601To James Madison from Martha Jefferson Carr, 21 August 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your kind attention to my Sons, excites in me an Anxciety to acquaint you with every change in their situations. They have both been placed agreeable to your appointments but by a letter which I have just receiv’d from my Eldest son I find he now only boards with Mr Maury, and at the particular request of Mr Wythe is going through a course of reading with him, laid down by his Uncle Jefferson....
602To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 21 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mi perviene la stimma: vostra dei 5. del passato mentre ò appena tempo da rispondere, non per trascuratezza del Comr: Jones o di Mr. Jefferson, ma a motivo di circostanze locali, &c. Riguardo all’affare di Mr. Dorhman, ò gran piacere di non essermi ingannato nel buon concetto che ne avevo formato; ma egli non sarà mai scusabile d’avermi assicurato su quel che sapeva dovere almen dubitare, dopo...
603To James Madison from William Duer, [ca. 25 November] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Our mutual Friend Hamilton has communicated to me in Confidence the Substance of your Letter on the Political Prospects in Pensilvania, and Virginia; I learn with Extreme Regret, the Division of the Federalists in the former State; and the malignant Perseverance of the Opponents to the Constitution in your own. I trust however that we shall have the Benefit of your Councils, and Exertions in...
604To James Madison from John Brown, 9 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I herewith inclose you two Letters which were this Morning brought for you to our Lodgings—also the News Papers of this day which contain all intelligence in circulation here worthy your Notice. The French Packett arrived a day or two ago (being the first since you left us). I hear it has brought some public Dispatches but am not yet inform’d of their Contents. Nine States have not appeard in...
605To 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...
606To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 13 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
Our General Assembly adjournd this day after a Session of 4 Months. The proposition from yr. Assembly, for a meeting of Commissioners, from all the States, to adjust a general commercial System, reach’d us not long before the conclusion of the Session. Our House of Delegates propos’d Commissioners for that purpose. The measure appear’d to the Senate, tho’ undoubtedly adopted by yr. Assembly...
607To 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...
608To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1784 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 16th. of March, as was the latest I have received from you. By the proposition to bound our country to the Westward, I meant no more than the passing an act declaring that that should be our boundary from the moment the people of the Western country & Congress should agree to it. The act of Congress now inclosed to you will shew you that they have agreed to it,...
609From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 16th of Dec. since which I have received yours of Nov. 25. and Dec. 4. which afforded me, as your letters always do, a treat on matters public, individual and oeconomical. I am impatient to learn your sentiments on the late troubles in the Eastern states. So far as I have yet seen, they do not appear to threaten serious consequences. Those states have suffered by the...
610To James Madison from James Madison, Sr., 9 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 9 August 1788 . Acknowledged in JM to James Madison, Sr., 18 Aug. 1788 . Encloses a paper setting forth the claim of [Francis?] Triplett.
611To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 23 July 1787 (Madison Papers)
Since my last to you I have been very much indisposed and untill a few days past unable to write or attend to any business. At this time I am barely strong enough to take exercise. Are we likely to have a happy issue of your meeting, or will it pass over withot. effect. Finding you still continue together our hopes are not lost. My fears, however, I must confess are rather increased, than...
612To James Madison from George Washington, 5 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the communications in your letter of the first inst. The decision of the House on the question respecting a paper emission, is portentous I hope, of an auspicious Session. It may certainly be classed among the important questions of the present day; and merited the serious consideration of the Assembly. Fain would I hope, that the great, & most important of all objects—the...
613From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I will now take up the several enquiries contained in your letter of Apr. 25. which came to hand yesterday. ‘Will it not be good policy to suspend further treaties of commerce till measures shall have taken place in America, which may correct the idea in Europe of impotency in the federal government in matters of commerce?’ Congress think such measures requisite, and have accordingly...
614To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 3 June 1785 (Madison Papers)
Le vostre lettere per Mr. Jefferson e per il Marchese le ò io, e le consegnerò in proprie mani. Io parto, ma il mio cuore resta. Tutte le mie cure paiono concentrate nel soggetto, da cui solo depende la futura libertà o schiavitù di questo almo Paese. L’America è il mio Giove, Venere la Virginia. Quando refletto a quel che sentii nel traversar Potomack, mi vergogno della mia debolezza. Non so...
615From George Washington to James Madison, 2 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
The letters which will accompany this, for you, came to my hand by the Post on Tuesday. The direction of them is altered; and they are fowarded to Alexandria to receive a conveyance in the Mail tomorrow. Is there any safe, and tolerably expeditious mode by which letters from the Post Office in Fredericksburgh are conveyed to you? I want to write a private & confidential letter to you, shortly,...
616To James Madison from Mann Page, 24 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 24 January 1789. Listed in the Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892).
617To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Until the meeting of the assembly, which took place the day before yesterday, I have had nothing, with which to repay you for your many friendly attentions. An hundred and seven members are assembled; among whom is the leader of the opposition. I have not seen him; but I am told, that he appears to be involved in gloomy mystery. Something is surely meditated against the new constitution, more...
618To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 31 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to inclose you by the last post the British Act of Parliament upon the subject of our Trade. You will now receive in one of the papers inclosed an ordinance of the Province of Quebec, for regulating the inland Commerce of that Province with the Neighbouring States, or in other words the U. S. The intention doubtless is, that these two Acts, shall co-operate to give that...
619To James Madison from John Dawson, 27 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 15th. Inst: I receivd in due time. The attention of the house of delegates, which met on tuesday last has been engag’d chiefly by a long debate respecting Colo Carrington—on friday it was determined by a large majority that he shoud not retain his seat—he is gone to his county and no doubt will be reelected. Whether Mr. B. Harrison & Mr. B Randolph will be chosen Governor is...
620To James Madison from John Fitch, 2 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I flatter myself you will excuse the freedom I take in requesting your Patronage before the Congress of the united States respecting my claims to the Invention of Steam-boats, as far as you shall deem me worthy, when you consider that through that honorable Body only I can receive an exclusive Right or Title to the Enjoyment of my Labor, and that in whatever manner I may profit by the project,...
621From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [11 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I believe I am in your debt a letter or two, which is owing to my occupations in relation to the elections &c. These are now over in this state, but the result is not known. All depends upon Albany where both sides claim the victory. Our doubts will not be removed till the latter end of the month. I hope your expectations of Virginia have not diminished. Respecting the first volume of Publius...
622To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 6 October 1783 (Madison Papers)
Since my last yr. sevl. favrs. of Augt. 24th. & 30th. & Sepr. 20th. have reached me, the two former filling up the Chasim I supposed in yr. letters. The question touching Garrison’s in time of peace, is in it’s nature delicate as well as difficult, and therefore I don’t Wonder there should be diversity of Opinions about it. They seem useful & indeed necessary, & yet have their certain evils,...
623To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 10 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
On my Brother’s returning from N York he inform’d me, that you had left that City for Pha, in yr. way to Virga. I was at Annapolis, and had just then wrote you the proceedings in Assembly respecting the federal Constitution. Not knowing how to forward it to you with safety, must account for my Silence, untill this moment when I am inform’d by a Letter from my Brother, that you are in N. York;...
624To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, [ca. 2 July] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 20h. came to hand two days since. I regret that your prospects were not yet reduced to greater certainty. There is more and more reason to believe that our conduct will be influenced by yours. Our discussions have not yet travelled beyond the power of taxation. To day we shall probably quit this ground to pass to another. Our arguments confound, but do not convince. Some of...
625To James Madison from Andrew Shepherd, 22 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
With pleasure not long since I heard of your welfare of which I sincerely wish a continuance, from your last, it has been intimated to your freinds in this County, that it will be agreeable to you to represent them in the Convention, which I think in my own opinion will meet with a general approbation, but as there is no guarding against artfull persons from injecting their poison into the...
626To James Madison from George Muter, 6 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty of inclosing some questions, proposed by your friend Mr. Wallace: and I must request the favour of you, to put answers to them, as soon as your attention to business of more consequence, will permitt. I am with respect Sir Your Most hle Servt. The following questions ⟨by Mr. Caleb Wallace⟩ are of importance & will probably be debated, when a form of Government is to be...
627To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 17 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 6th. of June—it gives great satisfaction not only to myself, but all the Freinds of Federalism to whom I have had an opportunity to commun[i]cate its contents. You very prudently hazard no decided opinions as to the event, but it appears to me that we may calculate with certainty upon a considerable Majority from the facts you communicate. It is...
628From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A gentleman going from hence by Lorient to Boston furnishes me an opportunity of recommending to your care the inclosed letters which I could not get ready for the last packet. Pray inform me in your next whether letters directed to your foreign ministers or franked by them are free of postage. That they ought to be so, is acknoleged substantially by the resolution of Congress allowing us to...
629To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 26 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since my last it is decided that Monroe is to be your opponent. The Interest of both Gabel & Strother will be combined in his favor. I wish you could be in the district as no pains will be spared to impress the minds of the people with prejudices against you—the ground taken is that you are utterly against any kind of alteration in the Govt. The Election throughout the State is to be on the...
630To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 January 1784 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Randolph. Edmd. Jany. 27. 1784.” Altho’ your return from congress has brought you nearer in point of distance, it has fixed a wider gulph between us in point of communication by letter. But I do not mean to suffer the danger of miscarrage, to which even a private opportunity is exposed, whensoever any thing, worthy of notice, occurs....
631To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 9 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
I thank you For yr. Favr. of the 30th. past and For your kind concern about my health, which has been better than usual For about three Weeks past, but in truth rises and falls like the flame of an expiring Candle in the Socket, & seem[s] to forbid all hopes of so radical a cure, as I am sure yr. Plan For accelerating the Admon of Justice, if carried into effect would prove to the present...
632To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a copy of Mr. Jay’s publication of the correspondence between him & Mr. Littlepage revis’d and corrected. It may furnish some matter of entertainment. Jersey having taken into consideration the late requisition, the house of delegates resolv’d that having enter’d into the confederation upon terms highly disadvantageous to that State from the necessity of publick affrs. at the...
633To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1783 (first) (Madison Papers)
RC (Harvard College Library: Dearborn Papers). Addressed in the hand of a clerk, probably George Hay, “To James Madison. Sept 13th: 1783,” and almost certainly enclosed by Randolph in his longer letter of the same date to JM ( q.v. ). If your attention to congressional business, and your cramped situation will allow you to shew civilities to a new acquaintance, I must consign Mr. Francis...
634From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dear Sir for yours by the post. Yesterday I communicated to Duer our situation which I presume he will have communicated to you. It remains exactly the same, no further question having been taken. I fear the footing mentioned in my letter to Duer is the best upon which it can be placed; but every thing possible will yet be attempted to bring the party from that stand to an...
635To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are the first two numbers of the Republican, according to your request. Govr. Clinton’s letter to me for the calling of a convention is this day published by my order. It will give contentment to many, who are now dissatisfied. The problem of a new convention has many difficulties in its solution, But upon the whole, I believe the assembly of Virginia perhaps ought, and probably will...
636To James Madison from Miles King, 3 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you and our Country in being Elected as one of the Representatives in Congress, I was truly sorry you was not one of our Senators. Be Assured we did every thing in our power for you. You gott Sixty Six Single Votes but Mr. Henrys Interest in the House at that time was two powerfull, but whatever department you are In I well know your Object is the good of Your Country. Tomorrow...
637To 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 .
638From George Washington to James Madison, 10 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I stand indebted to you for your favors of the 20th & 26th Ult.; and I believe for that of the 14th also, & their enclosures. It does not appear to me that there is any certain criterian in this State, by which a decided judgment can be formed of the opinion which is entertained by the mass of its Citizens with respect to the New Constitution. My belief on this occasion is, that whenever the...
639To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 30 May 1785 (Madison Papers)
Two days ago, and not sooner, your favor of March the 20th was deliverd to me, so that you find it has been more than two months travelling thus far. It seems to me that our Assembly were influenced more by the letter than the spirit of the Confederation. The consequence will certainly be, if our meetings are slow as usual, that Virginia will be unrepresented for some time after the federal...
640To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 15 June 1785 (Madison Papers)
Il nostro comune e degno Amico Monroe vi manderà un mio scritto sulla necessità di stabilire 2. soli Porti nel nostro Stato. Il Col. Innes estorse da me la promessa di scrivere sul detto soggetto prima d’ imbarcarmi, e di mandargli ciò che la Botte avrebbe prodotto. Ma siccome ei non intende questa lingua, il Col. Monroe glie ne manderà la traduzione, subito che le altre più pressanti...
641From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [8 June 1788] (Hamilton 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...
642To James Madison from Hugh Williamson, 2 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
By the Time this comes to Hand you will be pretty well engaged in discussing the new Constitution & attempting to convince men who came forward with the Resolution not to be convinced. Of all the wrong heads who have started in opposition none have been mentioned who appear to be so palpably wrong as the People of Kentucke. It is said that some antifed in Maryland on the last Winter fastened...
643To James Madison from John Dawson, 19 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 2d. Int. I received in due time. Before this I presume you have heard that one hundred and five members attended at the state-house on the first day. Whether this is to be attributed to the ten pounds, or to a proper sense of duty I leave with you to determine—perhaps to both. On motion of Colo Mathews, seconded by Mr. B. Harrison, Mr. Prentis was call’d to the chair,...
644To James Madison from George Washington, 22 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
When I last wrote to you, I was uninformed of the Sentiments of this State beyond the circle of Alexandria, with respect to the New Constitution. Since, a letter which I received by the last Post, dated the 16th., from a Member of the Assembly, contains the following paragraphs. “I believe such an instance has not happened before, since the Revolution, that there should be a house on the first...
645To James Madison from William Overton Callis, 9 August 1784 (Madison Papers)
Mrs. Carr was informed by Mr Jefferson, previous to his departure to Europe, that he had requested the favor of you, to direct the Studies of her two sons Peter & Dabney in his absence. Should it be convenient for you to comply with Mr Jeffersons request, Mrs. Carr will be much obliged to you to inform her, when, and in what manner you would wish them disposed of. I am with great respect, Sir,...
646To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 26 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with your last by post & am much obliged to you for the News papers, and your remarks concerning the Views of the opposition in several places. I would not by any means wish a request of the circle of gentlemen, who wrote the papers under the Signature of Publius, which I think with you would be disagreeable and improper. I am to ask your pardon for the trouble I have given you on...
647To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 5 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am very much at a loss how to address you on the subject, which has induced me to trouble you with this letter. It would have the complexion to most men of mere private gratification and advantage. I could not therefore touch the matter to you had I not pursued in my former correspondence only Objects connected with political truth and the public interests. Omitting therefore any further...
648From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [19 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Some days since I wrote to you, My Dear Sir, inclosing a letter from a Mr. V Der Kemp &c. I then mentioned to you that the question of a majority for or against the constitution would depend upon the County of Albany. By the latter accounts from that quarter I fear much that the issue there has been against us. As Clinton is truly the leader of his party, and is inflexibly obstinate I count...
649To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 18 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I am unwilling at all times to intermeddle with the business of the legislature, & particularly concerned when under a necessity of making application to a particular friend of that body, but when I am impelled to it by the situation of a distressed Neice, & a family of her small Children, I know your own feelings will suggest my Appology. She is the unfortunate wife of Philip Davis, who is...
650To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 4 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
Da qualche tempo in qua le mie lettere possono avervi annoiato, tanto per la for frequenza che per il lor contenuto. Io però non posso dispensarmi dal continovare ad incomodarvi. Quando il bisogno è tale, non si può resistere; lo sprone è troppo acuto. Degnatevi, Amico, di dare sfogo all’incluse, e se il tempo ve lo permette, aggiungete le vostre preghiere alle mie, presso Edmond Randolph e...