To James Madison from William Madison, 21 December 1805
From William Madison
Richmd. 21th. Decr. 1805
Dear Brother
Inclosed I send you the Weights of 4 Hhds Tobo. inspected in your name. $⟨6⟩;. may be had for them. Yesterday the House of Deligates passed two Resolutions, one expressing their confidence in the President of the US & his Administration, Ays 1⟨6⟩;1. noes 8 the second—their readiness, when Congress shall direct, to join in a contest with any Nation that has injured us, and, “try which party can do the other the most harm,” unanimously.1 Mr. Taylor will thank you to procure him a Parliamentary Manuel, by Mr. Jefferson, and send it to Richmond.2 The current price of Tobo. from 30.33/.
I hope my Sister has entirely recove⟨r⟩;d. Yr &c
Wm Madison.
RC (NN: Arents Tobacco Collection).
1. After a preamble decrying the blockading of U.S. ports and the impressment of U.S. seamen by foreign nations as well as the trespasses of Spanish officers on U.S. territory, the House of Delegates resolution stated “that the Legislature of Virginia have the highest confidence in the wisdom, virtue and firmness of the President of the United States, and that they are ready, whenever Congress shall direct, to join in a contest with any nation that has injured us, and ‘try which party can do the other the most harm’” (“Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia … [1805],” 38–39, in records of the States of the United States of America [DLC microfilm ed.], Va. A.1b, reel 5).
2. Jefferson’s Manual of Parliamentary Practice. For the Use of the Senate of the United States, was published on 27 Feb. 1801, a day before he resigned as presiding officer of the Senate ( 31:401 n.).