28251Memorandum from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 2 January] 1800 (Madison Papers)
I admit that the word states is used in the constitution, in all the senses which have been ascribed to it, by the paper which I have seen; that the state-governments neither created nor can abrogate the fœderal compact, and that the people of the states did create, and may abrogate it. But none of these considerations settle the question. The true enquiry is, in what sense the resolution of...
28252To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 13 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From an Unidentified Correspondent. 13 March 1806. “The hostility naturally existing between Monarchy & Republicanism are so Visible that every citizen of America must be convinced of the necesity of a rectitud essential to their national reputation & of the propriety of cautiously Garding against the overbearing combinations & designs of the Former. Hence I take the liberty to animadvert on...
28253To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
February 1811. Forwards to JM “parts of a letter written to a friend on the 27. of July last which has lately returned to my hands.” Hopes it may contain some ideas of benefit to the country. RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , R-103:5). 1 p. Signed “A Republican.” Docketed by a War Department clerk as received 9 Feb. 1811, with the notation: “Reflections on the situation of the U. S. with regard to S....
28254To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 21 March 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty of forwarding to you a copy of the Democratic Press containing the Letter from Colonel Frederick Evans, Member of the State Legislature from the Democratic County of Northumberland, to Wm Duane Lt. Colonel of the Rifle regiment in the Standing Army of the United States and Commandant of the troops at the old Lazaretto near fort Miflin to give you some idea of the...
28255To James Madison from the Merchants and Traders of Philadelphia, 5 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
The Memorial of the Subscribers, a Committee of the Merchants and Trade⟨rs⟩ of the City of Philadelphia, respectfully represents, That Your Memorialists are impelled to address you by the interest which they feel, in common with many others of their fellow citizens, in a subject which they deem worthy of the attentio⟨n⟩ of their Government. During the warfare, which has been of so long...
28256To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 30 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The writer of this letter is sincerely attached to Democratic principles, was a warm approver of Mr Jefferson’s administration, and not less so of yours, he has not infrequently been obliged to defend your conduct against Fœderalists, as well as some of your former friends, of late your opponents, & the friends of DeWitt Clinton. Want of energy is a very common charge brought against you, and...
28257To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 30] October 1809 (Madison Papers)
Although I have not the honour of being known to you, I take the liberty of addressing You on a subject of great importance to the Nation and to our party. It is reported here that the Spanish Minister lately arrived at New-York will not be received by the Government, which I hope is a federal fabrication as nothing can justify the refusal of a Minester under such circumstances. I will not...
28258To James Madison from the Inhabitants of St. Lawrence County, New York, [8 January 1817] (Madison Papers)
To his Excellency the President of the United States and the honourable the Senate and house of Representatives in Congress assembled. The Petition of the undersigned humbly Sheweth. That your Petitioners Conceive it proper and expedient that a Law Should be passed annexing that part of Champlain District of the Customs Called the County of Franklin to the District of Oswegatchee in the State...
28259To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
I am a Soldier Enlisted under the Banner of the united States. Neither have I enlisted for money, but to retrive the h⟨o⟩nor of my country. Free Trade and no Im⟨pr⟩essment was the motive I had. I have been in many a battle and never had the misfortune to be shot in the back. I have boldly faced the enemy, and the death dealing Savage with his raised Tommahawk and heidous yells, have laid...
28260To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 19 November 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 November 1812, Newport, Rhode Island. “It is generally believed among the Republican Citizens of this Town, that Mr. William S. Rogers has gone to the City of Washington, an applicant for some appointment under the authority of the Government, it wou’d be equally repugnant to ev’ry Republican that this Gentleman shou’d be favor’d in his views, Particularly so, as his aversion to the Present...
28261To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 8 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
A meeting of the merchants of this city is now called to solicit advice, respecting the effect of your late Proclamation. Permit a stranger, but a friend to your administration to offer a few reasons, the effect of his experience, why your advice should be explicit. When the late law establishing a non-intercourse was about to go into effect, all those who respected the edicts of their country...
28262To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 15 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 May 1801. “It has been cause of surprise that the Schooner 3 sisters a british privateer sho’d be permitted to refit & arm in the port of Alexandria made now into a snow & peirc’d for 20 guns and ready for sea & takes in flour to cover her destination—this is a hint if the naval officer hath been silent.” RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers). 1 p. Unsigned. Dated “May 15th” and postmarked at...
28263To James Madison from [Aaron?] Ogden, 29 January 1816 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Mr. [Aaron?] Ogden. 29 January 1816. “Regrets his intended departure for New York, will deprive him of the Honor of Dining with Mr. Madison on Thursday next.” RC ( NjP : Jasper E. Crane Collection of James and Dolley Madison; filed at 29 May 1816). 1 p. Unsigned; in an unidentified hand.
28264To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 1 June] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Permit an American born Citizen of Philada. to suggest his own, as well as the Ideas of many others, of a sudden war and also of a contrary course. A Declaration of war against England at the present time, would expose to the danger of capture 5 or 600 vessels of all descriptions, together with their sailors and cargoes, would involve in ruin and difficulty a majority of Your Merchants and at...
28265To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 4 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
In order to prosecute a war effectually in a republic it seems necessary the people should be willing to support it or otherwise when that is not the case, of consequence, or of course I would have said, Compulsion is inevitable. As there is a Scism among the people I shall propose an efficient mode easily effected on the indubitable principles of Justice partaking of both. To observe our...
28266To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 11 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Although unacquainted with the Military profession, I am not a disinterested spectator of the occurrences of the times. I read a good deal, & perhaps have an opportunity of seeing publications that do not come in the way of many others. I cannot help supposing that the United States must be deficient in the present acquirements of those states, who have for several years been very actively...
28267To James Madison from Citizens of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, [ca. 22 January] 1814 (Madison Papers)
THAT they feel an earnest and deep solicitude for the protection of the populous and flourishing cities, towns, and plantations of the shores and in the neighbourhood of the shores of the Delaware, in the states of Pennsylvania, Jersey, and Delaware, against the public enemy. That they had entertained confident hopes in the course of last year, that works would have been erected on a scite in...
28268To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 11–12] April 1812 (Madison Papers)
Confident that truth, in whatever, respectful, form communicated, has, on an independent mind, as yours, its due weight, I beg leave to avail myself of this method of offering to your high and respected consideration some observations on a subject which has not failed to receive that attention from you which its importance demands. I should, certainly, not call on that portion of your valuable...
28269To James Madison from the Officers of the Eighth Military District, [ca. 31 January 1816] (Madison Papers)
The Memorial of the Officers of the Army of the U. States in the 8th Military Department Stationed at New Orleans. Humbly Sheweth That on the reduction of the army on the conclusion of the late War, a General order was issued from the Adjt & Inspector Generals office dated the 17th Day of May 1815 for the arrangement of the army to be retained on the peace establishment which your memorialists...
28270To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 23 July 1809] (Madison Papers)
Plan, for an Hospital for disabled Sailors. After the Independence of a Country in which there is in operation, impartial laws and honest courts; Commerce must owe much of its security and success, to the courage, vigour, and enterprize of the men who work the respective vessels. If this be true in periods of peace; the fact is much more striking, during the existence of war. It is therefore...
28271To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [29 September] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Thou may’st deem it wonderful that I, professionally a quaker, should write to thee on the subject of war, a thing so obstinately opposed by the mass of my brethren. Quakers are but men, and subject as other men to frailties; and holy writ is so translated that it admits of numberless constructions. Therefore he who interprets scripture most to the glory of the Omnipotent and the General...
28272Treasury Department Memorandum on Compensation of Assessors, [ca. 7 January 1815] (Madison Papers)
By the 13. sec. of the act in question, the President is authorised to augment, in cases where he may find it necessary, the compensation fixed for the Principal & assistant assessors, by the act of July 22. 1813, so, however, as that no principal assessor shall, in any such case, receive more than 300 Ds. and no assist. assessor more than 150 Ds. The book which accompanies this, shews all the...
28273To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 23 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I hope it will not be thought obtrusive in times like these for an obscure individual, who thinks he can suggest something to the advantage ⟨to⟩ the nation, to ask the attention of the Chief magistrate for one moment. Suppose a national Bank were to be established which should divide its Capital at the end of a limited time, but till then should make no dividend? Its capital would increase not...
28274Account with St. Mary’s College, 30 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Account with St. Mary’s College. 30 June 1806. Records payment by JM of $222.53 ½ on John Payne Todd’s account as detailed in an 8 Jan.–7 June 1806 statement ( PJM-SS Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (12 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1986–). 11:164 –65). Allocates the funds received to various St. Mary’s accounts as follows:...
28275To James Madison from Essex Fishermen, [ca. 22 February 1814] (Madison Papers)
We intend to address you in a plain fisherman’s style that you may not consider us pleased when we are vexed; we consider you, sir, as the fountain from which all our national acts or laws proceed whether good or evil; we likewise consider you the proper authority to apply to for an immediate redress of grievances produced by those laws; you doubtless are sensible that we fishermen have done...
28276To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Believing it essential to the happiness of every Community that each Individual should aid in promoting the Public Good, leads me, without apology to submit the following Suggestions: Of Primary Importance to this Country, in order to securing its Peace & Prosperity, is the Balance of Trade. One Means to obtain this, is, our own Manufactures. Of these, the most essential are, every article...
28277To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 31 January 1823 (Madison Papers)
“Nothing sells high but land which is kept up to an extravagant price from the particular situation of that article. All the valuable land in the State is either forfeited to Govt or in the hands of individuals who calculate on this situation, & do not expect a sale of the forfeited lands for many years, when they will have disposed of their land, at a high price to the Emigrants to this...
28278To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 1 July 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 July 1811, Maryland. “I advise you as a Friend to arouse from your Lethargy. Look at the Nation. The People are all but ready to Burst into a Flame. A Flame of Discord. This is the Hour Of Trial—it is more Dangerous than the Time that tried Men’s Soul’s.… Do not slumber at the Helm in the Storm lest Our ship may Broach too & founder. May God be your Comfort and give you Consolation in the...
28279To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 4 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
As Christians you all profess to be upon an equality with all other men, inasmuch as you rest your hopes for eternal life in the world to come, upon the Grace of God revealed in his son Jesus Christ. Therefore, as Christians I presume to address you. God hath given you much, may you be good stewards for the Lord of hosts. War is contrary to the spirit of Christianity, which is universal...
28280To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 3 August 1795 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 3 August 1795, Philadelphia. Acknowledged in JM to an unidentified correspondent, 23 Aug. 1795 . Enjoys improved health. Will forward “Features of Mr. Jay’s Treaty” to JM; asks for JM’s views on the treaty.