31From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 15 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of Jany. 2d. It will be well for you to send on your list of articles wanted as soon as possible. I hope Kyser will not disappoint us in the Clover Seed; and that other chances at Fredg. & elsewhere will be watched: As I shall get some at all events even here, I wish a Box to be made as soon as can be done. It will be the more necessary the more scanty the...
32From James Madison to Robert Gamble, 15 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 January 1797. Acknowledged in Gamble to JM, 21 Jan. 1797 . Encloses newspapers and a bank note of $50 for Mary Coles Payne. Discusses political and international news.
33To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The last mail brought me your favor of Jany. 1. inclosing an unsealed one for Mr. A. and submitting to my discretion the eligibility of delivering it. In exercising this delicate trust I have felt no small anxiety, arising by no means however from an apprehension that a free exercise of it could be in collision with your real purpose, but from a want of confidence in myself, and the importance...
34Relations with Algiers, [13 January] 1797 (Madison Papers)
On 10 January the House had considered a motion that a committee be appointed “to select such parts of the confidential communication sent … by a message of the President of the United States” on 9 January “as in their opinion may, with propriety, be printed.” JM, Ames (Massachusetts), Sherburne (New Hampshire), Davenport (Connecticut), Livingston (New York), Grove (North Carolina), and...
35Petition of Gilbert Dench, [11 January] 1797 (Madison Papers)
The House went into a Committee of the Whole to consider the report of the Committee of Claims on Gilbert Dench ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 4th Cong., 2d sess., 1835–36). Messrs. Madison … were of opinion, that if Mr. Dench had any claim it was upon the state of Massachusetts, and not upon the United...
36Petition of Joseph-Léonard Poirey, [11 January] 1797 (Madison Papers)
JM called up the bill on the claim of Poirey. The House went into a Committee of the Whole, rose, and reported the bill without amendment ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 4th Cong., 2d sess., 1839). Mr. Madison observed, that if he saw any danger from the precedent of making this provision, he should not be...
37James 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...
38Petition of Joseph-Léonard Poirey, [9 January] 1797 (Madison Papers)
On 5 January JM had called up the report of the secretary of war on Poirey’s petition and moved that a bill be brought in. The House considered the matter in a Committee of the Whole on 9 January, with JM proposing that “provision ought to be made by law for settling the claim of M. Poirey” ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.;...
39From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 17 Ult. The election is not likely to terminate in the equilibrium of votes for which the Constitution has not provided. If the Vermont votes should be valid as is now generally supposed, Mr. Adams will have 71. & you 68. Pinkney being in the rear of both. It is to be hoped that the nicety & in truth the unpropitious casualty, of the choice of Mr. A. will lessen...
40To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 17 ult. The election is not likely to terminate in the equilibrium of votes for which the Constitution has not provided. If the Vermont votes should be valid as is now generally supposed, Mr. Adams will have 71. and you 68. Pinkney being in the rear of both. It is to be hoped that the nicety and in truth the unpropitious casualty, of the choice of Mr. A. will...
41Land Sales in Ohio, [5 January] 1797 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison submitted it to the mover whether it might not be more proper immediately to make the Enquiry of the proper department, without a committee. In general he did not see the necessity of a committee when the application could be immediately made to the department. Claypoole’s Am. Daily Advertiser , 7 Jan. 1797 (reprinted in Philadelphia Gazette , 9 Jan. 1797, and Gales’s Independent...
42Petition of Hugh Lawson White, [30 December] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Hugh Lawson White had petitioned the House on 11 February 1795 seeking compensation for services as a private of mounted infantry during John Sevier’s campaign against the Cherokee Indians in September 1793. The petition was referred to the War Department until Secretary James McHenry reported against the claim on 24 December 1796. The House took up the matter again in a Committee of the Whole...
43Petition of John Porter, ca. 27 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Document not found. Ca. 27 December 1796. On 27 Dec. 1796 JM presented to the House of Representatives the petition of Porter, who was seeking compensation for his services during the Revolution. Reported in Claypoole’s Am. Daily Advertiser , 28 Dec. 1796. The petition was referred to the Committee of Claims, which disallowed it on 6 Jan. 1797 ( JHR Journal of the House of Representatives of...
44National University, [26 December] 1796 (Madison Papers)
On 21 December JM had reported the following resolution from the select committee established on 12 December, relating to the section of the president’s message recommending the establishment of a national university. “ Resolved , That it is at present expedient that authority should be given to enrol proper persons to receive in trust, pecuniary donations, in aid of the donations already...
45Memorial of Joseph Nourse, ca. 26 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Document not found. Ca. 26 December 1796. On 26 Dec. 1796 JM presented to the House of Representatives the memorial of Joseph Nourse, register of the treasury of the U.S., asking for an increase in salary. It was referred to the committee on the subject of compensation. Reported in New World , 27 Dec. 1796.
46From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
I can not yet entirely remove the uncertainty in which my last left the election. Unless the Vermont election of which little has of late been said, should contain some fatal vice, in it, Mr. Adams may be considered as the President elect. Nothing can deprive him of it but a general run of the votes in Georgia, Tenissee & Kentucky in favor of Mr. Pinkney, which is altogether contrary to the...
47From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 25 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your two letters of the 12 & 11. came duly to hand since my last. The power of Atty sent me proves sufficient. It will be necessary for you to have a proper one at Richmond to prevent another transfer hither. The weather has been so intensely cold that I have not yet gone out to the proper office with Saml. French’s Certificate. I am at a loss to account for Mr. Noe’s draught. I know of no...
48To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I can not yet entirely remove the uncertainty in which my last left the election. Unless the Vermont election of which little has of late been said, should contain some fatal vice in it, Mr. Adams may be considered as the President elect. Nothing can deprive him of it but a general run of the votes in Georgia, Tenissee and Kentucky in favor of Mr. Pinkney, which is altogether contrary to the...
49From James Madison to John Watts, ca. 23 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 23 December 1796. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 25 Dec. 1796 . Promises information requested by Watts on sale of Joseph Chew’s Kentucky land.
50From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
The returns from N. Hampshire, Vermont, S. C. & Georga. are still to come in, & leave the event of the Election in some remaining uncertainty. It is but barely possible that Adams may fail of the highest number. It is highly probable, tho’ not absolutely certain, that Pinkney will be third only on the list. You must prepare yourself therefore to be summoned to the place Mr. Adams now fills. I...
51From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 19 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
We have been concerned as well as disappointed in not having a single line from Orange since we left it. Fanny has written by every post; & has reminded you & complained of it. I have never even heard whether Mordicai got back safe or not. I refer to the letter to my brother William, for the state of things here, the price of wheat &c. You expressed a wish that some articles for Negro’s...
52To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The returns from N. Hampshire, Vermont, S.C. and Georga. are still to come in, and leave the event of the Election in some remaining uncertainty. It is but barely possible that Adams may fail of the highest number. It is highly probable, tho’ not absolutely certain, that Pinkney will be third only on the list. You must prepare yourself therefore to be summoned to the place Mr. Adams now fills....
53From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 16 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 December 1796. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, 8 Jan. 1797 . Encloses part of Thomas Paine’s Letter to George Washington and the first number of “Pelham.”
54From James Madison to William Madison, ca. 15 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 15 December 1796. Referred to in JM to James Madison, Sr., 19 Dec. 1796 . Describes price of wheat, etc., at Philadelphia.
55Petition of Peter Gree, ca. 13 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Document not found. Ca. 13 December 1796. Presented by JM to the House of Representatives, 13 Dec. 1796, and referred to the Committee of Claims. Reported in Claypoole’s Am. Daily Advertiser , 14 Dec. 1796.
56National University, [12 December] 1796 (Madison Papers)
In his address of 7 December, Washington had called on Congress to establish a national university and a military academy ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 4th Cong., 2d sess., 1595). Mr. Madison presented a memorial from the commissioners appointed under the act respecting the fixing of the seat of government...
57From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 11 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 December 1796. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, ca. 15 Dec. 1796 . Encloses newspapers with news of presidential election.
58From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Exitus in dubio is still the Motto to the election. You must reconcile yourself to the secondary as well as the primary station, if that should be your lot. The prevailing idea is that Pinkney will have the greatest number of votes: & I think that Adams will be most likely to stand next. There are other calculations however less favaroble [ sic ] to both. The answer to the Presidents Speech is...
59To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Exitus in dubio is still the Motto to the election. You must reconcile yourself to the secondary as well as the primary station, if that should be your lot. The prevailing idea is that Pinkney will have the greatest number of votes: and I think that Adams will be most likely to stand next. There are other calculations however less favaroble to both. The answer to the President’s speech is in...
60From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
It is not possible yet to calculate with any degree of certainty whether you are to be left by the Electors to enjoy the repose to which you are so much attached, or are to be summoned to the arduous trust which depends on their allotment. It is not improbable that Pinkney will step in between the two who have been treated as the principals in the question. It is even suspected that this turn...