251From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I have suffered the post hour to come so nearly over on me that I must huddle over what I have more than appears in the public papers. I arrived here on Christmas day, not a single bill or other article of business having yet been brought into Senate. the P’s speech, so unlike himself in point of moderation, is supposed to have been written by the military conclave , & particularly Hamilton....
252From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
After a very long silence, I am at length able to write to you. An unlucky dislocation of my right wrist has disabled me from using my pen for three months. I now begin to use it a little, but with great pain; so that this letter must be taken up at such intervals as the state of my hand will permit, and will probably be the work of some days. Tho’ the joint seems to be well set, the swelling...
253To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
Health & weather permitting I shall set out on Wednesday without fail. If I can get off early enough I will be with you by half after three, supposed your dining hour, but knowing how difficult it is to clear out from home at any given hour, if I find I cannot be with you at half past three I shall dine at Gordons’, & beg not to be waited for. Receive for yourself & Mrs. Madison my...
254To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have read mr. Cox’s letters and some of his papers, which I now return you. It is impossible for me to write to him. With two crippled hands I abandon writing but from the most urgent necessities; and above all things I should not meddle in a Presidential election, nor even express a sentiment on the subject of the Candidates. As you propose to write to him, will you be so good as to add a...
255To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1824 (Madison Papers)
I would have accompanied the General to-day but for two reasons, I have not strength, and I should only have added to your embarrasmts. He leaves you Friday morning to partake of a dinner and ball at Fredsbg. on Saturday. The miss Wrights are detained here by the sickness of one of them. They go hence to the Natural bridge and return to Washington by Staunton, Winchester & Harper’s ferry. No...
256From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the papers which came in your letter of the 11th. I am not satisfied that the ground taken by Chancellor Livingston is advantageous. for the French government & the Spanish have only to grant him all he asks (and they will in justice & policy do that at once) and his mouth must be shut: because after-sought objections would come from him to great disadvantage. whereas the true...
257To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 July 1793 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 30th. ult. and shall be uneasy till I have heard you have received it. I have no letter from you this week. You will perceive by the inclosed papers that they are to be discontinued in their present form & a daily paper published in their stead, if subscribers enough can be obtained . I fear they cannot, for nobody here scarcely has ever taken his paper. You will see in...
258Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 4 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
A pardon to be issued to George Mc.Farland according to the papers inclosed Commissions to David Broadie of Virginia to be Collector of Hampton vice Mount Edward Chisman decd. Edmund Key of Maryland to be Surveyor of the port of Llewellensburg in the district of Nanjemoy and Inspector of the revenue for the same vice Richard Jordan decd. Edward Hall of Maryland to be Commissioner of loans for...
259To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 November 1799 (Madison Papers)
I omitted in my letter of the 23d. to say any thing on the subject of mr. Wirt; which however was necessary only for form’s sake, because I had promised it. You know he is a candidate for the clerkship of your house, you know his talents, his worth, & his republicanism; & therefore need not my testimony, which could otherwise be given for him in the strongest form on every point. The desirable...
260From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Pinckney’s letter the complection of which I like. If they repeal their orders we must repeal our embargo. if they make satisfaction for the Chesapeake, we must revoke our proclamation, and generalize it’s operation by a law. if they keep up impressments, we must adhere to non intercourse, manufactures & a navigation act. I inclose for your perusal a letter of mr Short’s. I inform...
261To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
My last letters to you were of the 3d & 25. of May. Yours from Orange, of Apr. 22. came to hand on the 10th. inst. My letter to mr. Jay containing all the public news that is well authenticated, I will not repeat it here, but add some details in the smaller way which you may be glad to know. The disgrace of the Marquis de la Fayette which at any other period of their history would have had the...
262Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved at Richmond your favor covering a check on the bank of Norfolk for 743. Doll. 15. cents the balance in full of our accounts. I have learnt from P. Carr that under an idea that Rodney was about to resign, & on a desire expressed by mr R. Smith to him or some other person that Wirt should be sounded, it had been found that he would accept. I do not know whether it was communicated to...
263From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 26 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 19th. it acknoleged yours of the 8th. in mine I informed you of the nomination of Murray. there is evidence that the letter of Taleyrand was known to one of the Secretaries, therefore probably to all: the nomination however is declared by one of them to have been kept secret from them all. he added that he was glad of it, as, had they been consulted, the advice would...
264From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of July 31. and Aug. 1. are recieved, but not that of the 30th. which was trusted to a private hand. Having discovered on Friday evening only that I had not inclosed Coxe’s pamphlet, I sent it off immediately to the post office. However I suppose it did not leave this place till the post of Monday nor get to your hands till Tuesday evening. Colo. Lee is here still, and gives me...
265To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 13 July 1792 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you two days ago but by a bungle of the servant it did not get to the post office in time. This serves to cover another paper. I set out this afternoon. Adieu. Your’s affectionately FC ( MHi ); Tr ( DLC : Jefferson Papers).
266To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your servant now returns with many thanks for the aid of him & your horses. I was disappointed in meeting my family here: however I am told they will arrive today. I wished to have seen mr. Randolph, before the departure of your servant, to know if he had found a horse for me; because if he has not, I should determine to accept the offer of yours. I drove him about eight miles in the Phaeton,...
267From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison and Family, 6 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Mr. Madison & family to dine with him ——— at half after three. Wednesday July [ 6 ] 1803 . Many thanks to mrs Madison for the trouble she has been so good as to take . The favour of an answer is asked. RC (Charles M. Storey, Boston, Massachusetts, 1958); printed form, with blanks filled by TJ reproduced in italics; damaged. Date illegible on RC but TJ left...
268To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
In the wild range which Tatham’s head takes, he often hits on good ideas. Those explained in the within letter merit real attention. He knows the localities of that quarter; & should the idea of an artificial bason on the Middle grounds be found impracticable (for want of foundation) Lynhaven bay, deepened at it’s entrance becomes the sole resource for defending the Chesapeake; & the...
269Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The mail of yesterday does not tell us whether you have left Washington . I am this moment setting out for Bedford , & shall be absent 3. or 4. weeks. should you be at Monpelier when I return I shall certainly have the pleasure of paying my respects to mrs Madison & yourself. in the mean time accept the assurance of my affectionate esteem & respect RC ( MH : Hemenway Collection); at foot of...
270To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours by yesterday’s mail is recieved & I now return Pinckney’s & Graham’s letters. I thought it best to forward the passport for Hill’s vessel to Mr. Graham direct lest it should lose a post by going in to Montpelier. With Mr. Grymes’s request of a vessel I can do nothing till further advised. The application is new, and I think unnecessary, as I presume the trade to N. O. is sufficiently...
271To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1824 (Madison Papers)
You will see by the inclosed letter from mr. Cabell that a project is in agitation respecting Wm. & Mary Coll. which gives him much alarm. I communicate to you the letter as he requests, and with it my answer, as shewing the point in which I view it. I will ask their return when read, that I may be enabled to lodge my answer in Richmd. before his arrival there. On the question of engaging a...
272To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 April 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you two letters on the 5th. inst. since which I have recd yours of the 2d. I send you, in a separate package, the instructions to our envoys & their communications. You will find that my representation of their contents, from memory, was substantially just. The public mind appears still in a state of astonishment. There never was a moment in which the aid of an able pen was so...
273To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
I wrote the inclosed letter to you a little before I left Paris, & having no occasion to send it, I brought it with me. I mentioned it to you when I had the happiness of possessing you at Monticello, but still forgot to give it to you. After so long lying by me, and further turning the subject in my mind, I find no occasion to alter my mind. I hazard it therefore to your consideration. I...
274From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In the wild range which Tatham’s head takes, he often hits on good ideas. those explained in the within letter merit real attention. he knows the localities of that quarter; & should the idea of an artificial bason on the Middle grounds be found impracticable (for want of foundation) Lynhaven bay, deepened at it’s entrance becomes the sole resource for defending the Chesapeake; & the...
275To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday’s post brought me, as I suppose it did you, information of the Emperor of Marocco’s declaration of war against us, and of the capture of a merchant vessel of ours (the Franklin, Morris) off cape Palos, by a Tripoline as is said in a New York letter; but a Marraquin as I am in hopes from the place, & the improbability of a Tripoline being there. The letter to the Emperor, & the gun...
276From 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...
277To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 January 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 16th. of Dec. since which I have received yours of Nov. 25. & Dec. 4. which afforded me, as your letters always do, a treat on matters public, individual & oeconomical. I am impatient to learn your sentiments on the late troubles in the Eastern states. So far as I have yet seen, they do not appear to threaten serious consequences. Those states have suffered by the...
278To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from Whit was unquestionably intended for you. The subject, the address both of title and place prove it, and the mistake of the name only shews the writer to be a very uninquisitive statesman. Doctr. Waterhouse’s letter too was intended for your eye; and altho’ the immediate object fails by previous appointment, yet he seems to entertain further wishes. I inclose too the...
279From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Colleagues on the legislature have called a meeting of the Visitors for the 4 th of March. I presume they have notified you of it by mail; but lest they should not have done so, I have thought it safe to inform you. Our newly arrived Professors will come up in our Thursday’s stage. mr Cabell writes me that they were much pleased with them in Richmond. we are equally so with the two here. I...
280To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
I leave the inclosed open for your perusal & that of your Collegues & others to whom you may chuse to shew it; only taking care that neither copies nor extracts be taken. Be so good, when you are done with it, as to stick a wafer in it and forward it to the Governor. I am with sincere esteem Dr. Sir Your friend & servt P. S. I do not know whether you are acquainted with young Bannister who...
281To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter to mr. Cabell so fully explains it’s object, and the grounds on which your signature to the paper is proposed if approved, that I will spare my stiffening & aching wrist the pain of adding more than the assurance of my constant & affectte. friendship. We the subscribers, visitors of the University of Virginia being of opinion that it will be to the interest of that...
282To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of the 18th. & 20th. were recieved on the 21st. The letters of Livingston & Monroe are sent to mr. Gallatin as you proposed. That of Simpson to mr. Smith for the purpose of execution. All of them will be returned. Thornton’s, Clarke’s, Charles Pinckney’s, Graham’s, Appleton’s, Davis’s, Mitchell’s, Newton’s, & Derieux’ letters are now inclosed. With respect to the impressment of...
283From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding the suspected infidelity of the post, I must hazard this communication. The Minority in the H. of R. after seeing the impossibility of electing B. the certainty that a legislative usurpation would be resisted by arms, and a recourse to a Convention to reorganise & amend the government, held a consultation on this dilemma. Whether it would be better for them to come over in a...
284To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 November 1809 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Oct. 30. came to hand last night. Capt Coles passed this place on the 31st. to Washington. I gave a copy of the paper you desire to Thomas Monroe for his government; and, through him, another to Mayor Brent, that the city magistracy might understand what I considered as the limits separating our rights & duties. Capt Coles can borrow either of these probably for copying. Should they...
285To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I returned here yesterday afternoon & found, as I might expect an immense mass of business. With the papers recieved from you I inclose you some others which will need no explanation. I am desired by the Secy. of the navy to say what must be the conduct of Com. Rogers at New-York on the late or any similar entry of that harbor by British armed vessels. I refer him to the orders to Decatur as...
286To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
In conversation with mr. Gallatin yesterday as to what might be deemed the result of our Tuesday’s conferences, he seemed to have understood the former opinion as not changed, to wit that for the Floridas East of Perdido might be given not only the 2. millions of dollars and a margin to remain unsettled, but an absolute relinquishment from the North river to the bay of St. Bernard and Colorado...
287To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1793 (Madison Papers)
Nothing remarkeable this week. What was mentioned in my last respecting Bache’s paper was on misinformation, there having been no proposition there. Yours of the 24th. from Alexandria is received. I inclose you the rough draught of a letter I wrote on a particular subject on which the person to whom it is addressed desired me to make a statement according to my view of it. He told me his...
288From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours without date was recieved yesterday. about 3. or 4. days ago mr Nelson called on me with a letter from Genl. Lee informing me he was summoned in the case which is the subject of your letter, & expressing his difficulties. I had never had any information of the case, it’s parties or subject, except that I had read in the newspapers some time ago that a prosecution was commenced in...
289From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the several papers recieved by the last post, except those solliciting office, which as usual, are put into my bundle of like papers. I think it possible that Spain, recollecting our former eagerness for the island of N. Orleans, may imagine she can, by a free delivery of that, redeem the residue of Louisiana: and that she may withold the peaceable cession of it. in that case...
290To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1795 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 15 is duly recieved & I now inclose the letter for mr. Christie, which you will be so kind as to deliver to him open or sealed as you think best, & apologize to him for my availing myself of the opportunity of getting the vetch from England which you say is not to be had in Philadelphia. The universal culture of this plant in Europe establishes it’s value in a farm, & I find...
291To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
What would you think of raising a force for the defence of New Orleans in this manner? Give a bounty of 50 acres of land, to be delivered immediately, to every able bodied man who will immediately settle on it, & hold himself in readiness to perform 2 years military service (on the usual pay) if called on within the first seven years of his residence. The lands to be chosen by himself of any...
292Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 15. having given me the hope you would attend the meeting of the Visitors of the Central college near Charlottesville I lodged one for you at Montpelier notifying that our meeting would be on the day after our April court. a detention at Washington I presume prevented your attendance, and mr Watson being sick, only Gen l Cocke , mr Cabell
293From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 April 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 23. came to hand the 7th. of April, and notwithstanding the urgent reasons for answering a part of it immediately, yet as it mentioned that you would leave Philadelphia within a few days, I feared that the answer might pass you on the road. A letter from Philadelphia by the last post having announced to me your leaving that place the day preceding it’s date, I am in hopes...
294From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
You will see by the inclosed letter from mr Cabell that a project is in agitation respecting W m & Mary College, which gives him much alarm. I communicate to you the letter, as he requests, and with it my answer, as shewing the point in which I view it. I will ask their return, when read, that I may be able to lodge my answer in Richmond before his arrival there. On the question of engaging a...
295From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of Jan. 24. the day before yesterday; the President’s of the 21st. was 16 days getting to my hands. I write him by this occasion my acceptance, and shall endeavor to subdue the reluctance I have to that office which has increased so as to oppress me extremely. The President pressed my coming on immediately, and I have only said to him in general that circumstances,...
296To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1800 (Madison Papers)
Mrs. Brown’s departure for Virginia enables me to write confidentially what I could not have ventured by the post at this prying season. The election of S. Carolina has in some measure decided the great contest. Tho’ as yet we do not know the actual votes of Tenissee, Kentucky & Vermont yet we believe the votes to be on the whole J. 73. B. 73. A. 65. P. 64. Rhode isld. withdrew one from P....
297To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1794 (Madison Papers)
I have kept mr. Joy’s letter a post or two, with an intention of considering attentively the observations it contains: but I have really now so little stomach for any thing of that kind that I have not resolution enough even to endeavor to understand the observations. I therefore return the letter, not to delay your answer to it, and beg you in answering for yourself, to assure him of my...
298Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The difference between a communication & sollicitation is too obvious to need suggestion. while the latter embarras adds to embarrasments, the former only enlarges the field of choice. the inclosed letters are merely communications. of Stewart I know nothing. Price who recommends him is I believe a good man, not otherwise known to me than as a partner of B. Morgan of N. O. and as having...
299Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
You knew, I believe that the society of Agriculture of Paris had sent me a plough which they supposed the best ever ass made in Europe . they at the same time requested me to send them one of ours with my mould board. I have made one for them which every body agrees to be the ha d ndsomest & of the most promising appearance they have ever seen, and I have five at work on my own farms, than...
300To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 31st. of July: since which I have received yours of July 24. Aug. 10. & 23. The first part of this long silence in me was occasioned by a knoledge that you were absent from N. York; the latter part, by a want of opportunity, which has been longer than usual: mr. Shippen being just arrived here, and to set out tomorrow for London, I avail myself of that channel of...