61To George Washington from James Madison, 20 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured on Saturday with your letter of the 7th instant, along with which was covered the printed letter of Col. R. H. Lee to the Governour. It does not appear to me to be a very formidable attack on the new Constitution; unless it should derive an influence from the names of the correspondents, which its intrinsic merits do not entitle it to. He is certainly not perfectly accurate in...
62To George Washington from James Madison, 26 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
I am just informed by a Delegate from New Hamshire that he has a letter from President Sullivan which tells him that the Legislature had unanimously agreed to call a convention as recommended, to meet in February. The second Wednesday is the day if I have not mistaken it. We have no further information of much importance from Massachusetts. It appears that Cambridge the residence of Mr Gerry...
63To George Washington from James Madison, 14 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Daily Advertizer of this date contains several important articles of information, which need only be referred to. I enclose it with a few other late papers. Neither French nor English packet is yet arrived; and the present weather would prevent their getting in if they should be on the Coast. I have heard nothing of Consequence from Massachusetts since my last. The accounts from New...
64To George Washington from James Madison, 20 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Moustier arrived here a few days ago as successor to the Chevr de la Luzerne. His passage has been so tedious that I am not sure that the despatches from Mr Jefferson make any considerable addition to former intelligence. I have not yet seen them, but am told that this is the case. In general it appears that the affairs of Holland are put into pacific train. The Prussian troops...
65To George Washington from James Madison, 25 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured since my last with yours of the 10th inst: with a copy of the Governours letter to the Assembly. I do not know what impression the latter may make in Virginia. It is generally understood here that the arguments contained in it in favor of the Constitution are much stronger than the objections which prevented his assent. His arguments are forceable in all places, and with...
66To George Washington from James Madison, 28 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
The information which I have by the Eastern mail rather increases than removes the anxiety produced by the last. I give it to you as I have recd it in the words of Mr King. Boston 20 Jany 88 “Our Convention proceeds slowly. An apprehension that the liberties of the people are in danger, and a distrust of men of property or education have a more powerful effect upon the minds of our opponents...
67To George Washington from James Madison, 1 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Eastern Mail which arrived yesterday brought me a letter from Mr King, of which a copy follows. “Our prospects are gloomy, but hope is not entirely extinguished. Gerry has not returned to the Convention, and I think will not again be invited. We are now thinking of Amendments to be submitted not as a condition of our assent & ratification, but as the Opinion of the Convention subjoined to...
68To George Washington from James Madison, 3 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Another mail has arrived from Boston without terminating the conflict between our hopes and fears. I have a letter from Mr King of the 27 which after dilating somewhat on the ideas in his former letters, concludes with the following paragraph—“We have avoided every question which would have shewn the division of the House. Of consequence we are not positive of the numbers on each side. By the...
69To George Washington from James Madison, 8 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
The prospect in Massts seems to brighten, if I view in the true light the following representation of it. “This day, (Jany 30) for the first our President Mr Handcock took his seat in Convention, and we shall probably terminate our business on Saturday or tuesday next. I can not predict the issue, but our hopes are increasing. If Mr Hancock does not disappoint our present expectations, our...
70To George Washington from James Madison, 11 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Newspaper inclosed with the letter which follows, comprises the information brought me by the mail of yesterday. Boston Feby 3d “I inclose a Newspaper containing the propositions communicated by Mr Hancock to the Convention, on thursday last. Mr [Samuel] Adams who contrary to his own sentiments has been hitherto silent in Convention, has given his public and explicit approbation of Mr...
71To George Washington from James Madison, 15 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have at length the pleasure to inclose you the favorable result of the Convention at Boston. The amendments are a blemish, but are in the least offensive form. The minority also is very disagreeably large, but the temper of it is some atonement. I am assured by Mr King that the leaders of it as well as the members of it in general are in good humour; and will countenance no irregular...
72To George Washington from James Madison, 20 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 7th inst: and will attend to your wishes as to the political essays in the press. I have given notice to my friends in Orange that the County may command my services in the Convention, if it pleases. I can say with great truth however that in this overture I sacrifice every private inclination to considerations not of a selfish nature. I foresee that the...
73To George Washington from James Madison, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Convention of N. Hampshire has afforded a very disagreeable subject of communication. It has not rejected the Constitution, but it has failed to adopt it. Contrary to all the calculations that had been made it appeared on the meeting of the members that a majority of 3 or four was adverse to the object before them, and that on a final question on the merits, the decision would be in the...
74To George Washington from James Madison, 10 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Having seen a part only of the names returned for the Convention, and being unacquainted with the political characters of many of them, I am a very incompetent prophet of the fate of the Constitution. My hopes however are much encouraged by my present conjectures. Those who have more data for their calculations than I have, augur a flattering issue to the deliberations of June. I find that...
75To George Washington from James Madison, 4 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2d Ulto was not recd till my arrival here on monday evening. I found, contrary to my expectation that not only a very full house had been made on the first day, but that it had proceeded to the appointment of the President & other officers. Mr Pendleton was put into the chair without opposition. Yesterday little more was done than settling some forms and Resolving that no...
76To George Washington from James Madison, 13 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of came to hand by the mail of Wednesday. I did not write by several late returns for two reasons; one the improbability of [your] having got back to Mount Vernon; the other a bilious indisposition which confined me for some days. I am again tolerably well recovered. Appearances at present are less favorable than at the date of my last. Our progress is slow and every advantage is...
77To George Washington from James Madison, 18 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
No question direct or indirect has yet been taken, by which the state of parties could be determined. of course each is left to enjoy the hopes resulting from its own partial calculations. It is probable the majority on either side will not exceed more than 3, 4, 5 or 6. I indulge a belief that at this time the friends of the Constitution have the advantage in point of number. Great moderation...
78To George Washington from James Madison, 23 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
We got through the constitution by paragraphs today. Tomorrow some proposition for closing the business will be made. On our side a ratification involving a few declaratory truths not affecting its validity will be tendered. The opposition will urge previous amendments. Their conversation to day seemed to betray despair. Col. Mason in particular talked in a style which no other sentiment could...
79To George Washington from James Madison, 25 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
On the question today for previous amendments, the votes stood 80 ays—88 noes—on the final question the ratification passed 89 ays—79 noes. Subsequent amendments will attend the act; but are yet to be settled. The temper of the minority will be better known tomorrow. The proceedings have been without flaw or pretext for it; and there is no doubt that acquiescence if not cordiality will be...
80To George Washington from James Madison, 27 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Convention came to a final adjournment to day. The inclosed is a copy of their act of ratification with the yeas & nays. A variety of amendments have been since recommended; several of them highly objectionable; but which could not be parried. The Minority are to sign an address this evening which is announced to be of a peace-making complexion. Having not seen it I can give no opinion of...
81To George Washington from James Madison, 21 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have deferred writing since my arrival here in the hourly hope of being enabled to communicate the final news from Poughkepsie. By a letter from Hamilton dated the day before yesterday I find that it is equally uncertain when the business will be closed, and what will be its definitive form. The inclosed gazettes state the form which the depending proposition bears. It is not a little...
82To George Washington from James Madison, 27 July 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Madison, 27 July 1788. On 3 Aug. GW wrote Madison : “Your favors of the 21st & 27th of last month came duly to hand.”
83To George Washington from James Madison, 11 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with yours of the 3d instant. The length of the interval since my last has proceeded from a daily expectation of being able to communicate the final arrangements for introducing the new Government. The place of meeting has undergone much discussion as you conjectured and still remains to be fixed. Philada was first named, & negatived by a voice from Delaware. N. York...
84To George Washington from James Madison, 24 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favored with yours of the 17th 18th under the same cover with the papers from Mr Pleasants. The Circular letter from this State is certainly a matter of as much regret, as the unanimity with which it passed is matter of surprize. I find it is every where, and particularly in Virginia, laid hold of as the signal for united exertions in pursuit of early amendments. In Pennsylva....
85To George Washington from James Madison, 14 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
The delay in providing for the commencement of the Government was terminated yesterday, by an acquiescence of the minor number, in the persevering demands of the major. The time for chusing the electors is the first Wednesday in Jany, and for chusing the President the first Wednesday in Feby. The meeting of the Govt is to be the first Wednesday in March, and in the City of New York. The times...
86To George Washington from James Madison, 26 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
I subjoin two resolutions lately taken by Congress in relation the Mississippi which I hope may have a critical and salutary effect on the temper of our western Brethren. In Congress Sepr 16 On report of the Committee &c. to whom was referred the Report of the Secy for For. Affairs on a motion of the Delegates of North Carolina, stating the uneasiness produced by a report “that Congress are...
87To George Washington from James Madison, 21 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
I send you the inclosed paper chiefly for the sake of the Edict which fixes on May for the meeting of the States general in France. Letters from Mr Jefferson authenticate this document. They mention also the disgrace as it is called of the Marquis. The struggle at present in that Kingdom seems to be entirely between the Monarchy & aristocracy, and the hopes of the people merely in the...
88To George Washington from James Madison, 5 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed memorandum was put into my hands by Mr St John the French Consul. He is a very worthy man & entitled by his philanthropy and zealous patronage of whatever he deems useful, to much esteem and regard. You will therefore oblige me by putting it in my power to afford him the little gratification he asks. I have another request to trouble you with, which concerns myself. Col. H. Lee...
89To George Washington from James Madison, 2 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
The information conveyed in your favor of the 17th ulto lays me under great obligations. It was by no means my wish to have imposed the task of so full and particular a view of the subject. The general result in your own mind was all that I had in contemplation. One of the papers herewith inclosed will shew you the state of the election for the Senate in Massts. It was understood here, that Mr...
90To George Washington from James Madison, 14 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2d instant with the letters attending it never came to hand till last evening. I have good reason to believe that the delay happened between Alexanda & Fredg, rather than at or from the latter place. Mr F. Maury pays particular attention to all letters which arrive there for me, and forwards them to Orange by opportunites which are frequent & safe. I apprehend there will be...