121From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 13 March 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your’s of Feby 24. I am glad that Majr. Lee has so kindly undertaken to attend to the friendly suit for adjusting the share I have in the lands held in the name of my late brother. I can lay down no rules for him which will not occur to himself. The object being simply to vest in me legally what is mine in equity, he will perceive that a suit in equity is necessary, that a good...
122To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 13 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last by the last weekly mail, I have seen Mr. Rittenhouse on the subject of the Kitchen Stoves. He says that at Lancaster where they were invented and are best known, two only remain in use. They certainly save fuel; but are so much complicated in their operation, as to require particular care, and are liable to the objection of keeping the Kitchen excessively hot. Mrs. Rittenhouse...
123Jay’s Treaty, [10 March] 1796 (Madison Papers)
After JM’s amendment to Livingston’s motion was lost, the House resumed its discussion of the same, with Giles (Virginia) referring it to a Committee of the Whole for more extended debate. This continued on 9 and 10 March ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 4th Cong., 1st sess., 438, 441–87). Mr. Madison said...
124Jay’s Treaty, [7 March] 1796 (Madison Papers)
After Washington proclaimed the Jay treaty to be ratified on 29 February and sent it to Congress the next day, Livingston (New York) opened the Republican attack on 2 March by calling for Jay’s correspondence and instructions. The House seemed reluctant to take up the issue, so Livingston raised it again, on 4 and 7 March, the second time amending his original motion to except such papers “as...
125From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your’s of covering a letter to John Bringhurst which has been forwarded to him. There has not been time enough yet for an answer. The letter promised to myself, in yours, has not come [to] hand. The delay can be sufficiently accounted for by the irregularities of the Southern Mails, particularly South of Baltimore. The Senate have unanimously ratified the Algerine & Spanish...
126From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 March 1796 (Madison Papers)
In a letter to my brother Wm by last mail I acknowledged yours of the 8th. Feby; previous to which I had written several letters to which I refer on the subject of yours of Jany. 12. I am sorry to find our crops of Wheat falling so much short. The price it is to be hoped will make some amends. Flour is now up at 15 or 15½ dollars & Wheat at 20/. at least. It would have been convenient to me if...
127From James Madison to Arnold Henry Dohrman, ca. 6 March 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 6 March 1796. Acknowledged in Dohrman to JM, 11 Mar. 1796 . Concerns Dohrman’s debt to Philip Mazzei.
128To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your’s of covering a letter to John Bringhurst which has been forwarded to him. There has not been time enough yet for an answer. The letter promised to myself, in yours, has not come [to] hand. The delay can be sufficiently accounted for by the irregularities of the Southern Mails, particularly South of Baltimore. The Senate have unanimously ratified the Algerine and Spanish...
129Northwestern Land Offices, [3 March] 1796 (Madison Papers)
On 26 January 1796 Smith (South Carolina) reported a bill to establish offices for the sale of land in the territory northwest of the Ohio River and above the mouth of the Kentucky River. Its clauses included the creation of a surveyor general with authority to appoint deputies; rectangular surveys and the division of the land into tracts three miles square; and the price of land fixed at $2...
130Impressed American Seamen, [1 March] 1796 (Madison Papers)
In the debate continuing in the Committee of the Whole since 29 February, Bourne (Rhode Island) modified his amendment to leave greater power with the president on the appointment of agents ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 4th Cong., 1st sess., 395). Mr. Madison said if the motion under discussion was meant...
131From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
The Treaty with Spain arrived on Tuesday last. It adjusts both the boundary and navigation in a very satisfactory manner. I have not yet been able to decide whether, on the latter point it clashes or not with the British Treaty; the article being differently represented by different members of the Senate. Nor am I able to say whether any of the articles come within the objections to the...
132Impressed American Seamen, [29 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Impressment of American seamen by the Royal Navy was a constant irritant in Anglo-American relations, especially after the outbreak of war between Great Britain and France in 1793. American consuls in the ports of Great Britain could offer some assistance to impressed Americans under a statute of 14 April 1792, but the United States had no consular offices in the West Indies, from where...
133To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 29 February 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The Treaty with Spain arrived on Tuesday last. It adjusts both the boundary and navigation in a very satisfactory manner. I have not yet been able to decide whether, on the latter point it clashes or not with the British Treaty; the article being differently represented by different members of the Senate. Nor am I able to say whether any of the articles come within the objections to the...
134From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have written you several particular letters latterly, & now add this for a conveyance of which I am just apprised. The British Treaty, is still in the situation explained in my last. Several circumstances have indicated an intention in the Executive to lay it before the House of Reps. but it has not yet taken place. There is reason to believe that some egregious misconception of ideas has...
135Compensation for Members of Congress, [26 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
After debate on 8 February, the motion to pay congressmen an annual salary was defeated and the bill returned to committee. The matter was resumed on 26 February in a Committee of the Whole, where Giles (Virginia) suggested that the Speaker receive a larger salary than other members because of the incidental expenses and greater duties of his office ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings...
136Loan for the City of Washington, [22 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
In a message of 8 January 1796, Washington urged Congress to provide for the completion of public buildings in the federal city. On 25 January a House committee reported resolutions recommending that the president be authorized to borrow money for that purpose. These resolutions were debated in a Committee of the Whole on 3 and 4 February and reported as a bill on 15 February. This bill was...
137Assignment of a Share in the Library Company of Philadelphia, 22 February 1796 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1796. JM, having by marriage to the widow of John Todd inherited a share in the Library Company, for valuable consideration assigns that share to George McCall of Philadelphia. Letterbook copy ( PPL ). 1 p. Witnessed by George Washington and Isaac Winston, Jr. Recorded by Benjamin R. Morgan, secretary, 24 Mar. 1796.
138From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have made enquiry as to Lownes. In general he is well spoken of, in every respect. Old Mr. Howell however, told me he was not a punctual man & was slow in his payments. I then mentioned my reasons for asking him. He proceeded to say that his son dealt in the same article with Lownes, and that if you chose to take your Iron rod here, he would be responsible for the most exact...
139From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have been much disappointed in not hearing from you on the subject of the Chariot; as well as on the enquiries I made respecting my crops of Corn, & the quantity of Wheat sent from my farms to Mr. Dunbar. I have just heard that Mr. Anderson expected to receive a quantity of Clover seed, & have written to Mr. Blair to procure me from 1 to 3 bushls. accordg. to the price, & forward it to...
140From James Madison to Arnold Henry Dohrman, 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 21 February 1796. Acknowledged in Dohrman to JM, 26 Feb. 1796 . Concerns Dohrman’s debt to Philip Mazzei.
141To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 February 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last I have made enquiry as to Lownes. In general he is well spoken of, in every respect. Old Mr. Howell however, told me he was not a punctual man and was slow in his payments. I then mentioned my reasons for asking him. He proceeded to say that his son dealt in the same article with Lownes, and that if you chose to take your Iron rod here, he would be responsible for the most exact...
142From James Madison to James Blair, ca. 20 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 20 February 1796. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 21 Feb. 1796 . Orders clover seed for Montpelier.
143To George Washington from James Madison, 12 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
Mr Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President of the United States, with a letter from Arthur Cambell Esqr. which an accompanying letter to Mr M. requests him to deliver to the President. Mr Cambell makes a further request of Mr M. to make any explanations that may be necessary. Mr M. is not sensible that he possesses any local or other knowledge that can elucidate the...
144From James Madison to George Washington, 12 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President of the United States, with a letter from Arthur Cambell Esqr. which an accompanying letter to Mr. M. requests him to deliver to the President. Mr. Cambell makes a further request of Mr. M. to make any explanations that may be necessary. Mr. M. is not sensible that he possesses any local or other knowledge that can elucidate the...
145Postal Road Survey, [11 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison moved that the resolution laid upon the table, some days ago, be taken up, relative to the survey of the post roads between the province of Maine and Georgia, which being read, he observed that two good effects would arise from carrying this resolution into effect; the shortest rout from one place to another would be determined upon, and persons, having a certainty of the stability...
146Contested Election, [11 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
On 8 December 1795 Matthew Lyon petitioned the House, protesting the election of Israel Smith (Vermont). The petition was referred to the Committee of Elections, which returned to the House on 27 January 1796 a report in favor of Smith. Debate began 11 February on whether to recommit the report to allow Lyon to present further evidence on behalf of his petition ( Annals of Congress Debates and...
147From James Madison to Robert Simons, [ca. 10 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your letter under the same cover with a Memorial to the House of Reps. came duly to my hands thro’ those of Majr. Butler: and the Memorial, was according to your request put into the hands of the Speaker. As it has not been & is not meant to be laid before the House, it may be proper for me to give you this information, & to add that the part relating to an impeachment of the Senate which is...
148Domestic Debt of the United States, [9 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
On 3 February, Smith (South Carolina) reported a bill to extend until the end of the year the time for receiving on loan the domestic debt of the United States. In debate on 9 February, Swift (Connecticut) moved a clause that “it shall be lawful for the offices of the Treasury to receive on Loan Continental bills.” Several speakers opposed the clause as violating statutes of limitations and...
149Compensation for Members of Congress, [8 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
On 16 December 1795 the House appointed a committee to report bills for compensating members of Congress. The chairman, Goodhue (Massachusetts), reported legislation on 28 January 1796 which proposed that members of both Houses receive a salary of $1,000 annually instead of $6 per day. In the debate in the Committee of the Whole on 8 February, Giles (Virginia) moved to strike the word...
150From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Several mails preceding that of yesterday brought nothing more Southern than Baltimore. This will account for my not receiving your favor of the 24th. Ult, till yesterday. I will make the enquiries & execute the commissions in it with pleasure, & without delay. I am afraid to make the same promise as to the weekly history of what passes in the Govt. behind the curtain; especially as the Cypher...