles to speak to him about my books. Will you be so...
19To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Jefferson’s hand. Docketed by JM, “From Ths. J. to J.M. May 7, 1783.” On the docket page someone unknown wrote, “Ths. Jefferson May 7. 1783.” Using the JM-Jefferson Code No. 2, Jefferson enciphered the words which are here italicized. Interlineated on the manuscript is JM’s decoding of these ciphers. Filed with the manuscript are two pages entitled by...
20From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 May 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of Apr. 22. and am not a little concerned at the alterations which took place in the Report on the impost &c. after I left you. The article which bound the whole together I fear was essential to get the whole passed; as that which proposed the conversion of state into federal debts was one palatable ingredient at least in the pill we were to swallow. This proposition...
21To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). JM docketed the letter, “June 1. 1783,” and probably at a later date, “Tho. Jefferson 1. June 1783.” The receipt of your letter of May 6. remains unacknoleged. I am also told that Colo Monroe has letters for me by post tho’ I have not yet received them. I hear but little from our assembly. mr. Henry has declared in favour of the impost. this will ensure it. how he is...
22From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 June 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The receipt of your letter of May 6. remains unacknoleged. I am also told that Colo. Monroe has letters for me by post tho’ I have not yet received them. I hear but little from our assembly. Mr. Henry has declared in favour of the impost. This will ensure it. How he is as to the other questions of importance I do not learn. On opening my papers when I came home I found among them the inclosed...
23To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Ths. Jefferson 17 June. 1783,” also “June 17. 1783. ideas of Constitution.” Many years later William Cabell Rives, author of a detailed biography of Madison’s career to 1797, as well as an editor of his papers, added to the docket, “Mr. Henry’s course as to the Impost Act.” Your favours of the 13th. & 20th. Ult. came to hand about a week ago. I am...
24From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 June 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of the 13th. and 20th. Ult. came to hand about a week ago. I am informed the assembly determined against the capacity of reelection in those gentlemen of the delegation who could not serve a complete year. I do not know on what this decision could be founded. My hopes of the success of the Congressional propositions here have lessened exceedingly. Mr. Henry had declared in favor...
25To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honble James Madison of the Virginia delegation in Congress.” Docketed by JM, “August 31. 1783.” Another hand wrote “Mr. Jefferson” below that date and, to the right of it, “Th. Jefferson Augst 31. 1783.” Under this second dating, William Cabell Rives, the first major biographer of Madison, wrote, probably late in the 1850’s, “our allusions in this...
26From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 31 August 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 17. which came to hand long ago remains still unacknoleged, as from the time of it’s receipt I had constant hope that you would be on the road for Virginia before an answer could reach you. That of the 11th. inst. I received yesterday, and leaves the time of your visit as unfixed as ever, and excites some fear that I shall miss of you. I propose to set out for Congress about...
27To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed to “James Madison junr. esq. Orange. to the care of mr Jas. Maury Fredericksburg.” Docketed by JM, “Ths. Jefferson Dec 11. 1783.” Your determination to avail yourself of the fine weather proved I fear a very unfortunate one. I pitied your probable situation in the tempestuous season which immediately succeeded your departure. it is now above a...
28From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your determination to avail yourself of the fine weather proved I fear a very unfortunate one. I pitied your probable situation in the tempestuous season which immediately succeeded your departure. It is now above a fortnight since we should have met, and six states only appear. We have some hopes of Rhodeisland coming in to-day, but when two more will be added seems as insusceptible of...
29To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Thos. Jefferson Jan 1 1784.” Beneath the docket appears in an unknown hand, “Buffons theory respecting the Globe.” Your favour of the 10th. Dec. came to hand about a fortnight after its date. It has occasioned me to reflect a little more attentively on Buffon’s central heat than I did in the moment of our conversation and to form an...
30From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 10th. Dec. came to hand about a fortnight after it’s date. It has occasioned me to reflect a little more attentively on Buffon’s central heat than I did in the moment of our conversation and to form an opinion different from what I then expressed. The term ‘central heat’ does of itself give us a false idea of Buffon’s hypothesis. If it meant a heat lodged in the center of...
31To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Jefferson’s hand. Docketed by JM, “Thos. Jefferson. Feb 20th. 1784.” The italicized words are those written in the JM-Jefferson Code No. 2. Your favour of the 11th. inst. came to hand this day. I had prepared a multitude of mem[orandu]ms of subjects whereon to write you, but I will first answer those arising from your letter. by the time my order got...
32From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 11th. inst. came to hand this day. I had prepared a multitude of memorandums of subjects whereon to write you, but I will first answer those arising from your letter. By the time my order got to Philadelphia every copy of Smith’s history of New York was sold. I shall take care to get Blair’s lectures for you as soon as published, and will attend to your presumed wishes...
33To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1784 (Madison Papers)
I received yesterday by mr. Maury your favor of Feb. 17. That which you mention to have written by post a few days before is not yet come to hand. I am induced to this quick reply to the former by an alarming paragraph in it, which is that Mazzei is coming to Annapolis. I tremble at the idea. I know he will be worse to me than a return of my double quotidian head-ach. There is a resolution...
34From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday by Mr. Maury your favor of Feb. 17. That which you mention to have written by post a few days before is not yet come to hand. I am induced to this quick reply to the former by an alarming paragraph in it, which is that Mazzei is coming to Annapolis. I tremble at the idea. I know he will be worse to me than a return of my double quotidian head-ach. There is a resolution...
35To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1784 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 16th. of March, as was the latest I have received from you. By the proposition to bound our country to the Westward, I meant no more than the passing an act declaring that that should be our boundary from the moment the people of the Western country & Congress should agree to it. The act of Congress now inclosed to you will shew you that they have agreed to it,...
36From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 16th. of March, as was the latest I have received from you. By the proposition to bound our country to the Westward I meant no more than passing an act declaring that that should be our boundary from the moment the people of the Western country and Congress should agree to it. The act of Congress now inclosed to you will shew you that they have agreed to it, because...
37To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed resolutions on the subject of commerce are the only things of consequence passed since my last. You will be surprised to receive another pair of spectacles. The paper with them will explain the error. If you can dispose of the supernumerary pair do so, & I will remit the money to Dudley: if you cannot, return them by the next post & I will return them to him. Congress is now on...
38From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed resolutions on the subject of commerce are the only things of consequence passed since my last. You will be surprised to receive another pair of spectacles. The paper with them will explain the error. If you can dispose of the supernumerary pair do so, and I will remit the money to Dudley; if you cannot, return them by the next post and I will return them to him. Congress is now...
39To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
I will now take up the several enquiries contained in your letter of Apr. 25. which came to hand yesterday. ‘Will it not be good policy to suspend further treaties of commerce till measures shall have taken place in America, which may correct the idea in Europe of impotency in the federal government in matters of commerce?’ Congress think such measures requisite, and have accordingly...
40From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I will now take up the several enquiries contained in your letter of Apr. 25. which came to hand yesterday. ‘Will it not be good policy to suspend further treaties of commerce till measures shall have taken place in America, which may correct the idea in Europe of impotency in the federal government in matters of commerce?’ Congress think such measures requisite, and have accordingly...
41To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of the 8th. & 15th. came to hand yesterday. I have this morning revised your former letters to see what commissions it would be best for me to execute here for you. In that of Feb. 17, you desire a recommendation of a fit bookseller in Paris & London. This certainly I can better do from the spot. In the mean time address yourself to me as your bookseller for either place, because...
42From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 8th. and 15th. came to hand yesterday. I have this morning revised your former letters to see what commissions it would be best for me to execute here for you. In that of Feb. 17. you desire a recommendation of a fit bookseller in Paris and London. This certainly I can better do from the spot. In the mean time address yourself to me as your bookseller for either place,...
43To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, ca. 1 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 1 June 1784 . In his “Summary Journal of letters,” Jefferson wrote under June, “Jas. Madison. Inclosed Deane’s letters.” In New York on 31 May, Jefferson noted in his account book a payment to James Rivington “for paper and books £3.4” ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (18 vols. to date; Princeton, N. J., 1950——). ,...
44[From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, ca. 1 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, ca. 1 June 1784 . Entry in SJL under “June” reads: “Jas. Madison. Inclosed Deane’s letters.” Neither letter nor enclosure has been found, but TJ must have written about 1 June from New York where he arrived on 30 May and from which he departed on 5 June 1784 (Dumbauld, Jefferson, American Tourist , 58). He had endeavored without success to obtain a copy of “Deane’s letters” in...
45To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 July 1784 (Madison Papers)
After visiting the principal towns through Connecticut, Rhode-island, this state & N. Hampshire in order to acquire what knowlege I could of their commerce & other circumstances I am returned to this place & shall sail the day after tomorrow in the Ceres bound for London: but my purpose is to get on shore in some boat on the coast of France & proceed directly to Paris. My servant being to set...
46From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
After visiting the principal towns through Connecticut, Rhode-island, this state and N. Hampshire in order to acquire what knowlege I could of their commerce and other circumstances I am returned to this place and shall sail the day after tomorrow in the Ceres bound for London: but my purpose is to get on shore in some boat on the coast of France and proceed directly to Paris. My servant being...
47To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your letters of Aug. 20. Sep 7. & 15. I received by the last packet. That by mr Short is not yet arrived. His delay is unaccountable. I was pleased to find by the public papers (for as yet I have no other information of it) that the assembly had restrained their foreign trade to four places: I should have been more pleased had it been to one. However I trust that York & Hobbs’ hole will do so...
48From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of Aug. 20. Sep. 7. and 15. I received by the last packet. That by Mr. Short is not yet arrived. His delay is unaccountable. I was pleased to find by the public papers (for as yet I have no other information of it) that the assembly had restrained their foreign trade to four places. I should have been more pleased had it been to one. However I trust that York and Hobbs’ hole will...
49To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
In mine of Nov. 11. I acknoleged the receipt of yours of Aug. 20. Sep. 7. & 15. Since that, the one of Oct. 11. by the packet has come to hand as also that of July 3. by mr Short who came in the packet, was actually in N. York when you passed through it & had waited there several days in hopes of seeing you. I thank you very much for the relation of the proceedings of assembly. It is the most...
50From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of Nov. 11. I acknoleged the receipt of yours of Aug. 20. Sep. 7. and 15. Since that, the one of Oct. 11. by the packet has come to hand as also that of July 3. by Mr. Short who came in the packet, was actually in N. York when you passed through it and had waited there several days in hopes of seeing you. I thank you very much for the relation of the proceedings of assembly. It is the...
51To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was dated Dec. 8. since that yours of Feb. 1. has come to hand; and I am in hopes I shall shortly receive from you the history of the last session of our assembly. I will pray you always to send your letters by the French packet which sails from N. York the 15th. of every month. I had made Neill Jamieson my post master general there, who will always take care of my letters and...
52From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated Dec. 8. Since that yours of Feb. 1 . has come to hand; and I am in hopes I shall shortly receive from you the history of the last session of our assembly. I will pray you always to send your letters by the French packet which sails from N. York the 15th. of every month. I had made Neill Jamieson my postmaster general there, who will always take care of my letters and...
53To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 May 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 9. came to my hands on the 13th. of April. The very full and satisfactory detail of the proceedings of assembly which it contained, gave me the highest pleasure. The value of these communications cannot be calculated at a shorter distance than the breadth of the Atlantic. Having lately made a cypher on a more convenient plan than the one we have used, I now transmit it to...
54From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 9. came to my hands on the 13th. of April. The very full and satisfactory detail of the proceedings of assembly which it contained, gave me the highest pleasure. The value of these communications cannot be calculated at a shorter distance than the breadth of the Atlantic. Having lately made a cypher on a more convenient plan than the one we have used, I now transmit it to...
55[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Hardy, James Madison, and James Monroe, 4 July 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 4 July 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Madison, Monroe & Hardy. Letters of recommendation for W. T. Franklin.” None of these letters has been found; but see TJ to Monroe, 5 July 1785 .]
56From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Hardy, James Madison, and James Monroe, 5 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Franklin , being about to return to America, I take the liberty of presenting him to your acquaintance. Your esteem for the character of his grandfather would have procured him a favourable reception with you: and it cannot but increase your desire to know him, when you shall be assured that his worth and qualifications give him a personal claim to it. I have taken the...
57To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 September 1785 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was dated May 11. by Monsr. de Doradour. Since that I have received yours of Jan. 22. with 6. copies of the revisal, and that of Apr. 27. by mr Mazzei. All is quiet here. The Emperor & Dutch are certainly agreed tho’ they have not published their agreement. Most of his schemes in Germany must be postponed, if they are not prevented, by the confederacy of many of the Germanic...
58From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, with a List of Books, 1 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated May 11. by Monsr. de Doradour. Since that I have received yours of Jan. 22. with 6. copies of the revisal, and that of Apr. 27. by Mr. Mazzei. All is quiet here. The Emperor and Dutch are certainly agreed tho’ they have not published their agreement. Most of his schemes in Germany must be postponed, if they are not prevented, by the confederacy of many of the Germanic...
59To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1785 (Madison Papers)
By mr Fitzhugh you will receive my letter of the 1’st inst. He is still here, & gives me an opportunity of again addressing you much sooner than I should have done but for the discovery of a great peice of inattention. In that letter I send you a detail of the cost of your books, and desire you to keep the amount in your hands, as if I had forgot, that a part of it was in fact your own, as...
60From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, with Account Enclosed, 20 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Fitzhugh you will receive my letter of the 1’st inst. He is still here, and gives me an opportunity of again addressing you much sooner than I should have done but for the discovery of a great peice of inattention. In that letter I send you a detail of the cost of your books, and desire you to keep the amount in your hands, as if I had forgot that a part of it was in fact your own, as...