31To James Madison from Theodorick Bland, [22 June] 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undated and signature clipped. JM later wrote “Theodk. Bland.” at the close of the letter. The text is faded almost to the point of illegibility. Letter docketed by JM, “Bland Theodk. June 22. 1783.” Cover missing. In consequence of the determination of Congress on Saturday, I took the necessary measures, to put myself in a Situation, to fulfill their intentions as...
32Amendment to Motion on John Laurens’ Mission, [12 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 347). Docketed, “Mr. Blands and Mr Scots Motion July 12. 1782.” In Bland’s hand, except for the passage written by JM and designated in n. 2, below. The background and outcome of Colonel John Laurens’ mission as a special minister of the United States to France have already been summarized ( Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al .,...
33To James Madison from William Bradford, [18] July 1775 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you last week by the post. Mr Smith gives me an opportunity of sending you a few more lines which friendship will not allow me to neglect. I have seen the address to the six confederate indian Nations. It sets forth that our fathers left britain on the faith of Contracts which have been faithfully observed on our part, that the king’s ministers grew jealous of us, that they sent...
34To James Madison from William Bradford, 20 May 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
20 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book and Register, for the months of May & June 1776,” now in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, William Bradford wrote on 20 May: “… went to the town meeting where notwithstanding the badness of the day ther was a great number of inhabitants & it was resolved 1. That the present Government was inefficient 2. That the Assembly could not legally form a new...
35To James Madison from William Bradford, 2 June 1775 (Madison Papers)
I have two of your epistolary favours to acknowledge[,] the one handed to me by the Revd Mr Smith, some time ago & the other since by Patrick Henry Esqr. I also received 22/6. & as it exceeds what Ferguson &c Cost I shall consider you as the Cestui que Use of the surplus. I have but little to tell you of the Congress; they keep their proceeding so secret that scarce any thing transpires but...
36To James Madison from William Bradford, 10 July 1775 (Madison Papers)
I did intend to have delayed writing to you till Mr Smith’s return to Virginia; but I believe that will not be early & I am not fond of delaying the discharge of an Epistolary debt. He was married last week to Miss Anna Witherspoon & proposes to spend some time at Princeton & at his fathers. He desired me to mention this to you lest you should suppose he had returned without calling upon you....
37To James Madison from William Bradford, 3 June 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
3 June 1776 . In his “Memorandum Book” (see 20 May 1776) Bradford wrote: “As my friend Maddison had desired me in his last to give him a sketch of the Constitution of this province and of that of Connecticut which might be useful to him as a member of Convention, I determined to return an early answer & wrote a rough draught of a Letter for that purpose. The constitution of Connecticut I...
38Commission as Colonel of Orange County Militia, 2 October 1775 (Madison Papers)
By Virtue of the Power and Authority invested in us, by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Colonel of the Militia of the County of Orange ; and you are therefore...
39Report 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....
40Motion 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...
41William Ellery and JM to the Committee of Congress at Washington’s Headquarters, 5 May 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text (John Sanderson, ed., Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence [2d ed.; 5 vols.; Philadelphia, 1828], I, 388–89). Nothing is said there of its source except that it had “fallen into our hands.” References to the existence of the letter are made in Brant, Madison Irving Brant, James Madison (6 vols.; Indianapolis and New York, 1941–61). , I, 90; Burnett, Letters...
Letter not found. 1 September 1780. In the Madison Miscellany in the Library of Congress are lists, probably prepared under the direction of Peter Force, which mention a one-page letter from Forsyth to JM on this date. The writer in all likelihood was Major Robert Forsyth (1754–1794), continental deputy commissary of purchases from Virginia, and soon for Greene’s southern army, who became a...
43To James Madison from Nathanael Greene, 1 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
Draft (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). With the exception of a few corrections by General Greene, the text of the letter was penned by his aide-de-camp, Captain Nathaniel Pendleton. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, & to thank you, for your Obliging Letter of January 13th. I am uncertain whether I have not done this before, but am fearfull thro’ the hurry of a...
44To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 29 June 1783—Note on Letter (Madison Papers)
FC ( LC : Hamilton Papers). Lacks salutation and the signature has been excised. Dated by Hamilton, “Princeton June 29. 178[3],” and docketed by him, “1783 29 June—To Mr Madison abt. the removal of Congress.” 29 June 1783. Several circumstances appear to warrant the belief that Hamilton did not post this letter: (1) the RC is not among the Madison Papers in the Library of Congress; (2) in his...
45From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [6 July 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
On my arrival in this city I am more convinced than I was before of the necessity of giving a just state of facts to the public. The current runs strongly against Congress and in a great measure for want of information. When facts are explained they make an impression and incline to conclusions more favourable to us. I have no copy of the reports in my possession, which puts it out of my power...
46To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 6 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Hamilton’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Alex. Hamilton Philadelphia July 6h. 1783.” On my arrival in this city I am more convinced than I was before of the necessity of giving a just state of facts to the public. The current runs strongly against Congress and in a great measure for want of information. When facts are explained they make an...
47From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [29 June 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed that among other disagreeable things said about the removal of Congress from Philadelphia it is insinuated that it was a contrivance of some members to get them out of the state of Pensylvania into one of those to which they belonged and I am told that this insinuation has been pointed at me in particular. Though I am persuaded that all distinterested persons will justify...
48Report on John Paul Jones’s Request, [4 December] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, III, 303). In JM’s hand, except for a clause written by Alexander Hamilton (n. 2, below). Docketed by Charles Thomson: “Report of Mr Osgood Mr Madison Mr Hamilton Passed Decr. 3. 1782.” Below this in Samuel Osgood’s hand appears: “of letter from J: P. Jones for leave to serve with Mr. Vaudriel.” The date docketed by Thomson should have been “Decr. 4.” His committee...
49Revised 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...
50To James Madison from Benjamin Harrison, 19 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Maine Historical Society, Portland). In the hand of Archibald Blair, clerk of the Council of State. Addressed to “The Hon. Mr. Jas. Madison.” The Executive have appointed Mr Madison and Mr Andrews commissioners to meet those of Pensylvania, to run and finally settle the boundary line betwixt this State and that; in order to do it with accuracy, some astronomical Observations are necessary,...
51To James Madison from Benjamin Harrison, 30 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In Harrison’s hand. Lacks superscription but is docketed by JM, “Govr. Harrison Novr. 30. 1782.” Under the place and date line, someone unknown wrote, “Harrison Ben:” many thanks to you my Dear Sir for the Books, they are extremely dear but as you justly observe the price should be no objection, when the want of them is considered. I fall miserably short in my...
52To James Madison from Benjamin Harrison, 4 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Harrison’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed in an unknown hand, “Harrison Ben.” I have recd. your several favors and am much oblig’d to you for them, but more particularly for that in Cypher, the sentiments are just and perfectly coinside with mine, would to god our countrymen could see things thro’ our medium, or rather would give them selves time to...
53To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 9 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Addressed to “The Hon’ble Mr. Maddison.” Long after JM received the letter, probably he or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the close of the fourth paragraph. If JM meant that the first four paragraphs should be included in the earliest published collection of his papers, his wish was disregarded by Henry D. Gilpin, perhaps because the...
54To James Madison from Samuel Hodgdon, 16 November 1781 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday I received yours relative to Capt. Irish’s affair, in which I observe you do not think yourselves at liberty to bind the State by any Act of yours but that you are willing to give every possible Assistance by representing the necessities of the United States to the State you represent, & thereby urge the Payment of the Bill, as I consider the Establishment of the post in Virginia a...
55To James Madison from David Jameson, 10 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Jameson, D Aug. 10. 1781.” I desired Mr. Jones in my letter to him about the Delegates money, to present my complimts. to you to let you know I had not been favoured with a line from you since May and that I had not had it in my power to write to you; being driven from Post to pillar to secure my person and employing my best...
56To James Madison from David Jameson, 15 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Aug: 15. 1781.” In my letter by last Post I mentioned to you the very distressed condition of this State. I cannot help repeating the subject, it hangs so heavy on my Mind I can neither speak nor think on any other. Repeated representations have been made of our condition for the last eighteen Months, and of the fatal consequences...
57To James Madison from David Jameson, 28 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Endorsed, “Apl. 28. 1781,” by JM. I have recd your two favours of the 10th. & 17h. I have not failed to write by every Post. Friday the 20th. the Enemy entd. Wmsburg & at the same time a party went to York. at the latter place they contd. but a few hours—destroyed the Cannon &ca belonging to the Battery hoisted the British flag & left it flying....
58To James Madison from David Jameson, 2 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Jameson D.” It was very unfortunate that Count de Grasse did not succeed in his designs agt. Barbadoes and Hoods fleet. had they fallen I think it must have shortened the War. however we will be content if St Kitts is reduced, but by information we have had, the French failed in an attempt to Storm Brimstone Hill, and lost a...
59To James Madison from David Jameson, 15 September 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Jameson, David Sepr. 15. 1781.” I was not favoured with any letter from you by this weeks post. In my letter by last Post I gave you reason to suppose Gen. Washington was in Virga. A man from Fredsbg assured me just as I was closing my letter, that the Genl. had crossed Potowmack. I am truly sorry for the mistake. The Governor is...
60To James Madison from David Jameson, 26 July 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). In my last I inclosed you the Journals so far as they were printed, and some other papers, since that I have recd. your favour of the 11th., and now agreable to your request inclose you the papers last published at our printing offices. it will be very agreable to me to continue this weekly Although our Capes & Bay are infested with privateers...