701James Madison to Edward Everett, 14 November 1831 (Madison Papers)
I return you many thanks for the copy of your late address to the "American Institute of N. York." It is as beautiful in some of its features as it is instructive in its general character. I have read it with the greater pleasure, as it goes back to times and scenes in which I was often an actor, always an observer; and which are too much overlooked in discussing the objects & meaning of the...
702James Madison to Edward Everett, 10 September 1830 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter in which I expressed a belief that there was no ground for supposing that the Kentucky Resolutions of -99 in which the term "nullification appears, were drawn by Mr. Jefferson, I infer from a manuscript paper of his, just noticed, containing the term, that altho’ he had, probably no agency in the draft, nor even any knowledge of it at the time, yet that the term was borrowed...
703From James Madison to Edward Everett, 3 June 1827 (Madison Papers)
I offer for your brother and yourself the thanks I owe for the copy of his work on “America.” It well sustains the reputation for talents and learning acquired by his former work on “Europe.” I have found in the volume many proofs of original as well as enlarged views, and not a few passages of glowing eloquence. With this just tribute I must be allowed to combine the remark, that my trains of...
704James Madison to Edward Everett, 1 June 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the Copy of your Speech on the 1st. of Feby. which led you into the subject of our Foreign Intercourse. It is justly observed that there are no subjects within the circle of our Federal transactions, on which the Public Mind is more susceptible of erroneous impressions, than the arrangements & provisions for diplomatic Missions. The explanatory views you have given of the policy &...
705From James Madison to Edward Everett, 19 July 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received the copy of your Oration at Concord on the 19th. of April last; and have derived much pleasure from the excellent ideas with which it abounds, & the elegant language in which they are conveyed. You have given it particular value, by making it a record of interesting details which might otherwise have passed into oblivion. With great esteem & cordial respects RC ( MHi :...
706From James Madison to Edward Everett, 26 November 1823 (Madison Papers)
I recd. several weeks ago your favor of Ocr. 30 accompanied by the little treatise on population analysing & combating the Theory of Malthus, which till within a few days I have been deprived of the pleasure of reading. Its reasoning is well entitled to the commendation you bestow on its ingenuity, which must at least contribute to a more accurate view of the subject; and on its style which is...
707James Madison to Edward Everett, 30 January 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have received the copy of your address to the two branches of the Legislature, which I have read with much pleasure. It is what I should have taken for certain it would be, a very able document, and of a character appropriate to the occasion. I am not sure however, that I ought to congratulate you on the event, which led to the address, since it withdraws your services from a wider theatre,...
708James Madison to Edward Everett, 6 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 24th ult: I should always feel pleasure in complying with your wishes. But in the present instance, besides that the task however abridged, would not accord with my prolonged indisposition, and other claims on the scanty intervals of relief, there is another obstacle, which I could not well get over. It will suffice to say of it, that it is nowise...
709James Madison to Edward Everett, 21 December 1831 (Madison Papers)
In my letter thanking you for the Copy of your address to the American Institute of New York I took occasion to remind you of the little pamphlet addressed by the Virginia Assembly of 98 to its Constituents and of the other containing the report of a Committee of the legislature of South Carolina in 28. They were enclosed to you at or about the date of my letter published in the North American...
710James Madison to Edward Everett, 20 August 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. inst: & wish I could give the information it asks with the desired particularity and certainty. I believe, though I may possibly be wrong, that no answers to the Virginia Resolutions of -98, were given by States, other than those enumerated in the pamphlet you have. I have not the means of ascertaining the fact. If any instructions were given by the Legislature...
711James Madison to Edward Everett, 30 November 1835 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison tenders his thanks to Mr Everett for his interesting and eloquent address at Bloody Brook. It has been read with much pleasure; and with a full perception of its parentage in all the lineaments of the Offspring. RC ( MHi : Everett Collection); FC (DLC) .
712From James Madison to Edward Everett, 26 February 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of the late anniversary Oration delivered at Plymouth kindly sent me: and I thank you for the pleasure its perusal has afforded. You have been very successful in the difficult task of avoiding, in so trodden a path, the footsteps which preceded you. And the value of the publication is not a little enhanced by the notes annexed to it. Be pleased to accept with my thanks...
713From James Madison to Edward Everett, 19 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
I recd. on the 15th. your favor of the 2d. instant; with the little pamphlet of remarks on your brothers work on Europe. The pamphlet would have been much improved by softer words and harder arguments. To support its construction of the 18th. art: of the Treaty of 1794. the writer ought to have shewn that there are cases in which provisions become contraband according to the Law of Nations;...
714James Madison to Edward Everett, 30 May 1832 (Madison Papers)
I am indebted to you I observe for a copy of Mr. Doddridge’s speech on the subject of Congressional privelege. A part of it has been read to me and judging from that of what remains, I need not hesitate to pronounce it an able one as was to be expected from its able author. As he is under a mistake in supposing me to have drawn the judicial act of 1789 and wishes for information, it may be...
715James Madison to Edward Everett, 28 August 1830 (Madison Papers)
I inclose the letter promised. You will perceive that some of the topics deserved more development, than the state of my health, and the limited time would permit. The right of the States collectively to hold the States individually to a bargain, a breach of which by a single one would throw the whole into confusion, and essentially affect the interests of some of them, merits an illustration,...
716James Madison to Edward Everett, 17 December 1833 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his cordial respects to Mr. Everett thanks him for the Copy of his excellent & very interesting address to the Phi Beta Kappa Society in Yale College. RC (John E. Boos Collection); draft (DLC) .
717James Madison to Edward Everett, 7 October 1830 (Madison Papers)
I return my thanks for your favour of the 28. ult. with a copy of the Chapter from the N. A. Review for this month. I have read the review of the Debates with great pleasure. It must diffuse light on the subject of them every where; and would make an overwhelming impression where it is most needed, if the delirious excitement were not it would seem, an overmatch for reason & truth. The only...
718James Madison to Edward Everett, 31 August 1830 (Madison Papers)
In the letter inclosed by the last mail, I omitted to insert in the margin, the extract from the "Federalist" referred to in the text. Be so good as to supply the omission by subjoining in the margin the following transcribed passages from No. 39.* *No. 39. "It is true, that in controversies relating to the boundary between the two jurisdictions, the tribunal which is ultimately to decide, is...
719James Madison to Edward Everett, 5 January 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 23d Decr. and am glad that the precaution of sending you a copy of my letter of the 14th of Novr. saved me from the appearance of inattention to which the miscarriage of the original exposed me. I wish I could abridge your researches into the period between 1783. 87. by referring to particular documents and publications throwing light upon it; but my memory...
720James Madison to Edward Everett, 7 January 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have just discovered that in my letter of the 5th I overlooked your inquiry as to the accuracy of Lloyds debates. The accuracy of them is not to be relied on, though the ideas of the speakers, may for the most part be collected from them. The face of the debates shews that they are defective, and desultory, where not revised, or written out by the Speakers. In some instances, he makes them...
721From James Madison to Edward Everett, 22 April 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter informing me that I have been elected an honorary member of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. The Event which is to receive the Monumental commemoration, holds so distinguished a place in our Revolutionary History, itself so distinguished in the Annals of Liberty, that the Object of the Association can not be too highly commended; nor the honorary relation to it...
722James Madison to Edward Everett, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
It occurs that the notions prevailing here agst. any subordination in the highest Judicial Authy of the State to that of the U. S. & the spirit of Criticism of which there have been examples, may render the word concurrent , preferable to that of co-ordinate as applied in one of the paragraphs of my letter of —Be so good therefore as to erase the latter & insert the former. The change seems to...
723From James Madison to Edward Everett, 9 March 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. with your letter of Feby. 14. the volume on “Europe” for which I am indebted to the politeness of your brother and yourself. I have run thro’ it with pleasure, and return my thanks to you both. The interior view which the writer takes of the Institutions and situations of the several Nations of Europe furnishes more information of the valuable sort than I have any where found....
724James Madison to Edward Everett, 5 August 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his best respects to Mr. Everett, thanks him for the Copy of his "Address on the Centennial Anniversary of the Arrival of Governour Winthrop at Charlestown" The theme, interesting as it is, in itself, derives new attraction from the touching details and appropriate reflections woven into the Address. J. M takes this occasion of thanking Mr. E. for the copy heretofore forwarded,...
725James Madison to Edward Everett, 7 November 1835 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his best respects to Mr. Everett tenders his thanks for the copy of his address delivered at Amherst College. He may say of it, and he says much in doing so, that it is worthy not only of the occasion but of the Author. RC , FC (DLC) .
726James Madison to Edward Everett, 8 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
I consult the wishes of Mr. Sparks in making you a channel of communication with him. Should he not have arrived at Washington, be so good as to retain the inclosed letter till you can deliver it in person, or till otherwise advised by him or by me. I take this occasion, Sir, to thank you for the copies of Mr. Webster’s and Mr. Sprague’s late speeches. They do honor, both of them, to the...
727James Madison to Edward Everett, 28 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing a letter for Mr. Sparks, which you will oblige me by having delivered to him on his arrival at Boston, or forwarded under the proper direction in case he should end his voyage elsewhere, & not be soon expected there. The object of the letter is to spare him the trouble of fulfilling a promise, which since his departure for Europe, has been found to be...
728James Madison to Edward Everett, 23 June 1835 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favour, postmarked the 9th. inst. containing your suggestion on the subject of my manuscript papers. I am fully aware that these, as far as worthy of the public eye, could pass to it, under no editorial auspices with greater advantages than under yours; and I have a just sensibility to the friendly dispositions, as far as these could be properly indulged, with which the...
729James Madison to Edward Everett, 5 December 1830 (Madison Papers)
The copy of your Lecture on the Working Men’s party was duly recd; and presuming you to be now at Washington, I address thither my thanks for the pleasure afforded by the judicious interesting and well-timed observations, which you availed yourself of the occasion to inculcate. With cordial esteem RC ( MHi : Everett Collection); draft (DLC) .
730From 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...
731James Madison to Edward Everett, 5 May 1832 (Madison Papers)
I received your letter of the 29. ultimo with every wish to attempt a compliance with its request; but for some days past I have been suffering under a bilious attack now confining me to my bed which disqualifies me from mental exertion, as my rheumatism does my hands and fingers from the search into papers which are voluminous and without an index; whilst My recollection affords me no...
732James Madison to Edward Everett, 17 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 11th. was duly recd. I had noticed the stress laid in a late debate, on the proceedings of the Virga. Legislature in. 1798-9. as supporting the nullifying doctrine so called; and the frequent references also to my participation in those proceedings. But altho’ regretting the erroneous views taken of them, and making no secret of my opinions, I was unwilling to obtrude any...
733From James Madison to Octavius Fairfax, 19 September 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter of the 15th. I feel in common with all who were acquainted with your Father the sincerest respect for the public & private virtues which adorned his character. I find myself precluded nevertheless from the particular mark of it which you request, by the number of like applications, and the general rule they have constrained me to adopt, of declining the desired...
734From James Madison to John Farrar, 7 June 1827 (Madison Papers)
I recd in due time your favor of May 17th for which I return many thanks. The Vol: on astronomy to which it refers being retarded on the way arrived but a few days ago. For this also I must tend. my thanks. As soon as I have glanced at its contents, I shall send it to our Univy. where its merits will be best appreciated; and where I know that one of your former labors is highly valued. Draft (...
735From James Madison to John Farrar, 18 June 1827 (Madison Papers)
Since I recd. your obliging answer to my enquiries concerning Mr. Francis Grund, the name of Mr. Timothy Walker has come to our knowledge as worthy of attention, in providing a Mathematical Professor for our University. As it is understood that he is a late graduate of yours, and can not therefore but be known to you in the more essential features of his Character, I venture on the liberty of...
736James Madison to Charles James Faulkner, 26 July 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter communicating the Resolutions in which "the National Republican Convention of Virginia at Staunton" has been pleased to express its approbation of my public services, and its kind wishes for my personal welfare. I cannot be insensible to the value I ought to place on opinions so favorable and sentiments so friendly coming from a body rendered so respectable by the...
737From 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...
738From James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 6 March 1821 (Madison Papers)
I offer you many thanks for the 1st. vol: of Memoirs published by your Agricultural Board. It contains a very valuable mass of instruction both Theoretical & Practical. If it had not the benefit of the materials expected from the subordinate Societies, it must be of great use in stimulating and guiding their reports which may succeed it. I am very glad to find that it fell within the scope of...
739From James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 5 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favour of March 19. & am glad to find that you think of giveing still more value to your Agricultural work, by extending in a new Edition, your practical veiws of the subject. I retain at the same time my opinion in favour of the Chemical instruction which your original plan combined with them. I know not well what to answer to your enquiry relative to the reception such a...
740From James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 23 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
I received on the 20th. your letter of the 7th. inst. The Agricultura[l] paper to which it refers, being already in print, is of course subject to any further publication, without my consent: And I regard the asking it as a special mark of your politeness; the more so as it was intended to give me an opportunity of rectifying the errors into which I might have fallen. That there may be more of...
741From James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, June 1820 [7 March 1820] (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 1st. inst; with the pamphlet, containing the “Address from the Board of Agriculture of the State of N. York to the County Societies.” I thank you, Sir, for the Communication. The Address seems happily calculated as well to dissuade from the fallacious pursuits which have been so extensively injurious, as to cherish a zeal for the one most essential to the public...
742James Madison to George W. Featherstonehaugh, 3 July 1835 (Madison Papers)
My increasing infirmities and fading vision have retarded my thanks for the copy of your valuable Geological Report, to which I have been obliged to give a perusal less careful than I am persuaded it merits, and I must add without a scientific capacity to do full justice to it. The survey must have been a very fatiguing task which I hope has not impaired your health, and that the result will...
743James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 2 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
I can not at so late a day acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Mar. 1. without feeling that I owe an explanation of the delay. The truth is that it was at first occasioned by the idea that I should soon be able to combine with my thanks for the agreeable little volume accompanying your letter, those due for the important one from your own pen, and this cause of the delay was followed by...
744James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 8 December 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your of the 6th. I am glad to find the public attention in Virginia at length turning towards the mineral resources of the State, and that you are promoting it by the communications, which your Science & observations enable you to make. A Geological survey, skilfully conducted seems to be the most obvious & effectual preparation for the discoveries in view, as well in...
745James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 13 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of Feby. 28. and congratulate you on your return from your transatlantic visit, so rich in the Geological spoils of a foreign region, and with the laudable purpose of gathering like tributes from your own. To say nothing of this Continent, compared with the other, it cannot be doubted that the U. States rival in that kind of resources, any equal portion of the...
746James Madison to George W. Featherstonhaugh, 7 January 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your’s of the 3d. instant. A regard for consistency does not permit me to take the Step you wish in behalf of your Son’s views towards Westpoint. But I can not withold an expression of the pleasure I feel at the testimony borne by his Preceptor to his talents & worth. And the pleasure is enhanced by his relation to an old and intimate friend, whose able & patriotic labours I had...
747James Madison to Mr. Fellows, 31 December 1829 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his thanks to Mr. Fellows for the Copy of the "Posthumous Works of Junius &c", lately forwarded to him. He regrets that he has not yet been able to give it the perusal it invites; and being aware that it may be some time before he can have that pleasure, he no longer delays his acknowledgments for the polite favour, with an offer of his friendly respects & good wishes RC...
748James Madison to John Fellows, 6 January 1836 (Madison Papers)
I received Sir in due time your letter of Septr.—with the Volume accompanying it. But such has been my decrepit condition, the effect of age, and chronic disease, that I have not been able to do more than dip occasionally into the work. This very partial view of its contents, has however satisfied me, that it affords information on curious & not uninteresting subjects, which spare to readers...
749James Madison to Philip R. Fendall, 12 June 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 6 inst containing among other communications on the part of the Managers of the Colonization Society, the exhausted state of its Treasury. This is the more to be lamented, as it is in one view an indication favorable to the interesting object for which the Society was formed. I hope the late Circular appeal of the Board of Managers to the friends of that object...
750James Madison to V. Ferron, 16 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 14th. Instant. The provision for lessons in fencing, having been made by a special act of the Visitors, without any authority to the Rector, to extend it to the case of dancing, I cannot as such give the sanction to your wish. Whether any thing passed at the late meeting of the Visitors from which their sentiments might be inferred, I know not, having not been...