1191To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your letters of Aug. 20. Sep 7. & 15. I received by the last packet. That by mr Short is not yet arrived. His delay is unaccountable. I was pleased to find by the public papers (for as yet I have no other information of it) that the assembly had restrained their foreign trade to four places: I should have been more pleased had it been to one. However I trust that York & Hobbs’ hole will do so...
1192Bill for Granting James Rumsey a Patent for Ship Construction, [11 November] 1784 (Madison Papers)
James Rumsey (1743–1792) had been experimenting with a mechanical pole boat when good fortune brought General Washington to his vicinity. In September 1784 (at Bath in Berkeley County, Virginia) Washington witnessed a trial run of a model and became an enthusiast for Rumsey’s invention. Since Rumsey’s model gave promise of being a handmaiden to the general’s favorite Potomac canal scheme, it...
1193To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 12 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I should have blush’d to have met you, after having so long delay’d repaying the money you kindly advanc’d me, yet the sincere pleasure I felt in the expectation of again taking you by the hand effaced every other impression & my dissapointment was real when I learn’d that you had return’d to the South without my meeting you. After you left me in Congress—I was subjected to the...
1194From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I had intended by this post to commence our correspondence with a narrative of what has been done and is proposed to be done at present Session of the Genl As[s]embly, but by your last lettr. to Mr. Jones, I find that it is very uncertain whether this will get to Trenton before you leave it for Virga. I cannot however postpone my congratulations on your critical escape from the danger which...
1195From James Madison to Richard Henry Lee, ca. 14 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 14 November 1784. Lee acknowledged on 26 Nov. JM’s letter from Richmond, which had arrived at Trenton on 21 Nov. The letter appears to have reported on legislative business, including the proposed general assessment bill, a revised militia law, and the postponed tax measure.
1196To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 15 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Troppo ci vorrebbe a dirvi tutte le ragioni per cui son tuttavia in Virginia. Una è che vorrei vedere il Marchese de la Fayette prima di partire, al che m’induce non solo la mia amicizia per il medesimo, ma ancora il riguardo che devo alla mia delicatezza e al mio onore; sopra di che mi spiegai col nostro degnissimo amico E. R. Fatemi, vi prego, il favore di comunicarmi ciò che sapete di Lui e...
1197To James Madison from James Monroe, 15 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
You recd. I hope by the last post a small cypher from me. At fort Stanwix you were necessarily acquainted with the variance which had taken place between the Indian Commissioners of the U. States , & those of New York as well as of the principles upon which they respectively acted & the extent to which they carried them: as I reach’d N. York about eight days after you had left it & the Ind:...
1198Bill Enabling the Executive to Pension Disabled Veterans, with Amendments, [16 November & 6 December] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whereas the act of Assembly passed in the year 1782 intitled “An Act Concerning Pensioners,” which has been continued by several subsequent acts will expire at the end of the present Session of Assembly, and it is expedient that the same should be further continued Be it therefore enacted that the act intitled An Act “Concerning Pensioners” shall continue and be in force from and after the...
1199To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 20 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I wish it were in my power to give you the satisfaction that I know it would afford you to be informed that Congress was assembled and proceeding well with the public business. Unfortunately, we have not yet a Congress, & altho twenty days are elapsed since the time appointed for its meeting, but 4 States have been convened. No doubt Colo. Monroe has informed his Correspondents of the...
1200From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 20 November] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor without date was brought by thursday’s post. It inclosed a Cypher for which I thank you & which I shall make use as occasion may require, though from the nature of our respective situations, its chief value will be derived from your use of it. Gel. Washington arrived here on Sunday last, and the Marquis on thursday. The latter came from Boston in a French frigate. They have both...
1201To James Madison from Andrew Dunscomb, 24 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
To accomodate the late Officers of the Regular Line of this State and others on their settlements, I have to request Your influence for leave to bring in a Bill granting power to me to administer the necessary Oaths or Affirmations in the execution of my official duties. With esteem and regard I am &c FC ( Vi ). A letterbook copy, addressed to JM, “In assembly.” On 15 Nov. JM was appointed a...
1202To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 26 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I received your agreeable letter the day after mine of the 28th. instant had been dispatched. I thank you Sir for the very particular and satisfactory information that you have favord me with. It is certainly comfortable to know that the Legislature of our country is engaged in beneficial pursuits—for I conceive that the Gen. Assessment, and a wise digest of our militia laws are very important...
1203To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 26 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
The Gentlemen from the Eastward have at length made their appearance & I expect in a day or two a Congress will be once more form’d. This commencement however has discovered so great a relaxation in the Confœderal springs that I doubt the machine will not be long kept in motion, unless great & effectual repairs are made. For my part I have no hopes but in a convocation of the States. In this...
1204Preamble and Portion of an Extradition Bill, [26 November] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it is the desire of the good people of this Commonwealth in all cases to manifest their reverance for the law of Nations, to cultivate amity and peace as far as may depend on them between the United States and foreign powers, and to support the dignity and energy of the fœderal Constitution: Be it enacted by the General Assembly that if any Citizen or inhabitant of this Commonwealth...
1205From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Having a moments time to drop you a line I inform you that the Bill for confirming surveys agst. subsequent entries has been negatived by a large majority, rather on the principle that it was unnecessary & retrospective, than that it was unjust in itself. On the contrary all the principal gentlemen were of opinion that it was just, but already provided for by the law. Mr. Innes the late Judge...
1206From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 15th inst: came to hand by thurday’s post. Mine by the last post acknowledged your preceding one. The umbrage given to the Comsrs. of the U. S. by the negociations of N. Y. with the Indians was not altogether unknown to me, though I am less acquainted with the circumstances of it than your letter supposes. The Idea which I at present have of the affair leads me to say that as...
1207To James Madison from George Washington, 28 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
After the several conversations we have had on the subject of inland navigation; and the benefits which would, probably, be derived from a commercial intercourse with the Western territory; I shall make no apology for giving you the trouble of the enclosed. It is matter of regret to me, however, that I cannot accompany them with some explanations & observations. It was intended these papers...
1208Bill Extending the Alien Veterans’ Land Rights, 30 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
For extending the benefit of lands granted by the laws of this Commonwealth to Officers and Soldiers who have served during the late war to their representatives or devisees who may be aliens. Be it enacted that if any such alien representative or devisee shall on or before the day of or in case he or she be under the age of twenty one years within after having attained such age become a...
1209To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 1 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
La necessità non à legge. I favori che ò bisogno da voi, non posso ottenergli da altri. La lettera per Mr. Hennin deve spedirsi dall’Incaricato degli Affari di Francia nel plico della Corte, e voi sapete che ancor non conosco Mr. de Marbois. Quella per Mr. Jefferson dubito che possa andar sicura se non per il mezzo di qualche Membro del Congresso, ed io non ò familiarità bastante con veruno de...
1210Bill for the Establishment of Courts of Assize, 2 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
JM was chairman of the House committee for Courts of Justice, and carried a burden of work in the October 1784 session of the legislature that ordinarily would have been assigned a delegate who practiced law. However, JM’s lack of formal legal training did not deter his colleagues from giving him a lawyer’s work. JM’s concern for this bill creating a circuit court system was not focused on its...
1211From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 3 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
My last informed you that a vote had passed in favor of Circuit Courts. A bill has since been brought in and will shortly be considered. The difficulty of suiting it to every palate, & the many latent objections of a selfish & private nature which will shelter themselves under some plausible objections of a public nature to which every innovation is liable render the event extremely uncertain....
1212Bill Prohibiting Further Confiscation of British Property, 3 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whereas by the Definitive treaty of peace as now ratified Between the united States of America and his Britannick majesty it is agreed that there shall be no future Confiscation; to the end that the same may be carried into effect within this Commonwealth Be it enacted by the General Assembly that the future Operation of the Laws concerning Escheats and forfeitures from British Subjects shall...
1213Resolution on Pensions for Wounded Veterans, 3 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee , That the Executive ought to be authorised to put on the pension list all officers and soldiers, who have been wounded in the service of their country, and whom they may think entitled to the same, upon application being made to them therefor. Printed copy ( JHDV Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Begun and...
1214From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
On Saturday last a proposition was agreed to for establishing Circuit Courts throughout this Commonwealth, and yesterday a bill for that purpose was reported. On wednesday next it will undergo a discussion of the Come. of the Whole. The circumstances under which it has passed thus far seem to promise a favorable issue, but the dangers which it is yet to go thro’ are formidable. They proceed...
1215From James Madison to Lafayette, 4 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 December 1784, Richmond. Lafayette refers to this letter in the 17 December addendum to his 15 December 1784 letter to JM . The lost letter contained news of the resolution passed in the House of Delegates to have two busts of Lafayette made and placed in the Virginia capital and in Paris.
1216To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a paper wh. will give you a state of the representation of the States, beside wh. little else hath taken place worthy yr. attention. Mr Jay is here & will I understand accept the office of foreign affrs. upon condition Congress will establish themselves at any one place. The conduct of Spn. respecting the Mississippi &ca. requires the immediate attention of Congress. The affr. is...
1217To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
In mine of Nov. 11. I acknoleged the receipt of yours of Aug. 20. Sep. 7. & 15. Since that, the one of Oct. 11. by the packet has come to hand as also that of July 3. by mr Short who came in the packet, was actually in N. York when you passed through it & had waited there several days in hopes of seeing you. I thank you very much for the relation of the proceedings of assembly. It is the most...
1218From James Madison to Richard Henry Lee, 11 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I was, by Thursday’s post, favoured with your’s of the 26th of November. We had begun to despair of a Congress being made up in time for a decision on the case referred to them by the resolutions of our last session. I now hope that we may yet hear from you, on that subject, before our adjournment. The bill on the resolutions in favour of the treaty of peace, mentioned in my last, is not yet...
1219From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Neither of the two last posts brought me a line from you. I find one in the office for Mr. Jones who is absent on a visit to King George. I expect him back on Monday next. Our proceedings throughout this week have turned chiefly on the bill for assize Courts, which yesterday passed the H. of D. after a faint opposition and with very few dissenting voices. It is formed pretty much on the...
1220From James Madison to George Washington, 11 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 December 1784, Richmond . Washington had traveled to Annapolis to further his favored scheme for an interstate project to build a canal along the Potomac River. He acknowledged the arrival of this letter on 28 December. JM probably told Washington of the main business that had occupied the General Assembly since Washington’s departure from Richmond ca. 20 November.
1221To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yr. favor of the 27. of Novr. in answer to mine of the 15th. My last gave you the state of the representations here. The business of importance is still before committees or if reported not yet acted on. It seems to be the Genl. sense of Congress to appoint a minister to the Ct: of London & to give him instructions upon many subjects & particularly those wh. arise in the conduct...
1222To James Madison from Lafayette, 15–17 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Lafayette arrived in New York on 4 August 1784 for a visit which lasted until 21 December 1784 when he sailed to France aboard the frigate La Nymphe . During his stay, he was greeted by Washington and other Virginians at Richmond on 18 November. After feastings, celebrations, and a visit to the State Assembly, the two Revolutionary heroes spent a few days at Mount Vernon and then went north,...
1223To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 4th. inst. I have recd. Congress are now closely engag’d in very important business. Reports upon our affairs with G. B. Spain & our foreign affrs. in general have been presented & alternately acted on. To adjust the points of variance between us & the former Court . It seems to be the general opinion that a Minister shod. be sent there, that it would tend to conciliate the...
1224Bill Providing Funds for a James River Canal, [18 December] 1784 (Madison Papers)
The distance between Norfolk and Louisville, at the Falls of the Ohio, is about 525 miles; but in the 1780s the question was not how remote the extremes of Virginia were from each other, but whether these distant points even belonged in the same empire. In tidewater Virginia there was much feeling that navigable rivers from the foothills of the Alleghenies would draw western produce to eastern...
1225To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 18 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 18 December 1784 . The list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany) indicates Pendleton wrote a letter from Edmundsbury on this day that was an “Appeal for the family of Philip Davis; a forger of tobacco notes.” The punishment for forging tobacco notes was death ( Hening, Statutes William Waller Hening, ed., The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the...
1226Editorial Note: Madison’s Notes for Debates on the General Assessment Bill (Madison Papers)
Once the Revolution began, most Virginians accepted all fundamental breaks with the past save one—the established church. Clearly it was preservation of the old, comforting traditions of the Anglican church and not the institution of established religion per se that interested many men who ordinarily had the most advanced ideas about individual rights. Thus the maintenance of even the most...
1227Madison’s Notes for Debates on the General Assessment Bill, [Outline A], [23–24 December 1784] (Madison Papers)
Debate on Bill for Relig. Estabt proposed by Mr. Henry 1. limited 2. in particular 3. What is Christianity? Courts of law to Judge 4. What edition, Hebrew, Septuagint, or vulgate? What copy—what translation? 5. What books canonical, what apochryphal? the papists holding to be the former what protestants the latter, the Lutherans the latter what other protestants & papists the former 6. In What...
1228Madison’s Notes for Debates on the General Assessment Bill, [Outline B], [23–24 December 1784] (Madison Papers)
I. Rel: not within purview of Civil Authority. tendency of Estabg. Christianity 1. to project of Uniformity 2. to penal laws for supportg. it. ————— Progres[s] of Gen: Assest. proves this tendency ————— difference between estabg. & tolerating errour— II. True question not—Is Rel: necesy.? are Religs. Estabts. necessy. for Religion? no. 1. propensity of man to Religion.
1229From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. instant came to hand on thursday. A proposition was made a few days ago for this State to empower Congs. to carry into effect the imposts as soon as 12 States should make themselves parties to it. It was rejected on the following grounds 1. that it would present a disagreeable aspect of our affairs to Foreign nations. 2 that it might lead to other combinations of lesser...
1230From James Madison to Richard Henry Lee, 25 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
“In the course of the last week a proposition was made to empower Congress to collect the Impost within this State [Virginia] as soon as 12 States shd. unite in the Scheme. The argumts. which prevailed agst. it were the unfavorable aspect it wd. present to foreigners, the tendency of the example to inferior combinations—the field it wd. open for contraband trade—its probable affect on the...
1231To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 27 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 11th. reached me ten days after its date and after the post had gone out for that week, so that I fear this letter will not get to Richmd. before the adjournment. The proceedings of last Assembly respecting B. debts have not yet been before Congress, because they have not arrived at this place. It seems that they were deposited in Mr. Hardys Trunk which a variety of accidents...
1232To James Madison from George Washington, 28 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 11th. The proceedings of the Conference, and the Act & Resolutions of this Legislature consequent thereupon (herewith transmitted to the Assembly) are so full, & explanatory of the motives which governed in this business, that it is scarcely necessary for me to say any thing in addition to them; except that this State seem highly impressed with the...
1233Act concerning the Appointment of Sheriffs, [28 December] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly that if the Justices of the peace for any County within This CommonWealth shall fail to nominate persons for Sheriff according to the periods prescribed by Law every Justice so neglecting his Duty shall forfeit and pay the sum of pounds & more over shall be subject to be displaced by the Governor & Council . If any person hereafter to be appointed Sheriff...
1234Resolutions Authorizing an Interstate Compact on Navigation and Jurisdiction of the Potomac, 28 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Resolved that the Commissioners or any two of them appointed on the 28th. day of June last to concert with Commissioners on the part of Maryland, regulations touching the navigation and jurisdiction of the Potowmac, be further authorized ⟨to unite⟩ with the said commissioners in representing to the State of Pennsylvania, that it is in contemplation of the ⟨said⟩ two States to promote the...
1235Resolution for Opening Roads to Market Towns, [ca. 30 December] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whereas the opening & keeping in repair of direct roads from the different parts of this Commonth. to the several marker Towns, and from one market Town to another would greatly encourage agriculture by cheapening the transportation of its productions to the places of consumption & exportation, and would in other respects contribute to the improvement of the Country by facilitating intercourse...
1236From James Madison to George Washington, 1 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 28 Ult: accompanying the Report of the Conferees &c. &c. The latter have been laid before the H. of Delegates, and a Com[mitte]e app[ointe]d. to report a bill & Resolutions corresponding with those of Maryland. The only danger of miscarriage arises from the impatience of the members to depart, & the bare competency of the present numbers. By great...
1237Resolutions Appointing a Western Road Commissioner, 1 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
Resolved that Thomas Massey esquire or in case of his death or failing to act through other cause, such person as shall be appointed by the Executive in his Stead, be authorized in Conjunction with the person appointed or to be appointed on the Part of Maryland, to open and keep in repair a convenient road from such part of the Waters of the Potowmack, to such part of the River Cheat—or of the...
1238Resolution Authorizing Payment to Certain French Creditors, 1 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
Resolved that so much of the Petition of Savary De Valcoulon agent for Messrs Coulougnac and Company merchants of France, as sets forth, that in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, Mr. Peter Pennet as agent for this State in France, was furnished with goods by the said Messrs Coulougnac & C o at a very low advance to a considerable amount, for which their accounts have been...
1239Resolutions Authorizing Surveys for a Western Road and Canal, 1 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
During the last days of the October 1784 session of the General Assembly there was a concerned drive to answer the complaints of isolated citizens in the western counties and the Kentucky district for better roads. Some of the interest undoubtedly stemmed from the attention focused on canal building by Washington’s lobbying activities on behalf of the Potomac and James canals, but JM knew too...
1240Act for Clearing and Improving the Navigation of James River, 3 January 1785 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 January 1785 . JM prepared and introduced a James River canal bill on 18 Dec. 1784 , but for reasons explained in the editorial note preceding that measure the bill was withdrawn after a copy of a Maryland canal law reached Richmond. “Good judges” decided JM’s earlier bill provided “an inadequate bait for subscriptions,” so that more liberal terms were offered to prospective investors in the...