1To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 18 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. Instant was received by the last post. It was fortunate that the same causes of the delay of the Mail, operated also to prevent the sailing of the Packet. With very little trouble I placed your letter in the hands of Mr. Chavalier. The re-election of Colo Lee has afforded me the highest pleasure, as it undoubtedly relieves his feelings, but I am at the same time deeply...
2To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 27 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
My going to Virginia this winter is indispensible. It is probable, from the state in which events has placed the delegation, that I shall not have an opportunity of going after the session commences without leaving the state unrepresented. Upon these considerations I have determined to seize the present moment and shall set out early in the next week. In the mean time I think it proper to give...
3To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 13 June 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 10th. Instant and thank you for it. Be good enough to pay Major George Turner, if he is still in the City, £4.5.6 Pensylvania Currency, and, at your leisure, send me the balance of the 100 dollars by some freind who may be coming here. It will, however, be unnecessary for you to put yourself to the least inconvenience to do so. Nothing yet of the remittance from...
4To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 25 July 1787 (Madison Papers)
I was favoured with yours inclosing a letter for Mr. Jefferson, which I delivered, agreably to your request, to Chevalier Jones—his business with Congress is not finished, and therefore he has not gone with the packet, which sailed this morning. No passenger was going whose personal delivery of the letter could be relied upon, and it seems the Capt. could not take it, otherwise than in the...
5To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 11 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with yours of the 3d. & 8th. Instt. The whole delegation have received letters from Mr. Anderson similar to that which he wrote you. I beleive Mr. Maurey has been equally extensive in his applications. I will mention to our Colleagues your suggestion of giving the names and wishes of those Gentlemen to Mr. Jay. I return you Mr. Fitch’s letter with a note of the Secretary upon it,...
6To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 23 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
The Gentlemen who have arrived from the Convention inform us that you are on the way to join us—least, however, you may, under a supposition that the State of the delegation is such as to admit of your absence, indulge yourself in leisurely movements, after the fatiguing time you have had, I take this precaution to apprise you that the same schism which unfortunately happened in our State in...
7To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 18 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here on Wednesday night last, and have as yet had but little opportunity to sound the people in any part of the Country upon the constitution. The leaders of the opposition appear generally to be preparing for a decent Submission—the language amongst them is, that amendments must be tried if there should, at the setting of the convention, be a prospect of carrying them down in a...
8To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 10 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since my last from Richmond I have made a circuit, through Cumberland, Powhatan & Chesterfield, and taking Petersburg in my way arrived here last ev’ning. The state of the ice is such as renders the passage of the River unsafe. A Canoe with difficulty makes its way through the Falls and by that means my letters from the post Office have today got to me. Amongst them I am favoured with yours of...
9To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 8 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Having an opportunity by Mr. Burnley I embrace it to acknowledge the Rect. of your favor of the 3d. Ult. from N. York, and also to congratulate you upon the success which attended your efforts to turn the Sinners of Orange from their wicked ways. The Rage in Powhatan was, a few days before the election, as high as where, but by the day of trial, the Town was so changed that Mr. Turpin who had...
10To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 23 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to forward herewith two packets which came by the last French Packet. The business of the constitution as referred to the Town meetings of Rhode Island, is over without producing any effect. Three of the Towns were decidedly for calling on the Legislature to appoint a convention according to the mode prescribed, and this it seems from freindly views to the measure. The...
11To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 28 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your several favors from Orange & am much obliged to you for them. Mr. Brown informs me that he has sent you full statements of the Foreign & domestic debts —should you find any additional papers useful, be good enough to inform me, and they shall be immediately forwarded. I can however now add to what you have received, some intelligence upon...
12To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 30 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers contain some of the debates of the Convention of South Carolina, and a vote of a vast majority, which shews the dispositions of that Body upon the Constitution. These papers will be of use to you, and therefore I take this the last moment that Offers before the departure of the post to forward them. I am my dr sir yrs. sincerely RC ( DLC ). Mathematical calculations are...
13To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 31 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to inclose you by the last post the British Act of Parliament upon the subject of our Trade. You will now receive in one of the papers inclosed an ordinance of the Province of Quebec, for regulating the inland Commerce of that Province with the Neighbouring States, or in other words the U. S. The intention doubtless is, that these two Acts, shall co-operate to give that...
14To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 17 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 6th. of June—it gives great satisfaction not only to myself, but all the Freinds of Federalism to whom I have had an opportunity to commun[i]cate its contents. You very prudently hazard no decided opinions as to the event, but it appears to me that we may calculate with certainty upon a considerable Majority from the facts you communicate. It is...
15To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 25 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was honoured with your favor of the 13th. Instant. I hope the Kentucky Members must have seen that all the objections which have been brought forward by the Antifederalists, upon the ground of the Mississippi are fallacious. Mr. Brown, our Colleague from that Country, is fully convinced of this, and has written to that purpose, to some of the Gentlemen who are attending in convention. I...
16To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 19 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Having travelled leisurely I arrived here last ev’ning and shall proceed tomorrow morning for Richmond. I left Mount Vernon on friday: during my stay there I had much conversation with the General upon the probable politics of the Assembly with respect to the Constitution. He is fully persuaded that anti-federalism will be the actuating principle, and that great circumspection is necessary to...
17To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 22 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday we had a full House. I am apprehensive from the complection of the Body that my predictions in my former letter, as to the dispositions of a Majority of the Members, will be verified—nothing of any kind has however yet been proposed, and therefore I am enabled to speak only from conjecture as drawn from a veiw of Characters. I am persuaded that an attempt will seriously be made for...
18To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 24 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
My Election has to day been decided upon as invalid, and I am to undergo another, which will probably keep me from the House ten or twelve days—such indeed is the malevolence of certain Anti’s, that I have reason to suspect that some now here, and not belonging to my County, will endeavour to inspire the people with dispositions against me. The case was decided Yesterday in the Committee of...
19To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 1 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being cut off from the occurrences in the Assembly I have nothing to write you upon, but the prospect as to my reelection. The Apostacy of one of our Delegates in the Convention, and the wavering conduct of the other, have re-animated the Spirit of Anti-federalism in the County to such a degree that much work is to be done before my object will be secured —the issue of the ten days for which...
20To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 9 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Election for Senators came on yesterday and terminated as I gave you some reason to apprehend in my last—the Ballots were as follow: for R. H. Lee 98, for Wm. Grayson 86, for Jas. Madison 77 the whole number of Voters was 162, 62 whereof were given singly to you, of those Cast away Mr. H. got 26, and the remainder were distributed to many others. I am confident that two thirds of the...
21To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 15 [14] November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to write you on the 9th. or 10th. Inst. and inclosed the Journals to the 6th. In these you had the Resolutions which had been agreed to upon the subject of a Convention—and you must also have seen that these resolutions were refered to a Committee for the purpose of having letters drawn according to the matter of them. The letters were reported last tuesday, and have today...
22To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 18 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been favoured with yours of the 4th: & 6th. Inst. In my last I inclosed the Journals to the 6th. and now send the continuation to the 15th. Here you will see at large the drafts of letters upon the subject of a Convention which I mentioned in the letter alluded to above, and those which were proposed by the Minority in place of them. It is to be exceedingly regretted that the Feds had...
23To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 26 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since my last it is decided that Monroe is to be your opponent. The Interest of both Gabel & Strother will be combined in his favor. I wish you could be in the district as no pains will be spared to impress the minds of the people with prejudices against you—the ground taken is that you are utterly against any kind of alteration in the Govt. The Election throughout the State is to be on the...
24To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 2 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was this moment favoured with yours of the 23d. Ult. I was so fully possessed of your intended conduct as to the election which is to be made in your district that I have endeavoured to give such a turn to the enquiries of those who have signified a solicitude for your coming to Virginia, as should prepare them for the event of your non appearance, at the same time that there might be no...
25To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 19 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 10th. I hope mine of the 2d. got to hand in time to inform you of the sentiments of Mr. Randolph & myself, as to your coming to Virginia, before you had set out on the journey, and should it have occasioned you to decline it; you will still have done according to our wishes—it remains for you to judge as to the reasons & advice urged by others. I am by no means...
26To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 30 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of addressing you last I have heard of your arrival in Virga. I think it will be best for you to give your attention principally to Culpepper & Spotsylvania for from the best information I can get, these two Counties, perhaps indeed the former alone, will determine the Election. I am much obliged by your flattering enquiries as to the district in which I am...
27To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 16 February 1789 (Madison Papers)
With great pleasure I received your favor of the 20th. Ult, but being distant from Town it did not reach me until about two days ago—the bad weather and other circumstances prevented my being in Richmond at the time of the meeting of the Electors—you have doubtless learned e’er this, that it was not my duty to be there—the antifederalism of my district would have kept out any person whatever...
28To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 20 February 1789 (Madison Papers)
I did myself the pleasure to write you from Richmond a few days ago: that letter, as well as this, will probably meet you at New York. The Freindly disposition you have been pleased to entertain for me, and the consoling reflection that this has arisen upon an opinion that I, in some degree deserve your confidence, induce me to take the liberty of communicating to you a wish which I now have;...
29To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 14 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was a few days ago favored with your very freindly and polite letter of the 19th. Ult. by Mr. Donaldson. Accept my thanks for the terms in which you acknowledge the Rect. of mine of the 20th. of February. Assure yourself that I have long had a due sense of the favorable sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me, and that they are contemplated with the greater satisfaction, as they are...
30To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 12 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 8th. Ult. inclosing the application of William Mason. I did transmit to Colo. Merewether certain papers of this Man and long ago informed him that they were insufficient to establish his claim which recd. no aid from the Muster Rolls of the Army. I do not now recollect signing the Rect. of which he sends a Copy, but it is highly probable I did,...
31To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 27 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 8th. Instant and thank you for the notice you take of my declining a visit to N. Y. I am the less inclined to take such a trip, since you have mentioned the great numbers who are there. I would not be rated amongst them for the best that any one of them will obtain. I am pleased to discover from the debates of your House that although an accurate attention...
32To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 30 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
That several of the Packets you have done me the favor to send have remained so long unacknowledged is owing to my having been engaged in business which took me out of reach of the Post Office. I a few days ago was possessed of the whole together. The papers containing the debates upon the powers of the President to remove Officers of the Executive department, were truly acceptable. This was...
33To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 3 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since mine of the 30th. Ult, I have been honored with yours of the 20th. & 22d. I am disappointed in the Issue of the Tonage Bill—it is however to be hoped that G. B. will, from what has happened, take some alarm & adopt such a policy as will leave it unnecessary to agitate a question of discrimination amongst foreign Nations again—she is apprised to the natural advantages we possess over her,...
34To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
A circumstance has been suggested to me upon which I have some hesitation, and will be determined by the idea you may entertain of it. The Office of District Marshall for Virginia is thought to be important from its extent, & not altogether unhonorary from the powers & Trusts it involves; it is also thought it will be productive of compensation not contemptible. Viewing the subject thus some...
35To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am just honored with your several favors of the 12th. 26th. & 28th. Ult. A trip of business through several of our southern Counties as far as that of Halifax on the borders of North Carolina took me out of the way of getting them sooner. In my route the principal Antifederal parts of the Country were comprehended and I can assure you that the people appear to be perfectly quiet & reconciled...
36To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 20 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have not until very lately known with certainty where I could address a letter to you. Mr. Beckley told me he left you in New York and that you was shortly to set out for Virginia, but Mr. Jones’s return to Richmond from his trip to Orange gave me the first information of your having got home. But for this uncertainty I should before now have made you my most grateful acknowledgments for...
37To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 5 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with yours of the 24. Ult. and am much releived by it from apprehensions that your indisposition, of which I had heard by several hands, was of so serious a Nature, as, at least to detain you on the way longer than it has. I hope you have perfectly recovered. I thank you for your remarks upon my appointment under the fedl Govt. I shall never pretend to an intire indifference upon...
38To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 2 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Upon coming to Town a few days ago I had the pleasure to receive yrs. of the 2d. & 14th. Ult. From Colo. Innes I have also had the perusal of the reports of the Secretaries of the Treasury and War departments. I have not as yet been able to give either so thorough an examination as to enable me to give a decided opinion upon it—the former indeed is extensive and complicated; it also takes up...
39To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 27 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Upon coming to Town last ev’ning I had the pleasure to receive your several favors of the 10th. 14. & 16 Inst. and am made happy by the freindly manner in which you received my remarks upon your proposition—they were dictated indeed by my own sincerity, and a confidence, not only in the purity of the motive which founded the proposition, but also in your wishes on every occasion to obtain the...
40To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 1 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I will thank you to inform me whether it is likely that any thing will be done this session of Congress for establishing the emoluments of the Marshals office. This becomes an interesting question to those who must from duty be in Situations to incur expense, or hazard a neglect of duty by remaining where it will not be expensive. There was a temporary provision made at the last session by a...
41To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 7 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have seen the decision of the House of R. upon the Quaker Memorial, nearly I suppose as the Committee reported. From the lengthy debates however and the Matter of these debates, I had been led to suppose it possible at least that the report was a different one asserting something like a power in Congress to meddle with emancipation. The very circumstance of such a subject being taken up in...
42To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 30 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment come to Town and am favored with yours of the 10th. & 17th. Instant for which I beg you to accept my thanks. I am exceedingly happy in the majority having shifted sides upon the subject of the assumption of the State debts because I am certain that no measure could be carried in Congress more productive of discontent; nor do I think that any could be taken under...
43To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 3 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am sorry to be troublesome to you, but upon further examination of the Census Act, it appears to me that the penalties under which alone the people are compellable to render their returns truly, are without any practicable means of recovery: this will render them intirely nugatory unless a remedy is applied before the commencement of the business: as this Act Stands, together with that of...
44To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 20 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
It is probable some establishment of a Military Nature under the United States may be made at the Point of Fork, at present the grand deposit of the State. This deposit has for several years been under the care of Major Langham whome you lately saw at New York. He did much business of the kind in the Army, and frequently under my own direction. He has since given great satisfaction to the...
45To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 1 August 1790 (Madison Papers)
Having been for a considerable length of time out of the way of the post Office it is long since I received a letter from you. I am now on my way to Richmond where there are probably several lying for me. My tour upon the business of the Census is compleated except as to that part which lay over the Allegany in the North West, where provision is made by sending Commissions to be delivered by a...
46To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 24 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
The uncertainty of a letters getting to hand occasioned me not to write you while in Virginia. Yours of the 29th. of August last, I recd. in the Post Office, and immediately applied to Mr. Davis in order to comply with your request respecting him, but your Brother had, a few days before, anticipated me in the business. This circumstance leaves me your debtor for 7 Dols. & ¼—which, being...
47To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 25 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
It was my intention to have committed to Mr. Giles the successor of Colo. Bland for the district in which I reside, a letter of introduction to you, but his recovering from a spell of Sickness and setting out for Phila. earlier than I expected prevented my doing so. You must before this have formed some acquaintance with him yet I cannot forbear to recommend him as my valuable Freind to your...
48To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 2 February 1791 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 2d. Ult: also with that covering the report of the Attorney Genl. Accept my thanks for both. The subject of an Excise did sometime ago excite much apprehension here owing to its being contemplated, and industriously represented by some, with all the horrible circumstances said to attend that of England: much conversation has been held upon it through the...
49To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 26 February 1791 (Madison Papers)
I came to Town late last night and was this morning favored with yours of the 26th. & Ult. and 12th. Inst. Having last week forwarded to the post Office a letter to be put into the Mail for you I hope you have by this time recd. it. In that letter I made some observations upon both the excise and the Bank. I find that each has passed. I never reflected on the latter upon the ground you took...
50To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 20 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
Until I was informed of the intention of the President to pass through this City, I had not been here for several weeks. The consequence was that your letter of the 27th. Feby. as well as many others were in the post Office a considerable time before I got them, and that which you was good enough to favor me with by Mr. Giles I did not receive until I met him a few days ago. I confess myself...