251James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 29 May 1832 (Madison Papers)
Whilst reflecting in my sick bed a few mornings ago, on the dangers hovering over our Constitution and even the Union itself, a few ideas which, tho’ not occurring for the first time, had become particularly impressive at the present. I have noted them by the pen of a friend, on the inclosed paper, and you will take them for what they are worth. If that be anything, and they happen to accord...
252From James Madison to John G. Jackson, 21 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
I inclose with a few other Newspapers one containing the Decln. of war, which will supply the place of the Natl. Intelligencer, should this miscarry. I inclose also a handbill just recd. giving acct. of the Assassination of Percival. What effect this incident may have on the British Coun[c]ils, can not be anticipated without further knowledge of its causes & circumstances. It may possibly...
253From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure of your’s of the 11 inst. acknowledging mine of the 2d. In some of your letters I observe you do not say whether any have been recd. from me or not. I have not omitted to write in a single instance since our correspondence commenced. The time approaches so nearly now when I shall have an opportunity of asking verbal communications on confidential points that I forbear to...
254From James Madison to James Maury, 17 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 June 1802, Department of State, Washington. “ Your letter of the 10th. April last has been duly received. According to the rule now in practice, all such accounts as yours are to be settled at the Treasury Department. It will be proper therefore that you forward them to that Department with the requisite vouchers. As soon as the balance shall be authenticated, you may receive payment either...
255From James Madison to Valentine Gill, [ca. 31] May 1817 (Madison Papers)
I recd. lately your letter of Apl. 4. and have made known its contents to the Govr. of this State. I think it probable however that provision has been already made for the engineering aid required in the internal improvements on foot in this State. Should there be occasion for your services, you will probably receive a communication on the subject. In the mean time it would evidently not be...
256James Madison to Thomas G. Addison, 27 August 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 20th. having passed on to Charlottesville instead of stopping here at Orange Ct House, has been but just recd. I doubt not the truth of every thing stated in the communication which pleads for the object you have at heart. But having been constrained to adopt a rule not permitting me to interpose in the manner you request, and having declined to do so in instances of...
257From James Madison to Richard Peters, 17 December 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return my thanks for the agricultural Almanack for the coming year, the value of which is not a little enhanced by your instructive contributions. You take a refuting notice of the opinion that the grains of wheat are the ridus [ sic ] of the Hessian fly. This error commenced the appearance of the insect among us, and threatened to injure the foreign market for that great staple. The danger...
258From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 3 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 28 Ult: and thank you for the paper which it inclosed. Your arguments appear to me to place the subject to which they relate in its true light, and must be satisfactory to the writer himself whom they oppose, if he can suspend for a moment his preconceived opinions. But whether they should have any effect or not on him, they will unquestionably be of...
259From James Madison to John D. Street, 2 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have it in charge from the President to inform you, as I now do, that he has revoked and annulled your Commission of Vice Consul of the United States, for the Island of Fayal. Mr. John B. Dabney, who was some time since appointed Consul of the United States for the Azores or Western Islands including that of Fayal, will receive from you such papers and documents as ought to be delivered over...
260To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the letter from M r Cabell with your answer to it inclosed in yours of the 16 th just come to hand. It is not probable that a removal of the College from Williamsburg, will be espoused by a Majority of the Visitors, controuled as they will be by the popular voice in that quarter. If it should, Richmond will not be without competitors. The pretensions of Petersburg have already been...
261From James Madison to William Pinkney and Others, 22 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. fellow Citizens, the congratulations upon the conclusion of an honorable peace with G. B, which you have communicated on the part of a numerous & respectable meeting of Republican Citizens of the City & precincts of Baltimore. A candid review of the trials to which our Country has been exposed, & of its conduct previous & subsequent to the appeal to arms, will always do equal...
262From James Madison to Hans Rudolph Saabye, 2 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have received information that measures, imposing serious restrictions on our navigation and commerce, are taking in the North of Europe, with a view to guard against the introduction of the pestilential disorder, called the yellow fever. It is represented that these restrictions are likely to be generally extended in that quarter thro’ the means of a concert, promoted by one of the most...
263From James Madison to Joseph Anderson, 14 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Anderson, and informs him that he will, on Friday next, at 11 o’clock receive the Committee of the Senate instructed to communicate to the President their resolution of the 16th ultimo. The committee are apprized, by his late message to the Senate, of the grounds on which he will be obliged to decline the proposed conference with the committee upon the...
264From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 12 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 31st. of January has come to hand. The information it conveyed respecting the importation of Negroes was communicated to Congress together with the letter it enclosed from Mr. Leonard. The doubts which have arisen respecting the Ship from St. Domingo have relation, as far as yet appears, to two points—1st. whether the passengers ought to be permitted to come up to New...
265From James Madison to George Tucker, 20 December 1826 (Madison Papers)
In fulfilment of my promise I send you Dr. Coopers Lectures on Political Economy. I do not wish to hurry a return of the volume, But having not yet had leisure to look over it, It will suit me to have it again, after you have made yourself as much acquainted with its contents, and as much at your leisure, as you chuse. The talents and information of the Author, never fail to throw light on...
266James Madison to Caleb Cushing, 9 February 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 3d. Instant, enclosing a copy of your speech on the right of petition &c; which certainly contains very able and interesting views of the subject. I do not wonder at your difficulty in understanding, the import, of the passage cited from my speech in the first Congress, under the present Constitution, being myself at a loss, for its precise meaning, obscured...
267Presidential Proclamation, [2 November] 1810 (Madison Papers)
By the President of the United States, A PROCLAMATION. Whereas by the fourth section of the act of Congress, passed on the first day of May, 1810, entitled “An act concerning the commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France and their dependencies and for other purposes,” it is provided “that in case either Great Britain or France shall, before the third day of...
268From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 December 1795 (Madison Papers)
At the request of Mr. R. Harrison, who is well acquainted with the Bearer Mr. James H. Hooe, I introduce this Gentleman to your civilities. He is charged with some business interesting to a friend of Mr. Harrison, which it is supposed may be aided by your advice, and perhaps claim your official attention. These considerations will more than apologize for the liberty I have taken, and will...
269From James Madison to the Calliopean Society of Transylvania University, June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter of May 10. communicating the mark of attention conferred on me by the Calliopan Socy. The objects of the Society, and the considerations governing the selection of its members form a just claim to my acknowlegements, & I beg that they may be duly presented. This distant & general expression of my sense of the honorary appt. I have recd. is the only mode in which I can...
270From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Thos. Jefferson Esq.” Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas. Feby. 11. 1783.” The words italicized in the third paragraph are those written by JM in the cipher described in Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan. 1783 , ed. n. Also in LC : Madison Papers is JM’s draft of the letter. Your favor of the 31 of Jany. was safely brought by Mr. Thomson. That of the 7. inst:...
271From James Madison to Louis-Marie Turreau, 12 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 12 June 1805 . Calendared in the index to the State Department notes to foreign legations as “relative to the capture of the Huntress” ( DNA : RG 59, Notes to Foreign Ministers and Consuls, vol. 1).
272From James Madison to Jacob Brown, 10 June 1825 (Madison Papers)
Captain Glassel heretofore of my neighbourhood, supposing that a trip to Scotland may aid an object in which he has an eventual interest, wishes me to drop you a line on the occasion. Of his present standing personal & official, you have or can readily obtain a sufficient knowledge; and it does not belong to me to estimate the considerations on which a grant of absence must depend. What alone...
273From James Madison to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 27 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 25th. and return the letter from Mr. Kerr, who I presume is the former Senator from the State of Ohio. Not being acquainted with all the circumstances, which would throw light on the subject, among which is “the unfortunate circumstance mentioned in the Envelope,” not accompanying your letter, I cannot appreciate properly, the representation made to you. It is due to...
274From James Madison to John Steele, 24 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have lately shipped to your care in the Sloop John Hand Junr. Master, Twenty six Boxes, containing Volumes of the Laws of the United States, 1st. Session, 10th. Congress, addressed to many of the Governors of the States & Territories, which you will be pleased to forward to their respective places of destination, as opportunities may occur, paying the expenses from Philadelphia, which will...
275Term of the Senate, [26 June] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Read moved that the term be nine years. Mr. Madison. In order to judge of the form to be given to this institution, it will be proper to take a view of the ends to be served by it. These were first to protect the people agst. their rulers: secondly to protect the people agst. the transient impressions into which they themselves might be led. A people deliberating in a temperate moment, and...
276Notes on Debates, 25 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison observing to Congs. that he found a settled disinclination in some of the delegations to concur in any conciliatory expedient for defending the Missippi agst. the operation of the vote of seven States , and that it was hence become necessary to attack directly the validity of that measure to the end that the adversaries to it, and particularly the instructed delegations, might at...
277From James Madison to Congress, 28 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 February 1811. Transmits a report of the secretary of state relative to deficiencies in the returns of the census. RC and enclosure, two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 11A-D1; and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, 11A-E3). Each RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM. Enclosure is Robert Smith to JM, 27 Feb. 1811 .
278From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 1 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 25th of Feby. in answer to mine on the subject of the papers in your hands relating to the Ship business of the Legation of the United States at Paris. As it is a task which you can best perform, I request the favor of you to select the papers which may be most properly returned to Paris, and send them to Mr. Gelston to be forwarded to Genl. Armstrong: and...
279To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the satisfaction to inform you that the negociation on foot between the U. States & the Govt. of G.B. is proceeding in a spirit of friendship & accomodation which promises a result of mutual advantage. The delays which have taken place are to be regretted; but as they were occasioned by the long illness which ended in the death of the British Minister charged with that duty, they could...
280From James Madison to Charles Pinckney, 5 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
Though you have been referred to the 21st Article of the Spanish Treaty as a model for the provision you are instructed to urge the Government of Spain to accede to for indemnifying our commercial citizens whose claims have originated since, it is found to be incommensurate in some respects with the relief expected by them. The words are “In order to terminate all differences on account of the...
281From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favd. with yours of the 30 Ult. and thank you for your remarks on the Judiciary bill. I am glad to find you concurring in the decision as to the power of removal. It seems to meet with general approbation North of Virga. and there too as far as I yet learn. Mr. Pendleton is fully in opinion with you. So is Monroe I am told . The more the question is weighed the more proper I think...
282From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 16 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I was very glad at not being disappointed in my expectations of a favor from you by yesterday’s post. Several reports in quick succession of the arrival & progress of the predatory band under Arnold had rendered us exceedingly anxious to hear the truth & particulars of the matter. Some letters by the post tell us that the Governor with Baron Steuben was wholly...
283James Madison to Edward Coles, 15 October 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have received my dear Sir, your letter of the 15th. ultimo. I did not anticipate a complaint that mine was not full enough; being an effort which in my present condition, I had rarely made. It was not my object to offer either a plenary or a public review of the agitated topics; but to satisfy a friend that I ought not in my 84th. year, and with a constitution crippled by disease, to put...
284From James Madison to James Jay, 5 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 5 July 1811. Mentioned in Jay to JM, 11 July 1811 . States that it would be agreeable to him if Jay’s request for permission to travel to Europe in a U.S. vessel could be granted but the secretary of the navy has made arrangements that will not allow private passengers.
285From James Madison to John Lee, 1 May 1795 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival here about ten days ago I found your favor of Jany. 29. for which I am now to thank you. The one from me prior to that you acknowledge and which seems to have miscarried, requested such information as you have now been kind eno’ to give me. If on the further enquiry you propose to make[,] any new light should be thrown on the joint affairs of my late brother and myself, you will...
286From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 21st. is just recd. I am sorry to learn that your health continues to fluctuate, as well as that you are detained from your intended trip, which would doubtless aid it, by the causes you mention. I hope the next information will be more favorable. The omission to sanction the appt. of Commodore Lewis ⟨pr⟩oceeded from a misapprehension of your letter. I thought, on a hasty […] my...
287From James Madison to John M. Moody, 12 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have receivd Your letter respecting the capture of the Schr Marcus, as far as the wrong done to you proceded from the agency of the Spanish officers at Campeache or from the unlawful conduct of Spanish Subjects (and this appears to be the principal feature of the case) redress must be Sought from the King of spain. To this effect a negotiation is now on foot at Madrid, calculated to obtain,...
288From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
The last subject before the H. of Reps. was a Bill revising the Naturalization law, which from its defects & the progress of things in Europe was exposing us to very serious inconveniences. The Bill requires 1. A probationary residence of 5 instead of 2 years, with a formal declaration on oath of the intention 3 years at least prior to the admission. 2. an oath of abjuration , as well as of...
289From James Madison to Charles Pinckney, 29 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last letter was of the day of . Those received from you since that date are of . You will have learnt doubtless from Paris, that a Treaty has been signed there by which New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana is conveyed to the United States. The Floridas are not included in the Treaty, being, it appears still held by Spain. The inclosed copy of a communication from the Spanish Minister here...
290From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your several Communications relating to the awards Seamen &c have been just received & with them your private letter of Sep 1. As the subject of this last may render an early answer interesting to you I hasten to give it. Your Observations on the reasonableness of some remuneration for your services have, as you wished, been submitted to the President. The Result of hi⟨s⟩ reflections for the...
291From James Madison to John B. Sartori, [ca. 18 June 1821] (Madison Papers)
Several years ago, I recd from Mr. Edwd. Caffarana of Genoa, a small equestrian Statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, executed by a young artist. Not being disposed to accept it as a present, I signified as much to him, with a request to be informed of its price. Of three answers to my letter which it appears he wrote, the last only came to hand, & that very lately. In this he tells me the original...
292James 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...
293From James Madison to Elisha Copeland Jr., 15 September 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd your letter of the 6th. inst: inclosing a letter & Invoice from Messrs. Dodge & Oxnard: and thank you for your attention to the articles referred to. You will add to the favor by forwarding them to Fredg. care of Wm. S. Stone or if no early conveyance directly thither, shd. offer, by addressing them to the person in Norfolk whom he shall name to you. The amount due, including...
294To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 2 March 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. Ult: came to hand two days ago. It was not my intention that my first to you should have been procrastinated to the present date; but several causes have concurred in producing the effect. Among others I was in hopes every week to be able to furnish you with the proceedings on the subject grounded on your Commercial Report ; and particularly with such of them as related...
295Notes on Debates, 3 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782 , ed. n. After a verbal report of the Committee above mentioned, who acquainted Congress that in a conference with Mr. Livingston he professed a willingness to remain in office till the 1st. of Jany. to give time for the choice of a Successor, Mr. McKean proposed the Resolution, which stands on the Secret Journals; several...
296From James Madison to James Monroe, 3 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
You will have seen by my letter of the 6th. inst. which went by Sundry conveyances, that the bill Suspending the non-intercourse act had passed the House of Representatives. I now enclose it in the form of a law, with an amendment providing for a further Suspension by the Executive in case the State of things between the two countries Should require it. In the Senate the vote for the Bill was...
297Remission for Philip Russell, 21 November 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Remission for Philip Russell. 21 November 1815. “Whereas it has been represented to me that Philip Russell was some time ago charged with a violation of the Revenue laws of the United States, in selling spirituous liquors in the first Collection District of Pennsylvania, without a license for so doing, and that he has been duly convicted before the District Court of the United States for the...
298From James Madison to Napoleon, 3 November 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 November 1810, Washington. “I have lately received the letter of your Imperial and Royal Majesty bearing date the 3 of April last, announcing the Marriage of your Majesty with the Arch Dutchess Maria Louisa of Austria.” Offers “our Cordial congratulation.” Tr ( AAE : Political Correspondence, U.S., 63:260). 1 p. PJM-PS Robert A. Rutland et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Presidential...
299Memorandum to Thomas Jefferson, [17 July] 1801 (Madison Papers)
The following memoranda, & the inclosed letter from Mr. Dallas will present to the President the state of the information in the office of State on the subject of the indictmt. under the sedition act agst. Duane, at the request of the Senate. The President will observe, that another prosecution agst. him, at Common law , is pending in the same Court. 16. May. 1800. Mr: Lee’s letter to Mr....
300Powers of the President, [18 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison , adverting to Mr. Mason’s objection to the president’s power of pardoning, said, it would be extremely improper to vest it in the house of representatives, and not much less so to place it in the senate; because numerous bodies were actuated more or less by passion, and might in the moment of vengeance forget humanity. It was an established practice in Massachusetts for the...