1From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 25 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17th. found me at this place from which I set out the day after tomorrow. I mean to go thro’ the Eastern states in hopes of deriving some knolege of them from actual inspection and enquiry which may enable me to discharge my duty to them somewhat the better. I expect to embark at Boston about the 20th. of June. If you will recur to the Confederation you will find the...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 18 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 12th. inst. came to hand yesterday. I have the happiness of informing you that on the 14th. inst. we had nine states on the floor and ratified the definitive treaty. Two copies were immediately dispatched by different officers who were to embark in the first vessels they could find going to France. They had 48 days left for it’s timely delivery. The important business now...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 2 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received no foreign intelligence through any authentic channel lately. We hear however in different ways so as to beleive that the greatest confusion prevails in the British councils. The house of commons on the 16th. of January voted that the ministry (Mr. Pitt and his associates) neither possessed nor ought to possess the confidence of the nation. One account sais Mr. Pitt resigned...
4[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 28 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 28 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “E. Pendleton. Lottery tickets—Trumbull’s proclamation—Western territory—adjournment of Congress—committee states—requisitions—Luz[erne]. Marb[ois]—Eng. news to Mar. 25.” Not found.]
5From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 16 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th inst. with great satisfaction as it anticipated a proposition I want to make you of interchanging communications sometimes. The termination of the war will render what I can send you less interesting perhaps, while your intelligence will retain it’s value. It is very essential to us to obtain information of facts, of opinions, and of wishes from our own...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 29 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 23d. inst. came safely by the last post. Your correspondent of Charlestown who informed you so long ago that an accomodation had taken place between the Russians and Turks was a better prophet than historian. The fact [. . . .] than I beleive, but there are hopes it is so [. . . .] information from our ministers on this [. . . .] tells me he has it from one who has [. . . .]...
7From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 24 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
If the contents of the Newspapers of this place find their way into the gazettes of Richmond you will have learnt that the expedition of Genl: Lincoln against the insurgents has effectually dispersed the main body of them. It appears however that there are still some detachments which remain to be subdued. & that the Government of Massts. consider very strong precautions as necessary agst....
8From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 28 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. and acknowledge with great pleasure your favor of the 8th. instt. The remarks which you make on the Act of the Convention appear to me to be in general extremely well founded. Your criticism on the clause exempting vessels bound to or from a State from being obliged to enter &c in another is particularly so. This provision was dictated by the jealousy of some particular States,...
9From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
The receipt of your favor of the 29th Ult: which did not come to hand till a few days ago was rendered particularly agreeable to me by the prospect it gives of a thorough reestablishment of your health. I indulge the reflection and the hope that it denotes a remaining energy in the Constitution, which will long defend it against the gradual waste of time. Your representation of the politics of...
10From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 30 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 19th. inclosing a bill for amending a defective law gave me particular pleasure as it involved a proof of more health than report had allowed you. I anxiously wish that a blessing the smallest degree of which in your hands is always producing good to your Country may in the fullest manner be re-established. You are not wrong in supposing apprehensions in many of danger from...
11From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 19 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last was committed to Majr. Rogers of your County who embarked some days ago from this place for Virginia. I have been since favored with yours of the 7th. instant; and am much & truly gratified with the proof it contains of your good health. We have not yet either the President or Vice President on the ground. The former is expected in a few days. The latter we are told will certainly come...
12From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 20 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledge with much pleasure your favor of the 6th. instant. The “balmy” nature of the resolutions concerning the Mississippi will I hope have the effect you suggest; though the wounds given to some & the pretext given to others by the proceedings which rendered them necessary, will not I fear be radically removed. The light in which the temporary seat of the new Government is viewed &...
13From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 3 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Convention of N. Hampshire have disappointed much the general expectation. Instead of adopting the Constitution they have adjourned without any final decision until June; this expedient being found necessary to prevent a rejection. It seems that a majority of 3 or 4 members would have voted in the negative, but in this majority were a number who had been proselyted by the discussions, but...
14From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 22 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
The period since my last has afforded such scanty materials for a letter that I have postponed it, till I have now to thank you for yours of 7th. inst: which came to hand two days ago. I always feel pleasure in hearing from you, but particularly when my concern for your doubtful health is relieved by such an evidence in its favor. At the same time I must repeat my wishes to forego this...
15From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 20 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
The privilege of franking having ceased with the Convention, I have waited for this opportunity of inclosing you a copy of the proposed Constitution for the U. States. I forbear to make any observations on it; either on the side of its merits or its faults. The best Judges of both will be those who can combine with a knowledge of the collective & permanent interest of America, a freedom from...
16From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 9 January 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. Ult. has been so long on hand unanswered that I can not now acknowledged it without observing in apology for the delay that I waited for some measures of which I wished to communicate the event. The district bill of which I formerly made mention, was finally thrown into a very curious situation, and lost by a single voice. I refer you for its history to Col. Pendleton,...
17From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 8 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Manuscript Division, the New York Public Library: Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations). Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison jr. Sepr. 8. 1783.” Your favor of the 1st. found me here whither Mr. Jones & myself had been called by some private business for a day or two. I thank you for your remarks on the jurisdiction necessary for Congress within the limits which may be ceded for their...
18From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 27 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have put off from day to day writing to my friends from this place in hopes of being able to say something of the Convention. Contrary to every previous calculation the bare quorum of seven States was not made up till the day before yesterday. The States composing it are N York, N. Jersey, Pena. Delaware, Virga. N. Carolina & S. Carolina. Individual members are here from Massts. Maryland &...
19From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 8 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
You will not learn without some surprize that the sixth of this month arrived before a quorum was made up in both branches of the New Legislature, and the first of the month, before a Quorum was attained in either. The first & only joint step taken by the Congress was the examination of the ballots for President & vice president. The votes were found, as was expected, to be unanimously given...
20To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 19 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 19 November 1786. The calendar of Pendleton’s letters (DLC: Madison Miscellany) apparently prepared by a clerk for Peter Force around 1850 cites this letter. The annotations indicate the one-page letter included comments on the attempted reform of the county court system and “Congratulations on reappointment to Congress.” Enclosed was a draft of a bill for amending the county...
21To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 29 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 29 January 1788, Edmundsbury. On the docket of JM to Pendleton, 28 Oct. 1787 , Pendleton noted: “Answd. Jan. 29—88.” Acknowledged in JM to Pendleton, 21 Feb. 1788 . The list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany) also indicates that Pendleton wrote a two-page letter to JM from Edmundsbury on this day. The summary reads: “The reception of the proposed...
22To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 7 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I should not have availed my self of yr. kind Indulgence, called a Stipulation, but sooner acknowledged the rect. of yr. favr. of Feby. 24th., had not the March Winds disorde[re]d my crazy Constitution, & rendered writing rather disagreable. I was made happy in finding that the Main body of the Eastern Insurgents were dispersed, had repented & were restored to the body of Orderly Citizens. I...
23To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 8 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
The Governor in his return drop’d at the Bowling Green, yr. very kind favr. of the 20th. past covering the result of your long labours at Philadelphia, for both of which I thank you. I had heard of and lamented the withholding the Names of the two respectable Gentn. of our delegation, tho’ am yet Ignorant of the ground of their dissention; what ever it was, I cannot approve their Conduct. To...
24To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, [6 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
… The Resolutions respecting the Mississippi Navigation are of a Balmy nature, tending to give Repose to those concerned, and impose silence on such as caring nothing about it, used the Subject as an engine of Opposition, not such is the fixure of the tempory seat of Congress. I have already met taunts on the occasion, as the first instance of Eastern Partiality and influence , which...
25To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 12 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 12 August 1787, Edmundsbury. The list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany) notes that Pendleton wrote a one-page letter to JM from Edmundsbury on this day. The summary reads: “Expectations about the Convention. Secresy beneficial. Threatened riots in opposition to the payment of debts and taxes. Money scarce.”
26To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 7 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 7 April 1787. Pendleton had noted on the cover of JM’s letter to him of 24 February 1787 , “Answd. April 7th.” The list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany) also indicates that Pendleton had written a two-page letter from Edmundsbury on this day. The summary reads: “The Eastern insurgents. The approaching Convention at Philadelphia. Elections in Virginia....
27To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 20 October 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is in a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk. He noted that the letter was addressed “To James Madison” and that the manuscript was “1 page 4°.” Madison’s retirement from Congress. Congress has fixed its permanent residence in the woods of the Jersies. The importance of Madison taking a seat in the Virginia Assembly....
28To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 7 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Will you Pardon my interrupting for a moment your Attention to the great subjects before you, to ask you how you do, whethr. your Legislative body is Organized, the President & V. P. in Office, and the general complexion of yr. Members? You know how much I esteem yr. Correspondence, & my earnest appetite for News; as I do your kind inclination to gratify me, but I must repeat my Caveat agt....
29To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 20 October 1783 (Madison Papers)
I am now, probably for the last time, to pay you my respects, as the time approaches fast (too fast) when you are to quit Congress, & return to yr. Countrey & friends—pray accept my warmest acknowledgements for the pleasure you have afforded me in continuing a long Correspondence, upon such disadvantageous terms, as my Sterile returns occasioned: however I did my best, & you accepted it; and...
30To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 29 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
I am now, tho’ in a feeble state, just able to acknowledge the receipt of yr. two favrs. of the 8th. & 13th., a smart fever prevented my writing by Last post, which I hope the Bark has removed. Sr. Guy Carltons Enquiry into the forgery had probably a double view of screening the Offenders, & of exposing his predecessors in Office, I fear nothing of Justice entered into his motives. I am sorry...