1From John Adams to James Madison, 23 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so good as to read the inclosed Letter from Dr. Belknap and tell me, from your Recollection of what passed in Congress in 1779 1780 & 1781, whether there is any Colour for the Imputation cast on our Country by Dr Kippis. I cannot say as Dr Belknap has been informed that Dr Kippis is my Correspondent. I never wrote a Letter to him or received a Letter from him that I recollect.—I...
2To John Adams from James Madison, 3 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto. by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt: Cook. I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American...
3From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [12 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dear Sir for the line you was so obliging as to leave for me and for the loan of the book accompanying it; in which I have not yet made sufficient progress to judge of its merit. I dont know how it was but I took it for granted that you had left town much earlier than you did; else I should have found an opportunity after your adjournment to converse with you on the subjects...
4To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 19 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I was too much indisposed for some time after the receipt of your favor of the 12 Octr. to comply with the request in it, and since my arrival here and recovery I have till now been without a conveyance to the post office. The supplemental funds which at present occur to me as on the whole most eligible are 1. an excise on home distilleries. If the tax can be regulated by the size of the Still...
5To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [20–28 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer will deliver two of your books which have been some time in my hands. I add to them a pamphlet recd. not long since from France. I can not recommend it because I have not read it. The subject tho’ a hackneyed is an interesting one, and the titles of some of the chapters promising. You will soon discover how far it may be worth your perusal. The inclosed letter to Genl. Schuyler...
6From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [24 November 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
You will oblige me by taking the trouble to peruse the Report which accompanies this; and if the weather permit, I will call upon you sometime tomorrow or next day to converse on the subject of it. I remain with great esteem and regard D Sir Yr Obed ser It will not be disagreeable to me if after perusal you hand it over to Mr. Jefferson. ALS , University of Virginia. Presumably this is a...
7From George Washington to James Madison, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the conviction I am under of the labour which is imposed upon you by Public Individuals as well as public bodies—yet, as you have begun, so I could wish you to finish, the good work in a short reply to the Address of the House of Representatives (which I now enclose) that there may be an accordance in this business. Thursday 12 Oclock, I have appointed to receive the Address....
8From George Washington to James Madison, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed were communicated to me, as you will perceive, to make a confidential use of—upon receipt of the first letter, I expressed a desire to be informed (if there was nothing improper in it) through what channel the report came, and what reliance could be placed in the authenticity of it—This gave rise to the second letter —As you are upon business which requires every information of...
9From George Washington to James Madison, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
To draw such a line for the conduct of the President as will please every body, I know is impossible; but to mark out and follow one (which by being consonant with reason) will meet general approbation, may be as practicable as it is desireable. The true medium I conceive must lye in pursuing such a course as will allow him time for all the official duties of his station—This should be the...
10From George Washington to James Madison, 17 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Madison having been so obliging as to draw the answer to the address of the House of Representatives—G.W. would thank him for doing the same to that of the Senate. If he receives it any time this day or tomorrow morning it will be sufficient. AL , DLC : Madison Papers. The date of this document is conjectural. Madison docketed the letter—apparently some years after the fact—“G. Washington...
11From George Washington to James Madison, 31 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
As far as a momentary consideration has enabled me to judge, I see nothing exceptionable in the proposed amendments. Some of them, in my opinion, are importantly necessary; others, though of themselves (in my conception) not very essential, are necessary to quiet the fears of some respectable characters and well meaning men. Upon the whole, therefore, not foreseeing any evil consequences that...
12From George Washington to James Madison, 12 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
As the Communications herewith enclosed will not take much time to read; As there are matters related which to me are new; and as the information respecting land transactions, and other things in the Western Country will require to be noticed & acted upon in some way or another, I send them to you together with a Gazette with a marked paragraph containing some suggestions that have not, I...
13From George Washington to James Madison, 5 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I want to communicate two matters to Congress; the substance of which is contained in the enclosed Paper —The first requires to be decided upon before the proposed adjournment shall take place—but my motive for communicating the other, at this time, is only to fix the attention, & to promote enquiry against the next meeting. Whether would an oral or written communication be best? If the first...
14From George Washington to James Madison, 9 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Consequent of the enclosed resolution, I had a conference with the Commee therein named yesterday, when I expressed the Sentiments which you also have enclosed. I was assured by the Committee, that the only object the Senate had in view was to be informed of the mode of communication which would be most agreeable to the President, and that a perfect acquiescence would be yielded thereto. But I...
15From George Washington to James Madison, 8 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Confidential The points which at present occur to me, and on which I wish your aid, are brought to view in the enclosed statement—I give you the trouble of receiving this evening that you may (if other matter do not interfere) suffer them to run through your Mind between this and tomorrow afternoon when I shall expect to see you at the appointed time. Besides the enclosed Would it do now that...
16From George Washington to James Madison, 23 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
My solicitude for drawing the first characters of the Union into the Judiciary, is such that, my cogitations on this subject last night (after I parted with you) have almost determined me (as well for the reason just mentioned, as to silence the clamours, or more properly, soften the disappointment of smaller characters[)]—to nominate Mr Blair and Colo. Pendleton as Associate & District...
17To George Washington from James Madison, 20 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
It was my purpose to have dropped you a few lines from Philada but I was too much indisposed during my detention there to avail myself of that pleasure. Since my arrival here I have till now been without a fit conveyance to the post office. You will recollect the contents of a letter shewn you from Mr Innis to Mr Brown. Whilst I was in Philada I was informed by the latter who was detained...
18To George Washington from James Madison, 5 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have been furnished with the inclosed copy of the letter from the Senators of this State to its Legislature. It is well calculated to keep alive the disaffection to the Government, and is accordingly applied to that use by the violent partizans. I understand the letter was written by the first subscriber of it, as indeed is pretty evident from the stile and strain of it. The...
19To George Washington from James Madison, 4 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
After being detained 8 or 10 days beyond the intended commencement of my Journey, by the critical illness of my mother, I am now subjected to a further delay by an attack on my own health. A slight complaint in my bowels which I first felt on the day of my arrival here (friday last) very suddenly took the form of a pretty severe dysentery. With the aid of Doctr Stuart who has been good eno’ to...
20Tobias Lear to James Madison, 7 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose you a Letter from Peyton Short Esquire resigning his Commission of Collecter of the Port of Louisville in Kentucky, & to request that you will be so good as to consult with Mr Brown, and any other Gentlemen from Virginia who are acquainted with characters in that part of the Country, upon a suitable...
21From George Washington to James Madison, 20 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I return Mr Jefferson’s letter with thanks for the perusal of it. I am glad he has resolved to accept the appointment of Secretary of State, but sorry it is so repugnant to his own inclinations that it is done. Sincerely & Affectly I am—Yrs ALS , NjP : Straus Autograph Collection. Madison had undoubtedly shown GW the letter Jefferson had written to him from Monticello on 14 Feb. 1790. The...
22From George Washington to James Madison, 27 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
If the weather will permit, & Mr Madison’s health suffer him to go out to day, the Presdt would be glad if he would give him a call before he goes to the House. Transcript, MH : Jared Sparks Collection. Madison was ill with influenza during the last week or so of April but was well enough to consult with GW on 27 April about the Foreign Intercourse Act ( Diaries Donald Jackson and Dorothy...
23Memorandum from James Madison, 29 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
“The act for establishing the temporary and permanent seats of the Government of the U. States” requires the following steps for carrying the latter into effect. 1. The appointment of three Commissioners of sufficient respectability having good will to the general object without any particular bias of private interest residing (a majority at least) so conveniently to the scene of business as...
24From George Washington to James Madison, 2 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
If Mr Madison is at leisure the P. would be glad to see him. AL , NjP : George Washington Collection. GW’s purpose in requesting this meeting is not known. It may have been to discuss his upcoming address to Congress (see GW to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 8 Dec. 1790 ).
25From George Washington to James Madison, 11 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Let me entreat you to finish the good Offices you have begun for me, by giving short answers (as can be with propriety) to the enclosed addresses—I must have them ready by Monday. AL , PWacD . The enclosures, which have not been found, were undoubtedly advance copies of the formal replies of the House and the Senate to GW’s address of 8 Dec. 1790 . For the text of these replies and GW’s brief...
26From George Washington to James Madison, 12 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are the last dispatches I have rec’d from Mr Gouvr Morris. As they unfold, pretty evidently I think, the disposition of the British Ministry, I wish you to see them—Pray return them to me in the course of this day. Sincerely & Affectly, I am Yrs ALS , anonymous donor. The enclosures almost certainly included Gouverneur Morris’s letters of 18 and 21 Sept. 1790 reporting the failure of...
27To George Washington from James Madison, 21 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Copy of a paper made out & sent to the President at his request, to be ready in case his judgment should finally decide agst the Bill for incorporating a National Bank, the Bill being there before him. Gentlemen of the Senate Having carefully examined and maturely considered the Bill entitled, “An Act I am compelled by the conviction of my judgment and the duty of my Station to return the Bill...
28From George Washington to James Madison, 10 October 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Madison, 10 Oct. 1791. Sold by Stan V. Henkels, 1892, catalog 694, item 63.
29From George Washington to James Madison, 27 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I return you the list of Sales in the Federal City. You will oblige me, by drafting a short answer to the address, to be presented tomorrow, and sending it to me this Evening or in the Morning early. If you want the address let me know it & it shall be sent to you. Yours—Sincerely & Affectly ALS , H-Ar : Cartwright Collection. James Madison erroneously docketed the cover 22 Oct. 1791....
30From George Washington to James Madison, 13 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
At as early an hour this evening as you can make it convenient, I should be glad to see you. yrs sincerely & affecly Sparks transcript , MH . The only year of GW’s presidency in which 13 Dec. fell on a Tuesday was 1791.