51To 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...
52To 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...
53To James Madison from George Washington, 31 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
At the same time that I acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favor of the 21st. Ult. from New York, I promise to avail myself of your indulgence of writing only when it is convenient to me. If this should not occasion a relaxation on your part, I shall become very much your debtor—and possibly like others in similar circumstances (when the debt is burthensome) may feel a disposition to...
54To 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.
55To 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...
56To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 23 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
I committed some hasty thoughts to paper in an illegible hand, which I sent you by Doctr. Griffin, relative to a clause in the British debt bill that you told me, pass’d the House of delegates by an almost unanimous assent, directing those who had paid British Debts into the public Treasury, to pay them over again. From the little consideration I had given this question myself. & from the...
57To 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...
58To 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...
59To 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...
60To 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...
61To 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...
62To James Madison from James Madison, Sr., ca. 20 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 20 November 1786. Mentioned in JM’s letter of 7 December 1786 to his father . Made business inquiries of JM as to who was to receive the tobacco for Anderson’s brother; the discount rate of indents in Richmond; and whether these loan office certificates for his tax payments were obtainable.
63To 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....
64To 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...
65To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
By some inexplicable mystery, the inclosed letter from Mr. Jones, and my intended answer to your last epistolary favor, have still remained in my possession. Being engaged when the gentleman, who brought your friendly attention to me, I doubt whether I gave him an intelligible reply to his question, if my answer was ready. Our apparent disobedience to the appointment of the assembly must be...
66To 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...
67To 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,...
68To 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...
69To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 [ca. 29] October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have omitted to write to you since my return home, from an inability to obtain so accurate a grasp of the Opinions prevailing here, as to justify me in communicating the politics of our legislature. The first raptures in favor of the constitution were excessive. Every town resounded with applause. The conjectures of my reasons for refusing to sign were extraordinary, and so far malicious, as...
70From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Seven o’clock, and retired to my fireside, I have determined to enter into conversation with you; this is a village of about 5,000 inhabitants when the court is not here and 20,000 when they are, occupying a valley thro’ which runs a brook, and on each side of it a ridge of small mountains most of which are naked rock. The king comes here in the fall always, to hunt. His court attend him, as...
71To 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...
72To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 8 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
The Governor in his return drop’d at the Bowling Green, yr. very kind favr. of the 20th. past covering the result of your long labours at Philadelphia, for both of which I thank you. I had heard of and lamented the withholding the Names of the two respectable Gentn. of our delegation, tho’ am yet Ignorant of the ground of their dissention; what ever it was, I cannot approve their Conduct. To...
73To 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...
74To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 23 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since you left Philadelphia I have kept my attention awake to the conduct of the most able—as well as the most active members of the late opposition. I find those who were excessively violent, active & unreserved in their opposition are perfectly silent. Their conduct carries more of ceasing to oppose, than of acquiescence. But some of the most sensible, cautious and artful characters express...
75To James Madison from George Washington, ca. 30 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 30 January 1789 . Mentioned in Washington to JM, 2 Jan. and 16 Feb. 1789 . Requests JM’s advice concerning a proposed speech drafted by David Humphreys (see Washington to JM, 16 Feb. 1789, n. 1 ).
76To 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...
77To 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...
78To 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...
79To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 29 June 1787 (Madison Papers)
We are not to know the result of your deliberations for five or six weeks to come, as from all accounts your Session will continue untill some time in August. Some of your uxorious members will become impatient from so long absence from home. How does the Dr. stand it—enjoy himself as usual in the society of his friends, or cast longing looks towards Richmond. Mrs. McClurg is, and looks well,...
80To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 6 July 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have your letter of the 26th. ult. The Post preceding the arrival of yours brought a letter from the Governor, inclosing Mr. Wythes resignation, when the filling the vacancy made by that Gentlemans departure from Convention was considered, and determined by the Executive to be unnecessary. The length of time the Convention had been seting, and the representation of the State then attending,...
81To James Madison from Archibald Stuart, 14 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
The uncertainty of our final Decision on all publick questions has been the cause of My late silence. As the Session is now over I can venture to give you some information with certainty—for this purpose I inclose you two Acts with a Statement of Our private Debts. The Law concerning Executions is the Companion of the District Bill which passed by a Very Large Majority—four additional Genl....
82To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, [6 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
… The Resolutions respecting the Mississippi Navigation are of a Balmy nature, tending to give Repose to those concerned, and impose silence on such as caring nothing about it, used the Subject as an engine of Opposition, not such is the fixure of the tempory seat of Congress. I have already met taunts on the occasion, as the first instance of Eastern Partiality and influence , which...
83To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 4 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Genl. Washington is prevailed upon to agree to go to Phila. if his health will permit. He is at present afflicted with the rheumatism, so as to be unable to move himself in his bed sometimes, and often to raise his hand to his head. He purposes to travel earlier than for the meeting, that he may apologize to the Cincinnati for his refusal of their presidency. Mr. Jay’s report on the treaty...
84To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
The bearer hereof, Monsieur de Warville, is already known to you by his writings, some of which I have heretofore sent you, & particularly his work sur la France et les etats unis. I am happy to be able to present him to you in person, assured that you will find him in all his dispositions equally estimable as for his genius. I nee[d] only to ask your acquaintance for him. That will dispo[se]...
85To James Madison from David Ramsay, 8 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I lately had the honor of receiving a letter from mr Jefferson dated Paris May 7. 1788 in which he authorised me to draw on you for 936 livres on his account. That sum being due to me by mr Froulle in Paris mr Jeffersons goodness has been such as to negotiate the payment here through your hands. I have therefore taken the liberty of drawing on you for 173⅓ dollars a sum equal to 936 livres...
86To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yr. favor of the 27. of Novr. in answer to mine of the 15th. My last gave you the state of the representations here. The business of importance is still before committees or if reported not yet acted on. It seems to be the Genl. sense of Congress to appoint a minister to the Ct: of London & to give him instructions upon many subjects & particularly those wh. arise in the conduct...
87To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 27 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
My going to Virginia this winter is indispensible. It is probable, from the state in which events has placed the delegation, that I shall not have an opportunity of going after the session commences without leaving the state unrepresented. Upon these considerations I have determined to seize the present moment and shall set out early in the next week. In the mean time I think it proper to give...
88To James Madison from Joseph Jones, [ca. 13 September] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Although I wanted materials for a letter, I should have droped you a few lines had I not been absent sometime from Fredericksburg and had I not also been informed that convention wod. certainly rise the first week of this month. The continuance of your Session and some Stories I have heard since my return and on my visit to Alexandria make me apprehensive there is not that unanimity in your...
89To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last to you were of Aug. 2. & 15. Since that I have sent to Havre to be forwarded to you by the present packet 3. boxes marked I.M. G.W. and A.D. The two last are for mr. Wythe in Williamsburgh, and mr. Alexr. Donald merchant in Richmond. The first contains the books for yourself which shall be noted at the close of my letter, together with the following for mr. Rittenhouse; viz. la Chymie...
90To 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...
91To 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...
92To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 10 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
You were good enough to subscribe for a set of the letters of Publius at my request. I have recd. the Books, but as there was to be a remainder of subscription paid I shall be obliged to you, if in some future letter, you will note the amount. It has been affirmed to me with some confidence that a part of those papers were written by you. It would give me great pleasure before I read the work...
93To James Madison from George Nicholas, 24 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
I am very unhappy to find by your letter which has just now come to hand that two of mine to you have miscarried. I found that no alterations could be made to the remonstrance* without injury and immediately had it copied and sent to the counties I mentioned in a former letter. One of my letters must certainly have reached you before this but for fear of accident shall desire my brother to...
94To 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...
95From George Washington to James Madison, 30 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 19th by which it appears that a quoram of Congress was hardly to be expected until the beginning of the past week. As this delay must be very irksome to the attending members, and every days continuance of it (before the Government is in operation) will be more sensibly felt, I am resolved, no interruption shall proceed from me that can well be...
96To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 9 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Election for Senators came on yesterday and terminated as I gave you some reason to apprehend in my last—the Ballots were as follow: for R. H. Lee 98, for Wm. Grayson 86, for Jas. Madison 77 the whole number of Voters was 162, 62 whereof were given singly to you, of those Cast away Mr. H. got 26, and the remainder were distributed to many others. I am confident that two thirds of the...
97To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 11 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
We have been made very happy by the accots from Richmond by yesterday’s post which were to the 5th. of June. From them we learn that Governor R. has acquiesced in the evident sense of the Majority of the States and of the people & that all Questions were to be defer’d till the whole should be considered in parts—and a letter from the head of the Convention expresses the fullest belief, that...
98To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 13 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of November 2d. is just come to hand and I will endeavour to write a few lines in detail of our present politics— that is of the majority . My letter of the 10th. instant will have reached you e’er this—from it you will observe the sway that bears heavy on our heads—& no doubt you will be well prepared for any miserable measures that may follow. The Committee of the whole have been...
99To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 28 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favor of the 17th Instant came to hand Yesterday. Since my return I have been so engag’d, particularly by attending on an aged sick parent, that I have not been in the way of obtaining any intelligence to be depended on, untill last monday when I saw General Washington at a meeting of the Potomack Compy. The information from him was pleasing; Docr. Stuart, Representative for Fairfax,...
100To 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...