1401From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 23 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
The pressure of unfinished business has suspended the adjournment of Congs. till saturday next. Among other articles which required it was the plan of amendments, on which the two Houses so far disagreed as to require conferences. It will be impossible I find to prevail on the Senate to concur in the limitation on the value of appeals to the Supreme Court, which they say is unnecessary, and...
1402Reporting of House Debates, [26 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Burke moved that the House no longer permit reporting of the debates, but he later withdrew the motion. Tucker then moved that the House sanction an accurate and impartial publication of the debates. Mr. Madison Thought it improper to throw impediments in the way of such information, as the house had hitherto permitted from the purest motives; but he believed it equally improper to give the...
1403Location of the Capital, [26 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Senate amended the residence bill by substituting for the Susquehanna site a district adjoining Philadelphia, including Germantown. Mr. Madison . However different our sentiments, with respect to the place most proper for the seat of the federal government, I presume we shall all agree, that a right decision is of great importance; and that a satisfactory decision is of equal moment to the...
1404Location of the Capital, [28 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Debate continued on the Senate amendment to substitute Germantown for the Susquehanna site. Mr. Madison Contended that the amendment proposed by the senate, was a departure from every principle adopted by the house; but he would not trouble them with a recapitulation of arguments, which, he feared, would be unavailing; he wished, however, that the house would provide against one inconvenience,...
1405From James Madison to Henry Lee, 4 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
I Meant to have acknowledged your favor of the 8th Ult. by your brother, but in the hurry of the occasion missed even the pleasure of seeing him after the adjournment. He will give you the details of our proceedings, particularly on the subject of the seat of Government. I am extremely afraid that the hopes of the Potomac do not rest on so good a foundation as we wish. Every circumstance which...
1406From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, [ca. 5 October] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The bearer will deliver two of your books which have been some time in my hands. I add to them a pamphlet recd. not long since from France. I can not recommend it because I have not read it. The subject tho’ a hackneyed is an interesting one, and the titles of some of the chapters promising. You will soon discover how far it may be worth your perusal. The inclosed letter to Genl. Schuyler...
1407From James Madison to Philip Schuyler, 5 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 5 October 1789, New York. Acknowledged in Schuyler to JM, 1 Nov. 1789 , and enclosed in JM to Hamilton, ca. 5 Oct. 1789 . Asks Schuyler to contact John Taylor of Albany regarding a contract with JM and James Monroe to buy 900 acres in the Mohawk Valley.
1408From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
A concurrence of motives has detained me here since the adjournment of Congress. One of them has been a hope of your arrival within the time. I set off tomorrow for Philada. where I shall remain some days, and not without a continuance of the same hope. I need not tell you how much pleasure I should feel in making my journey to Virginia coincide with yours, nor with how much patience I should...
1409Memorandum for George Washington, [ca. 8 October] 1789 (Madison Papers)
On the supposition that the business can be more properly conducted by a private Agent at London, than a public Minister at a third Court, the letter and instructions for the former character appear to be well adapted to the purpose. If any remark were to be made, it would relate merely to the form, which it is conceived would be made rather better by transposing the order of the two main...
1410Memorandum on an African Colony for Freed Slaves, [ca. 20 October] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Without enquiring into the practicability or the most proper means of establishing a Settlement of freed blacks on the Coast of Africa, it may be remarked as one motive to the benevolent experiment that if such an asylum was provided, it might prove a great encouragement to manumission in the Southern parts of the U. S. and even afford the best hope yet presented of putting an end to the...
1411From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
In the letter left for you in N. York on my leaving that place I omitted to mention to you three names which solicit a Clerkship in the office which will be under your direction. They are Mr. Fisher, Mr. Smith, & Mr. Orr. The first has vouchers of his pretensions which will enable You to decide readily on them. The second is a son of Merriwether Smith. I am not personally acquainted with him,...
1412From James Madison to William Irvine, 1 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 November 1789, Fredericksburg. Acknowledged in Irvine to JM, 15 Nov. 1789 . Encloses JM’s letter to Jefferson of 1 Nov. 1789 .
1413From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 19 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was too much indisposed for some time after the receipt of your favor of the 12 Ocr. to comply with the request in it, and since my arrival here and recovery I have till now been without a conveyance to the post office. The supplemental funds which at present occur to me as on the whole most eligible are 1. An excise on home distilleries. If the tax can be regulated by the size of the Still...
1414From James Madison to George Washington, 20 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
It was my purpose to have dropped you a few lines from Philada. but I was too much indisposed during my detention there to avail myself of that pleasure. Since my arrival here I have till now been without a fit conveyance to the post office. You will recollect the contents of a letter shewn you from Mr. Innis to Mr. Brown. Whilst I was in Philada. I was informed by the latter who was detained...
1415From James Madison to George Washington, 5 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have been furnished with the inclosed copy of the letter from the Senators of this State to its Legislature. It is well calculated to keep alive the disaffection to the Government, and is accordingly applied to that use by the violent partizans. I understand the letter was written by the first subscriber of it, as indeed is pretty evident from the stile and strain of it. The...
1416From James Madison to George Washington, 4 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
After being detained 8 or 10 days beyond the intended commencement of my Journey, by the critical illness of my mother, I am now subjected to a further delay by an attack on my own health. A slight complaint in my bowels which I first felt on the day of my arrival here (friday last) very suddenly took the form of a pretty severe dysentery. With the aid of Docr. Stuart who has been good eno’ to...
1417Receipt to the Treasurer, [24 October 1775] (Madison Papers)
Received twenty pounds for the Use of Colo. James Maddison for collecting Arms by Warrant from the Committee of Safety. Ms ( Vi ). Entered in the Treasurer’s Office Receipt Book, probably by Robert Carter Nicholas. Signed by JM.
1418From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, [20 May 1783] (Madison Papers)
… Notwithstanding the numerous arrivals from Europe, we receive no other information than what passes through the public prints. Sir G. Carlton in answer to a letter from General Washington on the subject of the provisional Treaty repeats the same sentiments regarding the Negroes, which he advanced in the Conference at Orange Town; entering a Caution however against their being considered as a...
1419From James Madison to Jacob Read, [17 February 1784] (Madison Papers)
… You will receive this from the hand of Mr. James Maury, who wishes to be known to Congress as a candidate for their favorable notice at the time of filling up consular missions to Europe. The confidence I have in his qualifications for such a service induces me to recommend him in the warmest terms to my friends remaining in Congress and to you in particular. He is a gentleman of sound...
1420From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 20 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have received and forwarded your letter and pamphlet to Mr. King. The latest information from Boston makes it probable that every aid to the federal cause will be wanted there. The antifederal party have forced such reinforcements in the Insurgents, and the province of Maine which is afraid of creating obstacles to her separation, that there is the most serious reason to apprehend the...
1421From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 21 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
An indisposition on the road retarded me so much that I was not able to take my seat in Congs. till yesterday. It began at Dumfries with a slight complaint in my bowells. On my arrival at George Town it took the form of a Dysentery and was pretty severe for some days. With the aid of my friend Docr. Stuart who was so good as to see me every day, I was in a condition to prosecute my journey in...
1422From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
A dysenteric attack at Georgetown with its effects retarded my journey so much that I did not arrive here till a few days ago. I am free at present from the original complaint, but a little out of order with the piles generated by that or the medicine it required. The Cato in which were the busts of P. Jones and the box of books for myself never arrived till the day before yesterday, having...
1423From James Madison to Edward Carrington, 24 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 24 January 1790. Acknowledged in Carrington to JM, 5 Feb. 1790 , and mentioned in JM to Carrington, 2 Feb. 1790 . Discusses Carrington’s appointment as federal marshal for the Virginia district.
1424Census, [25 January] 1790 (Madison Papers)
A bill “providing for the actual enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States” was under consideration by the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Madison Observed that they had now an opportunity of obtaining the most useful information for those who should hereafter be called upon to legislate for their country if this bill was extended so as to embrace some other objects besides the bare...
1425Census, [26 January] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presented a schedule, which he moved should be inserted in lieu of that annexed to the bill, viz. Free white males, under 16; free white males, above 16; white females, free blacks, and slaves, the heads of families, &c. And he likewise proposed that a particular schedule should be included in the bill, specifying the number of persons employed in different professions and arts,...
1426From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 31 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
New York Jany. 31. 1790. I wrote last week a letter accompanying the favor for Mrs. Ross, which I put into the hands of Mr. Bailey. He was to have returned to Philada. in the course of the week, but I find he is still here, and may possibly be still longer detained. He expects however to set out tomorrow morning. Mr. Randolph is not yet arrived. We have heard of his being in Philada. and...
1427From James Madison to John Dawson, 31 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 31 January 1790. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 26 Feb. and 14 Mar. 1790 . Says the official reports of Hamilton and Knox have led to a variety of reactions.
1428From James Madison to Edward Carrington, 2 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I sent to Col: Innis a few days ago Copies of the Reports of Mr. Hamilton & Mr. Knox, with a request that in case you should be in Town you might have a perusal of them. It was not then in my power to send separate Copies; besides that they are too voluminous to be multiplied without exceeding the due share of room in the conveyance. The former Report is to be considered on monday next. Amidst...
1429Census, [2 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Livermore objected that carrying out JM’s proposed census of the trades and professions was impracticable. Sedgwick asked why “the learned professions … clergy, physicians, and lawyers, were left out” (N.Y. Daily Gazette , 4 Feb. 1790). Mr. Madison. If the object to be attained by this particular enumeration be as important in the judgment of this house, as it appears to my mind, they will not...
1430Naturalization, [3 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The first clause of the naturalization bill, requiring one year’s residence by aliens for citizenship and an additional residence of two years to be capable of holding either a state or federal office, was under consideration. Tucker moved to strike out the one-year residence requirement in order to permit aliens to purchase and hold lands immediately upon taking an oath of allegiance. Mr....
1431From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. of Jany. inclosing one of Sepr. last did not get to hand till a few days ago. The idea which the latter evolves is a great one, and suggests many interesting reflections to legislators; particularly when contracting and providing for public debts. Whether it can be received in the extent your reasonings give it, is a question which I ought to turn more in my thoughts...
1432From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 7 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have consulted with Mr. Brown on the subject of a Successor to Mr. Short. He is apprehensive that the reasons which induced Mr. S. to decline his appointment will have the same weight with any other person who could be recommended. He names Col: Richard Taylor as worthy of the appointment, and as not more likely to follow the example of Mr. Short, than any other fit person within his...
1433Census, [8 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
A six-month time limit was proposed to complete the census. Mr. Madison said, that some states had been in the practice of taking a census, but to others it was a new business; and this consideration should demand a longer time. But there was another consideration—the marshal might die, during the time of transacting his business; the President must be made acquainted with this, and it would...
1434From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 11 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
By the last mail I acknowledged the receipt of your favor of the 9th. Ult: and hazarded a few remarks on the subject of that of Sepr. last from Paris. The newspapers forwarded by me from time to time will have exhibited something of the complexion of the politics here, particularly as they relate to the public debt. On this subject the H. of Reps. is at this moment deliberating. All that can...
1435Slave Trade Petitions, [11 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
FitzSimons presented an address of the fall 1789 meeting of the Quakers of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the western parts of Maryland and Virginia. Laurance presented one from the New York Quakers. These petitions urged Congress to consider measures leading to the abolition of the slave trade. A debate arose over a motion to refer the petitions to a committee. Mr. Madison. The...
1436Discrimination between Present and Original Holders of the Public Debt, [11 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
On 8 February the Committee of the Whole took up Secretary Hamilton’s report on public credit. FitzSimons submitted eight resolutions which served as a framework for the debate. The first declared “that adequate provision ought to be made for fulfilling the engagements of the United States, in respect to their foreign debt.” This passed unanimously. The second resolution called for “the...
1437Slave Trade Petitions, [12 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
A memorial from the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, signed by Benjamin Franklin and calling upon Congress to give its “serious attention to the subject of slavery” and to “step to the very verge” of its powers to discourage the slave trade, was read. Debate resumed on a motion to commit the Quaker petition that had been presented the previous day and read a second time on this day....
1438From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
We proceed slowly in business. The Report of Mr. Hamilton has been, of late, the principal subject of debate. On the foreign debt the vote has been unanimous. On the domestic, a reduction of the transferred principal has been brought into view by several arguments and propositions. My idea is that there should be no interference of the public in favour of the public either as to principal or...
1439From James Madison to Edward Carrington, 14 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 14 February 1790. Acknowledged in Carrington to JM, 2 Mar. 1790 . Explains his motion in Congress to discriminate between the original and present holders of public securities.
1440Discrimination between Present and Original Holders of the Public Debt, [18 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
On 15 February the Committee of the Whole resumed consideration of JM’s amendment. JM listened silently for the next three days as numerous speakers attacked his proposal. Mr. Madison next rose and observed that the opponents of his proposition had imposed on its friends not only a heavy task, by the number of their objections, but a delicate one by the nature of some of them. It had been...
1441Discrimination between Present and Original Holders of the Public Debt, [19 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Speaking against JM’s motion, Burke said that many officers and soldiers had received conspicuous marks of gratitude for their services, notably in appointments to civil offices. Mr. Madison. If paper, or the honor of statues or medals, can discharge the debts of justice, payable in gold and silver, we can not only exonerate ourselves from those due to the original holders, but from those of...
1442Assumption of the State Debts, [24 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
After the defeat of JM’s discrimination amendment, the second and third resolutions proposed by FitzSimons (on 8 February) were approved. The fourth resolution, “That the debts of the respective states ought, with the consent of the creditors, to be assumed and provided for by the United States,” had been under consideration for two days. Mr. Madison Observed, on the measure, that the...
1443Assumption of the State Debts, [26 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
JM’s amendment to the assumption resolution was still before the Committee of the Whole. On 25 February, White moved to confine the assumption to the surplus funds a state had “advanced beyond its just and equal proportion of the expences, incurred in the defence of the common rights of America.” After two days’ debate, this motion was defeated by a vote of 32 to 18. Mr. Madison Then begged...
1444From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet recd. a single line from Orange since I left it. The letter from my brother when at Alexa. is the only written information that I have had the pleasure of, A few lines from Mr. Hite excepted. These gave me an account of my sisters marriage, and added that about that period my mother was better. I am anxious to hear more on that subject, and indulge my hopes that her health will...
1445From James Madison to Walter Jones, 28 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 February 1790. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, 25 Mar. 1790 . Reports recent illness.
1446Assumption of the State Debts, [1 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The assumption resolution was still under consideration. Mr. Madison. The motion which yesterday I laid on the table, upon reflection I find to be out of order, as the principle was involved in the proposition, made by my colleague, (Mr. White) and decided against by the committee; I therefore withdraw it: But, I give notice that I mean hereafter to submit to the consideration of the...
1447From James Madison to Henry Lee, 1 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 March 1790. Acknowledged in Lee to JM, 13 Mar. 1790 . Probably relates to the defeat of JM’s discrimination amendment, the assumption debate, and Lee’s Potomac land speculation.
1448Assumption of the State Debts, [2 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Before the Committee of the Whole resumed consideration of JM’s amendment to the assumption resolution, White moved “that the secretary of the treasury be directed to ascertain the resources that may be applied to the payment of the state debts, provided they should be assumed by the United States.” Gerry objected to the motion as reflecting unfavorably on the secretary—”the house ought to...
1449Assumption of the State Debts, [3 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Carroll moved to discharge the Committee of the Whole from consideration of assumption. His purpose was to suspend the larger question until Secretary Hamilton reported (in consequence of White’s motion of 2 March) on the ways and means of paying the state creditors. Laurance suspected that the motion was intended to shunt the matter aside indefinitely. JM denied “that the motion was intended...
1450From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 4 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your recommendation of Docr. Morrow was handed me some time ago. I need not tell you that I shall always rely on your vouchers for merit, or that I shall equally be pleased with opportunities of forwarding your wishes. The only act of much consequence which the present Session has yet produced, is one for enumerating the Inhabitants as the basis of a reapportionment of the Representation. The...