1From James Madison to Richard Rush, 23 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
I duly recd. the English papers you were so good as to send me; and which I now return. Altho’ less interesting than they usually are even when the Parliament is not in session, they contain some things which were worth looking at; and I thank you for the opportunity of doing it. We reached our home without accident, and in the computed time. I found the agricul[t]ural prospects in this...
2From James Madison to Richard Rush, 27 June 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two favors of the 18 & 20 inst. I am promised a visit from Mr. Jefferson, the ensuing month, and shall not fail to communicate to him, the one you note for that purpose. I readily conceive that Mr. Correa, may feel some conflict, in his present position, between his two characters of Philanthropist and Plenipotentiary; and that he may infer some indulgence towards the latter,...
3From James Madison to Richard Rush, 24 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of Jany. 14. & May 2. came duly to hand; the former accompanied by 3 Vols. of Malthus, with a No. of the Quarterly Review, & 4 vols. of Eustace. They claim many thanks which I pray you to accept. I have not yet entered on the latter work. I have looked over Malthus, and think the world much indebted to him for the just views he has given of an interesting subject, and for the...
4From James Madison to Richard Rush, 10 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Dcr. 13 came safely to hand; but was four months on its way. I have looked over, with amusement, the two posthumous works of Watson & Walpole. The former has an importance to which the latter can not pretend. But both, in drawing aside the curtain from the secrets of Monarchy, offer at once lessons and eulogies to Republican Government. As you have in hand a remnant of the fund...
5From James Madison to Richard Rush, 20 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Having written to you very lately, I only avail myself of the present opportunity furnished by Mr. Astor, to mention, in case of any delay or miscarriage of the letter, that yours of Decr. 13. was duly received and acknowleged. It was four months on its way, but came at length safely to hand with the books sent with it. Mr. Astor is on a visit to Europe, and will pay his respects to you in...
6From James Madison to Richard Rush, 12 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
In acknowledging your favor of Sepr. last, an interval between that date & this, presents itself which would call for apology, were I less sure that you would put no misconstruction on it. The truth is, I well know your time must be so engrossed with objects more important than my correspondence, that I am unwilling to multiply its interferences; notwithstanding the temptations I feel in the...
7From James Madison to Richard Rush, 4 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of Aug: 12. I have been favoured with yours of Aug: 30. with which was returned my letter to Mr Keilsall; whose evanishment is not a little remarkable. Notwithstanding the trouble given you by that letter, I am not deterred from relying on your goodness to have the two now inclosed forwarded to the parties. To one of them the direction is so precise that it will readily...
8From James Madison to Richard Rush, 5 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
This will be presented by John P. Wilson Esqr. of this State. I cannot speak of his worth from personal knowlege, but it is well vouched to me by a friend on whom I can entirely rely. He avails himself of resources & a leisure which enable him to indulge his curiosity in a trip to Europe; and he will be so much gratified by being made known to you that I can not refuse him a line of...
9From James Madison to Richard Rush, 21 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Novr. 15. came safe to hand, with Mr. R’s farming Pamphlet, for which I return my thanks. The inflexibility of G.B. on the points in question with the U.S. is a bad omen for the future relations of the parties. The present commercial dispute, tho’ productive of ill humour, will shed no blood. The same cannot be said of Impressments and Blockades. I have lately recd. also Mr....
10From James Madison to Richard Rush, 20 November 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have been for some time a debtor for your favor of June 21. which was accompanied by the “Apochryphal New Testament.” Accept my thanks for both. I have not yet seen any notice in this Country of Godwin’s last work; nor has it been reviewed by any of the English critics which have fallen under my eye. I think with you however that it can scarcely fail to attract public attention. It merits a...
11From James Madison to Richard Rush, 1 May 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of Mar. 6. accompanied by the English pamphlet on “The State of the Nation.” Keirsall’s [ sic ] “Classical Excursion” had arrived some time before. For these several favours I give you many thanks. Having not recd. at the date of my last, your favour of Sepr. 26. I take this occasion to thank you for that also, and for the accompanying Edinburgh Review. I owe...
12From James Madison to Richard Rush, 22 July 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of the papers communicated to the B. Parliament which you were so good as to forward. The enterprize of France agst. the Spanish Constitution, with the grounds avowed for it, has afforded G. Britain a fine opportunity for retrieving the character lost by her abandonment of the people of the Continent on the downfal of Napoleon, and by the apparent sympathies of her Govt....
13From James Madison to Richard Rush, 13 November 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of Sepr 10. with a Copy of the printed documents on the subject of the slave trade. The mask of humane professions covering an indifference in some & a repugnance in others to its effectual abolition, is as obvious as it is disgusting. G. B. alone, whatever may be her motives, seems to have the object really at heart. It is curious at the same time to observe her...
14From James Madison to Richard Rush, [post–17] November 1823 (Madison Papers)
The Cheese you were so kind as to order for us having been sent by Mr. Maury to Richmond with which there is little communication from this quarter at this season, it has but just come to hand. The delay has not impaired its excellent quality: and Mrs. M. & myself offer many thanks for such a luxury, with our joint & affectionate respects & good wishes to Mrs. Rush & yourself. RC ( NAlI );...
15From James Madison to Richard Rush, 27 February 1824 (Madison Papers)
Almost at the moment of receiving yours of Decr. 28. my hand casually fell on the inclosed scrap, which I must have extracted from the Author (borrowed for the purpose) on some occasion when the right of navigating the Mississippi engaged my attention. I add it to my former enclosures on that subject, merely as pointing to one source of information which may lead to others fuller & better....
16From James Madison to Richard Rush, 17 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Francis W. Gilmer Esqr. The Buildings for our University being now adequately prepared, and the Legislature of the State having given to its funds an extent authorizing the commencement of its operations, the duty of the Visitors is turned to the appointment of Professors. It would certainly be desireable to make the selection altogether at home: But the...
17From James Madison to Richard Rush, 1 August 1825 (Madison Papers)
The Mail of yesterday brought us the first information of your having reached Washington, where alone a letter would be sure of finding you; and I avail myself of the first moment to congratulate you on your safe return to your country; as I do your Country on your acceptance of a new & more important career in its service. Mrs. Madison joins me in these congratulations, as I do her in those...
18From James Madison to Richard Rush, [ca. October 1825] (Madison Papers)
Docr. Js W. Wallace is desirous of exchanging his Residence in Virga. for one in the City of Washington; which wd. be made the more eligible by some official employment there. His thoughts are turned to a Lazaretto established or expected to be established. For the requisites of integrity & fidelity, he can not need my testimony; and his professional qualifications are I presume also not...
19From James Madison to Richard Rush, 5 October 1826 (Madison Papers)
At sight pay to the Order of Arthur S Brockenbrough, Proctor of the University of Virginia three hundred and ninety four Dollars thirty two cents, being the Amt. of duties paid by order of Thomas Jefferson late Rector of the University of Virginia on thirty one cases of Marble, imported into NewYork in the Ship Caroline, for the use of the said University, and the said duties being remitted by...
20From James Madison to Richard Rush, 1 November 1826 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ To Richard Rush. Letter not found. 1 November 1826. Described as an autograph letter signed in Stan. V Henkels Catalogue No. 934 (19–20 May 1905), item 614.
21From James Madison to Richard Rush, 8 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
Among the names which the vacancy in the Collectorship at Norfolk will bring to your view is that of Moses Myers Esqr. of that place. Though my personal knowledge of this Gentleman is very slight I take pleasure in saying that I have been always led to regard him as a highly respectable Merchant, and a patriotic Citizen; and in expressing the belief that if selected for the vacant Office, its...
22From James Madison to Richard Rush, 21 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your late Treasury Rept. & return my thanks for the kindness to which I owe it. It is a valuable voucher for the prosperity of our commerce & revenue, and a pleasing specimen of the ability which presides over the Dept. A[l]tho’ I must be presumed to dissent from some of the positions advanced, & allowed to hesitate at some of the deductions from others, there is eno’...
23James Madison to Richard Rush, 28 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. my dear Sir your favor of the 21st. and thank you for the 2 pamphlets inclosed with it. Of the one which has for its mark the living Character it may well be said (varying a borrowed phrase), "that the keenness of the shaft is ever more than equalled by the vigor of the bow:" nor is it to be wondered that the portrait in the other, of the Character deceased, should have...
24James Madison to Richard Rush, 17 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your very kind letter of the 12th. The commendations you bestow on those relating to the Tariff belong rather to what so pregnant & important a subject ought to have made them, than to what they are. They were written to a friend who wished to avail himself of the presumed result of my better opportunities of elucidating the question; and whom I considered as needing such an...
25James Madison to Richard Rush, 15 March 1831 (Madison Papers)
I thank you, my dear Sir, for the Gazette kindly put under cover to me. It derives particular interest from the Columns subscribed "Temple." I had seen the preceding publication, bearing that fictitious name, with a ready inference of the real one. The general character of the Whig party in England is as eloquently painted as the position & perplexity of its leaders now in power, are...
26James Madison to Richard Rush, December 1831 (Madison Papers)
I thank you my dear Sir for the kindly put under a cover to me. It derives particular interest from the Columns subscribed "Temple". I had seen the preceding publication bearing that fictitious name, with a ready inference of the real one. The general character of the Whig party in England is as eloquently painted, as the position & perplexity of its leaders now in power are accurately...
27James Madison to Richard Rush, 13 July 1833 (Madison Papers)
The Volume so kindly presented to Mrs. Madison and myself has afforded us great pleasure. Few can read it without receiving information both new and instructive—and none without being gratified on many points interesting to their curiousity. No part of it will probably be more welcome to the public, than that which gives a hope that the work will be followed by other drafts from the same fund...