7251James Madison to George W. Spotswood, 26 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 23d. is just come to hand. I need not express to you my good wishes, these having been often repeated. But I can not manifest them in the way you request; consistently with the rule I have long found it necessary to adopt. Nor could I, indeed in your case, add any thing to the informations or considerations, favorable to your objects, which will probably be offered by others...
7252James Madison to Edward Everett, 28 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing a letter for Mr. Sparks, which you will oblige me by having delivered to him on his arrival at Boston, or forwarded under the proper direction in case he should end his voyage elsewhere, & not be soon expected there. The object of the letter is to spare him the trouble of fulfilling a promise, which since his departure for Europe, has been found to be...
7253James Madison to Jared Sparks, 28 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
Since your departure for Europe I have found the letters from General Washington which I thought were missing, and of which you were so obliging as to promise me copies from the original drafts among his papers. These particular letters had been separated from the others, and the circumstance forgotten. That you may avoid the trouble of fulfilling your promise I drop you this information,...
7254James Madison to Edward Coles, 2 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
You have obliged us very much by your favor of the 29th. Ult: It gave us the first knowledge of the accident to Payne. Altho’ it guards us agst. unfavorable reports, it leaves us very anxious to learn that the progress of his recovery correspond with your anticipations. We must ask the favor of you also to let us know from whom the required medical aid was obtained, and whether he has been...
7255James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 3 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. lately from Mr. Quincy President of Harvard University, a letter expressing a particular desire to obtain all the printed Reports, and other documents, which relate to the origin, history, Constitution, discipline, and present State of the University of Virginia. Finding that there will be difficulty in procuring all that is wished for from the sources to which I have applied, and the...
7256James Madison to Josiah Quincy, 4 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your letter from Washington, I took the steps most likely to procure the information you had in view. Finding after some delay that I could not rely on the sources resorted to, owing in part, to a vacancy in the Secretaryship to the Board of Visitors, I have addressed to a friend in Richmond: Col. Peyton, a request that he will collect & transmit to you every thing relating...
7257James Madison to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 4 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. a letter from [Giles] containing a paragraph, of which a copy is enclosed. Intending, soon to write to him, I will thank you for a few lines, enabling [me] to say what is due on the points, he refers to. Having seen no acct. of the death of your young kinsman, spoken of in your late letter, we hope he has had a better fate than you dreaded; and that no obstacle exists to the...
7258James Madison to Adam J. Levy, 11 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, yours of the 6th. inst: and subjoin a draft on Mr. Allen of Fredericksburg, instead of the Bill suggested by you. I hope it will equally answer your purpose. With friendly respects RC ( NHi ).
7259James Madison to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 13 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 10th. inst. As you can judge better probably than I can of the rule sugested by equity for adjusting the effect of the late suspension at the University, between the Students & the Hotel Keepers, I can only advise that you continue to exercise your own judgment, keeping in your hands as far as may be admissible, the means of accommodating a final arrangemt to the...
7260James Madison to William Allen, 14 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
Finding it convenient to make a draft on you for $150 dollars in favor of Mr. A J. Levy of Philada. I have taken the liberty of forwarding one to him of that amount. It is made payable after 30 days sight previous to which I shall probably make you a remittance to meet it. Should I be disappointed, you will please to sell, if not sold before, the flour necessary for the purpose. Draft (DLC) .
7261James Madison to Benjamin Romaine, 14 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favour of March 30th. accompanied by two sets of pamphlets, for which I tender my thanks. That which—relates to the views of a particular party during the period from 1803 to the close of the last war necessarily invites the recollections of the Agents to observers of public affairs, among whom both of us are numbered. On the other subject, that of constitutional Reforms, the...
7262James Madison to John S. Skinner, 14 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 24th. Ult; with a Set of the American Journal &c. The value of such a publication, executed on the plan adopted & with the ability to be presumed from the sample given, must recommend it strongly to the public favour, and I should very cheerfully offer my name for the subscription list: but that it is becoming every day more convenient for me to reduce rather than...
7263James Madison to John H. Lee, 16 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter conveys the information and opinions recd. from Mr. William R. Griffith of your State on the case depending between Mrs. Willis & me, and the purchasers of our land on Panther Creek. From a conversation with Mr. Griffith, he appears to have a thorough knowledge of the law of the case, as well as of every thing affecting the value of the land, and the respective interests of...
7264James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 18 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. was duly recd. and I thank you, as Mr. Quincy doubtless does for your obliging execution of the task requested of you. Like some other partial friends you greatly overate my Consent to be made a candidate for the approaching Convention. It was given with a very just, as well as unfeigned reluctance. When I recollect the years that have passed over my head, since I...
7265James Madison to Elliott Cresson, 23 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
With the examples before me, and as a token of the esteem and good wishes I feel for Elliott Cresson, I take pleasure in complying with his request, by the following sample of my handwriting-"Liberty & Learning, both best supported, when leaning, each on the other.[] RC (General Services Administration, National Archives and Records Service: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library); FC (DLC) .
7266James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 24 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
On the supposition that a remnant of fund in your hands, may not be insufficient for the coming occasion, I enclose a note for it without a remittance. Should I miscalculate, let me know, and the error shall be corrected. Draft (DLC) .
7267James Madison to Jonathan Leonard, 28 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. yours of the 10th. instant, with a Copy of "the History of Dedham".[dagger] Though more immediately interesting to those locally & personally related to the subjects of it, the work contains much that is generally attractive. This may be said, more especially of the minute care with which the Author exhibits the example of a Civil Society in its primary formation, and...
7268James Madison to James Monroe, 1 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of April 28. I think as you do, that it will be best for us to decline attending the election in this Month, even in our own Counties; and I shall do so, unless it should appear that such a course will be particularly offensive. Of this there is not the least probability. On the contrary the public indications are, that elections on this extraordinary occasion ought to...
7269James Madison to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 4 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of Apl. 29 & 30; and return the paper inclosed in the latter, which seems very proper for the publication intended. The subjects suggested in the paper inclosed in the other, some of them particularly, are important, and will doubtless receive the due attention of the Visitors. The change proposed in the Dormitories, tho’ an improvement with reference to the...
7270James Madison to John Hartwell Cocke, 8 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
I did not learn till a few days ago, that you had sufficiently got over your reported illness at Norfolk, to return home. I hope your health is now good & will continue so. I inclose an extract from a letter recd. from Mr. Long some time ago, which shews that we cannot rely on a successor from England to the Chair he filled in the University; that he strongly recommends Doctr. Harrison for it:...
7271James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 9 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Apl. 28 came duly to hand and I thank you for the attention given to mine which it answered. Do me the further favor to pay Mr. Ritch[ie] the annual advance for the Enquirer, due about this time. The enclosed note for it was left with me at my request, by one of the Collect[ors] for that paper, & will do for the receipt. My overseer tells me he must pause in Sending down my Tobo. for...
7272James Madison to William Allen, 19 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your letter communicating the sale of my flour was duly recd. but could not be sooner acknowledged. However short of our hopes I am sure that you have acted for the best; and it is quite propable that it has ended for the best. I thank you sir for your obliging managment of the business throughout and will now request that you will let me see the balance at my disposal—Oblige me by a further...
7273James Madison to David Hosack, 28 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
The copy of your "Memoir of De Witt Clinton" which I owe to your politeness, found me under the influence of an oppressive indisposition, from which I apprehend a slow recovery. In this feeble state of my health, at my advanced Age, and with arrears of pressing claims on my attention, it is uncertain at least when I shall be able to give the memoir such a perusal as would be agreeable to me....
7274James Madison to Joseph Blunt, 29 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. Sir, some time ago your letter of the 8th Ulto accompanied by the 2d. volume of the "American Annual Register;" At a later day, the 1st. vol. was also recd. I am sorry it has not been in my power to give them such a perusal as was my wish. My health has been much interrupted since the opportunity was afforded; and is at present in so feeble a state, that at my advanced age, and with...
7275James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 30 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
My overseer is so pressed in winding up his late crop of Tobo. for wch. the winter was unfavorable, and in his preparations for the coming one, that he wishes to know whether the market for his lugs will not probably be as good in the Autumn as at this Season. Favor me with the proper information on this point. I have 4 or 5 Hhds to—add to the six at the Warehouse, which I hope with the six...
7276James Madison to James Monroe, 3 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 31st. Ult. inclosing letters recomending Mr J. T. Tracy, and hasten to correct an error you have fallen into which affect[s] the University as well as yourself. It is on the tenth , not the fifteenth of July, that the Visitors are to meet. I address this to N. Y. where you will probably have arrived. It gives us pleasure to find that Mrs. M encounters the...
7277James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 5 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
We are filling out for Richd. 2 Waggons with 4 Hhds. of Tobo. wch. I hope will find a good Market. This neighborhood has been favored with the finest planting season, and if the crops are not generally pitched, it must be owing to a backwardness of the plant beds, which I presume from the late frosting weather has happened in but a few instances, if in any. I ask your attention to the inclosed...
7278James Madison to John Hartwell Cocke, June 5, 1829 (Madison Papers)
I forward herewith a copy of Mr. Monroe’s paper from Mr. Trist. Your two letters from Charlottesville came duly to hand. I shall write to Mr. Long on the subject of the "Thesaurus", by Mr. Rives; who if he halts in England will probably see him; and if not will ask the favor of Mr. McLane to take charge of the letter. I have heard nothing from Mr. Long or Mr. Barbour on the subject of a...
7279James Madison to Richard Cutts, 6 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a draft on Mr. Allen of Fredericksburg, for $150. which I hope will be in time to extinguish the debt to the Bank, before a renewal of the note and a further call on the friendship of Mr. Nourse, become necessary. Do not fail to make him fully sensible of my thankfulness, for the aid of his name so obligingly furnished throughout the period which made it acceptable. I am recovering...
7280James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 6 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
If I have not sooner thanked you for the considerate present in the Box of fruit referred to in your letter of , the apology will I am sure have occurr’d to you. A delay which the Box met with on the way lessened the value of a part of its contents, but not the obligat<ion> felt for the kindness wch prompted <...> the favour. I am regaining, tho’ not rapidly, my health, & strength. I hope the...
7281James Madison to George Long, 8 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your obliging letter of Decr—came duly to hand. Having heard nothing since either from you or from Mr. Barbour, I infer that our field of choice for the vacant Chair in our University will be limited to our own Country: In this event, your favorable estimate of Mr. Harrison’s qualifications will doubtless be a weight in his scale, when compared with the pretensions of others. Of the standing...
7282James Madison to Richard Cutts, 13 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of June 8 & 9. As my draft on Mr. Allen lately sent you will have furnished the means of extinguishing my debt to the Bank, I suppress the discounting note inclosed in one of them. It has not been my wish to precipitate the sale of the House & lots in Washington, & hope it may not be necessary. But the hold my Creditors have on my landed property here, exposing me...
7283James Madison to Hyde de Neuville, 15 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
My friend Mr. Rives is about to take his station in Paris, as diplomatic Representative of the U. States; and not doubting that an acquaintance will be mutually agreeable, I wish to open a direct way to it by this introduction. You will find him equally enlightened & amiable; with liberal views on all subjects; and with dispositions to cherish the friendly feelings & improve the beneficial...
7284James Madison to Marquis de Lafayette, 15 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of Jany. 28 came duly to hand. The answer to it has been procrastinated to this late day by circumstances which you will gather from it. I am glad to learn that the regenerating spirit continues to work well in your public councils, as well as in the popular mind; and elsewhere as well as in France. It is equally strange & shameful, that England with her boasted freedom, instead of...
7285James Madison to William Madison, 15 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
Finding to my great regret that another Court had passed without a single step as far as I know being taken in the case of our mothers will whilst the debt of an impatient Creditor is swelling with Interest, and the property which is to pay the debts & Legacies probably sinking in price, I snatched the opportunity of an interview with Mr. Chapman to test his pulse on the subject. He manifested...
7286James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 16 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I inclose the promised letters to the Baron & Baroness de Neuville to which is added one to Genl. Lafayette. In this last, I have interwoven what will make you properly known to him and Mrs M. has subjoined what will equally introduce Mrs. Rives. We offer to you both our affectionate respects, & a repetition of all our good wishes Draft (DLC) .
7287James Madison to Elliott Cresson, 19 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
J. M. presents his respects to his friend E. Cresson, and fulfils his promise, by inclosing an autograph of General Washington & Mr. Jefferson. It would have been done sooner, but for a tedious indisposition, from which J. M is now not entirely recovered. FC (DLC) .
7288James Madison to John Finch, 20 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your letter of May 10th inclosing a continuation of your observations on the "Natural boundaries of Empires". The views you have taken of the subject, give it certainly an attractive interest. But I must retain the impression, that they may reasonably be qualified by the progress of human Art in controuling the operation of physical causes. I should have sooner acknowledged...
7289James Madison to Hezekiah Niles, 20 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have been long a subscriber to your "Register", and retain my respect for its merits, and sincere wishes for its prolonged success; but finding it expedient at the age I have reached, to abridge the attention required for such objects, I must request you to discontinue my name on your Subscription list. According to the account presented lately by your Collector, the balance due from me in...
7290James Madison to Lawrence T. Dade, 23 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of yesterday, on the subject of your application for an office becoming vacant at Washington. I need not assure you Sir that I have always entertained a very sincere esteem for your character, with the best wishes for your welfare, nor remark that I well know of the repeated proofs you have recd. of the public favor & confidence. But I could not comply with the request...
7291James Madison to Robert J. Dillon, 23 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of May 26, having passed on to a Southern post office did not reach me on its return, till yesterday. Its motive & language, entitled it to a kind, however unsatisfactory answer The question you state is too important not to forbid a naked decision, and if no other obstacle existed, the infirm state of my health would not admit a comprehensive & argumentative one. Whether the...
7292James Madison to Leroy Anderson, 26 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd Sir by the last mail, your letter of the 9th. inst: I can not but wish well to the object of the prospectus communicated, and feel all the respect due to the names which subscribe to it. But I am restrained from conforming to the example by a rule prescribed by the age I have reached, & other considerations, which not only forbids new subscriptions, but is withdrawing the greater part...
7293James Madison to Thomas S. Grimke, 27 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
J. M. presents his respects to Mr Grimke with acknowledgments for the Copy just recd. of his able & persuasive Address at the Dedication of a Building for Religious uses. FC (DLC) .
7294James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 27 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 23d. I canot but say that the sales of the Tobo. have disappointed my hopes, tho’ I have no doubt, your attentions did it justice; and that there must have been a defective management here. It is true, the want of rain at the ripening stage, may account in some degree for the prevailing quality: But it is equally true that my neighbors with the same weather, and a...
7295James Madison to James Monroe, 29 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment recd. yours of the 25th., and having a casual oppy. to the P. O. this evening shall get an answr. into the mail tomorrow morning. The 10th. of July is as you suppose the day for the Meeting of the Visitors, and I shall look for you here in due time. It ought to be on the 8th. at the latest. I am glad to find you so successful in overcoming the successive attacks on your...
7296James Madison to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 2 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd yours of June 29[h]; and am much obligd by your considerate provision of quarters for me & Mrs. M. during the approaching Sessions of the Bd. of Visitors. Should my health suddenly improve so far as to enable me to attend, I shall avail myself of the arrangement you have made. But such is at present my feeble state, with some remains of indisposition, that I count on the...
7297James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 2 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
I can not at so late a day acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Mar. 1. without feeling that I owe an explanation of the delay. The truth is that it was at first occasioned by the idea that I should soon be able to combine with my thanks for the agreeable little volume accompanying your letter, those due for the important one from your own pen, and this cause of the delay was followed by...
7298James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 4 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by yesterday’s mail yours of the 2d. with the communication for Mr. T. J. Randolph wch. will be forwarded by the earliest mail, viz on Monday. I do not find among my Pamphlets that of Docr. Cooper on Government. I am under the impression that it is still in the hands of Mr. Lomax. In that case he will readily let you have it. Should it have been returned, let me know, and I will look...
7299James Madison to the Visitors of the University of Virginia, 9 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
It is with much concern that I find myself agn. detained by the infirm State of my health from the duty of being in my place at a Meeting of the Visitors. I had not been without hopes, that the obstacle wd. have been removed, but the remains of a bilious indisposition, with the feebleness produced by it, do not permit my wishes on the occasion. I can only therefore assure my Collegues, that no...
7300James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 11 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 3d. was duly recd. and the Articles it refers to [du]ly delivered. My overseer says that he can not immediately follow up the waggoning his Tobo. & wishes the 2 Hhds. on hand to be sold without waiting for more, being apprehensive that the order in which the Tobo. was priced, may render delay unfavorable to the sale, by limiting it to the manufacturers. The Harvest is now over in...