51To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 24 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Jones’s dating of this letter is so indistinct that it could be either the “24th” or “25th.” References in his text to specific actions taken by the legislature on particular days make certain that he was writing on the 24th, even though JM acknowledged the letter as of 25 November. I have yours of the 14th: and from my soul wish I could inform you we proceed with...
52To James Madison from David Jameson, 25 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). I duely recd. your favour of the 14t. and am much obliged to you for forwarding my letters to my Nephew. I have desired him to trouble you with his letters to me and must beg the favour of you to send them as opportunities may offer—I suppose it will not be right to frank them by Post It appears by the proceedings of a Court Martial held in...
53To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 27 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). My last Account of the Enemy was the 18th. when they were all embarked, but whether with a design to leave the State or to make an impression on some other part of it was doubtful. There was something Mysterious in their leaving their Slaves on shore & some Captur’d Vessels in the harbour at Portsmouth, & indicated their having designs of further Hostility—unless...
54To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 30 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover sheet is addressed to “Honble: James [Mad]ison Esqre. Member of C[o]ngress from Virginia.” Below the address are several unintelligible words and also “Nantes March 20. 1781 Received & forwarded by Sir Your very obt sr[?]. Jona. Williams Jr.” Along the opposite margin appears “p[er] the Luzerne Capt Bell. for Philadelphia Q [?]. D. C.” Captain Thomas Bell...
55To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 2 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have no Letter from you by this weeks Post although I expect you sent one as Mr. Griffin informs me what News there was worth communicating, especially the contents of Mr. Adams’s Letter, you had mentioned. I have been much indisposed the greatest part of this week and not able to give much assistence in the business upon hand which are chiefly the Bills for...
56To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 4 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Since my last I am indebted for yr two favrs of the 14th & 21st past. Every thing wears the Appearance of confirming the Intention of the Enemy to make a Winter campaign to the Southward; The Fleet who lately left us it is said divided off the Capes part steering Eastward the Others to the South. if those & the late Embarkation from New York should meet at Charles...
57To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, [7 December] 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Water stains have entirely eliminated the last four lines of this letter and largely blotted out what appears to have been the first eight lines. [Questa serv?]irà di supp[lemento alla pr?]ecedente d[el 30 del passato?] unicamente [un’aneddoto che potrebbe causare una revoluzione?] della Regina [d’Ungheria] della guerra [al me questo?] ultimo [L’Imperatore è tutto...
58To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 8 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I have yours of November the 28th. by the Post and wish I could inform you the assembly had yet fixed the plan of recruiting our quota of Continentals but such various opinions and modes are proposed that great delay has been the consequence. The present proposition is a bounty of 5000 for the War 2500 for three years if it comes to a draft for that period—the whole...
59To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 11 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). I take up the Pen merely to ask you how you do? Having nothing foreign or domestic to entertain you with; I have not even heard a word from the Assembly this two weeks; Yes I have one very unlucky circumstance to mention which tho’ it may seem of little consequence, I fear will have important effects in [the ] future. Our militia who turn’d out with the greatest...
60To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 1 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). I have forfeited my reputation for punctuality, by omitting to pay you my Respects by last post, Which being Christmas day, I had fancied the rider would not move, but he did so, & without my letter. I am afraid you’l say it would have been no loss, If I had repeated the Mistake to-day, since I have not a Sylable of Intelligence foreign or domestic, except that we...