1From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 20 September 1785 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 9 inst. You will do well in hastening the exaction of a Deed from Jones, as you have now actually paid part of the purchase money. His death or a refusal of his wife to concur in a conveyance will produce much perplexity, and possibly Loss. The result of further enquiry here is more favorable than the information contained in my last. I find that Tobo. of the...
2From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 1 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
As I write by Mr. Porter to my father I shall not repeat the news from the Assembly. I have nothing from Philada. later than my last which I sent by Mr. William Walker with a letter for you from the back Country put into my hands by Col. John Campbell. Tobo. does not command more than four dollars cash or 28/. part goods. If an oppy. offers and you can send me some fresh butter either from...
3From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 15 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to my father a day or two ago by Col: Burnley to which I refer. The principal step since taken by the H. of Delegates has been the rejection of a bill on which the Assize scheme depended. The majority consisted of 63 agst, 49. Yesterday the vote of the Speaker decided in the affirmative a resolution to repeal the Act which permits Masters to free their slaves. I hope the bill which...
4From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 21 January 1786 (Madison Papers)
The Assembly will rise this evening. Have my horses sent if you please as early as you can. If any fresh butter has been procured or should be on hand & Anthony can bring it, I shall be glad of it, not immediately on my own acct. but as it will enable me to return Civilities which can not be so well discharged any other way. Yr. letter by Col. Burnley never came to hand, nor have I rec’d. any...
5From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 7 August 1786 (Madison Papers)
The business depending before Congress not permitting Jas. Monroe to make a trip up the North River and a solitary trip being very disagreeable to me as well as likely to be less satisfactory in the result, I have declined for the present going further Northward than this City. I have however concerted some arrangements with Col. M: which have for their object, the extension of our...
6From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 8 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I came to this place a day or two ago, where I found two Commsrs only. A few more have since come in, but the prospect of a sufficient no. to make the Meeting respectable is not flattering. I was sorry to find in Philada. that the unpunctuality of some of the purchasers of the Tobo. had put it out of the power of Mr. H. to supply me with all the money become due under the contracts. This...
7From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 8 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have yours by Mr. Parker. I can by the time you mention pay the money to the Treasr. or settle it with him, but I do not chuse to treat with him about the matter before hand, farther than to tell him that I will be answerable by that time. To ask a favor wd. be improper. I shall have a demand on the Treasy. independt. of my wages on the 2d of Decr. If on these grounds The Sheriff be willing...
8From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 16 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have yours by Majr. White. You need not take the Tobo. of Mr Cowherd on the terms he requires. I do not think them unreasonable but I presume the Tobo. is not of the Mountain quality. If it shd. be of the first quality and can be got down in time to go to Philada this fall I would agree to take it in case my own added to it & a few Hhds from yourself & my father making in the whole about a...
9From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 10 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
A letter to my father under the same cover with this contains the latest information we have from Massts. To that letter I refer you. Having not reached this place till yesterday I have had no opportunity of making enquiry as to other News. The gentleman in Philada. who had conversed with me as to a Tobo. speculation in which your services might be made use of, has not yet recd. the...
10From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 13 June 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 28th. of April, the first I have recd. from you, has but just come to hand. It gave me the first information of the indisposition of my Father. I hope he has since fully recovered, and flatter myself the more that this is the case, as you or some one else would not have left me so long unapprized of the Contrary. I was disappointed at the arrival of 8 Hhds only. Tobo. only of...
11From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 18 July 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment your favor of the 10th. instant. I am extremely sorry to learn that My father’s health is not yet fully reestablished. I hope it soon may. His letter to me which you refer to has never come to hand. I write in a hurry in order to answer your enquiry by the first mail relative to the land purchased of Jones. If you can rely on the punctuality of the purchaser, and on his...
12From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 11 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 24. of Sepr. did not come to hand till the day before yesterday. I am glad to find the State of Crops in your quarter not worse. From the general information I had feared that very little Tobo. would be made, and scarce any corn. I am at a loss what to say as to brother Wms. adventurig. into public life. The prospect of service to His Country does not appear to me to call for...
13From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 8 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
Having mislaid your last favor, I can not acknowledge it by reference to its date. It contained two requests, the one relating to Mr. House’s rule of calculating the weight of the Tobacco; the other to my being a candidate in Orange for the Convention. In answer to the first point I inclose the rule exemplified. If this should not suffice, I will send you a calculation in detail for the whole...
14From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 24 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday carried us through the discussion of the Constitution by paragraphs. Today will probably bring forward some proposition and debates relative to the final step to be taken. The opposing party will contend for previous amendments. On the other side a conciliatory declaration of certain fundamental principles in favor of liberty, in a form not affecting the validity & plenitude of the...
15From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, [ca. December 1786] (Madison Papers)
I send you by Mr. Winslow £63–16. in gold, a payment advanced by Mr. Broadhead. I have at command also the 200 dollrs. which I mentioned as to be paid the 2d. of this month, & which you may draw on me for. I refer to my letter to my father & to Mr. Winslow for news. Yrs affy. RC (owned by Jerry N. Showalter, Charlottesville, Va., 1985). Undated. Addressed by JM to Ambrose Madison at Orange,...