1From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Whilst I thank you for your favr of the 23d. Ult: I must remind you that it does not contain the promised information on the Case of the French Consul here. I am led to it by being myself just reminded by him of the omission on my part. The plan of an immediate temporary impost was what first occurred on the subject. It is not yet abandoned, but the practicability is questionable. The plan of...
2From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 31 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 19th. instant and thank you for the answer to Mr. St. John’s enquiries. The apprehensions of Mrs. Randolph give me unfeigned concern, but I indulge strong hopes that they proceed from an imaginary cause. There are so many symptoms which mimic the cancerous that it would be wrong to suffer appearances to prevail against the favorable chances. At the same...
3From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed paper contains the proposition made on Monday last on the subject of amendments. It is limited to points which are important in the eyes of many and can be objectionable in those of none. The structure & stamina of the Govt. are as little touched as possible. Nothing of a controvertible nature can be expected to make its way thro’ the caprice & discord of opinions which would...
4From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 17 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed bill relating to the Judiciary has been just introduced into the Senate. Having not yet looked it over I can say nothing of its merits. You will be a better judge, and such remarks as your leisure will permit, will be acceptable & useful. A very interesting Question is started—By whom officers appointed during pleasure by the Presidt. & Senate are to be displaced?—whether the...
5From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last stated a question relating to the power of removal from offices then on the anvil of the H. of Rs. I now inclose the discussions as conveyed to the public thro’ the Newspapers. It is not necessary to apprize you that the reasonings on both sides are mutilated, often misapprehended, and not unfrequently reversed. You will perceive yourself that much of the reasoning is also founded on a...
6From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favd. with yours of the 30 Ult. and thank you for your remarks on the Judiciary bill. I am glad to find you concurring in the decision as to the power of removal. It seems to meet with general approbation North of Virga. and there too as far as I yet learn. Mr. Pendleton is fully in opinion with you. So is Monroe I am told . The more the question is weighed the more proper I think...
7From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
For a week past the subject of amendts. has exclusively occupied the H. of Reps. Its progress has been exceedingly wearisome not only on account of the diversity of opinions that was to be apprehended, but of the apparent views of some to defeat by delaying a plan short of their wishes, but likely to satisfy a great part of their companions in opposition throughout the Union. It has been...
8From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the few lines you dropped me from Baltimore, and daily expect those promised from Fredg. I am made somewhat anxious on the latter point, by the indisposition under which you were travelling. The question depending at your departure was negatived by a very large majority, though less than stated in the Newspapers. The causes of this disproportion which exceeds greatly the estimate...
9From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. came to hand yesterday. I feel much anxiety for the situation in which you found Mrs. Randolph; but it is somewhat alleviated by the hopes which you seem to indulge. The Language of Richmond on the proposed discrimination does not surprize me. It is the natural language of the towns, and decides nothing. Censure I well knew would flow from those sources. Should it also...
10From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favr. of the 15. which requests an immediate acknowledgment, by some irregularity did not come to hand till I had recd. that of the 18, nor till it was too late to comply with the request by the last mail. I have been so unlucky also as to miss seeing the President twice that I have waited on him in order to intimate the circumstances which you wish him to know. I shall continue to repeat...
11From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 6 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of Apl. 27. is this instant put into my hand. I have written to you all the letters that were promised, and have forborne to write others, because the cessation of yours led me to conclude that you had set out for N. Y. I am extremely sorry to find that this was not the case, but cheifly, on acct. of the cause of your delay. I can not suppose that under your circumstances any criticism...
12From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
The President has been critically ill for some days past, but is now we hope out of danger. His complaint is a peripneumony, united probably with the Influenza. Since my last I have found that I did not go too far in intimating that the cause of your delay would forbid the smallest criticism on it. I earnestly pray that you may no longer have occasion to plead that apology. In consequence of a...
13From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
“Your favor of the 12 Ult. having arrived during an excurtion into Albemarle, I did not receive it till my return on yesterday. I lose not a moment in thanking you for it; particularly for the very friendly par[a]graph in the publication in Fenno’s paper. As I do not get his paper here, it was by accident I first saw this extradiordinary manœuvre of Calumy; the quarter, the motive, and the...