1To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 1 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is in a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk. He noted that the letter was addressed “To James Madison” and that the manuscript consisted of “1 page folio.” Congress declines to return to Philadelphia. The question of the protection of Congress and foreign ministers. Congress should control the territory where it sits....
2To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 1 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
From yr. favr. of the 19th. past, I find Congress have at length negated a return to Philada., I am sorry the question was brought on in a manner not quite honourable, because every proceeding of that sort lessens the dignity of Congress, & gives a Precedent for Chicane, wch. increases jealousy & danger in our great Council. It is now reported that you have fix’d on Annapolis for your...
3To 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...
4From 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...
5To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 27 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js Augst. 27. 1783.” Cover missing. I have not written to you, my good Friend, for some Time past, because I expected you would have been in Virga. soon after the last I recd. from you; but as I have not heard of your Arrival, suppose you to be still in Congress. If so, I shall continue to tax you even without your Consent. Is there the least...
6To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 25 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is copied from a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk. He noted that the letter was addressed “to James Madison” and the manuscript consisted of “1 page folio.” Mr. Pendleton’s reply to Madisons objection to his plan of paying public creditors. Consuls and Superintendents of Trade preferable to Foreign Ministers. JM’s...
7To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 25 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Your favr. of the 12th. casts a Slur upon that of July 21st. very unmerited, as that & every other containing any Political Sentiment, however hastily written, deserve more Attention than I have paid to them. I feel the strongest conviction that we never differed in the end of our pursuits, the pure public good, untainted or corroded by any selfish views, however our sentiments may differ as...
8To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned, but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed to “The honorable James Madison jr esq. of congress now in Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “August 23. 1783.” My trip to Baltimore, from which I returned last sunday, has occasioned the chasm in my correspondence. Mr. Nathan met me according to appointment, with an elaborate argument, prepared on paper by Mr. Sargent....
9To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 18 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed excerpt (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 [1892], p. 94). In LC: Madison Miscellany, a list, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force or by his clerk, calendars this letter as follows: “1783 August 18 Virginia To James Madison The address of the Citizens of Philadelphia to Congress. Prospect of return from Prince Town … 1 page foli[o].” The Address of the Citizens of Philad’a...
10To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 18 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favr. of the 5th. was not fraught with a confirmation of the definitive treaty’s Arrival as I expected; however as I do not discover it to be the Interest of any of the powers concerned, to stop a Peace, I still flatter my self the delay is produced rather by some adjustment of forms than real contentions wch. may endanger the final ratification of the Preliminaries; I wish Carlton was...
11To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, [14 August] 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover franked by Mercer and addressed to “Honble James Madison Esq. Philadelphia.” Cover docketed twice by JM—once, “Mercer J. F Aug. 14 1783,” and once, “Augst. 14. 1783. Jno. F. Mercer.” Before I left Phila. I made enquiry for a Bill on me for 200 Dollars & wch had been presented & accepted but by whom had entirely escaped my recollection. according to the perverse...
12To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 11 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is copied from a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk He noted that the letter was addressed “To James Madison” and the manuscript consisted of “2 pages 4°.” Williamsburgh as a seat of Government. Some seat on the Potomac. The jurisdiction of Congress over the territory aquired for a seat of Government. For the...
13To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 11 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favr. of the 29th. past has raised my expectation of receiving by yr. next a confirmation of the Arrival of the definitive treaty, & I hope in consequence, a more prompt evacuation of New York, than Carlton has hitherto shewn a disposition for. I wish them gone if it was only to preserve our people from Mercant[i]le impositions, founded on doubts that the War is not over. Nay it was only...
14To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 9 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Addressed to “The Hon’ble Mr. Maddison.” Long after JM received the letter, probably he or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the close of the fourth paragraph. If JM meant that the first four paragraphs should be included in the earliest published collection of his papers, his wish was disregarded by Henry D. Gilpin, perhaps because the...
15To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 4 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). No docket or cover. The last post brot. me a Letter from the Treasurer which determines my visit to Congress. He informs me he has bills to the amount of upwards of twelve hundred pounds on Philadelphia which he wishes to apply to the use of the Delegation and had written to you and also to me informing us of it, that our Correspondents, and those of the other...
16To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 4 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is in a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk. He noted that the letter was addressed “To James Madison” and the manuscript was made up of “2 pages folio.” Contrary reports concerning peace. The debate in the Massachusetts Assembly. Redemption of our obligations. Pay the holder the money he has really advanced and...
17To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 4 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the Sentiment wch. Suggested yr. favr. of the 21st. past, and for emploing a moment of unexpected liesure in the P. S. We have Now two contrary reports respecting Peace, neither of them much worthy of credit, The one that the definitive treaty is arrived, the other that the British Army are intrenching afresh in N. York, and every movement indicates intentions Opposite to that...
18To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 28 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned and not docketed but in Jones’s hand. Spring Hill was his estate. Yours of the 7th. inst. came duly to hand. It is strange we have yet no satisfactory accounts of the definitive Treaty. the settlemt. of a British Ministry, I hoped, wod. have speedily brought that important matter to a close; but for any thing we are at present informed the time of its...
19To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 28 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed excerpt (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 [1892], p. 94). Below this excerpt the present editors have appended a notation, probably made about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk, of two additional topics mentioned in the letter. The clerk described the manuscript as “1 page folio” ( LC : Madison Miscellany). I expect that the citizens of Philad’a whilst they are retailing their merit to...
20To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 28 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
In acknowledging the rect. of yr. favr. of the 15th., I must as usual be very unentertaining in our total dearth of Interesting intelligence, whether foreign or domestic, all I can say of the latter kind is, that we have a very dry Season, wch., at this critical juncture, threatens a disappointment in the fair prospect we lately had of plentiful Crops of all kinds, which however bountiful...
21To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 21 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Lacks docket and cover. I find mine to you of the last week was not in Town in time for the Mail which it seems is now made up at ten o’Clock in the forenoon and is rather inconvenient for those of the Country near the Town as they cannot receive and answer letters the same week unless in Town. my letter will I presume go forward this week. I did suppose Congress...
22To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 21 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed excerpt (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 [1892], pp. 93–94). About 1850 the present letter was calendared, probably by a clerk of Peter Force, as follows: “More about the Soldier offence. Williamsburg the most convenient place for Congress to meet, excepting New York. The temper of an Eastern legislature. Treaty with Sweden. The Definitive treaty. 1 page folio” (LC: Madison...
23To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 21 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
With yr. last favr. of the 8th. Instt. came the missing one of June 24th. containing the Account of the behavr. of the soldiers in their insult to Congress. I wish the conspiracy may be traced to it’s real source, and the motives truly investigated, when I still think it will not terminate in public good, or the redress of real Injury in the Army; the Citizens I suppose cannot be well pleased...
24To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 19 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM over the date line, “Livingston R. R,” and in the right margin at the close of the letter, “Rob. Livingston July 19. 1783.” The draft copy, among the Robert R. Livingston Papers in the New-York Historical Society, frequently varies in text from that received by JM. I have this moment been informed that the definitive treaty is concluded,...
25To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison esqr Congress Princeton.” Docketed by JM, “July 18. 1783.” I have received by the last mail your two favors of June 30. & July 8. They satisfy me of what was before problematical, the propriety of the removal of congress to Princeton. But with what decency can you retreat from thence...
26To James Madison from David Jameson, 16 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 78, XIII, 285–88). Cover missing. Addressee uncertain but probably JM. Docketed by Charles Thomson, secretary of Congress, “Letter 16 July 1783 David Jameson.” Lacking the cover or mention of the addressee in the text, this letter may have been written to someone in Congress other than JM. Although Jameson calls his correspondent “my friend,” this designation serves only to...
27To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 14 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed and cover missing but undoubtedly written to JM. Your favor of the 30th. ult. I have duly recd. giving the history of the proceedings that brought about the removal of Congress to Princeton. that two of the members of the Comtee: were disposed to advise the Predsident to the Measure which his inclination encouraged them to adopt I have no doubt, but why so...
28To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 14 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is in a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk. He noted that the letter was addressed “To James Madison” and that the manuscript consisted of “2 pages 4°.” The offence of the soldier to Congress. The neglect of the Executive of Pennsylvania. The flight of Congress. Speculation in Continental Money. Mr. Pendleton’s views of...
29To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 14 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
I have your favr. Of the 30th., that of the preceeding date hath not yet come to hand; an unexpected call from home last Post day prevented my paying you my respects then, so that you will miss that Lre. I am sorry to hear of the Insult offer’d to Congress, and the more so for the little respect shewn to their dignity by the Executive of Pennsylvania; even poor dispised Virga. I think would...
30To 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...