3901From James Madison to William Plumer, 10 August 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 28 Ult: inclosing a Copy of your last Message to the Legislature. I can not doubt that the motives to which you have yielded, for discontinuing your public labors, are such as to justify your purpose; and I congratulate you on the improved & prosperous circumstances of the State, under which your retirement will take place. I must thank you at the same time...
3902From James Madison to William Plumer, 20 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 8th. covering a copy of your interesting address to your Legislature; for which I pray you to accept my thanks. Allow me at the same time to congratulate you on the auspicious circumstances personal as well as public, under which you retire to the shade of private life; and to offer my sincere wishes that you may experience in it many years of health and...
3903From James Madison to William Plumer, 17 November 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have received the Agricultural Address of your son which you politely inclosed to me. It has handled a very beaten subject in a manner instructive to many and persuasive to all; and is well entitled to the thanks which I tender, with assurances of my great esteem and cordial respects. RC ( MB ).
3904James Madison to Joel R. Poinsett, 16 October 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favour of the 24th. ultimo—and thank you for the pamphlets accompanying it, which are from very able pens; and I have just had an opportunity of reading your speech on the 5th. inst. It is a powerful appeal to considerations, which can not fail to sink deep into every mind not shut against reflection by the violence of party feelings. I wish for so opportune an appeal all...
3905From James Madison to Joel R. Poinsett, 10 December 1824 (Madison Papers)
The mention of your name among the members of Congress arrived at Washington gives me the occasion of offering my share of the public thanks due for the Volume regarding Mexico, of which you were so Obliging as to favor me with a Copy. I should not have delayed a moment in expressing the pleasure I derived from its authentic Statements, and valuable remarks, had I not been at a loss for the...
3906From James Madison to Petr Ivanovich Poletika, 14 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. has just been received. I am much obliged by its kind expressions, to which my personal knowlege of you ensures the proper value. And I shall be still more gratified by the promised opportunity of welcoming you at my farm, accompanied by your friend. Mrs. Madison will then be able to thank you herself for the cordial sentiments conveyed to her. In the mean time, be...
3907From James Madison to Samuel Wyllys Pomeroy, 21 July 1821 (Madison Papers)
I return my thanks for the Agricultural Journal for which I observe I am indebted to your politeness. Several of the Articles have well rewarded the perusal. Those on the culture of flax are particularly interesting, being calculated to gratify curiosity at the same time that they instruct the husbandman. I send herewith samples of flax in the several Stages of its preparation by a machine of...
3908From James Madison to Samuel Wyllys Pomeroy, [ca. 29] February 1820 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. with the Agricultural pamphlet came duly to hand, and I offer my thanks for them. The letter on Dairy Farms gives some interesting views of the subject. What relates to the use of the spayed Heifer in place of the Ox, is new to me. If their qualities for draught be such as seems to be attested, they furnish new arguments for making less use of that expensive animal the...
3909From James Madison to Samuel Wyllys Pomeroy, 16 March 1822 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the communication made in your favour of the 25 Feby. and the Agricultural Journal sent with it. If flax can be prepared by the new Machinery for 2 cents per ℔s and spun with a facility resembling that of Cotton, you are well warranted in your anticipations of advantage to the Farmers. If Hemp can be carried with equal success through like processes, the advantage will be more...
3910From James Madison to Peter S. Du Ponceau, 18 June 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 10th. inclosing, in behalf of the Historical Committee of the Philosophical Society, a prospectus of the first vol: of their Transactions. I wish the Committee to be assured that I am fully sensible of the merit of such an Institution; and that it will afford me pleasure to promote its objects, if opportunities occur for adding to its store of historical...
3911From James Madison to John Pool, 24 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter of Aug. 30. Altho’ a stranger to me I readily give you credit for the good motives which suggested the request you make. It is proper for me however to reflect that under any circumstances I ought to be backward in interposing an opinion on a depending question, which agitates & divides a particular State in the manner you describe. In the present case a particular...
3912From James Madison to David Porter, 7 December 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. with your note of the 28. Ult: the right volume of your Journal; and have looked over the preface. Less cannot be said of it, than that it has taken an able and judicious view of its subject. The severity of its retaliations can not be complained of by those who so wantonly provoked them. There can be no danger that your Enimies whatever be their motives or modes of attack will...
3913From James Madison to David Porter, 20 July 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have recd the specimen of carved work in the War Club from the Pacific Ocean, which you put into the hands of my son in law. And I tender my sincere thanks for this mark of your polite attention. Let me add that I shall be very happy in expressing them personally at Montpr. if your occasional rambles could furnish me with an oppy. It would double the gratification to Mrs M. & myself, if Mrs....
3914James Madison to the President and Directors of the Literary Fund, 21 July 1830 (Madison Papers)
The following report was made to the president and Directors of the Literary Fund. Report. In obedience to the law requiring the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia to make an annual report to the President and Directors of the Literary Fund to be laid before the Legislature at their next succeeding meeting, embracing a full account of the disbursements, the Funds on hand, and a...
3915From James Madison to the President and Directors of the Literary Fund, 19 July 1827 (Madison Papers)
The following was the annual report this year made to the President and Directors of the Literary Fund. In obedience to the law requiring that the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia should make a report annually to the President and Directors of the Literary Fund, (to be laid before the Legislature at their next succeeding meeting,) embracing a full account of the disbursements,...
3916From James Madison to the President of the Literary Fund, 24 November 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have now the honour to enclose to the President and Directors of the Literary Fund (to be laid before the Legislature at their next succeeding meeting) the Report of the disbursements, the funds on hand, and a general statement of the condition of the University of Virginia, agreed to by the Rector and Visitors at their last meeting on the 7th of October, together with the documents to which...
3917From James Madison to Francis Preston, 3 February 1820 (Madison Papers)
I pray you My dear Sir, to be assured that I sympathize, in all the feelings which led to your letter; and that I shall learn with corresponding pleasure that your efforts have been successful in alleviating the misfortune of a brother whose amiable qualities have so long endeared him to his relatives, and made him interesting to his friends. Affectionate respects RC ( NjP : Crane Collection)....
3918From James Madison to Francis Preston, 2 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last Mail yours of May 15: and I can not but express my regret that any controversy should have arisen as to the distribution of the laurels gained in the memorable battle of Kings Mountain, where enough were gained for all the heroes of the achievement. I was not what you suppose I was, a member of the Council of State, either at the date of the battle, or when the vote of the...
3919From James Madison to James P. Preston, [ca. 12] March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of Feby. 27. inclosing the appointment of me as a Visitor of the University of Virginia. However indisposed to public trusts, for which I am aware that every day is unfitting me, I can not decline a participation in the care of an Institution so honorable to the Public Councils of the State, and so auspicious to the coming generations of its Citizens. Should the...
3920From James Madison to James P. Preston, 27 May 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your letter of the 20th. requesting such information as I may [be] able to give with regard to the qualifications of Mr. F. R. Hassler, for the place of Principal Engineer, to the Board of Public Works. I have but a slight personal knowlege of Mr. Hassler; but I have sufficient reason to believe, that he possesses, in an eminent degree, every scientific requisite for such an...
3921From James Madison to James P. Preston, [ca. 31] May 1817 (Madison Papers)
I recd. lately a letter of which the inclosed is an extract. I know nothing more of the writer than what is stated by himself. As it is possible that he may possess useful talents in the branch of business he professes, I have thought it not amiss to give you this opportunity, of making further enquiry, in case the services he may be capable of rendering should be desireable for the public...
3922James Madison to James P. Preston, 13 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last mail yours of the 9th. and comply with its request by a few lines to the President for the mail of today. I could not refuse this evidence of my esteem & regard, tho’ it is an interposition, of which obvious considerations make me as sparing as possible. Being entirely ignorant of the names with which yours will be in competition, I can form no estimate of the result. With...
3923From James Madison to James P. Preston, 10 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
The interval between the date and the transmission of the inclosed was occasioned first by the extreme hurry in which the communications from you found me, & finally by the reflection that as the Legislature had adjourned, the delay was immaterial. At the next session, there will be nothing to call their attention to the circumstance, and this explanation will I hope be an apology for it to...
3924From James Madison to James P. Preston, [19 May] 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 18th. of March with the commission to which it refers; and shall duly attend to the trust which it assigns to me. Very respectfully RC ( Vi : Executive Papers). Undated. Addressed by JM to Preston at Richmond and franked. Conjectural date assigned on the basis of cover marked, “Orange C H Va. 19 May.” Cover docketed by Preston, “Expresident Madisons...
3925Central College Board of Visitors to James P. Preston, 6 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The late Governor of the Commonwealth having thought proper to confide to us the office of Visitors of the Central College near Charlottesville , under an act of the legislature , establishing as it’s patron, the Governor for the time being, we deem it our duty to report to you our proceedings under that appointment, with the progress & prospects of that institution. The want of a seminary of...
3926James Madison to William C. Preston, 22 February 1836 (Madison Papers)
Your letter introducing the Earl of Selkirk was duly delivered and I soon found that his intelligence, and social merits—justified the reception asked for him. Mrs. Madison and myself cannot forego the occasion to thank you for the kind & friendly terms in which you express your sentiments towards us, & to assure you that there are affectionate reminiscences between the two families which will...
3927From James Madison to William Price, 10 January 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, your letter without date, requesting a recommendation to the Government of Texos [ sic ], of Mr. Rufus Stone your neighbour. Tho’ I do not distrust in the least what you say in his behalf, and have a due respect for the friendly recollections to which you refer, I must be permitted to decline the step which is wished, as an inconvenient precedent—if not rendered improper...
3928James Madison to William B. Quarrier, 19 May 1835 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, your letter of the 13th. I was acquainted with your father when a resident in Philadelphia, but I have no recollection, if I ever had any knowledge of military services rendered by him to the U. S. during the Revolutionary War. There is an error in supposing that we were in battle together, having not been myself in any of its battles. With friendly respects— FC (DLC) .
3929James Madison to Josiah Quincy, 18 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison has duly received the Copy of the "Report of the Overseers of Harvard University", politely sent him by Mr. Quincy. He cannot return his thanks for the communication without expressing the pleasure afforded him by the instructive & well timed testimony borne by the President to the value of the two ancient Languages & Literatures, as branches of a comprehensive Education. J. M....
3930James Madison to Josiah Quincy, 4 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your letter from Washington, I took the steps most likely to procure the information you had in view. Finding after some delay that I could not rely on the sources resorted to, owing in part, to a vacancy in the Secretaryship to the Board of Visitors, I have addressed to a friend in Richmond: Col. Peyton, a request that he will collect & transmit to you every thing relating...