1From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last was committed in December to Mr. Gouverneur Morris. I was then on my way to Virginia. The elections for the new government commenced shortly after my arrival. The first was of Electors, to Ballot for a President and Vice President. The successful candidates were General Wood, Mr. Zachy Johnson, Genl Edward Stephens, Doctor David Stuart, Mr. W. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Mr. Warner Lewis of...
2To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 29 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was committed in December to Mr. Gouverneur Morris. I was then on my way to Virginia. The elections for the new government commenced shortly after my arrival. The first was of Electors, to Ballot for a President and Vice President. The successful candidates were General Wood, Mr. Zachy. Johnson, Genl. Edward Stephens, Doctor David Stuart, Mr. W. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Mr. Warner Lewis of...
3From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter has been just sent me by Miss Rittenhouse and I avail myself of the delay of Mr. Morris to give it a conveyance. Since mine already in the hands of Mr. Morris further returns have been recd. from the Western Counties of this State, which tho’ not the entire residue, reduces the final result to certainty. There will be seven representatives of the federal party, and one a...
4To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 12 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter has been just sent me by Miss Rittenhouse and I avail myself of the delay of Mr. Morris to give it a conveyance. Since mine already in the hands of Mr. Morris further returns have been received from the Western Counties of this State, which tho’ not the entire residue, reduces the final result to certainty. There will be seven representatives of the federal party, and one a...
5From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Governeur Morris who will embark in a few days for Havre, from whence he will proceed immediately to Paris. He is already well known to you by character; and as far as there may be a defect of personal acquaintance I beg leave to supply it by this introduction. My two last were of Ocr. 8. & 17th. They furnished a State of our affairs as they then stood. I...
6To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Governeur Morris who will embark in a few days for Havre, from whence he will proceed immediately to Paris. He is already well known to you by character; and as far as there may be a defect of personal acquaintance I beg leave to supply it by this introduction. My two last were of Ocr. 8 and 17th. They furnished a State of our affairs as they then stood. I...
7From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have written a number of letters to you since my return here, and shall add this by another casual opportunity just notified to me by Mr St. John. Your favor of July 31. came to hand the day before yesterday. The pamphlets of the Marquis Condorcet & Mr. Dupont referred to in it have also been received. Your other letters inclosed to the Delegation have been and will be disposed of as you...
8To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have written a number of letters to you since my return here, and shall add this by another casual opportunity just notified to me by Mr. St. John. Your favor of July 31. came to hand the day before yesterday. The pamphlets of the Marquis Condorcet and Mr. Dupont referred to in it have also been received. Your other letters inclosed to the Delegation have been and will be disposed of as you...
9From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Herewith inclosed are a letter for yourself forwarded to my hands from General Washington, and two others for the Marquis, one from the same quarter, the other from myself. I put both the last under cover to you, not knowing what regard may be due to Newspaper authority, that the Marquis is under the open displeasure of the Court, and may therefore be the less likely to receive letters thro’...
10To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith inclosed are a letter for yourself forwarded to my hands from General Washington, and two others for the Marquis, one from the same quarter, the other from myself. I put both the last under cover to you, not knowing what regard may be due to newspaper authority, that the Marquis is under the open displeasure of the Court, and may therefore be the less likely to receive letters thro’...
11From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being informed of a circuitous opportunity of France I make use of it to forward the inclosures. By one of them you will find that Congress have been at length brought into the true policy which is demanded by the situation of the Western Country. An additional resolution on the secret journal puts an end to all negotiation with Spain referring the subject of a treaty after this assertion of...
12To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed of a circuitous opportunity to France I make use of it to forward the inclosures. By one of them you will find that Congress have been at length brought into the true policy which is demanded by the situation of the Western Country . An additional resolution on the secret journal puts an end to all negotiation with Spain , referring the subject of a treaty after this assertion...
13From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
My last went via England in the hands of a Swiss gentleman who had married an American lady, and was returning with her to his own country. He proposed to take Paris in his way. By that opportunity I inclosed copies of the proceedings of this State on the subject of the Constitution. North Carolina was then in Convention, and it was generally expected would in some form or other have fallen...
14To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 23 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last went vià England in the hands of a Swiss gentleman who had married an American lady, and was returning with her to his own country. He proposed to take Paris in his way. By that opportunity I inclosed copies of the proceedings of this State on the subject of the Constitution. North Carolina was then in Convention, and it was generally expected would in some form or other have fallen...
15From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mr Warville has just arrived here, and I seize an opportunity suddenly brought to my knowledge to thank you for your several favors, and particularly for the pedomiter. Answers to the letters must be put off for the next opportunity. My last went off just as a vote was taken in the Convention of this State which foretold the ratification of the new Government. The latter act soon followed and...
16To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Warville has just arrived here, and I sieze an opportunity suddenly brought to my knowledge to thank you for your several favors, and particularly for the pedometer. Answers to the letters must be put off for the next opportunity. My last went off just as a vote was taken in the Convention of this State which foretold the ratification of the new Government. The later act soon followed and...
17From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your two last unacknowledged favors were of Decr. 20. and Feby. 6. They were received in Virginia, and no opportunity till the present precarious one by the way of Holland, has enabled me to thank you for them. I returned here about ten days ago from Richmond which I left a day or two after the dissolution of the Convention. The final question on the new plan of Government was put on the 25th....
18To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two last unacknowledged favors were of Decr. 20. and Feby. 6. They were received in Virginia, and no opportunity till the present precarious one by the way of Holland, has enabled me to thank you for them. I returned here about ten days ago from Richmond which I left a day or two after the dissolution of the Convention. The final question on the new plan of Government was put on the 25th....
19From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being just acquainted by a letter from President Griffin that Mr. Paridise is in N. York and proposes to sail in the first packet for France I drop you a few lines which will go by that conveyance if they arrive at N. York in time; which however I do not much expect. The proposed Constitution still engrosses the public attention. The elections for the Convention here are but just over and...
20To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Being just acquainted by a letter from President Griffin that Mr. Paridise is in N. York and proposes to sail in the first packet for France I drop you a few lines which will go by that conveyance if they arrive in N. York in time; which however I do not much expect. The proposed Constitution still engrosses the public attention. The elections for the Convention here are but just over and...
21From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received an answer to a letter written to Mr. W. S. Browne on the subject of Mr. Burke’s affairs. The answer is written by direction of Mrs. Brown and informs me that her husband is absent on a voyage to the West Indies and is not expected back till April; that when “he arrives he no doubt will be ready to deliver the effects on proper application. The amount of effects I...
22To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received an answer to a letter written to Mr. W. S. Browne on the subject of Mr. Burke’s affairs. The answer is written by direction of Mrs. Brown and informs me that her husband is absent on a voyage to the West Indies and is not expected back till April; that when “he arrives he no doubt will be ready to deliver the effects on proper application. The amount of effects I...
23From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
By the Count de Moustier I received your favour of the 8th. of October. I recd. by his hands also the watch which you have been so good as to provide for me, and for which I beg you to accept my particular thanks. During the short trial I have made, she goes with great exactness. Since the arrival of the Count de Moustier, I have recd. also by the Packet Mr. Calonne’s publication for myself,...
24To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Count de Moustier I received your favour of the 8th. of October. I received by his hands also the watch which you have been so good as to provide for me, and for which I beg you to accept my particular thanks. During the short trial I have made she goes with great exactness. Since the arrival of the Count de Moustier, I have received also by the Packet Mr. Calonne’s publication for...
25From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
The packet has been detained here since the date of the letter which you will receive along with this, by some preparations suggested by an apprehension of war. The delay is very unfavorable to the trees on board for you. Mr. de la Forest the consul here called on me a few days ago and told me he had information that the farmers general & Mr. Morris having found their contract mutually...
26To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The packet has been detained here since the date of the letter which you will receive along with this, by some preparations suggested by an apprehension of war. The delay is very unfavorable to the trees on board for you. Mr. De la Forest the Consul here called on me a few days ago and told me he had information that the farmers general and Mr. Morris having found their contract mutually...
27From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 17th. of Sepr. with sundry other letters and Packets, came duly by the last packet. Such of them as were addressed to others, were duly forwarded. The three Boxes, marked IM, G.W. and AD, it appears were never shipped from Havre. Whenever they arrive your commands with regard to the two last shall be attended to, as well as those relating to some of the contents of the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 9 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 17th. of Sepr. with sundry other letters and packets, came duly by the last packet. Such of them as were addressed to others, were duly forwarded. The three Boxes, marked I M, G.W. and A D, it appears were never shipped from Havre. Whenever they arrive your commands with regard to the two last shall be attended to, as well as those relating to some of the contents of the...
29From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Shortly before the Philadelphia convention adjourned, JM confided to Jefferson his opinion that the proposed Constitution would “neither effectually answer its national object nor prevent the local mischiefs which every where excite disgusts agst the state governments” (6 Sept. 1787 [partly in code]). The letter printed below, running to seventeen manuscript pages, contains JM’s detailed...
30To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My two last, though written for the two last Packets, have unluckily been delayed till this conveyance. The first of them was sent from Philada. to Commodore Jones in consequence of information that he was certainly to go by the packet then about to sail. Being detained here by his business with Congress, and being unwilling to put the letter into the mail without my approbation, which could...
31From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last was intended for the Augst. Packet and put into the hands of Commodore Paul Jones. Some disappointments prevented his going, and as he did not know but its contents might be unfit for the ordinary conveyance, he retained it. The precaution was unnecessary. For the same reason the delay has been of little consequence. The rule of secresy in the Convention rendered that as it will this...
32To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was intended for the Augst. Packet and put into the hands of Commodore Paul Jones. Some disappointments prevented his going, and as he did not know but its contents might be unfit for the ordinary conveyance, he retained it. The precaution was unnecessary. For the same reason the delay has been of little consequence. The rule of secrecy in the Convention rendered that as it will this...
33From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 19 August 1787. Introduces Tench Coxe as requested in Coxe’s letter to JM of 18 Aug . Recorded in list of letters from “J. M. to Ths. Jefferson” (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Noted in Jefferson’s “Summary Journal of Letters” as received 13 Dec. 1787 ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (19 vols. to date; Princeton,...
34[To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 August 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 19 Aug. 1787 . Recorded in SJL as received 13 Dec. 1787, “(recommendation of Tenche Cox).” Not found.]
35From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, with Enclosure, 2 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was of June 20. Your’s received since that date are May 15. and June 6. In mine I acknoleged the receipt of the Paccan nuts which came sealed up. I have reason to believe those in the box are arrived at Lorient. By the Mary Capt. Howland lately sailed from Havre to N. York I shipped three boxes of books one marked I.M. for yourself, one marked B.F. for Doctr. Franklin, and one marked...
36From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1787 (Madison Papers)
I lately received & forwarded to Mr. Jno. Banister Jr. a packet which came from you under cover to me. I had an opportunity which avoided the charge of postage. The Convention continue to sit, and have been closely employed since the Commence[me]nt of the Session. I am still under the mortification of being restrained from disclosing any part of their proceedings. As soon as I am at liberty I...
37To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 18 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I lately received and forwarded to Mr. Jno. Banister Jr. a packet which came from you under cover to me. I had an opportunity which avoided the charge of postage. The Convention continue to sit, and have been closely employed since the Commencement of the Session. I am still under the mortification of being restrained from disclosing any part of their proceedings. As soon as I am at liberty I...
38From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1787 (Madison Papers)
The day fixed for the meeting of the Convention was the 14th. ult. On the 25th. and not before seven States were assembled. General Washington was placed unâ voce in the chair. The Secretaryship was given to Major Jackson. The members present are from Massachussetts Mr. Gherry, Mr. Ghorum, Mr. King, Mr. Strong. From Connecticut Mr. Sherman Docr. S. Johnson, Mr. Elseworth. From N. York Judge...
39To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 6 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The day fixed for the meeting of the Convention was the 14th. ult: on the 25th. and not before seven States were assembled. General Washington was placed unâ voce in the chair. The Secretaryship was given to Major Jackson. The members present are from Massachusetts Mr. Gherry, Mr. Ghorum, Mr. King, Mr. Strong. From Connecticut Mr. Sherman, Doct. S. Johnson, Mr. Elseworth. From N. York Judge...
40From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am just furnished by Mr. Pollock with a box containing a few Peccan Nuts, which Mr. Jno. Vaughan of this City undertakes to forward by a Vessel just sailing for France. Monday last was the day for the meeting of the Convention. The number as yet assembled is but small. Among the few is Genl. Washington who arrived on Sunday evening amidst the acclamations of the people, as well as more sober...
41To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just furnished by Mr. Pollock with a box containing a few Peccan Nuts, which Mr. Jno. Vaughan of this City undertakes to forward by a Vessel just sailing for France. Monday last was the day for the meeting of the Convention. The number as yet assembled is but small. Among the few is Genl. Washington who arrived on Sunday evening amidst the acclamations of the people, as well as more sober...
42From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of March 19. I have had the pleasure of yours of Decr. 16. Jany. 30. and Feby. 7. which were handed to me by Col Franks. Along with them were received the copying machine and other articles referred to in them. You will accept my warmest thanks for all these favors. The packet for the Governor of Virginia under the same cover with your letter of Feby. 7. has been...
43To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 23 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last which was of March 19. I have had the pleasure of yours of Decr. 16. Jany. 30. and Feby. 7. which were handed to me by Col. Franks. Along with them were received the copying machine and other articles referred to in them. You will accept my warmest thanks for all these favors. The packet for the Governor of Virginia under the same cover with your letter of Feby. 7. has been...
44From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last was of the 15th. of Feby. and went by the Packet. This will go to England in the care of a French gentleman who will consign it to the care of Mr. Adams. The appointments for the Convention go on auspiciously. Since my last Georgia, S. Carolina, N. York, Massts. and N. Hampshire have come into the measure. The first and last of these States have commissioned their delegates to...
45To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was of the 15th. of Feby, and went by the packet. This will go to England in the care of a French gentleman who will consign it to the care of Mr. Adams. The appointments for the Convention go on auspiciously. Since my last Georgia, S. Carolina, N. York, Massts. and N. Hampshire have come into the measure. The first and the last of these States have commissioned their delegates to...
46From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
My endeavors to obtain for you the peccan Nuts have all been unsuccessful untill a few days ago when I recd. by the post about a dozen of them which I now enclose. They go by a French Gentleman in a vessel bound for England, who will either carry them himself to Paris, or consign them to the care of Mr. Adams. I do not yet despair of being able to possess myself of the full quantity which you...
47To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 18 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My endeavors to obtain for you the peccan Nuts have all been unsuccessful untill a few days ago when I received by the post about a dozen of them which I now inclose. They go by a French Gentleman in a Vessel bound for England, who will either carry them himself to Paris, or consign them to the care of Mr. Adams. I do not yet despair of being able to possess myself of the full quantity which...
48From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last was from Richmond of the 4th. of December, and contained a sketch of our legislative proceedings prior to that date. The principal proceedings of subsequent date relate as nearly as I can recollect 1st. to a rejection of the Bill on crimes & punishments, which after being altered so as to remove most of the objections as was thought, was lost by a single vote. The rage agst. Horse...
49To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was from Richmond of the 4th. of December, and contained a sketch of our legislative proceedings prior to that date. The principal proceedings of subsequent date relate as nearly as I can recollect 1st. to a rejection of the Bill on crimes and punishments, which after being altered so as to remove most of the objections as was thought, was lost by a single vote. The rage against Horse...
50From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your last favor which was of the 25th of April, has already been acknowledged. My last inclosing a letter from Mrs. Carr, was dated a few days ago only. It was put into the hands of Mosr. Chevalier who has gone on to N. York, whither I shall forward this to his care. It is to embark in the packet which will sail on the 15th. inst. The recommendation from the Meeting at Annapolis of a...