1To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 8 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Addressed by him to “The honble. James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Novr 8. 1782.” The house of delegates was within two members to day of a sufficient number to proceed to business. Among the reformations, suggested in my last letter but one, the foremost will probably be some attack on those debtors to...
2To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 17 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 10th. inst. from Orange. Colo. Nicholas in a late letter to me seems to think, that the majority is decidedly for the constitution. Accuracy cannot be expected; but a comparison of the intelligence, which centers here from the various parts of Va., persuades me, that he at least mistakes the degree of the majority, and leads me to suspect, that it lies adverse...
3To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 30 August 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 by JM, “Aug: 30. 1782.” I am rejoiced to hear from Mr. F. Webb, that a succour, altho’ it is moderate, is to be forwarded by Mr. Ambler by the present mail. He can best tell you, how the prospect is of future puncituality towards the...
4To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I returned home three or four days ago, under the vexatious operation of a quartan. I have been correcting it by medicine and hope in a day or two to subdue it. I shall immediately upon recovering my ability to do business with propriety, enter upon and complete the statement of my introductory ideas in Phila. Yrs. afftely. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM.
5To 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...
6To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 5 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The letter is not signed, but it is in Randolph’s hand. Addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “May 5. 1782.” Your flattering urgency for my return, contained in your favor of the 23. Ulto. was answered by anticipation in my letter of last week. I still adhere to the same inclination to revisit you. By the next post, I...
7To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27–29 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned and undocketed letter in Randolph’s hand. The cover is missing. The capture of the mail, announced in your favor of the 18th. instant, cannot thro’ my means avail the enemy, nor give pain to either of us. It is impossible indeed to recollect the contents of my letter, as it was leng[thy] but I believe, that the cypher was scarcely necessary for the...
8To 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...
9To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 10 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
After a fatiguing journey we arrived here on sunday evening, when I found all my family well, except my wife, who, I fear, is incumbered with a dead fœtus of more than seven months old. I am endeavouring to ward off by medical aid the consequences of this event. She is now in good spirits, and therefore I trust, that the mischief will not be fatal. Yesterday I saw Colo. Innes. He informs us,...
10To 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...
11To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 [ca. 29] October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have omitted to write to you since my return home, from an inability to obtain so accurate a grasp of the Opinions prevailing here, as to justify me in communicating the politics of our legislature. The first raptures in favor of the constitution were excessive. Every town resounded with applause. The conjectures of my reasons for refusing to sign were extraordinary, and so far malicious, as...
12To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 29 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned letter, in Randolph’s hand. Besides being so badly water(?)-stained that portions of the brief text have disappeared, the paper is torn unevenly across the lower edge. Although the message ends abruptly, it apparently is complete, because the margin at the bottom is sufficiently wide and free from stain to show additional words if Randolph had written them....
13To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1789 (Madison Papers)
Among the arrangements of office which will most likely take place in the United States, some will probably be peculiar to the different states. As I am confident that a knowledge of characters here would assist those in whose hands this business rests, I shall not scruple to request your attention to my particular friend colo. William Heth. He was an officer of distinguished merit in the...
14To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
Without one feeling, left of the character of a partizan, but still living to friendship, a man, whose hand is known to Mr. Madison, asks him, whether he recollects, or ever heard, that after Colo. Hamilton, had been severely pressed for a supposed misappropriation of the money, devoted by law to special purposes, he, Colo H, produced a letter, authorizing it, signed by President Washington,...
15To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 4 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Genl. Washington is prevailed upon to agree to go to Phila. if his health will permit. He is at present afflicted with the rheumatism, so as to be unable to move himself in his bed sometimes, and often to raise his hand to his head. He purposes to travel earlier than for the meeting, that he may apologize to the Cincinnati for his refusal of their presidency. Mr. Jay’s report on the treaty...
16To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 7 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Lacks complimentary close and signature, but the text, in Randolph’s hand, seems to be complete. The cover was addressed by him to “The honble. James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 7. 1782.” I waited upon Mr. Ambler to shew him your letter by yesterday’s post, but he was too much indisposed to have communication with any person. Mr....
17To 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...
18To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
The day before yesterday I returned hither from Leesburg. There I was confronted with Mr. Henry, and for three days we lay along side of each other, with our best cannon in action. It was a diverting scene, taken in the whole. My client Chas. Carter must have been defeated, if a single point of four had gone against him; and to obtain one, every thing was tried in the way of assertion,...
19To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1782 (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.” Erroneously docketed by JM, “Aug: 18th. 1782.” On the cover he wrote, “Huddy Camp Front: N.Y Brit: fleet. Mr. Jones. Finance Contr: Money Mattrs. Cessions.” These jottings were to remind him of subjects to mention in his reply of 29 October (...
20To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 14 February 1810 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Thomas L. Preston, my son in law, being Edmonia’s husband, purposes to visit Washington. I take the opportunity of renewing to you by him my perfect assurances of being ever Your affectionate friend RC ( DLC ). Thomas L. Preston (d. 1812) represented Rockbridge County in the Virginia House of Delegates, 1806–11 (Richmond Enquirer , 18 Aug. 1812; Swem and Williams, Register Earl G. Swem and...
21To 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....
22To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have just risen from a violent bilious attack, which has vexed me for nearly a fortnight past. But as I am a victim at present to weakness only, I am indulged in the liberty of acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 16th. instant. We hear nothing of the constitution on this side of the river. On the other indeed the discontents are said to be loud; but it does not appear that any of...
23To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 3 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 25th. ulto. Being in Wmsburg., when I received it, I imparted it to our friend, the president, who espouses with warmth an early convention. I sincerely wish, that the valuable parts of the constitution may suffer no ill from the temper, with which such a body will probably assemble. But is there no danger, that, if the respect, which the large...
24To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The honble. James Madison jr. esqr. of congress Philadelphia.” Unsigned letter, docketed by JM, “June 1st. 1782.” The senate have amended the resolution of the house of delegates, which I inclosed to you by the last post, respecting passports for the transportation of tobacco to New-York, so as to destroy its force. The delegates disagreed to their...
25To 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...
26To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 10 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. of congress Philadelphia,” but unsigned. The handwriting and contents of the letter permit no doubt that Randolph wrote it. Words encoded by him in the official cipher are here italicized. Yesterday I received your favor of the 1st. instant, and took Dr. Lee by the hand at almost the same moment. His brother Richard Henry...
27To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 19 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I derive the sincerest pleasure from the prospect, which your punctuality of correspondence presents. I could not begin my part of our intercourse by letter until the last week: but the obstacles must be invincible, which shall prevent me from a weekly return in future. Our maritime code requires a small alteration. From the deference, which we paid to the...
28To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 June 1786 (Madison Papers)
When Major Moore came to town, I was under the severe regimen of blisters and purges, produced by four violent colds, which I caught at four different courts and for the management of which I could not find the least leisure. Even now I am as hoarse as a raven, but free from fever or pain. Indeed my past fevers were slight and my pain, except from the blisters, of no account. I have never...
29To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 7 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
This moment your favor of 26th. ulto. was handed to me. I intended constantly to inclose the gazettes to you, and was prevented only by a supposition, that the printer performed that office. It shall be remembered with pleasure hereafter. Why has congress changed the day for meeting in Phila.? I rejoice at the alteration; because it removes the terror on my spirits, that the prospect of my...
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To 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...
33To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
This is the first letter, which I have written, since my convalescence after the dreadful attack from a hemiplegia, with which by a kind of sympathy with my poor wife, I was afflicted in a few weeks from her death. It happily affected no faculty of my mind, and has not taken away the sanguine hope, that altho’ I require in rough ground the aid of a crutch, I may be restored to the free use of...
34To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 16 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In Randolph’s hand but lacks signature, cover, and docket. The words in italics are those encoded by Randolph in the official cipher. Your favor of the 5th instant remained impenetrable in a great measure, from our misapprehension of the new cypher. I wish that the stimulus, administered in the close of it, had also been among the inscrutable arcana, until I had...
35To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 16–17 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Words encoded by Randolph in the official cipher are italicized. The letter lacks both cover and docket. Mr. F. Webb, who left this place yesterday for Phila., is the bearer of a bill for 20 £ Penna. currency. I have requested him to deliver it to you. As it was not put into my hands, after it was drawn, I wish you may not meet with some impediment in the negotiation...
36To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1781 [1782] (Madison Papers)
The roads have been hitherto so bad, that we have been able to accomplish no more of our journey, than about 80 miles. Tomorrow we shall see Baltimore; and unless my arrangements miscarry, I shall revisit Richmond on Sunday se’ennight. For a few minutes this afternoon I thumbed the body of Maryland laws. In the preface to Bacon’s edition of them, I found a recital of an act of the Lords...
37To 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...
38To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Docketed by JM, “Decr. 13. 1782.” Unless otherwise noted, words or parts of words italicized in the present copy are encoded in the Randolph cipher. See Randolph to JM, 22 November 1782 , and n. 1. Nothing, I think, need be apprehended from the conveyance of the cypher in an unsealed letter. The curiosity of the postmaster or any...
39To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 January 1782—Misdated (Madison Papers)
Letter misdated. 15 January 1782[3]. The contents of this manuscript in the Madison Papers of the Library of Congress make certain that Randolph inadvertently dated it one year before he wrote it.
40To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 20 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover missing. I communicated to the governor that there were letters from Carleton, addressed to him, in the post office of Philadelphia. I find from his conversation yesterday, that he has given the delegation a full account of them. I have this day remitted to Colo. Bland 60£. He has 100£ more assigned him upon the sale of some...
41To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
My dear wife is not better, than when I wrote to you last. I expect something determinate in a few days. Inclosed is a copy of my motion. Had it been intended to bring forward a convention immediately, the thing was imprudently worded; because it contains many unpopular points. But as subjects of reflection for the people, they could not, I thought, be too pointed. I give you a duplicate, that...
42To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 30 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I thank you sincerely for several letters, which my vagrant life between this place and Richmond upon business has prevented me from acknowledging in due season. The amendments, proposed by you, are much approved by the strong fœderalists here and at the Metropolis; being considered as an anodyne to the discontented. Some others, equally affectionate to the union, but less sanguine, expect to...
43To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Nov. 22. 1782.” The inclosed cypher, tho’ not nicely executed or arm[e]d with every possible combination, is, I trust, sufficiently involved to serve, as a secure seal to our correspondences. I send it by the post, as the transactions of this week require no cover. Immediately on the receipt of your information that the appointment was renewed, I...
44To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 26 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned, but in Randolph’s hand. Addressed to “The honble James Madison jr. of Congress Philadelphia.” The principle of “timeo Danaos et dona ferentes” has so powerful an effect upon the minds of our executive, that they seem fearful, lest the proposal of Pennsylvania to run a temporary line should contain an ambuscade. It offers the extension of Mason and Dixon’s...
45To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 2 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by a clerk to “the Honble. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia .” Docketed by JM, “Novr. 2. 1782.” The great constitutional question, which was mentioned in my last letter, as having been adjourned from the general court to the court of appeals, received a second solemn hearing on thursday. The Judges, impressed...
46To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1793 (Madison Papers)
I am satisfied, that there will be great manœuvring about the place of congress for the next session. New-York seemingly declines a visit from them; but steps are taken to distract preparations in this state, and produce a kind of necessity to go thither, as being the only spot, where accommodations can be found at short notice. A precedent, too is much wished by some, for violating the...
47To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). This letter, in Randolph’s hand, lacks a cover, complimentary close, signature, and docket. Even though the final paragraph suggests that Randolph had completed his message when he reached the bottom of a single sheet of paper, the letter may have included an additional page. Mr. F. Webb, who returned yesterday, informs me, that he is the bearer of another instance...
48To 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...
49To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, [January–April?] 1795 (Madison Papers)
Consul Bond has just notified me, that he has a draft upon me for 660 dollars, due to-day. I have 400, and am anxious to be precise in time with him. Be so good, as to lend me the remainder of that sum, which I can replace at any moment after tomorrow. RC ( DLC ). Dated 30 Oct. 1794 in the Index to the James Madison Papers , but conclusive evidence for affixing a proper date is lacking....
50To 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...