51The Federalist Number 18, [7 December] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Among the confederacies of antiquity, the most considerable was that of the Grecian republics associated under the Amphyctionic council. From the best accounts transmitted of this celebrated institution, it bore a very instructive analogy to the present confederation of the American states. The members retained the character of independent and sovereign states, and had equal votes in the...
52The Federalist No. 58, [20 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE remaining charge against the House of Representatives which I am to examine, is grounded on a supposition that the number of members will not be augmented from time to time, as the progress of population may demand. It has been admitted that this objection, if well supported, would have great weight. The following observations will shew that like...
53The Federalist No. 63, [1 March 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. A FIFTH desideratum illustrating the utility of a senate, is the want of a due sense of national character. Without a select and stable member of the government, the esteem of foreign powers will not only be forfeited by an unenlightened and variable policy, proceeding from the causes already mentioned; but the national councils will not possess that...
54The Federalist No. 55, [13 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE number of which the House of Representatives is to consist, forms another, and a very interesting point of view under which this branch of the federal legislature may be contemplated. Scarce any article indeed in the whole constitution seems to be rendered more worthy of attention, by the weight of character and the apparent force of argument, with...
55Report on John Paul Jones’s Request, [4 December] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, III, 303). In JM’s hand, except for a clause written by Alexander Hamilton (n. 2, below). Docketed by Charles Thomson: “Report of Mr Osgood Mr Madison Mr Hamilton Passed Decr. 3. 1782.” Below this in Samuel Osgood’s hand appears: “of letter from J: P. Jones for leave to serve with Mr. Vaudriel.” The date docketed by Thomson should have been “Decr. 4.” His committee...
56The Federalist Number 19, [8 December] 1787 (Madison Papers)
The examples of antient confederacies, cited in my last paper, have not exhausted the source of experimental instruction on this subject. There are existing institutions, founded on a similar principle, which merit particular consideration. The first which presents itself is the Germanic body. In the early ages of Christianity Germany was occupied by seven distinct nations, who had no common...
57The Federalist No. 62, [27 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. HAVING examined the constitution of the house of representatives, and answered such of the objections against it as seemed to merit notice, I enter next on the examination of the senate. The heads into which this member of the government may be considered, are—I. the qualifications of senators—II. the appointment of them by the state legislatures—III....
58The Federalist Number 20, [11 December] 1787 (Madison Papers)
The United Netherlands are a confederacy of republics, or rather of aristocracies, of a very remarkable texture; yet confirming all the lessons derived from those which we have already reviewed. The union is composed of seven co-equal and sovereign states, and each state or province is a composition of equal and independent cities. In all important cases not only the provinces, but the cities...
59The Federalist No. 56, [16 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE second charge against the House of Representatives is, that it will be too small to possess a due knowledge of the interests of its constituents. As this objection evidently proceeds from a comparison of the proposed number of representatives, with the great extent of the United States, the number of their inhabitants, and the diversity of their...
60The Federalist No. 52, [8 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. FROM the more general enquiries pursued in the four last papers, I pass on to a more particular examination of the several parts of the government. I shall begin with the House of Representatives. The first view to be taken of this part of the government, relates to the qualifications of the electors and the elected. Those of the former are to be the...
61The Federalist No. 51, [6 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. TO what expedient then shall we finally resort for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the...
62The Federalist No. 57, [19 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE third charge against the House of Representatives is, that it will be taken from that class of citizens which will have least sympathy with the mass of the people, and be most likely to aim at an ambitious sacrifice of the many to the aggrandizement of the few. Of all the objections which have been framed against the Fœderal Constitution, this is...
63The Federalist No. 50, [5 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. IT may be contended perhaps, that instead of occasional appeals to the people, which are liable to the objections urged against them, periodical appeals are the proper and adequate means of preventing and correcting infractions of the Constitution . It will be attended to, that in the examination of these expedients, I confine myself to their aptitude...
64The Federalist No. 54, [12 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE next view which I shall take of the House of Representatives, relates to the apportionment of its members to the several States, which is to be determined by the same rule with that of direct taxes. It is not contended that the number of people in each State ought not to be the standard for regulating the proportion of those who are to represent the...
65Revised Reply of President of Congress to La Luzerne, [ca. 8–12] May 1782 (Madison Papers)
Draft ( LC : Papers of Continental Congress Miscellany, Folder 103). Apparently in the hand of a clerk, except for the suggestions of JM. The repeated Instances of Friendship which the United States of America have received from His Most Christian Majesty give him too just a title to their affections to permit them to be indifferent to any event which interests his happiness. Be assured Sir...
66Petition of Beverley Winslow and Joseph Hawkins, ca. 18 December 1795 (Madison Papers)
Document not found. Ca. 18 December 1795. Presented by JM to the House of Representatives, 18 Dec. 1795. Reported in Philadelphia Gazette , 19 Dec. 1795.
67Indenture between James and Dolley Payne Madison and Philip Edge, [27 September] 1819 (Madison Papers)
This Indenture made and entered into this 27th day of September in the year of our lord One thousand eighteen hundred and nineteen Between James Madison and Dorithea his wife of the County of Orange and state of Virginia of the One part and Phillip Edge of the County of Spotsylvania and state aforesaid of the other Witnesseth That the said James Madison and Dorithea his wife for and in...
68James and Dolley P. Madison v. Edward Heston, 10 January 1797 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 January 1797, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Dolley Madison and JM brought suit against Edward Heston to recover costs incurred by Dolley Madison and the late John Todd for nursing and burying Heston’s son, Isaac, in 1793. The plaintiffs abandoned the cause and agreed to a nonsuit. Ms ( InU ). 3 pp. Notes on the case taken by Jonathan Williams, who was associate judge of the court of...
69Address of the House of Representatives to the President, [5 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Representatives of the People of the United States present their congratulations on the event by which your fellow-citizens have attested the pre-eminence of your merit. You have long held the first place in their esteem: you have often received tokens of their affection. You now possess the only proof that remained of their gratitude for your services, of their reverence for your wisdom,...
70Pardon for Richard Quince Haskins, 1 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:— Whereas Richard Quince Haskins, Scriviner, of the Town of Boston in the District of Massachusetts was convicted before the Circuit Court of the United States, for the said District, at its last June term, of certain misdemeanors in relation to the Post Office establishment of the United...
71Proclamation on Army Deserters, 15 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the United States of America, A Proclamation. Whereas information has been received that a number of individuals who have deserted from the Army of the United States, and sought shelter without the jurisdiction thereof, have become sensible of their offence, and are desirous of returning to their duty, a full pardon is hereby proclaimed to each and all of such individuals...
72Proclamation on the Embargo, 19 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the United States, A Proclamation whereas information has been recieved that sundry persons are combined or combining & confederating together on lake Champlain & the country thereto adjacent for the purposes of forming insurrections against the authority of the laws of the US. for opposing the same & obstructing their execution, and that such combinations are too powerful...
73From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 17 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
I communicate to Congs. certain letters which passed between the B. Secy. of State Mr. Canning, and Mr. P. our Minister Plenipoty. at London. When the Documents concerning the relations between the U. S. & G. B. were laid before Congs. at the Commencement of the Session, the answer of Mr. P: to the letter of Mr. Canning, had not been received; and a communication of the latter alone, would...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
By virtue of the act, entitled, “an act making Provision for defraying any extraordinary expences attending between the U States and foreign nations,” passed on the 13th. February 1806., and of which the annexed is an official exemplification, I Thomas Jefferson, President of the U States of America, Do hereby authorize and empower Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury of the U States, to...
75From Thomas Jefferson to John Mills, 20 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States of America To all who shall see these presents Greeting: Whereas at a General Court Martial held at New Orleans on the 20th day of August 1806 of which Lieut Colonel Constant Freeman was President, Corporal John Mills, of Captain Fergus Company, Regiment of Artillerists, was charged with repeated desertion, particularly on or about the 28th July 1806,...
76Minutes of University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 1 April [1821] (Jefferson Papers)
1820. 1821 Apr. 1. A special meeting of the Visitors of the University having been called in the month of February to be held on this day Apr. 1. signed by Th: Jefferson , James Madison , Chapman Johnson, Joseph C. Cabell , James Breckenridge
77Certificate for Payment to James Wilkinson, 10 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
By Th. J. President of the US: It is hereby declared that by the representation of the Secy. of the department of State, it appears to my satisfaction that 1196 dollars have been disbursed for objects in relation to the contingent expences of intercourse between the US. & foreign nations the specification of wch disbursments at this time is deemed inexpedient; This certificate is therefore...
78From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, with Enclosure, 2 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was of June 20. Your’s received since that date are May 15. and June 6. In mine I acknoleged the receipt of the Paccan nuts which came sealed up. I have reason to believe those in the box are arrived at Lorient. By the Mary Capt. Howland lately sailed from Havre to N. York I shipped three boxes of books one marked I.M. for yourself, one marked B.F. for Doctr. Franklin, and one marked...
79Proclamation re Special Session of Congress, 30 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
WASHINGTON CITY. • FRIDAY, JULY 31 . • By the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION. Whereas great and weighty matters claiming the consideration of the Congress of the United States form an extraordinary occasion for convening them, I do by these presents appoint Monday the twenty-sixth day of October next, for their meeting at the city of Washington; hereby requiring the...
80From Thomas Jefferson to William Henry Harrison, 16 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
Thomas Jefferson , President of the United States of America, To all who shall see these presents, Greeting: Know ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Integrity and Abilities of William Henry Harrison, of the Indiana Territory, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate do appoint him Governor in and over the said Indiana Territory; and...