21To James Madison from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., 17 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I make no excuse for sending you at present the Work of Mr Le Trosne because from your conversation I think you have not seen it, that I conceive it will interest you, & that when I arrive at New York I shall myself stand in need of it. The whole of the work is worthy your perusal, tho’ my view is only to communicate the Treatise de l’Interest Social which is the most regular & complete work I...
22Import Duties, [17 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The duty on salt was under consideration. Mr. Madison . From the nature of the arguments made use of on this occasion, it is necessary to proceed with some circumspection, though not to depart from that policy which can be justified by reason and experience. I am willing to trust a great deal to the good sense, justice and penetration of our fellow citizens for support; and though I think it...
23To James Madison from Jacob Broom, 16 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you upon the success of that inestimable Constitution which I had the honor to witness your support and approbation of; and it is with pleasure I find you are entitled to a share in the deliberations consequent of it’s adoption. I take the liberty, Sir, to solicit the favor of your interest to the appointment of a Collector of Duties and Imposts; this being the only Commercial...
24To James Madison from Nathaniel Gorham, 16 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your election to a seat in the new Goverment I think you can entertain no doubt was pleasing to me. I sincerly hope your attendance will be as pleasant to yourself as beneficial to your Country. It is suggested here that you intend to pass a short Resolve requesting the several States to collect a Revenue for you intill you can have time to digest & prepare a system. Suffer me to suggest for...
25Import Duties, [16 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
White suggested the duty on hemp be fixed at seventy-five cents per hundredweight. Mr. Madison Feared 75 cents was too high; he was doubtful whether it would not have been as well to have left out cordage; for if a duty on hemp was impolitic because it burthened navigation, so also was that on cordage. He by no means approved of measures injurious to ship-building, which he considered in a...
26To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 14 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was a few days ago favored with your very freindly and polite letter of the 19th. Ult. by Mr. Donaldson. Accept my thanks for the terms in which you acknowledge the Rect. of mine of the 20th. of February. Assure yourself that I have long had a due sense of the favorable sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me, and that they are contemplated with the greater satisfaction, as they are...
27Import Duties, [14 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Committee of the Whole proceeded to set the amount of duty on each of the enumerated articles, beginning with rum. Sherman proposed fifteen cents per gallon; Laurance preferred twelve cents. Mr. Madison . I would tax this article with as high a duty as can be collected, and I am sure if we judge from what we have heard and seen in the several parts of the union; that it is the sense of the...
28From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 12 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 27. Ulto. My last was sent from Alexandria, and as the receipt of it is not mentioned, I fear that it may have miscarried. I have not sooner written from this place, because I waited for an opportunity of collecting the features & complexion of the new Government, which in its legislative capacity never became practically organized till the 6th. instant; and...
29To James Madison from Muscoe Livingston, 12 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
May I be permited My Good Sir, to Ask Your Friendly Aid on the Subject of Colo Lees Letter, which I here take the liberty to Inclose; & which Letter, I did intend to have don My Self, the Honor to deliver but that A trip to N York, will be attended with considerable Expence; & unless I can Meet with Some incouragement from you, & the Other Genttlemen I have taken the liberty to write to, I had...
30To James Madison from Elias Langham, 11 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty some days ago to address a letter to you, relative to an Appointmt. that I wish to Solicit under the Federal Government. I then Observed that I shoud forward the best recommendations that I coud procure, for that Purpose. I now inclose such recommendations as I have procured & beg leave to request your Attention thereto. As I am unacquainted with the nature of making such...
31To James Madison from John Hopkins, 10 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Having been the Loan Officer of the United States in the State of Virginia since the Year 1780, and by a subsequent arrangment of Congress also the Receiver of Continental Taxes within the State, since the Year 1785, my views and habits have been formed on the expectation of holding the Office, so long as it may be necessary to the public interest to Continue it, & so long as my Conduct shall...
32To James Madison from Henry Lee, 9 [April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Whenever I ask your aid to the promotion of the wishes of my friend, receive it on this express condition, that the public good must combine with the views of the gentlemen recommended. Very happy in the appointent [ sic ] of my old fellow soldier Lindsay to the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Parkers election, I desire only to entreat your attention to his compeer Mr. M. Livingston, should it be...
33Notes for Speech in Congress, [ca. 9 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Notes on commercial policy Importance of right outset—more easy to limit—than unfetter—1. prove that generality—2. point out the exceptions— ⟨in liberty of trade⟩ 1 (a) ⟨between⟩ indivil. farmer & manufactu[r]er—do. Manufacr. & do —do. farmer & do— (b) county & village—village & village—county & County— (c) nation & nation—as to produce—to manufactures—to produce & manufactures—suppose each...
34Import and Tonnage Duties, [9 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
FitzSimons moved to add a number of articles to be given a specific duty, including some for the purpose of protecting home manufactures. Mr. Madison . From what has been suggested by the gentlemen that have spoken on the subject before us, I am led to apprehend we shall be under the necessity of travelling further into an investigation of principles than what I supposed would be necessary or...
35From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 8 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
You will not learn without some surprize that the sixth of this month arrived before a quorum was made up in both branches of the New Legislature, and the first of the month, before a Quorum was attained in either. The first & only joint step taken by the Congress was the examination of the ballots for President & vice president. The votes were found, as was expected, to be unanimously given...
36Import and Tonnage Duties, [8 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison . I take the liberty Mr. Chairman, at this early stage of the business to introduce to the committee a subject, which appears to me, to be of the greatest magnitude; a subject, Sir, that requires our first attention, and our united exertions. No gentleman here can be unacquainted with the numerous claims upon our justice; nor with the impotency which prevented the late Congress of...
37From James Madison to Edward Carrington, 8 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 April 1789. Acknowledged in Carrington to JM, 12 May 1789 . Encloses application of William Mason for military claim.
38To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 7 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Will you Pardon my interrupting for a moment your Attention to the great subjects before you, to ask you how you do, whethr. your Legislative body is Organized, the President & V. P. in Office, and the general complexion of yr. Members? You know how much I esteem yr. Correspondence, & my earnest appetite for News; as I do your kind inclination to gratify me, but I must repeat my Caveat agt....
39To George Washington from James Madison, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of R.H. Lee yesterday has made up a Quorum of the Senate. a Quorum in the other House was made on Wednesday last. The ballots will be opened today unless an indisposition of Mr Basset should prevent, which was not probable yesterday afternoon. The notifications to the President & Vice President will be left to the Senate. Mr Charles Thomson will be the messenger to the former. The...
40From James Madison to George Washington, 6 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
The arrival of R. H. Lee yesterday has made up a Quorum of the Senate. A Quorum in the other House was made on wednesday last. The ballots will be opened today unless an indisposition of Mr. Basset should prevent, which was not probable yesterday afternoon. The notifications to the President & Vice President will be left to the Senate. Mr. Charles Thomson will be the Messenger to the former....
41To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 5 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am very much at a loss how to address you on the subject, which has induced me to trouble you with this letter. It would have the complexion to most men of mere private gratification and advantage. I could not therefore touch the matter to you had I not pursued in my former correspondence only Objects connected with political truth and the public interests. Omitting therefore any further...
42To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 5 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
By Col. Davies who has the superintendance of the business committed to Mr. Dunscombe I send you twenty one pounds 7/. which is all I can at this time spare the remainder shall not be long delayed, as I have a little Tobacco that will I expect soon bring me a better price than is now going and in the hope of its doing so I have yet avoided selling it. The price for Tobacco here is now only 19...
43To James Madison from David Ramsay, 4 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Presuming on our ancient acquaintance I take the liberty of solliciting your attention to an affair of mine that is now before your Honorable House. One of the elected federal representatives of this State is, in my opinion, ineligible. The case is in short thus: the Gentleman alluded to left Carolina in the year 1770 his parents died about the same time and he was absent from America during...
44To James Madison from Christian Febiger, 2 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Haveing had the honor of being Known to and treated with the politest Attention by you and conscious of haveing done nothing to obliterate your good Opinion, I boldly venture to address you in the familiar Style of a Friend. The Supreme Executive Councill of Pensylvania are on the Brink of appointing me naval Officer in this City, with the express View of recomending for and getting me...
45To James Madison from John Fitch, 2 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I flatter myself you will excuse the freedom I take in requesting your Patronage before the Congress of the united States respecting my claims to the Invention of Steam-boats, as far as you shall deem me worthy, when you consider that through that honorable Body only I can receive an exclusive Right or Title to the Enjoyment of my Labor, and that in whatever manner I may profit by the project,...
46From 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...
47To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 30 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Ever since the second day of February I have been confined with excrutiating Gout—and to this moment altho I am nearly recover’d since my first attack I have never partaken of a morsel at any Table but my own. This with my retired situation—which prevents easy Access to post offices—and affords little worth communicating—will account for my silence hitherto—for I assure you my wishes for your...
48To 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...
49From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last was committed in December to Mr. Gouverneur Morris. I was then on my way to Virginia. The elections for the new government commenced shortly after my arrival. The first was of Electors, to Ballot for a President and Vice President. The successful candidates were General Wood, Mr. Zachy Johnson, Genl Edward Stephens, Doctor David Stuart, Mr. W. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Mr. Warner Lewis of...
50To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 29 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was committed in December to Mr. Gouverneur Morris. I was then on my way to Virginia. The elections for the new government commenced shortly after my arrival. The first was of Electors, to Ballot for a President and Vice President. The successful candidates were General Wood, Mr. Zachy. Johnson, Genl. Edward Stephens, Doctor David Stuart, Mr. W. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Mr. Warner Lewis of...
51To James Madison from Charles Pinckney, 28 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
It is not often I am deficient in Attention to my friends, particularly those whose friendship I think worth cultivating—but I will confess that to you I have been almost inexcusably & to myself unaccountably inattentive. There are however some excuses to be made for me. I have not been sure of ever finding you either in New York Philadelphia or in Virginia—for being in Congress, in our...
52To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Colo. Griffin having announced to me, that you were safely lodged within the fœderal precincts, I shall renew the assault of my uninteresting correspondence. There is a general calm of politicks. The discontented themselves seem willing to wait with temper, until congress shall open their views. It gave me much pleasure, to read your letter to Colo. T. M. Randolph; as it shews a consciousness...
53To George Washington from James Madison, 26 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed copy of Morgan’s invitation to his fellow Citizens was obtained from one of his friends, and forwarded to me from Pennsylvania. It is the most authentic & precise evidence of the Spanish project that has come to my knowledge. The instrument referred to as retained in Morgan’s hands in order to be signed by the adventurers, would still further explain the transaction. No Quorum is...
54From James Madison to George Washington, 26 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed copy of Morgan’s invitation to his fellow Citizens was obtained from one of his friends, and forwarded to me from Pennsylvania. It is the most authentic & precise evidence of the Spanish project that has come to my knowledge. The instrument referred to as retained in Morgan’s hands in order to be signed by the Adventurers, would still further explain the transaction. No Quorum is...
55To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 26 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The bearer Mr Jno. Churchman believes he has made a discovery of some consequence for readily ascertaining the longitude. He wishes his principles to be examined by capable mathematicians in the vicinity, &, if possible, under the direction of Congress. If they should prove as valuable as he supposes, I shall be happy that rude genius in our countryman may meet with proper encouragement. Dr...
56To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 24 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you a few lines some days ago, which I hope you have received. The letter contained Col. Morgan’s propositions to our farmers & tradesmen. On sunday last I sat down to make a few notes on some points which appear necessary to be considered in forming our System of impost. Enclosed you will find a copy of them hastily transcribed, of which you will make any use you see proper. Some of...
57From 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....
58To James Madison from John Dawson, [22 March] 1789 (Madison Papers)
You will be surpris’d at the receipt of a letter from me dated at Philadelphia on the 22d March. I have been detaind here much Longer than I expected, but shall set out on wednesday. I trust I need not apologize to you for mentioning that, if in the general arraignment, there shoud be any office, worthy my attention, and the duties of which you think me adequate to, you will have my name...
59To 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....
60To James Madison from John Dawson, 20 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
When you were in this town I took the liberty of mentioning to you that I expected a bill from Mr. Ambler, which I thought might be forwarded to New York. This bill has not come to hand and my finances being rather low I have taken the liberty of drawing on you in favour of Colo Coles for seven Guineas; a liberty which I hope you will excuse, and may be assurd that I will forward a bill on New...
61To James Madison from Thomas Pollard, 20 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Not having the pleasure of seeing you at your Election in Spotsylvania, have taken the freedom to address you by Letter altho an intire strainger, to beg your advice or rather information, respecting the Redemption of the Continental Currency that is still remaining in the hands of sundrie persons, particularly in this State, I having a considerable quantity, that I did not fund, agreeable to...
62To George Washington from James Madison, 19 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
On our arrival here we found that the number of Representatives on the spot had been stationary from the second day of the Meeting. Mr Page, Mr Lee, & myself raised it to 21. and Mr S[amuel] Griffin and Mr [Andrew] Moore have been since added. The number of attending Senators continues at 8. When a Quorum will be made up in either House, rests on vague conjecture, rather than on any precise...
63From James Madison to George Washington, 19 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
On our arrival here we found that the number of Representatives on the spot had been stationary from the second day of the Meeting. Mr. Page, Mr. Lee, & myself raised it to 21. and Mr. S. Griffin and Mr. Moore have been since added. The number of attending Senators continues at 8. When a Quorum will be made up in either House, rests on vague conjecture, rather than on any precise information....
64To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 18 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have this afternoon obtained from a friend of Col. Geo. Morgan a copy of his handbill which was put into the hands of confidential people in N. Jersey & Pennsylvania for the purpose of procuring followers. I know your solicitude about the western Country, and have therefore enclosed you a copy, which after you have done with it be pleased to give to Mr. Jay when you have an opty. I am this...
65To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 16 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
A very long acquaintance with Col. Saml. Hanson, who will have the honor to deliver you this letter, and the respectability and number of testimonials of his merits, which he carries with him to New York have induced me to trespass on your friendship. He goes as a candidate for some public employment for which his talents may be thought equal, and I wish to give him a chance of your support....
66To James Madison from Samuel A. Otis, 16 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
It is a duty I owe myself to give you a summary of my pretensions to the public favor; & relying upon your candour shall make no apology for the trouble. In the begining of the opposition to British despotism my family & connexions took such a decided part, that I was held a prisoner by General Gage for some time after my fellow citizens were liberated. As soon as I could escape I chearfully...
67To James Madison from Edward Stevens, 16 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I beleive you were a member of our Assembly some years agoe when their was a notion of making new regulations in the Customs of the State, if so, expect you were acquainted with my intention then of offering for an appointment in that Line. As I expect new arrangments will now take place under the Federal Government, have taken the Liberty to solicit the President and the Senators from this...
68To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 12th. of Jan. since which I have received your’s of Octob. 17. Dec. 8. & 12. That of Oct. 17. came to hand only Feb. 23. How it happened to be four months on the way, I cannot tell, as I never knew by what hand it came. Looking over my letter of Jan. 12th. I remark an error of the word ‘probable’ instead of ‘improbable,’ which doubtless however you had been able to...
69To James Madison from Elias Langham, 15 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am induced to think that a Commissary of Military Stores will be one of the first Appointments that Congress will make under the new Government, I therefore take the Liberty of writing to you on the Subject, & inclosing some Other letters to your care, you being the representative of the district in which I live. I leave open the letters for your examination, which after readg. be pleased to...
70From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 12th. of Jan. since which I have received yours of Octob. 17. Dec. 8. and 12. That of Oct. 17. came to hand only Feb. 23. How it happened to be four months on the way, I cannot tell, as I never knew by what hand it came. Looking over my letter of Jan. 12th. I remark an error of the word ‘probable’ instead of ‘improbable,’ which doubtless however you had been able to...