James Madison Papers
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To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1783

From Edmund Randolph

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.”

Richmond March 22. 1783

My dear sir

Your favors by the post and the express1 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). 1783.2 Having read his first, I was astonished at this passage. “We are still as we were, and always shall be, while Dr. Franklin presides in Europe, utterly in the dark as to the progress of the negotiations at Paris. I am too well acquainted with the European cabinets, not to fear that a continuation of the war, so grievous to us, will be the consequence of these protracted negotiations. I wish I may be deceived.” The contrast, which your eulogium on Franklin presented, was truly grateful to my mind, being a complete antidote to the insinuation of Mr. Lee.3

The humiliation of G. B. seems now proportionate to her former arrogance. So lukewarm in the patronage of the Tories, as to desert them rather than risque a new campaign,4 so profuse in her surrender of territory, so satisfactory in her recognition of independence,5 she must begin to doubt her own identity. But may not the treaty be so worded, as to give congress a substitution in the place of the King of G. B. with respect to ungranted soil? If so, will not the argument against particular states be stronger, than it ever could have been under the confederation only? For [I] imagine, that the power of congress to accept territory by treaty will not be denied. This will throw a plausibility against us, which never before existed in the contest with congress.6

I cannot procure a regular accession of my father’s creditors to my proposals: and without that it is not possible for me to go into the legislature. I am now on my way to Wmsburg., to endeavour at the proper accommodation.7 But having omitted to declare myself hitherto from an uncertainty of my being able to accept a seat in the house, and the election being at hand, no farther remote than the first monday in next month, and the candidates having been active, and indefatigable, I might possibly expose myself to a mortification, were I to step forward at this late hour.8 But be the final issue what it will, I shall promote the impost.9

Lucius has expressed the destructiveness of Mr. Morris’s resignation in colours not very tender, nor yet very extravagant on the score of cruelty. At such a season to quit his office, even if it were steeped to the lips in poverty and difficulty! Personal embarrassments from personal engagements he might have avoided. He ought to have avoided an obedience to that impulse of petulance, which caused him to proclaim the bankruptcy of America.10

We have no internal news.

Betsy and myself are very solicitous to hear of Mrs. House’s and Mrs. Triste’s welfare. She will not inquire into this, by her own pen altho’ she has set one hundred days for writing to the latter. I can urge nothing in her behalf: but to assure Mrs. T. that her shameful neglect does not proceed from a want of a sincere regard for her.11

2Although Arthur Lee’s letter to Randolph has not been found, its contents probably resembled those of Lee’s letter written on 12 March to James Warren (Burnett, Letters description begins Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). description ends , VII, 77–78). See also JM to Randolph, 1 Apr. 1783, and n. 5.

3Papers of Madison description begins William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (6 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). description ends , II, 108, n. 10; 147, n. 1; 167, n. 4; 218, n. 2; 258; IV, 250, nn. 13, 17; V, 33, hdn.; 187; 427, n. 7; Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan., n. 9; JM Notes, 12–15 Mar., n. 7; 19 Mar., and nn. 20, 21; Delegates to Harrison, 12 Mar., and nn. 16–18; 18 Mar., and n. 2; JM to Randolph, 12 Mar., and n. 10; 1 Apr. 1783.

4JM Notes, 12–15 Mar., and n. 2; Delegates to Harrison, 12 Mar., and n. 12; JM to Randolph, 12 Mar. 1783, and nn. 4, 11. See also Papers of Madison description begins William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (6 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). description ends , V, 233, and citations in 224, n. 5.

6Papers of Madison description begins William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (6 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). description ends , V, 56–57; 69; 83; 84, n. 6; 115–16; 119, n. 20; 292, n. 19; JM Notes, 19 Mar., and n. 24; JM to Randolph, 1 Apr. 1783.

7Randolph to JM, 1 Feb., and n. 5; 7 Mar., and n. 4; 29 Mar. 1783.

9Randolph to JM, 3 Jan., and nn. 2, 10; 1 Feb.; 7 Mar.; Harrison to JM, 4 Jan., and nn. 1, 4; JM to Randolph, 22 Jan., and n. 7; 18 Feb. 1783, and n. 1.

10Randolph’s comments upon Robert Morris’ letter of resignation as superintendent of finance suggest those made in Congress by Arthur Lee (JM Notes, 4–5 Mar., and nn. 6, 7). See also JM to Randolph, 4 Mar.; 11 Mar.; Randolph to JM, 15 Mar. 1783, and n. 4. For attacks on Morris in two essays signed by “Lucius,” see the issues of the Freeman’s Journal: or, the North-American Intelligencer, published in Philadelphia by Francis Bailey, for 5 and 12 March 1783.

11Papers of Madison description begins William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (6 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). description ends , V, 205–6; 226; Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan. 1783, n. 29.

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