281From James Madison to William Madison, 1 March 1795 (Madison Papers)
In my last to my father I desired him to let Mr. A. Fontaine or some other friend in Louisa know that I could not be in the district before the election &c. I now inclose a letter to him, which I wish you to seal & forward. If no certain conveyance offers in time, it will [be] requisite to send it to Louisa Court House on the day of the Election; and by Morda. Collins if necessary. Since the...
282To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your last received was of the 28 Apl. The receipt of all the preceeding is verified by the uninterrupted dates of the Gazettes inclosed. I anxiously wish that the reception of Genest may testify what I believe to be the real affections of the people. It is the more desireable as a seasonable plum after the bitter pills which it seems must be administered. Having neither the Treaty nor Law of...
283From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last stated a question relating to the power of removal from offices then on the anvil of the H. of Rs. I now inclose the discussions as conveyed to the public thro’ the Newspapers. It is not necessary to apprize you that the reasonings on both sides are mutilated, often misapprehended, and not unfrequently reversed. You will perceive yourself that much of the reasoning is also founded on a...
284From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 28th. last evening. Your preceding one covering among other things your memorandums through France was acknowledged by a few lines put into the hands of a young gentleman bound to Philada. in the Stage of yesterday. The purpose of them was to apprize you that you had omitted Coxe’s answer to Sheffield and to request the favor of you to send it by Monday’s mail. Should the...
285From James Madison to John Lee, 15 November 1794 (Madison Papers)
My last requested the favor of you to give me such information as you might be able on the subject of my brother’s & my joint interest in Kentuckey. I wrote at the same time and made the same request to our friend Mr. H. Taylor. I write again to him as well as to you by the present opportunity and hope thro’ your mutual and friendly assistance, to be able to understand and arrange every thing...
286To John Adams from James Madison, 3 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto. by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt: Cook. I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American...
287From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1793 (Madison Papers)
Your last was of the 17th. inst: & covered one paper of the 12th. The weather has been very unfavorable for saving our crops of wheat. It has been from the commencement of the harvest either rainy, cloudy, or hot & damp. I still hope however our crops will be respectable. I have not been able to learn how Albemarle has fared. I have no reason to apprehend that you have more to complain of than...
288To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 March 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
The past week has been spent chiefly on the question of an Embargo. It was negatived on Friday by 48 against 46, the former composed chiefly of Eastern, the latter of Southern members. The former are now for giving the power to the Executive, even during the session of Congress. In France, everything is in a state of vigor beyond what has been seen there. Fauchèt proceeds with great...
289From James Madison to Tench Coxe, [29 December] 1793 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Coxe. He wishes to have a little conversation with him this forenoon or tomorrow if convenient, and will thank Mr C. to name by the bearer an hour at which Mr. M. may wait on him. RC ( PHi : Tench Coxe Papers). Addressed by JM. Docketed, probably by Coxe: “recd. in the Morning of Sunday 29 Decr. 1793—appointed Mr. M. to call at his (Mr. C’s) house this...
290From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 2d. instant. From the sentiments expressed in it you will hear with pleasure that the proposed assumption of the State debts, was yesterday negatived, after many days deliberation, by 31 vs 29. We hoped that this vote would have been mortal to the project. It seems however that it is not yet to be abandoned. The other part of the Secretary’s Report has been...
291From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 October 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your 3 favors from G. Town, Bladg. & Balte: have come safe to hand. The accident mentioned in the 2d. has caused no small anxiety; which wd. be much greater were it not hoped from your not waiting to repair it, that a safe train had been laid for the purpose, & particularly that the article had been put under seal. The possibility of its falling into base hands at the present crisis cannot be...
292From James Madison to Arthur Breese, 13 May 1796 (Madison Papers)
Since I last communicated with you on the subject of the lot of land on the Mohawk, I have disposed of it to Mr. Bailey & Mr. Vanwyk; and have made it a part of the bargain that the lot shall be resurveyed at the joint expence of the parties, in order that the price may be adjusted to the quantity. The estimated quantity (nine hundred acres) was brought into doubt, by finding that the given...
293To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 1 June 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
The Stamp act was poisoned by the ingredient of the tax on transfers. The centinels of Stock uniting with the adversaries of the general plan formed a large majority. The carriage tax which only struck at the Constitution has passed the H. of Reps. and will be a delicious morsel to the Senate. The attempt of this Branch to give the P. power to raise an army of 10,000. if he should please, was...
294From James Madison to William Branch Giles, 3 April 1795 (Madison Papers)
I have not forgotten my promise to drop you a few lines on the arrival of the Treaty in case it shd. happen during my stay here; but have hitherto omitted to write because, the arrival of the Treaty has not added a particle to the public knowledge of its contents. You will have known that the Senate are to meet for the purpose of receiving the communication on the 8th. of June. I am chiefly...
295From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 25 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. came to hand yesterday. You were right in saying “that the Northern Cocks are true game” but have erred in adding “that they die hard on the Representation bill.” Their perseverance has gained them a final victory. The bill passed on friday last in the form in which it was sent from the Senate; that is with the distribution of 120 members among the States, and the...
296To George Washington from James Madison, 12 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
Mr Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President, and begs leave to lay before him the inclosed letters, on behalf of a candidate for a vacancy in the Custom-House Department in Virginia. Mr M. being a perfect stranger to the candidate can add no information whatever of his own. He knows Mr Maury well, and considers his recommendation as respectable. AL , DLC:GW . On the reason...
297To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 9 May 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your letter on the subject of Mr. Howell and seen the old gentleman who interests himself in it. I think it probable you will find reason to be satisfied with the change you have made in your merchant. I have not yet been able to procure bills on Amsterdam for Van Staphorst. They can be got I am told, but not with so much ease or choice, as on London. I shall not intermit my attention...
298From James Madison to Alexander White, 24 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
The week past has been devoted to the subject of amendments. All that remains is a formal vote on a fair transcript which will be taken this morning; and without debate I hope as each of the propositions has been agreed to by two thirds of the House. The substance of the report of the Committee of eleven has not been much varied. It became an unavoidable sacrifice to a few who knew their...
299To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, [after 8 September 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The want of opportunity has left me in debt for 3 favors those of Aug. 18. 25. and Sepr. 8th. which I now acknowledge by one which is too precarious for any thing confidential. I have long been uneasy for your health amidst the vapors of the Schuylkil. The new and more alarming danger has made me particularly anxious that you were out of the sphere of it. I cannot altogether condemn your...
300From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1793 (Madison Papers)
My last was on the 18th. and acknowledged yours of the 30th. ult: & 7th. inst. I had not then time to mention that W. N. passd. an evening with me on his way home from his brother’s where he had met E. R. on his return to Pha. From his conversation, his sentiments are right & firm on the French Revoln. and in other respects I discovered no symptoms of heresy. He spoke particularly &...
301From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 April 1796 (Madison Papers)
Since my last the inclosed was recd. from J. B. The sample of rod must wait for a private conveyance. Yours of the 27th. has been duly recd. You already know that the call for papers was refused, and reasons assigned more extraordinary a great deal than the refusal. This measure of the Ex. produced two propositions asserting the right of the House to judge of the expediency of Treaties...
302From James Madison to Baron von Steuben, 2 May 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 27th. April. Having heard nothing from Virginia on the subject of your lands since I last wrote to you, I cannot now advise what are the further steps most proper to be taken in your behalf. Govr. Lee I hope has not been inattentive to your interest. As soon as an opportunity of co-operating with him shall be in my power, I shall not fail to comply with your...
303From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours covering an unsealed letter to Mr. Tazewell came duly to hand, and will be turned to the use you wish. As you take the Philada. Gazette in which the Belligerent answer to Adêts note has been printed in toto, I refer to that for the posture & prospect of things with France. The British party since this overt patronage of their cause, no longer wear the mask. A war with France & an...
304From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 2 January 1791 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 19 & my father’s of the 20 Decr. I am glad to hear of your recovery, and particularly so of My Mothers whose attack was unknown to me till the receipt of my father’s letter. The inclosed papers will give you the late proceedings of Congs. more fully tho’ often very incorrectly, than could be done in a letter. The excise on spirits distilled in the Country will...
305From James Madison to George Washington, 25 May 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President, and begs to mention the wish of Joseph Nevil Esqr. (late a member of the House of Representatives) to be taken into consideration in the appointment of Surveyor, under the law for the sale of lands N. West of the Ohio. He takes the liberty also of inclosing a letter from General Posey, expressing his wishes with respect to an...
306From James Madison to George Nicholas, 15 March 1793 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed list of Acts passed at the late Session will be a clue to most of the business which employed it. Some of the most interesting objects presented for consideration were either not taken up or not pursued into effect. In this number is the plan reported by the Secretary of the Treasury for paying off the public debt, which you will probably h⟨ave⟩ seen in the Newspapers. A...
307From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1793 (Madison Papers)
The season of harvest havg. suspended all intercourse with Fredg. your favor of the 7th. inst: has but just been recd. That of the 29th. Ult: came to hand at the same time. The preceding one of the 23d. would have been acknowledged before but for the cause above mentioned. The present is the first opportunity and like several others leaves me but a moment to prepare for it. I have read over...
308From James Madison to Joshua Barney and Others, 1 May 1794 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of Mar: 13. from Jamaica with its inclosure, in which the American Masters of Vessels detained in that Island have been pleased to express their sentiments on the Resolutions proposed by me in the House of Representatives on the 3d. of January last. Having long regarded the principles on which those Resolutions were founded, as the basis of a policy most...
309From James Madison to George Washington, 1 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President & returns the Treatise on small Canals &c, with his acknowledgments for the perusal of it. He is not enough conversant with such subjects to decide on the merits of the various plans & machinery recommended by the Author. In general his principles appear to be both effective & practicable; but the question of their utility must be...
310From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, 22 July 1792 (Madison Papers)
The Report of which the inclosed is an authentic copy having been made to the House of Representatives, it is possible that the Executive may not have been furnished with it by the Senators of this State. I take the liberty therefore of forwarding it and am with the highest respect & esteem Your most Obedt. hble servant RC and enclosures ( Vi : Executive Papers). The enclosures are clerks’...
311From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 September 1790 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 23 inst: by the bearer who now returns with the Horse. I will consult with some persons who are acquainted with him & let you know the price I set on him. The time & place of payment which you propose would suit me as well as immediate payment here: but I consider this credit as a necessary set off agst. advances which you will have made for me in France. If no obstacles...
312From James Madison to Horatio Gates, 24 March 1794 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. has lain by me unanswered till I could give you the result of a proposition for an Embargo discussed for several days with shut doors. The decision did not take place till friday afternoon. The measure was then negatived by 48 agst. 46 votes. Those who took the lead in opposing it are now for transferring the power to the Executive even during the Session of Congress....
313To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The date of my last was the 17th. It acknowledged yours of the 9th. instant. Our harvest commenced today. It will turn out I think far beyond expectation. On one of two little farms I own, which I have just surveyed, the crop is not sensibly injured by either the rot or the rust, and will yield 30 or 40 perCet. more than would be a good crop in ordinary years. This farm is on the Mountain...
314To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. came to hand on friday. I went yesterday to the person who advertised the Maple Sugar for the purpose of executing your commission on that subject. He tells me that the cargo is not yet arrived from Albany, but is every hour expected; that it will not be sold in parcels of less than 15 or 16 hundred ℔ and only at auction, but that the purchasers will of course deal it...
315From James Madison to the Minister of the Interior of the French Republic, April 1793 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 10th. of Octr. accompanying the decree of the National assembly of the 26. of Augst. last; which confers the title of French Citizen on several foreigners among whom I have the honor to be named. In the catalogue of sublime truths and precious sentiments recorded in the revolution of France, none is more to be admired, than the renunciation of those prejudices...
316From James Madison to Anthony Wayne, 31 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 15th of June has been some time in my hands, but no opportunity of acknowledging it has hitherto occurred; and I write now more in order to be ready for the first casual conveyance rather than with a reliance on any known one. I do not make use of the mail, because it is rendered ineligible by the delay & uncertainty incident to it. I can not undertake to decide on the merits...
317From James Madison to John Nicholson, 11 October 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 3d. inst: was duly handed to me by the Bearer. I received at the same time a letter on the same subject from N. York addressed to Col: Monroe & myself. As a joint answer to the latter will be necessary, and must be preceded by a consultation with Col: Monroe from whom I am now separated, and as the answer to yours must correspond with that, it will be some days before a...
318From James Madison to Melancton Smith and Marinus Willett, 19 October 1792 (Madison Papers)
Being apart at some distance when your favor was received it has not been in our power sooner to give you a joint answer. We are now in a situation which enables us not only to compare our own ideas on the subject but to profit of some recent information from our seat of government where the State legislature is in session. Without going into details, which would be both tedious and...
319From James Madison to Benjamin Rush, 20 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of the 10th. instant some days ago. Altho’ I feel the force of many of your remarks, I can not embrace the idea to which they lead. It would not be consistent with the view I have taken of the subject; nor indeed promise any chance of success agst. the present politics of the House. The Petitions on the subject of Slavery have employed more than a week, and are still before...
320From James Madison to George Washington, 8 February 1794 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his apologies to the President for not sending the pamphlets &c. from Sir J. Sinclair, sooner for the use of Mr. Peters, as was intimated when he last had the honor of seeing the President. He had hopes of being able prior to this to have looked a little into them, and have complied with the desire of the President expressed when the papers were put into J. M’s hands. It...
321To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter with the unsealed one for Monroe and have forwarded the latter. Your subsequent one , which I calculate to have been written on the 12th. inst: came to hand two days ago. I feel for your situation but you must bear it. Every consideration private as well as public require a further sacrifice of your longings for the repose of Monticello. You must not make your final...
322To George Washington from James Madison, 4 January 1790 (Washington 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 Doctr Stuart who has been good eno’ to...
323From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 August 1793 (Madison Papers)
At the date of my last which was on thursday last, yours of the 14. had not arrived. I have since recd. it. That of the 28th. is also just handed me. A review of mine will shew you that all yours from June 23 forward have now been acknowledged. Your acct. of the ticklish situation with respect to Genet in the 14th. is truly distressing. His folly would almost beget suspicions of the worst...
324From James Madison to William Madison, 13 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Phila . Dec. 13. 91. “I have recd. yours of the 3d. instant, mentioning the conversation held with you by an intimate acquaintance of Col: Henry. Having never, in the midst of political contests indulged any personal ill-will to that gentleman, & at all times admired his eminent talents, I cannot be supposed insensible to any friendly sentiments he may have expressed towards me, or indisposed...
325V. Memoranda by James Madison, [January 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
G. Britain from At war At peace May 1689 to Sepr. 1697 = 8y. 4m. to May 1702 = 4y. 8m. May 1702 to
326To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 16 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I learnt that you are not to start for Virginia till the beginning of next month, I have been less in a hurry to shift myself to Philada. from this place, which I have reason to believe the more favorable of the two, at this season, to my health, as well as the more agreeable in the present state of the weather. I now propose to suspend my departure till monday next, and have therefore...
327From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1791 (Madison Papers)
I received your favor of the 21st. yesterday, inclosing post notes for 235 dollars. I shall obtain the bills of Mrs. Elsworth & the Smith this afternoon and will let you know the amount of them. There is a bill also from the Taylor amounting to £6–7. which I shall pay. The articles for which it is due are in my hands and will be forwarded by the first opportunity. If a good one should fall...
328From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. did not come to hand till this afternoon. I thank you for the very just & interesting observations contained in it. I have not yet met with an oppy. of forwarding the Report on Manufactures; nor has that subject been yet regularly taken up. The constitutional doctrine however advanced in the Report has been anticipated on another occasion, by its zealous friends; and I...
329From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday your’s of the 28th. and this morning called on Col: Smith from whom I obtained the pamphlet & map, herewith inclosed. The former you are to keep. The latter being the last copy is to be sent back to him after satisfying yourself with it. With respect to the Map of S. America he says that it was obtained from the Engraver by Pitt & Grenville during the squabble with Spain, and...
330To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 16 September 1792 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer waits on you for the Bag of Coffee brought round from Philada. with your Stock. Inclosed is the letter from E.R. referred to in his to you ; to which is added a long one from D.C. for the sake of one or two particulars mentoned in it. You may either return them by the Bearer, or bring them with you as may be most convenient. On my arrival at Mr. J. Walker’s I found that Docr. Gilmer...