551To James Madison from John Blair Smith, [ca. 10] December 1786 (Madison Papers)
I recd: your letter by Mr. Allen. & am much obliged to you for the communications it contained, though it occasioned a serious alarm for the situation of our Country. It will be a distressing circumstance in the history of man, should our hopes from the American Revolution be blasted. Will not human corruption forever defeat the beneficial influence of liberty upon human happiness? & will not...
552To James Madison from John Blair Smith, 12 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
On my return from Phila. last Summer, I wrote to your brother from Fredericksburg as you desired. As it was Sunday, I did not go to Mr. Maury’s store, but left the letter with Dr. Hall, who promised to give it to Mr. Maury, that he might send it to Orange. I informed him in that letter, that you had paid me ten pounds, ten Shills. for his son’s expences. As the boys did not return during the...
553To James Madison from John Blair Smith, ca. 1 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 1 November 1786. Informing JM that his nephew James and Jacky Walker were not returning to Hampden-Sydney Academy and requesting the balances of their tuition. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 16 November 1786 .
554To James Madison from Samuel S. Smith, 12 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Jno. Fitch is about to make application to Congress for some assistance to complete his steam-boat. It is a proof of so much native ingenuity, that I could wish to see him encouraged on that footing alone, if the finances of the continent were in a situation to be liberal to the inventors of ingenious arts. But from the report of the most capable judges, his boat may be rendered so useful...
555To 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...
556To James Madison from Joseph Spencer, 28 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Federal Constitution, has it Enimyes in Orange as well as in other parts, Col. Thos. Barber offers as a Candedit for our March Election, he is as grate an Enimy to it as he posabley can be, & if not as grate as any it has, as grate as his abiliteys will alow him to be, which if our County men admired his Politickes no more then I do, the Constitution would have but Little to fear from that...
557To James Madison from Bolling Stark, 15 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
By virtue of an Act of the last Assembly, the Executive on th[e] 1st Ulto. assigned me such a part of the business in the Auditors Office as must inevitably, in a few months, occasion my being discharged therefrom for ever. This determination of Council, against me, I am impelled, from various considerations, to think extremely hard, more especially when I reflect upon the anxiety & fatigue I...
558To James Madison from Adam Stephen, 25 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
It appears that the Wild men of Franklin State have an intention to drive the Cherokees out of their Country. They are a well behaved people. I carryd on an Expedition against them in —61 made a treaty with them at the long Island in Holston, kept the principals of the Nation with me untill such reputable person among them as I named carryd the Treaty to Charleston & Confirmed it There. This...
559To James Madison from Edward Stevens, 31 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
I understand Colo. Munroe came into this County on Thursday last. From the period of time, suppose his intention is to remain, and be at the Election on Monday next. I wish it could be convenient for you to be present also. My desire Proceeds from no other motive, than that I think by both Candidates being together on that day the People might have a better Oppty of Judging for themselves, and...
560To James Madison from Edward Stevens, 16 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I beleive you were a member of our Assembly some years agoe when their was a notion of making new regulations in the Customs of the State, if so, expect you were acquainted with my intention then of offering for an appointment in that Line. As I expect new arrangments will now take place under the Federal Government, have taken the Liberty to solicit the President and the Senators from this...
561To James Madison from Griffin Stith, 22 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
However improper it may be to interrupt the attention which may be devoted to more important concerns; you will not, I am pursuaded, be less disposed to indulge a solicitation which can only proceed from my wishes to serve the interests of a friend, so far as they are found not incompatible with those of the community. Mrs. Grace Bowdoin, the present proprietor of the ferry from this shore to...
562To James Madison from Archibald Stuart, 2 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
I find by yrs. of the 18th. Novr. that one of my letters prior in date to the One of the 2d. Novr. has miscaried. This Gives me some uneasiness on account of its contents which possibly may transpire. An Absence of ten days prevented my writing last week. The legislature have taken up the subject of British debts and after four days debate on the subject passed a Vote for the payment of them...
563To 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....
564To James Madison from Archibald Stuart, 2 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are the Resolutions of Virginia on the subject of the fœderal Government. It is generally considered necessary that you should be of the convention, not only that the Constitution may be adopted but with as much unanimity as possible. For gods sake do not disappoint the Anxious expectations of yr friends & let me add of yr Country. The Govr. on his return here was coolly received,...
565To James Madison from Archibald Stuart, 21 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Contrary to custom we had a house of Delegates on the 15th. inst: & proceeded to read the Govrs. letter with its inclosures. We have resolved to discontinue the additional tax of 6/ P HH.D. on Tobo. Exported; to amend the militia Law by furnishing the Militia with publick Arms & by annexing to each battalion of infantry a small troop of horses to be raised by voluntary enlistment & Accoutred...
566To James Madison from Archibald Stuart, 9 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
Yrs of the 30th. Octr. came to hand yesterday & has afforded me infinite satisfaction to hear that the probability is that most of the Northern States will adopt the fœderal Govt. I have been for some time uncommonly Anxious on this subject lest the weakness & inefficacy of the State Governments should become so notorious & so disgusting to the people as to drive them into concessions of...
567To 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...
568To James Madison from Lawrence Taliaferro, 16 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
I recd: your vary Frendly Letter from New york sumtime ago & Am Much Oblige to you for the Information you gave Me of My Nephu John Taliaferro at Princetown. I am sorry to inform you that the Federal Sistum is rufly Handeld by sum vary Able Men in this State tho. we have sum vary good & Able Men that are Frends to that & thear Cuntary & Wish it to be Adopted as spedily as Posable. I am...
569To James Madison from Francis Taylor, 25 June 1786 (Madison Papers)
I request you to sell the two Certificates I handed you Last thursday, if you can get Twenty five dollars for them including the interest due: tho’ hope they will sell for somewhat more. If you cannot sell them altogether perhaps the interest may be drawn seperately. I have taken the liberty to inclose a memorial which was intended to have been presented to Virga Assembly—and request, if you...
570To 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...
571To James Madison from Charles Thomson, 15 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to You herewith enclosed a copy of the proceeding of Congress in the appointment of a court for hearing and determining a matter in question between the States of South-Carolina and Georgia, by which You will be duly informed and notified that You are a Member of the court, and that it is summoned to meet at the city of New York on the third Monday in June next. As...
572To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, ca. 13 April 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 13 April 1784. Mrs. Trist was at Fort Pitt awaiting transportation down the Ohio for a reunion with her husband. She wrote Jefferson regarding a misunderstood report that Virginia had “reward[ed] merit by making our friend Madison Governor.… I have wrote to him, but before I got your letter, which I beg you to forward” ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al.,...
573To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, 9 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 9 February 1786. Contained news of Mrs. Trist’s state of health and her proposed trip through various states. Mentioned in JM’s response of 14 March 1786 .
574To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, 23 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 23 January 1788. Acknowledged in JM to Mrs. Trist, 27 Jan. 1788 . Comments favorably on Luther Martin’s Genuine Information .
575To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 8 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Commissioners appointed to liquidate the claim of this state against the United States on Acct. of the Ceded Territory were by some very animated resolutions of our house yesterday stopped from further proceeding in the business untill a remonstrance had been presented to Congress. This will no doubt be officially transmitted to you in a few days. The construction of the Words, “all...
576To 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...
577To 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...
578To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 14 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yes we had almost supposed from your silence that you had assented to the publication of a part of your favor to me—the type was set—but only one single copy was struck—that copy Mr. R. B. Lee informs me has been transmitted to you. My fortunate stars steel’d me agt. importunities when my conscience almost condemn’d my obstinacy. A Copy of the publication is transmitted to you—in which the...
579To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 10 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have forborne my pen for some posts—flattering myself that it wou’d have been the harbinger of good news. But alas! I am about to detail to you some occurrences which I assure you have operated upon my feelings as sensibly—and in a manner more distressing—than I trust they will upon your own. The triumph of Antifœderalism is compleat. The resolution & preamble which I enclosed to you have...
580To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 16 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yrs. of the 6th. has just reach’d me—wou’d to heaven that that of November 2d. had arrived four days sooner. Mr. Henry on yr. being nominated for the senate publicly declared in the house that you were not to be trusted with amendments since you had declared, that not a letter of the Constitution cou’d be spared—in Convention. This was denied by many & a very respectable testimonial of...
581To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 11 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Will you excuse an abrupt tresspass upon your leizure which has its rise from a desire to promote the welfare of Virginia & the Union a cause that has so long been the object of your pursuits—& that has already received so many beneficial supports from your attention—& still expects to receive so much future aid from your Counsel, Assiduity & patriotism? Tis not sir to draw from you—your...
582To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 20 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Tis only ½ hour to the making up of the mail. Excuse therefore a detail of Occurrences. I will write you fully by next post. A proposition is talked of even by the staunchest friends to the new Constitution, to close With N York & propose another convention to amend—your opinion on this subject wou’d assist me Much, especially if you think it improper—I therefore write for this information...
583To 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...
584To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 27 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Sentiments begin to circulate—the Cloven hoof begins to appear. I want no arguments to convince me. A convention I am opposed to—intrigue antifœderalism and artifice go hand in hand. R. H. L. & Colo. Grayson are the objects of antifœderal choice for the senate—but I trust they will be deceived & by aiming at too much they will loose every thing. Mr. Corbin has precipitated resolutions into the...
585To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 16 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favor of the 1st. Ulto. reached me on the 7th. instant. The satisfactory information it contain’d deserves and receives my most Cordial & gratefull acknowledgements. Altho I had satisfied myself in many respects touching the arguments of the opponents to the new Constitution—yet I never before was so well acquainted with those powerfull reasons that may be urged agt. the adoption of a Bill...
586To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 12 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
The moment of sympathetic fervor that prevails amongst a set of Friends, when they are distressed at the success of opposing Party; is very seldom the period for prudence to be attended to in—fortunately I have withstood all temptation and importunity so far as to save your letter from the press. The illicit & misrepresented uses that might—(& most certainly wou’d be) made of it by those who...
587To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, ca. 20 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 20 September 1788 . Mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 8 Oct. 1788 . Requests JM to mention to Jefferson a report that a Dr. Spence and his wife, thought to have perished at sea, had been captured and taken to Algiers.
588To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 24 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have to acknowledge yr. favor of the 3d. instt. pr. Colo. Carrington and to return you my most hearty thanks for the enquiries you have been kind enough to make concerning the unfortunate Doctor Spence. Tis to be hoped that he has met with the milder fate of a Watery death to which his mother & friends have been reconciled rather than that he shou’d have experienced the attendant horrors on...
589To James Madison from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., 17 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I make no excuse for sending you at present the Work of Mr Le Trosne because from your conversation I think you have not seen it, that I conceive it will interest you, & that when I arrive at New York I shall myself stand in need of it. The whole of the work is worthy your perusal, tho’ my view is only to communicate the Treatise de l’Interest Social which is the most regular & complete work I...
590To James Madison from Virginia Delegates, 25 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Inclosed this moment came to hand —contemplating the critical State of the subject it concerns in Virginia we thought it best to dispatch it by express, rather than depend on the progress of the post. We have the Honor to be Sir Yr. Most Obt Servts. RC ( DLC ). In Carrington’s hand, except for the signatures. Addressed by Carrington to “James Madison, in his absence, Governor Randolph in...
591Pay Voucher as Delegate to General Assembly, 7 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
The CommonWealth of Virginia October session To James Madison Dr. 1784 To 68 days Attendance on Genl. Assembly as Delegate from Orange—a 10/. £34 … 150 Miles traveling—2 [lb?]. Tobo. 3 … Entered £37 … Ms ( Vi ). Docketed in a clerk’s hand.
592To James Madison from John Walker, 29 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am anxious, My dear Sir, to renew our long interrupted correspondence, but the terms will be so unequal, that I am almost ashamed to propose it. My private & retired situation will furnish but few incidents of Information or amusement. I will however, from time to time communicate what ever I may be able to collect worthy of your notice. As I am near the centre of your district, & possibly...
593To James Madison from John Walker, 29 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 29 April 1789. Calendared in the lists probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany). The two-page letter was offered for sale in the Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892), which listed items from the McGuire collection of JM’s papers.
594To James Madison from Caleb Wallace, 30 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I embrace the Opportunity by a Neighbour bound for Richmond, where I expect this will meet you, to thank you for your Favour of the 15 of March and for the printed Memorial and Remonst[r]ance accompanying it, in which the Opinions I have long since espoused are well arranged and supported. The unanimity of Sentiments that prevailed here a year ago in favour of a Seperation has since been...
595To James Madison from Caleb Wallace, 25 September 1785 (Madison Papers)
Two Days ago I received your favour of the 23. of August. Having only an Evening’s leisure after attending a very Strong Session of our Court for three Weeks to answer several of my Eastern Correspondents I only intend a short Line at present. In my Letter by Mr. Elijah Craig I believe I omitted particularly to inform you that last December a Deputy from the Several Militia Companies in this...
596To James Madison from Caleb Wallace, 8 October 1785 (Madison Papers)
By Colo. Muter I troubled you with a short Line; and now have only Leisure to thank you for the Strictures on Government you were so kind as to favour me with. I have yet some other Qu[e]r[i]es on the Subject which I shall reserve for another Opportunity. At present I only beg leave to observe that the Constitution of Virginia provides for the Seperation we have in View in a Way that is...
597To James Madison from Caleb Wallace, 20 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
The Hurry of our Supreme Court forbids my now writing to you as fully as I wish to do. At present I only take the Liberty of observing, that alarmed with the multiplied Depredations committed by the Indians in this Quarter, our Militia embraced the Encouragement given by the Executive to carry on two Expeditions as the only likely Measure to disconcert the Combinations that a Number of the...
598To James Madison from Caleb Wallace, 12 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
Having accommodated my Family in this remote quarter of the Country, I wish to renew a correspondence which was formerly pleasing to me and I trust no[t] disagreeable to you. Since I saw you last I have removed twice, first from Charlotte to Botetourt and then from there to Kentucky; this, with some vissisitudes of fortune & health have occasioned me to neglect for a while some of the...
599To James Madison from Caleb Wallace, 12 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
For want of a safe conveyance, I omitted acknowledging your favour of the 5th. of January last until the Delegates from this Country should go to Richmond; but when the time came a bilious complaint prevented my improving the opportunity. Hearing you are expected home this Fall, I shall now employ a leisure hour in preparing an answer to forward by the first trusty hand I can meet with. I...
600To James Madison from Gustavus B. Wallace, 4 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
As there will be Collectors of the impost appointed under the new goverment on the different rivers in this State, and those appointments made by Congress, I wish to inform you Sir that I am a Candidate for the port of Rappahannock and hope if no more deserving person offers to meet with your approbation. I am Sir your Most Obdt & Very Humble St. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. Gustavus Brown...