1Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 15 April 1783—Missing Letter (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 April 1783 . After Congress had ratified the provisional articles of peace with Great Britain ( JM Notes, 15 Apr. 1783 , and n. 2), JM and Theodorick Bland, on behalf of all the Virginia delegates, apparently sent a brief letter, now missing, to Governor Harrison, informing him of the ratification (Anderson Galleries [New York] Catalogue, No. 1581 [2–3 May 1921], item 34).
2Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [8 October] 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Joseph Jones’s hand, except for JM’s signature. Although the top of the manuscript is torn so that the date is missing, the docket reads, “Lr f’m Virga Delegates Oct. 8. 82.” The mutilated condition of the bottom of the manuscript obliged the bracketed insertions of words and letters which may have been there originally. The cover is missing. We are honoured...
3Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 30 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage and addressed to “The Honble. Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor by Post came safe to hand, like you I have nothing new to communicate. Mr. Clarke has ship’d a quantity of Tobacco from this Country to N. York more than the first resolution of Congress amounted to, and without giving me any Information of his design, he says...
4Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [3 September] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract (Parke-Bernet Galleries Catalogue No. 2124 [20 September 1962], p. 30). The letter is described as follows: “ Madison, James ; Theodoric Bland, and Arthur Lee. A.L.s. by Bland, signed also by Madison as ‘ J. Madison Jr .’ and by Lee as ‘ A. Lee ’; 2 pp. 4to, integral blank leaf docketed on verso; Philadelphia, 3 Sept. 1782; with an erroneous pencil note suggesting that the...
5Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [15 October] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Burnett, Letters Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). , VI, 507). The contents of the letter and the fact that the dates of the Virginia delegates’ letters of 1 , 8 , and 22 ( qq.v ) are established permit little doubt that the present dispatch was dated on 15 October, the Tuesday post day. The original manuscript...
6Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 6 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Cover missing. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegs: in Congress: May 6th. 1783.” Although only JM signed it, he obviously was writing on behalf of all members of the delegation. Your Excellency’s favor of the 25th. Ulto. came duly to hand yesterday. A commercial intercourse is under present circumstances carried on freely from other States with our late...
7Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 30 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Theodorick Bland’s hand, except for JM’s and Lee’s signatures. Addressed to “His Excellency the Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates Lr., July 30. 82 July, 1782.” Cover missing. We deliverd the Letter to the Chevalier de la Luzerne, enclosd in that your Excellency honord us with on the 19, together with the apology you desird for your...
8Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 15 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I received your favor of the 1st. instant and shall most assuredly use every endeavor to apprehend any forgers of Morris’s notes that may be in this country and beg you to give me any information respecting them that may come out in the course of the examination of those...
9Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 12 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. It certainly would forward the recruiting service much to have cloths lodged with every person appointed to that business, but as it would be attended with great trouble and expence and perhaps some loss to send them into every County, I think it will be sufficient if an order can be obtained from the War Office permiting the Executive...
10Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [17 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract (Paul C. Richards Catalogue No. 11 [1964], item 266). The catalogue describes the manuscript as comprising two pages written by JM and bearing the signatures of Joseph Jones, Theodorick Bland, JM, and Arthur Lee. We thought it necessary to have a decision from Congress relative to the cession of our western territory, for the information of the ensuing Assembly; & therefore...
11Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 19 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Virginia Miscellaneous Collection, 1773–1789). In JM’s hand, except for Joseph Jones’s signature. Addressed to “His Excy. Govr. Harrison.” We had the honor yesterday of your Excellency’s letter of the 8th. inst. on the several subjects of which we must postpone an answer untill the next mail. We are sorry to be obliged to repeat our inability to add any intelligence relative to the...
12Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 22 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand. Addressed to “His Excelly Govr. Harrison.” Cover missing. Docketed, “Lr f’m Virginia Delegates inclosg Memorial of S. Nathan 1782 Oct 22d.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 12th. instant came duly to hand yesterday. A Vessel lately arrived at Boston brought Congress a letter from Mr. Adams dated Hague Aug: 18th. 1782. The paper No. 1. herewith inclosed...
13Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 6 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Archibald Blair. Our Assembly has passd a Law for the seisure of Brittish Goods on Land but the Execution of it is suspended untill other States shall do the same I beg the favour of You when this happens to give me information that proper steps may be taken to enforce the Law here. your favor by the last post came to hand too late for the Assembly I...
14Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 28 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Many thanks to you for your kind concern for my health I was so extremely ill that the doctors advised my leaving the fogs of Richmond for some time as absolutely necessary for my recovery. I have received much benifit from the trip short as it was but am not quite...
15Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 31 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Joseph Jones’s hand, except for JM’s signature. Cover franked by Jones and addressed to “His Excellency The Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “Virga. Delegates Letter 31. Decr.” Yesterdays post brought us your Excellencys favor of the 21st. intelligence being received the last week that Virginia had repealed her Law imposing a duty of 5 PCt. on imported articles...
16Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 11 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether, who had succeeded Charles Hay as assistant clerk of the Council of State on 7 May 1782. I have inclos’d for your perusal a letter to Mr Morris and one to the Chevalier, which you’l please to seal and deliver after reading, and use your endeavours to obviate any difficulties that may be started by the Minister if in your power. I am...
17Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [ca. 17] September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City). In JM’s hand, except for Arthur Lee’s signature. Addressed to “His Excelly. Governor Harrison.” Cover missing. The copy of sundry late resolutions of Congress herewith inclosed will inform your Excellency of the necessity they have been under of enlarging their requisitions on the States. This necessity has resulted in part from the perseverance of...
18Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 3 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday’s Post arrived without any letter from your Excellency. We laid before Congress the resolution of the assembly, relating to the emission of the 18th. of March 1780, and the destruction of the old Continental money by Commissioners within the states, which was refer’d to the Superintendt. of finance to report generally upon—as the steps to be taken on the Resolution of our Assembly,...
19Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 9 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand except for Arthur Lee’s signature. Addressed to “His Excelly. Governor Harrison.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter July 9th 1782.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 29th. of June inclosing a letter to Mr. Irwin & a bill of exchange in his favor from Mr. O. Pollock was received this morning. The defect of intelligence which rendered our last so...
20Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [11] June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York State Historic Sites, Albany, N.Y.). Entirely in the hand of Theodorick Bland, Jr., except for JM’s signature. Although the cover is missing, the title by which the recipient is addressed, along with the contents of the letter, establishes the identity of the addressee. The complete date probably should be 11 June 1782 in view of the nature of the information in the dispatch and...
21Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 18 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Arthur Lee, except for the signatures of the other four delegates. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—February 18th. 83.” We had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of the 7th. & shall communicate what it contains relative to the supply of the Post at Winchester to the Financier, & transmit you his answer. We have reason to...
22Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 18 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. We are obliged to you for your communications of the 4th. Instant; I hope there can be no doubt of America’s complying strictly with her engagements to our Allies; there is none here every person that I converse with seems to think it our Interest as well as duty. Our Assembly is at last doing duty and from the complexion of the...
23Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 15 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
Nothing new has happend Since our last by Mr. St. Greaves —the last Post Brought us no letter from yr. Excelly we have the honor to enclose to days Paper & are with Perfect respect Yr. Excellys. most obdt. Sets RC ( ViHi ). In the hand of Theodorick Bland, except for JM’s signature. Enclosure not found. This letter was noted as missing in Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson et al., eds.,...
24Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 15 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. The inclosed resolution of the Assembly just came to hand directing no money to be paid or specifics delivered but by special order of Congress or the Financier General You will please therefore to put it in such a train that Congress may avail themselves of any supplies we may be able to furnish them. I am &c That is, specific...
25Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 12 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Severe rheumatic Pains prevent my doing more than acknowledge the receipt of yours favor of the 1st. Instant and informing you that I shall lay it before the Assembly if you desire it but I really do not know what they can do more than is already done, the Treasurer is directed to Pay...
26Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 28 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor by the last post with it’s enclosures came safe to hand. I thank you for the papers. their contents are very interesting I think they give us a prospect of peace, and hope your Communications from Paris will confirm them. I wish the Members of Congress could be properly impress’d...
27Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 4 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Theodorick Bland, except for the signatures of the other three delegates. Cover addressed to “His Excellency The Governor of Virginia” Docketed in an unknown hand, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress. February 4th. 1783.” Neither this post nor the preceding one brought us any letter from your Excellency The affair with Nathan is now under...
28Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 20 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 9th. inst: was duly recd. by yesterday’s mail. We had communicated to Mr. Thomson the mistake contained in your preceding letter, relative to a recall of the territorial Cession, but have now corrected it as you desire. If our official & joint correspondence with your Excelly. be less circumstancial than that which individual delegates may enter into with their...
29Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 24 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I am much obliged to you for your favor by Express, part of the Speach had reached us before yours came to hand but it was so incorrect that it did not generally obtain Credit. Mr. Ross has a Letter from his Partner Mr. Edwards at Nantes of the 18th. of December advising him that...
30Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 30 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Addressed, “His Excelly. B. Harrison Esqr.” Entirely in JM’s hand except for the signatures of the other delegates. The words in the official cipher are here italicized. Accompanying the recipient’s copy is a sheet upon which the second paragraph of the letter was decoded by Archibald Blair, clerk of the Council of State. We have not the honor of acknowledging any...
31Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 1 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Franked by Edmund Randolph. Docketed, “Virga Delegates recd 14 Febry 1782.” The post of the present week having failed to arrive in this city on its usual day (Tuesday) and our letters not coming to hand until this morning (Friday) we can answer your excellency’s favor of the 17th. instant only by acknowledging the receipt of it. We have the honor sir to be with...
32Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 26 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written and franked by Arthur Lee. Docketed: “Virga. Delegates Lr. recd. Apl 82[.] March 26h 1782[.] Latest advices from Europe indicate determination of British Cabinet to continue the War.” The Superintendant of Finance informs us, that he has sent a proposition to our Executive which he conceives will answer the object of our motion relative to the supply of...
33Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [20 May] 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract ( Cal. of Va. State Papers William P. Palmer et al ., eds., Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts (11 vols.; Richmond, 1875–93). , III, 485). The style of the paragraph quoted in this abstract suggests that the letter was written by JM, except for the signatures of Bland and Mercer. They had recd. his letter of the 9th and had made the correction therein...
34Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 7 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I have rec’d. your favor by the last Post, and have no official Communications to make you. We are anxiously waiting for the definitive Treaty, some of our People can hardly persuade themselves that Peace is yet certain and our Merchants wish to Keep them in that Opinion. I beg the...
35Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 3 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether, assistant clerk of the Council of State. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I duely received your favor of the 22d. of last Month, and anxiously wait for the News by the French Frigates, a report prevails here that Lord Shelburne has said in the House of Lords that as there is no Time fixed by the Treaty for the...
36Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 22 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. The plan laid for bringing over the Stores is most unaccountably frustrated by the Assembly. Our deficiency in arms and Ammunition is so truely alarming that I feel real distress, whenever I think of our situation. If you cannot get them brought over by our good friends the French they will probably remain where they are til the...
37Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 11 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). In the hand of Joseph Jones, except for the signatures of JM, John Francis Mercer, Arthur Lee, and Theodorick Bland, Jr. Addressed to “His Excellency the Governor of Virginia.” Docketed by Harrison, “Lr: from the Delegates in Congress February 11th. 1783.” We had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor, of the 31st. of Jany.; & sympathize very...
38Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 30 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates.” I recd. some time ago the Journals of Congress that you sent me but find they are not complete those of 79 being wanting be so good as to send them by the first Oppery. Some prisoners return’d from New York have enfused an Opinion into the Heads of our people that their Negros carried away by the Enemy...
39Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 14 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). In JM’s hand, including the signature for “Jos: Jones.” Addressed to “His Excy. The Govr. of Virginia.” Docketed, apparently by Harrison, “Virginia Delegates in Congress Jany 14. 83.” In LC : Madison Papers is JM’s file copy of this letter. Except for a few differences in punctuation and abbreviations and only “We have the hon” as the complimentary...
40Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 4 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Charles Hay. Addressed to “The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” I am much obliged to you for your favor by the last post; the intelligence is agreable tho’ there is no immediate prospect of arriving at the wished for period; yet it will come in time. Who is fully informed of their being in an error, will open their eyes. We wish not to have the...
41Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 8 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed extract (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 1170 [2 June 1916], p. 34). The catalogue states that this letter, four pages in length, is dated as below and signed by JM, Joseph Jones, and Edmund Randolph. The dispatch is apparently in JM’s hand. It was found that great quantities of British goods, were brought by circuitous commerce into these States, that this trafic tending to strengthen...
42Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 2 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Arthur Lee. Docketed, “Letter from Delegates April 2d 1782.” We had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of the 23d. ult. with the Papers for Congress which we shall present. We are obliged to your Excellency for your intelligence from the W. Indies, which we hope will be confirmed. Mr. Foster Webb will receive every assistance we can give...
43Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 25 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for the two other signatures. Cover missing. Docketed, “March 25th. 1783 Letter from Repsts in Congress.” Having dispatched an Express yesterday, by whom we communicated to your Excellency, the substance of the important & happy advices, receiv’d by the Ch: du Quesne. We now enclose yr. Excellency the days papers, in which...
44Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 4 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Jasper E. Crane, Wilmington, Del., 1957). In the hand of John F. Mercer, except for the other four signatures. Cover franked and addressed by him to “His Excellency Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—March 4th. 1783.” We have receiv’d your Excellency’s Letter of the 26th. Ult, enclosing a copy of the King of Great Britain’s speech,...
45Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 6 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In William Tatham’s hand and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” This just serves to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 27th ulto. We have as great a dearth of News or interesting occurrences as you have at Philadelphia. The taxes begin now to come in and I have my hopes you will be no more in the Hands of Usurers, I will take care to let the...
46Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 21 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand, except for Joseph Jones’s signature. Docketed by Harrison, “Virginia Delegates Jany 21st 1783.” The Post which arrived late yesterday evening brought us your Excellencys letters of the 4th. and 11th. with their several inclosures. we shall loose no time in carrying into execution the intentions of the Executive respecting the settlement with Mr....
47Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 7 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage and directed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” The financier has been misinform’d, his Agent never made any proposition to me to receive Tobacco on Account of the Continent. I heard that he offer’d to buy a Quantity of the Agent for Commutables and to pay for it in Notes payable four Months after date, which I look’d on as a...
48Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 15 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas Meriwether. Addressed to “Virginia Delegates in Congress.” You will receive herewith an Authenticated Copy of the Certificate of Gen: Clarke and Col: Todd which was omitted by a Mistake of the Clerk when Nathans other Papers were forwarded to you. I hope they will get in Time to prevent his obtaining an Award in his favor which appears to me...
49Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 1 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Inclosed you have two Resolutions of the General Assembly of this St[ate] respecting the feeding of the British Prisoners now with us. The Resolutions ind[eed] only prohibit the Impress of Provisions, but I would recommend it to you to [ask?] Congress immediately, to send a Commissary forward, or the Troops will suffer, perhaps starve, the State having no Means of...
50Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 11 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for the signatures of the four other delegates. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—March 11th 1783.” Cover franked by Mercer and addressed by him to “His Excelly. Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” The second paragraph of the letter explains why Harrison wrote on the cover, “The Treasurer B H.” Yr....