111To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 1 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being cut off from the occurrences in the Assembly I have nothing to write you upon, but the prospect as to my reelection. The Apostacy of one of our Delegates in the Convention, and the wavering conduct of the other, have re-animated the Spirit of Anti-federalism in the County to such a degree that much work is to be done before my object will be secured —the issue of the ten days for which...
112To James Madison from Lafayette, [8 February 1785] (Madison Papers)
… [France has ordered] two large Armies to get in readiness … in Flanders and … in Alsace.… I hope matters will be compromised and a War avoided…. Your Ministers will write you more than I can respecting their negotiations…. Our friend Mr. jefferson has been unwell but now feels better…. Remember me to the Governor and all friends in Virginia.… Printed extract (Charles Hamilton Catalogue No....
113To James Madison from George Nicholas, [24 January] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 23d. has been just put into my hands. The accounts you give me of Culpeper are more flattering than I expected. Both Early and Strother will do every thing in their power. The first of them was detected in an absolute falsehood respecting you by Mr. Gordon in Richmond and that Gentn. had certificates with him to prove it when he was taken ill. Delicacy is out of the question...
114To James Madison from George Washington, 22 October 1785 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the perusal of the enclosed reports—Mr Jay seems to have laboured the point respecting the Convention. If any thing should occur that is interesting, & your leizure will permit it, I should be glad to hear from you on the subject. Printed copy (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 686, 1892). Letter and enclosures not found. Listed in DLC : Madison Miscellany. JM appears either to...
115To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 17 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 10th. inst. from Orange. Colo. Nicholas in a late letter to me seems to think, that the majority is decidedly for the constitution. Accuracy cannot be expected; but a comparison of the intelligence, which centers here from the various parts of Va., persuades me, that he at least mistakes the degree of the majority, and leads me to suspect, that it lies adverse...
116To James Madison from Henry Lee, 7 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Having a few moments only to devote, you must be satisfied with a very laconic letr. Such is my distance from the line of posts, that to use it, I must avail myself of accidental conveyances, which are often like the present, sudden. It is with real Grief I inform you that by a late vote of the assembly of Virga. on a collateral question, they have manifested hostility to the new constitution....
117To James Madison from Henry Lee, 20 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
After the notification of my disgrace which reached me about the 20th. Novr. I hastened from N York & pressed forward to my home. Every difficulty of weather and roads opposed my progress and retarded us effectually, for it took us three weeks to reach this place which I had reckoned on accomplishing in twelve days. At Length we arrived on the banks of potomac, and thro our avidity to embrace...
118To James Madison from Thomas Thompson, 8 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
My Friend Mr. Thomas Pleasants read to me a Paragraph in a letter he wrote you, recommending me, shoud the New Government be adopted & consequent commercial arrangements take place, as a Candidate for the Consulship to the Kingdom of Portugal, at same time solliciting your interest wth. General Washington in my behalf; he also shewd me your answer. A Severe & tedious indisposition prevented me...
119To 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; &...
120To 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...
121From 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...
122To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 27 [29] October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Henry has this Day brought in his firebrand which I fear we can scarcely withstand. Tomorrow— tis a fearfull day . Corbin has today almost given up the cause of federalism. Richd Bland Lee—Mr. Z. Johnson & myself—opposed to the formidable band of Antifederals who were most conspicuous in the Convention. “Whereas (say the Resolutions) the Convention of Delegates of the People of Virginia...
123To James Madison from Henry Lee, 9 [April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Whenever I ask your aid to the promotion of the wishes of my friend, receive it on this express condition, that the public good must combine with the views of the gentlemen recommended. Very happy in the appointent [ sic ] of my old fellow soldier Lindsay to the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Parkers election, I desire only to entreat your attention to his compeer Mr. M. Livingston, should it be...
124To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 22 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you by the last post since which nothing material has turned up here. We are debating on amendments without having decided what is to be done with them. There is so great a diversity in the views of our opponents that it is impossible to predict any thing. Upon the whole however our fears diminish. Yrs Affecty I take the liberty for certain reasons to put the inclosed under cover to...
125To James Madison from André Limozin, 10 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a large Bundle of Papers sent to my Care by his Excellency Thoms Jefferson Ambassador of the US at the Court of Versailles to be Forwarded to you. I comply with a very great pleasure with his Excellency’s orders, Since it procures me the opportunity to assure you that I have the honor to be with the highest regard Most Honored Sir Your most obedt Hble Servt I...
126To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 8 February 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of the 24. which pursuing me by a circuitous route, did not reach this untill within a few days. I place value on every mark of your friendship & to convince you that public business alone was not what induc’d me to revive impressions which were strongly imprinted on my breast. I now write you from a recess, where news of private happiness can be the only subject of...
127To James Madison from Alexander White, 4 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your obliging letter of 5t. October reached me before I left Woodville. I was detained some days by an indisposition so that the Resolutions on which the Address to Congress and letter to Clinton were founded, had passed before my arrival, I had however the pleasure of giving my negative to the Address and Letters themselves, and of contributing somewhat towards forming those which were...
128To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
My business has yet detained me here. Three days ago I returned from a visit to the great falls where Genl. Washington was to have met me. The rain stopped him & the other directors, which to me was a mortifying disappointment as I entertained hopes with their aid to have concluded amicably & advantageously the dispute with Mr Fairfax. This is in train, tho the prospect is not the most...
129To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 28 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favor from G Town came to hand, likewise yrs. of the 10th. Instant I receiv’d a few days past. As I do not know of an opportunity of conveying this to you, it is probable you will see in the papers, the result of the proceedings of our Convention, before this reaches you. It is expected this day will close the important business, if it was not determin’d yesterday. Our Convention consists...
130To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
It is now several months since I was honord with a letter from you. During the recess of Congress, while your attention was not closely confind to public business, and while the situation of the Union must have furnishd you with daily information which woud have been interesting to you, I flatterd myself you woud not have neglected your friend. The approaching elections are the subject of...
131To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The papers necessary to our European project are enclosed herewith—viz my power of attorney, your remarks which are so full that I can add nothing, the old plot of the canal which must be kept by you, and a copy sent, it being not fit—& my letr. to Mr. Jefferson. The last explains fully the manner which appeared to be best for us to embrace, but should any thing be improper, you can pass it...
132To James Madison from Elias Boudinot, 27 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor, as well as great Pleasure, of enclosing a diploma from the College of New Jersey, whereby you will find the Trustees of that Institution, have not been unmindful of the Obligations the public owe you for past Services. May you long enjoy the public Favour while they reap the benefit of your valuable Labours. Dr. Witherspoon gave me a Letter directed to you to send with the...
133To James Madison from John Beckley, 13 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
In appealing to your Candor I feel a confidence that no apology will be necessary for the present mode of address. Before I left Virginia I communicated to my good friend Mr: Randolph, the reasons that induced me to become a Candidate for the appointment of Clerk to the House of Representatives of the United States, and for that purpose to relinquish the public situation in which I stood...
134To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
This day for the first our President Mr. Hancock took his Seat in convention, and we shall probably terminate our business on Saturday or Tuesday next. I cannot predict the issue, but our Hopes are increasing—if Mr. Hancock does not disappoint our present Expectations our wishes will be gratified. But his character is not entirely free from a portion of caprice—this however is confidential....
135To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 21 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 9h. instant and am glad to learn that you think the chance is in your favour. I hope no disagreeable change may happen. Yet I own I fear something from your indisposition. Our debate here began on the clause respecting the proportion of representation &c. which has taken up two days. Tomorrow I imagine we shall talk about the power over elections. The only...
136To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, [8 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
In my last I think I informed you that the elections had turned out, beyond expectation, favourable to the Antifœderal party. They have a majority of two thirds in the Convention and according to the best estimate I can form of about four sevenths in the community. The views of the leaders in this City are pretty well ascertained to be turned towards a long adjournment say till next spring or...
137To James Madison from Muscoe Livingston, 12 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
May I be permited My Good Sir, to Ask Your Friendly Aid on the Subject of Colo Lees Letter, which I here take the liberty to Inclose; & which Letter, I did intend to have don My Self, the Honor to deliver but that A trip to N York, will be attended with considerable Expence; & unless I can Meet with Some incouragement from you, & the Other Genttlemen I have taken the liberty to write to, I had...
138To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 17 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
Col. Heth came to Town and proceeded on his journey sooner than I expected and before I had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Harris. After calling upon him and geting the survey of the Canal I found little information could be collected from it and inserted on the map. I have therefore sent what Mr. Lambert had executed by Col. Henley who I understand means to go on Tomorow and has promised to...
139To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1789 (Madison Papers)
Among the arrangements of office which will most likely take place in the United States, some will probably be peculiar to the different states. As I am confident that a knowledge of characters here would assist those in whose hands this business rests, I shall not scruple to request your attention to my particular friend colo. William Heth. He was an officer of distinguished merit in the...
140To James Madison from Mary Bristow, 19 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ I have not the honor of personaly knowing You, the benevolence of Your Character emboldens me to trouble You with a few lines to solicit Your power, and Influence with the Assembly of the States, in behalf of my Infant Son, whoes case is so truely hard! I will not trouble You with a long detail: but refer You to the Petition and Memorial presented by me, and the Two Gentlemen who are...