21To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 5 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am very much at a loss how to address you on the subject, which has induced me to trouble you with this letter. It would have the complexion to most men of mere private gratification and advantage. I could not therefore touch the matter to you had I not pursued in my former correspondence only Objects connected with political truth and the public interests. Omitting therefore any further...
22To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 5 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
By Col. Davies who has the superintendance of the business committed to Mr. Dunscombe I send you twenty one pounds 7/. which is all I can at this time spare the remainder shall not be long delayed, as I have a little Tobacco that will I expect soon bring me a better price than is now going and in the hope of its doing so I have yet avoided selling it. The price for Tobacco here is now only 19...
23To James Madison from David Ramsay, 4 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Presuming on our ancient acquaintance I take the liberty of solliciting your attention to an affair of mine that is now before your Honorable House. One of the elected federal representatives of this State is, in my opinion, ineligible. The case is in short thus: the Gentleman alluded to left Carolina in the year 1770 his parents died about the same time and he was absent from America during...
24To James Madison from Christian Febiger, 2 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Haveing had the honor of being Known to and treated with the politest Attention by you and conscious of haveing done nothing to obliterate your good Opinion, I boldly venture to address you in the familiar Style of a Friend. The Supreme Executive Councill of Pensylvania are on the Brink of appointing me naval Officer in this City, with the express View of recomending for and getting me...
25To James Madison from John Fitch, 2 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I flatter myself you will excuse the freedom I take in requesting your Patronage before the Congress of the united States respecting my claims to the Invention of Steam-boats, as far as you shall deem me worthy, when you consider that through that honorable Body only I can receive an exclusive Right or Title to the Enjoyment of my Labor, and that in whatever manner I may profit by the project,...
26From George Washington to James Madison, 30 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 19th by which it appears that a quoram of Congress was hardly to be expected until the beginning of the past week. As this delay must be very irksome to the attending members, and every days continuance of it (before the Government is in operation) will be more sensibly felt, I am resolved, no interruption shall proceed from me that can well be...
27To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 30 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Ever since the second day of February I have been confined with excrutiating Gout—and to this moment altho I am nearly recover’d since my first attack I have never partaken of a morsel at any Table but my own. This with my retired situation—which prevents easy Access to post offices—and affords little worth communicating—will account for my silence hitherto—for I assure you my wishes for your...
28To James Madison from George Washington, 30 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 19th.; by which it appears that a quoram of Congress was hardly to be expected until the beginning of the past week. As this delay must be very irksome to the attending Members, and every days continuance of it (before the Government is in operation) will be more sensibly felt; I am resolved, no interruption shall proceed from me that can well be...
29To James Madison from Charles Pinckney, 28 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
It is not often I am deficient in Attention to my friends, particularly those whose friendship I think worth cultivating—but I will confess that to you I have been almost inexcusably & to myself unaccountably inattentive. There are however some excuses to be made for me. I have not been sure of ever finding you either in New York Philadelphia or in Virginia—for being in Congress, in our...
30To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Colo. Griffin having announced to me, that you were safely lodged within the fœderal precincts, I shall renew the assault of my uninteresting correspondence. There is a general calm of politicks. The discontented themselves seem willing to wait with temper, until congress shall open their views. It gave me much pleasure, to read your letter to Colo. T. M. Randolph; as it shews a consciousness...