1From George Washington to James Madison, 30 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 19th by which it appears that a quoram of Congress was hardly to be expected until the beginning of the past week. As this delay must be very irksome to the attending members, and every days continuance of it (before the Government is in operation) will be more sensibly felt, I am resolved, no interruption shall proceed from me that can well be...
2To James Madison from George Washington, 30 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 19th.; by which it appears that a quoram of Congress was hardly to be expected until the beginning of the past week. As this delay must be very irksome to the attending Members, and every days continuance of it (before the Government is in operation) will be more sensibly felt; I am resolved, no interruption shall proceed from me that can well be...
3From George Washington to James Madison, 22 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 5th & 8th came duly to hand; the first from Baltimore, the latter from Philda. The design of this is merely to acknowledge the receipt of them, and to forward the enclosed; but I will add, as I have my pen in my hand, that Col. Bland, after having lain a weak with the Gent. at Gunston, after having been shipwrecked & land-wrecked, mired, fatigued with walking, &C. &C....
4To James Madison from George Washington, 22 [March] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of the 5th. & 8th. came duly to hand; the first from Baltimore, the latter from Philda. The design of this is merely to acknowledge the receipt of them, and to forward the enclosed; but I will add, as I have my pen in my hand, that Col. Bland, after having lain a week with the Gent at Gunston, after having been shipwrecked & land-wrecked, mired, fatigued with walking, &c. &c....
5From George Washington to James Madison, 16 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having heard of your Election by a respectable majority of the suffrages of the District for which you stood and conceiving it probable that you would soon be on your journey to New York—possibly before my return from the Seneca Falls—for which place, by appointment, I am this moment setting off by the way of George Town; where I expect to meet Governors Johnson & Lee. I take the liberty of...
6To James Madison from George Washington, 16 February 1789 (Madison Papers)
Having heard of your Election, by a respectable majority of the suffrages of the District for which you stood—and conceiving it probable that you would soon be on your Journey to New York—possibly before my return from the Senaca Falls—for which place, by appointment, I am this moment setting off by the way of George Town; where I expect to meet Governors Johnson & Lee—I take the liberty of...
7To James Madison from George Washington, ca. 30 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 30 January 1789 . Mentioned in Washington to JM, 2 Jan. and 16 Feb. 1789 . Requests JM’s advice concerning a proposed speech drafted by David Humphreys (see Washington to JM, 16 Feb. 1789, n. 1 ).
8From George Washington to James Madison, 2 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
The letters which will accompany this, for you, came to my hand by the Post on Tuesday. The direction of them is altered; and they are fowarded to Alexandria to receive a conveyance in the Mail tomorrow. Is there any safe, and tolerably expeditious mode by which letters from the Post Office in Fredericksburgh are conveyed to you? I want to write a private & confidential letter to you, shortly,...
9To James Madison from George Washington, 2 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
The letters which will accompany this, for you, came to my hand by the Post on Tuesday. The direction of them is altered; and they are forwarded to Alexandria to receive a conveyance in the Mail tomorrow. Is there any safe, and tolerably expeditious mode by which letters from the Post Office in Fredericksburgh are conveyed to you? I want to write a private & confidential letter to you,...
10From George Washington to James Madison, 1 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
By a notification in the Pensylvania Packet, it appears that the Southern Mail was robbed on the 22d ult. in the State of Delaware. As it was about, at least not far from the time, I wrote you fully in answer to your favor of the 5th of Novr I am anxious to know its fate. If it has not reached your hands I will upon intimation thereof transmit a duplicate of my sentiments respecting the Falls...
11To James Madison from George Washington, 1 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
By a notification in the Pensylvania Packet, it appears that the Southern Mail was robbed on the 22d. Ult in the State of Delaware. As it was about, at least not far from the time, I wrote you fully in answer to your favor of the 5th. of Novr. I am anxious to know its fate. If it has not reached your hands I will upon intimation thereof transmit a duplicate of my sentiments respecting the...
12From George Washington to James Madison, 17 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the favor of writing to me on the 5th, did not get to my hands until the 15th instant; owing, in part, to the uncertainty of the Mail (on account of the change from the Summer to the Winter establishment of the Stages) and partly to some engagements which prevented my sending to the Post Office agreeably to my usual custom. I wish it was in...
13To James Madison from George Washington, 17 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the favor of writing to me on the 5th, did not get to my hands until the 15th. instant, owing, in part, to the uncertainty of the Mail (on account of the change from the Summer to the Winter establishment of the Stages) and partly to some engagements which prevented my sending to the Post Office agreeably to my usual custom. I wish it was in...
14From George Washington to James Madison, 23 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 24th of last Month, but as we had no intelligence or circumstance in this quarter worthy of your acceptance, I postponed even the acknowledgment untill I was gratifyed by the receipt of your subsequent favor of the 14th instant. Indeed I have now little more to give you in return, than this information to prevent your apprehension of miscarriage; and my...
15To James Madison from George Washington, 23 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 24th of last Month, but as we had no intelligence or circumstance in this quarter worthy of your acceptance, I postponed even the acknowledgment until I was gratifyed by the receipt of your subsequent favor of the 14th. instant. Indeed I have now little more to give you in return, than this information to prevent your apprehension of miscarriage; and my...
16From George Washington to James Madison, 17–18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Although the letter of Mr Pleasants and its enclosure will appear under date of the 25th of July, it never got to my hand till friday last. Tomorrow is the first Post by which I could forward it. It is now sent with thanks for the perusal. I shall write to the Count de Moustier, but in pretty general terms—giving the substance rather than the detail of this business. That the circular letter...
17To James Madison from George Washington, 17 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Although the letter of Mr Pleasants and its enclosure will appear under date of the 25th. of July, it never got to my hand till friday last. Tomorrow is the first Post by which I could forward it. It is now sent with thanks for the perusal. I shall write to the Count de Moustier, but in pretty general terms—giving the substance rather than the detail of this business. That the circular letter...
18From George Washington to James Madison, 3 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 21st & 27th of last month came duly to hand. The last, contained the pleasing—and I may add (tho’ I could not reconcile it with any ideas I entertained of common policy) unexpected account of the unconditional ratification of the Consitution by the State of New York—That No. Carolina will hesitate long in its choice I can scarcely believe; but what Rhode Island will do is...
19To James Madison from George Washington, 3 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of the 21st. & 27th of last month came duly to hand. The last, contained the pleasing—and I may add (tho’ I could not reconcile it with any ideas I entertained of common policy) unexpected account of the unconditional ratification of the Constitution by the State of New York. That No. Carolina will hesitate long in its choice I can scarcely believe; but what Rhode Island will do is...
20From George Washington to James Madison, 23 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, acknowledging the first letter you did me the favor to write to me after your arrival in Richmond, I have received your subsequent ones of the 13th & 18th instant; which, tho’ less favourable than the former, are more pleasing than suspence. I will yet hope that the good sense of this Country, maugre all the arts of opposition, will ultimately decide right on the important...
21To James Madison from George Washington, 23 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since my last, acknowledging the first letter you did me the favor to write to me after your arrival in Richmond, I have received your subsequent ones of the 13th & 18th instant; which, tho’ less favourable than the former, are more pleasing than suspence. I will yet hope that the good sense of this Country, maugre all the arts of opposition, will ultimately decide right on the important...
22From George Washington to James Madison, 8 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by the few lines you wrote to me on the 4th and though it is yet too soon to rejoice one cannot avoid being pleased at the auspicious opening of the business of your Convention. Though an ulterior opinion of the decision of this state on the Constitution would at any time previous to the discussion of it in the Convention have been premature yet I have never dispaired of its...
23To James Madison from George Washington, 8 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged by the few lines you wrote to me on the 4th. and though it is yet too soon to rejoice one cannot avoid being pleased at the auspicious opening of the business of your Convention. Though an ulterior opinion of the decision of this state on the Constitution would at any time previous to the discussion of it in the Convention have been premature yet I have never dispaired of its...
24From George Washington to James Madison, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th Ult. came duly to hand, and the enclosure for Mr D. Carroll was forwarded the next day by a direct & safe conveyance. That Gentleman, however, was not of the Convention. But the body of which you supposed him to be a member, by a large and decided Majority (of Sixty odd to twelve) have ratified the New Constitution. A thorn this in the sides of the leaders of opposition...
25To James Madison from George Washington, 2 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. Ult. came duly to hand, and the enclosure for Mr. D. Carroll was forwarded the next day by a direct & safe conveyance. That Gentleman, however, was not of the Convention. But the body of which you supposed him to be a member, by a large and decided Majority (of Sixty odd to twelve) have ratified the New Constitution. A thorn this in the sides of the leaders of...
26From George Washington to James Madison, 2 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
The decision of Massachusetts, notwithstanding its concomitants, is a severe stroke to the opponents of the proposed Constitution in this State; and with the favorable determinations of the States which have gone before, and such as are likely to follow after, will have a powerful operation on the minds of Men who are not actuated more by disappointment, passion and resentment, than they are...
27To James Madison from George Washington, 2 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
The decision of Massachusetts, notwithstanding its concomitants, is a severe stroke to the opponents of the proposed Constitution in this State; and with the favorable determinations of the States which have gone before, and such as are likely to follow after, will have a powerful operation on the Minds of Men who are not actuated more by disappointment, passion and resentment, than they are...
28From George Washington to James Madison, 5 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to you for several of your favors, and thank you for their enclosures. The rumours of War between France and England have subsided; and the poor Patriots of Holland, it seems, are left to fight their own Battles or negotiate—in neither case with any great prospect of advantage—They must have been deceived, or their conduct has been divided, precip-[it]ant, & weak—the former, with...
29To James Madison from George Washington, 5 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am indebted to you for several of your favors, and thank you for their enclosures. The rumours of War between France and England have subsided; and the poor Patriots of Holland, it seems, are left to fight their own Battles or negotiate—in neither case with any great prospect of Advantage. They must have been deceived, or their conduct has been divided, precip[it]ant, & weak. The former,...
30From George Washington to James Madison, 10 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I stand indebted to you for your favors of the 20th & 26th Ult.; and I believe for that of the 14th also, & their enclosures. It does not appear to me that there is any certain criterian in this State, by which a decided judgment can be formed of the opinion which is entertained by the mass of its Citizens with respect to the New Constitution. My belief on this occasion is, that whenever the...