1To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 15th. of March. I am now in hourly expectation of recieving my leave of absence. The delay of it a little longer will endanger the throwing my return into the winter, the very idea of which is horror itself to me. I am in hopes this is the last letter I shall have the pleasure of writing you before my departure. The madness of the king of England has gone off, but...
2From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 15th. of March. I am now in hourly expectation of recieving my leave of absence. The delay of it a little longer will endanger the throwing my return into the winter, the very idea of which is horror itself to me. I am in hopes this is the last letter I shall have the pleasure of writing you before my departure. The madness of the king of England has gone off, but...
3To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of May 11. Yours of Mar. 29. came to hand ten days ago: and about two days ago I received a cover of your hand writing, under which was a N. York paper of May 4. & a letter from mr. Page to Mazzei. There being no letter from you makes me hope there is one on the way which will inform me of my Congé. I have never received mr. Jay’s answer to my public letter of Nov. 19. which...
4From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of May 11. Yours of Mar. 29. came to hand ten days ago: and about two days ago I received a cover of your hand writing, under which was a N. York paper of May 4. and a letter from Mr. Page to Mazzei. There being no letter from you makes me hope there is one on the way which will inform me of my Congé. I have never received Mr. Jay’s answer to my public letter of Nov. 19....
5To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of June. Within a day or two after, yours of May 9. came to hand. In the rest of Europe nothing remarkeable has happened; but in France such events as will be for ever memorable in history. To begin where my last left them, the king took on himself to decide the great question of voting by persons or by orders, by a declaration made at a Seance royale on the...
6From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of June. Within a day or two after yours of May 9. came to hand. In the rest of Europe nothing remarkeable has happened; but in France such events as will be for ever memorable in history. To begin where my last left them, the king took on himself to decide the great question of voting by persons or by orders, by a declaration made at a Seance royale on the 23d....
7To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 22d. Since that I have received yours of the 23d. of May. The president’s title as proposed by the Senate was the most superlatively ridiculous thing I ever heard of. It is a proof the more of the justice of the character given by Doctr. Franklin of my friend [:] always an honest man often a great one but sometimes absolutely mad . I wish he could have been here during the...
8From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 22d. Since that I have received yours of the 23d. of May. The president’s title as proposed by the senate was the most superlatively ridiculous thing I ever heard of . It is a proof the more of the justice of the character given by Doctr. Franklin of my friend: ‘Always an honest man , often a great one, but sometimes absolutely mad.’ . I wish he could have been here during...
9To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of July 29. Since that I have received yours of May 27. June 13. & 30. The tranquillity of the city has not been disturbed since my last. Dissensions between the French & Swiss guards occasioned some private combats in which five or six were killed. These dissensions are made up. The want of bread for some days past has greatly endangered the peace of the city. Some get a...
10From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of July 29. Since that I have received yours of May 27. June 13. and 30. The tranquillity of the city has not been disturbed since my last. Dissensions between the French and Swiss guards occasioned some private combats in which five or six were killed. These dissensions are made up. The want of bread for some days past has greatly endangered the peace of the city. Some get...
11To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I sit down to write to you without knowing by what occasion I shall send my letter. I do it because a subject comes into my head which I would wish to develope a little more than is practicable in the hurry of the moment of making up general dispatches. The question Whether one generation of men has a right to bind another, seems never to have been started either on this or our side of the...
12II. Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I sit down to write to you without knowing by what occasion I shall send my letter. I do it because a subject comes into my head which I would wish to develope a little more than is practicable in the hurry of the moment of making up general dispatches. The question Whether one generation of men has a right to bind another, seems never to have been started either on this or our side of the...
13To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have sent to Havre the following packages, with directions to send them by the first vessel to New York to your address. TI. No. 29. A box of books. These were packed before I took a list of them, therefore I cannot inform you of it’s contents. I believe the whole are for you; tho’ should it be otherwise the person’s name will always be found written on or in the book. TI. No. 33. TI. No....
14From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sent to Havre the following packages, with directions to send them by the first vessel to New York to your address. TI. No. 29. a box of books. These were packed before I took a list of them, therefore I cannot inform you of it’s contents. I believe the whole are for you; tho’ should it be otherwise the person’s name will always be found written on or in the book. TI. No. 33. TI. No....
15To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
I wrote the inclosed letter to you a little before I left Paris, & having no occasion to send it, I brought it with me. I mentioned it to you when I had the happiness of possessing you at Monticello, but still forgot to give it to you. After so long lying by me, and further turning the subject in my mind, I find no occasion to alter my mind. I hazard it therefore to your consideration. I...
16From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote the inclosed letter to you a little before I left Paris, and having no occasion to send it, I brought it with me. I mentioned it to you when I had the happiness of possessing you at Monticello, but still forgot to give it to you. After so long lying by me, and further turning the subject in my mind, I find no occasion to alter my mind. I hazard it therefore to your consideration. I...
17To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I received your favor of Jan. 24. the day before yesterday; the President’s of the 21st. was 16 days getting to my hands. I write him by this occasion my acceptance, and shall endeavor to subdue the reluctance I have to that office which has increased so as to oppress me extremely. The President pressed my coming on immediately, and I have only said to him in general that circumstances,...
18From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of Jan. 24. the day before yesterday; the President’s of the 21st. was 16 days getting to my hands. I write him by this occasion my acceptance, and shall endeavor to subdue the reluctance I have to that office which has increased so as to oppress me extremely. The President pressed my coming on immediately, and I have only said to him in general that circumstances,...
19From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, [ca. March 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot to take your final opinion last night as to the mode of conveying official communications from the states through the channel of the President to the two federal houses . Whether it will be best to do it Be so good as to say what you think. I must be troublesome to you till I know better the ground on which I am placed. Indeed this consultation is by the desire of the president....
20To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 30 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
I forgot to take your final opinion last night as to the mode of conveying official communications from the states through the channel of the President to the two federal houses . Whether it will be best to do it 1. by message from the presidt. through mr. Lear? 2. by do. through Th: J. appearing personally? 3 by do. through do. by way of letter? Be so good as to say what you think. I must be...
21To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your servant now returns with many thanks for the aid of him & your horses. I was disappointed in meeting my family here: however I am told they will arrive today. I wished to have seen mr. Randolph, before the departure of your servant, to know if he had found a horse for me; because if he has not, I should determine to accept the offer of yours. I drove him about eight miles in the Phaeton,...
22From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your servant now returns with many thanks for the aid of him and your horses. I was disappointed of meeting my family here: however I am told they will arrive today. I wished to have seen Mr. Randolph, before the departure of your servant to know if he had found a horse for me; because if he has not I should determine to accept the offer of yours. I drove him about eight miles in the Phaeton,...
23To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 September 1790 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Randolph arrived last night without having been able to get me a horse, or even to hear of one which he could approve of. Presuming you had made up your mind as to parting with yours, I take the liberty of sending for him. I should not hesitate to take him at your own price but that I apprehend you think him of less than his real value, and therefore propose that you should have him...
24From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Extract from a letter of the house of Van Staphorsts . ’So far from Mr. Dohrman having made us any remittance for our friend Mr. Mazzei, that gentleman is greatly in our debt, and we fear will not be able to stand the return of a large amount of bills he drew on Europe on speculations of corn, but which did not arrive. What funds he had in the hands of his London correspondents are attached by...
25To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [1 January] 1791 (Madison Papers)
I intended to have called last night & left with you the inclosed draught of a lre. to Otto but it was so cold I could not give up my hack. I recieved yours soon after I came home. Of the two constructions I observe you lean more to the 2d. and I more to the 1st. on account of the consequences to which the 2d may be pursued. My first idea was to write this lre. to Otto and previously...
26III. Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, [1 January 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
I intended to have called last night and left with you the inclosed draught of a letter to Otto but it was so cold I could not give up my hack. I recieved yours soon after I came home. Of the two constructions I observe you lean more to the 2d. and I more to the 1st. on account of the consequences to which the 2d. may be pursued. My first idea was to write this letter to Otto and previously...
27To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1791 (Madison Papers)
Will you be so good as to let me know how much I am in your debt for travelling expences & the horse. My monstrous bill of freight rendered the question useless till now. I send you a moment’s amusement at my expence in the Connecticut paper. I suppose it is from some schoolmaster who does not like that the mysteries of his art should become useless. RC ( DLC ). Addressed by Jefferson....
28From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 10 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to let me know how much I am in your debt for travelling expenses and the horse. My monstrous bill of freight rendered the question useless till now. I send you a moment’s amusement at my expence in the Connecticut paper. I suppose it is from some schoolmaster who does not like that the mysteries of his art should become useless. RC ( DLC : Madison Papers); addressed:...
29To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1791 (Madison Papers)
It being impossible to entertain a doubt that the horse I bought of you was fairly sold, & fairly bought, that his disorder was of the instant, & might have happened years after as well as when it did, so as to exonerate you as is justly established, from all responsibility, I should as soon think of filching the sum from your pocket, as of permitting the loss to be yours. I therefore send you...
30From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It being impossible to entertain a doubt that the horse I bought of you was fairly sold, and fairly bought, that his disorder was of the instant, and might have happened years after as well as when it did, so as to exonerate you as is justly established, from all responsibility, I should as soon think of filching the sum from your pocket, as of permitting the loss to be yours. I therefore send...
31To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 13 March 1791 (Madison Papers)
What say you to taking a wade into the country at noon? It will be pleasant above head at least. The party to finish by dining here. Information that Colo. Beckwith is coming to be an inmate with you, & I presume not a desireable one, encourages me to make a proposition, which I did not venture as long as you had your agreeable Congressional society about you, that is, to come & take a bed and...
32I. Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
What say you to taking a wade into the country at noon? It will be pleasant above head at least. The party to finish by dining here. Information that Colo. Beckwith is coming to be an inmate with you, and I presume not a desireable one, encourages me to make a proposition, which I did not venture as long as you had your agreeable Congressional society about you, that is, to come and take a bed...
33To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. came to hand on the 3d. Mr. Freneau has not followed it: I suppose therefore he has changed his mind back again, for which I am really sorry. I have now before me a huge bundle of letters, the only business between me & my departure. I think I can be through them by the end of the week, in which case I will be with you by Tuesday or Wednesday, if nothing new comes in to...
34III. Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. came to hand on the 3d. Mr. Freneau has not followed it: I suppose therefore he has changed his mind back again, for which I am really sorry. I have now before me a huge bundle of letters, the only business between me and my departure. I think I can be through them by the end of the week, in which case I will be with you by Tuesday or Wednesday, if nothing new comes in...
35To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 June 1791 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here on Sunday evening. Yesterday I sent your note to Lieper who immediately called & paid the 200 Dollars, which I have exchanged for a post note & now inclose. I mentioned to the Atty. Gen. that I had a note on him, & afterwards sent it to him, saying nothing as to time. I inclose you also a post note for 35. Dollars to make up my deficit of expences (25.94 D.) to pay mr. Elsworth...
36From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on Sunday evening. Yesterday I sent your note to Lieper who immediately called and paid the 200 Dollars, which I have exchanged for a post note and now inclose. I mentioned to the Atty Gen. that I had a note on him, and afterwards sent it to him, saying nothing as to time. I inclose you also a post note for 35. Dollars to make up my deficit of expences (25.94 D.) to pay Mr....
37To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 June 1791 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 23d. has been duly recieved. The parcel from the taylor will probably come safely by the stage. With respect to the edition of Hamilton More’s book I took pains to satisfy myself of the best edition when I was in a better situation than I now am, to do it with success. The result was that the 6th. edn. was the last published under the examination of the author, & that the...
38From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23d. has been duly recieved. The parcel from the taylor will probably come safely by the stage. With respect to the edition of Hamilton More’s book I took pains to satisfy myself of the best edition when I was in a better situation than I now am to do it with success. The result was that the 6th. edn. was the last published under the examination of the author, and that the...
39To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recieved your favours of June 27. & July 1. The last came only this morning. I now return Colo. Smith’s map with my acknolegements for the pamphlet & sight of the map. I inclose you a 60. Dollar bill, & beg the favor of you to remit 30. Dollars with the inclosed letter to Prince, also, as I see Maple sugar, grained , advertised for sale at New York in boxes of 400 lb. each, if they...
40From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favours of June 27. and July 1. The last came only this morning. I now return Colo. Smith’s map with my acknolegements for the pamphlet and sight of the map.—I inclose you a 60. Dollar bill, and beg the favor of you to remit 30. Dollars with the inclosed letter to Prince, also, as I see Maple sugar, grained , advertised for sale at New York in boxes of 400 ?. each, if...
41To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your indisposition at the date of your last, and hearing nothing from you since, make me fear it has continued. The object of the present is merely to know how you do, & from another hand, if you are not well enough. We have little new but what you will see in the public papers. You see there the swarm of anti-publicolas. The disavowal by a Printer only does not appear to satisfy. We have no...
42From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 10 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your indisposition at the date of your last, and hearing nothing from you since, make me fear it has continued. The object of the present is merely to know how you do, and from another hand, if you are not well enough.—We have little new but what you will see in the public papers. You see there the swarm of anti-publicolas. The disavowal by a Printer only does not not appear to satisfy. We...
43To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of July 10. & 13. have been duly recieved and I now return the pamphlet inclosed in the latter, with thanks for the perusal. The author has the appearance of knowing better what has past in England than in America. As to the latter to be sure he has been ignorant enough. I am sincerely sorry that Freneau has declined coming here. Tho’ the printing business be sufficiently full...
44From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of July 10. and 13. have been duly recieved and I now return the pamphlet inclosed in the latter, with thanks for the perusal. The author has the appearance of knowing better what has past in England than in America. As to the latter to be sure he has been ignorant enough. I am sincerely sorry that Freneau has declined coming here. Tho’ the printing business be sufficiently full...
45To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 21st. came to hand yesterday. I will keep my eye on the advertisements for Halifax. The time of my journey to Virginia is rendered doubtful by the incertainty whether the President goes there or not. It is rather thought he will not. If so, I shall go later & stay a shorter time. I presume I may set out about the beginning of September, & shall hope your company going & coming....
46From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 21st. came to hand yesterday. I will keep my eye on the advertisements for Halifax. The time of my journey to Virginia is rendered doubtful by the incertainty whether the President goes there or not. It is rather thought he will not. If so, I shall go later and stay a shorter time. I presume I may set out about the beginning of September, and shall hope your company going and...
47To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 27 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you the pamphlet desired in your’s of July 24. Also the one on Weights & measures recieved through you, of which having another copy, be pleased to keep it. In turning over some papers I came across my journal through France, & Italy, and fancied you might be willing to acquire of that country a knowlege at second hand which you refuse to acquire at the first. It is written in the...
48From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the pamphlet desired in your’s of July 24. also the one on Weights and measures recieved through you, of which having another copy, be pleased to keep it. In turning over some papers I came across my journal through France, and Italy, and fancied you might be willing to acquire of that country a knowlege at second hand which you refuse to acquire at the first. It is written in...
49To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I this moment recieve yours of the 26th. The sugar of which you inclose a sample would by no means answer my purpose, which was to send it to Monticello, in order, by a proof of it’s quality, to recommend attention to the tree to my neighbors. In my letter of yesterday I forgot to tell you there is a brig here to sail for Halif[a]x in 10. days. She is under repair, & therefore may possibly...
50From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment recieve yours of the 26th. The sugar of which you inclose a sample would by no means answer my purpose, which was to send it to Monticello, in order, by a proof of it’s quality, to recommend attention to the tree to my neighbors.—In my letter of yesterday I forgot to tell you there is a brig here to sail for Halifx in 10. days. She is under repair, and therefore may possibly...