1To James Madison from the Governor of Virginia, 6 December 1793 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to the direction of the General Assembly I transmit a copy of the resolutions passed by that honorable body respecting the late unexpected decision of the supreme Court of the United States which asserts that Court’s right of Jurisdiction in all controversies wherein a State may be a party, and I flatter myself that the request of the General Assembly will receive from you firm...
2To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
This letr. is written purposely to inform you of the project mentioned to you in New york concerning the land at the Great falls. The quantity is 500 acres, the price may be called 4,000£ with the incumbrance of an annual rent of 150£ sterling. The advantages infinitely exceed that of any spot of ground in the U. States. The canal runs thro the land, & the bason is in the land, the situation...
3To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 November 1825 (Madison Papers)
The inclination which I expressed to you several years ago, in 1823 I believe, to devote myself to the cultivation of letters, still besets me, & I have been fortunate enough to select a subject which is capable of receiving and conferring ⟨imperishable?⟩ honour. Whether I shall be able to do it justice is a question which labour, patience, diligence, & the inspiration of the historic muse,...
4To James Madison from Henry Lee, 21 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Doctor Wellford having conducted the medical department of the Militia Army in 94, I owe it to my sense of his faithful services, to comply with his wish of my letter to you notifying his desire to conduct one branch of the same department in the Army now raising. But I am sure you so well know this gentlemans character & ability that any commendation of him to you is needless. Nevertheless...
5To James Madison from Henry Lee, 22 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
It belongs to me to try to aid those I esteem & who stand in need of it. Such is the case with Mr. Clark. He was with me the other day & really I think yr. law officer has treated him out of the way. Mr Rodney talked of returning directly & promised as soon as he did return to finish his affair. Now he writes he shall not return till called for by the P. In this condition what can Mr C do,...
6To James Madison from Henry Lee, 7 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Having a few moments only to devote, you must be satisfied with a very laconic letr. Such is my distance from the line of posts, that to use it, I must avail myself of accidental conveyances, which are often like the present, sudden. It is with real Grief I inform you that by a late vote of the assembly of Virga. on a collateral question, they have manifested hostility to the new constitution....
7To James Madison from Henry Lee, 20 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
After the notification of my disgrace which reached me about the 20th. Novr. I hastened from N York & pressed forward to my home. Every difficulty of weather and roads opposed my progress and retarded us effectually, for it took us three weeks to reach this place which I had reckoned on accomplishing in twelve days. At Length we arrived on the banks of potomac, and thro our avidity to embrace...
8To James Madison from Henry Lee, 10 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
Some few days after my late domestic calamity which stings me to the quick, I left this place on a visit to the southwestern frontier in obedience to the dutys of my present office, & therefore never got your letr. of July 22d. until my return. It would not have been in my power to have made the trip you suggest, altho my desire of seeing you would have been a powerful incitement. From the...
9To James Madison from Henry Lee, 11 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 November 1786. Mentioned in JM’s letter to Lee of 23 November 1786 . Concerned Lee’s sense of injury at being dropped by the Virginia legislature from the state delegation to Congress, and the “deriliction of the friendship” between JM and Lee because of JM’s being elected, so Lee thought, in his place ( Lee to JM, 20 Dec. 1786 ).
10To James Madison from Henry Lee, 4 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Since your illness at Georgetown I have heard nothing of you, only that you had so far recovered as to proceed, until yesterday, when a gentleman from Alexandria told me that you had taken your seat in Congress. This information gave me pleasure, as it seemed to communicate your complete recovery, as well as because it assured me that you was executing your duty at a time which seems big with...
11To James Madison from Henry Lee, March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I enclose for yr. confidential perusal the letr. on which was founded mine to the P. As I said last night, my answer much in the way, as you suggested is deemed I presume satisfactory. I also enclose the Ps. note to me with an endorsement which please to sign if not disagreeable. It is the only document I hold to support the assurances contained in my answer. I return the passport, as it not...
12To James Madison from Henry Lee, 9 [April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Whenever I ask your aid to the promotion of the wishes of my friend, receive it on this express condition, that the public good must combine with the views of the gentlemen recommended. Very happy in the appointent [ sic ] of my old fellow soldier Lindsay to the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Parkers election, I desire only to entreat your attention to his compeer Mr. M. Livingston, should it be...
13To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your letter of the 29h. Frenau’s Gazette you mention has not reached me, nor indeed have I for two mails got any papers from him. This precariousness in the reception of his paper will cramp the circulation of it. For which I am exceedingly sorry as it is rising fast into reputation. Innes is so pleased with the attention of the editor to political matters and to the independence...
14To James Madison from Henry Lee, 21 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
I cannot with-hold from you what my heart so imperiously orders. The public good & yr. honor alike enjoin the measure if I am not in gross error. As you did in my presence hold back yr. general from offence, in like manner hold back yr. ships of war & privateers—give some time to hear from the enemy especially as the singular event lately occurred in England & the growing disposition there for...
15To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
My business has yet detained me here. Three days ago I returned from a visit to the great falls where Genl. Washington was to have met me. The rain stopped him & the other directors, which to me was a mortifying disappointment as I entertained hopes with their aid to have concluded amicably & advantageously the dispute with Mr Fairfax. This is in train, tho the prospect is not the most...
16To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The papers necessary to our European project are enclosed herewith—viz my power of attorney, your remarks which are so full that I can add nothing, the old plot of the canal which must be kept by you, and a copy sent, it being not fit—& my letr. to Mr. Jefferson. The last explains fully the manner which appeared to be best for us to embrace, but should any thing be improper, you can pass it...
17To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 June 1795 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 June 1795, Richmond. Introduces Mr. Hopkins, “a gentleman from Newyork on a visit to our western country.” RC ( NjP ). 1 p. Directed by Lee to “Mr Madison,” but recipient’s identity is uncertain.
18To James Madison from Henry Lee, 18 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your two letters of the 6th & 11th. The last communicated the appointment of commander in cheif of the W. A. This event has excited general astonishment here, and will be illy received I fear where the public good demands it should be otherwise received. I sincerely hope the new general may give peace to our country, and restore the honor of the American name. Altho the common report...
19To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Tomorrow I go from hence, Mrs. Lee as when you left her. If I forgot to fill up the power of attorney, please to insert Mr Jeffersons name. Yesterday the original papers went off in the Maryland bound to Bordeaux to the care of Mr. Mason Merchant there—I am told in three or four days the mail reaches Versailles from that port. Many applicants above & here, on each side of the river have waited...
20To James Madison from Henry Lee, 13 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Before I left home, Col Lee being about to depart for Congress, I wrote you by him. Since my arival here I got your letr. of the 1st. March, & have had an opportunity of reading your debates in Congress. Your motion which underwent so much discussion & met with such a decided negative is pleasing to the landed interest in this Country, & very much disrelished by the town interest. It is...
21To James Madison from Henry Lee, 5 August 1824 (Madison Papers)
As the reputed authour of a rejected address which was reported to the Jackson Convention in this town, I take the liberty of forwarding for your perusal a correct copy of it —a step that seems proper as parts of your publick conduct, & points of the constitution, are touched upon in the paper. As the paper was prepared at the request of the committee & its tone attempered by the wishes of...
22To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I was as far as G town on my way to Alexa. this morning when I recd. several letters, all of which but one from Shirley, regarded only you & our country. One letr. treated cheifly of our differences with England, especially of the late decree, & contains in my judgement, some ideas worthy of consideration. This induces me to write to you, which I do with concern, as I well know the fullness of...
23To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
In the forenoon this day I got here—soon saw the President & your affectionate friend Mr. Jefferson. The first has nearly recovd. Mr. J. & myself dined with him & as far as I can judge, no chance for 16 years opposes the happiness of the U:S from any event feared by us in N york. As to your corn which you so much prized & which Mr J. seems to reckon valuable & uncommon, the president says he...
24To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 January 1825 (Madison Papers)
It is, you must allow, very natural that any inquirer into the meaning of the constitution, should desire to have his conjectures, approved or corrected by yourself. I therefore take the liberty of forwarding for your consideration the enclosed paper, and shall be proud to hear that it receives in any degree the approbation of a chief architect of our political temple. Without daring to press...
25To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
I had presumed from the decision you have taken of standing for your district, that I might have seen you here before I left this town, But as the hour of my departure is approached & my expectation baffled, I now transmit to you for your satisfaction a plot of the canal with Col. Gilpins (one of the potomack companys directors) observations. This gentleman speaks from personal knowledge &...
26To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
As I hope on my return to Virga. to raise as much money as will pay off old Fairfax & put into our power the great falls, I mention to you my intention that you may lend as much aid as you can. I have ordered the deed to be made out to you & me in the proportion agreed on & have charged you with one fourth of the purchase. If the event turns out as I expect, I shall not only be pleased by the...
27To James Madison from Henry Lee, [8 December] 1791 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed please to give to our friend Frenau. It contains a list of some subscribers to his gazette. We are all miserable here; the late defeat of our army engrosses every mind; please to tell me of any saving circumstances in this unhappy affair should the act. to the gen govt. possess such wished for differences from the one circulating among us. At the same time let me beg you to recede...
28To James Madison from Henry Lee, 5 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Yr. speech which reached here last night is so far as my information reaches much approved, for its modesty & generality & reserve of promises. A few think you might have well avoided that positive decleration about impartiality of the late admn. to foreign nations, as the public mind is divided on that question & the published state documents authorize a great deal to be said in contradiction...
29To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
Snow on the ground for seven days past & now snowing fast. Good weather for wheat. Your letter of the 8h. with its enclosures got here last night, as did the previous one you mention some days past: My reply followed the subsequent post. I thank you for your occasional communications altho I do profess my chagrin & disappointment in the leading principles adopted by the administration of the...
30To James Madison from Henry Lee, 2 February 1827 (Madison Papers)
In examining the events of the late war I believe I have ascertained that when in the fall of 1813, it became obvious that the campaign in the North would terminate in the disgrace of promising much and doing nothing, the govt. projected a plan for the operations of the ensuing year, of which the principal feature was to assemble a large force just within the limits of Canada—and near the...