11To James Madison from James McHenry, 5 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I did not learn till just now that you lodged in Town last night or I should have taken the liberty to have requested you to have called down, My brothers indisposition confining me almost entirely to his bed chambre. Col. Ballard formerly of your State is desirous of seeing you. He will have some business with Congress in which your good opinion may be of infinite service to him. He is...
12From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 20 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
No question has been yet taken by which the strength of parties can be determined. The calculations on different sides do not accord; each making them under the bias of their particular wishes. I think however the friends of the Constitution are most confident of superiority; and am inclined myself to think they have at this time the advantage of 3 or 4 or possibly more in point of number. The...
13To James Madison from James Monroe, November 1786 (Madison Papers)
As you will be on the ground or convenient to it for negotiating further engagments on the Mohawk as well as concluding that we have already enter’d into, I commit to you the papers respecting it. You will take such steps as you find necessary in both instances. We hope to see you if convenient on your way to N. York. Let me hear from you in the mean time whilst you remain where you are....
14To James Madison from James McClurg, 10 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet been able to execute your commission to Mr. Beckley; but shall take care to forward the act as soon as it can be obtain’d. The report of a tendency to Insurrection in several quarters of the State is not without some foundation; tho’ the friends of Order have hitherto mantain’d the Superiority, so as to prevent any very outrageous doings. An expectation of a remedy for their...
15To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you lately but hope it hath not arisen from ill-health. Two days since we recd. dispatches from Mr. Adams in which he informs us of his demand of the surrender of the posts, & remonstrance agnst the violation of the treaty also in the instance of the negroes, with the answer of the minister to his memorial. In this answer it is stated that the King admits a violation in...
16To James Madison from James Mchenry, 26 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am just returned from the Eastern shore of this state. I have been in every County save one, and find a laudable determination in each to make a choice of federal representatives for our ensuing assembly. I hope the time for commencing proceedings under the new Congress will favor this intention. If you have any data by which one may judge of the views or plan of the Antifederalists I beg...
17To 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...
18To James Madison from James McClurg, 31 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am to thank you for the favor you did me in inclosing a copy of the new constitution; which has ever since been the principal topic of political conversation in every company. It was at first reciev’d with a prepossession in it’s favor almost enthusiastic, in our towns especially. The circumstances, however, which in this state partic[ularl]y tended to excite Suspicion & jealousy, have...
19To James Madison from James Monroe, 25 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d here the evening of the day I left you & found Mrs. Monroe & the family well. They desire to be remember’d to you. I think you mention’d you had not recd. the letter I had address’d you in answer to yours before you left Phila., the last from that place. You express’d an uneasiness at failing to command such a sum, as might enable you to furnish me with the sum I advanc’d for you in...
20To James Madison from James Maury, 10 July 1786 (Madison Papers)
I expect to depart in the morning in order to Embark for Liverpoole the day following. Business out of the question, I shall really be happy to have it in my power to render you any acceptable Service. In a Capital I should be more in your Line—yet even there something may occur now & then which may be worth corresponding about. If it does I shall surely do myself that pleasure. In the...
21To James Madison from James Bryson, 12 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
Supposing that it might not be unacceptable; I have taken the liberty of enclosing you an extract from the Ordinance of Congress, for Regulating the Post Office &ca concerning the powers given the Post Master General, respecting the carriage of News papers by the Posts. Wishing at the same time (when you have leisure) that you would please to mention the circumstance to the other Gentlemen of...
22To James Madison from James Maury, 24 January [February] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter of the 20th August I have the Honor of your much esteemed favor of 3 July with the Fœderalist, for which I am particularly obliged to you, as also for your very interesting Information of the State of our politicks. I now have the pleasure to hand you Sales of your eight Hhds Tobaccoe by the Venus with Account Current, the Balance of which you may draw for when you please—if...
23To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have been favor’d with yours covering a letter to Mr. Thomson which I shall deliver him in the morning. I am glad you have accepted the appointmt.; if the court shod. sit, wh. is only a probable event, & the arrangment we have in contempletion with respect to the Mohawk shod. succeed I shall be happy to accompany you in a trip here next summer. We have heard nothing from Mr Jay since the...
24To James Madison from James Monroe, 15 July 1786 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive yours from Phila. yesterday but so late that I cod. not answer it sooner. I hope you have before this recover’d from yr. fatigue, indeed I advise your prosecution of yr. journey here as soon as possible as the preferable place for that purpose. I shod. be happy you cod. give us as much of yr. time as possible here for reasons more self-interested. Of these we...
25To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 22 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I cannot, my dear Friend, refrain writing a few Lines, in Consequence of the late Vote of the Assembly respecting Senators for the new Govt. It is certainly a remarkable Instance, to say the least, of that Whim & Caprice wh. has so often controuled the Decisions of Popular Bodies. I do not know indeed, whether you wished an Appointment in the Senate, but if you did, I am sure the Effect of the...
26To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 1 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I cannot refuse so favourable an oppy. as this wh. Col. Griffin offers, of writing a Line or two. It afforded me great Satisfaction to hear of your Election, especially as I had urged you, by a Letter written previous to the last of the Legislation, respecting the Elections, to permit yourself to be proposed for this District. I rejoice that you are in a Situation, which enables you to be...
27To James Madison from James Mchenry, 17 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
To-nights post has brought me intelligence from your convention which induces me to send you the inclosed authentic information respecting the present state of the opposition to the constitution in Pennsylvania. I find the same misrepresentations have been played upon the uninformed with you which was practised with us. You are at liberty to make them as public as you please. The letter is...
28To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
My professional duties have taken me from the political scene here, so that I have it not in my power yet to give you any thing in that line of moment. On monday I shall take my seat in the house & soon become in some measure acquainted, I suppose, with the views of parties. Carrington, with whom I was in compy. a few minutes yesterday, complains of a decision of the house by which he was...
29To James Madison from James Monroe, 24 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of the 14. two or three days past. The apology is rather due from those gentn. to whom it alludes, both to you and me, for their omission, than that they have any cause of complaint. The truth is, I suspect they were more at ease with their commercl. acquaintance, than they would have been elswhere, and are happier in their escape from the attention of others, than it...
30To James Madison from James Monroe, 30 August 1786 (Madison Papers)
Since my last we have been from day to day upon the business wh. engag’d us when you were here. They carried the repeal by 7. States in the Committee of the Whole & afterwards in the house. We mov’d to postpone to take into consideration the plan in conformity with the Idea I suggested to you, in which we enter’d into long reasoning upon the Secrys. project, proving if we were well founded,...
31To James Madison from James Monroe, [ca. 26] April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was favord with yours upon my return a few days since from the districts of Staunton & Charlotte ville—which will apologize for your not hearing from me sooner. The Judges, Mrs. Monroe and our child were of the party, so that you will readily suppose there was some variety in the entertainment. The arrangment of the business of the genl. court, into the districts, having not been...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Hardy, James Madison, and James Monroe, 5 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Franklin , being about to return to America, I take the liberty of presenting him to your acquaintance. Your esteem for the character of his grandfather would have procured him a favourable reception with you: and it cannot but increase your desire to know him, when you shall be assured that his worth and qualifications give him a personal claim to it. I have taken the...
33To James Madison from James Mchenry, 14 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your last letter. Will you be kind enough to favor me with your opinion on the following question. May a State lay a Tax upon transfers of book debts notes &c by their own citizens to citizens of another State or to foreigners? The States have a concurrent jurisdiction over subjects of internal taxation with Congress; but Congress have the power to regulate commerce between the...
34To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d last night & found only six States present. Mr. Hancock we hear is on the road & will be with us in a few days. He accepts the chair. The conduct of the legislature, in complying with the requisition of Congress, in the opinion of all here, does the highest honor to the State, and at the same time that it evinces a regard for publick justice & a mind superior to little resentments,...
35To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a paper wh. will give you a state of the representation of the States, beside wh. little else hath taken place worthy yr. attention. Mr Jay is here & will I understand accept the office of foreign affrs. upon condition Congress will establish themselves at any one place. The conduct of Spn. respecting the Mississippi &ca. requires the immediate attention of Congress. The affr. is...
36To James Madison from James McClurg, 5 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am not surprized to hear that you have been indisposed, at this season, with such a weight of business upon you. I am more surprized that you have been able to persevere in the application, which that business required. I hope you will never take a moment either from that, or from the relaxation which it renders necessary, on account of such a correspondent as myself; who would readily give...
37To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
It wod. have always suited me for you to pay the sum I am in advance for you in New York the last of this or the first or middle of next month as well as by any other disposition I cod. have made of it. Indeed I vision’d it to discharge some small engagments of mine wh. became due there abt. that time. My engagmt. for majr. Pinckney by wh. I am to pay 200 dolrs. here, wh. he will replace in N....
38To 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...
39To James Madison from James Madison, Sr., 4 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you two days since, by Ralph Cowgill, since which I have got of Mr. Benjamin Winslow £144— & have sent it to Capt. S. Jones in Frederick by Mr. Hite—so that you must deduct that Sum in settling my Bond to him. & I desire you will pay the Treasurer out of the Money you sell my Tobo. for on Acct. of Mr. Winslow for the Taxes due from him as Collector £170 which will reimburse him the...
40To James Madison from James Mercer, 19 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
I am sure I need not appollogize to you, for solliciting your Patronage, to the Infant beginning of the Fredericksburg Accademy. I have but lately been added to the Trustees, much time has been lost since the General Assembly gave birth to this laudable Institution. But I flatter myself experience has so strongly marked the Error of former neglect, that more diligence will be used in future....
41To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a cypher which will put some cover on our correspondence. We have yet only 5. States, & not a man from the Eastward except Mr. Holton. There is nothing new without doors, wh. I have not communicated to the Governor &, of those within I must defer writing you, untill the next post; the present is certainly an important crisis in our affairs, but as I shall write you very fully by...
42To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
My leasure furnishes me with the opportunity, but the country around does not with materials to form a letter worthy your attention. The scale of my observations is a narrow one & confin’d entirely within my room: & the subjects of my researches in which I am but seeking to make some proficiency, as I shod. only detail to you the sentiments of others, give me nothing to supply the deficiency....
43From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I forward this by the mail expecting it will be at Fredg. in time for Mr. A. Shepherd who left this a day or two ago. Nothing of much consequence has occurred since my last. The current intelligence you will find in the inclosed gazettes. The Antifederalists are every where exerting themselves for an early Convention. The circular letter from this State, and the rejection of N. Carolina, give...
44To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
We have nothing new here. The proceedings of our assembly you are no doubt possess’d of thro’ the hands of the Governor, especially that part which is connected with the US. I mean the revenue act & the resolutions respecting the cession. In the former as much was advancd to the US. as cod. be obtain’d. In the latter more moderation was observ’d than at first appearances promis’d. It was...
45To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. was not presented me untill the day before yesterday, or it should have been answer’d sooner. I think with you the act of Congress respecting the missisippi an acquisition on that side, and therefore an happy circumstance. It must make an impression on the new government, and if the disposition of Spain shod. be what I had reason to believe it was, before the commencment...
46To James Madison from James Monroe, 10 [11] August 1786 (Madison Papers)
We went into a Committee of the Whole yesterday. The subject was discuss’d fully, by Pinckny & others & the house ultimately came to the resolution & reporting that we sit agn. Today being the order for the report of the Committee— in part upon subject of the impost in its relation to Pena. & New York, the order above alluded of going into Committee was postpon’d to take up the sd. report. I...
47To James Madison from James Monroe, 11 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
In my last I mention’d to you, the subject of the impost was reviv’d & that a report of a Committee had given place to a motion of Mr. Pinckney, the latter being still before the house. The report, and motion with a report from the Bd. of treasury to the same effect have since been committed, in which State the business now lies. I inclose you a paper containing the report. It is doubted...
48To James Madison from James Monroe, 1 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
Sometime since I was appointed of the Committee to attend the Pena. Assembly, contrary to my wishes, & not being able to extricate myself (having apologiz’d in the first instance upon Mrs. Monroe’s indisposition which was not admitted in expectation of her better health) am now under the necessity of attending. The question was not as I suppos’d taken upon the whole report of the Committee of...
49To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 1 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
We are here, & I beleive every where, all Impatience to know Something of your conventional Deliberations. If you cannot tell us what you are doing, you might at least give us some Information of what you are not doing. This wd. afford a Clue for political Conjecture, and perhaps be sufficient to satisfy present Impatience. I hope you have already discoverd the Means of preserving the American...
50To 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.
51To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d here a few days since to press on the legislature of this State a seperation of the impost from the supplel: funds. I have the most satisfactory evidence they will reject the proposition. We proceed therefore further merely to discharge our duty. Both parties are united in opposition to it. To morrow we shall be recd. by the legislature. I am sorry I came on the business. Before this...
52To James Madison from George Wythe, February 1785 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. February 1785, Williamsburg . This letter informed JM that the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws had been conferred upon him by “the University of William & Mary.” See JM to Wythe, 15 April 1785 .
53To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
The arrangment in our foreign affairs begins at length to assume some form. Upon whatever ground they were taken up for a considerable time, either with respect to France, Spn. or G. B., the same difficulties arose. If it was mov’d that Dr. Franklin be permitted agreeable to his request to retire home it was firmly oppos’d by R. Island [&] Massachussetts . If that a minister be appointed to...
54To James Madison from Henry Lee, 11 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 November 1786. Mentioned in JM’s letter to Lee of 23 November 1786 . Concerned Lee’s sense of injury at being dropped by the Virginia legislature from the state delegation to Congress, and the “deriliction of the friendship” between JM and Lee because of JM’s being elected, so Lee thought, in his place ( Lee to JM, 20 Dec. 1786 ).
55To 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...
56To James Madison from James McClurg, 5 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your communication of the proceedings of the Convention, since I left them; for I feel that anxiety about the result, which it’s Importance must give to every honest citizen. If I thought that my return could contribute in the smallest degree to it’s Improvement, nothing should keep me away. But as I know that the talents, knowledge, & well-establish’d character,...
57To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a copy of the journals so far as they are printed. They contain nothing you will find respecting the requisition nor the commercial interests of the Union. The former upon the report of a committee hath been frequently before Congress of late and as often recommitted, in which state it now lies. As the principal part of the debt which in other States forms a part of the present...
58To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. reach’d me a few days since. Mine by the last post advis’d you of my arrival here; still I am with out a colleague and the representation of the States, the same. I am perfectly satisfied that the more fully the subject is investigated, and the better the interests of the States severally are understood, the more obvious will appear the necessity of commiting to the U S....
59To James Madison from Ambrose Madison, 28 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 April 1787. Mentioned in JM’s letter of 13 June 1787 to Ambrose Madison (MH). Concerned information regarding the illness of James Madison, Sr., and the results of the spring election.
60To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, ca. 6 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 6 December 1787, Tarborough. Mentioned in Hawkins to JM, 14 Feb. 1788 . Reports the time set for the election and meeting of the North Carolina ratifying convention.