91From James Madison to Joseph Jones, [10 October] 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I received yesterday yours of the 2d. inst: Some of the questions mentioned in it I anticipated in my last. The clause of the resolutions you left on the table relating to Indian purchases is still undetermined. Many attempts have been made to bring the Vermont dispute to an issue, but the diversity of opinions that prevail on one side & the dilatory artifices...
92From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 10 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Your favor of the first Inst. came safe to hand yesterday. The inclosed was sent to Mr. Pendleton who is still in town. All we know of the several fleets in the American Seas is that Rodney with a few ships at N. York, the remainder having joined Graves & Arbuthnot whom we know nothing about: Ternay is still at Rhode Island. The main french fleet under Guichen left...
93Draft of Letter to John Jay, Explaining His Instructions, [17 October] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Draft ( NA : PCC , No. 25, I, 239–49). This letter in JM’s hand constituted the report of the Madison (chairman)-Sullivan-Duane committee appointed on 6 October (above, Notes on Observations of Barbé-Marbois, [6–16 October 1780] , headnote). Submitted to Congress on 16 October, the letter was agreed to the next day in slightly amended form, as indicated below. The version printed in the...
94From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 17 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The Post having failed to arrive this week, I am deprived of the pleasure of acknowledging a line from you. Congress have at length been brought to a final consideration of the clause relating to Indian purchases. It was debated very fully and particularly, and was in the result lost by a division of the house. Under the first impression of the chagrin I had...
95From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 17 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The Southern Post having not yet arrived, I have not the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your favor, which I have found you too punctual to doubt his havg. for me. The best news I have to give you is contained in the inclosed paper in a letter from Eustatia, which comes from a person known to many Gentlemen here who say it may be fully credited. The Saratoga...
96From James Madison to Joseph Jones, [24] October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). JM neglected to include the day of the month in the date line of this letter. The first paragraph, however, makes it almost certain that he was writing on 24 October. Many years later he or a member of his family bracketed the second, fourth, and fifth paragraphs with a view to their publication. Your favor of the 9th. which ought to have come on Monday last did not...
97From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, [24] October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In its present state the original letter lacks its last line. In the copy below, this line is taken from Madison, Writings (Hunt ed.) Gaillard Hunt, ed., The Writings of James Madison (9 vols.; New York, 1900–1910). , I, 75. At the head of the letter, JM left a space between “Octr” and “1780” without filling in the date of the month. In view of what he states in the...
98From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 31 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Your favor of the 23. came to hand yesterday. We received notice of the invasion of Virga. yesterday morning and more fully last evening. I am sensible of the great difficulties you will have to contend with and that no practicable exertions can save the State from much injury whilst the Enemy have a total command of the Bay & rivers. The meeting of the Legislature...
99From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 7 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Your favor of the 30 of last month came by yesterday’s post, and explained a report which had amused us here for several days. It was said that some movements of the French to the Southward, had alarmed the enemy to such a degree that they had suddenly re-embarked their troops and were leaving Virginia. The re-embarkation of the detachment which had taken possession...
100From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 14 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I am glad to find by your favor of the 5th. inst: recd. yesterday that your health & that of your family have admitted of your going to Richmond. The tardiness of other members is very unfortunate and inexcusable at the present critical moment. I wish when they do meet the vigor & wisdom of their measures may make amends for it. I do not learn that any of the States...