311To James Madison from Lafayette, 15–17 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Lafayette arrived in New York on 4 August 1784 for a visit which lasted until 21 December 1784 when he sailed to France aboard the frigate La Nymphe . During his stay, he was greeted by Washington and other Virginians at Richmond on 18 November. After feastings, celebrations, and a visit to the State Assembly, the two Revolutionary heroes spent a few days at Mount Vernon and then went north,...
312To James Madison from Lafayette, 22 October 1784 (Madison Papers)
In spite of Calculations and Engagements, I Cannot absolutely leave Boston, at least for some time, and the Remainder of my tour, must, of Course, be much differed. The Reception I Have met with exceeds description. My feelings are still more Unrepressible. It was not in my power to go so soon as I expected and am under a Necessity to visit Rhode island and New Hampshire. Thus Circumstanced,...
313To James Madison from Lafayette, 5 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your Correspondents in france, Besides me, are So Well informed that You Have only to Be affraid of tedious Repetitions. They Will tell You that the dutch are divided into Several Parties, Which are Ranged in two opposite Armies. Three provinces and a Half, among Whom is that of Holland, and the Volunteer Corps are on the Side of freedom. The Remainder of the provinces, the Regulars, and a...
314To James Madison from Lafayette, 1 June 1785 (Madison Papers)
This letter will Be delivered By mr. Chevalier, a Son to the Gentleman I Recommended to You last Summer, who is Going to Settle His Accounts with Your State. I am the More inclined to Give Him my letter as a denial would Seem to Harbour a doubt upon the punctuality of the payment while I know You Have taken proper measures to insure it. Give me leave therefore to Recommend the affair to Your...
315To James Madison from Lafayette, 8 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 February [ 1787? ]. This letter was “probably to JM,” but the evidence is not conclusive. The year is indicated by Lafayette’s comments on Jefferson: “Our friend Jefferson intends a journey to the South. He is universally beloved and respected, at Court, and in Paris and as he is equally enlightened and zealous he cannot but render the greatest service to his Country”...
316To James Madison from Elias Langham, 11 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty some days ago to address a letter to you, relative to an Appointmt. that I wish to Solicit under the Federal Government. I then Observed that I shoud forward the best recommendations that I coud procure, for that Purpose. I now inclose such recommendations as I have procured & beg leave to request your Attention thereto. As I am unacquainted with the nature of making such...
317To James Madison from Elias Langham, 15 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am induced to think that a Commissary of Military Stores will be one of the first Appointments that Congress will make under the new Government, I therefore take the Liberty of writing to you on the Subject, & inclosing some Other letters to your care, you being the representative of the district in which I live. I leave open the letters for your examination, which after readg. be pleased to...
318To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
This letr. is written purposely to inform you of the project mentioned to you in New york concerning the land at the Great falls. The quantity is 500 acres, the price may be called 4,000£ with the incumbrance of an annual rent of 150£ sterling. The advantages infinitely exceed that of any spot of ground in the U. States. The canal runs thro the land, & the bason is in the land, the situation...
319To 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....
320To 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...
321To 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 ).
322To 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...
323To 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...
324To 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...
325To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Tomorrow I go from hence, Mrs. Lee as when you left her. If I forgot to fill up the power of attorney, please to insert Mr Jeffersons name. Yesterday the original papers went off in the Maryland bound to Bordeaux to the care of Mr. Mason Merchant there—I am told in three or four days the mail reaches Versailles from that port. Many applicants above & here, on each side of the river have waited...
326To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
I had presumed from the decision you have taken of standing for your district, that I might have seen you here before I left this town, But as the hour of my departure is approached & my expectation baffled, I now transmit to you for your satisfaction a plot of the canal with Col. Gilpins (one of the potomack companys directors) observations. This gentleman speaks from personal knowledge &...
327To James Madison from Henry Lee, 25 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
You now have the report from the secretary of war mentioned in my last letter & omitted. The opinions I conveyed then relative to the eastern commotions are daily supported by additional intelligence. The eastern gentlemen here are confirmed in sentiments on this matter and beleive that the discontents will never be settled but by the sword. Perhaps their apprehensions may have some operation...
328To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am so far on my return from Richmond to Alexa. at which place Mrs Lee still is. The attack which commenced when you was in Alexa. has been very severe & her condition when I last heard from [her] was very unpromising. It may so happen that I shall be detained in Alexa. during the winter, tho’ my hope & intention is to return soon home. Have you recovered my packet with the plan of the canal,...
329To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
To aid Mr. Twining I put my name on his bill & procured the endorsement of Mr. Constable to authenticate it in N York. Mr. Twinings bill is not paid by the Postmaster General who gave me his written assurance that it should be paid when due on condition that the contract was performed relating to the mail. This letr. Mr. Constable has & you can see. I am called on for the money & without the...
330To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
In our letter of this date to the Assembly you will know our sentiments on the interesting subject of finance. I am persuaded if the suggestions meet the approbation of the Legislature and any plans calculated on the principles of our letter, should be properly executed much good will accrue to the state. We omitted one subject which involves the respectability of our country viz that of a...
331To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you when I was here last month relative to our project of union in the purchase of the great falls. To this letr. I have as yet received no reply. Mr. Arthur Lee tells me that he left you in Philada. unwell. With respect to the suggested purchase I am more & more persuaded, that it is worthy of our best attention, & that judicious conduct of the business will ensure to us early,...
332To James Madison from Henry Lee, 16 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
By way of introduction of a correspondence, with a character I love & respect so sincerely, I enclose a report passed yesterday by Congress, the only material business done lately & which proves the dreadful situation of our fœderal government. The report speaks so fully on the subject that I withhold remarks which might [my?] solicitude for the public gives birth to. We have received some...
333To James Madison from Henry Lee, [ca. 20 December] 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am so far on my return from a visit to Richmond. On my route I spent a day with Judge Pendleton. He continues amidst the strange change of opinion on the worth of the fœderal Government, unalterable. This firmness does not belong to all the bench, for it was declared as indubitable, that the Cheif Justice had abandoned his first sentiments on this subject. I wished to have given you a...
334To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 12 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. Instant arrived here yesterday. The intended publication was not struck off—it being unnecessary to have it done till near the close of the Session—and we being anxious, if possible to have yr. approbation to the insertion of certain extracts from your letter to Mr: Turberville. The inclosed which was taken from the proof sheet and is the only printed copy in existence,...
335To 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...
336To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 29 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mr: Turberville informs me he has inclosed to you Mr. Henry’s resolution concerning the calling of another general Convention to propose amendments to the New Government. I fear we shall not be able to defeat the measure altogether. I hope however, we shall be able to modify it, so as to divest it of it’s inflammatory dress—or to postpone it’s operation to such a distant period as to give the...
337To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 17 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 6th Instant and am happy to find my opinion corroborated by your authority. I flattered myself that we should have been able notwithstanding the party spirit prevalent in our councils to have placed you in the Senate from this state; but faction has prevailed over gratitude and propriety; and without a reason you have been left out of the appointment....
338To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 11 August 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of July the 7th was long coming to hand as I find my letter of the 20th May was in getting to you. This joined to the uncertainty of letters ever arriving safe is a very discouraging circumstance to full & free correspondence. I have the honor of according most perfectly and entirely with your ideas for regulating our severance from Kentucky. It is unquestionably just that this...
339To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 20 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I wish it were in my power to give you the satisfaction that I know it would afford you to be informed that Congress was assembled and proceeding well with the public business. Unfortunately, we have not yet a Congress, & altho twenty days are elapsed since the time appointed for its meeting, but 4 States have been convened. No doubt Colo. Monroe has informed his Correspondents of the...
340To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 27 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 11th. reached me ten days after its date and after the post had gone out for that week, so that I fear this letter will not get to Richmd. before the adjournment. The proceedings of last Assembly respecting B. debts have not yet been before Congress, because they have not arrived at this place. It seems that they were deposited in Mr. Hardys Trunk which a variety of accidents...