101To James Madison from John Dawson, 20 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your goodness will excuse me, for addressing this letter to you, when you consider of what consequence it may be to me. The General Assembly, at their Session in October last, I find, had it in contemplation to pass an Act respecting Naval Officers, by which Collectors are to be appointed to the several Districts; and altho it did not then pass for want of a sufficient number of members to...
102To James Madison from John Dawson, [ca. 6 January] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since I wrote you nothing worthy your attention has presented itself; We have now six states on the floor viz Massachusetts-bay, New York, New Jersey Pennylvania S. Carolina and Virginia; and a member from Rhode Island, North Carolina & Georgia—another member from Rhode Island is on his way and one from N. C. in Pennylvania. Connecticut, you know can come in at any time; we therefore expect in...
103To James Madison from John Dawson, [12 June] 1787 (Madison Papers)
After an absence of near three weeks I have just return’d to this place and am favourd with your letter of the 27 of May. The prospect of a general convention of the States appears to me very faint, and I wish to be informd, whether the states assembled, or those that probably will meet, will proceed to any business. I apprehend that nothing decisive can be done, without the concurrence of the...
104To James Madison from John Dawson, 27 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 15th. Inst: I receivd in due time. The attention of the house of delegates, which met on tuesday last has been engag’d chiefly by a long debate respecting Colo Carrington—on friday it was determined by a large majority that he shoud not retain his seat—he is gone to his county and no doubt will be reelected. Whether Mr. B. Harrison & Mr. B Randolph will be chosen Governor is...
105To James Madison from John Dawson, 19 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 2d. Int. I received in due time. Before this I presume you have heard that one hundred and five members attended at the state-house on the first day. Whether this is to be attributed to the ten pounds, or to a proper sense of duty I leave with you to determine—perhaps to both. On motion of Colo Mathews, seconded by Mr. B. Harrison, Mr. Prentis was call’d to the chair,...
106To James Madison from John Dawson, 5 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Two days before I left Frdksburg I did myself the pleasure of addressing a letter to you, and have not receivd one since my arrival at this place. By directing to the care of Majr. Magill, Winchester, there would be a certainty of my receiving any communications you will honour me with. Yesterday I visited “a flowing spring” abt. thirteen miles from this place, in the state of Pennsylvania and...
107To James Madison from Justin Pierre Plumard de Rieux, 19 February 1789 (Madison Papers)
Doctor Gilmer inform me that you had been kind anougth, as to send me, Mr Mazzei Book, by some person, of which he cannot recollect the name; I should take as a great favour, if you woud be so obliging as to let me know by Colo. Ths. Bell of Charlotteville, or Capt Ths. Walker, Where I must apply for to Get that book. I am respectfully Sir your most obedt & most Hble Servant RC ( ViU )....
108To James Madison from William Duer, 23 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
As it is probable you may not hear by this Post from our Mutual Frend Colo. Hamilton, I take the Liberty of giving you a Short Sketch of our political Prospects, in this Quarter, on the great Question of the Constitution. My Information is from Colo. Laurence, who left Pokepsie on Saturday. A Considerable Majority of the Convention are undoubtedly Anti-federal; or in other Words, wish for...
109To James Madison from William Duer, [ca. 25 November] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Our mutual Friend Hamilton has communicated to me in Confidence the Substance of your Letter on the Political Prospects in Pensilvania, and Virginia; I learn with Extreme Regret, the Division of the Federalists in the former State; and the malignant Perseverance of the Opponents to the Constitution in your own. I trust however that we shall have the Benefit of your Councils, and Exertions in...
110To James Madison from Andrew Dunscomb, 24 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
To accomodate the late Officers of the Regular Line of this State and others on their settlements, I have to request Your influence for leave to bring in a Bill granting power to me to administer the necessary Oaths or Affirmations in the execution of my official duties. With esteem and regard I am &c FC ( Vi ). A letterbook copy, addressed to JM, “In assembly.” On 15 Nov. JM was appointed a...
111To James Madison from Guillaume-Stanislaus Faure, 7 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have shipped on board of the King’s Packet, number 3d. Capn. Rolland, Sailed for Newyorck the 27th. last, a large case packed up, marked MFR, and a small packet at your direction, according the bill of lading wich I could not send to you by the same opportunity: I forward it to you together with a letter directed to me for you from Paris by my brother, and you’ll receive them by the first...
112To James Madison from Christian Febiger, 2 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Haveing had the honor of being Known to and treated with the politest Attention by you and conscious of haveing done nothing to obliterate your good Opinion, I boldly venture to address you in the familiar Style of a Friend. The Supreme Executive Councill of Pensylvania are on the Brink of appointing me naval Officer in this City, with the express View of recomending for and getting me...
113To James Madison from John Fitch, 11 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was with Mr. Thompson the other day who informed me that he should report my petition ought to be committed but that he did not think that Congress would at this time do any thing in it. I beg leave Sir to enclose you some further observations on it praying not only your patronage but also that you will forgive the freedom taken by your ever Faithful Humble Servant RC ( DLC ). Docketed by...
114To James Madison from John Fitch, 10 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
My situation at present is tremendously allarming, it would be much less so, if I knew that I should sicken and die, than for me to return and inform the Company I must be dependant on them for my sustinance, so Vile a way of living, I heartily dispise. And was I under no obligations to any one, I would not solicit Courts for favours, was my claims ever so just, did I think it would be granted...
115To James Madison from John Fitch, 25 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to make you acquainted with a late proposition I made to the Committee of Congress, which was founded on the following Certificate, by a Gentleman inhabitant of the Natchies—A Coppy. The most common custom of Navigating up the River Mississippi from the City of New Orleans to the Illinois are as followeth Viz— They commonly employ one man to every ton on Board, their wages for the...
116To James Madison from John Fitch, 2 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I flatter myself you will excuse the freedom I take in requesting your Patronage before the Congress of the united States respecting my claims to the Invention of Steam-boats, as far as you shall deem me worthy, when you consider that through that honorable Body only I can receive an exclusive Right or Title to the Enjoyment of my Labor, and that in whatever manner I may profit by the project,...
117To James Madison from Horatio Gates, 26 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
I take the Liberty to request your attention to an application to be made by Major Drumgole to Congress in behalf of the Cherokee Nation. Perhaps the Major may not be considered as the Official Character from whom in due course this application should come, but, as he is clearly the person the Cherokees confide in, I think so insubstantial a Fo[r]m may be dispersed with. Every thing I hear,...
118To James Madison from James Gordon, Jr., 31 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters of the 25 & 27 of July I have received and should have answered them ere this but they did not come to hand untill a few days since at Orange C. House. I am pleased to find the ratification of the constitution by new York was unconditional but I fear from the Circular letter therefrom much disquietude may succeed, in those states where the Majoritys are not large. I expect...
119To James Madison from James Gordon, Jr., 17 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being favd. by Colo. Monroe with a sight of your letter of the 27 January and finding no mention therein of your being in our county in a short time, [I] take the Liberty as yr. Friend to solicit your attendance at march Orange court. I am induced to make such a request as I believe it will give the county in general great satisfaction to hear your sentiments on the new Constitution. Your...
120To James Madison from Nathaniel Gorham, 27 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Never was there an Assembly in this State in possession of greater ability & information than the present Convention—yet I am in doubt whether they will approve the Constitution. There is unhappily three parties opposed to it. First all Men who are in favour of paper money and tender Laws—those are more or less in every part of the State. Secondly all the late Insurgents and their abettors; &...
121To James Madison from Nathaniel Gorham, 16 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your election to a seat in the new Goverment I think you can entertain no doubt was pleasing to me. I sincerly hope your attendance will be as pleasant to yourself as beneficial to your Country. It is suggested here that you intend to pass a short Resolve requesting the several States to collect a Revenue for you intill you can have time to digest & prepare a system. Suffer me to suggest for...
122To James Madison from Nathaniel Gorham, 20 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I must beg you to excuse my freedoms: it is with a good intention that I am led to mention that the idea of 6 Cents pr Gallon on Mollasses excites a considerable degree of uneasiness here—not that any objcect [ sic ] to that duty on what is consumed in the Country—but only as it will injure the distillery & consequently the Fishery. The answer that a suitable draw back upon Rum will be...
123To James Madison from the Governor of Virginia, 14 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Some difficulties having occurred in the settlement of the Accounts of this state with the United States between the agents of the two parties; the Executive have thought it proper to send forward Colonel Davies immediately to the seat of the fœderal government there to represent the particular situation of this business. He is instructed in all cases of difficulty to confer with you. Permit...
124To James Madison from William Grayson, 27 June 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have recieved your favor of the 29. May acknowledging the receipt of my first letter, though making no mention of the last, which I presume has not yet come to hand. Since the date thereof the affair of the treaty with the Western Indians which was decided on the 18th. March last, has been opened again & very much canvassed; the result however is that the treaty is to be held; & for the...
125To James Madison from William Grayson, 28 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your letter has come safely to hand; & I should have wrote to you sooner but could not find any thing to communicate worth your acceptance: till lately Congress have been perfectly inactive: for about a fortnight past we have had a tolerably full representation; however Delawar has grown uneasy & left us, and Connecticut having prevailed on Congress to accept her cession moves off tomorrow. It...
126To James Madison from William Grayson, 14 November 1785 (Madison Papers)
On inquiring at the Office for F. A. I find it is uncustomary to give copies unless by special direction of Congress, a circumstance I did not advert to, when I was writing to you last. I shall therefore give you the best information in my power from memory. Mr. A. says that a Commee. of merchts. from Glasgow waited on him in London & told him their business was to lay the affair of the debts...
127To James Madison from William Grayson, 24 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged by your kind favor and am sorry I have little to communicate from this quarter worth your acceptance; We have been a caput mortuum for some time past except the little flurry that was kicked up about Philada. Carrington I presume has giv’n you full information on that point; during the contest, the Enemy wanted to raise a mutiny in our camp by proposing to go to Georgetown at...
128To James Madison from William Grayson, 28 November 1785 (Madison Papers)
I am very busy preparing to decamp for Virginia. Of course I shall not lay you under the trouble of reading a long letter from me this Post. There is one thing very singular in Adam’s correspondence. He is always pressing the necessity of commercial restrictions; says no treaty can be had without them, and yet he decidedly acknowledges, that in the prosecution of this commercial war there is...
129To James Madison from William Grayson, 28 May 1785 (Madison Papers)
I did myself the pleasure some time since of writing to you; and I expect by this time you have recieved my letter; since which nothing has happened of any consequence except the passage of the Land Ordinance & the arrival of Don Diego de Gardoqui at Philadelphia. I inclose you a copy of the Ordinance: & if it is not the best in the world, it is I am confident the best that could be procured...
130To James Madison from William Grayson, 31 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a Stragling letter which has found it’s way to this place. I have recieved your favor & shall pay every attention to the case of Majr. Turner: his chance with respect to the Secretaryship is absolutely desperate; he must therefore be nominated for a Judges seat. This he has agreed to himself as appears by a letter to Mr. Carrington. Judge Symms of Jersey yesterday made an...
131To James Madison from William Grayson, 22 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
I should have done myself the pleasure of writing to you sooner, but really nothing occurr’d here of sufficient consequence to communicate. Congress from the small number of States that have come forward have remained in a kind of political torpor. They have of course taken no active steps, till lately that they have addressed the States on the subject of commerce. They were not long since a...
132To James Madison from William Grayson, 22 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your kind favor has come to hand, & since that I have heard of my being again appointed in the delegation of our State. I am sorry to inform you that my health still continues in a languishing way. I am nearly in the same situation as when you left me; I hope however that the cold weather & exercise with proper medicine will produce an alteration for the better. We have little news here. There...
133To James Madison from William Grayson, 8 November 1785 (Madison Papers)
The President being this moment about to set out for Virginia obliges me to be very short at present. We have no authentic advices from Europe respecting the Algerine War, although the Papers speak of several captures of american vessels. Nothing new from Mr. Adams respecting the debts. I will again look at his letters, & give you the necessary information in confidence. You will then judge...
134To James Madison from William Grayson, 21 August 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of has come to hand; I am sorry to hear the doctrine of paper money begins to rear up it’s head in our State. This subject has been so well investigated at different periods that I can hardly think any reasonable man can advocate it, unless for the purpose of advancing some object of interest; I remember in the old Government that our exchange rose to 65 P Ct. This alarmed the...
135To James Madison from William Grayson, 1 May 1785 (Madison Papers)
I am afraid my silence since I came to this place has giv’n you some reason to suspect me to be impregnated with that vis inertiæ, which has been so often attributed to me. The only apology I have to make, is that I wish’d to have some thing to write to you worth your acceptance. However as there would be some danger in risquing a farther delay, I shall give you what I have in the manner. The...
136To James Madison from William Grayson, 22 November 1785 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you by the last Post, since which other letters have arrived from the gentleman therein mentioned. They came by the last packett; and one is dated as late as the 15th. of September last. In it however there is no mention of the Algerine War. Mr. Jefferson has also wrote by the french packett, but his letter is of an old date. There has been a conference with Mr. Pitt. That gentleman...
137To James Madison from William Grayson, 16 September 1785 (Madison Papers)
I opened your letter directed to Colo. Monroe in the first instance, & forwarded the inclosed letters to France, in the public Mail, as I could not hear of any private gentlemen going to whom I could with propriety intrust them. I have recieved your letter from Philada. & I heartily wish it may suit your Convenience to visit this place, as it will give me particular satisfaction to have the...
138To James Madison from William Grayson, 14 October 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have recieved your letter dated at Philada. & shall forward the in-closure to France in the manner you direct. Since your departure, we have been under great anxiety for the fate of Mr. Hardy. On a party to Haerlem heights about ten days ago, he unfortunately bursted a blood vessel, and from frequent hemorrhages, has been in extreme danger till about three days ago, when matters have taken...
139To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, ca. 3 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 3 June 1788 . Mentioned in Brown to JM, 7 June 1788 . Encloses resolution of Congress concerning the independence of Kentucky.
140To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, [ca. 12] May 1788 (Madison Papers)
According to your directions I shall pay the proper regard to the particulars mentioned in [your] letter of april 20th. Mr Paradise was embarked before that letter got to hand—and carried with him all the debates, pamphlets &c to mr. Jefferson. I will enclose to you the massachusets debates by the first opportunity to Richmond. Be so good to inform me when you will set out to Richmond that I...
141To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 24 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
Before the date of this letter I hope you are gotten safe to orange, and found all things in a situation the most agreeable. We are still going forward in the same tract of Seven states, of course not a great deal can be done, and indeed not a great deal to do. A prospect of the new Constitution seems to deaden the activity of the human mind as to all other matters; and yet I greatly fear that...
142To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 28 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am favored by your friendly letter of april the 10th. How it happened that No. 69 of Publius should have been omitted I can hardly imagine; the neglect shall be done away if any acquaintance or the printer are in possession of that paper. The marchioness is perfectly upon her feet—for she walks five miles every day—and with great pleasure I will execute your Commands to her, and the...
143To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 5 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose you a letter from Petersburg —and the newspaper of today—tho very uninteresting. Maryland has acceded to the proposed Constitution by a great majority. Chase, Paca, Martin, and Mercer oppossed it with their utmost vigor and abilities, but with decency. South Carolina will adopt the system very soon. The opposition in Virginia is much to be lamented and in N. york...
144To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 17 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
Neither the french or the english packets have yet arrived, which is not a little extraordinary. Not a syllable of domestic news but what the enclosed papers will exhibit to you. The Marchioness is a good deal better, and wants exceedingly to be present at the Indian Treaty; I think the Governor General can do nothing less than take so sweet a companion in his Train; but he seems to be averse...
145To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 19 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am honored with your two letters of May 1. & 3. Paradise was embarked—and carried to mr Jefferson the debates you mention, and other publications worth attention. I had all the boxes and packages brought to my house, have paid the freight and bonded the duties—they shall be distributed as you direct. Some of the acorns, Sulla, and pease are deposited in my little garden. The box containing...
146To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 7 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Colonel Wadsworth has thought proper to leave us—and his state being unrepresented we are again reduced to six only—and probably may continue in that situation a week or two longer. The N. York delegates do not attend—it seems to me the period is fully arrived to close the Confederation. As no french packet has yet appeared or been heared of the minister is inclined to think that a prohibition...
147To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 26 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to write you by this post to make a thousand enquiries concerning your health from the marchioness &c and to enclose you the debates of the massachusetts convention under seperate covers. Contrary to expectation it so happens that we cannot bring nine states to act upon the floor of Congress, and this day one of the Maryland Gentlemen is going away which will throw us aback...
148To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 18 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
We are all extremely uneasy at your Indisposition—how much to be regretted indeed! And particularly when such important matters are under deliberation—but I hope that kind Heaven has restored you before this day, to be a farther blessing and honor to your Country! We are not very sanguine upon the event of the proposed constitution in Virginia—’tho your kind letters give us some degree of...
149To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 14 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
The french packet has at length arrived—but after a passage so long nothing new and material could be expected. Mr Jefferson writes a very short letter, but not a wored of Intelligence —perhaps the enclosed to you may contain somewhat more satisfactory. He has also sent a letter to your attention for Ben. Lewis near Richmond, and George Clymer of philadelphia—five french pamphlets for mr...
150From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [19 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday, My Dear Sir, The Convention made a house. That day and this have been spent in preliminary arrangements. Tomorrow we go into a Committee of the whole on the Constitution. There is every appearance that a full discussion will take place, which will keep us together at least a fortnight. It is not easy to conjecture what will be the result. Our adversaries greatly outnumber us. The...