211To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 18 April 1784 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce him to you, as to one who will be disposed, as far as your situation will permit and the circumstances of the State may render practicable, to patronise any just or equitable claims which he may have upon the State. What those claims are he will himself explain to you, I have assured him that he will find in you a friend to justice and an able advocate for...
212To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed resolutions on the subject of commerce are the only things of consequence passed since my last. You will be surprised to receive another pair of spectacles. The paper with them will explain the error. If you can dispose of the supernumerary pair do so, & I will remit the money to Dudley: if you cannot, return them by the next post & I will return them to him. Congress is now on...
213To James Madison from Gabriel Royez, 24 May 1785 (Madison Papers)
Je m’engage a fournir chez moi aussitot l’announce toutes les Livraison futures de l’Encyclopedie par ordre de matieres in 4°. Dont j’ai reçu le montant des livraisons y compris la 13°. montant a la Somme de troit cent quatrevingt Livre en deduisant sur ce prix fixe par la souscription et Suivant la notte y joint un primer quarante huit livres Suivant nos convention. A Monsieur James Madison...
214To James Madison from Rufus King, 25 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I leave this city Tomorrow for Boston, and shall be extremely obliged to you to inform me of the Progress and determination of your Convention—you can with difficulty conceive the real anxiety experienced in Massachusetts concerning your Decision—there remains no doubt that a very large majority of the People of Mass: are in favor of the federal constitution. The late Elections for Governor...
215To James Madison from Francis Corbin, [21 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Without making any apology for the Liberty I am about to take in commencing a Correspondence which I have been long desirous of holding with you, being well satisfied that the motive will be it’s own Excuse, I proceed, sans ceremonie, to request, My Dear Sir, that you will have the goodness to forward to me, if they can be procured, the Acts of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts respecting the...
216To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 26 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The bearer Mr Jno. Churchman believes he has made a discovery of some consequence for readily ascertaining the longitude. He wishes his principles to be examined by capable mathematicians in the vicinity, &, if possible, under the direction of Congress. If they should prove as valuable as he supposes, I shall be happy that rude genius in our countryman may meet with proper encouragement. Dr...
217From George Washington to James Madison, 16 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having heard of your Election by a respectable majority of the suffrages of the District for which you stood and conceiving it probable that you would soon be on your journey to New York—possibly before my return from the Seneca Falls—for which place, by appointment, I am this moment setting off by the way of George Town; where I expect to meet Governors Johnson & Lee. I take the liberty of...
218To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 30 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Ever since the second day of February I have been confined with excrutiating Gout—and to this moment altho I am nearly recover’d since my first attack I have never partaken of a morsel at any Table but my own. This with my retired situation—which prevents easy Access to post offices—and affords little worth communicating—will account for my silence hitherto—for I assure you my wishes for your...
219To James Madison from Nicholas Lewis, 9 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was Applyed to lately by Mr. Peter Carr for a considerable Supply of money, he at the same time informed me that A Fund was established in Your Hands by Mr. Jefferson for the purpose of discharging the expence of his Tuition and Board & observes that that Was but A small proportion of the money that was Necessary for him to answer his other purposes. Your information on this Head, as Also...
220To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
I am much indebted to you for Bayle and the Confessional. I delivered the treatises on air, with the history of their journey from hence to Orange, to Dr. Currie. He put them into the hands of McClurg who reports in strong terms of approbation the work of Scheele, as being most learned in Chymistry. The circular letters have been dispatched, with an authentication of our commercial Character...
221To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 6 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
A notification of the inclosed appointment would be scarcely necessary to you, who were a Witness of its passage; were it not to solicit your acceptance. I have the honor to be &c. FC ( Executive Letter Book Executive Letter Book, 1786–1788, manuscript in Virginia State Library. ). In the hand of a clerk. Unsigned. Enclosure not found. As commissioner to the Federal Convention in Philadelphia...
222To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was this morning favored with yours of the 12th. instant, as I had been many weeks before with your other from Alexa. I did not recollect, that I had omitted to acknowledge the receipt of the latter until you expressed a doubt of its miscarriage. I confess, it strikes me, as expedient, that a temporary arrangement of impost should be made. The merchants, (I am told and I believe with truth)...
223To James Madison from John Page, 6 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 27th. Ulto. inclosing the New York Papers, with the joyfull News of the Ratification of the Plan of the fœderal Constitution has just come to Hand. I return you many Thanks for communicating to me so early, an Authentic Account of that important & glorious Event. I heartily congratulate you on the brightening Prospect of our Affairs, & the Success of your Wishes & patriotic...
224From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your determination to avail yourself of the fine weather proved I fear a very unfortunate one. I pitied your probable situation in the tempestuous season which immediately succeeded your departure. It is now above a fortnight since we should have met, and six states only appear. We have some hopes of Rhodeisland coming in to-day, but when two more will be added seems as insusceptible of...
225To 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...
226To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 22 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
As I know your anxiety upon the Subject of the State legislatures, I have great Satisfaction in assuring you that by the returns of our new house at least 38 are firmly attached to the Constitution. The whole number is 69, but we have no returns of the greater part of the remainder. I think we have the best ground to believe the house will be 40 to 29 at least—and a very able man, Mr. Findlay,...
227To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 30 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers contain some of the debates of the Convention of South Carolina, and a vote of a vast majority, which shews the dispositions of that Body upon the Constitution. These papers will be of use to you, and therefore I take this the last moment that Offers before the departure of the post to forward them. I am my dr sir yrs. sincerely RC ( DLC ). Mathematical calculations are...
228To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
The bearer hereof the count de Moustier, successor to Monsr. de la Luzerne, would from his office need no letter of introduction to you or to any body. Yet I take the liberty of recommending him to you to shorten those formal approaches which the same office would otherwise expose him to in making your acquaintance. He is a great enemy to formality, etiquette, ostentation & luxury. He goes...
229To 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...
230To James Madison from Benjamin Johnson, 12 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
On my way to Fredbg. on Friday, I Called on Mr. Leeland, who was from home, attending Meetings which he had apptd. for Friday, Saturday, & Sunday; his Circuit was throug[h] Culpr. His wife informed me he did not see Mr. Waller when in Spotsylvania; Several Gentlemen in Town informed me of a political Meeting of the Baptist Ministers of this district, appointed to be held in Louisa, but could...
231To 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...
232To James Madison from John Hatley Norton, 2 October 1785 (Madison Papers)
With this you will receive a Letter from me dated Yesterday which contains such Sentiments as wou’d naturally arise from the peculiarity of my Situation & my Brothers, in which I shou’d hope you will find nothing dictatorial or offensive. I have wrote to many of my friends on the Assembly in the same Style, who will no doubt concur in such Measures as may be conducive to the Interest of...
233To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 25 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed you will receive the Journal containing the strongest effort of federalism in our Legislature. I cannot but flatter myself that the good sense of our Poeple will treat with proper Contempt the conduct which must be so unavailing & disgraceful to our Country. We are waiting with anxiety to receive your permission to publish such parts of your letter to Mr: T. if not the whole, which...
234From George Washington to James Madison, 3 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 21st & 27th of last month came duly to hand. The last, contained the pleasing—and I may add (tho’ I could not reconcile it with any ideas I entertained of common policy) unexpected account of the unconditional ratification of the Consitution by the State of New York—That No. Carolina will hesitate long in its choice I can scarcely believe; but what Rhode Island will do is...
235To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am afraid by your omission to acknowledge my letters, that all of them, tho’ written punctually to the time, except during my absence to the Naval offices, have miscarried. Genl. Nelson refuses to join us. Colo. R. H. Lee has been appointed in his stead. This seemed proper from the conspicuousness of the Character, and the respect, due to past services. The objection to his unfoederal...
236To 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,...
237To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 1 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
La necessità non à legge. I favori che ò bisogno da voi, non posso ottenergli da altri. La lettera per Mr. Hennin deve spedirsi dall’Incaricato degli Affari di Francia nel plico della Corte, e voi sapete che ancor non conosco Mr. de Marbois. Quella per Mr. Jefferson dubito che possa andar sicura se non per il mezzo di qualche Membro del Congresso, ed io non ò familiarità bastante con veruno de...
238To James Madison from John Swanwick, 22 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
This Letter will I expect be presented to you by my Brother in Law Mr. James B. Nickolls of Portsmouth in Virginia who goes to New york with a view of solliciting the appointment of Collector of Customs at Norfolk in the State of Virginia. He is a very worthy Amiable Young man perfectly well qualified for the office in every respect, and as such I can freely recommend him, appealing also in...
239To James Madison from William Bingham, 25 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I will make no Apology to you for the small Portion of Time that the Perusal of this letter may claim from more valuable Avocations. By Letters I have received from Europe, I am induced to think that Strong Impressions on the public Mind, will be made by the first legislative Acts of Congress, which will display in Some Measure, the Character of our new Government. I am afraid we Shall be...
240To James Madison from John Witherspoon, 11 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Diploma for the Degree of Dr of Laws which the Trustees & Faculty of this College did themselves the Honour of conferring upon you last Commencement ought to have been sent long ago but as there are no printed forms for the honorary Degrees we often find it difficult to get them properly executed. This occasioned a little Delay at first which has been protracted to a very blameable Length....