11Article on Religion Adopted by Convention, [12 June 1776] (Madison Papers)
16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator , and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practise Christian forbearance, love, and charity, towards each other.
12From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 June 1776 (Madison Papers)
I this day disposed of the Bill of Exchange I brought down to Col. Zane at 42%. and filled up the Blank for the sum with £.180. I take this earliest opportunity of acquainting you with it that no inconvenience may arise from your making any engagements inconsistent with the sale I have made. I was unwilling to take so low a price for the Bill but thought it the best that could be done at this...
13From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., [29] March 1777 (Madison Papers)
The family have been pretty well since you left us except Anthony. He was taken on Wednesday morning with a strong Ague succeeded by a high fever and accompanied with a pain in his Stomach and side. The Swelling in his Arm also increased very considerably and became hard and painful. I was a good deal at a loss in what manner to proceed with him being unable to form any Judgmt. of the nature...
14Defeated for Election to Virginia House of Delegates, [24 April] 1777 (Madison Papers)
In the election of Delegates to the Legislature for the ensuing year (1777), he was an unsuccessful candidate. Previous to the Revolution the election of the County representatives was as in England, septennial, and it was as there, the usage, for the Candidates to recommend themselves to the voters, not only by personal solicitation, but by the corrupting influence of spirituous liquors, and...
15From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 January 1778 (Madison Papers)
I got safe to this place on Tuesday following the day I left home, and at the earnest invitation of my Kinsman Mr. Madison have taken my lodgings in a Room of the Presidents house, which is a much better accom[mo]dation than I could have promised myself. It would be very agreeable to me if I were enabled by such rarities as our part of the Country furnishes, particularly dried fruit &tc which...
16From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 March 1778 (Madison Papers)
Since I wrote to you by Mr. Cave I have taken the freedom to give an order on Mr. Lee who is at present at Nants for the money due to you in favour of the Revd. Mr. Madison who wanted to procure from Europe a few literary curiosities by means of a French Gentleman just setting out on public Business for this State, addressed to the management of Mr. Lee. I take the opportunity by Mr: Harrison...
17From James Madison to William Bradford, 23 March 1778 (Madison Papers)
An Express being just setting off for Head Quarters, I cannot help imparting to you some very agreeable intelligence just recd. A Capt. of a Letter of Marke Vessel from thi[s] State, writes to the Govr. from Cheasepeak Bay that he left Martinique on the 23 Ult. that Letters had been recd. there from France as lat[e] as 1st. from sundry respectable Merchts. relating that the French Court had...
18From James Madison to David Ross, 23 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
Be Pleased to Pay to the Order of Messrs Peter Whiteside & Co. The Sum of Two hundred Pounds this Currency, being the Amount I have received from them on Account of the Virginia delegation, and for which I have given them two dfts on you of this Tenor & date. Sir RC , two copies ( Vi ). Both copies in an unidentified hand, signed by JM.
19Session of Virginia Council of State, 7 April 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency Dudley Digges James Madison & David Jameson Bolling Stark Esquires The Board taking into Consideration the Cases of the several Criminals Sentenced by the general court to be executed & it appearing from the unanimous recommendation of the Judges, the grounds of which were explained to the Board by the Honourable John Blair one of the Judges, that Frederick Rampendall &...
20Session of Virginia Council of State, 30 April 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency the Governor; John Page David Jameson & Dudley Digges James Madison jr Esquires The Business hitherto done without a regular Board was this day laid before them and was approved of. Adjourned till Tomorrow 10 oClock This action demonstrates the council’s method of procedure relating to earlier business done by too few members of that body to constitute a quorum. Thus, at...