1101From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [15 November 1815] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Gray, son of Mr. William Gray so distinguished for his wealth & his patriotism, wishing with his lady to pay their respects at Monticello, I can not do less than favor the opportunity by a line of introduction. I am unacquainted with him, otherwise than by his introduction thro’ a friend here; but doubt not that he will be found worthy of your civilities which will be acceptable to his...
1102From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have remained here since the adjournment of the Assembly cheifly with a view of gaining from the Office of the Attorney some insight into the juridical course of practice. This has given me an opportunity of forwarding you 6 copies of the revisal with a few of the late Newspapers under the cover which incloses this. They will go in a vessel belonging to Mr. Alexander the Gentleman who...
1103James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 25 th Mar: has been duly rec d Every thing is so uncertain at this moment with respect to our approaching relations to France & G.B: that I can only say that a conveyance of your plow to the Former will be favored as much as possible, and that I will endeavor to have more definite information on the subject ready at Monticello for your return from Bedford . I am glad to learn that...
1104To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I make use of the oppy. by Mr. Davis to forward you the contents of the weekly packet recd yesterday from the Office of State. Having had time scarcely to read some of the communications, I am unable, if there were occasion, to submit comments on them. Mr. Wagner writes that Mr. Graham left Washington on saturday last with the papers relating to the Mission of Mr. Livingston, and was to be...
1105From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 7 September] 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 6th. instant was duly brought by the last mail. I inclose under cover to Mr. Brent, the answers to the Merchts. of Boston & Philada., which if approved you will be so good as to seal & send on to him. I inclose also a letter from Mr. Brent to me, for the sake of the explanation it gives relative to the consulate at Nantz. If Mr. Grant should not go, it is to be recollected that...
1106From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 26 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 116). The letter has not been found. A letter has been lately received from you by the President of Congress, accompanied by a bundle of papers procured from the Cherokees by Colonel Campbell. As it appears that these papers were transmitted at the request of the late...
1107From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Addressed to “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.” Following the return of this letter to JM, he docketed it “Madison Jas.” above the date. Many years after the letter was written, he or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the beginning of the second paragraph and another bracket at the close of the third paragraph to designate them for inclusion...
1108From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed. Cover missing. I wrote to you a few days ago by the post acknowledging your favor of the 10th. of Decr. Mr. Maury has since afforded me an opportunity which I cannot omit to acknowledge that of the first of Jany. which has just come to hand, and to express the concern I feel at the account it gives of your ill health. I hope earnestly that this will find...
1109James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
M r & M rs Gallatin reached us on saturday last; and in fulfilment of their promise to you propose to set out for Monticello , tomorrow morning. We are preparing to accompany them. I see by the papers that M r Smith has probably rec d dispatches from M r Pinkney
1110Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 17 July] 1801 (Madison Papers)
It is objected that the act of Congress Mar. 3. 1800. c. 14. sect. 1. 2. entitles a citizen owner of a vessel to restitution until the vessel has been condemned by competent authority on paying salvage to the captor. Every man, by the law of nature, and every fellow citizen by compact, is bound to assist another against violence to his person or property. Tho’ therefore by the law of nature...
1111I. Text as Received by Jefferson, 1790, 4 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. of Jany. inclosing one of Sepr. last did not get to hand till a few days ago. The idea which the latter evolves is a great one, and suggests many interesting reflections to legislators; particularly when contracting and providing for public debts. Whether it can be received in the extent your reasonings give it, is a question which I ought to turn more in my thoughts...
1112From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom has been referred by the President of the United States a Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 23d Inst., requesting the President to communicate to that House such information as he may have received relative to the Copper mines on the South side of Lake Superior, in pursuance of a Resolution of the 16th. April 1800, authorising the appointment of...
1113From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your two favours of the 1 & 20 Sepr. under the same cover by Mr. Fitzhugh did not come to hand till the 24th ult: and of course till it was too late for any Legislative interposition with regard to the Capitol. I have written to the Attorney on the subject. A letter which I have from him dated prior to his receipt of mine takes notice of the plan you had promised and makes no doubt that it...
1114To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry I can give you no other account of our public situation than that it continues equally perplexed and alarming as when I lately gave you a sketch of it. Our army has as yet been kept from starving and public measures from a total stagnation by draughts on the States for the unpaid requisitions. The great amount of these you may judge of from the share that has fallen to Virginia. The...
1115From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
The last mail brought me your favor of Jany. 1. inclosing an unsealed one for Mr. A. & submitting to my discretion the eligibility of delivering it. In exercising this delicate trust I have felt no small anxiety, arising by no means however from an apprehension that a free exercise of it could be in collision with your real purpose, but from a want of confidence in myself, & the importance of...
1116James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d yesterday morning yours of the 8 th and return the several copies of letters enclosed in it. The letter to you from M r Cabell was returned by the mail before the last. I know not any course better to be taken in relation to D r Cooper , than your letters to him &
1117From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 21. with the letters returned under the same cover was recd. last night. As you had not then recd. the last letters from Mr. G. & myself on the modified proposal to disuse B. Seamen, I shall wait the arrival of your next before I conclude on the instructions which are to go by the Wasp. I found by the accts. from Bermuda, that the mere difficulty which suspends the Treaty is...
1118To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recd. yours of the 17th. accompanied by the Direct tax bill which I have not yet been able to run thro’. Every thing I perceive is carried as the war party chuse. They will of course be the more responsible for consequences. The disposition to continue the Session is a proof that the operation of the irritating proceedings here on those of France is expected to furnish fresh fuel...
1119From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. came duly to hand with the papers to which it referred. I now forward others recd. by the last mail. I have signified to Mr. Sumpter that his resignation was acquiesced in, and have used a language calculated to satisfy him that he retains the good opinion of the Executive. What is to be said to Mr. Livingston on his request that he may appt. a private Secretary, and...
1120To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your’s of covering a letter to John Bringhurst which has been forwarded to him. There has not been time enough yet for an answer. The letter promised to myself, in yours, has not come [to] hand. The delay can be sufficiently accounted for by the irregularities of the Southern Mails, particularly South of Baltimore. The Senate have unanimously ratified the Algerine and Spanish...
1121To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The express returned with the documents for London the night before the last, and the despatches arrived in Baltimore yesterday morning in due time for the intended embarkation of Mr. Pinkney. Herewith are letters from Mr. Monroe of Mar 31. & apl. 3. with their accompaniments. I observe in an English paper of Mar. 31. a paragraph under the “Hague” Mar. 25. (I believe), saying that Mr....
1122From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
I inclose an authentication of the blood of our Merinos, as translated from the Original by Mr. Graham: also a state of the charges incident to their passages &c. The half falling to your share, of course, may be left for any convenient occasion of being replaced. You need not trouble yourself to remit it hither. On the first publication of the dispatches by the J. Adams, so strong a feeling...
1123James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I am offered the Services of a M r Magee , now living with M r Randolph , as an overseer . I have discountenanced his offer, partly from an ignorance of his character, but particularly from the uncertainty whether M r R. means to part with him. Will you be kind eno’ by a line, merely to say 1 st whether it is decided that he is not to remain where he is, the only condition on which I w
1124From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Many years later, after the return of the letter to him, JM wrote “Sepr. 20. 1783” at the top of the last page. Your favor of the 31 ult: came to hand yesterday. As the reason which chiefly urged my departure for Virga. has ceased I have been led to protract my attendance on Congress by the interest I felt in some measures on foot, and the particular...
1125From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1810 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from Jarvis accompanied one to me on the subject of the Merinos. I learn that they have arrived safe; but the vessel is aground a few miles below Alexanda. Jos: Doherty is gone to bring them up, making the selections warranted by Mr. Jarvis. As the means I shall employ to have my pair conveyed to Virga. will suffice for yours, it will be unnecessary for you to attend to the...
1126From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1798 (Madison Papers)
According to your favor by Mr. Richardson, I expect the pleasure of seeing you in the course of the present Week. Be so good as to bring a memorandum from your nailery of the amount of my debt to it. I had hoped that you were possessed of the aid of Mr. Chuning & his young men, but the Bearer Mr. W. Whitten tells me the contrary. Mr. C. left this saturday was two weeks, & promised to ride up...
1127From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, with Enclosure, 2 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was of June 20. Your’s received since that date are May 15. and June 6. In mine I acknoleged the receipt of the Paccan nuts which came sealed up. I have reason to believe those in the box are arrived at Lorient. By the Mary Capt. Howland lately sailed from Havre to N. York I shipped three boxes of books one marked I.M. for yourself, one marked B.F. for Doctr. Franklin, and one marked...
1128To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 21. with the letters returned under the same cover was recd. last night. As you had not then recd. the last letters from Mr. G. & myself on the modified proposal to disuse B. Seamen, I shall wait the arrival of your next before I conclude on the instructions which are to go by the Wash. I find by the accts. from Bermuda, that the mere difficulty which suspends the Treaty is...
1129To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 2 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return to the Dept. of State the enclosed papers (excepting the private letter from Mr. L) thro’ your hands that you may peruse such of them as may deserve that attention. According to my recollection, the explanation of the Act of Congs. so offensive to Spain, was communicated to Yrujo. As it is possible that I may be mistaken, it may be worth while to enquire into the fact; and if the...
1130To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 26 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received some days ago, but not in time for the last mail, the enclosed petition, I have thought it proper to forward with it a pardon, that in case it should be extended to the party, delay might be avoided. I know nothing more of the convict or of the merits of the petition than are to be gathered from the petition itself and the letter from W. Jones . It is signed, I observe by...
1131From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully reports to the President the information requested by the Resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 8th of January last relative to Spoliations committed on the Commerce of the United States, under Spanish authority; and also, relative to the imprisonment of the American Consul at Saint Jago de Cuba. This Report has been delayed longer than was...
1132From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to me, together with the documents accompanying it, containing an account of the monies drawn out of the Treasury under the several appropriations made for defraying the expenses incident to the intercourse with the Mediterranean powers, and statements of the credits obtained or claimed at the Treasury by the persons to...
1133James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
It was long desireable that an Exposé of the causes and character of the War between the U.S. & G.B. should remedy the mischief produced by the Declaration of the Prince Regent & other mistatements which had poisoned the opinion of the World on the subject. Since the pacification in Europe & the effect of that and other occurrences in turning the attention of that quarter of the World towards...
1134To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 5 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclose the Commission for Kirby according to your parting request; also three others for Indian Comssrs. in blank, which you will be so good as to return. The last communications from N. Orleans are also inclosed. They are in several respects interesting. We have recd nothing from abroad since you left us, and every thing here remains as at that date. With respectful attachment I remain yrs....
1135To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 21st. came to hand last evening. It was meant that you should keep the pamphlet inclosed in it. I have seen Freneau, and, as well as Col: H. Lee, have pressed the establishment of himself in Philada. where alone his talents can do the good or reap the profit of which they are capable. Though leaning strongly against the measure, under the influence of little objections which...
1136To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 April 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 3d. instant. I have already informed you of my having forwarded you the French Edition of Milton received from E.R. Cortez’s letters are not come to hand. It seems that Blake by whom you expected them is not the person thro’ whom the Milton came, and that he is not yet arrived. The correspondence with Hammond has been forwarded in detachments by Col. Monroe. The...
1137From James Madison, enclosing a Communication to La Luzerne, 2–3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 23d. of March . The publication of which you wish to have a copy for your private use is not yet finished; as soon as it is I shall take care to provide one for you. I have repeatedly reminded Dr. Smith of his promise with respect to the map, but have never obtained any thing more than a repetition of the promise. He is at present an inhabitant of Maryland....
1138To 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...
1139From George Ic to James Madison, 9 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
If you may please to look over these lines, thinking of their Merit. In the year 1766 or when I was about fourteen years of age, when I was looking for fishworms, for Angle fishing, the foundation of my Since Experience, toke place in my Understanding, with such a demonstration that it was left without any Doubt. I can give my reasons for it. N ear 20 years ago, I tried it with potatoes. It...
1140From William Hull to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Governor Hull wishes to enquire of the Secretary of State, whether he received his Letter inclosing a Copy of the proclamation, he was directed to issue, and whether for the reasons stated in his Letter the President, thought it expedient, to authorize the Governor, or any other officer, to grant permission to cut such quantities of pine timber as was absolutely necessary, under the peculiar...
1141To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 28 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d yesterday evening yours of the 24 th inst: inclosing a paper drawn up with a view to the question of “Roads & Canals,” and to the course of proceeding must expedient for the Legislature of Virg a now in session. In my retired position it is difficult to scan the precise tendency of measures addressed to the opinions & feelings of the States & of their Representatives; these being...
1142Hezekiah Niles to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, [ca. 1 November 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
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 trouble to ascertain whether I am influenced by an honest intention , or not. I am unwilling to be suspected of either of...
1143To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23d. has been duly recd. Mr. Brent had informed me that copies of the letters from the Mediterranean had been sent to you by Mr. Smith, and therefore I did not send the originals by express. The declaration of a rupture by the Empr. of Morocco, put me at a loss what to say to Simson on the subject of the Gun carriages, and how to decide as to the letter you left with me . As the...
1144Roberts to James Madison, 1 September 1822, with Postscript to Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson Papers)
[ Ed. Note : “ Roberts ,” who wrote under an apparent pseudonym and claimed to be a Revolutionary War veteran, composed a letter to former president James Madison dated Pennsylvania , 1 Sept. 1822. Although Madison ’s copy has not been found, a transcription of it was later sent to TJ. In a five-page document received at Monticello in the summer of 1824, the author blamed Madison for both the...