21To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 12 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have hitherto delayed to pay you my respects, lest I should for a moment withdraw your Attention from the great & important work you was engaged in; but the papers having announced that the Convention had settled the Principles of their System, and appointed a Committee to reduce it to form, I could no longer delay letting you know I am yet in the living Class, I think my health considerably...
22From 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...
23To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, [8 October] 1787 (Madison Papers)
… A Republic was inevitably the American form, and its Natural danger Pop. Tumults & Convulsions. With these in view I read over the Constitution accurately; do not find a Trait of any Violation of the great Principles of the form, all Power being derived mediately or immediately from the People. No Title or Powers that are either hereditary or of long duration so as to become Inveterate; and...
24To 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...
25From 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,...
26To 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...
27To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 29 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
This date makes me blush when I acknowledge to have reced. in due time yr. kind favr. of October 22d., which found me at Richmond, engaged incessantly in the business of the Courts until December. Fond of ease after my return home, and occupied by the conviviality of the late Season, it wholly escaped my recollection until now that I am left alone. You’l have long since been informed that Mr....
28From 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...
29From 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...
30To 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...