1951To James Madison from Anthony Morris, 24 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
The Books relative to unclaim’d dividends on the Stock of the U S. having been plac’d in my hands for the purpose of general revision—ascertainment of amounts due &c I have not thought it any deviation from the performance of a public duty, to inform you, that the Sum of about $150 remains on those Books to your Credit, forgotten I presume by You. The only objection to publicity that I have...
1952From James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 25 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. from Mr. Jefferson a letter (Circular) on the foreseen vacancy in the Law Professorship. It is accompanied by a letter from Professor Pictet of Geneva, which I am desired to forward for perusal of the Visitors now at Richmond. Mr. J. wishes the letter, after perusal, to be returned to him from Richmond. I take this occasion to return my thanks, heretofore as well as now due,...
1953From James Madison to Thomas W. Cobb, 25 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 19th. inst. and am very sorry that instead of the pleasure I shd take in satisfying the several enquiries it makes, I find myself unable to do it as to either of them. The great lapse of time, without intervening calls on my memory, has effaced from it every impression that could be of avail to the gentlemen on whose behalf you have written. I cannot even...
1954From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
Your Circular of the 20. postmark 23. inst. was recd. last evening; and the letter from Mr. Pictet forwarded as desired to our Colleagues at Richmond. I concur in your mode of providing for the foreseen vacancy, which I sincerely lament on every acct; as I should, in any admissible mode, that would avoid the necessity for an extra meeting of the Visitors. I am acquiescent also in your order of...
1955Remarks on an Extract from Hamilton’s Report Published in the Richmond Enquirer, 25 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
In the Richmond Enquirer of the 21st. is an Extract from the Report of Secretary Hamilton, on the Constitutionality of the Bank, in which he opposes a resort, in expounding the Constitution, to the rejection of a proposition in the Convention, or to any evidence extrinsic to the text. Did he not advise, if not draw up, the Message refusing to the House of Reps. the papers relating to Jay’s...
1956To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Circular of the 20 th instn post marked 23 rd was rec d last evening, and the letter from M r Pictet, is forwarded as desired to our Colleagues at Rich d . I concur in your mode of providing for the foreseen vacancy which, I sincerely lament, on every account; as I should in any admissible mode that would avoid the necessity, for an Extra meeting of the Visitors. I am
1957To James Madison from Robert Taylor, 26 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you a resolution from the Senate for amending the Constitution of the United States, tho’ think it probable you have seen it in the papers. If there is no impropriety in asking it, should be glad of your opinion on it, which if desired should be confidential. I would much prefer the intervention of Electors, but a direct vote by the people has many friends. I...
1958From James Madison to Thomas Law, 27 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
The copy of your address before the Columbian Institute, kindly sent me, was duly recd. I find that further reflection has confirmed you in your favorite plan of a Paper Currency; and that you have added a corroboration from names of high authority on such subjects. The practicability of a paper emission equal in value to specie, cannot I think be doubted: provided its circulating quantity be...
1959From James Madison to Anthony Morris, 27 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your favour of the 24th and am much obliged by the friendly attention of which it is a proof. There must be some mistake in the case it mentions. No dividend on Stock of the U. S. can belong to me. On my first entrance into public life, I formed a resolution from which I never departed, to abstain, whilst in that situation from dealing in any way, in public property or...
1960From James Madison to Robert Taylor, 30 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by yesterday’s mail yours of the 26 inst: enclosing a Copy of the amendment to the Constitution of the U.S. proposed in the Senate, and asking my opinion on the subject. It seems to be generally agreed that some change in the mode of electing the Executive Magistrate is desirable, that would produce more uniformity & equality; with a better security for concentrating the Major will of...
1961To James Madison from Anthony Morris, 31 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
It was as natural for me to think, that there never had been, but one James Madison, as it is for me to pray, on behalf of my Country, that there may in some future time be another; my Mistake will not however I hope be without benefit to whom it may most concern. As the best means in my power of complying with your request, I inclose a statement, from an abstract of dividends on the Stocks of...
1962To James Madison from Abraham Small, 2 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will pardon my requesting you to remit me Five Dolls. for the Vol Philol. Transactions sent by Post, as the Society are wanting a settlement. I am, with deference & respect RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM : “$ sent.” Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, Held at Philadelphia, for Promoting Useful Knowledge , n.s., 2 (Philadelphia, 1825). Abraham Small (1765–1829) was an...
1963To James Madison from John H. I. Browere, 4 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
Per the Public vehicles of information you may have perceived the very marked and illiberal misrepresentations made against me in the procuration of the Portrait Bust of Mr. Jefferson. To say that my feelings and reputation have been materially affected by the perversions of the Editors of the Charlottesville Gazette and Richmond Enquirer would be coincident with Truth. The very honorable and...
1964To James Madison from Thomas L. McKenney, 4 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have intended for some weeks past to trouble you with a little matter of self-concern, but have defer’d it, because of the very great reluctance I feel to be troublesome in such a case. It is at all times disagreable. I rely, however, upon your kindness; and feeling, as I do, the sincerest friendship for you, & which is based no less upon a grateful sense of your former kindness, than...
1965From James Madison to James Barbour, 10 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
Col: McKenney supposing that the favorable opinion I formed of him during my long residence in Washington may corroborate the confidence & friendly dispositions he flatters himself you have derived from a more temporary acquaintance, I can not refuse him the justice of saying that I always regarded him as a very intelligent upright & patriotic Citizen: and that his official conduct was...
1966From James Madison to Thomas L. McKenney, 10 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 4th. inst: and in compliance with its request, inclose a few lines to Secretary Barbour. I have declined troubling the President directly on the subject. The Article in the North Amn. Review concerning the Indians, is evidently from one who with opportunities the most favorable for his purpose, has made the best use of them; and who has given moreover, to his...
1967From James Madison to John Payne Todd, 15 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
(I will not withold the epithet notwithstanding the little regard you seem to pay to the feeling it expresses). I have the mortification & grief of being obliged to recur, by another letter, to the subject of my former one. The 3d month is now wearing away since that was written pressing you in the strongest terms, & for the most cogent reasons to return immediately to your home & yr. parents,...
1968From James Madison to John H. I. Browere, 16 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 4th. with the accompanying paper. You are very happy in having a poetical friend so capable of decorating the products of your Art with those of his own. Mrs M. wishes the proper returns to be expressed to Mrs. Browere for all her kind intentions. In reference to your infant daughter, she thinks she cannot do better than leave the baptismal name, to the parental...
1969To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
My Circular was answered by Genl. Breckenridge, approving, as we had done, of the immediate appointment of Terril to the chair of Law, but our 4. colleagues, who were together in Richmond, concluded not to appoint until our meeting in April. In the meantime the term of the present lamented incumbent draws near to a close. About 150. students have already entered, many of those who engaged for...
1970From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
My Circular was answered by Gen l Breckenridge, approving, as we had done, of the immediate appointment of Terril to the chair of Law, but our 4. colleagues, who were together in Richmond, concluded not to appoint until our meeting in April. in the mean time the term of the present lamented incumbent draws near to a close. about 150. Students have already entered, many of those who engaged for...
1971From James Madison to Levett Harris, 24 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 8th. expressing your solicitude concerning the debt of J. P. Todd, on which I am sorry it is not in my power to make any definite communication. His protracted absence leaves me without such a knowledge of the extent of his situation as might throw light on the suggestions suited to it. It is his wish I trust, to give to the transaction so unfortunate in its...
1972From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1826 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 17th. was duly recd. The awkward state of the Law professorship is truly distressing, but seems to be without immediate remedy. Considering the hopeless condition of Mr. Gilmour, a temporary appointment, if an acceptable successor were at hand, whilst not indelicate towards the worthy moribund incumbent, might be regarded as equivalent to a permanent one. And if the hesitation of...
1973To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17 th was duly rec d . The awkward state of the Law professorship is truly distressing, but seems to be without immediate remedy. Considering the hopeless condition of M r Gilmour, a temporary appointment, if an acceptable successor were at hand, whilst not indelicate towards the worthy moribund incumbent, might be regarded as equivalent to a permanent one. And if the hesitation...
1974To James Madison from Sherman Converse, 3 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to enclose you for inspection a copy of Mr Websters prospectus of his Large Dictionary and a small printed specimen of the Lexicography of the Work. Mr W. has devoted nearly 30 years of laborious application to the Compilation of this Dictionary, and I have the opinions of some of the first scholars of our Country that for phylological research and decided merit, it excels every...
1975To James Madison from Francis Brooke, 4 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to recommend to you Mr John T Lomax of this place as the Successor of Mr Gilmer in the university. I know no professional lawyer better qualified to fill his place, Mr Lomax is one of the best read lawyers in the State, and though he has not attained the eminence of some of them, it is more to be attributed to his great modesty and other causes, than to any inferiority of...
1976From James Madison to Sherman Converse, 10 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 3d. inst; inclosing a manuscript copy of Mr. Webster’s prospectus of his Dictionary, with a printed specimen of the execution of the work; and I comply with your request of an early answer. The plan embraces so many commendable objects beyond the ordinary Scope of such works that its successful execution must be a substantial improvement on them. The specimen,...
1977From James Madison to Noah Webster, 10 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
In my letter of Ocr. 12. 1804. answering an enquiry in yours of Augst. 20. it was stated that “In 1785 I made a proposition with success, in the Legislature (of Virginia) for the appointment of Commissioners to meet at Annapolis, such Commissioners as might be appointed by other States, in order to form some plan for investing Congress with the regulation & taxation of Commerce.” In looking...
1978From James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 11 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your Note of the 25 ult: and the Volume of Agricultural Memoirs forwarded with it. You have been very kind in repeating such a favor, notwithstanding the failure on my part of any compensating returns for preceding ones. The Albemarle Society has not yet published any similar collection of papers. And as for myself, time is fast stealing from me what I hope you will long...
1979To James Madison from John M. Patton, 17 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I received a few days after last orange county court, your much esteemed favour, covering two letters in relation to a claim against Benjamin F. Porter on behalf of the legatees of John S. Wood. I cannot refrain from expressing the gratification I have received from the proof of your confidence in me, which is implied in the selection you have made. I should have acknowledged the receipt of it...
1980To James Madison from Noah Webster, 17 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have this day received a note from you, intended to correct a passage in a former letter to me on the subject of the first proposition made to the legislature of Virginia in 1785 for a convention of Commissioners to regulate the Commerce of the country. For this, please to accept my acknowledgements. By your letter, I perceive you suppose me to be yet in Europe. This is a mistake. I returned...
1981To James Madison from Thomas L. McKenney, 18 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you part of a document relating to the Civilization of the Indians. The Secretary’s report was printed first, by mistake, of the Committee, and not both together—and I have none of the copies. It appeared in the News-Papers. Very truly Yr. Ot. Sert RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM . Civilization of the Indians: Letter from the Secretary of War, to the Chairman of the Committee on Indian...
1982To James Madison from Levett Harris, 21 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
A passage in your letter of the 24. Ultimo, received in due time, pained me as I read it, and seems, upon reflection, to impose upon me the duty of sending to you a more full development of the circumstances out of which has arisen my present disagreeable attitude towards Mr. Todd. You observe “It is his (Mr Todd’s) wish, I trust, to give to the transaction, so unfortunate in its origin , and,...
1983To James Madison from Littleton Dennis Teackle, 22 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty of addressing to you a News-paper, containing An Act of the General Assembly of this State, passed at its late Session. This is a part of the plan which you were pleased to approve of some years ago. After repeated attempts, to carry the whole in one System, I was induced to limit the scheme to the elementary, or primary schools. Hereafter, it is my intention to...
1984From James Madison to Andrew Stevenson, 25 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your late Speech kindly forwarded by you. I cannot say that I concur in all your views of the subject it discusses. But I take pleasure in doing justice to the ability with which those are maintained in which I do not concur. Will you pardon me for pointing out an error of fact into which you have fallen, as others have done, by supposing that the term national applied...
1985From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 27 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison has received, under the President’s name, a copy of the Message and documents transmitted to the House of Representatives, relating to the proposed Congress at Panama: and he ought not to make his acknowledgments for the politeness to which he is indebted, without expressing, at the same time, his sense of the ability and eloquence, as well as of the intrinsic interest by which the...
1986From James Madison to Thomas L. McKenney, 27 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 18th., with a supplemental document relating to the Civilization of the Indians; a subject highly interesting under all its aspects. The literary “characters” devised by the Indian “Guess” are the offspring of an ingenious mind. But if I understand them, they are rather stenographic, than “Alphabetic,” a species of writing, facilitated doubtless by the scantiness...
1987From James Madison to Daniel Webster, 27 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
Having to thank you for a copy, just come to hand, of the Exve. Communications to the H. of Reps relating to the Congress at Panama, I take occasion to supply the omission to do so for a former favor of a like sort. I hope you will not doubt the value I set, as well on the motive as the matter for which I am indebted: But as such documents generally reach me thro’ other channels, I feel some...
1988To James Madison from Philip P. Barbour, 28 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
Upon my return home, I looked into the question which you mentioned yesterday, and I find two cases in Cranch’s reports, distinctly asserting the principle, that a trustee who is a citizen of a different state, may sue in the Circuit Federal Court, for the benefit of a Cestui que trust, who is a citizen of the same state with the deft. The cases take a distinction, between the case of a...
1989From James Madison to Levett Harris, 29 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 21st. inclosing a copy of your correspondence with J. P. Todd, and referring to expressions in mine of Feby. 24. The correspondence accords pretty much wth. my inferences from your former letters. With respect to the expressions, I must explain them by saying that I regarded the transaction in its origin, unfortunate to both the parties, blameable also in one of them,...
1990From James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 29 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
Waggoner Aleck will deliver 2 Hhs Tobo which will be followed by others as fast as they can be made ready. The quality of the Tobo. is considered as good, tho’ a little pinched in its size by dry weather. This is less the case with a part of the crop. I leave to your own judgmt. as heretofore the times of sale requesting only, at the instance of my 2 Overseers, that the prices, may be...
1991From James Madison to Littleton Dennis Teackle, 29 March 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 22d. inst: inclosing a copy of the Law providing for primary schools throughout your State. I congratulate you on the foundation thus laid for a General System of Education, and hope it presages a superstructure, worthy of the patriotic forecast which has commenced the Work. The best service that can be rendered to a Country, next to that of giving it liberty,...
1992Notes on Frankfort Bridge Company Stock, [ante 29 April 1826] (Madison Papers)
The D. of Trust—to J. M. witht. nam[in]g Heirs or Exor [Executor]; Can attorney be made to Exec: the instrnts—sue for them—& proceed to enforce the Mortgage. The trust being power to Will can that vary or explain its import. How divided between Wife & Children? if will be in those vague terms! What the character of the assignment of it—according to Statemt. in Mrs. Ts letter if proved—what if...
1993To James Madison from Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 2 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
I contracted with Mr Philip Sturtevant for the carving of the Composite Capitels for the library room at $30 each amountg to the sum of $1.200 as appears from Letter No 1 accompanying this—from his letter of the 1st Jany No 2 you will find he is not satisfied with the contract and asks more pay. I informed him I would not take the responsibility of paying him more than the contract calls for...
1994To James Madison from Robley Dunglison, 3 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
The Undersigned respectfully suggests to the Rector and Visitors of the University the propriety of instituting some regulations with respect to Graduation in his school. It is true that, as yet, no individual can have passed through such a course of study, in this institution, as to enable him to arrive at the highest honors; but as the views of the Board of Rector & Visitors have been openly...
1995To James Madison from John P. Emmet, 3 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor, agreeably to the Enactments, to lay before you the journal of the Faculty. In company with them are two reports of Committees appointed by the Faculty; one (marked A) relates to a Police and the other (marked B) is upon our Enactments. They are both respectfully submitted for your most serious consideration. In conclusion, Gentlemen, I beg to present my sincerest respects. RC...
1996To James Madison from George Long, [ca. 3 April 1826] (Madison Papers)
Several of the students have applied to me for information about the terms on which a diploma in Greek could be obtained. I was of course unable to give them any answer, but I promised to lay the subject before the Visitors. There are a few whose industry and acquirements will deserve some reward: they wish to know what will be expected that they may have sufficient time to make the necessary...
1997To James Madison from George W. Spotswood, 3 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
You will pardon the liberty I take in troubling you with this letter, but I consider it a duty I not only owe to my family but to the Institution to call your attention to the uncomfortable tenement I occupy, particularly when I reflect upon the losses in slaves I met with last fall and the great distress of my family from sickness produced from the situation of the yard & drains, and no...
1998To James Madison from Charles Johnston, 4 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with the wishes of my friends and my own inclination I am about publishing a narrative of my Capture and detention by the Indians as a prisoner in the year 1790 in which I have had the assistance of a friend much more competent to such an undertaking than I can pretend to be. The Work is in considerable forwardness but will not be ready for the press for some time yet to come. In...
1999Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, 7 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
At a meeting of the Visitors of the University of Virginia held at the said University on Monday the 3d. and Tuesday the 4th. of April 1826. at which were present Thomas Jefferson, Joseph C. Cabell, John H. Cocke, Chapman Johnson and James Madison the following proceedings were had. 86. There shall be established in the University a Dispensary which shall be attached to the Medical school, and...
2000From James Madison to Edward Everett, 9 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favor of Mar. 29. accompanied by the two copies, one, of your speech on a proposed amendment of the Constitution of the U.S., the other, of a Report on the Mission to Panama. The documents contain very able & interesting views of their respective subjects, and belong to the select class of Materials for an instructive history of the discussions & proceedings of the...