1951To James Madison from James B. Johnson, 17 January 1818 (Madison Papers)
I Have I beleive written to thee on the subject of slavery, but have at no time requested or received an answer, nor known whether what I had w[r]itten was ever received or not. The bringing of the wretched sons of Africa into the then colonies of England was certainly an evil of the blackest kind, and one that I am far from being able to paint in its propper colours. Let this at present...
1952To James Madison from George Joy, 9 February 1821 (Madison Papers)
You shall have no cause to complain of a tardy rejoinder to your favour of the 25th Novr. last, altho’ in that war of recrimination I was long since offered the Alliance of my friend Jeremy Bentham; and it was literally the fact that at the hour of receiving your Letter last Evening and from that to the present, I have had more of Correspondence to attend to than for any week together in the...
1953Robley Dunglison to James Madison, 26 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have been expecting to have the honor of receiving a letter from you advising what course should be pursued to satisfy the public desire to hear accurate accounts from the University. This morning, the Faculty have determined to make the accompanying Statement of Facts, in order that you might use your own discretion with regard to its publication. The Public seem uninformed or misinformed...
1954To James Madison from John S. Barbour, 27 January 1820 (Madison Papers)
The Commissioner of the Chancery Court, (Acting in obedience to the order relating to the Rents of which I apprised you at a former period) has made up his account and report which I this day saw filed among the papers, by which the deft. B. G. Ward is charged with rents for Seven years @ 20$ per ann: interest thereon to the 1st. day of the present year, making in the aggregate 173.50/100$....
1955Francis Preston Blair to James Madison, 25 October 1832 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a paper containing a letter ascribed to you. I beg the favor of you to inform me by a single line, whether it was written by you, or not. I am Sir with the greatest respect Yo. mo. ob. sv. RC (DLC) .
1956Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 October 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I heard in Bedford that you were atta c ked with the prevailing fever , and with great joy on my return that you were recovered from it. in the strange state of the health of our country every fever gives alarm. I got home from Bedford on the 27 th and am obliged to return there within 3. or 4. days, having an appointment at the Natural bridge on the 11 th prox.
1957To James Madison from Thomas J. Rogers, 5 January 1826 (Madison Papers)
I send by mail the third Edition of my Biographical Dictionary, which I pray you to accept as a testimony of my high regard of your public and private character. With great respect, Your Mo. obt. Sert. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM . Thomas J. Rogers, A New American Biographical Dictionary; or, Remembrancer of the Departed Heroes, Sages, and Statesmen, of America. … , 3rd ed. (Easton, Pa., 1824;...
1958To James Madison from Henry B. Bascom, 19 October 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure of informing you, that our Infant College, is in successful operation; with six Teachers actively employed every day—our prospects at present, afford considerable promise; and allow us to hope much, in behalf of the Institution. The seal of the college, is simple & unpretending, a small vignette engraving of the Head of Mr. Madison, with the designation—“Madisoniensis...
1959Lafayette to James Madison, 10 July 1830 (Madison Papers)
This letter will be delivered by Mr Ruggi whom You Have known at Charlottesville in His Statuary profession. He called upon Mr Rives, Mr David and myself, Several Months ago, with a paper Signed by the professors of the University, engaging them, to the amount of $1000 towards the payment of a Statue of our illustrious friend Jefferson provided, on its Arrival at Charlottesville it Was...
1960Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 1 April 1828 (Madison Papers)
A steady rain all day yesterday prevented my going to the University then. The hour at which the mail closes just allows me time to send you a copy of the Contract with Mr Long —which I have selected, thinking it might be the one you have occasion for—The others are in substance the same. If copies of them are wanted, please drop me a line to that effect. Affectionately, Your very devoted...
1961Albert J. Kidd to James Madison, 12 November 1835 (Madison Papers)
You will pardon me for intruding on your attention a few lines Relative to a subject in which every American Citizen should feel a deep interest. On the demise of the late Chif Justice Marshal you were appointed his successor as President of the ’Washington National Monument Society’. In a recent number of Niles Register I see an address to the American people by order of the Board of...
1962John Townsend to James Madison, 3 October 1831 (Madison Papers)
Personally unacquainted as I am with you, I fear that the liberty I take in addressing to you this communication may be deemed a troublesome, perhaps an impertinent intrusion upon your privacy & Leisure. I can well conjecture the frequent demands which are made upon your time, for counsel & information, having relation to the political history & opinions of the country, in the government of...
1963To James Madison from Robert Wright, 26 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
At the Request of Mr. Samuel T. Anderson who intermarried with my Daughter Caroline, I inclose his Letter to you relative to his Claim created under your Administration, to the just Settlement of which he seems to be estoped by an Entry , as by your especial Order. I have examined the Case and the Compensation allowed, and find that three perCent only is allowed to him for the same services...
1964To James Madison from Jacob Engelbrecht, 5 September 1825 (Madison Papers)
With due deference, would I take the liberty of requesting a favor from you, which, tho’ it may appear of little import to you, will be of great satisfaction to me. I wish you, to honor me with a Letter, in your own hand writing, which Letter, I wish to keep and preserve in honor of you, and after your death to have it neatly framed to preserve as a relick. I have now in my possession Letters...
1965To James Madison from James Monroe, 28 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you such documents mentiond in your memo: as are to be obtaind from the dept. of war. Those to be found, in the Natil. advocate, will be sent as soon as obtaind. There being no file of that paper, in that dept., they must be looked for elsewhere. I have allowed to Mr. Morris, the expence of his journey from Cadiz to Madrid six hundred dolrs., & a like sum to replace him there, &...
1966James Monroe to James Madison, 5 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
On my return home, which I did, on the day contemplated when we parted, I had the satisfaction to find my daughter & Mr Hay in good health, & to receive letters from Mr Gouverneur advising me, that Mrs Monroe’s health, had improved, & was improving. I hope that you & Mrs Madison have been equally fortunate. I was so much overcome by the heat, & fatigue of the journey in consequence of it, that...
1967To James Madison from Maury & Latham, 1 November 1821 (Madison Papers)
Annexed we beg to hand you your Account Current 1 shewing a balance in your favor of £21.15.2 which we hope will be found correct. Since our last letter no material alteration has taken place in our Tobacco market—holders of it continue firm at the late advance. We have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient servants Dr Jas Madison Esq in acct currt & intst to 3d March 1822 with Maury & Latham...
1968Mrs. Stanard to James Madison, 14 August 1829 (Madison Papers)
Mrs Stanard’s respectful compliments to Mr Madison, and begs leave to inform him that she has procured a genteel and pleasantly situated house on Main Street within a short distance of the Capitol between the Banks and the Merchants Coffee House for the accommodation of Members to the approaching Convention. She will have eight well furnished Chambers prepared, with every other convenience to...
1969To James Madison from Joshua Gilpin, 30 August 1827 (Madison Papers)
I do not feel myself at liberty to give a letter of introduction to you to any one, but perhaps in the case of a son you will forgive the intrusion and Mrs. Madison may with her accustomed goodness ensure my pardon. My son indeed making the southern tour feels the desire so common to your countrymen of enjoying once in his life the happiness of seeing Mrs Madison and yourself and I cannot...
1970Edmund H. Taylor to James Madison, 4 June 1833 (Madison Papers)
A Stranger to you but descended from a numerous family by whom I have been always taught to venerate your name I take the liberty of addressing you for the purpose of ascertaining whether you cannot give me some information that may be useful in establishing the fact that my Great Uncle Francis Taylor was a Major in service at the close of the Revolutionary war and in consequence under the...
1971To James Madison from John S. Skinner, 18 November 1822 (Madison Papers)
This conveyance will bear to you a beautiful & very perfect specimen of northern corn—exhibited at the late Agricultural exhibition at Brighton. I sincerely rejoice at your prospect of adding a Professorship of Agriculture to your university, as it will enlighten & dignify the most useful of all occupations. If I could be justified in so far trespassing on the leisure which you ought to be...
1972To James Madison from Gulian C. Verplanck, 5 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
The interest which your connection with the University of Virginia shews that you feel in the subject of education induces me to send you a copy of the last report of the N. Y. High School Society. The schools of this institution afford the most compleat and successful example of the application of the Monitorial system of instruction to the higher branches of education. They were originally...
1973James Herring to James Madison, 14 July 1832 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your notice the Plan of a work, the design of which is to honour those eminent men of our own country who deserve it, to add somewhat to the literature and fine arts productions, and by opening a field for imitation endeavour to bring them up to an equality at least with such as take the highest rank abroad—The Prospectus is however, sufficiently full on that head—The...
1974To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 2 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed I send you a letter from Mrs. Lee to Mrs. Madison, to whom be pleased to present my best respects & wishes, which was intended to have been conveyed by Mr. Todd. It affords me very great satisfaction to hear from every quarter, that you enjoy in your delightful retirement fine health with philosophic Ease. That you may long continue in possession of these blessings, enhanced as they...
1975To James Madison from Francis Brooke, 8 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the earliest moment, since the Proceedings and Address to the People of Virginia were printed, under the direction of the Central Committee, to comply with the Resolution of the Convention, requesting me to transmit a copy thereof to each of the gentlemen nominated on its Electoral Ticket, and to inform them of their several appointments; and in pursuance thereof, now have...
1976From John Adams to James Madison, 22 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
As I can make no Apology for so long forgetting to return the volumes inclosed, I must, without qualification beg your pardon. This Work, tho’ it bears the name of Condorcet alone was understood to be written in concert between him and his great Patron, the Duke de la Rochefaucoult, as well as the “New Heaven,” and several other publications in favour of a Government in one center genuine...
1977John H. Lee to James Madison, 23 April 1831 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of January the 1st was not recd until the 15th of Feby, owing I presume to the extreme inclemency of the weather immediately after I had an interview with Mrs Bell & Mrs T. & proposed to deed them 200 acres of Land of a medium value, out of one of the Tracts, if they would withdraw their defence; This proposition only excited the anger of Mrs Tapscott, & after having recd more...
1978To James Madison from John Hartwell Cocke, 9 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 27. Decr. reached New Canton during my late absence from home, which prevented it from coming to my hands as early as it otherwise would have done. The papers accompanying your letter, discover a deplorable state of things indeed, in the depravity of the Hotel Keepers. I have already confered with Mr. Cabell & Mr. Johnson upon this difficult & painful subject—and shall see Mr....
1979To James Madison from Joseph C. Cabell, 10 July 1819 (Madison Papers)
When I last had the pleasure to see you at Monticello you appeared to approve of the plan which I had suggested to Mr. Jefferson for augmenting the funds of the University by applying to the legislature for the balance of the debt due to the state from the General Government. I then mentioned to you that subsequent to the period at which I had addressed Mr. Jefferson on that subject I had...
1980James Cornick to James Madison, 27 January 1832 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of making a few enquires of you relative to a claim it is believed our family have for the revolutionary services of my father Lemuel Cornick, who from all the information to be gathered upon that subject, was one of those active partisans who got on board the French fleet off Cape Henry, near his residence and Piloted them into and up the Cheasapeak and from that place to...
1981To James Madison from Richard Bache, 21 July 1825 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Tod is in the City. I delivered him your letter yesterday and had the pleasure of seeing him at the dinner given to Mr. Rush. Mrs. Bache joins me in our most affectionate regards to Mrs. Madison & yourself. With great esteem Yrs RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM . Letter not found. A full report of the public dinner for Richard Rush, including toasts and speeches, held on 20 May at Washington...
1982To James Madison from Thomas C. Levins, 14 June 1827 (Madison Papers)
A few weeks since I had the honour of addressing you relatively to the Professorship of Mathcs. in the Virginia University. I then stated my wish to be admitted to fill the station, shd. I be deemed worthy, and shd. the present professor resign. The present letter is written, simply under the impression my former communication might not have been received. On the subject I wrote to the Honble...
1983To James Madison from Roger C. Weightman, 14 June 1826 (Madison Papers)
As chairman of a committee appointed by the citizens of Washington to make arrangements for celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence in a manner worthy of the Metropolis of the nation, I am directed to invite you, as one of the former Presidents of the United States, to honor the city with your presence on the occasion. I am further instructed to inform you, that, on...
1984George Joy to James Madison, 24 December 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have just rec’d from Mr Scrope, one of the M. Ps for this County, a Pamphlet sent him ex officio. I have made some short hand marginal Notes upon it which I have not time to transcribe, and they would be little worth if I had; but I have ordered one of the Pamphlets to be sent to you from London, where, I suppose, they are by this time on Sale. The short of the Story I take to be this. The...
1985To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 June 1818 (Madison Papers)
Being to set out in a few days for Bedford from whence I shall not return till about a week before our Rockfish meeting, I have been preparing such a report as I can, to be offered there to our colleagues. It is not such an one as I should propose to them to make to an assembly of philosophers, who would require nothing but the table of professorships, but I have endeavored to adapt it to our...
1986John Coalter to James Madison, 29 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you a few days ago that the Governor had not receivd from you a Copy of the proceedings at Charlottesville. It may be that you have no extra Copy left; and I have got one made out from the Enquirer, in which paper of the 25—July, the proceedings were published—I now take the liberty to apprise you of this in case you should find any difficulty on that subject—your obt. Servant RC (DLC)...
1987To James Madison from Alexander Garrett, 11 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
Above I send you my check on the P. & Directors of the Literary fund, for whatever sum you may deem proper to approve the payment of, The balance due the University of the annuiety of the current year is $12,000 $3000. of the $15,000 has been drawn (or rather negociated with the Farmers bank of Va.) by order of the board of Visitors at their last October meeting and paid out to the drafts of...
1988James Maury to James Madison, 14 February 1832 (Madison Papers)
It is indeed with real concern that we have so frequently heard of your being harrassed with rheumatism; I do nevertheless hope for a more favorable report, which will be highly gratifying to my daughter and myself. This has been a winter of stronger extremes than I have experienced the last forty five years: the Thermometer having, on two occasions, been at and under Zero: and on two others,...
1989Josiah Quincy to James Madison, 10 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
My Son in law Benjamin D. Greene Esq of Boston, with his lady, and another of my daughters are about visiting the Southern States, with combined views of health and curiosity. In their excursion they are about to pass, in the vicinity of your residence, and have that wish, which is at once so natural and honorable, personally to know and to be permitted to pay their respects to one, who has...
1990To James Madison from James Monroe, 17 October 1823 (Madison Papers)
Two dispatches have been lately receivd from Mr. Rush, communicating a proposition from Mr Canning, confidentially made to him, of cooperation between our two governments, in opposing, by reciprocal declaration, in the first instance, a project which he thinks exists, of the holy alliance, to invade the So. american states, as soon as the business with Spain is settled, & which he intimates...
1991To James Madison from James Monroe, 25 August 1822 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a copy of a report of the Committee of the Senate on the nominations respecting which a difference of opinion took place between that body & me, in the manner shewn by its votes in the sequel of the document. The Senate confirmed the nominations in the rank, that is, the grades to which each officer was designated, but rejected the dates from which it was proposed that their...
1992To James Madison from William F. Gray, 21 October 1823 (Madison Papers)
Not having any remittances to make to Boston on my own acct. I have procured a draft on the Mechanics’ Bank of New York for the sum you wish to remit. And presuming it would be more agreable to you for the remittance to go directly from yourself I herewith enclose it to you. This is the best mode we in this place have of remitting money to Boston. The draft will answer the purposes of your...
1993To James Madison from Littleton Dennis Teackle, 12 June 1824 (Madison Papers)
You will probably have seen, in the publick prints, that an Association has been formed to conduct a periodical work on Political Œconomy, with intent to discover the causes which have operated to retard the progress of our prosperity, & to endeavour to illustrate the proper measures of amelioration. The assistance of many scientifick Gentlemen has been freely offered, & the Society will...
1994To James Madison from William J. Coffee, 3 May 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the Liberty of Inclosing you Small Acct which I Shall be much favord by recving in a few days when I Shall Call on my way home. Sir I Am with Much Respect and Esteem RC ( DLC ). On 25 May 1820 JM made out a receipt, which Coffee signed: “Recd. of James Madison fifty dollars seventy five Cents: being in full for Models & Busts made for him” ( CSmH ). For the busts of JM, Dolley...
1995To James Madison from John Martin Baker, 3 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
I am Honored with your Respected letter of the 20th: ultimo. (received on the 1st: instant) and beg leave to be permitted to return you my grateful thanks for your friendly mention of my late published small work. Mrs. Baker, begs the favor Sir, of her Respect with feeling Sentiments for Mrs. Madisons, kind friendly remembrance; we are thank God all well: the family join me with fervency in...
1996To James Madison from Jonathan Elwell, 26 March 1821 (Madison Papers)
I Write to Inform You of my Lemantable Sitewation & if Your Exelincey recolects in 1811 and 1812 I Was on to se You and made an Aplication Concerning the Schoner Hero and Cargo that Was robed from me and My regester forged in Wilmington North Carlonia. You Advised me to wait Untill Congress met and lay my Greviance befour the House Which I did take Your Advise and petioned for releif. The...
1997David M. Randolph to James Madison, 7 December 1829 (Madison Papers)
Reduced in my worldly possessions, to that of integrity of character only, (as I humbly hope in your estimation) and favored as I am by the kind disposition of his Excellency General Jackson, to reinstate me in the confidence of our Country, I shall take it as an act of singular kindness, if you would promote my purpose, or, otherwise , as shall be your pleasure; in so far as to commit to...
1998To James Madison from John Hartwell Cocke, 13 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
I was prevented by ill health from visiting the University until last week, and therefore did not receive your last letter as soon as I otherwise should—Mr. Garrett having despatched it to me by post just before I reached his House. I have now to regret it the more, from finding it contained the request, to suspend further proceedings in regard to Dr Jones appointment—as in conformity to your...
1999George P. Morris to James Madison, 19 September 1833 (Madison Papers)
Ever since the receipt of the letter you were Kind enough to write me respecting the peculiar situation of your portrait, I have been endeavouring to procure another; but finding it impossible to obtain an accurate likeness, and being anxious that the engraving of your head should be unexceptionable in every particular, I have engaged Mr Durand, the first artist in New York, to visit...
2000John Finch to James Madison, 1 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
Although it is now some years since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Montpelier, I assure you, I have never forgotten the kindness and hospitality with which you treated me on that occasion. I have only written once since that period, because I was fearful of trespassing on your retirement, & on that valuable time, which is occupied with more important concerns. Since I was in Virginia, I...