51From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 January 1799 (Madison Papers)
We have now been near six weeks settled in our new domicil, where we do not abandon the hope of welcoming you and your amiable family, notwithstanding the damp thrown on it by your last letter. The Season of year, tho’ frequently an obstacle, frequently also presents favorable spells, of which we have had already a fine specimen, & seem to be promised more. Mrs. Monroe’s health might be aided...
52From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 February 1799 (Madison Papers)
I did not receive your last favor of the 16th. Ulto. till the Mail after it was due, with the further delay of its coming by the way of Charlottesville. The last Mail brought me not a single Newspaper, tho’ it was before in arrears. That there is foul play with them I have no doubt. When it really happens that the entire mass cannot be conveyed, I suspect that the favorite papers are selected,...
53Political Reflections, [23 February] 1799 (Madison Papers)
There was never a time when it was more requisite for the public to be truly acquainted with foreign transactions than at the present; nor one at which this information was more difficult. With every thing that regards the French Republic, it is of peculiar importance that it should be accurately and fully understood, because that is the Foreign Power, with which our relations have become more...
54From James Madison to John Taylor, ca. 1 April 1799 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 April 1799. Mentioned in John Taylor to Creed Taylor, 10 Apr. 1799 (ViU: Creed Taylor Papers). JM agrees to be a candidate for the Virginia General Assembly. It may have been in this letter that JM requested Taylor to ask Edmund Pendleton to return the letters JM wrote him from Congress (see John Taylor to JM, 4 Mar. 1799 , and n. 1; and Edmund Pendleton to JM, 12 May...
55From James Madison to James Wood, 12 April 1799 (Madison Papers)
Capt: Henry Bell of this neighbourhood wishing his pretensions to be taken into view by the Executive in filling the office of Superintendant of the State Arsenals I take the liberty of stating that he enjoys the reputation of having served meritoriously in the war of our Revolution, that he is esteemed a man of strict integrity & honor, and that he may be confided in for a faithful discharge...
56From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 July 1799 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of came safe by the last Mail. I had not forgotten my accession to your assumpsit, tho’ the discharge of it will fall on me at a moment peculiarly mal apropos, and is not I fear alleviated by a hope that the sacrifice will answer the benevolent purpose which led to it. I shall be glad to know the precise time at which the payment will be called for, that I may be prepared for it. If...
57From James Madison to Samuel Stanhope Smith, 25 August 1799 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 25 August 1799. Acknowledged in Smith to JM, 3 Sept. and 28 Nov. 1799 . Inquires on behalf of a friend about the expenses of a Princeton education.
58From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1799 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 August 1799. Listed in JM’s record of letters written to Jefferson (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers) as well as Jefferson’s Epistolary Record (DLC: Jefferson Papers).
59Edmund Randolph’s Notes on the Common Law, [ca. September] 1799 (Madison Papers)
Among the materials JM drew on for his Report of 1800 were some notes written by Edmund Randolph for a projected essay on the question of whether there was a federal common law of crimes. Although the editors have found no evidence that JM commented on this paper to anyone, its presence in JM’s papers points to its use by the author of the report. The idea that the entire body of English...
60Affidavit on Kentucky Lands, [25 September] 1799 (Madison Papers)
The separate answer of James Madison to the bill of complaint exhibited against him and Nelly Madison in the court of quarter Session for Jefferson county in the state Kentucky by William Croghan Complnt. This defendant saving every benefit of excepting to the manifold errors and imperfections in the complainants bill contained for answer thereto sayeth—That he was jointly interested with the...
61From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 November 1799 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Polk is a Portrait Painter & a kinsman of Mr. Peale of Philada. He visits Monticello with a wish to be favored with a few hours of your sitting for his pencil. Having no acquaintance with you he asks the aid of a line towards obtaining one, and this will be presented to you for the purpose. With perfect sincerity I am yours RC ( IGK ). Docketed by Jefferson, “recd Nov. ⟨3⟩.”...
62From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 November 1799 (Madison Papers)
Be so good as to let Col. Monroe have the inclosed as early as may be convenient. Have you fixt the time of your setting out for Philada. I wish much for the pleasure of seeing you on your way, but if you do not aim to be there at the beging. of the Session, I shall probably lose the opportunity. As something however may depend on circumstances & arrangements, it will be convenient for me to...
63From James Madison to James Monroe, [2 December] 1799 (Madison Papers)
Several of your friends here wish us to possess the document of Dr. Edwards procured by Mr. Dawson. Send it by the next post if you please with any observations you wish to make. L. Smith is appointed our Speaker by a majority of 80 odd vs. 50 odd—& Wirt Clerk by one of 90 odd vs 40 odd. Communicate this to Mr. J. & tell him I have recd. his letter by Mr. R. but cannot answer it now—it being ½...
64Election of James Monroe, [6 December] 1799 (Madison Papers)
Debate commenced over a motion made by JM on 5 December nominating James Monroe for the office of governor of Virginia. Richard Bland Lee (Fairfax County) proposed postponing the motion until the following Monday, while George Keith Taylor (Prince George County) urged an investigation into the character and “political motives” of Monroe. Taylor claimed that Monroe’s mission to France had been...
65Estimate of Virginia Government Expenses and Resources, ca. 14 December 1799 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 14 December 1799. Lists the estimated expenses of the state government for the year 30 Sept. 1799 to 1 Oct. 1800, totaling $444,660.00, and the “Resources to meet this estimate,” in the amount of $481,496.96. Followed by the committee’s explanation of several items, which concludes “that the taxes as they now stand, will be sufficient to defray the public exigencies.” Ms ( Vi : House of...
66Death of George Washington, [18 December] 1799 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison addressed the speaker as follows: Death has robbed our country of its most distinguished ornament, and the world of one of its greatest benefactors. George Washington, the Hero of Liberty, the father of his Country, and the friend of man is no more. The General Assembly of his native state were ever the first to render him, living, the honors due to his virtues. They will not be...
67Motion on the Virginia Resolutions of 1798, [23 December] 1799 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison moved, that the committee of the whole should be discharged from further proceedings upon certain answers from several of the states, relative to the communications made by the Virginia legislature at their last session; and that the same should be referred to a special committee of seven. Richmond Va. Argus , 27 Dec. 1799. The House appointed a committee made up of JM, John...
68From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 December 1799 (Madison Papers)
My promise to write to you before your leaving Albemarle was defeated by a dysenteric attack which laid me up for about a week, and which left me in a State of debility not yet thoroughly removed. My recovery has been much retarded by the job of preparing a vindication of the Resolutions of last Session agst. the replies of the other States, and the sophistries from other quarters. The...
69From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1800 (Madison Papers)
My last covered a copy of the Report on the Resolutions of last year. I now inclose a copy of certain resolutions moved by Mr. Giles, to which he means to add an instruction on the subject of the intercource law which has been so injurious to the price of our Tobo. It is not improbable that the Resolutions when taken up, may undergo some mollifications in the spirit & air of them. The Report...
70The Report of 1800, [7 January] 1800 (Madison Papers)
When JM yielded to the entreaties of Virginia Republicans to stand as a delegate to the Virginia General Assembly in the spring of 1799, it was for the immediate purpose of combating the influence of Patrick Henry, who, it was feared, if left unopposed, would succeed in overcoming Virginia’s “resistance to monarchical measures.” But Henry’s death in June 1799 removed the chief obstacle to...
71From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1800 (Madison Papers)
The question on the Report printed, was decided by 60 for & 40 agst. it, the day before yesterday, after a debate [of] five days. Yesterday & today have been spent on Mr. Giles’ propositions, which with some softenings will probably pass, by nearly the same vote. The Senate is in rather a better state than was expected. The debate turned almost wholly on the right of the Legislature to...
72From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1800 (Madison Papers)
My last informed you of the result of the debates on the justifying Report of the Select Committee. I am now able to add that of Mr. Giles’s resolutions. The question on the whole was decided in the affirmative by a little upwards of a hundred against less than fifty. The vote was rather stronger on some of the particular resolutions, for example the instruction for disbanding the army. The...
73From James Madison to John Beckley, ca. 14 January 1800 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 14 January 1800. Mentioned in Beckley to Tench Coxe, 24 Jan. 1800 ( Papers of Tench Coxe [PHi microfilm ed.], reel 70). Encloses a copy of the Report of 1800. As Beckley explained to Coxe: “I have forwarded to Virginia such a full view of our situation and the necessity of their Assembly acting decidedly on the great questions of a Standing Army , Alien & Sedition laws,...
74From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 January 1800 (Madison Papers)
Since my last the Senate have agreed to the Report —& the Resolutions , by 15 to 6. To the latter they made an amendt. to the definition of the portion of C. L. in force in the U. S. by inserting the words “by Congress” after the word “adopted,” in order to repel the misconstruction which led the minority to concur in that particular resolution as it passed the H. of. D. The amendt. was agreed...
75Account with George Watson, [23 January] 1800 (Madison Papers)
Decr 1th Col James Madison Dr 5 Club in Wine porter 3—2 6 do – do 3—5 7 do – do 3—9 9 pearel Barley 1—6 10 To 2 Dinners for Ladys 6—0 One Botle porter
76From James Madison to John Chew, 14 February 1800 (Madison Papers)
I lately received your letter of Ocr. 20th. 99. which gave us the first account of the death of your father; the preceding letter referred to having never come to hand, or it would have been duly answered. The land to which your enquiry relates lies in the State of Kentucky (Bourbon County) and not in Virginia, where your father had no claim known to me. The Tract contains 2000 Acres, and has...
77From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1800 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was from Richd. Your last to me is just recd. covering the Bill for drawing Jurors by lot. The plan proposed by the Bill is a great improvement on the regulation in force here. I can not say, whether it may have the same merit every where. This subject was not wholly forgotten during our late Session. A Bill was even prepared on it, by one of our State Judges. But subjects,...
78From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1800 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have been favored with the following inclosures—The Bill relating to Electors Ramsay’s oration, the Report on ways & means, a motion by Bingham, and the resolution for excluding the Judges from other offices. It is not to be denied that the Constn. might have been properly more full in prescribing the election of P: & V. P. but the remedy is an amendment to the Constn: and not...
79From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1800 (Madison Papers)
Your favor by Mr. Trist was duly handed to me, since which I have recd. the report on imports under your cover, & yesterday your favor of the 25 Ult: accompanied with the pamphlet & Mr. Nicholas’s motion on the Electoral Bill, which appears to be so fair & pertinent, that a rejection of it in favor of any other modification proposed, must fix a new brand on the authors. The spirit manifested...
80From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 April 1800 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have been favored with yours by Christr: McPherson. It brought me the first agreeable information of the prospect held out by our Envoys. The posture of Europe, tho’ dreadful to humanity in general, will I trust enforce the disposition of France to come to a proper adjustment with us. And notwithstanding the group of daring experiments presented by our public Councils, I also...
81From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 April 1800 (Madison Papers)
My last acknowledged yours by Christ: McPherson. I have nothing new to add, but the accts. I have from the elections in a few neighboring Counties. In this Davis & Barbour have succeeded: in the adjoing one, Hill & Early: In Louisa Yancy & Garland Anderson Jr—in Culpeper the two former ones. You will probably learn from Albemarle that F. Walker & a Mr. Garland have prevailed agst. Woods &...
82From James Madison to Gabriel Duvall, 13 May 1800 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 May 1800. Acknowledged in Duvall to JM, 6 June 1800 . Advises Duvall not to make any public statement about Jefferson’s controversial letter to Philip Mazzei.
83From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 May 1800 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of the 15th. from Albemarle a few days ago. I shall not be surprized at an experiment in this State at this moment, of its republican sensibility, by putting in force the sedition act; and entirely approve your idea of the policy by which the measure ought to be turned agst. its authors. Nothing seems necessary now to rectify the pub: opinion & reform the administration, but...
84From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 June 1800 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 18 June 1800. Calendared by JM in his list of letters to Jefferson (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers) as concerning: “Hessian fly, its first appearance in Orange.” Listed in Jefferson’s Epistolary Record (DLC: Jefferson Papers) as received 24 June.
85From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 July 1800 (Madison Papers)
If this should get to Richmond before you leave it, it will afford you the pleasure of knowing that Mrs. Monroe continues in the good health in which you left her, and that your little son has mended more rapidly than could have been expected. His appetite, his increased strength, and his good humour, are all proofs of his improved situation. You will yourself we hope be a witness of it in the...
86From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 12 August] 1800 (Madison Papers)
I have had an opportunity since my return of seeing Mr. MGee on the subject of the nails used by him last summer & of collecting through him the information of his brother who brought down the parcell delivered in July. They concur in saying that the Spriggs, the Xs & XVId alone formed that parcel & that the XXId. were not brads but nails owing to a mistake in executing the order. I recollect...
87From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 August 1800 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor by the last mail and return the inclosures without repeating the remarks made to you heretofore. I have noted a trifling variation or two in the letter to G. S. which may perhaps the better guard it agst. misconstructions of any sort. The person contemp⟨lated⟩ for your Overseer has not yet come up nor been heard from. His brother however has written to him, and it is...
88From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 August 1800 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 August 1800. Acknowledged in Monroe to JM, 9 Sept. 1800 . Informs Monroe that JM has hired Richard McGee as overseer for Monroe’s Albemarle County farm.
89From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 23 September] 1800 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by Bishop M. the 44D. 53C. committed to his care. The silence which prevails as to the negociations of our Envoys, is not less surprizing to my view than to yours. We may be assured however that nothing of a sort to be turned to the party objects on the anvil, has been recd. unless indeed the publication shd. be delayed for a moment deemed more critically advantageous. As we are left...
90From James Madison to James Monroe, [24 September] 1800 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 9th. inst: never arrived till sunday last. I cannot account for your having heard nothing of the letter of Mr. M. & the copy of yours to Mr. D. According to your request when you inclosed them, they were returned by the ensuing mail, addressed to you & to be left at Milton, where they must have arrived on thursday morning, the day on which I presumed you would set off for Richd....
91From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 October 1800 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Trist left with me yesterday on his way home, the inclosed pamphlet which I return to him thro’ your hands, that you may have an oppy. of perusing it, in case a copy should not yet have reached you. I understand from Mr. T. who left Philada. on monday the 22d. that the prospect of a vote by Pennsa. was rather clouded by the uncertainty of the elections in one or two of the Senatorial...
92From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 October 1800 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Altson [ sic ] of S. Carolina, who proposes to call at Monticello on his return from a Northern tour. He will probably be made known to you by other introductions; but those which he has brought to me, as well as a short acquaintance with him make me feel an obligation to add mine. He appears to be intelligent, sound in his principles, and polished in his...
93From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 21 October] 1800 (Madison Papers)
I now inclose a letter left here by Mr. Alston. It will communicate all that I could repeat from one to me from Col. Burr and Mr. Gelston. The latter is uneasy lest the Southern States should not be true to their duty. I hope he will be sensible that there was no occasion for it. It seems important that all proper measures should emanate from Richmond for guarding against a division of the...
94From James Madison to David Gelston, 24 October 1800 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 24 October 1800. Acknowledged in Gelston to JM, 21 Nov. 1800 . Reassures Gelston that Virginia will cast all its electoral votes for Jefferson and Burr.
95From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 November 1800 (Madison Papers)
I recd: a letter by the last mail from Mr. Yard, in which he tells me he has shipped 22 or 23 dozen of wine for me, and speaks of the like quantity for you. I presume he has Shipped that also, and has given you notice of it. He wishes the delay to be ascribed to his anxiety to prevent a premature consumption of so choice a deposit, which he says in two or 3 years will not be exceeded by any...
96From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 November 1800 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 6th. inst. by Mr. Erwin, whom I have found to justify the recommendations he brought me. He appears to be intelligent well informed, sound in his principles and agreeable in his manners. He has not as yet touched on the subject to which you allude, & I have not been led to start a conversation on it. At the desire of Mr. Jefferson I return the inclosed letters which you...
97From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 10 November] 1800 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Erwin proposing to set out in the morning without my again seeing him, I think proper to add to the few lines with which he is already charged, that our interview closed without any allusion to the secondary object of the election. If I had not expected, as intimated by you, that he would bring on the subject, it would no doubt have dropt from me. As it is possible he may draw some...
98From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 11 November] 1800 (Madison Papers)
Yours by Mr Erwin was delivered by him, safe with the two letters inclosed. I forwarded them by him this morning, as you desired to the Governour. They confirm in substance the state and difficulty of the negociation as presented by the late Statement under the Paris head. The observations on the delays carried out by the Ex. and the favorable moment lost thereby, are interesting, and deserve...
99From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 November 1800 (Madison Papers)
The state of the Electoral poll as published affords such strong presumptive evidence of the result, that altho’ no official notice may arrive, I shall set out in due time for Richmond. Mrs. Madison will avail herself of the occasion to make a short visit to Mrs. Monroe. In order to guard agst. casualties of the weather, & for the advantage of being rather early on the ground, we shall...
100From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1800 (Madison Papers)
I did not write to you from Richmond, because I was considerably indisposed during my stay there, & because I could communicate to you nothing that would not reach you with equal speed through other channels. Before I left that place, the choice of electors in S. Carolina, had been recd. by the Govr. in a letter from Col. Hampton, and was understood by all parties to fix the event of a...