51To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 20 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Docketed “Decr 20th 1782” by JM. Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Randolph may have written this letter, or the greater part of it, on 19 December and then postdated it. See n. 12, below. The journal of the house of delegates from Saturday last to this day includes the following points,...
52To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed, “Decr. 27. 1782,” by JM. Portions of the third and fourth paragraphs encoded in the Randolph cipher are here italicized. Colo. Mercer, your new colleague, will leave this country for Philadelphia in about twenty days. He wishes to become...
53To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 3 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Owing to fading of the ink, considerable portions of the letter are scarcely legible. Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr Esqr of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Jany. 3d. 1783.” The post of yesterday brought your two favors of the 17th. and 24th of decr. The prospect of softening the states who were at first the most obdurate against the impost...
54To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your excellency’s favour, desiring me to communicate with Mr Lund Washington on the subject of Colo. Mercer’s affairs, has been duly received. I have written to him on the subject; informing him, that the application of Mr John Mercer for the b ond was founded on an order of the high court of chancery. He was directed to give bond, and, I believe, he has done so tho’ of this I am not I cannot...
55To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Letter unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Addressed by Randolph to “The Honble Jas. Madison jr. esqr. of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Jany. 15. 1782,” a misdating by a year. The extreme badness of the weather prevented me from sending a letter from hence to Richmond for the post of last week. As I am really uneasy, at a little seeming omission on my part to...
56To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Letter unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia. To go by the post.” Docketed by JM on the right margin of the cover, “Richmond Feby. 1st. 83,” and on the left margin, “Feby. 1. 1783.” The death of my aunt unfortunately furnishes me with an apology for the late omissions in my correspondence. At...
57To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 7 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Feby—7—1783.” Words or parts of words enciphered in the Randolph code are italicized. See JM to Randolph, 7 Jan. , and hdn.; 4 Feb. 1783 , and n. 10. The fatal repeal is wrapt up in more than common mystery; the motives being various, as...
58To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned and without complimentary close but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. Esq. of congress Philadelphia.” The date line and many words in the first six and last six lines of the text are so blotted as to be illegible or doubtfully legible. I had resolved before the receipt of your favor of the 2d. instant to change our...
59To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Parts of the manuscript are hard to read. Besides revising a few words by writing over rather than above them, he used a porous paper. This caused the ink to spread, thereby blotting several adjacent letters together. He posted the letter on 1 March. See Randolph to JM, 1 Mar. 1783 . I easily conceive the difficulty if not...
60To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “March 1st. 1783.” Being here on business, I can not inspect your figures of feby. 18. The drift of them is, however, seen, and I have already met the sentiments half way, by an adherence to my opinion of the necessity of reviving...
61To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 7 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover missing. In my letter of last week, I mentioned, I believe, the great probability of Mr. Henry’s return to active legislation and my communication to him of the awful crisis, in which America seems to stand, but which his aid might tend to dissipate. As yet I have not received an answer: but I suggested to his recollection the...
62To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison Jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “March 15. 1783.” I have not been able as yet to procure your expected favor from the post; nor shall I, until the return of the messenger, who carries this letter to the mail. We make considerable progress in the detection of the...
63To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by Randolph to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “March 22. 1783.” Your favors by the post and the express reached me at the same time with a letter from Dr Lee, dated on the 11th. of decr. (I presume it should have been march). 1783. Having read his first, I was astonished at...
64To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 29 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq. of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “March 29th. 1783.” I have just returned from Wmsburg, the seat of a majority of the keenest pursuers of my father’s estate. Nothing, I believe, will content them, but a fair experiment at law: and to guard against this is my object...
65To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 26 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Apl. 26. 1783.” For four weeks past I have been so hurried by the general court, that I have not had leisure to write a page, irrelative to law. Indeed the calmness of our times cuts off almost every thing worthy of communication....
66To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 9 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Docketed by JM, “May 9th. 1783.” Cover addressed by Randolph to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” The right margin of the second of the three folios comprising the letter was trimmed so carelessly as to excise portions of the text. The due arrival of your friendly attention by every post has not been...
67To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Docket lacking. JM did not receive this letter until 9 June. See JM to Randolph, 10 June 1783 . The assembly have plunged into business without delay; and the important question of the impost has occupied their first attention. Mr. Henry is its strenuous supporter, and was the author of the resolution, by which an impost is declared...
68To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 24 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover missing. The address of congress has at length arrived, and received the commendations to which it is so justly intitled, and some of which I should enumerate here with cordiality, did I not perceive the marks, which it bears of your pen. Dr. Lee, who came yesterday, delivered me the copy, intrusted by you to him for my use. A...
69To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 4 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. Esqr of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “June 4. 1783.” JM also jotted on the cover: “Dana La: Hol: Md. Peace Estabt. New Delegation Fairfax Instrons. Claypoole for Int. opn. of Gl. W. on proceedings of Congs. Mutinous Men? of Sergts? W. Territory Secy. F. Affrs.” These...
70To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 14 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honorable James Madison jr. esq. of congress. Philadelphia.” Cover docketed by JM, “June 14, 1783.” It is with real mortification, that I find an abortion of the scheme of impost. By some unaccountable revolution the zealous patrons have cooled, and seem united with its enemies to deal it out through our...
71To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 21 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission). Unsigned and perhaps incomplete. Docketed by JM, “June 21, 1783.” Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. esq. of congress Philadelphia.” Inclosed is a state of the proceedings of the assembly for a week past, and of the expectations of future business. Having been confined at home for ten days by the demands of my clients, I have...
72To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 28 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. esq. of congress Philadelphia To go by the post.” Erroneously docketed by JM, “June 8. 1783.” The last post brought, as usual, your esteemed favor. The friends to the impost, as recommended by congress, finding, that the adoption of that measure in the form of the bill, then depending...
73To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Princeton New Jersey.” Docketed by JM, “July 12. 17[83].” Your flight to Princeton has, I presume, been the cause of the post of thursday bringing no letter from you. The proclamation, issued by the executive last week, has occasioned much uneasiness in the minds of...
74To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison esqr Congress Princeton.” Docketed by JM, “July 18. 1783.” I have received by the last mail your two favors of June 30. & July 8. They satisfy me of what was before problematical, the propriety of the removal of congress to Princeton. But with what decency can you retreat from thence...
75To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned, but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed to “The honorable James Madison jr esq. of congress now in Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “August 23. 1783.” My trip to Baltimore, from which I returned last sunday, has occasioned the chasm in my correspondence. Mr. Nathan met me according to appointment, with an elaborate argument, prepared on paper by Mr. Sargent....
76To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1783 (first) (Madison Papers)
RC (Harvard College Library: Dearborn Papers). Addressed in the hand of a clerk, probably George Hay, “To James Madison. Sept 13th: 1783,” and almost certainly enclosed by Randolph in his longer letter of the same date to JM ( q.v. ). If your attention to congressional business, and your cramped situation will allow you to shew civilities to a new acquaintance, I must consign Mr. Francis...
77To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1783 (second) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned, but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of Congress Princeton.” Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 13. 1783 E.R.” The bracketed letters are those excised from the manuscript by an overly close cropping, especially along the right margin of the second folio. Norfolk and its neighbourhood are I fear, doomed to perpetual...
78To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 January 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Randolph. Edmd. Jany. 27. 1784.” Altho’ your return from congress has brought you nearer in point of distance, it has fixed a wider gulph between us in point of communication by letter. But I do not mean to suffer the danger of miscarrage, to which even a private opportunity is exposed, whensoever any thing, worthy of notice, occurs....
79To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 30 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your friendly overture of a correspondence; altho’ written on the 31st. Ulto. , did not reach me before the last evening. I pledge myself for furnishing all the intelligence, which the barrenness of this place can supply, fit for your attention. But for a late occurrence, the executive would languish for employment. A Mr. Geo. Hancock, a citizen of this commonwealth, assaulted and beat a Mr....
80To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th instant, which I this day received, is not the first information concerning Lord Tankerville’s power of attorney. I was written to by Lady Tankerville and his Lordship, as early as November last: and immediately desired Colo. Hooe to state to me the particulars of this new office. He answered me, that he was ignorant of the duty, expected from us, and must remain so,...
81To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have forborne to answer your late letter on the subject of the petitions, until I took the steps, which the case seemed to recommend. It is a point, on which the lawyers themselves are divided, whether a new petition can be now brought for a forfeiture before the 29th of Sepr 1775. Altho’ I should not conceive such a petition very formidable, yet as there is a doubt, capable of being...
82To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 24 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been forbidden by an unusual sensation in my head for some time past, to write a line, which the duties of my profession did not extort from me. This circumstance alone has hitherto prevented an answer to your last favor. The elections for this year have proved the readiness of the citizens to incorporate the military with the civil. I have heard of the success of seven military...
83To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a letter, which fell into my hands from a gentleman, lately arrived from England. Colo. Bassett is here, and I shall prepare a deed to be executed for the whole of the lands, adjudged to him against you. I was not satisfied, that the proof, which you sent me of improvements, was agreeable to law, tho’ the fact would certainly have acquitted some of the land: and...
84To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your mission to Europe reached us the day before yesterday, and made me doubt whether you will not have sailed before my answer to your friendly letter by the last post shall get to hand. I had begun to transcribe for you the manuscript defence of our claim to western territory. I shall pursue the task, and forward it by some opportunity across the Atlantic. It is probable, that you will have...
85To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the rough draught of a deed, prepared to be executed by Colo. Bassett. I send it to you for your satisfaction, with an assurance that I shall not fail to accomplish the business at the next general court. I am Dear Sir with the greatest truth yr obliged and affte friend ALS , ViMtvL . See Randolph to GW, 15 May 1784 , and the references in note 2 of that document . See also...
86To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 27 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
The deed, of which I inclosed you the rough draught, has been duly executed and recorded. The register of the land-ofice has undertaken to have other patents made out in your name by the next week. I shall not however send them by the stage, which will be the first opportunity; but I shall defer it until the post. I am dear sir with the sincerest respect & esteem yr obliged & affte humble...
87To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 3 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The register is now engaged in renewing your grants. They would have been prepared for this post, if the form had been the same, as that, which has been hitherto practised. I trust, that there is little doubt of their being forwarded by the next. I am Dear sir yr obliged & affte friend ALS , MH : Jared Sparks Collection. The correspondence between Randolph and GW regarding the grants to GW...
88To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 10th of July by the last post. You will excuse me, I hope, from accepting fees for any business, which I may execute for you in the line of my profession. It is indeed a poor mode of acknowledging the repeated acts of friendship, which I have experienced from your hands: but I beg to be gratified in this, the usual way, in which lawyers give some small testimony of...
89To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 20 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the last week, I have inquired into the fruit of your chances in Colo. Byrd’s lottery, from Mr James Buchanan, of this town, the only person, on whose information I can depend for such a subject. No. 265, the prize of the ticket 4965 is a lot in Manchester; the value of which is unknown, and is therefore in all probability as yet of scarcely any. No’s. 270, 138, 237, 257,...
90To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1785 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letters were forwarded by the president to my care. Learning from him, that a package, in which they were covered, contained some fresh literary information, I took the liberty of opening it; especially as it was suggested, and the event shewed, that it contained two other letters, one for Mr. Page, the other for Mr. Madison himself. The executive are at last persuaded of their...
91To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th Ulto was put into my hands this evening for the first time. I accordingly opened the inclosed letter to Mr Bushrod Washington, which has remained with me to the present moment. It would give me the sincerest satisfaction to execute, what you there confided to him. But I believe it is too notorious, that Mr Ryan has quitted Virginia, utterly incompetent to discharge his...
92To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 4 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
I entered upon the execution of my promise to Major Washington without delay; but the paper being lengthy cannot be compleated for this post. You will be so good as not to expect it, until the next week. I shall fortify it with as many authentications, as the situation of our public records will permit. I am Dear sir yr obliged and affectionate friend & servant ALS , DLC:GW . GW’s...
93To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
With this you will receive a copy of the proclamation, authenticated by the register’s seal. I was indeed hopeful to add the testimonials of the state: but the lieutenant governor, not being in town nor expected until the departure of the post, I thought it adviseable rather to send the inclosed, than delay you. I believe that this will answer your purpose; but for fear of cavil, I will...
94To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed certificate will, I believe, authenticate the acts of Mr Harvie in his official character, to the fullest extent. This is the earliest moment, in which I could procure it. I am Dear sir with great truth yr affectionate friend & serv. ALS , NhD . The certificate has not been found, but see Randolph to GW, 9 July .
95To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
By some inexplicable mystery, the inclosed letter from Mr. Jones, and my intended answer to your last epistolary favor, have still remained in my possession. Being engaged when the gentleman, who brought your friendly attention to me, I doubt whether I gave him an intelligible reply to his question, if my answer was ready. Our apparent disobedience to the appointment of the assembly must be...
96To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 29 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d instant came duly to hand. But I am sorry to be unable to execute the request contained in it. The council-books are destroyed. The general restriction of settlement on the western waters does, I acknowledge, extend to military rights, as well others. But it continues only, until the King’s further pleasure should be known. The patent in your hands is abundant evidence,...
97To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 8 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Being so near you, as I understand myself to be, I should certainly have endeavoured to pay my respects to you today in person, were it not for the fatigue, which I have lately undergone in travelling hither. A business, similar to that, in which you are now engaged, will oblige me to return to Richmond by the 20th instant. The subscribers to the opening of James river are then to meet. I was...
98To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 2 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I accomplished my purpose of being present at the meeting of the subscribers to the James river company. Those books alone, which were opened here, were laid before us. By them it appeared, that the whole number of shares was nearly compleated; but it was thought adviseable to postpone the admission of other subscribers, until the success of the upper books should be known. This step was very...
99To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 3 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
The post-offices have not been in fault in every respect; altho’ I did not receive from the one here your favor of the 5th Ulto until last night, notwithstanding my application for letters. Your inclosures of the proceedings of the Potowmack company were duly received by me: and the business of the general court pressing very urgently upon me, the answer to your favor was undertaken by the...
100To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
I am much indebted to you for Bayle and the Confessional. I delivered the treatises on air, with the history of their journey from hence to Orange, to Dr. Currie. He put them into the hands of McClurg who reports in strong terms of approbation the work of Scheele, as being most learned in Chymistry. The circular letters have been dispatched, with an authentication of our commercial Character...