21To James Madison from John Dawson, 22 June 1797 (Madison Papers)
I have recievd your favour, & deliverd Mrs. Madisons. The accompanying papers will shew you the state of Europe, & you can easily judge of the effect they have had here. We have voted out the propositions for a salt tax, & for an additional regiment of artillerists—& the Senate, to day, that for a provisional army—they have also confirmd the nomination of Gerry in the place of Dana, who...
22To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 June 1797 (Madison Papers)
The Senate have this day rejected their own bill for raising a provisional army of 15,000. men. I think they will reject that for permitting private vessels to arm. The Representatives have thrown out the bill of the Senate for raising artillery. They yesterday put off one forbidding our citizens to serve in foreign vessels of war, till Nov. by a vote of 52. to 44. This day they came to a...
23From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate have this day rejected their own bill for raising a provisional army of 15,000. men. I think they will reject that for permitting private vessels to arm. The Representatives have thrown out the bill of the Senate for raising artillery. They yesterday put off one forbidding our citizens to serve in foreign vessels of war, till Nov. by a vote of 52. to 44. This day they came to a...
24To James Madison from John Dawson, 25 June 1797 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you by the last mail, & now enclose a letter entrusted to my care for Mrs. Madison. On saturday we passed a bill, which came from the Senate, for the protection of our commerce, after disrobing it of the clauses, which authorisd the president to purchase nine additional vessels of 20 guns each, & directing that the three frigates shoud not be used as convoys—& that the law shoud be...
25To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1797 (Madison Papers)
The day of adjournment walks before us like our shadow. We shall rise on the 3d. or 4th. of July. Consequently I shall be with you about the 8th. or 9th. The two houses have jointly given up the 9. small vessels. The Senate have rejected at the 3d reading their own bill authorizing the President to lay embargoes. They will probably reject a very unequal tax passed by the Repr. on the venders...
26From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The day of adjournment walks before us like our shadow. We shall rise on the 3d. or 4th. of July. Consequently I shall be with you about the 8th. or 9th. The two houses have jointly given up the 9. small vessels. The Senate have rejected at the 3d reading their own bill authorizing the President to lay embargoes . They will probably reject a very unequal tax passed by the Repr. on the venders...
27To James Madison from John Dawson, 10 July 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 10 July 1797. Mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 2 Aug. 1797 . Informs JM that James Monroe should be in Virginia within two weeks.
28To James Madison from Volney, 19 July 1797 (Madison Papers)
Me Voici depuis peu de jours beaucoup rapproché de Vous; et deja il me Serait difficile de rester a cette distance Sans aller Vous rendre une Visite; mais cela me deviendra absolument impossible, avec l’engagement que j’ai pris d’aller passer quelques jours près de Mr jefferson: je n’ai point oublié celui que Vous me prescrivites au moment de Votre depart, de Vous prévenir du tems où je...
29To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1797 (Madison Papers)
In hopes that mrs. Madison & yourself & miss Madison will favor us with a visit when Colo. Monroe calls on you, I write this to inform you that I have had the Shadwell & Secretary’s ford both well cleaned. If you come the lower road, the Shadwell ford is the proper one. It is a little deepened, but clear of stone & perfectly safe. If you come the upper road you will cross at the Secretary’s...
30From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 July 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
In hopes that Mrs. Madison and yourself and Miss Madison will favor us with a visit when Colo. Monroe calls on you, I write this to inform you that I have had the Shadwell and Secretary’s ford both well cleaned. If you come the lower road, the Shadwell ford is the proper one. It is a little deepened, but clear of stone and perfectly safe. If you come the upper road you will cross at the...
31To James Madison from John Dawson, 27 July 1797 (Madison Papers)
We have nothing late from Europe—in our committee we go on well, & I have well grounded reasons, which I cannot communicate by letter, to say that we shall bring in some large fish. Colo Monroe is here & is very much engaged—he proposes to set out in about a week—in September I expect the pleasure of seeing you as I hope by that time I may with safety leave the committee. Yrs Truly RC ( DLC )....
32To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1797 (Madison Papers)
One of the documents Jefferson enclosed in his letter to JM of 3 August 1797 was a draft petition in response to a federal circuit court grand jury presentment handed down in Richmond 22 May. The presentment, issued on a charge given by Judge James Iredell, condemned Samuel J. Cabell and other United States representatives for writing circular letters that endeavored “at a time of real public...
33From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 August 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I scribbled you a line on the 24th. Ult. It missed of the post and so went by a private hand. I perceive from yours by Mr. Bringhurst that you had not recieved it. In fact it was only an earnest exhortation to come here with Munroe, which I still hope you will do. In the mean time I inclose you a letter from him, and wish your opinion on it’s principal subject. The variety of other topics, the...
34To James Madison from Snowden and McCorkle, 9 August 1797 (Madison Papers)
Herewith you will receive 13 copies of the History of the United States. Mr John Beckley presented your name to us as answerable for 12. Agreeably to the terms of subscription, you are, therefore, entitled to a thirteenth gratis. The price to subscribers is one dollar. Non-subscribers pay one dollar and a quarter. It would be needless to remind you, Sir, of the delicacy of the situation of a...
35To James Madison from John Dawson, 13 August 1797 (Madison Papers)
By the mail on Thursday I recievd your favour of the Int. On the 12 of the last month we sent a messenger to Tennessee for some persons & papers, & have good reason to conclude that we shall get some material testimony from that quarter. For his return I wait, & shall on it set out for Virginia, if I can escape the fever which is pretty prevalent here, notwithstanding the heavy rains which we...
36To James Madison from John Dawson, 7 September 1797 (Madison Papers)
I left Philaa. on the 1st. & arrivd here on the 5. In the morning I shall go to Richmond for a few days to arrange some private matters. The result of the enquiries of the committee has been more favourable than I expected, and will be a bitter pill to the British minister, our Secretary of state & their faction. We have deemd it proper not to make our proceedings public, untill laid before...
37To James Madison from Volney, 12 [September] 1797 (Madison Papers)
J’ai L’honneur de présenter à Mr Madison mes remerciemens: je Suis arrivé ce Matin à 9½ h ayant couché chez getwood: Samuel se trouve en etat de repartir de suite pour retourner Coucher au Même lieu, en sorte que j’espère qu’il Sera demain rendu pour diner—je prie Mr Madison de présenter Mes complimens a Sa famille, et d’agreer mes très humbles civilités N. b. la lettre de Mlle Baynton a été...
38To James Madison from Montesquieu, 12 September 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 12 September 1797. Calendared as a three-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2); however, no correspondence has been located between JM and Charles Louis, baron de Montesquieu (1749–1824), grandson of the famous French philosopher.
39To James Madison from William Glassell, 21 September 1797 (Madison Papers)
Altho from our differnt avocations we are not in the habit of corresponding I shall use the freedom of asking you to do me a favor which from its nature, is only just. Mr. Francis Taylor, who was the deputy of Major Wm. Lyndsay “late collector of the Port Norforlk [ sic ] for many years past” offers himself as a candidite for that Office, in rotation . The Government will pay Much Attention to...
40To James Madison from James Monroe, 24 September 1797 (Madison Papers)
Since my return I have devoted all the leasure time I have had in preparing my narrative for Mr. Bache but yet it is not finished. I suppose I have yet abt. a 3d. to do, which I hope to complete this week. The whole when completed will make a pamphlet of between thirty & forty pages. It has cost me much trouble on acct. of the necessity of observing great accuracy in facts, dates, &ca. Of the...
41To James Madison from Stephen Moylan, 27 September 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 September 1797. Mentioned in Moylan to JM, 25 Apr. 1798 . Moylan refuses to continue as JM’s tenant if property taxes are added to the rent.
42To James Madison from Hubbard Taylor, 8 October 1797 (Madison Papers)
Being out of paper I am obliged to have recourse to an old Book. Since I wrote you last I recd. a letter from Mesrs. Watts’s of New york, with a power of Atteo: & Deed of Trust to them but neither of them are properly proved—either before a Court, Majestrates, or thro Notory public. I have answerd their Letter & observed those deficiencies to them. I do not think the Authority I have is...
43To James Madison from James Monroe, 15 October 1797 (Madison Papers)
I tax you with H.’s pamphlet, requesting that you will return it by the post to Mr. Jeffn. You will be so good as tell me frankly yr. opinion of the footing upon wh. my correspondence with that Scondrel stands, and whether it becomes me to pursue him further. Mr. Dawson will be at yr. court I think on the 25. wh. I presume is yr. ct. day. If I can I will meet him at yr. house. My narrative...
44To James Madison from Thomas Law, 18 October 1797 (Madison Papers)
For particular reasons (a chief one is that I have a claim for 10000 £ Stg now pending in England) altho’ I am married to a Virginian Lady & have almost the whole of my fortune vested in America, I am adverse to taking the oath required to entitle me to the rights of Citizenship. I therefore wish to hold lands in Virginia as a foreigner & to request your advice & aid if you approve of my...
45To James Madison from Hubbard Taylor, 24 November 1797 (Madison Papers)
You will no doubt be informed by Majr Lee that 1000 Acres of the land on Panther Creek in the name of your brother Ambrose has not been Patented, a circumstance which never came to my Knowledge untill Majr Lee told me. I surveyed the Land in Augt. or Sepr. 1780, the returns were delayed for & on acct. of the division of the Counties I afterwards sent them all to the office those of...
46To James Madison from Joseph Mussi, [ca. December] 1797 (Madison Papers)
I found on my desk yesterday your memorandum, & agreable to your request I’ill make an estimation of the mentioned marble work, but not so accurate as I, & probably you would wish. The quality of Stone, & kind of ornaments are first to be fixed upon; white Statuary marble, as my Chemney pce. is dearer than Common marble with veins, as the slabs in my yard; ornaments of oriental alabaster,...
47To James Madison from John Dawson, 10 December 1797 (Madison Papers)
Since my return to this place I have delayd to write to you from a hope that I shoud have it in my power to communicate something new or interesting. In congress we move on very harmoniously & do very little. The report of the committee on Blounts affair producd some long faces, & shewd that it was not a French plot with Mr. Jefferson at the bottom, as has been industriously circulated in the...
48To James Madison from James Monroe, 10 December 1797 (Madison Papers)
You were so kind as intimate some time since you cod. accomodate me with a draft for two or three hundred dolrs. at Phil. At that time I thought I cod. get along without it, but the excessive charges attending the transportation of my furniture, far exceeding the real value inclines me to accept the draft if you can now furnish it with perfect convenience to yrself. I have read the speech &...
49To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 January 1798 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of Dec. 25. came to hand yesterday. I shall observe your directions with respect to the post day. I have spoken with the Depy. Post. M. Genl. on the subject of our Fredericksburg post. He never knew before that the Fredsbg. printer had taken the contract of the rider. He will be glad if either in your neighborhood or ours some good person will undertake to ride from April next. The...
50From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Dec. 25. came to hand yesterday. I shall observe your directions with respect to the post day. I have spoken with the Depy. Post. M. Genl. on the subject of our Fredericksburg post. he never knew before that the Fredsbg printer had taken the contract of the rider. he will be glad if either in your neighborhood or ours some good person will undertake to ride from April next. the price...
51To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 January 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 2d. inst. on which day I recieved yours of Dec. 25. I have not resumed my pen because there has really been nothing worth writing about but what you would see in the newspapers. There is as yet no certainty what will be the aspect of our affairs with France. Either the Envoys have not written to the government, or their communications are hushed up. This last is...
52From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 2d. inst. on which day I recieved yours of Dec. 25. I have not resumed my pen because there has really been nothing worth writing about but what you would see in the newspapers. there is as yet no certainty what will be the aspect of our affairs with France. either the Envoys have not written to the government, or their communications are hushed up. this last is...
53To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 February 1798 (Madison Papers)
We are very thankful for the articles yr.self & Mrs. M. were so good as send us. They are really rarities and of importance in our present situation. We shod. however be very sorry if you reduc’d yr. own stock so as to feel the want of them. We send you two mattresses—one of hair & another of wool. 4. dozen of the better kind of diaper napkins & 2. of infr., very useful for common purposes. 4....
54To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 February 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 25th. Ult. since which yours of the 21st. has been recieved. Bache had put 500. copies of Monroe’s book on board a vessel, which was stopped by the early & unexpected freezing of the river. He then tried in vain to get them sent on by fifties at a time by the stage. The river is now open here, the vessels have fallen down and if they can get through the ice below, the...
55From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 25th. Ult. since which yours of the 21st. has been recieved. Bache had put 500. copies of Monroe’s book on board a vessel, which was stopped by the early & unexpected freezing of the river. he then tried in vain to get them sent on by fifties at a time by the stage. the river is now open here, the vessels have fallen down and if they can get through the ice below, the...
56To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 February 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 8th. We have still not a word from our envoys. This long silence (if they have been silent) proves things are not going on very roughly. If they have not been silent, it proves their information if made public would check the disposition to arm. I had flattered myself, from the progress of the public sentiment against arming, that the same progress had taken place in...
57From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 8th. we have still not a word from our envoys. this long silence (if they have been silent) proves things are not going on very roughly. if they have not been silent, it proves their information if made public would check the disposition to arm. I had flattered myself, from the progress of the public sentiment against arming, that the same progress had taken place in...
58To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1798 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 12th. is recieved. I wrote you last on the 15th. but the letter getting misplaced, will only go by this post. We still hear nothing from our Envoys. Whether the Executive hear we know not. But if war were to be apprehended, it is impossible our envoys should not find means of putting us on our guard, or that the Executive should hold back their information. No news therefore is...
59From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 February [1798] (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 12th. is recieved. I wrote you last on the 15th. but the letter getting misplaced, will only go by this post. we still hear nothing from our Envoys. whether the Executive hear we know not. but if war were to be apprehended, it is impossible our envoys should not find means of putting us on our guard, or that the Executive should hold back their information. no news therefore is...
60To James Madison from John Dawson, 1 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your letter without date, & have had the enclosure deliverd agreeably to your request. The degrading business between Griswold and Lyon has at length come to an end, without even an censure on either—those gentlemen who were so loud in favour of the expulsion of Lyon, voted against even a censure, when it was to expand to their favourite Griswold, who had committed a more...
61To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 2 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 22d. since which I have received yours without date, but probably of about the 18th. or 19th. An arrival to the Eastward brings us some news which you will see detailed in the papers. The new partition of Europe is sketched, but how far authentic we know not. It has some probability in it’s form. The French appear busy in their preparations for the invasion of England:...
62From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 2 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 22d. since which I have received yours without date, but probably of about the 18th. or 19th. an arrival to the Eastward brings us some news which you will see detailed in the papers. the new partition of Europe is sketched, but how far authentic we know not. it has some probability in it’s form. the French appear busy in their preparations for the invasion of England:...
63To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 2d. inst. Your’s of the 4th. is now at hand. The public papers will give you the news of Europe. The French decree making the vessel friendly or enemy according to the hands by which the cargo was manufactured has produced a great sensation among the merchants here. It’s operation is not yet perhaps well understood; but probably it will put our shipping out of...
64From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 2d. inst. your’s of the 4th. is now at hand. the public papers will give you the news of Europe. the French decree making the vessel friendly or enemy according to the hands by which the cargo was manufactured has produced a great sensation among the merchants here. it’s operation is not yet perhaps well understood; but probably it will put our shipping out of...
65To James Madison from Henry Tazewell, 18 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
Soon after my arrival here, I recd. your favour with several inclosures. The inclosed Letters were delivered, as directed, and I should have acknowledged the receipt of your Letter at an earlier period—but for an indisposition which has kept me very much confined during the whole Winter. As the Weather becomes more mild, and the Climate more like that to which I have been accustomed—my health...
66Circular Letter from John Dawson, 20 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
After fourteen days delay, on yesterday the President sent to us the inclosed important, intemperate, and unconstitutional Message, which is referred to a Committee of the whole on the State of the Union. Circumstances prove clearly to my mind, that the fixed policy of our Administration will involve us in the war on the part of Great-Britain—an event which I very much dread, but which I fear...
67To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 15th. Since that, yours of the 12th. is recieved. Since that too a great change has taken place in the appearance of our political atmosphere. The merchants, as before, continue, a respectable part of them, to wish to avoid arming. The French decree operated on them as a sedative, producing more alarm than resentment. On the Representatives differently. It excited...
68From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 15th. since that yours of the 12th. is recieved. since that too a great change has taken place in the appearance of our political atmosphere. the merchants, as before, continue, a respectable part of them, to wish to avoid arming. the French decree operated on them as a sedative, producing more alarm than resentment. on the Representatives differently. it excited...
69To James Madison from John Dawson, 29 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I have recievd your favour & attended immediately to its contents. We are now in committee of the whole on the president’s message of the 19th. Int., on which three resolutions which I presume you have seen, have been brought forward & I believe will be agreed to—it certainly will be highly important to collect the sentiments of the people, & forward them as soon as possible. New England...
70To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 21st. Your’s of the 12th. therein acknoleged is the last recd. The measure I suggested in mine of adjourning for consultation with their constituents was not brought forward; but on Tuesday 3. resolutions were moved which you will see in the public papers. They were offered in committee to prevent their being suppressed by the previous question, & in the commee. on the...