1From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
Having been detained in Washington untill the 6th. inst. I did not reach home till Tuesday night, and of course too late to comply with the arrangement notified in yours of the 10th. March by Bizet. I take for granted that the other Visitors met, and that for the present at least my attendance will not be needed. As it has always been our purpose to pay a visit to Monticello at no distant day...
2To James Madison from Hezekiah Niles, [1 November] 1817 (Madison Papers)
National Education. Respectfully Addressed to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, Past Presidents of the United States. It is not a common occasion, venerable fathers of the republic, that could induce me to prefix your names to a public address. In my estimation, there is something in it that may make me liable to be considered indiscreet, if not impertinent, by some who will not take the...
3From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
I recd. some days ago yours of the 15th. and shall send my Palladio by the Stage of tuesday. It will probably arrive by the time you get back from Bedford. I send you the inclosed from Mr. Cooper, that in case of the supposed miscarriage of his letter to you, it may enable you to give him the answer for which he is so anxious. I shall inform him that I have done so, without undertaking to...
4From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1818 (Madison Papers)
Yours by the bearer of this was safely delivered last evening. I return the letter to the Govr. which is well adapted to its object. The pencelled marks will merely suggest for your consideration, whether the term Monastic , tho’ the most significant that could be chosen, may not give umbrage to the Institutions to which it is applicable; and whether the idea of seeking professors abroad , may...
5From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 6th. inclosing the letters to & from Dr. Cooper, and forward the former by this days mail, the first that has offered. The relinquishment of our claim on him was unavoidable, and but reasonable, and it could not have been made known to him in more suitable terms. RC ( DLC ). Fragment. Remainder of text, closing, and signature clipped. Docketed by Jefferson, “recd....
6From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1818 (Madison Papers)
The day on which the first instalment for the Central College becomes due, being near at hand, I think it not amiss, as no conveyance of mine offers, to intimate, that it shall be paid on draft, or if requisite sent by a special hand. Yrs. affectionately RC ( MoHi ). Docketed by Jefferson, “recd Apr. 2.” JM subscribed $1,000 to the Central College fund (Cabell, Early History of the University...
7From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 April 1818 (Madison Papers)
I take the opportunity by Judge Holmes of sending my first Instalment for the Central College, which I beg the favor of you to have put into the proper hands. The only subscription to the lists I distributed is the inclosed one from Gen A. T. Mason. Is it worth while to avail ourselves of his solitary liberality in that distant quarter, which connects him so little with an institution as yet a...
8From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 24 July] 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have postponed the return of the two papers, to the present time, in consequence of your intimation, that you would not return from Bedford till about a week before the day of assembling at Rockfish, and I shall note that this letter is not to be forwarded from Monticello. Affectionate respects RC (owned by Linwood M. Jr. and Tucker Respess, Charlottesville, Va., 2003). Undated; conjectural...
9From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 10 October] 1818 (Madison Papers)
I was much gratified in learning from the President that you were so well recovering from the attack your health suffered beyond the mountains. I wish I could join you at the meeting of the Visitors on Monday, & attend also that of the Agricultural Society. But circumstances do not allow me that pleasure. RC ( ViU ). 1 p. Fragment. Undated. Unsigned. Conjectural date assigned on the basis of...
10From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have not been able to learn a tittle of your health, since I saw you. It has, I hope, been entirely re-established. I congratulate you on the success of the Report to the Legislature on the subject of the University. It does not yet appear what steps have been taken by the Governor towards giving effect to the law. Will you be so good as to have the inclosed forwarded when convenient to Mr....
11From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 3. came safe to hand, with the seeds you were so kind as to send with it. I return Mr. Cabell’s letter. I hope his fears exaggerate the hostility to the University; tho’ if there should be a dearth in the Treasury, there may be danger from the predilection in favor of the popular Schools. I begin to be uneasy on the subject of Cooper. It will be a dreadful shock to him if...
12From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday morning yours of the 8th. and return the several copies of letters inclosed in it. The letter to you from Mr. Cabell was returned by the mail before the last. I know not any course better to be taken in relation to Dr. Cooper, than your letters to him & Correa. I have not a particle of doubt that the answer of the latter will compleatly remove the objection brought forward...
13From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 11th. The letter from Mr. Cabell which I return is of very agreeable import. His other letter was returned several days ago, and probably reached Monticello soon after the date of yours. Health & all other happiness RC ( CtY ).
14From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 September 1819 (Madison Papers)
I received yesterday yours of the 23d. inclosing the draft of a report from the Visitors, in which I see no occasion for addition or alteration; but much for regret at the deficiency of our resources. The subject is presented however to the Legislature, with the most inviting aspect for their attention and assistance. I shall endeavour to be with you about saturday, and Mrs. Madison will have...
15From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. which authenticates your convalescence was most welcome, & I thank you much for your kindness in relieving me from the anxieties which preceded it. Fortunately the first account we had of your illness was accompanied with some encouragement to hope that the crisis had been passed favorably; & this hope was fostered by the information of Col: P. Barbour on his return...
16From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. a few days ago the two inclosed letters one from Mr. Hackley, the other from the Botanical professor at Madrid: the latter accompanied by the three little pamphlets also inclosed, and by thirty specimens of wheat, with four of Barley, and between 2 & 300 papers of the seeds referred to as “rariom Horti Botan: Matritousis.” The Wheats & Barleys notwithstanding the numerous varieties, I...
17From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1819 (Madison Papers)
By the return of the ladies who have favored Mrs. Madison with so agreable a visit, I send back the correspondence with Cooper. It has ended better than I expected. I learn with the greatest pleasure that your health is so well restored. I hope you will be careful of it. Above all avoid the fatigues of the pen. I do not say with the Spaniards I kiss your hands, but I say with all my heart, God...
18From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1820 (Madison Papers)
Judge Todd accompanied by one of his sons being on his return thro’ your neighbourhood will call to pay his respects to you. His great worth justly entitles him to this introduction to your recollections. I propose to be with you tomorrow evening. Mrs. M. will not lose the opportunity of making a visit to the ladies of Monticello. Yours allways & affecy. RC ( NjP ).
19From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Novr. 29. came to hand a few days ago. The letter from T. C. is returned. I had one from him lately on the same subject, and in consequence reminded the President of his political career; dropping at the same time a few lines in his favor to our Senator Mr. Barbour. I sincerely wish something proper in itself could be done for him. He needs it and deserves it. The law terminating...
20From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
In The inclosed you will see the ground on which I forward it for your perusal. In the late views taken by us, of the Act of Congress, vacating periodically the Executive offices, it was not recollected, in justice to the President, that the measure was not without precedents. I suspect however that these are confined to the Territorial Establishments, where they were introduced by the Old...
21From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 16th. inclosing the paper from Mr. Ticknor, on the tax imposed on Books imported. He has taken a very comprehensive and judicious view of the subject. The remark you add to it is a proper one also; that books being a permanent property ought not to be taxed whilst other permanent property is exempt, both in the acquisition and possession. I have always considered...
22From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1821 (Madison Papers)
I return the several papers which accompanied yours of the 30th. ult. I have interlined with a pencil for your consideration a very slight change in the petition to Congress, and another in the Report to the P. & D. of the Lit: Fund. The first is intended to parry objections from the reprinters of foreign books, by a phraseology not precluding exceptions in their favor. The exceptions can be...
23From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1822 (Madison Papers)
This is the first mail since I recd. yours of the 25 Ult: which did not come to hand in time for an earlier answer; having lain a day or two at Or: Ct. House. Regarding the New Socy. for the benefit of the Indians, as limited to their civilization, an object laudable in itself; and taking for granted, perhaps too hastily, that the plan had not been formed & published without the sanction of...
24From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1822 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found. 29 March 1822 . Listed as a one-page autograph letter, signed, in Parke-Bernet Galleries Sale No. 451 (5–6 Apr. 1943), item 389, with the following extract: “I am sorry that the approaching meeting of the Visitors will furnish an exception to the punctuality of my attendance … I presume that my failure, even if it prevents a quorum, is rendered of...
25From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1822 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found. 8 August 1822 . Enclosed in Dolley Madison to Lewis J. Cist, 4 July 1842 ( DLC : Dolley Madison Papers). Acknowledged by Jefferson as received on 9 Aug. 1822 in his Epistolary Record ( DLC : Jefferson Papers), with his note: “Hite & Baldwin.”
26From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 [January 1823] (Madison Papers)
I have duly received yours of the 6th. with the letters of Mr. Cabell, Mr Gerry, and Judge Johnson. The letter from Mr. C. proposing an Extra Meeting of the Visitors, & referred to in yours was not sent, and of course is not among those returned. The friends of the University in the Assembly seem to have a delicate task on their hands. They have the best means of knowing what is best to be...
27From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letters & papers being addressed to you as well as me, I am not at liberty to withold them, tho’ I know the disrelish you will feel for such appeals. I shall give an answer, in a manner for us both, intimating the propriety of our abstaining from any participation in the electioneering measures on foot. I congratulate you on the loan, scanty as it is, for the University; in the...
28From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of the 12 & 14. inst. You will have inferred my approbation of the course taken in order to avoid a loss of time in executing the Rotunda. I shall be with you at the Meeting of the Visitors if possible. The letter from O. Flaherty with its companions, are herewith inclosed. It is quite presumable that he possesses the technical qualifications for the professorship...
29From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 29 April 1823] (Madison Papers)
What is the proper qui[e]tus for the solicitudes within expressed? RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). Undated; conjectural date based on Jefferson’s docket “recd. Apr. 29. 23.” JM probably enclosed Joseph C. Cabell’s letter to him of 16 Apr. 1823 , concerning the configuration of the lecture halls designed for the Rotunda. See Jefferson’s reply to JM , 30 Apr. 1823.
30From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the copy of your letter to Judge Johnson inclosed in your favor of the instant. Your statement relating to the farewell address of Genl. Washington is substantially correct. If there be any circumstantial inaccuracy, it is in imputing to him more agency in composing the document than he probably had. Taking for granted that it was drawn up by Hamilton, the best conjecture is that...
31From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the two communications from the President inclosed in your letter of Aug. 30. I am afraid the people of Spain as well as of Portugal need still further light & heat too from the American example before they will be a match for the Armies, the intrigues & the bribes of their enemies, the treachery of their leaders, and what is most of all to be dreaded, their priests & their...
¶ To Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found. Ca. 22 October 1823. Referred to in Jefferson to JM , 24 Oct. 1823 , and listed in Jefferson’s Epistolary Record as being received on 23 Oct. 1823 ( DLC : Jefferson Papers).
33From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 November 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter of the President. The correspondence from abroad has gone back to him as you desired. I have expressed to him my concurrence in the policy of meeting the advances of the B. Govt. having an eye to the forms of our Constitution in every step in the road to war. With the British power & navy combined with our own we have nothing to fear from the rest of the world: and in the...
34From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 November 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 6th. My preference of F. Gilmer for the law professorship, to any other name brought into view, has not changed; & I know of no one better suited for the mission now declined by Mr. Cabell. It will be well I think to hold out, in the first instance at least, not more than $1500 for the Salary, as the reduction of the number of professors from 10 to 7. may not be...
35From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 November 1823 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found. 21 November 1823. Acknowledged in Jefferson’s Epistolary Record ( DLC : Jefferson Papers) as received 24 Nov.
36From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Gilmer. It would have been more agreeable if he had not suspended his decision as to the ulterior object offered him: but he can not be blamed for yielding to the reasons he gives for it. There is weight in what he suggests as to an extension of his research into Germany: and there may be some advantage in the attraction wch. a professor from that quarter might...
37From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 January 1824 (Madison Papers)
I return the letters from Docr. Cooper inclosed in yours of the 7th. It is truly to be lamented that at his stage of life and in the midst of his valuable labours, he should experience the persecutions which torment, and depress him. Should he finally wish to exchange his present birth [ sic ] for one in our University and make the proposition without any advances on our part, there could be...
38From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
I inclose the letter dated Jany 24. 1796 referred to in your memorandum. You will observe that it acknowledges two of mine, one of Decr 27. 1795. the other of Jany 10. 1796. As these are not among the letters from me to you, which you were so good as to transfer from your files to mine, and as it may be proper for me to examine them, for the reasons you wished a return of the one inclosed, I...
39From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1824 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 9th. was not recd. till the evening before the last, and cd. not be sooner answered than by the Mail which ⟨p⟩asses our Court House today. As it is pro⟨p⟩er to give as wide an opening to the University as we can, I readily accede to the provision of an Anatomical as an 8th. professor, which you propose as within a ⟨f⟩air estimate of its resources. I think however that unless a...
40From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1824 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Cabell with your answer to it inclosed in yours of the 16th. just come to hand. It is not probable that a removal of the College from Williamsburg, will be espoused by a Majority of the Visitors, controuled as they will be by the popular voice in that quarter. If it should, Richmond will not be without competitors. The pretensions of Petersburg have already been...
41From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. from Mr. H. Wheaton who is engaged in a Biography of the late W. Pinkney a letter wch. I inclose with my answer. If your recollection or memoranda can confirm or enlarge the information I have given with respect to the origin of the Embargo, be so good as to return my answer that it may be improved: If otherwise, it may be sealed & forwarded; the letter from Mr. Wheaton to be...
42From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1824 (Madison Papers)
The bearer Mr. E. Tayloe, son of Col: Tayloe of Washington is desirous of making a respectful call at Monticello, and I can not refuse to his motive, the gratification of a line presenting him to you. He is at present a resident at Fredericksburg, reading Law with his kinsman Mr Lomax; and appears to be quite estimable & amiable. Mr T. is so good as to take charge of the 4 last volumes of Las...
43From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1824 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledged in my last yours of the 8th. and now return the letters of Mr. Gilmer & Mr. Rush inclosed in it. It would be matter of much regret if insanity should befall such a man as Ivory; but it is to ⟨be⟩ hoped his condition will be fixed before he leaves Engd. or rather before any engagement of him. I hope Mr. Gilmer will be able to avoid also men much advanced in life. After a certain...
44From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of yours of Aug. 8. I turned my thoughts to its request on the subject of a Theological Catalogue for the Library of the University: and not being aware that so early an answer was wished, as I now find was the case, I had proceeded very leisurely in noting such Authors as seemed proper for the Collection. Supposing also, that altho’ Theology was not to be taught in the...
45From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
I return Mr. Gilmer’s letter. The uncertainty of his sickness, and the increase of his expence give an unwelcome aspect to his Mission. It is to be hoped that Scotland will do more for him than Engd. is likely to do. Germany may open a field of choice better in some respects than either: But the alien language, and less affinity of manners are grounds of unfavorable comparison. It wd. seem...
46From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
The list of books you have made out will do very well as a nest Egg for the Library. May not the high prices of some of them have been occasioned by a scarcity since removed by Editions both better & cheaper. I know nothing of Fayette’s movements, but through the Newspapers, from which it appears that he cannot leave Philada. before the 1st. of October. It becomes questionable I think whether...
47From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 6th. inclosing the letter of Mr. Gilmer did not reach me till last evening. The foreign prospect for the University is very gloomy, and the domestic far from bright. We must not however despond. What occurs to me as best on the occasion is that Mr. Gilmer proceed to exhaust the experiment in G. Britain; and if necessary then to extend it to Ireland. On the question how long he...
48From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
I return your letter to Gilmer as fairly copied. Will he understand that he is not to return without a Nat: Philosopher, tho’ bringing the other Professors named, and despairing of that one? There will however be time for final instructions on this point after hearing further from him. Yrs. affecty RC ( ViU : Special Collections); FC ( DLC ). Minor differences between the copies have not been...
49From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 December 1824 (Madison Papers)
I return the letters from Mr. Gilmer inclosed in yours of Novr. 30. His account of the engaged Professors is very encouraging. It is a happy circumstance that none of them are beyond the ages mentioned. They will be the less inflexible in their habits, the more improveable in their qualifications, and will last the lo⟨n⟩ger. It would seem that Gilmer’s mind leans now to the station he declined...
50From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1824 (Madison Papers)
I return Mr. Gilmers two letters to you & that of Mr. Emmet to Mr Colhoun, inclosed in yours of the 10th. I have so much confidence in the opinion of Mr. Gilmer, & respect for the testimony of the father, with every abatement for partia⟨lity⟩ that I can not doubt the chemical & other merits ascribed to young Emmet. As a letter however such as you propose, would be viewed by him as equivalent...