1To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a cypher which will put some cover on our correspondence. We have yet only 5. States, & not a man from the Eastward except Mr. Holton. There is nothing new without doors, wh. I have not communicated to the Governor &, of those within I must defer writing you, untill the next post; the present is certainly an important crisis in our affairs, but as I shall write you very fully by...
2To James Madison from James Monroe, 15 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
You recd. I hope by the last post a small cypher from me. At fort Stanwix you were necessarily acquainted with the variance which had taken place between the Indian Commissioners of the U. States , & those of New York as well as of the principles upon which they respectively acted & the extent to which they carried them: as I reach’d N. York about eight days after you had left it & the Ind:...
3To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a paper wh. will give you a state of the representation of the States, beside wh. little else hath taken place worthy yr. attention. Mr Jay is here & will I understand accept the office of foreign affrs. upon condition Congress will establish themselves at any one place. The conduct of Spn. respecting the Mississippi &ca. requires the immediate attention of Congress. The affr. is...
4To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yr. favor of the 27. of Novr. in answer to mine of the 15th. My last gave you the state of the representations here. The business of importance is still before committees or if reported not yet acted on. It seems to be the Genl. sense of Congress to appoint a minister to the Ct: of London & to give him instructions upon many subjects & particularly those wh. arise in the conduct...
5To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 4th. inst. I have recd. Congress are now closely engag’d in very important business. Reports upon our affairs with G. B. Spain & our foreign affrs. in general have been presented & alternately acted on. To adjust the points of variance between us & the former Court . It seems to be the general opinion that a Minister shod. be sent there, that it would tend to conciliate the...
6To James Madison from James Monroe, 1 February 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have lately heard nothing from you nor indeed from Richmond. I shod. suspect it arose from the adjournment of the Assembly, if I did not presume, had that event taken place, I shd. been instructed to whose care I might address my letters for you in Fredericksburg or Richmond. My letters to Mr Jones have advised you of the principles upon wh. our delegation actd in the questions respecting...
7To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
The arrangment in our foreign affairs begins at length to assume some form. Upon whatever ground they were taken up for a considerable time, either with respect to France, Spn. or G. B., the same difficulties arose. If it was mov’d that Dr. Franklin be permitted agreeable to his request to retire home it was firmly oppos’d by R. Island [&] Massachussetts . If that a minister be appointed to...
8To James Madison from James Monroe, [8 May] 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. of April accompanied with the cypher I receiv’d yesterday. The appointment of Mr. Adams to the ct. of G. B. was soon afterwards succeeded by that of Mr. Jefferson to that of France. Their commns have been some time since forwarded & before this they are no doubt station’d at their respective courts. The removal of the former gave uneasiness to Mr. V[a]n. Berkell but as...
9To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a copy of the journals so far as they are printed. They contain nothing you will find respecting the requisition nor the commercial interests of the Union. The former upon the report of a committee hath been frequently before Congress of late and as often recommitted, in which state it now lies. As the principal part of the debt which in other States forms a part of the present...
10To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
Since my last a report proposing a change in the first paragraph of the 9th. of the articles of confideration hath been taken up & acted on two days in a committee of the whole. It proposes to invest Congress with power to regulate trade externally & internally. Those in favor of it were of opinion that the exercise of this power in the hands of each State, wod. be less advantageous to its...
11To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 August 1785 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 28th. of July I receiv’d by the last post. The rout from hence to Boston may be effected by stage in 5 days; to Lake George in the same time, thence to St. Johns in three perhaps less, to Montreal one, & thence to Quebec in two, but in the latter instance it must be posted. In either rout you will have no difficulty for the boats and stages are under good regulation. I have been...
12To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d last night & found only six States present. Mr. Hancock we hear is on the road & will be with us in a few days. He accepts the chair. The conduct of the legislature, in complying with the requisition of Congress, in the opinion of all here, does the highest honor to the State, and at the same time that it evinces a regard for publick justice & a mind superior to little resentments,...
13To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. reach’d me a few days since. Mine by the last post advis’d you of my arrival here; still I am with out a colleague and the representation of the States, the same. I am perfectly satisfied that the more fully the subject is investigated, and the better the interests of the States severally are understood, the more obvious will appear the necessity of commiting to the U S....
14To James Madison from James Monroe, 9 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the day subsequent to the adjournment of the assembly. Since my last the subject of the impost has been taken up; a report made on it some time last year was recommitted & a report being brought in to the following effect viz: that it be earnestly recommended to the States of New York & Georgia, the only States who have fail’d in some degree or other to comply with the...
15To James Madison from James Monroe, 11 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
In my last I mention’d to you, the subject of the impost was reviv’d & that a report of a Committee had given place to a motion of Mr. Pinckney, the latter being still before the house. The report, and motion with a report from the Bd. of treasury to the same effect have since been committed, in which State the business now lies. I inclose you a paper containing the report. It is doubted...
16To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 February 1786. In this letter, mentioned in JM’s letter of 19 March 1786 to Monroe , Monroe proposed a joint purchase of land in the Mohawk Valley from one Taylor. In the letter he also discussed the possibilities of reforming the Confederation and the inadequate powers of the Virginia commissioners if a convention were to undertake such a reform.
17To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a copy of Mr. Jay’s publication of the correspondence between him & Mr. Littlepage revis’d and corrected. It may furnish some matter of entertainment. Jersey having taken into consideration the late requisition, the house of delegates resolv’d that having enter’d into the confederation upon terms highly disadvantageous to that State from the necessity of publick affrs. at the...
18To James Madison from James Monroe, 28 April 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 April 1786. Mentioned in JM’s letter to Monroe, 13 May 1786 , and Monroe’s letter to JM, 18 May 1786 . Related to the speculation in which Monroe purchased land in the Mohawk Valley for JM and himself. Monroe expressed an interest in taking a journey with JM to see the lands, and discussed odd appearance of two conventions sitting simultaneously with similar powers to...
19To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you lately but hope it hath not arisen from ill-health. Two days since we recd. dispatches from Mr. Adams in which he informs us of his demand of the surrender of the posts, & remonstrance agnst the violation of the treaty also in the instance of the negroes, with the answer of the minister to his memorial. In this answer it is stated that the King admits a violation in...
20To James Madison from James Monroe, 31 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
Since my last a letter has been recd. from Mr. Jay to the following effect “that difficulties had taken place in his negotiation with Gardoqui & requesting that a Committee be appointed with power to direct & controul the sd. negotiation .” It was immediately perciev’d that the object was to relieve him from the instruction respecting Missisipi & to get a committee to cover the measure. That...
21To James Madison from James Monroe, 15 July 1786 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive yours from Phila. yesterday but so late that I cod. not answer it sooner. I hope you have before this recover’d from yr. fatigue, indeed I advise your prosecution of yr. journey here as soon as possible as the preferable place for that purpose. I shod. be happy you cod. give us as much of yr. time as possible here for reasons more self-interested. Of these we...
22To James Madison from James Monroe, 10 [11] August 1786 (Madison Papers)
We went into a Committee of the Whole yesterday. The subject was discuss’d fully, by Pinckny & others & the house ultimately came to the resolution & reporting that we sit agn. Today being the order for the report of the Committee— in part upon subject of the impost in its relation to Pena. & New York, the order above alluded of going into Committee was postpon’d to take up the sd. report. I...
23To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 August 1786 (Madison Papers)
It has occur’d to G. & myself to propose to Congress that negotiations be carried on with Spn. upon the following principles 1. that exports be admitted thro’ the Missisippi to some free port perhaps N. Orleans, to pay there a toll to Spn. of abt. 3. pr. centm. ad valorem & to be carried thence under the regulations of Congress 2. that imports shall pass into the western country thro the ports...
24To James Madison from James Monroe, 30 August 1786 (Madison Papers)
Since my last we have been from day to day upon the business wh. engag’d us when you were here. They carried the repeal by 7. States in the Committee of the Whole & afterwards in the house. We mov’d to postpone to take into consideration the plan in conformity with the Idea I suggested to you, in which we enter’d into long reasoning upon the Secrys. project, proving if we were well founded,...
25To James Madison from James Monroe, 1 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
Sometime since I was appointed of the Committee to attend the Pena. Assembly, contrary to my wishes, & not being able to extricate myself (having apologiz’d in the first instance upon Mrs. Monroe’s indisposition which was not admitted in expectation of her better health) am now under the necessity of attending. The question was not as I suppos’d taken upon the whole report of the Committee of...
26To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
In my last I advis’d you of the point to wh. seven States had brought the business. After repealing the instruction in part, entering the repeal affirmatively, setting aside a motion requiring the sense of Congress whether the repeal was valid so as to give a new instruction by 7. States, by the previous question, & passing an order to prevent our moving it again untill they shod. have the...
27To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d here a few days since to press on the legislature of this State a seperation of the impost from the supplel: funds. I have the most satisfactory evidence they will reject the proposition. We proceed therefore further merely to discharge our duty. Both parties are united in opposition to it. To morrow we shall be recd. by the legislature. I am sorry I came on the business. Before this...
28To James Madison from James Monroe, 25 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d here the evening of the day I left you & found Mrs. Monroe & the family well. They desire to be remember’d to you. I think you mention’d you had not recd. the letter I had address’d you in answer to yours before you left Phila., the last from that place. You express’d an uneasiness at failing to command such a sum, as might enable you to furnish me with the sum I advanc’d for you in...
29To James Madison from James Monroe, 29 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
Since my last it has been propos’d that each delegation be at liberty to communicate to the legislature of the State to wh. they belong the project of Mr. Jay & the proceedings of Congress thereon & negativ’d. The Journal has been handed to Mr. Jay. As yet he has said nothing nor have we information what course he means to take except from those here in his party, who affirm he will proceed. I...
30To James Madison from James Monroe, 2 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have lately seen Taylor—he has a right to 4,000 acres of land in an undivided tract of 40.000 which he wishes to sell & will take six shillings pr. acre, ½ at the time of concluding the bargn. & the balance 12. months afterwards. The tract is distinguish’d in the maps by the name of Funda’s patent. It lies near fort Stanwix, adjoins the river above it & runs within two miles of the Mohawk...
31To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have been favor’d with yours covering a letter to Mr. Thomson which I shall deliver him in the morning. I am glad you have accepted the appointmt.; if the court shod. sit, wh. is only a probable event, & the arrangment we have in contempletion with respect to the Mohawk shod. succeed I shall be happy to accompany you in a trip here next summer. We have heard nothing from Mr Jay since the...
32To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
It wod. have always suited me for you to pay the sum I am in advance for you in New York the last of this or the first or middle of next month as well as by any other disposition I cod. have made of it. Indeed I vision’d it to discharge some small engagments of mine wh. became due there abt. that time. My engagmt. for majr. Pinckney by wh. I am to pay 200 dolrs. here, wh. he will replace in N....
33To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
We were sorry you cod. not make it convenient to call on us; hope you have arrivd be fore this safe. An agreeable journey cannot be calculated on. I must trouble you with some small commissions that I fear you will find little leasure to attend to provided the States are assembled—but you will postpone any attention to these to give preference to affrs. of more consequence. The day before I...
34To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
My leasure furnishes me with the opportunity, but the country around does not with materials to form a letter worthy your attention. The scale of my observations is a narrow one & confin’d entirely within my room: & the subjects of my researches in which I am but seeking to make some proficiency, as I shod. only detail to you the sentiments of others, give me nothing to supply the deficiency....
35To James Madison from James Monroe, 13 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I was favor’d with yours by Mr. Blair, and a late one covering one from Mr Jefferson a few days since. I shod. have answer’d the former sooner but defer’d it untill my arrival here whither I was at that time on the point of siting out. Mrs. M. accompanied me & will remain untill my return wh. will not be untill the adjournmt. of the Assembly. The report from Phila. hath presented an...
36To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have had hopes of being able to give you something from the proceedings of the Assembly of an interesting nature which might also be agreeable. But perhaps yr. wishes in this respect may not even yet be gratified. The resolutions respecting the Constitution you have long since receiv’d. In those you find no provision for the pay or priviledges of the members of the Convention. These...
37To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
We have nothing new here. The proceedings of our assembly you are no doubt possess’d of thro’ the hands of the Governor, especially that part which is connected with the US. I mean the revenue act & the resolutions respecting the cession. In the former as much was advancd to the US. as cod. be obtain’d. In the latter more moderation was observ’d than at first appearances promis’d. It was...
38To James Madison from James Monroe, 24 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of the 14. two or three days past. The apology is rather due from those gentn. to whom it alludes, both to you and me, for their omission, than that they have any cause of complaint. The truth is, I suspect they were more at ease with their commercl. acquaintance, than they would have been elswhere, and are happier in their escape from the attention of others, than it...
39To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
My professional duties have taken me from the political scene here, so that I have it not in my power yet to give you any thing in that line of moment. On monday I shall take my seat in the house & soon become in some measure acquainted, I suppose, with the views of parties. Carrington, with whom I was in compy. a few minutes yesterday, complains of a decision of the house by which he was...
40To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. was not presented me untill the day before yesterday, or it should have been answer’d sooner. I think with you the act of Congress respecting the missisippi an acquisition on that side, and therefore an happy circumstance. It must make an impression on the new government, and if the disposition of Spain shod. be what I had reason to believe it was, before the commencment...
41To James Madison from James Monroe, [ca. 26] April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was favord with yours upon my return a few days since from the districts of Staunton & Charlotte ville—which will apologize for your not hearing from me sooner. The Judges, Mrs. Monroe and our child were of the party, so that you will readily suppose there was some variety in the entertainment. The arrangment of the business of the genl. court, into the districts, having not been...
42To James Madison from James Monroe, 15 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Upon my return home the other day after the close of the Chancery term, I found a letter from you in the post office, wh. had been there for sometime. This will apologize for my not answering it sooner. I am again call’d here, & shall attend untill the last of this month, upon the genl. & court of appeals. Mr. Jefferson we are taught to believe will visit this state in the course of the...
43To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor advising of the passage of the tonage & impost bills by both houses I have recd. It was my intention to have remov’d to Albemarle & attended the Chancery next month thence. But as it will be better to leave Mrs. M. here in that interval than there, where she has comparitively but few acquaintance, have postpon’d our removal untill abt. the 15. of August. The contest between the two...
44To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 27th. ulto. found me in Richmond attending the chancery whence I returnd two days since. We move on monday next to Albemarle having already sent up the principal part of our furniture &ca. You will address to me in future by the way of Richmond. Our delay has been protracted too long to secure us, I fear, from the contagion incident to the lower country; as yet however we...
45To James Madison from James Monroe, 5 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I flatter’d myself I shod. have been able by this, to have remitted you my proportion of the balance due Mr. Taylor for the land we bought of him—but my endeavors have been ineffectual, nor do any prospects that I have, warrant a hope, I shall be able to command it, within any short period of time. Thus circumstanc’d it wod. be more agreeable to me to disengage myself from the contract....
46To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 19 May 1790. Acknowledged in JM to Monroe, 1 June 1790 . Reports illness of his daughter.
47To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have just return’d from the chancery court & sit out for Albemarle tomorrow. I shall remain there untill the appeals, abt. the 25. of this instt. This will be given you by Mr. Garnett a worthy & respectable gentn. of this town. He visits New York with commersl. views, & will be benefited by your acquaintance. He will consider any attention shewn him as a proof of my acknowledgment for his...
48To James Madison from James Monroe, 2 July 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 17th. of June I have recd. & am sorry to find the most important measures of congress still remaining unsettled & in a very fluctuating state. The assumption will be dislik’d here from what I can learn, under any shape it can assume. Under the discussion it has recd. the publick mind appears to be made up on the subject, & will not readily yeild to any accommodation...
49To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 July 1790 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 4th of July was the last recd. acknowledging mine by Mr. Garnett. Those of earlier date were answer’d from Richmond. I find you have had before you two subjects only, of consequence latterly, that part of the revenue business wh. respects the assumpsion of the State debts, & the fixing on some places for the tempy. & permanent seats of Congress. The latter we hear has been finally...
50To James Madison from James Monroe, 28 February 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have wish’d to partake with you fully in our mohawk purchase, & with that view have endeavor’d to dispose of property elsewhere, but without effect. As so small a portion therefore is no object with me and the possession of the whole, will make it a more important one with you, if it suited shod. be glad you wod. take it yrself. This disposition wod. suit my arrangments in other respects...