1To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 24 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “May 24. 1783.” The Auditors have at length found the Accot. and are now satisfyed that I did not exceed the mark when I assured them the Bal. due to you on the 1st. Jany last was upwards of £800. in consequence of which they have given Mr. Webb a Warrt. on your Accot. for £100. which he will transmit you in addition to the £200. sent last Post. I...
2To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 5 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Octr. 5. 1782.” Cover missing. The Sheriffs having supplied us with a little more Money I was enabled to make a dividend among the Officers of Government— £120.. —.. for each of the Gentlemen of the Delegation. one half of this I just had time in the hurry of business to send you Mr. Harrison’s drft on Mr. Holker for last week; and should have sent...
3To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 12 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Octr. 12. 1782.” Cover franked by Ambler and addressed in his hand to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” The Auditors are at present out of Town; as soon as there is a Board I will lay your Account before them. it is probable they must wait for the Scale of Depreciation from you before they can adjust it. In addition to the £60....
4To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, [ca. 3 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Between the opening two lines of the message appears “1782 Ambler J,” in the hand of William C. Rives, JM’s first major biographer. Lacking a superscription by Ambler, the manuscript is likely the final page of a longer letter. It seems to have been written on 3 August, as explained in n. 6, below. I waited on the Auditors yesterday and am informed they grant Warrts....
5To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 14 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed by Ambler to “The Honobl: James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Cover docketed by JM, “June 14, 1783.” I am afraid I shall find it difficult to settle my Accounts with the Committee, without obtaining Warrants from the Auditors in favor of the Gentlemen of the delegation to the full amount of the genl . Remittances made since the first of the...
6To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 5 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “July 5. 1783.” I still hope the Gentlemen in Congress will enable me to adjust the Accounts of the Treasury in a regular mode, by transmitting a Certificate expressing the share of each, of the Remittances made in the course of this Year, & directing the Auditors to issue...
7To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 16 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 16. 1782.” I am a wretched Correspondent—nothing to send you but Apologies for short epistles. It is confidently said here that the war will be pushed by Britain with redoubled vigour the next Campaign & that our State is certainly the Object to be first reduced. I hope there are not sufficient grounds for this Report & that you...
8To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 1 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “June 1. 1783.” Cover addressed by Ambler to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” As Colo. Bland was the only Member left at Congress, beside yourself, to whom any considerable Arrears could be due, I made no doubt of your being able to draw a part of yours on the receipt of the £1000. last sent, without any difficulty on yours, or...
9To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 10 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “May. 10. 1783.” To my great mortification Mr. Newton is not yet come to the Assembly and, altho’ I wrote pressingly to him last week to send me the Bill, I have received no Answer. I hinted in my last the probability of your drawing from Mr. Newton’s Bill a part of the Arrears...
10To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 22 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Our friend Mr. Jameson is gone below, and will be absent for some time, endeavouring to collect the scattered remains of the effects which are left him: I promised to acknowledge the receipt of your favors as they should come to hand, and to communicate any thing which should occur here worth your...
11To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 29 December 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Decr. 29. 1781.” I cannot give you a word of news, and I fear Mr. Hayes’s Paper of to day will afford but little. I have not seen it yet. The [Assembly is] still sitting, but the defection of the [members is] so great, that we are in dread lest every Evening should prove the last, and the business left—as they begun. The most sanguine seem as if they...
12To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 24 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Aug. 24. 1782.” JM also wrote on the cover, “Mr. Jones 74. Lr. from C. to GW. Prisoners from Engld. money Mr. Ross.” JM appears to be listing topics to touch upon in his letter of 3 September to Edmund Randolph ( q.v. ). On the opposite edge of the cover, JM wrote a “J,” a “W,”...
13To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 17 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Letter unsigned but in Ambler’s hand. Cover addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “May 17. 1783.” Mr. Newton has at length sent the first Bills which I now transmit you, two of £500. each. I was alarmed at the first view of them, being drawn at a very long period after sight, but I observe they were accepted as long ago as...
14To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 22 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Mar: 22 1783. J. A. bala. due at end of 1782 £865–8–3 Virga. currency.” The Auditors have at length adjusted your Accot. on their Books to the 31st December last; the Bal[ance] then due you from the Commonwealth appears to be £865.. 8.. 3. By last Mail I transmitted you Bills on...
15To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 31 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Below this address JM wrote, “Recd. of J. Cohen £50 Pa. Cy. 28 guinees.” Docketed by JM, “Aug: 31. 1782 J. A.” I do myself the pleasure to transmit you Mr. Harrison’s first Bill on Monsr. Holker for two hundred Dollars. Mr. Harrison gives every assurance that it will be paid at ten days sight...
16To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 8 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Ambler’s hand. Cover addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Feby. 8. 1783.” On the lower half of the second page of the letter are a few computations by JM, evidently relating to the money owed him by Virginia. Being very much engaged myself I obtained Mr. Webb’s Assistance to procure answers to the other...
17To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 9 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed by Ambler to “The Hono. James Madison of Congress. Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Novr. 9. 1782.” I have but a moment to inclose you Mr. Ross’s Bill for £190. which makes the whole £500. forwarded. I wish I could give you a hope of a further remittance soon but there is little probability of it. I must beg yr. excuse for being so short for I am surrounded...
Queries Sent to Jacquelin Ambler RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Randolph was the recipient of this copy, now folio 94 in Vol. IV. For the notes on its docket and on that of JM’s draft copy, now folio 76 in Vol. II of the same collection, see ed. n. Answers by Jacquelin Ambler to Queries MS ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Answr. to certain queries relative to affairs of Virga. inclosed in...
19To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 6 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Apl. 6. 1782.” Our friend Mr. Jameson resigned his seat in Council on saturday last: before he left this place he desired I would acknowledge the receipt of your favors as they come to hand: I shall do so with much pleasure, and transmit our Weekly papers, while I continue here: those of the present day contain very little of importance. Indeed there...
20To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 19 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Apr. 19. 1783.” I have not the pleasure of a line from you by the last Mail. The return of Peace I doubt not spreads Joy & Gladness through out America. I sincerely congratulate you on this happy event. I send another Bill of five hundred pounds Virga. Curry. which the Gentlemen of the Delegation will be pleased to divide as they think...
21To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 18 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed by Ambler to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Octr. 18. 1782.” I am enabled to make you another Remittance by this Mail of £130, as you will find in the inclosed first Bill of David Ross &co. on John Ross Esqr. I could not get them at a shorter sight than 20. Days, but I hope this will make no material difference....
22To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 11 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “May 11. 1782.” I am exceedingly obliged by the friendly sentiments in your last respecting my late appointment. I have not been long enough in it to determine whether it will be attended with less inquietude than the former, but I think I discover a greater degree of trouble. Mr. Webb...
23To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 20 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Apl. 20th 1782.” I sent on your favor which came by Post on Thursday to our friend Mr. Jameson, who is still at York; & doubt not he will replace the money immediately which was so kindly advanced his Nephew. I know he lodged thirty pounds with Mr. Foster Webb, before he left Richmond; and expected Mr. Webb would have been in Philadelphia by this...
24To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 18 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the letter is docketed by JM, “May 18. 1782.” The paper which you were so kind to send me does indeed contain intelligence of most interesting concern to us. had the lust for exorbitant power, and the prejudices of that haughty infatuated Nation been thus corrected four years ago, she would then have had good ground for the hope which some...
25To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 1 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Feby. 1. 1783.” Cover missing. The Auditors continue to be so thronged with business that I have not been able to obtain from them Answers to any of the other Queries, nor will they undertake to liquidate your Account themselves. I shall therefore as soon as I have a leizure moment get the scale of depreciation left by Colo. Bland, & reduce the Sums...
26To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 7 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “June 7. 1783.” Cover missing. My last will have informed you of the recovery of the Accos. in the Auditor’s Office. —nothing necessary now but a full state of the division of the several Remittances among the Gentlemen Delegates, and orders on the Auditors to issue Warrants for the respective sums. Mr. A. Le[e] was at the Treasury yesterday lamenting...
27To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 12 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Apl. 12. 1783.” The Auditors, to my great surprize, excuse themselves from issuing Warrants on Account, to the Delegates in Congress, unless their respective Accounts are first transmitted; so that I have only the Certificate sent me in your last as my Voucher for the payment of the...
28To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 3 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “May 3d. 1783.” Another Week is elapsed, and Mr. Newton has failed to forward the thousand pound Bill which he informed me is due to this State from some Gentlemen in Philad. & both he & the other Commissioners were anxious to pay into the Treasury. I regret exceedingly having given you reason to expect it. You cannot be more...
29Credentials as a Delegate to Continental Congress, 14 December 1779 (Madison Papers)
Resolved that James Henry, Joseph Jones, James Madison jn. and John Walker Esquires, be appointed Delegates to represent this Commonwealth in Congress untill the first Monday in November next, in the room of the Gentlemen who have resigned; they having been so elected by joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly. Teste. December 14th: 1779. John Beckley C. h. d. Agreed to by the Senate A Copy...
30To James Madison from Theodorick Bland, [22 June] 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undated and signature clipped. JM later wrote “Theodk. Bland.” at the close of the letter. The text is faded almost to the point of illegibility. Letter docketed by JM, “Bland Theodk. June 22. 1783.” Cover missing. In consequence of the determination of Congress on Saturday, I took the necessary measures, to put myself in a Situation, to fulfill their intentions as...
31To James Madison from William Bradford, [18] July 1775 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you last week by the post. Mr Smith gives me an opportunity of sending you a few more lines which friendship will not allow me to neglect. I have seen the address to the six confederate indian Nations. It sets forth that our fathers left britain on the faith of Contracts which have been faithfully observed on our part, that the king’s ministers grew jealous of us, that they sent...
32To James Madison from William Bradford, 20 May 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
20 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book and Register, for the months of May & June 1776,” now in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, William Bradford wrote on 20 May: “… went to the town meeting where notwithstanding the badness of the day ther was a great number of inhabitants & it was resolved 1. That the present Government was inefficient 2. That the Assembly could not legally form a new...
33To James Madison from William Bradford, 2 June 1775 (Madison Papers)
I have two of your epistolary favours to acknowledge[,] the one handed to me by the Revd Mr Smith, some time ago & the other since by Patrick Henry Esqr. I also received 22/6. & as it exceeds what Ferguson &c Cost I shall consider you as the Cestui que Use of the surplus. I have but little to tell you of the Congress; they keep their proceeding so secret that scarce any thing transpires but...
34To James Madison from William Bradford, 10 July 1775 (Madison Papers)
I did intend to have delayed writing to you till Mr Smith’s return to Virginia; but I believe that will not be early & I am not fond of delaying the discharge of an Epistolary debt. He was married last week to Miss Anna Witherspoon & proposes to spend some time at Princeton & at his fathers. He desired me to mention this to you lest you should suppose he had returned without calling upon you....
35To James Madison from William Bradford, 3 June 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
3 June 1776 . In his “Memorandum Book” (see 20 May 1776) Bradford wrote: “As my friend Maddison had desired me in his last to give him a sketch of the Constitution of this province and of that of Connecticut which might be useful to him as a member of Convention, I determined to return an early answer & wrote a rough draught of a Letter for that purpose. The constitution of Connecticut I...
36Commission as Colonel of Orange County Militia, 2 October 1775 (Madison Papers)
By Virtue of the Power and Authority invested in us, by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Colonel of the Militia of the County of Orange ; and you are therefore...
Letter not found. 1 September 1780. In the Madison Miscellany in the Library of Congress are lists, probably prepared under the direction of Peter Force, which mention a one-page letter from Forsyth to JM on this date. The writer in all likelihood was Major Robert Forsyth (1754–1794), continental deputy commissary of purchases from Virginia, and soon for Greene’s southern army, who became a...
38To James Madison from Nathanael Greene, 1 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
Draft (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). With the exception of a few corrections by General Greene, the text of the letter was penned by his aide-de-camp, Captain Nathaniel Pendleton. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, & to thank you, for your Obliging Letter of January 13th. I am uncertain whether I have not done this before, but am fearfull thro’ the hurry of a...
39To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 29 June 1783—Note on Letter (Madison Papers)
FC ( LC : Hamilton Papers). Lacks salutation and the signature has been excised. Dated by Hamilton, “Princeton June 29. 178[3],” and docketed by him, “1783 29 June—To Mr Madison abt. the removal of Congress.” 29 June 1783. Several circumstances appear to warrant the belief that Hamilton did not post this letter: (1) the RC is not among the Madison Papers in the Library of Congress; (2) in his...
40From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [6 July 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
On my arrival in this city I am more convinced than I was before of the necessity of giving a just state of facts to the public. The current runs strongly against Congress and in a great measure for want of information. When facts are explained they make an impression and incline to conclusions more favourable to us. I have no copy of the reports in my possession, which puts it out of my power...
41To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 6 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Hamilton’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Alex. Hamilton Philadelphia July 6h. 1783.” On my arrival in this city I am more convinced than I was before of the necessity of giving a just state of facts to the public. The current runs strongly against Congress and in a great measure for want of information. When facts are explained they make an...
42From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [29 June 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed that among other disagreeable things said about the removal of Congress from Philadelphia it is insinuated that it was a contrivance of some members to get them out of the state of Pensylvania into one of those to which they belonged and I am told that this insinuation has been pointed at me in particular. Though I am persuaded that all distinterested persons will justify...
43To James Madison from Benjamin Harrison, 19 January 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Maine Historical Society, Portland). In the hand of Archibald Blair, clerk of the Council of State. Addressed to “The Hon. Mr. Jas. Madison.” The Executive have appointed Mr Madison and Mr Andrews commissioners to meet those of Pensylvania, to run and finally settle the boundary line betwixt this State and that; in order to do it with accuracy, some astronomical Observations are necessary,...
44To James Madison from Benjamin Harrison, 30 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In Harrison’s hand. Lacks superscription but is docketed by JM, “Govr. Harrison Novr. 30. 1782.” Under the place and date line, someone unknown wrote, “Harrison Ben:” many thanks to you my Dear Sir for the Books, they are extremely dear but as you justly observe the price should be no objection, when the want of them is considered. I fall miserably short in my...
45To James Madison from Benjamin Harrison, 4 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Harrison’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed in an unknown hand, “Harrison Ben.” I have recd. your several favors and am much oblig’d to you for them, but more particularly for that in Cypher, the sentiments are just and perfectly coinside with mine, would to god our countrymen could see things thro’ our medium, or rather would give them selves time to...
46To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 9 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Addressed to “The Hon’ble Mr. Maddison.” Long after JM received the letter, probably he or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the close of the fourth paragraph. If JM meant that the first four paragraphs should be included in the earliest published collection of his papers, his wish was disregarded by Henry D. Gilpin, perhaps because the...
47To James Madison from Samuel Hodgdon, 16 November 1781 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday I received yours relative to Capt. Irish’s affair, in which I observe you do not think yourselves at liberty to bind the State by any Act of yours but that you are willing to give every possible Assistance by representing the necessities of the United States to the State you represent, & thereby urge the Payment of the Bill, as I consider the Establishment of the post in Virginia a...
48To James Madison from David Jameson, 10 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Jameson, D Aug. 10. 1781.” I desired Mr. Jones in my letter to him about the Delegates money, to present my complimts. to you to let you know I had not been favoured with a line from you since May and that I had not had it in my power to write to you; being driven from Post to pillar to secure my person and employing my best...
49To James Madison from David Jameson, 15 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Aug: 15. 1781.” In my letter by last Post I mentioned to you the very distressed condition of this State. I cannot help repeating the subject, it hangs so heavy on my Mind I can neither speak nor think on any other. Repeated representations have been made of our condition for the last eighteen Months, and of the fatal consequences...
50To James Madison from David Jameson, 28 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Endorsed, “Apl. 28. 1781,” by JM. I have recd your two favours of the 10th. & 17h. I have not failed to write by every Post. Friday the 20th. the Enemy entd. Wmsburg & at the same time a party went to York. at the latter place they contd. but a few hours—destroyed the Cannon &ca belonging to the Battery hoisted the British flag & left it flying....