1To John Adams from James Madison, 22 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 22d Ult: with the two vols. bearing the name of Condorcet. If the length of time they remained in your hands, had been in the least inconvenient to me, which was not the case, the debt would have been greatly overpaid, by the interesting observations into which you were led by the return of them. The idea of a Government “in one center” as explained and espoused...
2To John Adams from James Madison, 7 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
On my return two days ago from a Meeting appointed to report to the Legislature of the State a proper Scite for a University, I found your obliging favor of July 22. with its inclosed copies of Docr. Mayhews Sermon. I have read with pleasure this symbol of the political tone of thinking at the period of its original publication. The author felt the strength of his argument, and has given a...
3To John Adams from James Madison, 5 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I pay with much pleasure the debt of thanks for the copy of Mr. Wells’s Oration so kindly forwarded by you. It is a concise and well presented view of the great event celebrated, with a judicious selection of circumstances proper to be combined with it. I avail myself of this as of every occasion of renewing to you assurances of my high esteem and best wishes. MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
4Independence and Constitution of Virginia, [1827?] (Madison Papers)
[1827?] Although the date when JM prepared this manuscript must remain uncertain, it could well have been written in the autumn of 1827, during his exchange of letters with George Mason’s grandson about the Virginia Declaration of Rights and first Form of Government, and at a time when a revision of the state constitution was much in the public mind. The manuscript has considerable unity of...
5From James Madison to James H. Blake, 4 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I am much indebted to the Citizens of Washington, in whose behalf you speak, for the expressions of regard and respect addressed to me. These sentiments are the more valuable to me, as my long residence among them has made me well acquainted with their many titles to my esteem, at the same time that it has enabled them to mark more particularly the course of my public and personal conduct....
6From James Madison to Henry Colman, 5 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Colman with his thanks for the “Century Sermon,[”] he has been so good as to inclose with his letter of the 21st. Ult. Mrs. Madison is equally thankful for the Copy of Mr. Buckminster’s Sermons presented to her. Neither of us can at present avail ourselves of the pleasure of perusing the publications: but a very short time will relieve us both from the...
7From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ your personal and official acquaintance with Mr. J Graham, be well known to me, I can not, on the occasion of my final departure fr⟨om⟩ the public service, satisfy myself, without expressing my sense of his great merit. Mr. Graham, recommended by my knowlege of his public Agency abroad, and of his private virtues, was invited into the Department of State, as the Chief under the Head of...
8From James Madison to George M. Dallas, 6 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
I recd. some days ago your favor of the 26 ult: but this is the first moment I have found to acknowlege it. I learn with great pleasure your intention to publish the life and writings of your father. The latter will be a rich addition to our political and literary treasures: and the former a portrait worthy of a conspicuous place in the biographical Gallery. I think too favorably of the public...
9From James Madison to Tench Coxe, ca. 11 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of the 8 & 25 ult: were duly recd. The memoir in the former was put into the hands of Mr. Sampson who I found had both a personal & patriotic acquaintance with you, and who employed all his strength in pulling down the errors opposed to our Cotton Manufacturies. The paper in the other letter, was also communicated to him. The last under a blank cover was recd. too late to be...
10From James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, [ca. 16] March 1817 (Madison Papers)
On a long list of epistolary debts which I could not attend to, during the period of my public duties, is your favor containing explanations relating to “A Journal of a young man &c.” I beg leave now to thank you for that mark of your attention. The reception given by the public to the work is the best evidence of its interesting character; and a perusal of a part of it only, a sufficient one...