1Roberts to James Madison, 1 September 1822, with Postscript to Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson Papers)
[ Ed. Note : “ Roberts ,” who wrote under an apparent pseudonym and claimed to be a Revolutionary War veteran, composed a letter to former president James Madison dated Pennsylvania , 1 Sept. 1822. Although Madison ’s copy has not been found, a transcription of it was later sent to TJ. In a five-page document received at Monticello in the summer of 1824, the author blamed Madison for both the...
2Virginia Council of State’s Appointment of University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 29 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The Governor called the attention of the board to the subject of appointing Visitors for the University of Virginia in Conformity with the provisions of an act of assembly passed the 25 January 1819 —Whereupon, the following persons were duly appointed Visitor—to wit: Thomas Jefferson — James Madison — Chapman Johnson — Jos. C. Cabell
3From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1824 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. from Mr. H. Wheaton who is engaged in a Biography of the late W. Pinkney a letter wch. I inclose with my answer. If your recollection or memoranda can confirm or enlarge the information I have given with respect to the origin of the Embargo, be so good as to return my answer that it may be improved: If otherwise, it may be sealed & forwarded; the letter from Mr. Wheaton to be...
4From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
I return your letter to Gilmer as fairly copied. Will he understand that he is not to return without a Nat: Philosopher, tho’ bringing the other Professors named, and despairing of that one? There will however be time for final instructions on this point after hearing further from him. Yrs. affecty RC ( ViU : Special Collections); FC ( DLC ). Minor differences between the copies have not been...
5To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the letter from M r Cabell with your answer to it inclosed in yours of the 16 th just come to hand. It is not probable that a removal of the College from Williamsburg, will be espoused by a Majority of the Visitors, controuled as they will be by the popular voice in that quarter. If it should, Richmond will not be without competitors. The pretensions of Petersburg have already been...
6To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 13 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
When I suggested, some time ago, Judge Carr for the Law Chair in the University, I did not know that he had been taken into view by any other member of our Board; and inferring from the silent reception given to my letter, and the attractions of the place he now holds. that I ought not to persist in the idea of his appointment, my thoughts were turned altogether to other chances. By a letter...
7From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 6th. inclosing the letters to & from Dr. Cooper, and forward the former by this days mail, the first that has offered. The relinquishment of our claim on him was unavoidable, and but reasonable, and it could not have been made known to him in more suitable terms. RC ( DLC ). Fragment. Remainder of text, closing, and signature clipped. Docketed by Jefferson, “recd....
8From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 3. came safe to hand, with the seeds you were so kind as to send with it. I return Mr. Cabell’s letter. I hope his fears exaggerate the hostility to the University; tho’ if there should be a dearth in the Treasury, there may be danger from the predilection in favor of the popular Schools. I begin to be uneasy on the subject of Cooper. It will be a dreadful shock to him if...
9To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d yesterday your two letters of the 12 & 15 th & return the letter from M r Cabell inclosed in one of them. I approve the course you have in view of obtaining an eventual meeting of the Visitors. The Judicial appointment of M r Barbour will, I understand, be accepted; and as it is in the road to the Court of Appeals, lessens the chance of him for the University. I am sorry you hear...
10From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1825 (Madison Papers)
Having but little hope that Judge Dade will accept the place offered him, and having occasionally heard Mr. Lomax of Fredericksbg. spoken of favorably, I sought an occasion, yesterday, without disclosing my object, of learning more of him, from Judge Barbour, who has long been at the same Bar with him, and is otherwise well acquainted with his character. The Judge considers him as a man of...
11To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Browere (pronounced Brower) is so anxious to pay his respects to you that I can not refuse him a line of introduction His object is to take your likeness in plaster, much desired it appears by patrons of a Public Gallery. His success as an Artist is very highly attested. His bust of Gen l Lafayette is pronounced by other imitation Artists as a conspicuous proof of his talent. The little...
12From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 April 1825 (Madison Papers)
The letter for Judge Barbour inclosed in your last to me, did not reach him, till his return on saturday evening from his visit to Culpeper. Yesterday he called on me, on his way to his Court in this County. I found that he adhered to his purpose last communicated, and that such would be his answer to you. There can be no chance therefore of obtaining him for the University, unless the vacancy...
13From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 April 1825 (Madison Papers)
When I suggested, some time ago, Judge Carr for the Law Chair in the University, I did not know that he had been taken into view by any other member of our Board; and inferring from the silent reception given to my letter, and the attractions of the place he now holds, that I ought not to persist in the idea of his appointment, my thoughts were turned altogether to other chances. By a letter...
14From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. which authenticates your convalescence was most welcome, & I thank you much for your kindness in relieving me from the anxieties which preceded it. Fortunately the first account we had of your illness was accompanied with some encouragement to hope that the crisis had been passed favorably; & this hope was fostered by the information of Col: P. Barbour on his return...
15From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 16th. inclosing the paper from Mr. Ticknor, on the tax imposed on Books imported. He has taken a very comprehensive and judicious view of the subject. The remark you add to it is a proper one also; that books being a permanent property ought not to be taxed whilst other permanent property is exempt, both in the acquisition and possession. I have always considered...
16To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the letters from Doc r Cooper inclosed in yours of the 7 th It is truly to be lamented that at his stage of life and in the midst of his valuable labours, he should experience the persecutions which torment , and depress him. Should he finally wish to exchange his present birth for one in our University, and make the proposition without any advances on our part, there could be no...
17From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Gilmer. It would have been more agreeable if he had not suspended his decision as to the ulterior object offered him: but he can not be blamed for yielding to the reasons he gives for it. There is weight in what he suggests as to an extension of his research into Germany: and there may be some advantage in the attraction wch. a professor from that quarter might...
18To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 18 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the letter from M r Gilmer. It would have been more agreeable if he had not suspended his decision as to the ulterior object offered him: but he can not be blamed for yielding to the reasons he gives for it. There is weight in what he suggests as to an extension of his research into Germany; and there may be some advantage in the attraction w ch a professor from that quarter might...
19From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday morning yours of the 8th. and return the several copies of letters inclosed in it. The letter to you from Mr. Cabell was returned by the mail before the last. I know not any course better to be taken in relation to Dr. Cooper, than your letters to him & Correa. I have not a particle of doubt that the answer of the latter will compleatly remove the objection brought forward...
20To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Circular of the 4 th instant did not come to hand till yesterday. In the present attitude of things the reappointment of M r Gilmer to the Law Professorship seems a matter of course: though I am sorry to learn that there is some ground to apprehend that his qualifications are not as well understood & as highly estimated as they deserve to b DLC : Papers of James Madison.
21James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I fulfill the request of M r Rush by inclosing the letter in which it is made; and the rather as the letter is of pretty late date and touches on the affairs of Europe . I have heard of your intended visit to Bedford , but count on this reaching Monticello before you leave it. RC ( Heritage Auctions , auction 6182, Dallas, 19 Oct. 2017, lot 47062); endorsed by TJ as received 9 (reworked from...
22James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the several papers which accompanied yours of the 30 th Ult: I have interlined with a pencil for your consideration a very slight change in the petition to Congress , and another in the Report to the P. & D. of the Lit: Fund . The first is intended to parry objections from the reprinters of foreign books, by a phraseology not precluding exceptions in their favor. The exceptions can be...
23James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 3. came safe to hand, with the seeds you were so kind as to send with it I return M r Cabell’s letter . I hope his fears exaggerate the hostility to the University ; tho’ if there should be a dearth in the Treasury , there may be danger from the predilection in favor of the popular Schools. I begin to be uneasy on the subject of Cooper . It will be a dreadful shock to him if...
24James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been detained in Washington untill the 6 th inst. I did not reach home till Tuesday night, and of course too late to comply with the arrangement notified in yours of the 10 th March by Bizet . I take for granted that the other Visitors met, and that for the present at least my attendance will not be needed. As it has always been our purpose to pay a visit to Monticello at no distant day...
25To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry M r Tucker requires time for deliberation. It shews the difficulty in our Country of withdrawing talents from rival pursuits into the service of Education. I do not think he will have chosen the best of literary careers, if he devotes himself to Novel writing. The public taste is nearly satiated with the fashionable, perhaps the best species, in which the success of Walter Scott has...
26From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1824 (Madison Papers)
The bearer Mr. E. Tayloe, son of Col: Tayloe of Washington is desirous of making a respectful call at Monticello, and I can not refuse to his motive, the gratification of a line presenting him to you. He is at present a resident at Fredericksburg, reading Law with his kinsman Mr Lomax; and appears to be quite estimable & amiable. Mr T. is so good as to take charge of the 4 last volumes of Las...
27James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Nov r 29. came to hand a few days ago. The letter from T.C. is returned. I had one from him lately on the same subject; and in consequence reminded the President of his political career; dropping at the same time a few lines in his favor of to our Senator M r Barbour
28From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 11th. The letter from Mr. Cabell which I return is of very agreeable import. His other letter was returned several days ago, and probably reached Monticello soon after the date of yours. Health & all other happiness RC ( CtY ).
29To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 16 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 9 th was not rec d till the evening before the last, and c d not be sooner answered tha n by the Mail which p asses our Court House today. As it is proper to give as wide an opening to the University as we can, I readily accede to the p rovision of an Anatomical as an 8 th Professor, which you propose as within a f air estimate of its resources. I think how ever that unless a...
30To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 3 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the letters from M r Gilmer enclosed in yours of Nov r 30. His account of the engaged Professors is very encouraging. It is a happy circumstance that none of them are beyond the ages mentioned. They will be the less inflexible in their habits, the more improveable in their qualifications, and will last the longer. It would seem that Gilmer’s mind leans now to the station he declined...