151Proposals to Furnish Delegates Copies of Papers to Be Debated, [ca. 28 December] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 23, fol. 79). Docketed: “Report of Comee. on Motion of Mr. Middleton Decr. 28. 1781 Mr. Middleton Mr. Clymer Mr. Clark for furnishing the members of Congress with printed Reports before debated.” The first of the proposals shown below is in Edmund Randolph’s hand, the second in JM’s. Resolved, that the secretary upon application to him made for that purpose furnish a copy...
152Report on Instructions on Peace Negotiations, [7 January 1782] (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 20, I, 75–85). The report, entirely in JM’s hand, is docketed: “Report of a comee on the instructions to the delegates of Massachusetts relative to the fisheries Delivered Jany 7, 1782 Order of the day for tuesday Jany 8. 1782. Jany 22 Referred to Mr Carroll Mr Randolph Mr Montgomery.” Urged by Conrad Alexandre Gérard, then French minister to the United States, Congress in...
153From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 8 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison, Esq. Jan. 8, 1782.” I have before me your favor of the 31st. Ulto. I regret much the refusal of Mr. J. to become a member of the Virga. delegation, not only as it deprives his country of that particular service, but as I fear it proceeds from a fixed disinclination to all public employments. Yesterday was opened for the first...
154From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the letter was docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas. Jany. 15. 1782.” Your favor of the day of written on the eve of your departure from Richmond came safe to hand by the last week’s post. The result of the attack on your administration was so fully anticipated that it made little impression on me. If it had been consistent with your...
155Amendment to Report on War Department, [16 January] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 27, fol. 153). In JM’s hand. *That at all times in the absence of the Secretary at War, the Assistant be authorised to transact all such business within the department as shall be assigned to him by the said Secretary, who shall be responsible for the conduct of the Assistant By letters of 11 and 14 January, respectively, addressed to the president of Congress, Secretary at...
156From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 22 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The post having not yet come in I have not the pleasure of acknowledg[in]g yours which I make no doubt he brings for me. Congress are much occupied & perplexed at present with the case of Vermont. The pretensions of that settlement to the character of an independt. State, with the grounds on which they are made & the countenance given them by Congress are I presume...
157From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 January 1782—Misdated (Madison Papers)
Letter misdated. 22 January 1782[3]. The manuscript of this document is now missing. A printed copy is in Madison, Papers (Gilpin ed.) Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 111–12. Many years after writing the letter, JM selected at least a portion of it for inclusion in the earliest edition of his papers. Either JM misdated the letter a year too...
158From James Madison to Benjamin Harrison, 1 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Maine Historical Society, Portland). Franked “public Service” and “J. Madison Jr.” Addressed to “His Excellency Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “J Madison Recd. 14h. Febry 1782.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 19th. Ult. notifying to me the desire of the Executive to associate me with the Revd. Mr. Andrews in settling the boundary between Virga. & this State, came...
159From James Madison to Benjamin Harrison, 7 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Harvard University Library). Although the cover is missing, the contents permit no doubt that Governor Harrison was the recipient. According to my promise by the last post & to your Excellency’s request I have made enquiry for some person fit for the service which my unfitness obliged me to decline, but with as little success as I expected. If skill in the business alone were requisite, it...
160From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 7 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the contents of the letter permit no doubt that Pendleton was the recipient. The post has been very irregular for several weeks past & this week the Mail South of Annapolis has failed altogether; by which means I lose the pleasure of your alternate favor. A vessel from France informs us that the frigate freigted with the event at York had...
161From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., [ca. 12] February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Years later, JM docketed the letter, “Madison Js Feby 1782.” Following the signature at the close of the letter, JM’s father added, “This letter was wrote about the 12th. of Feby. 1782.” A conveyance by a waggon returning to your neighbourhood this moment presenting itself I make use of it to forward you a collection of papers which have accumulated since the last...
162Report on Settlement of Accounts, [20 and 27 February] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, IV, 347–49). Docketed: “Report of Mr Cornell Mr Montgomery Mr Madison On a letter of 18 from superintendant of finance[.] Read Debated 26. The two last paragraphs recommitted[.] Passed Feby 27th 1782.” JM wrote all of the report except two passages mentioned below in notes 4 and 5. The Committee to whom was referred a letter from the Superindt. of Finance of the 18th....
163From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 25 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the letter was docketed by Pendleton, “James Maddison jr. Feb. 25th. 1782.” In another hand, “E. Pendleton Esq Caroline County Va” appears at the bottom of the second page of the letter. The irregularity of the post has again left me two of your favrs. to acknowledge at once, the first of which is of the 28th. Ultimo & the other of the 11th....
164Motion on Secretary for Foreign Affairs, [4 March] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 25, II, 81). That the Scy. of F: Affairs have permission to be absent from the public service for the time requested in his letter of day of A letter, now missing, from Robert R. Livingston, secretary for foreign affairs, to the president of Congress was referred to Arthur Lee, John Morin Scott (N.Y.), and Thomas Bee (S.C.). To this committee’s report, recommending that the...
165Motion to Amend Articles of Confederation and a Rule of Congress, 6 March 1782—Missing Document (Madison Papers)
MS not found. 6 March 1782 . In Charles Thomson’s committee ledger under this date appears, “Mr Madison Mr Scott Mr Carroll[,] Motion of Mr. Madison for repealing the 16th. rule for the conduct of business & to revise the 8th article.” A marginal note records that the committee reported on 18 March 1782 (NA: PCC , No. 186, fol. 15). Neither the motion nor the report has been found. Thomson’s...
166Report on Personal Liability of Officers of the United States, 13 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, V, 171–73). Docketed in JM’s hand: “Report of the Committee on the letter from Colo. Pickering—Mr Livermore Mr Madison Mr Clarke[.] Passed March 19. 1782.” A copy of the report is owned by Charles M. Storey of Boston. The Committee to whom was referred the report of the Committe[e] on the letter of day of from Coll. Pickering submit the following report. It being...
167From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas. Mar 18. 1782.” In my last to you on the subject of the map in the hands of Dr. Smith I informed you of the little chance of getting a copy of it for you. Nothing has since occurred wch. affords the least expectation from that quarter, but I have met with a bundle of old pamplets belonging to the public Library here in which is a...
168From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 19 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honble Edmund Pendleton Esqr. Caroline County Virginia.” Yesterday’s post brought me your favor of the 11th instant, which if my recollection does not fail me is an act of supererogation, the terms of our contract entitling Mr Jones alone to your correspondence of the present week. To show you how acceptable it is to me I have selected the inclosed...
169Expense Account as Delegate in Congress, 20 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS (Virginia State Library). In LC : Madison Papers are notes by JM written on four sheets of paper. All of these notes, except for one entry mentioned below, relate to the present account. Although the writing on one of these pages is largely illegible because of fading and water stains, the jottings evidently served JM as a rough draft for a more orderly listing of his debits and credits,...
170Report on Foreign Dispatches, [20 March] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 25, II, 91). Written by JM. Docketed: “Report of Committee on foreign Despatches[.] Passed March 20h 1782.” The Committee to whom were referred the foreign despatches read in Congress on the 18th. instant report That the letters from Mr. Jay & Mr. Carmichael be referred to a 1 Special Committee & that the Committee be authorised & instructed to communicate to the...
171Report on New Hampshire Requisition, 25 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 20, I, 19–21). Written and docketed by JM: “Report of Committee on the Letter from President Weare of 23d. of Feby. 1782[.] 25th. March 1782. Monday next assigned[.]” Between “Feby. 1782” and “25th. March,” Charles Thomson, secretary of Congress, later inserted “Agreed to May 22d. 1782.” The Committee to whom was referred the letter of the 23d. of Feby last from the...
172From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 26 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 116). The letter has not been found. A letter has been lately received from you by the President of Congress, accompanied by a bundle of papers procured from the Cherokees by Colonel Campbell. As it appears that these papers were transmitted at the request of the late...
173From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 30 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but JM, Sr., docketed the letter, “Madison Js. cop. March 30. 1782.” Mr. J. Walker has safely delivered to me three letters from you attended with the money therein specified. He has also been so obliging as to undertake the conveyance of the several articles of Medecine you wanted with a Gallon keg filled with good Port: wine, to all which I...
174From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 2 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). That Pendleton was the addressee is made clear by his letter of 15 April to JM ( q.v. ). The only event with which the period since my last has enabled me to repay your favor of the 25th. Ulto. is the arrival of four Deputies from Vermt. with a plenipotentiary commission to accede to the confederacy. The business is referred to a Committee who are sufficiently...
175Motion Concerning Documents on Vermont, 3 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 273). Written by JM. At the bottom of the document is Charles Thomson’s recording of the roll call on the motion. In his note on the document, Thomson incorrectly stated that Madison’s motion, seconded by Scott, had “passed April 4h 1782” (n. 8, below). The relation of Congress during January and February 1782 to the issue of the Vermont, or New Hampshire Grants, has...
176From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 9 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). The cover is missing, but Pendleton docketed the letter, “James Madison Esqr. Apl: 9. 1782.” The paper of this morning will make a small but high seasoned addition to the treat afforded you by our last parliamentary intelligence. A French frigate is lately arrived at Rhode Island which has brought despatches for the Chevr. de la luzerne, the contents of which are...
177From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 9 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the contents permit no doubt that JM was writing to Randolph. I had promised myself the pleasure of a line from you by this post but find by a letter from Mr. Jameson that you had not arrived at Richmond at the time of writing for it. I have inclosed to Mr. J. the paper of this morning which contains all the news current without doors....
178Motion on Chairman of Congress, [15 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 283). The slip of paper used by JM is neither docketed nor dated. The President being indisposed, Resolved that a Membe[r] be now chosen to preside in Congress until th[e] President shall attend & resume the chair. The Articles of Confederation explicitly authorized Congress “to appoint one of their number to preside” for a period of one year but were silent about...
179From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed, “Ths. Jefferson Esqr.” Jefferson wrote “Madison Jas.” above the date at the beginning of the letter. Your favor of the 24 of March with a letter inclosed for Mr. Marbois came to hand yesterday. I intreat that you will not suffer the chance of a speedy and final determination of the territorial question by Congress to affect your purpose of tracing the...
180Motion To Amend Arthur Lee’s Motion on Western Lands, [18 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text (JCC, XXII, 193). A motion was then made by Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [John Morin] Scott, after the word “postponed,” to insert the words “until to-morrow;” The bracketed words are in the JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). . As already mentioned, Congress on 2 October 1781 had...
181Motion on Letter of Vermont Agents, [20 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 289). Docketed: “Motion of Mr J Jones Seconded by Mr. Madison[.] Negatived April 20h 1782.” This motion, presented by Jones, is in JM’s hand. Jonas Fay. M. R. & I. T. styling themselves Agents and Delegates from the State of Vermont having in a letter dated the 19th. instant informed Congress “that in consequence of the faith of Congress pledged to them, in and by a...
182Report Approving John Jay’s Negotiations with Spain, [22 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, III, 263). Written by JM. Docketed: “No 6. Report of the Committee on the Letter of the 3d. of October 1781—from Mr Jay at Madrid—April 22. 1782[.] Referred to the Secy for foreign Affairs to report.” The Committee to whom was referred the letter from Mr Jay of the 3d. of Octr. 1781, recommend the following answer thereto, to be subscribed by the Secy. of F. A. Your...
183From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 23 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Addressed to “The Honble Edmund Pendleton Esqr. Caroline County Virginia.” Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison Esqr. April 23d. 1782.” We have had here the same reports of the evacuation of Charleston which your letter of the 15. recites, but the wished for confirmation is still wanting. That it will take place in the course of the Campaign cannot I think be...
184From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 23 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The words written by JM in the official cipher are italicized in the present copy. Although the letter is incomplete, the missing portion apparently contained only a few concluding words and JM’s signature. I am at length assured of your safe arrival at your destination by your favor of the 11 continued on the 13th. The little necessity I understand there was for...
185Motion on Colonel Edward Carrington, [26 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, I, 541½). In JM’s hand. Resold That Lt Colo. Carrington be informd that the 7th. Art: of the Confederation having reserved to the States the right of appointing all officers of & under the rank of Colonels for the forces respectively raised by them & of filling up all vacancies of such officers, Congress cannot appoint him to the vacancy in the Command of the 4th. Regt....
186Motion for Financial Reports, [30 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 291). Written by JM. Docketed, “Motion of Mr Madison seconded by Mr [Joseph] Montgomery[,] passed April 30h 1782.” Ordered, That the Superintendt of Finance do prepare & lay before Congress a State of the monies borrowed & not repaid by the U. S. prior to the 1st. day of Jany. last and that he also lay before Congress every half year computing from the sd. 1st. day...
187Motion Approving John Jay’s Negotiations with Spain, [30 April] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, IV, 7). In JM’s hand. Docketed, “Motion of Mr Madison seconded by Mr Jones. That Congress approved of the Conduct of the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Madrid.” In view of the Report Approving John Jay’s negotiations with Spain, 22 April 1782 ( q.v. ) and the fact that between that date and 30 April Congress received no dispatches from Jay or William...
188Report on Communication from La Luzerne, [1 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 25, II, 95). The manuscript, written by JM, is docketed: “Report of Committee on foreign Communications. Passed May 1st 1782.” The Committee to whom were referred the Communication &c laid before Congress by the Secy. of F. Affairs, submit the following resolutions. Resolved. The Secretary of Fo. Affairs be directed to make a confidential communication to the Several...
189Account with Edmund Randolph, [ca. 1 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). At the top of this undated, torn, and water-stained scrap of paper, Randolph wrote “Madison to Randolph E.” On the reverse of the sheet, “J. Madison” appears twice in Randolph’s hand and also a “32.” What this numeral connotes is unknown. Being sharp in outline, the “3” can hardly be a vestige of an “8” which, in combination with the “2,” might have represented the...
190From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 1 May 178[2] (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 90–93; and Madison, Letters [Cong. ed.] [William C. Rives and Philip R. Fendall, eds.], Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (published by order of Congress; 4 vols.; Philadelphia, 1865). , I, 43). The third paragraph of the letter, as here printed, is taken...
191Observations Relating to the Influence of Vermont and the Territorial Claims on the Politics of Congress, 1 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). Written by JM and docketed by him with the above title, followed by “May 1, 1782.” Why JM prepared this memorandum at this time can only be surmised. Perhaps believing that the Vermont issue, which had been quiescent since 20 April, would come importantly to the fore within a few days, he wished to organize his thoughts about the matter and its complex relationships...
192Motion on Delegates’ Financial Interest in West, [2 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 293). Docketed by JM: “Motion of Mr Bland seconded by Mr Madison[.] May 2d 1782. Rejected as out of order.” Although Bland presented the motion in Congress, the manuscript is in JM’s hand. Also in his hand, on the page containing the docket, appear the words, “assistance from the fleets of his M C or C M as can be afforded for the like purpose.” This passage was...
193Motion on Protection of Commerce, [2 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 28, fol. 241). Written by JM. With a sharper quill than the one he used to draft the motion, JM penned at the top of the page, “Resolved that next be appointed to receive.” Almost certainly he made this note on 2 May, when Congress agreed upon a date for receiving La Luzerne ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34...
194Motion on Point of Order, [3 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 297). The manuscript is in JM’s hand. Charles Thomson entered “Madison, Bland” at the top to signify who made and seconded the motion, and “Madison” at the bottom to indicate that JM demanded a roll call. Below the second “Madison,” Thomson recorded the vote on the motion. On a cover addressed by a clerk of the War Office to “His Excellency, The President of...
195Motion on Supplies for Southern Army, [7 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XXII, 244). On motion of Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Resolved, unanimously , That a committee be appointed to confer with the Superintendant of finance and Secretary at War, on the practicability and means of procuring...
196Report on Form of Public Audience for La Luzerne, [7–9 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 25, II, 99–103, 105, 105½). In small part, the report is in JM’s hand. Docketed: “Report of Comtee relative to the Ceremonial on admitting the Minister of France to a Public Audience—Pass’d. May 7th 1782.” On 2 May 1782 the secretary for foreign affairs wrote to inform Congress that La Luzerne wished “a public audience” in order to deliver a letter from King Louis XVI...
197From James Madison to Arthur Lee, [7] May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Harvard University Library). The cover is missing. JM addressed the letter to “The Hon. A. Lee, Esq.,” according to the version, wrongly dated “May, 1778,” published in Richard Henry Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, LL.D . (2 vols.; Boston, 1829), II, 331–32. In Arthur Lee’s handwriting, in the right-hand margin of the manuscript’s second page, appears a notation, obviously relating to the price...
198From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, [7] May 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 125–26). The enclosed gazette details all the information which we have received relative to the parliamentary advances towards a negotiation with the United States. The first reports which issued from the packet which brought them, were of a very different...
199Revised Reply of President of Congress to La Luzerne, [ca. 8–12] May 1782 (Madison Papers)
Draft ( LC : Papers of Continental Congress Miscellany, Folder 103). Apparently in the hand of a clerk, except for the suggestions of JM. The repeated Instances of Friendship which the United States of America have received from His Most Christian Majesty give him too just a title to their affections to permit them to be indifferent to any event which interests his happiness. Be assured Sir...
200Motion on Mission to Portugal, [8 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XXII, 250). Thereupon, on motion of Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Edward] Telfair, Resolved , That it be an instruction to Mr. Jay not to send Mr. Carmichael to the Court of Portugal in pursuance of the resolution of the 11th day of July, 1781,...