1Virginia Delegates in Congress to George Washington, 12 April 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Papers of George Washington). Docketed “Philada. 12th April 1780 from Cyrus Griffin & James Maddison Esqrs.” We have the honor to enclose your excellency a letter from Governor Jefferson and am with the highest respect your most obedient & very humble Servant This note of referral was almost certainly written in 1780, not only because it was so docketed but also because that year was...
2Motion on Letter from J. M. P. Le Gras, [9 May] 1780 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, III, 537). This motion of the Virginia delegates is in the hand of Joseph Jones. A copy of the motion (now in the Henry E. Huntington Library) written by Charles Thomson, together with the letter of Le Gras and its inclosures, was forwarded by Samuel Huntington on 11 May 1780 to Governor Jefferson ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al ., eds., The Papers of...
3Credentials as a Delegate to Continental Congress, 21–22 June 1780 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , Credentials of Virginia Delegates, fol. 47). Resolved that Theodorick Bland jn: Esquire be appointed a Delegate to represent this Commonwealth in Congress until the first Monday in November next in the room of Cyrus Griffin Esqr: who hath resigned; Also that Joseph Jones, James Madison jn: Theodorick Bland jn: James Henry, and Meriwether Smith Esquires be appointed Delegates to...
4Virginia Delegates in Congress to Virginia Auditors of Public Accounts, 11 September 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). The note appears to be in John Walker’s hand. Please to pay to Mr. Michael Gratz or order Thirty Thousand Dollars & charge the same to our Acct. as Delegates to Congress. By a law enacted in December 1778 the legislature of Virginia created a Board of Auditors, comprising three men to be elected by joint ballot of the two houses of the Assembly. In September 1780...
5Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, [5 November] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Extract (Virginia State Library). This six-line plea, probably in the hand of Jefferson’s clerk, is entitled, “Extract of a Lre from the Virga Delegates in Congress to his Excellency the Governour dated at Phila: Nov. 5. 1780.” The letter from which this excerpt was taken is lost, but it was probably from the pen of Theodorick Bland. His financial distress appeared to exceed that of his fellow...
6Virginia Delegates in Congress to George Morgan, [20 November] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Copy (Virginia State Library). When Theodorick Bland made this copy of his and JM’s reply to Morgan’s letter of 16 November 1780 ( q.v. ), he wrote at the top of it, “Copy of Answer Given to the letter Signed Jacob [ sic ] Morgan addressed to the Virginia Delegates, &.c.” JM was Bland’s only colleague from Virginia in Congress at that time. Bland may have transcribed this note on 22 November,...
7Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, [12] December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). All of this letter, including its text and the address on the cover sheet, is in JM’s hand, except for Theodorick Bland’s signature at the close. We have the honor to enclose your Excellency a Resolution of Congress of the 6th. instant relating to the Convention troops[,] also a copy of a letter from G. Anderson found among the dead letters in the post office and...
8Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC (Henry E. Huntington Library). With the exception of Theodorick Bland’s signature, this letter is in JM’s hand. At JM’s request, William Munford, keeper of the rolls of the Commonwealth of Virginia, sent him a transcript of the letter, attested on 31 August 1819 to be “a true copy of a document communicated by Governor Jefferson to the General Assembly.” This copy, from which JM had a...
9Virginia Delegates in Congress to William Livingston, 21 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). The text of this letter is in Madison’s hand. The letter and its address sheet have become separated—the former is in the Emmet Collection and the latter among the papers of William Livingston. We received this morning a letter subscribed by Peter Thornton informing us that he is the son of a gentleman in Virginia, that he lately made his escape from N. York and...
10Virginia Delegates in Congress to Samuel Nightingale, Jr., 30 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC (Rhode Island Historical Society). Although the cover sheet is missing, this note was almost certainly addressed to Nightingale. It is in Theodorick Bland’s hand except for JM’s signature. Please to deliver to the Order of Monsr. de Touche, Commander in Chief of the Squadron of his Most Christian Majesty now at Rhode Island, the Arms, Amunition Cloathing Medcines and other Articles,...
11Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland and signed by Bland and JM. Docketed by a clerk, “Col Blands Lr. inclosg Baron de Arendt’s Jany 81.” Arendt’s letter of 30 December 1780 “A L’Honorable Assemblée du L’Etat de Virginie” is also in the Virginia State Library. We have been Hond. with Your Excellencys favor in answer to ours concerning the Safest and best Harbor &c. &c....
12Virginia Delegates in Congress to Samuel Nightingale, Jr., 2 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Rhode Island Historical Society). Written and franked by JM. Addressed to “Samuel Nightingale Esqr. Providence Rhode Island.” Docketed by Nightingale, “Messrs Madison & Bland, Letter dated Jany 2nd 1781 also an Order from them for the Virginia Goods whic[h] is Delivered Jany 31st 1781.” We have been honored with yours of the 6th. Ulto. and in behalf of the State we represent are greatly...
13Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 23 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York State Library, Albany). Except for JM’s signature, this letter is entirely in the hand of Theodorick Bland. It is with much concern that we have learnt from Your Excellencys and the Baron de Steubens letters to Congress, the Misfortunes our Country has sufferd from the Invasion under the command of the detestable Arnold, and that he has ventured with impunity even to our Capitol....
14Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 30 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Continental Congress Miscellany). In Madison’s hand, except for signatures of Jones and Bland. We were honored yesterday with your Excellency’s favor of the 15th. inst: inclosing Mr. Anderson’s explanation of his letter to Capt. Trott, and that of the 18th. enclosing instructions as to the Mississippi & requesting sundry military supplies, in promoting which no exertions shall be...
15Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Except for the signatures of Joseph Jones and Theodorick Bland, the letter is entirely in the hand of JM and franked by him. A clerk, however, docketed it, “Colo T. Blands Letter Feby 81.” By the Speaker Harrison who arrived here the day before yesterday we were honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 26th. Ulto. We shall communicate your answer to the Baron...
16Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland and signed by Bland and Joseph Jones. We are Just informd from Genl. Varnum a Member now in Congress from Rhode Island that he has received Certain Intelligence that the Culloden of 74 Guns is drove on Shore and all her Crew except 17 men Perishd. the London of 90 Guns is driven out to Sea dismasted and two other 64 Gun Men of War Were...
17Motion of Virginia Delegates in Congress, [19 February] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journals of the Continental Congress , XIX, 173–74). On motion of the delegates of Virginia; Ordered , That the quartermaster general be and hereby is directed to transport to Fort Pitt four tons of powder, to be delivered to the order of the State of Virginia, and for which the said State is to be accountable; that the expence of such transportation be charged to the said...
18Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, [20?] February 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Theodorick Bland but signed only by JM and Joseph Jones. Docketed by a clerk, “Virga. Delegates Lr. Feby 81.” Since our last in which we informd Yr. Excy of the Arrival of Col. Harrison in this City, his Applications to Congress have been referd to a Special Committee—and the necessary Steps are taking to Answer the wishes and wants of the Southern...