1Madison and William Grayson to Rufus King, 11 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mr. M & Mr Grayson present their complts to Mr. King and beg leave to inform him that the doors of the Assembly were shut on a letter from Col Carrington & Col. Lee, which Mr. Grayson saw but did not sign for reasons irrelative to the present subject. Mr. M. was in the Legislature at the time and knows the cause was very different from the one mentioned to Mr. King. Both of them are satisfied...
2From James Madison to Rufus King, 23 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have this instant recd. your favr. of the 16. and have but a few moments to thank you for it. I have also just recd. a letter from Genl. Washington. It contains nothing very material or new. The Genl. thinks that although there is an uncertainty in the case, the final decision will prove that a large majority in Virga. are in favor of the Constitution. If nine States should precede it seems...
3From James Madison to Rufus King, 4 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you sincerely for your favor previous to your leaving N. York. The information in it is agreeable an[d] useful. Our Convention met on Monday. I did not arr[ive] till the evening of that day. Mr. Pendleton had been unanimously put into the chair. The debates commenced to day. The Govr. has declared the day of previous amendments past, and thrown himself fully into our scale. M—s—n &...
4From James Madison to Rufus King, 9 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been for two days & still am laid up with a bilious attack. Writing is scarcely practicable & very injurious to me. I can only say to you therefore appearances have not changed sensibly since my last. I think we have a majority as yet; but the other party are ingenious & indefatigable. I wish you all happiness & am Yrs. RC ( NHi ). Addressed in an unidentified hand. Docketed by King.
5From James Madison to Rufus King, 13 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am tolerably well over the bilious indisposition which confined me at the date of my last. The progress of the Convention is extremely slow; though from the impatience of the members, I think the Session will not be long. The issue of it is more doubtful than was apprehended when I last wrote. The ostensible points of opposition are direct taxation, the imperfect representation in the H. of...
6From James Madison to Rufus King, 18 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
No question has yet been taken by which real strength of parties in our Convention can be measured. There is not a majority of more than three or four on either side. Both sides claim it. I think however it rather lies as yet in favor of the Constitution. But it is so small as to justify apprehensions from accidents as well as change of opinion. An unwillingness to risk a positive decision on...
7From James Madison to Rufus King, 22 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
We are at length approaching the close of our deliberations on the several parts of the Constitution. The Judiciary Department has been gone over; though perhaps it may receive some additional disquisitions. The attack has apparently been less formidable than I had apprehended. Independently of some particular interests, the objections against it have not been calculated in my opinion to make...
8From James Madison to Rufus King, 25 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
The final question in our Convention has just been decided in the affirmative by 89 ays 79 noes. Recommendatory amendments will attend the act of ratification; but are yet to be settled. The business was closed with due decorum & solemnity; and an acquiescence of the minority can not be in the least doubted. Some of the leaders as might be imagined have however a keen feeling of their...
9From James Madison to Rufus King, 15 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your communications by Mr. Sitgreaves on the subject of the proposed conversion of the claims against the United States, under the 6th. Article of the Treaty of 1794 into a definite sum, have been duly received, and taken into consideration by the President. Although there may be good ground to contest the real justice of the amount of Debt which will be assumed by such a stipulation, yet...
10From James Madison to Rufus King, 30 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 June 1801, Department of State. Encloses letter to Samuel Williams and refers the matter of Williams’s recall to King’s attention. RC ( CSmH ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IC , vol. 1). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM. Enclosed JM to Williams, 29 June 1801 .