11From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 15th. of March. I am now in hourly expectation of recieving my leave of absence. The delay of it a little longer will endanger the throwing my return into the winter, the very idea of which is horror itself to me. I am in hopes this is the last letter I shall have the pleasure of writing you before my departure. The madness of the king of England has gone off, but...
12From 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...
13To 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,...
14To James Madison from George Washington, 12 May 1789 (Madison 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...
15Memorandum from Richard Henry Lee, 14 May 1789 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 May 1789. “The Committee of the Senate appointed to confer with a Committee of the House of representatives upon the Subject of Title have agreed to give it as their opinion to the Senate—That for preserving harmony with the H. of Representatives it will be proper for the present to follow the practise of that House in presenting their Address to the President of the United States without...
16To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, 15 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 May 1789. Acknowledged in JM to Eliza House Trist, 21 May 1789 . Reports illness of her son, Hore Browse Trist.
17To James Madison from Gustavus Scott, 16 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 May 1789. Calendared in the lists probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany). The three-page letter was offered for sale in the Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892), which listed items from the McGuire collection of JM’s papers.
18From 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...
19To James Madison from George Washington, [17 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison having been so obliging as to draw the answer to the Address of the House of Representatives—GW. 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. RC ( DLC ); Tr ( MH ). Late in life JM docketed the RC : “G. Washington without date—(perhaps 1789,) 90 or 91.” Fitzpatrick ( Writings of Washington ,...
20To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
While I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10th. instant, I must assign as my apology for forgetting to answer the legal question, that a variety of family sickness has taken away a cool attention to business. The deed, to which the inclosed memorandum relates was executed in France. The following extract from a law of the revised code, intituled an act for regulating conveyances,...
21To James Madison from Hugh Williamson, 19 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
At Baltimore & Norfolk and wherever I touched since I left New York I have heard Complaints that Molasses was to be taxed six Cents. This is what I did not expect in southern States, but they say that Molasses is a necessary Part of food for the Poor. In Virginia the Complaints I have heard are very loud that the Vessels of Foreigners not treating are only taxed 50 Cents. This trifling Tax...
22To James Madison from Hugh Williamson, 21 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am just informed by Govr Johnston that a Treaty is to be held on the 24th Inst at french Broad by the Indian Agent for the southern Departmt & the three Commissioners from the States of Georgia South Carolina & North Carolina. That Sevier lately called Governor of an insurgented State has submitted to the Govt of North Carolina and taken the accustomed Oaths. There is an End to the new, so...
23To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 22 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Carroll presents his complits to Mr. Madison returns him the inclosed estimate, & is much obliged to Mr. Madison for the perusal of it. Quere how the deficiency on this branch of revenue is to be made good? Would not an excise on ardent spirits, foreign & domestic be adviseable? Stamp duties I hope may be collected to defray the expence of the federal Judiciary. RC ( DLC ). Addressed by...
24To James Madison from Samuel Johnston, 22 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed Address was voted unanimously and contains, I believe, the genuine Sentiments of much the greatest part of the Inhabitants of this Country; The State of North Carolina having no Agent or any person in a publick Character at this time in New York, I take the liberty to request the favor of you to deliver it, my Motive for troubling you on this occasion rather than any one else,...
25To James Madison from Hugh Williamson, 24 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
We are told that Genl Person the bell Weather of Opposition in this State continues indefatigable in his Endeavours to preserve the Spirit of Antifederalism in the State. Our Judges, two of them at least, there are three, continue most malignant anti’s. They seem to think that the new Court will cast a Shade on them. Whether the constitution will or will not be adopted by the next Convention...
26To 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...
27To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 28 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
We have heard much of the di[s]agreement between the two Houses respecting titles and the rules to be established for their correspondence—if report speaks truth they have manifested a strong desire for titles and pre-eminence—how comes it that the doors where the Senate sit in their legislative capacity are shut and those of the representatives open—it appears to be equally proper and...
28To James Madison from Francis Mennis, 28 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 May 1789. Calendared in the lists probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany). Mennis (b. 1755) was a member of a prominent York County, Virginia, family.
29From 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...
30To James Madison from George Washington, [ca. 31 May] 1789 (Madison 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 in 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...
31To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 1 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your favour of the 5th of may, with the report of the committee, and the newspapers, and I can assure you I concur in every thing and from the bottom of my heart. The Character of the president, will give dignity and energy to our government, and will together with the favourable appearances stated by you tend to reconcile all parties to it. I, having know[n]...
32To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, [9 June] 1789 (Madison Papers)
… I hope the idea of titles is sent to eternal repose. I know nothing which in my judgment would more strengthen opposition than the adoption of such a measure, giving countenance to all the suspicions hitherto forged only, of a tendency in the Goverment to fav’r Aristocratic principles.… Printed extract (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 [1892]). The list probably kept by Peter Force ( DLC :...
33To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 9 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am to thank you for several favrs. & inclosures, the last May the 17th. I am much pleased with your new Gazzette, which I think promises to be as respectable as it’s name sake of London. The tardy progress of yr. revenue System, has I imagine produced all the mischief it was capable of, in letting the Spring importations escape it’s operation; however I do not mean to insinu[a]te blame to...
34To James Madison from William R. Davie, 10 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My private acquaintance with you would by no means warrant a correspondence of this kind, but the interest we have in your public character and exertions will sufficiently apologise for the freedom. You are well acquainted with the political situation of this State, its unhappy attachment to paper money, and that wild scepticism which has prevailed in it since the publication of the...
35To James Madison from Henry Lee, 10 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you for a long time but often hear of you. All ranks of people within my observation seem highly pleased with the govt. since its commencement & reckon far too much on the benefits which it may produce—these expectations will meet with disappointment, which may create chagrin in the public mind & renew clamor. The president is dear to the citizens beyond parralel or...
36From 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...
37To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 12 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
We have nothing in this quarter worth mentioning or I should more frequently make communications. I conclude you receive our papers regularly or would inclose them weekly. Although the proceedings of the House of representatives on the impost bill produced some remarks and altercation respecting its equality and policy yet I think the disputes appr. to have somewhat more of warmth respecting...
38To James Madison from Walter Jones, 12 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Our personal acquaintance having been hitherto cursory I can claim no great Share of a correspondence, necessarily and very deservedly so extensive as yours. Your public Conduct, and the Intervention of our private & common Freinds have fixt you high in my Esteem, and I am persuaded that we are very intimately united, in our dispositions to exert our respective Talents & opportunities in...
39To James Madison from George Washington, [12 June?] 1789 (Madison 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...
40To James Madison from Fontaine Maury, 14 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you some time since, informing you that as exchange was higher with you, than here, that I should decline taking the Bill I applyed to you for, and that twould be most to your advantage to sell it in New York. Since this Letter, I have shiped the remaining three hhds of your Tobacco to my Brother, and you may draw as usual on them. I have today drawn on you in favor of French L. Gray...