1From 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...
2To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the 8 Ult. when I last wrote to you, I have been favored with your Letters of the 6 and 15 Augt. last, which together with the Papers mentioned in the first of them, were immediately laid before Congress. Altho the Opinion of the most judicious and well informed seems to be that France and Britain will avoid War, and unite their Councils and their Efforts to preserve Peace, yet as great...
3To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Dispatches alluded to in my late Letters together with others of some importance are ready, and were intended to be conveyed to you by this Packet; but the Gentleman to whose care they were committed declining to go in her, they must pass to you by some other Route. An opinion prevails that hostilities have probably commenced between France and Britain, and such is its Impression that some...
4To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to address you a confidential Letter the 4th. Ult. enclosing one for Madame T. I here enclose another Letter for that worthy Lady, of which I request your particular care. I should have embarked in the Packet that will sail for Havre to morrow morning. But an account having arrived here, that the English Fleet is out and was seen steering to the Westward, and that a British...
5To 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...
6To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Charleston, 24 Oct. 1787. Messrs. Brailsford & Morris, of that city, will ship some rice to France early in the winter and, being strangers, may wish to refer to TJ for information concerning French merchants; they are an honorable firm and their punctuality may be relied on. Hopes this venture may “open, and, in a short time, establish, an extensive and valuable Market for our great Staple.”...