51From 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...
52From James Madison to Oliver Wolcott, 17 September 1797 (Madison Papers)
The death of Major Lindsay the Collector at Norfolk requiring a new appointment to be made within your branch of the administration, Mr. Francis Taylor of that place, wishes to present himself to the attention of the Executive; and I am requested to join my voucher to that of others, in his favor. Altho’ related to him by a kindred not very remote, I have the pleasure of a slight personal...
53From 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,...
54From 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⟩.”...
55To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 August 1799 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
The letter for Lumsden inclosed in your favor by Mrs. M. got into his hands in time for the inclosed answer from him. If the time & terms on which he proposes to send one of his hands be unobjectionable, I can venture to recommend the choice he has made. He appears to be really an accomplished plaisterer. I write a few lines by the present opportunity to Mr. N. and shall be at Monticello on...
56From James Madison to John Lee, [ca. 26 April] 1797 (Madison Papers)
I find by your letter to my father within acknowledged that you have not discontinued your obliging attention to my little matters committed to your care. My father has already informed you that one of the patents is not to be found, if it ever issued. It seems probable, I think as it is not [to] be found or any account of it obtained in the office at Richmond that no proceeding in the...
57From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 October 1797 (Madison Papers)
I recd the inclosed pamphlet from Col. Monroe with a request that it might be returned to you. The publication under all its characters is a curious specimen of the ingenious folly of its author. Next to the error of publishing at all, is that of forgetting that simplicity & candor are the only dress which prudence would put on innocence. Here we see every rhetorical artifice employed to...
58To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, [before 25 September 1800] (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. by Bishop M. the 44. D 53. c 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...
59From 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...
60From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 April 1798 (Madison Papers)
My last was on the 15th. and acknowledged your preceding letters. I have since recd. that of the 12. under the same cover with the Gazettes; and the instructions & despatches, under a separate cover. The interruptions of company added to the calls of business have not left me time as yet to read over the whole of those papers. A glance at them, with the abstracts given of their contents, fully...
61To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 29 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was on the 22d. Yours recd. by the last mail was of the 19th. instant. The despatches have not yet come sufficiently to the knowledge of the bulk of the people to decide the impression which is to result from them. As far as I can infer from the language of the few who have read the Newspapers, there will be a general agreement as to the improper views of our Executive party, whatever...
62To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 3 November 1799 (Jefferson 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...
63To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 18 January 1800 (Jefferson 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 to...
64To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 1 October 1800 (Jefferson 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...
65From 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...
66To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 April 1800 (Jefferson 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...
67From 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...
68From 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 &...
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...
70To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 11 December 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your favor by Mr. Richardson, I expect the pleasure of seeing you in the course of the present week. Be so good as to bring a memorandum from your nailery of the amount of my debt to it. I had hoped that you were possessed of the aid of Mr. Chuning & his young men, but the Bearer Mr. W. Whitten tells me the contrary. Mr. C. left this saturday was two weeks, & promised to ride up...
71From James Madison to Dolley Payne Madison, 2 December 1799 (Madison Papers)
Neither the chart of your uncle, or the memory of your brother could save me from two errors on our way down, we made out, notwithstanding to reach Town before sunset. I found at Mr. Watson’s a room prepared for me, and an empty one immediately over it, but they are both in a style much inferior to what I had hoped. You must consequently lower your expectations on this subj[e]ct as much as...
72To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 9 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
The question on the Report printed, was decided by 60 for & 40 agst. it, the day before yesterday, after a debate 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 protest. The...
73To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 February [1800] (Jefferson 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 cannot 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...
74From James Madison to John Francis Mercer, 23 October 1800 (Madison Papers)
In my last I requested the favor of you, to make your promised remittance for me, to our friend Col. Monroe, unless a more direct conveyance should offer. Having recd. no answer myself, nor understanding that he has heard from you on the subject, my situation obliges me to repeat to you, that my engagements plead most earnestly for your assistance. The truth is that since I wrote, some...
75To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, [ca. 11] November 1800 (Jefferson 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...
76To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was on the 15th. and acknowledged your preceding letters. I have since recd. that of the 12. under the same cover with the Gazettes; and, the instructions & despatches, under a separate cover. The interruptions of company added to the calls of business have not left me time as yet to read over the whole of those papers. A glance at them, with the abstracts given of their contents,...
77From 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,...
78To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 12 January 1800 (Jefferson 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...
79From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 August 1797 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter for Mr. B. came to my hands last week; but not till the opportunity by the then mail was lost. I hear nothing of Monroe but thro’ the Newspapers containing his correspondence with Pickering. As that appears to have been closed on the 31st. of last month, I am in hourly expectation of seeing him. I am also without any late information with respect to the progress of the...
80From 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...
81From James Madison to Francis Taylor, 17 September 1797 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with my promise I have written the inclosed letter to the Secretary of the Treasury. You will observe that it has not so much of an exclusive & specific reference to the office of Collector as of a general one to that line of appointments. This mode of recommendation was preferred for two reasons; the one, because it has been usual to promote to vacancies, the officers next in...
82From 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...
83To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, [before 14 August 1800] (Jefferson Papers)
I have had an opportunity since my return of seeing Mr. McGee 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 XVId. were not brads but nails owing to a mistake in executing the order. I...
84From 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...
85To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 31 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the draught recd. by the last post , with one or two very small alterations. The interlineated “or an alloted portion thereof,” means to suggest that the whole no. might be so great as to beget objections to the expence which are always formidable in such cases. I have doubted whether the terms “ordinary” & “extraordinary” sufficiently marked the boundary between the power of 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...
87To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 April 1800 (Jefferson 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...
88To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 13 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 3d. instant. My last acknowledged your preceding one. The successful use of the Despatches in kindling a flame among the people, and of the flame in extending taxes armies & prerogative, are solemn lessons which I hope will have their proper effect when the infatuation of the moment is over. The management of foreign relations appears to be the most susceptible...
89To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 October 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Altson 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 manner....
90From 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...
91From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1797 (Madison Papers)
I am placed under circumstances which make it proper I should inform you that Mr. Knapp of Philada. is a candidate for the office of Treasr. to the Mint, vacated by the death of Dr. Way, and is particularly anxious that you should be possessed of that fact, and of the testimony I may be able to give as to his qualifications & character. During several of the last Winters I spent in Phida. Mr....
92To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 2 August 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
At the desire of Mr. Bringhurst I forward him to Monticello; and make use of the opportunity, the first that has offered, to return you the pamphlet you were so kind as to leave with me. I add to it a late Fredg. paper which has got hold of some important articles of later date than were brought by the last post, and which may therefore be new to you as they were to me. I have had nothing from...
93From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 April 1798 (Madison Papers)
My last was on the 22d. Yours recd. by the last mail was of the 19th. instant. The despatches have not yet come sufficiently to the knowledge of the bulk of the people to decide the impression which is to result from them. As far as I can infer from the language of the few who have read the Newspapers, there will be a general agreement as to the improper views of our own Executive party,...
94To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 12 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
According to a promise in my last, I inclose a copy of the rates at which McGeehee works. I inclose also a few observations on a subject which we have frequently talked of, which are submitted to your entire disposal, in whole or in part, under the sole reserve of the name of the author. In Gordon’s History Vol. IV p. 399–400, is a transaction that may perhaps be properly referred to in the...
95Election 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...
96To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 2 November 1799 (Jefferson 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 ). Recorded in SJL as received 3 Nov. “by mr...
97From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1798 (Madison Papers)
I have to thank you for your favor of the 26th Ult: My last was of the 29th. The success of the War party in turning the Despatches to their inflammatory views is a mortifying item agst. the enlightened character of our Citizens. The analysis of the Despatches by Sidney, can not fail to be an effectual antidote, if any appeal to sober reflexion can prevail agst occurrences which are constantly...
98To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 March 1800 (Jefferson 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 Const:n. and not...
99From James Madison to John Dawson, 3 January 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 3 January 1801. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 29 Jan. 1801 . Mentioned in George W. Erving to Monroe, 25 Jan. 1801 (DLC: Monroe Papers), and described in James Gunn to Alexander Hamilton, 9 Jan. 1801, as follows: “I have Seen a letter from Mr. Madison to one of the Virginia Representatives, in which he Says that in the event of the present House of Representatives not...
100From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 October 1798 (Madison Papers)
I return the draught recd. by the last post, with one or two very small alterations. The interlineated “or an allotted portion thereof,” means to suggest that the whole no. might be so great as to beget objections to the expence which are always formidable in such cases. I have doubted whether the terms “ordinary” & “extraordinary” sufficiently marked the boundary between the power of the...