11James Madison to [Unknown], December 1834 (Madison Papers)
Having alluded to the Supreme Court of the U. S. as a Constitutional resort in deciding questions of Jurisdiction between the U. S. and the individual States a few remarks may be proper shewing the sense and degree in which that character is more particularly ascribed to that Department of the Govt. As the Legislative, Executive & Judicial Departments of the U. S. are co-ordinate, and each...
thinks it more desirable than probable that on discussing the urgent case of S. C, abstract questions may be avoided; that if not avoided, it is important that the several speakers shd. distinctly understand the meaning of each other, without wch. the debates may become verbal unintelligible & interminable; that it is particularly important to be kept in view that the characteristic...
13James Madison: Notes from State Papers, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
Vol. 4. p. 324--"to encourage Agriculture"--How 332--Agricult. manufs. Come. & navy may be protected agst casual combts within [draft?] 449. not too much regulat—meet [un?]equaly [ ] in foreign intercourse 453—"foster fisheries for navy", & food, & protect manufacrs. adaptd. to our [ ] these rules of action [five? fine?] principle of Constn. 5. p. 31 "Take a broader field of Legisln., whether...
14James Madison: Advice to my Country, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
As this advice, if it ever see the light will not do it till I am no more it may be considered as issuing from the tomb where truth alone can be respected, and the happiness of man alone consulted. It will be entitled therefore to whatever weight can be derived from good intentions, and from the experience of one, who has served his Country in various stations through a period of forty years,...
15James Madison: Notes on the federal system and the nature of government, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
Compact express or tacit, [begin? bein?] & essence of free Govt. social compact, theoretical, but possible to be realized in [unaccepted?] tendency __________ Majy. to decide, whether a necessary result or an [ ] one _________ Majy. to chuse a Govt. binding on all. __________ Govt. not a party to the compact, but the creature [ ] the compact being among the Governed (sound [construction?...
16James Madison: Temperance statement, July 1831 (Madison Papers)
Being satisfied from observation and experience, as well as from Medical testimony that ardent spirit, as a drink, is not only needless, but hurtful; and that the entire disuse of it would tend to promote the health, the virtue, and the happiness of the community, We hereby express our conviction, that should the citizens of the United States, and especially all young men, discontinue entirely...
17James Madison: Notes on foreign commerce and constitutionality of the tariff (Madison Papers)
(Those who deny that the power of Congs to regulate foreign commerce includes a protective power, yet contend that the power grantable to the States to impose duties on, it was intended to provide for a protection or substitute, and who rely for a proof on the testimonies of L. Martin, must yield to the inference that the protection is a branch of the comercial [expansion sign] power, distinct...
18James Madison on authorship of 1795 pamphlet "Political Considerations", 11 December 1830 (Madison Papers)
MR. MADISON’S PAMPHLET. In the Register of the 11th ult. page 193, we copied a paragraph from the Boston Patriot, saying, that a pamphlet now existed, stated by Mr. Jefferson to have been written by James Madison (though published anonymously), in which it is mentioned that " the leading object of the federal convention of 1787, for framing a constitution, to have been, to protect our own...
19James Madison: Origin of the Constitutional Convention, December 1835 (Madison Papers)
A sketch never finished nor applied. As the weakness and wants of man naturally lead to an association of individuals, under a Common Authority, whereby each may have the protection of the whole against danger from without, and enjoy in safety within, the advantages of social intercourse, and an exchange of the necessaries & comforts of life; in like manner feeble communities, independent of...
20James Madison: Memorandum on the Tariff, 31 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
To the effect of <the> changes intellectual, moral and social, the institutions laws of the Country must be adapted, and it will require for the task all the wisdom of the wisest patriots. *How far this view of the subject will be affected by the Republican laws of descent & distribution in equalizing the property of the citizens and in reducing mutual supplies cannot be inferred from any any...
21James Madison: Indenture between James Madison & Dolley Payne Madison & William Smith, 13 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
This Indenture made this Henshaw day of July one thousand eight hundred and A Madison nine, between James Madison and Dolley P. his wi[fe] the county of Orange, of the one part, and William Smith, of the same county, of the other part— Witnesseth, that the said James Madison and Dolly P. his wife for and in consideration of the sum of eight hundred dollars to the said James by the said William...
[made on a letter from Alexander Garrett, April 16, 1831: post April 16, 1831] [ ] H. of Reps. chosen for his real plan by St: Legs. (see notes) in [ ] plan presented Council of Revision of Ex. & principal offrs of Govt. [ ] noted, see p. 8-9. of the pamphlet Executive for 7 years p. 9. on power to [ ] p. 10. Appoint Fedl. Courts for territorial Contests between States payment on debts of...
23James Madison: Memorandum on Nullification, 10 September 1830 (Madison Papers)
Another consequence suggests itself as following the nullifying rule–I will illustrate it practically– Suppose S. Carolina to be supported by the requisite number of States in her appeal against the tariff, it is null– but Pennsylvania, with equal right as one of the seventeen, vitally interested in the continuance of the law, and supported by a greater number of sister States, appeals pari...
24James Madison: Notes on Virginia Resolutions, 1 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
Notes on Virginia Resolutions more [ ] (all the powers [ ] for one the = one for all [ ] from Resoln. 3d Strike out "[ ] actively and not instead one of the nullifying [ ] With the word retained its substance is taken away by the Keny. [ ] 9th. Resoln. & compleatly annihilated by the Explanatory Rept. of 99 _____________ The ratifying clause of the Virga. may [ ] by people of the U. S., all of...
25James Madison: Notes on suffrage, December 1829 (Madison Papers)
*["Written during the session of the Virginia Convention of 1829-’30. -- Ed.", in Writings of James Madison (Congressional edition), vol. 4, page 28] III.* The right of suffrage being of vital importance, and approving an extension of it to housekeepers and heads of families, I will suggest a few considerations which govern my judgment on the subject. Were the Constitution on hand to be...
26Notes for Virginia Constitutional Convention, 1 October 1829 (Madison Papers)
Divn. of powers to weaken each br. & to balance the whole [ ] Hence Leg. Ex. & Judy. The 2 houses, the veto of Ex & indepce of Judges, liable however to impt. & removal &c Case of negroes--persons as well as property. the sympathy of white population in one branch of Legisl: protect ym agst. masters—the interest of masters protect ym agst. disproportionate taxation. Charters of incorpn....
27Speech in Virginia Convention, 2 December 1829 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison now rose and addressed the Committee in a speech of which the following is the outline & substance. Altho the actual posture of the subject before the Committee might admite a full survey of it, it is not my purpose in rising to enter into the wide field of discussion, which has called forth a display of intellectual resources and varied powers of eloquence that any country might...
28James Madison: Autobiography, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. M. was born on the 5th of Mar. (O. 5) 1751. His parents J. M. & N. (Conway) Madison, resided in the County of Orange in Virga. At the time of his birth they were on a visit to her mother, who resided on the Rappahannoc, at Port Conway in the County of King George. At the age of about 12 years, he was placed by his father under the tuition of Donald Robertson, from Scotland, a man of...
29James Madison: Autobiographical notes, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. M. born 5. March (O. S.) 1751 at seat of maternal grandmother opposite Port Royal—recd. his elementary education at the home of his parents in Orange C.) At the age of 12—placed under the tuition of Donald Robertson a distinguished teacher in King & Queen where he went thro the studies preparatory to a college course. Continued those studies—under Revd Thos. Martin a private tutor in his...
30Memorandum of checks drawn on Bank of Fredericksburg, December 1834 (Madison Papers)
Deposit 5400 + 600 (check every Memorandum of checks drawn on the Bank of Fredericksburg on the fund recd. from Mr Taylor. No. 1. fav. of W. Allen $1500 2. J. C. Payne 400 3. E. Coles.....2050 octb 4. J. Ballard & Co. ..... 200 10 5. Js. Shepherd ..... 80 10 6. Eras: T. Rose .... 250 17. 7 Docr. Grymes ..... 15 20. 8. D & M. Cutts ... 45 31. 9. Jas. Cowherd .... 1047 Nov 11. 20. Peter Gray...
31James Madison: Notes re publication of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
superfluous, that this brotherhood and particularly the members of it in our view, have a keen conception of their own interest which governs their negociations. Of the other writings of Mr. M. it may not be amiss to use the inducement they offer of inviting liberality in present dealing by anticipated preference in the future. The test of their value may be referred to in what is now offered...
32Notes on Nullification, December 1834 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ the Legislature of Virginia at a late Session declared almost unanimously, that South Carolina was not supported in her doctrine of nullification by the Resolutions of 1798 it appears that those Resolutions are still appealed to as expressly or constructively favoring the doctrine. That the doctrine of nullification may be clearly understood, it must be taken as laid down in the Report...
33James Madison: Original Will, and Codicil of April 19, 1835, 15 April 1835 (Madison Papers)
I James Madison of Orange county do make this my last Will and testament, hereby revoking all Wills by me heretofore made. I devise to my dear Wife during her life, the tract of land whereon I live, as now held by me, except as herein otherwise devised; and if she shall pay the sum of nine thousand dollars within three years after my death, to be distributed as herein after directed, then I...
34James Madison: Essay on Sovereignty, December 1835 (Madison Papers)
Sovereignty It has hitherto been understood, that the supreme power, that is, the sovereignty of the people of the States, was in its nature divisible; and was in fact divided, according to the Constitution of the U. States, between the States in their United, and the States in their individual capacities that as the States in their highest sov. char. were compent to a surrender of yr whole...
35From James Madison to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st. instant. Altho’ I have not learned that Mr. Adams has yet signified to the Department of State his wish to return from the Mission to St. Petersburg, it is sufficiently ascertained by your communication, as well as satisfactorily explained by the considerations suggested. I have accordingly desired the Secretary of State to let him understand that as it...
36From James Madison to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 1st. instant. Altho’ I have not learned that Mr. Adams has yet signified to the Department of State his wish to return from the Mission to St. Petersburg, it is sufficiently ascertained by your communication, as well as satisfactorily explained by the considerations suggested. I have accordingly desired the Secretary of State to let him understand that as it...
37James Madison to Charles Francis Adams, 12 October 1835 (Madison Papers)
private I have received your letter of Sepr. 30th. with a copy of "An Appeal from the new to the Old Whigs." The Pamphlet contains very able and interesting views of its subject. The claims for the Senate of a share in the removal from Office; and for the legislature an authority to regulate its tenure, have had powerful advocates. I must still think however, that the text of the constitution...
38From James Madison to Adams Herbert & Company, 1 May 1816 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ To Adams Herbert & Co. Letter not found. 1 May 1816. Acknowledged in Adams Herbert & Co. to JM , 3 May 1816, as a letter including payment for Madeira wine.
39James Madison to Jasper Adams, September 1833 (Madison Papers)
I received in due time, the printed copy of your Convention Sermon, on the relation of Christianity to Civil Government, with a manuscript request of my opinion on the subject. There appears to be in the nature of man, what ensures his belief in an invisible cause of his present existence, & an anticipation of his future existence. Hence the propensities & susceptibilities in the case of...
40To John Adams from James Madison, 17 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 28th. Ult: was duly received, tho’ with more delay, than usually attends the Mail. I return the interesting letter from your son, with my thanks for the opportunity of perusing it. I have caused the archives of the Dept of State to be searched with an eye to what passed during the negociations for peace on the subject of the fisheries. The search has not furnished a precise...
41From James Madison to John Adams, 12 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. of Sepr. was handed to me, by Docr. Freeman, at my abode in Virga. just before I left it for this place. His transient stay afforded but a slight opportunity for the civilities I wished to shew to one who enjoys so much of your esteem, and who appeared so well to deserve them. He was so good as to call at the door since my arrival here; but being at the moment engaged,...
42To John Adams from James Madison, 3 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto. by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt: Cook. I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American...
43To John Adams from James Madison, 5 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor on the subject of Docr. Waterhouse, inclosing a letter from him which is now returned. Previous to this communication, the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Excellent friend, & the friend of mankind, had been filled by the appointment of his son Dr. James Rush. Besides the numerous & respectable interpositions in favor of it, I felt a pleasure, in putting this...
44To John Adams from James Madison, 7 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
On my return two days ago from a Meeting appointed to report to the Legislature of the State a proper Scite for a University, I found your obliging favor of July 22. with its inclosed copies of Docr. Mayhews Sermon. I have read with pleasure this symbol of the political tone of thinking at the period of its original publication. The author felt the strength of his argument, and has given a...
45From James Madison to John Adams, 3 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 21st. Ulto. inclosing one to yourself from Mr. Malcom. I return the latter as desired. Mr. Malcom was not in time to be taken into consideration along with others having the same object with him. I need not say that if it had been otherwise, and his comparative qualifications had entitled him to the appointment, I should have felt a pleasure in knowing that...
46To John Adams from James Madison, 3 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 21st ulto. inclosing one to yourself from Mr. Malcom. I return the latter as desired. Mr. Malcom was not in time to be taken into consideration along with others having the same objects with him. I need not say that if it had been otherwise, and his comparative qualifications had entitled him to the appointment, I should have felt a pleasure in knowing that...
47From James Madison to John Adams, 22 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Being informed that our Mediterranean Passports and papers of navigation have been recently counterfeited and used by persons not entitled to them, and being referred to you for explanations respecting it, permit me to request you to make a deposition reciting your knowledge of the subject as circumstantially as may be and especially what you know respecting the interest Mr. Willis the...
48From James Madison to John Adams, 5 August 1819 (Madison Papers)
I pay with much pleasure the debt of thanks for the copy of Mr. Wells’s Oration so kindly forwarded by you. It is a concise and well presented view of the great event celebrated, with a judicious selection of circumstances proper to be combined with it. I avail myself of this as of every occasion of renewing to you assurances of my high esteem and best wishes. RC (DSI–AC: Adams–Clement...
49From James Madison to John Adams and Others, 17 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last mail your letter of the 12th. inst: inviting me to the reception at Richmond of Genl. La Fayette. And I have to regret that the obstacles to a compliance with a late kindred invitation will not permit me to avail myself of that so kindly conveyed by you. I can only therefore express at a distance the sincerity with which I shd. mingle my affectionate gratitude with the...
50From James Madison to John Adams, [22] May 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 22d Ult: with the two vols. bearing the name of Condorcet. If the length of time they remained in your hands, had been in the least inconvenient to me, which was not the case, the debt would have been greatly overpaid, by the interesting observations into which you were led by the return of them. The idea of a Government “in one center” as explained and espoused...
51From James Madison to John Adams, 5 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor on the subject of Docr. Waterhouse, inclosing a letter from him which is now returned. Previous to this communication, the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Excellent friend, & the friend of mankind, had been filled by the appointment of his son Dr. James Rush. Besides the numerous & respectable interpositions in favor of it, I felt a pleasure, in putting this...
52To John Adams from James Madison, 22 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 22d Ult: with the two vols. bearing the name of Condorcet. If the length of time they remained in your hands, had been in the least inconvenient to me, which was not the case, the debt would have been greatly overpaid, by the interesting observations into which you were led by the return of them. The idea of a Government “in one center” as explained and espoused...
53From James Madison to John Adams, 17 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 28th. Ult: was duly received, tho’ with more delay, than usually attends the Mail. I return the interesting letter from your son, with my thanks for the opportunity of perusing it. I have caused the archives of the Dept of State to be searched with an eye to what passed during the negociations for peace on the subject of the fisheries. The search has not furnished a precise...
54To John Adams from James Madison, 5 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I pay with much pleasure the debt of thanks for the copy of Mr. Wells’s Oration so kindly forwarded by you. It is a concise and well presented view of the great event celebrated, with a judicious selection of circumstances proper to be combined with it. I avail myself of this as of every occasion of renewing to you assurances of my high esteem and best wishes. MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
55From James Madison to John Adams, 7 August 1818 (Madison Papers)
On my return two days ago from a Meeting appointed to report to the Legislature of the State a proper Scite for a University, I found your obliging favor of July 22. with its inclosed copies of Docr. Mayhews Sermon. I have read with pleasure this symbol of the political tone of thinking at the period of its original publication. The author felt the strength of his argument, and has given a...
56Enclosure: Circular from Hezekiah Niles to Prominent Subscribers, 31 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
After revolving upon some suitable apology for intruding myself with the following statement and request, I have thought it most respectful to decline offering any, except to observe that if ought appears to your better judgement improper in either, that you will attribute it to any thing else than a willingness on my part to act so, in any respect towards you. For six years ending with the...
57From James Madison to John Adams, 3 February 1795 (Madison Papers)
I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto. by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt: Cook. I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American...
58To John Adams from James Madison, 12 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. of Sepr. was handed to me, by Docr. Freeman, at my abode in Virga. just before I left it for this place. His transient stay afforded but a slight opportunity for the civilities I wished to shew to one who enjoys so much of your esteem, and who appeared so well to deserve them. He was so good as to call at the door since my arrival here; but being at the moment engaged,...
59From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
I received two days ago your favor of the 15th. with the written and printed accompaniments. I am glad to find that your personal interviews with Mr. Bentham, afforded an entertainment which may have been some recompence for the trouble which I contributed to give you in relation to him. The celebrity which this philosophic Polititian has acquired abroad as well as at home do not permit one to...
60James Madison to [John Quincy] Adams, 4 February 1835 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his best respects to Mr. Adams returns him many thanks for his "Oration on the Life & character of De Lafayette". J. M. has read it with a deep impression of the abounding merits which render it worthy of the source from which it comes, and of the object & the occasion which inspired it. RC ( MHi : Adams Papers).