121From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 15 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
Yours by Mr. Barbour was duly handed to me as have been several others of late. Mine by Mr. Craig will have answered the enquiries in most of them. I am now at a loss what step to take with the certificates of Mr. Winslow, having sent you all the money arising from your Tobo. which is now payable. I shall wait till I hear from you on the subject. If payment into the Treasury be immediately...
122Bill Authorizing an Amendment in the Articles of Confederation, [21 June] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whether JM introduced the resolution on 19 May calling for compliance with the act of Congress (17 Feb. 1783) that sought to apportion taxes amongst the states according “to the value of all land … & improvements thereon” is highly conjectural. JM thought a land tax scheme unreasonable and on 21 June he seized the opportunity to strike at the weakness, as he viewed it, of Article VIII of the...
123Resolution for Procuring a Statue of General Washington, 22 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
Resolved that the Executive be requested to take measures for procuring a Statue of General Washington to be of the finest marble and best Workmanship with the following inscription on its pedestal Viz: The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia have caused this Statue to be erected as a monument of affection and Gratitude to George Washington who uniting to the endowments of the...
124From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 24 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your letter by Capt: Cowherd with that of my brother’s have been just put into my hand. I shall leave to him the sale of the Tobo. belonging to Capt: Conway & Ambrose, not being at leisure myself to do it before he proposes to set out. I think it will be well to accept of Mr. Lawson’s offer of the Madeira. I shall do the best I can towards satisfying the Treasury on acct. of Mr. Winslow. Majr...
125Opinion in Controversy between Joseph Jones and William Lee, 26 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
A dispute between Mr. Joseph Jones of King George and Mr. William Lee being mutually referred to us: We are of opinion that Mr. Jones never was an enemy to the payment of British or other debts: We are also of opinion that Mr. Lee’s inference respecting the opposition of Mr. Jones to the payment of debts, was founded on Mr. Jones’ support to the prohibitory laws revived last session of...
126Bill to Aid Thomas Paine, 28 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
Despite the concern expressed to JM by Jefferson and Washington over the penury afflicting Thomas Paine, all legislative attempts in Virginia to aid the author of Common Sense failed. On 28 June there was appointed a special committee, of which Patrick Henry was chairman and JM a member, to prepare a bill “vesting a certain tract of public land, in Thomas Payne and his heirs” ( JHDV Journal of...
127Resolutions Appointing Virginia Members of a Potomac River Commission, 28 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whereas great inconveniences are found to result from the want of some concerted regulations, between this State, and the State of Maryland touching the jurisdiction & navigation of the River Potowmack: Resolved that George Mason, Edmund Randolph, James Madison jr & Alexander Henderson Esqrs. be appointed Commissioners & that they or any three of them do meet such Commissioners, as may be...
128From James Madison to George Washington, 2 July 1784 (Madison Papers)
The sanction given by your favor of the 12th. inst: to my desire of remunerating the genius which produced Common Sense , led to a trial for the purpose. The gift first proposed was a moiety of the tract on the Eastern Shore, known by the name of “the Secretary’s land.” The easy reception it found induced the friends of the measure to add the other moiety to the proposition which would have...
129From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1784 (Madison Papers)
The Assembly adjourned the day before yesterday. I have been obliged to remain here since on private business for my Countymen with the auditor’s and other departments. I had allotted towards the close of the Session to undertake a narrative for you of the proceedings, but the hurry on which I did not sufficiently calculate, rendered it impossible, and I now find myself so abridged in time...
130From James Madison to George Washington, 12 August 1784 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favor of the 12th. of June during my attendance in the Legislature and of answering it a few days, before I left Richmond. Since my return home I have been informed that the gentleman into whose hands my answer was put has mislaid or lost it, and that I cannot rely on its ever finding its way to you. I have therefore to repeat, Sir, that the sanction which...
131Deed of Gift of Orange County Lands, 19 August 1784 (Madison Papers)
This indenture made the nineteenth day of August One Thousand Seven hundred eighty four Between James Madison the Elder of the County of Orange of One Part And James Madison the Younger his Son of the sd. County of the Other Part Witnesseth that the Said James Madison the elder in Consideration of Paternal affection and of five Shillings the Receipt of which is hereby Acknowledged Doth by...
132Bill of Sale for Orange County Lands, 19 August 1784 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 August 1784 . A standard bill of sale conveying 281 acres in Orange County from JM’s parents, James Madison, Sr., and Nelly Madison, to Francis Cowherd, for £400 “current money.” Signed by five witnesses. Ms ( DLC ). Entirely in JM’s hand, except for the signatures of sellers, buyer, and witnesses.
133From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August 1784 (Madison Papers)
The decision to introduce the Mississippi question in the context of JM’s experience is necessarily an arbitrary one because an open western waterway was among his concerns from the early days in Congress until the matter was settled by the Louisiana Purchase. The main point is that JM never looked upon the problem as a Virginia riddle. As a Virginia legislator he hoped to see citizens in the...
134From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 September 1784 (Madison Papers)
I arrived at this place the night before last only, having declined starting from Fredg. at the time I proposed when I parted with you & having staid at Baltimore one day. At the latter place I fell in with the Marquis & had his company thus far. He is proceeding Northwd. as far as Boston from whence he goes to the Indian Treaty at Fort Stanwix & from thence returns to Virga. about the same...
135From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 September 1784 (Madison Papers)
Some business, the need of exercise after a very sedentary period, and the view of extending my ramble into the Eastern States which I have long had a curiosity to see have brought me to this place. The letter herewith enclosed was written before I left Virginia, & brought with me for the sake of a conveyance hence. Since the date of it I have learned that Mr. Short who was to be the bearer of...
136From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1784 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of my intentions as explained in my last dated in Philada. I came to this City on saturday last. The information I have here recd. convinces me that I can not accomplish the whole route I had planned within the time to which I am limited, nor go from this to Boston in the mode which I had reckoned upon. I shall therefore decline this part of my plan, at least for the present, &...
137From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 October 1784 (Madison Papers)
A colorful account of JM’s journey with the Lafayette entourage is supplied by Brant, who reported that after JM’s “chance encounter” with Lafayette in Baltimore the Virginian found the “northward trip … entirely too enjoyable to be cut off at New York” ( Madison , II, 325, 328). Many of the incidents on this excursion were reported by Marbois for his superiors in Paris and are found in Eugene...
138From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1784 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival here I found that Mr. Short had passed through on his way to N. York & was there at the date of my last. I regret much that I missed the pleasure of seeing him. The inclosed was put into my hands by Mrs. House who recd. it after he left Philada. My two last, neither of which were in cypher, were written as will be all future ones in the same situation, in expectation of their...
139Resolutions on Western Law Enforcement and Mississippi Navigation, 3 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Indian unrest and rumors of Spanish intrigue on the western frontier cast a shadow over the General Assembly sessions late in 1784. Virginians were moving into areas roamed by peaceable tribes and committing depredations that could only lead to retaliation, while word drifted eastward of provocative moves in the Ohio Valley that might bring an open clash between Virginians and Spaniards. JM...
140Bill for Granting James Rumsey a Patent for Ship Construction, [11 November] 1784 (Madison Papers)
James Rumsey (1743–1792) had been experimenting with a mechanical pole boat when good fortune brought General Washington to his vicinity. In September 1784 (at Bath in Berkeley County, Virginia) Washington witnessed a trial run of a model and became an enthusiast for Rumsey’s invention. Since Rumsey’s model gave promise of being a handmaiden to the general’s favorite Potomac canal scheme, it...
141From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I had intended by this post to commence our correspondence with a narrative of what has been done and is proposed to be done at present Session of the Genl As[s]embly, but by your last lettr. to Mr. Jones, I find that it is very uncertain whether this will get to Trenton before you leave it for Virga. I cannot however postpone my congratulations on your critical escape from the danger which...
142From James Madison to Richard Henry Lee, ca. 14 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 14 November 1784. Lee acknowledged on 26 Nov. JM’s letter from Richmond, which had arrived at Trenton on 21 Nov. The letter appears to have reported on legislative business, including the proposed general assessment bill, a revised militia law, and the postponed tax measure.
143Bill Enabling the Executive to Pension Disabled Veterans, with Amendments, [16 November & 6 December] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whereas the act of Assembly passed in the year 1782 intitled “An Act Concerning Pensioners,” which has been continued by several subsequent acts will expire at the end of the present Session of Assembly, and it is expedient that the same should be further continued Be it therefore enacted that the act intitled An Act “Concerning Pensioners” shall continue and be in force from and after the...
144From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 20 November] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor without date was brought by thursday’s post. It inclosed a Cypher for which I thank you & which I shall make use as occasion may require, though from the nature of our respective situations, its chief value will be derived from your use of it. Gel. Washington arrived here on Sunday last, and the Marquis on thursday. The latter came from Boston in a French frigate. They have both...
145Preamble and Portion of an Extradition Bill, [26 November] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Whereas it is the desire of the good people of this Commonwealth in all cases to manifest their reverance for the law of Nations, to cultivate amity and peace as far as may depend on them between the United States and foreign powers, and to support the dignity and energy of the fœderal Constitution: Be it enacted by the General Assembly that if any Citizen or inhabitant of this Commonwealth...
146From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Having a moments time to drop you a line I inform you that the Bill for confirming surveys agst. subsequent entries has been negatived by a large majority, rather on the principle that it was unnecessary & retrospective, than that it was unjust in itself. On the contrary all the principal gentlemen were of opinion that it was just, but already provided for by the law. Mr. Innes the late Judge...
147From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 15th inst: came to hand by thurday’s post. Mine by the last post acknowledged your preceding one. The umbrage given to the Comsrs. of the U. S. by the negociations of N. Y. with the Indians was not altogether unknown to me, though I am less acquainted with the circumstances of it than your letter supposes. The Idea which I at present have of the affair leads me to say that as...
148Bill Extending the Alien Veterans’ Land Rights, 30 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
For extending the benefit of lands granted by the laws of this Commonwealth to Officers and Soldiers who have served during the late war to their representatives or devisees who may be aliens. Be it enacted that if any such alien representative or devisee shall on or before the day of or in case he or she be under the age of twenty one years within after having attained such age become a...
149Bill for the Establishment of Courts of Assize, 2 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
JM was chairman of the House committee for Courts of Justice, and carried a burden of work in the October 1784 session of the legislature that ordinarily would have been assigned a delegate who practiced law. However, JM’s lack of formal legal training did not deter his colleagues from giving him a lawyer’s work. JM’s concern for this bill creating a circuit court system was not focused on its...
150From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 3 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
My last informed you that a vote had passed in favor of Circuit Courts. A bill has since been brought in and will shortly be considered. The difficulty of suiting it to every palate, & the many latent objections of a selfish & private nature which will shelter themselves under some plausible objections of a public nature to which every innovation is liable render the event extremely uncertain....