1From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., [ca. 12] February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Years later, JM docketed the letter, “Madison Js Feby 1782.” Following the signature at the close of the letter, JM’s father added, “This letter was wrote about the 12th. of Feby. 1782.” A conveyance by a waggon returning to your neighbourhood this moment presenting itself I make use of it to forward you a collection of papers which have accumulated since the last...
2To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 15 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed, “Rev. J. Madison (Wmsburg.) to J M. Jr. Apl. 15. 1783.” By a Letter from Mr. Jefferson 31. March. he has the Expression, speaking of Peace, “tho there can scarcely be a Doubt.” I hope by this Time you have official Accts of its Certainty: for tho’ no one indeed can scarcely doubt, yet every one wants the fullest Confirmation. I am sorry to...
3To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 4 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM: “Madison Js Revd June 4. 1783 June 4 1783. Presidt. Madison. inclosing Ret. from Scott for engraving seal.” Cover addressed to “The Honb. James Madison Esqr Member of Congress Philadelphia or In his Absence To The Hon J. F. Mercer Esqr.” I recd. the Seal by Mr. Jones & am much obliged to you for the Trouble you have given yourself relative to it. The...
4To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 3 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js Revd. Oct. 3. 1782.” Cover missing. I recd. your last, wherein you tell me of the Remembrance of some of my French Acquaintances. I really thought many of them Men of distinguished Merit, tho’ my Acquaintance with them, from our Trip to the Mountains was but short. Does Peace really retire, or are we too sanguine in our Hopes. Is it not...
5To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 16 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js. Revd Jany. 16. 1783.” I recd yesterday your’s of the 24th. Ulto. and am much obliged for the part you have taken in both the affairs mentioned. As the Price is so high, I am not very much disappointed at the Want of Ingredients: As to the Seal, we shall take it very kind of you to forward it as soon as convenient. The Money shall be paid...
6To James Madison from Reverend James Madison, 3 August 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I recd. your last of ye 18th. July, as well as ye preceeding, enclosing ye European Intelligence. I hope at last ye Blessings of peace cannot be far from us. If Russia adheres to her Memorial, and ye. Dutch have not lost their antient spirit, if ye Irish too proceed in their reasonable & just Demands, wh. I have no Doubt they will, because they are reasonable & just,...
7To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 January 1782—Misdated (Madison Papers)
Letter misdated. 15 January 1782[3]. The contents of this manuscript in the Madison Papers of the Library of Congress make certain that Randolph inadvertently dated it one year before he wrote it.
8To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 18 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js. Revd Sept. 13. 1782.” Someone other than JM wrote “Chastellux” under this date. The Reverend James Madison plainly dated his letter 18, not 13, September. The two last posts disappointed me. I had a Letter ready to acknowledge your Favours of the 13 & 14th. of last Month, which afforded us so much Consolation; but it would be as easy to...
9To James Madison from John Walker, ca. 21 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 21 May 1781, Charlottesville. Mentions forced withdrawal of the Virginia legislature, owing to the threat posed by advancing British troops. “Charlotte[s]ville is now to be our metropolis. The Assembly will meet here on Thursday next.… I fear we shall have a red-hot campaign of it in this quarter; but our people appear to be firm and spirited.” The two-page letter is...
10From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 20 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Col: James Madison Orange County Virginia[.] Favd. by Capt M. Walker.” Probably late in his life, JM, or John C. Payne, whose handwriting greatly resembled JM’s, wrote “(Biographical.)” above the salutation and “Madison, Jr” above the date line on the first page. Having written a letter and inclosed with it a large collection of Newspapers for you which...
11To James Madison from Reverend James Madison, 18 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I intended to have sent you a Letter by ye. last post, but failed of an oppy. and by this Time I suppose you have heard thro’ many Channels of ye. Loss of our Capitol, & ye Disgrace of Virginia. True it is that Arnold with not more than 1500 men landed at Westover, marched within 24 Hours after ye Time of landing to Richmond, destroyed whatever was considered as...
12From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 30 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but JM, Sr., docketed the letter, “Madison Js. cop. March 30. 1782.” Mr. J. Walker has safely delivered to me three letters from you attended with the money therein specified. He has also been so obliging as to undertake the conveyance of the several articles of Medecine you wanted with a Gallon keg filled with good Port: wine, to all which I...
13To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 2 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed: “The Hone. James Madison Esqr. Member of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM: “Revd J. Madison Aug 2. 1782 Mahmouth-Opossum.” At right angles to this and in a darker ink, JM also wrote, probably at a much later time, “Aug. 2. 1782.” Above the date is penned “Madison Js Revd” and below it “Natural history,” in an unknown hand. I recd. your Favr. with the...
14To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, [ca. 2] March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Letter has an appended note by Carlo (Charles) Bellini. Docketed by JM, “Madison Js. Revd. Mar. 1782.” After so long a Silence, my Friend, where shall I begin? Like Cain, I have been a Vagabond, since August last. But have at Length returned to this Place, for little else indeed, than to be a Spectator of Misery & Ruin. Our Friend Bellini, who has withstood all the...
15To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 27 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js Augst. 27. 1783.” Cover missing. I have not written to you, my good Friend, for some Time past, because I expected you would have been in Virga. soon after the last I recd. from you; but as I have not heard of your Arrival, suppose you to be still in Congress. If so, I shall continue to tax you even without your Consent. Is there the least...
16To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 15 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed: “The Hone. James Madison Esqr. Member of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM: “Revd Js. [?] Madison June 15. 1782 Mahmouth-Opossum.” I shd have been more expeditious in acknowledg your Favr. of 22d April, had I not expected an Answer to a Short Letter I wrote you from the Attorny’s by Mr. F. Webb, who intended then shortly to set out for Phila. We have...
17To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 26 April 1789 [1783] (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 26 April 1789 [ 1783 ] , Richmond . Misdated by a cataloguer. The correct date is assigned by internal evidence. “News of the Peace. Objections to the impost. Virginia elections.” Noted in the list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany).
18From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 1–2 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Col James Madison Orange County Virginia Favd. by B. Bradburn.” I recd. your letter by Mr. Randolph and this morning have a verbal information from you by B. Bradburn. I shall send by him a Barrel of Sugar and a bag of Coffee, which I wish to be retained for your own use as far as necessary, & the residue divided between my brothers Fr. & A. This...
19To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 4 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). No docket or cover. The last post brot. me a Letter from the Treasurer which determines my visit to Congress. He informs me he has bills to the amount of upwards of twelve hundred pounds on Philadelphia which he wishes to apply to the use of the Delegation and had written to you and also to me informing us of it, that our Correspondents, and those of the other...
20To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 9 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “James Madison Esqr. Member of the Hon the Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Revd. J Madison March 9. 1781.” I rec’d. your Letter by C. Kelly and was much rejoiced at the agreable Intelligence, nor do I doubt, but the Member of Parliament will find that the delenda est Carthag [ o ] is not so easily effected as he wd. fain hope. I rejoiced at the...
21To 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...
22To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 9 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). In the left margin at the top of the transcription, Peter Force’s clerk wrote “MSS. McGuires.” See Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (7 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , I, xxii, xxiii. In answer to yr favr of the 27th past, I should be glad to give you a full detail of the Sentiments of the...
23To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 6 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). My friend Mr Griffin left me this Morning by whom I sent you my best Wishes for yr health which he told me was low. I hope the Approaching Cold Season may brace up yr Nerves. I judged from yr Account of the number of the Enemy embarked from New York, that they were in pursuit of something to eat; we now hear they have pick’d up a quantum suffici[en]t to load their...
24To 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...
25To 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....
26To 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....
27To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 11 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is copied from a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk He noted that the letter was addressed “To James Madison” and the manuscript consisted of “2 pages 4°.” Williamsburgh as a seat of Government. Some seat on the Potomac. The jurisdiction of Congress over the territory aquired for a seat of Government. For the...
28To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 13 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). I have yr favr of the 31st past & am pleased to hear the former Account of the Arrival of the Cork fleet proved premature, since we are so bad Christians as to be gratified with the distress of our Enemies. It was probably the transports with their new levies which were mis taken for the others. The Enemy here have collected a handsome recruit of Provisions, but...
29To 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...
30From 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...
31From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 June 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The receipt of your letter of May 6. remains unacknoleged. I am also told that Colo. Monroe has letters for me by post tho’ I have not yet received them. I hear but little from our assembly. Mr. Henry has declared in favour of the impost. This will ensure it. How he is as to the other questions of importance I do not learn. On opening my papers when I came home I found among them the inclosed...
32To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 7 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Lacks complimentary close and signature, but the text, in Randolph’s hand, seems to be complete. The cover was addressed by him to “The honble. James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 7. 1782.” I waited upon Mr. Ambler to shew him your letter by yesterday’s post, but he was too much indisposed to have communication with any person. Mr....
33To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by Randolph to “The honble James Madison jr. esq. of congress. Philadelphia.” Erroneously docketed by JM, “Aug: 18th. 1782.” On the cover he wrote, “Huddy Camp Front: N.Y Brit: fleet. Mr. Jones. Finance Contr: Money Mattrs. Cessions.” These jottings were to remind him of subjects to mention in his reply of 29 October (...
34To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 1 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed and cover missing. I have no Letter from you by this Post. expecting to receive from Mr. Ross a duplicate of the Bill which fell into the hands of the Robbers and forward it to you this week I came to Town to day but have no letter from him. Col. Monroe writes me he promised to send it. my friend Griffin will therefore be obliged to wait longer than I...
35From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 June 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of the 13th. and 20th. Ult. came to hand about a week ago. I am informed the assembly determined against the capacity of reelection in those gentlemen of the delegation who could not serve a complete year. I do not know on what this decision could be founded. My hopes of the success of the Congressional propositions here have lessened exceedingly. Mr. Henry had declared in favor...
36From George Washington to James Madison, 27 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I accept very kindly the Address of the President & Professors of the University of William & Mary. The Reduction of the British Force in this State for which I feel myself highly indebted to the Noble Exertions of our Brave and Generous Allies, is a Circumstance which gives me great pleasure, not only as it affords a Return of peaceful Security to many of my fellow Citizens, but as it will, I...
37To 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...
38To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 25 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is copied from a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk. He noted that the letter was addressed “to James Madison” and the manuscript consisted of “1 page folio.” Mr. Pendleton’s reply to Madisons objection to his plan of paying public creditors. Consuls and Superintendents of Trade preferable to Foreign Ministers. JM’s...
39To 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...
40To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 20 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC (University of Virginia Library). This is apparently the only one of the many letters written by which still exists in original manuscript form ( Pendleton to JM, 27 August 1780 , headnote). How it alone survived is problematical. Perhaps the neatly printed “To James Madison Nov: 20th: 1780.” near its bottom margin was added by an autograph collector to whom JM gave the letter. The letter...
41To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 8 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). I have yr obliging favr of the 26th past, I know not when my first letter, after you kindly accepted my proposed correspondence, should have reached you, but be assured I have not miss’d a week since, nor shall I unless sickness prevents me, being a very Punctual tho’ not an entertaining correspondent; at this time I have not a word of foreign or domestic...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 31 August 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 17. which came to hand long ago remains still unacknoleged, as from the time of it’s receipt I had constant hope that you would be on the road for Virginia before an answer could reach you. That of the 11th. inst. I received yesterday, and leaves the time of your visit as unfixed as ever, and excites some fear that I shall miss of you. I propose to set out for Congress about...
45To 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...
46To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 28 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). At the top of the left margin of the transcription, the clerk wrote “MSS [M]cGuire’s.” See Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (5 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , I, xxii, xxiii. Another copy of the first two paragraphs of the original is printed in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts...
Letters not found ( LC : Force Transcripts, fol. 8729). 17 and 24 February 1783 . About 1850 a clerk of Peter Force, engaged in copying letters of Edmund Pendleton, wrote: “MSS. McGuire’s. Edmund Pendleton } Edmundsbury, Feby 17. 1783 to James Madison “(This letter is much stained, & some of it illegible) “Another letter dated ‘E[d]mundsbury Feb. 24, 1783,’ is in the same condition. “There...
48To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1781 [1782] (Madison Papers)
The roads have been hitherto so bad, that we have been able to accomplish no more of our journey, than about 80 miles. Tomorrow we shall see Baltimore; and unless my arrangements miscarry, I shall revisit Richmond on Sunday se’ennight. For a few minutes this afternoon I thumbed the body of Maryland laws. In the preface to Bacon’s edition of them, I found a recital of an act of the Lords...
49To 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...
50From George Washington to James Madison, 22 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Major McHenry—formerly an assistant Secretary to me, & afterwards Aid de Camp to the Marqs de la Fayette, informs me that Congress are about to appoint Official Secretaries for their Ministers abroad, & expresses a wish to go in that character to the Court of Versailles—or London. Justice, if I could divest myself of the inclination to serve this Gentleman, would compel me to represent him as...