141From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
The newspapers will have shewn you the late proceedings of the House of Representatives. The present subject of deliberation is the proposed assumption of the State debts. Opinions are nearly balanced on it. My own is no otherwise favorable to the measure than as it may tend to secure a final settlement and payment of balances among the States. An assumption even under such circumstances is...
142To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The newspapers will have shewn you the late proceedings of the House of Representatives. The present subject of deliberation is the proposed assumption of the State debts. Opinions are nearly balanced on it. My own is no otherwise favorable to the measure than as it may tend to secure a final settlement and payment of balances among the States. An assumption even under such circumstances is...
143Report on Robert Morris’s Petition, [9 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
That the Committee have enquired at the Register’s office into the state of the accounts of the department of Finance, lately administered by Mr. Morris. That, for the information of the House, a general account of the receipts and expenditures has been obtained from the Register, together with a printed Statement in detail, both of which are herewith reported, together with a paper containing...
144Public Debt, [10 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Secretary Hamilton’s report on the means of providing funds for the assumption of state debts was sent to the House on 4 March ( Syrett and Cooke, Papers of Hamilton Harold C. Syrett and Jacob E. Cooke, eds., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (26 vols.; New York, 1961–79). , VI, 286–89). Debate resumed on 8 March; the next day the assumption resolution, as amended by JM’s motion of 24 February,...
145Public Debt, [11 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Debate continued on the second alternative of the sixth resolution (see headnote to speech of 10 Mar.). JM wished to reduce “the number of alternatives,” preferring “a simple, unembarrassed system.” A motion to drop this option carried by a vote of 32 to 23 (or 24). Jackson then moved to strike out that part of the third alternative making $66.67 of every $100.00 subscribed irredeemable by any...
146Public Debt, [12 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Laurance, objecting to Jackson’s motion (see headnote to speech of 11 Mar.), said that foreigners should be encouraged to speculate in the public debt. Mr. Madison said that foreigners speculating in our funds would induce a spirit of luxury. That the pernicious consequences of credit had been severely felt; that our experience did not justify the supposition that an influx of active property,...
147From James Madison to Edward Carrington, 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst: came to hand two days ago. Though I can not yield to the remarks on my proposition in the House of Reps. I am not the less indebted for the candor which dictated them. The nature of the domestic debt will account for the diversity of opinions among those who examine it. Those who are disinterested or being interested are superior to that biass, will be mutually...
148From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the few lines you dropped me from Baltimore, and daily expect those promised from Fredg. I am made somewhat anxious on the latter point, by the indisposition under which you were travelling. The question depending at your departure was negatived by a very large majority, though less than stated in the Newspapers. The causes of this disproportion which exceeds greatly the estimate...
149From James Madison to Francis Taylor, ca. 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 14 March 1790. On 2 Apr. 1790 Taylor noted in his diary: “Bro[the]r James sent a letter to me from the Honble James Madison Esqr which he got yesterday at his fathers” (Vi). Conjectured date based on evidence that JM wrote a number of Virginia correspondents on Sunday, 14 Mar. 1790.
150From James Madison to Benjamin Rush, 20 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of the 10th. instant some days ago. Altho’ I feel the force of many of your remarks, I can not embrace the idea to which they lead. It would not be consistent with the view I have taken of the subject; nor indeed promise any chance of success agst. the present politics of the House. The Petitions on the subject of Slavery have employed more than a week, and are still before...
151From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. came to hand yesterday. I feel much anxiety for the situation in which you found Mrs. Randolph; but it is somewhat alleviated by the hopes which you seem to indulge. The Language of Richmond on the proposed discrimination does not surprize me. It is the natural language of the towns, and decides nothing. Censure I well knew would flow from those sources. Should it also...
152Slave Trade Petitions, [23 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The select committee on the slave trade memorials presented its report, consisting of seven resolutions, on 5 March ( DHFC Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds., Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America (3 vols. to date; Baltimore, 1972—). , III, 316, 340–41). This report came before the Committee of the Whole on 16 March. After repeated attempts on 16 and...
153From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 28 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have been some days in debt for your favor of the 21st instant. Accept my thanks for the Medal and copy of your new Constitution inclosed in it. I have delivered to Mr. Jefferson the remarks on a standard of measures, and communicated to him the several other interesting matters which you mention. The former will be disclosed to no one else, but remain in his hands for the purpose intended....
154From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favr. of the 15. which requests an immediate acknowledgment, by some irregularity did not come to hand till I had recd. that of the 18, nor till it was too late to comply with the request by the last mail. I have been so unlucky also as to miss seeing the President twice that I have waited on him in order to intimate the circumstances which you wish him to know. I shall continue to repeat...
155From James Madison to Adam Stephen, ca. 1 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 April 1790. Acknowledged in Stephen to JM, 25 Apr. 1790 . Gives views on the assumption of state debts.
156From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 4 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
You will see by the papers herewith covered that the proposed assumption of the State debts continues to employ the deliberations of the House of Reps. The question seems now to be near its decision, and unfortunately, tho’ so momentous a one, is likely to turn on a very small majority, possibly on a single vote. The measure is not only liable to many objections of a general cast, but in its...
157From James Madison to William Short, 6 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 17 Novr. had so long a passage and since it came to hand opportunities to France have been so deficient, that it has remained unacknowledged much longer than the pleasure it gave me would otherwise have allowed. The crisis in France is so interesting, particularly to this Country, that nothing can be more acceptable than the circumstances which mark the revolution and augur a...
158From James Madison to Henry Lee, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 4th ult. by Col. Lee was received from his hands on Sunday last. I have since recd. that of the 3d Instant. The anticedent one from Alexandria, though long on the way was recd. some time before. In all these, I discover strong marks of the dissatisfaction with which you behold our public prospects. Though in several respects they do not comport with my wishes—yet I cannot...
159From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 2d. instant. From the sentiments expressed in it you will hear with pleasure that the proposed assumption of the State debts, was yesterday negatived, after many days deliberation, by 31 vs 29. We hoped that this vote would have been mortal to the project. It seems however that it is not yet to be abandoned. The other part of the Secretary’s Report has been...
160From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
An answer to your favor of the 5th. has been delayed by my hourly expectation of hearing from Taylor. A few days ago he came to Town and I have had an interview and settlement with him. The balance with the interests at 7 PerCt. was 864 dollars. He has not however executed the conveyance for want of some chart which he could not get here, but has entered into bond to do so by August, with good...
161Assumption of the State Debts, [20 April] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The House took up the report of the Committee of the Whole, consisting of eight resolutions, on 29 March. The first three passed, but the fourth (providing for the assumption of state debts) and the remaining resolutions were recommitted ( DHFC Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds., Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America (3 vols. to date; Baltimore,...
162From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, ca. 20 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 20 April 1790. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 2 May 1790 . Advises him to ship tobacco abroad or postpone its sale in anticipation of rising prices.
163Notes for Speech in Congress, [22 April] 1790 (Madison Papers)
—will pay near ⅕ } ratio ⅙ —little more received 1/7 —Massts. pay little more than 1/7 } ratio 1/7 & ½ —receive more than ⅕ Distrust of Sts— ☞ sd. Sts done all they cd. —as Illinois claims— if rejected unjust if admitted dangerous Not beneficial to Natl. Govt. in present form Not just Not equalizing not practicable bare majority— Since 31. Mar: 1783 pd. to Treay. U. S.
164Assumption of the State Debts, [22 April] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The sixth resolution (see headnote to speech of 20 Apr.) was amended and approved on 21 April. The seventh resolution, “that immediate provision ought to be made for the present debt of the United States; and that the faith of government ought to be pledged to make provision, at their next session, for so much of the debts of the respective States, as shall have been subscribed upon any of the...
165Motion on the Death of Franklin, [22 April] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison rose and made the following motion: Mr. Speaker said he, Tho’ we have been informed not only thro’ the channel of the newspapers but by a more direct communication, of the decease of an illustrious character whose native genius has rendered distinguished services to the cause of science and of mankind in general, and whose patriotic exertions have contributed in a high degree to...
166Public Credit, [26 April] 1790 (Madison Papers)
FitzSimons moved to discharge the Committee of the Whole from that part of the secretary of the treasury’s report relating to assumption. After this motion passed, the Committee of the Whole completed its consideration of the resolutions. The House then took up the recommitted resolutions as amended. A sharp debate ensued over the first alternative of the sixth resolution, which allowed...
167From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, 27 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Information having been received here that some persons acquainted with the appropriation made at the last Session of Congress in favor of the officers & soldiers of the Virginia & N. Carolina lines of the late army, are taking advantage of the claimants who are ignorant of that provision, by purchasing their claims for very inconsiderable proportions of their amount, it became a question...
168From James Madison to Mann Page, 27 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 April 1790. Mentioned in James Mercer to JM, 12 May 1790 . Passes along a recommendation for the vacant professorship at the Fredericksburg Academy.
169From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 2 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I wrote some days ago to my brother Ambrose since which little has taken place worth adding. The inclosed newspapers contain a sketch of what has been done in the House of Reps. I mentioned to my brother that I thought it better to ship or postpone the sale of Tobo. than to sell at the present price in the Country. I am more & more convinced that this will be prudent. The price has risen...
170From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 2 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for the readiness with which you have complied with my troublesome request on the subject of the Stamp-Act. I made it on a supposition that you had been present at the proceedings of the Virga. Assembly, which I find was not the case. But, knowing the accuracy & extent of your intelligence on all such interresting occurrences, I consider the particulars with which...
171From James Madison to Benjamin Rush, 3 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 3 May 1790. Offered for sale in the Parke-Bernet Catalogue No. 468, May 1943.
172From James Madison to Benjamin Rush, [3 May 1790] (Madison Papers)
… Your hint as to addresses from the H. of Rep. to the National Assembly was perfectly new. I am far from thinking that such a measure might not be formed as [to] do credit to this Country and good to both…. Printed extract (Parke-Bernet Catalogue No. 468, “The Alexander Biddle Papers” [1943], pt. 1, item 151). See PJM Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of...
173From James Madison to Benjamin Rush, 3 May 1790 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 May 1790, New York. “Your hint as to addresses from the H. of Rep. to the National Assembly was perfectly new. I am far from thinking that such a measure might not be formed as do credit to this Country and good to both.” Printed extract (Parke-Bernet Catalogue No. 468, “The Alexander Biddle Papers” [1943], pt. 1, item 151). See Rush to JM, 24 Apr. 1790 , PJM William T. Hutchinson et al.,...
174From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 6 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of Apl. 27. is this instant put into my hand. I have written to you all the letters that were promised, and have forborne to write others, because the cessation of yours led me to conclude that you had set out for N. Y. I am extremely sorry to find that this was not the case, but cheifly, on acct. of the cause of your delay. I can not suppose that under your circumstances any criticism...
175From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, 11 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
On the recipt of your letter on the subject of the Inspection law of Virginia, I communicated the matter to the Secretary of the Treasury. He sees no impropriety in his giving the requisite instruction to the Custom-House officers and having promised to do so, I shall decline an application to Congress. Since the late separation of the State debts from the national, the House of Reps. has been...
176Notes on Navigation and Trade, [ca. 13 May] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Molasses Massts. has 60 distilleries. (Sheffd. p. 108) In 1769.—3,580,144. galls. of French & Surinam,—and only 299,678 of British Molasses were imported into N. America—(Id. 109) The Quantity of foreign Molasses imported into America, prior to the war, appears by the Custom house books to be greater than the quantity of rum imported there, altho’ the latter free from duty and molasses subject...
177Notes for Speech in Congress, [ca. 13 May] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Genl Observations— The progress of modern maxims tends to make Govt. & commerce free among all nations, which will reduce all nations to their natural advantages only. This, ours make desireable to us. If however monopolizing struggles shd. continue with a view to naval strength—No Nation can be so well off as U. S. because they possess bulky produce capable of employing mo⟨re⟩ tonnage and...
178Navigation and Trade, [13 May] 1790 (Madison Papers)
On 10 May the Committee of the Whole took up the report of a select committee on a petition from the merchants and traders of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This report recommended (1) that the tonnage on foreign vessels be raised from fifty cents to one dollar per ton, and (2) that foreigners be prohibited from carrying United States commodities to any port or place to which United States...
179Navigation and Trade, [14 May] 1790 (Madison Papers)
JM moved to add to the resolution agreed to on 13 May the following words: “That from and after the day of next, the tonnage of all such vessels be raised to , and from and after the day of next, no such vessels be permitted to export from the United States any unmanufactured article, being the growth or produce thereof.” This motion was opposed by FitzSimons, Laurance, Sedgwick, and Smith of...
180Bill concerning Navigation and Trade, [17 May] 1790 (Madison Papers)
A BILL concerning the Navigation and Trade of the United States . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the duty to be collected on all vessels, not built within the United States, and belonging wholly, or in part, to a citizen, subject or inhabitant of any foreign state, with which the United States shall not have...
181Pay Arrearages to Virginia and North Carolina Veterans, [17 May] 1790 (Madison Papers)
On 7 May Theodorick Bland informed the House “that in consequence of obtaining (as is supposed) a surreptitious copy from a public office” of the names of Virginia and North Carolina veterans to whom arrears of pay were due (see Wallace to JM, 25 Mar. and nn. 1–3 and 20 Apr. ), speculators had “fraudulently procured assignments of pay” far below their value. He accordingly presented a motion...
182From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
The President has been critically ill for some days past, but is now we hope out of danger. His complaint is a peripneumony, united probably with the Influenza. Since my last I have found that I did not go too far in intimating that the cause of your delay would forbid the smallest criticism on it. I earnestly pray that you may no longer have occasion to plead that apology. In consequence of a...
183Queries concerning Jefferson’s Report on Weights and Measures, [ca. 20 May] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Quer. if a fixed temperature might not be got by referring to a thermometer—the freezing point—being the natural standard Quer. as to the inaccuracy of English calculations of London Pendulum. Quer. if mode of distributing actual standards thro’ the States sd. not be suggested at the close of the report. Quer. would not uniform cylinders be as eas[i]ly measured & judged of, as squares. Quer....
184VI. James Madison’s Queries Concerning the Report, [ca. 20 May 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Quer. if a fixed temperature might not be got by referring to a thermometer, the freezing point being the natural standard. Quer. as to the inaccuracy of English calculations of London Pendulum? Quer. if a mode of distributing actual standards thro’ the states should not be suggested at the close of the report. Quer. would not uniform cylinders be as easily measured and judged of, as squares....
185From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, 25 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
Previous to the receipt of your favor on the subject of the arrears to the Virginia line, a proposition for remedying the abuses which have taken place, had been made and was under consideration. It has since passed the two Houses in the form which corresponds with the idea suggested by you. I take the liberty of inclosing a copy, though it has not yet been submitted to the President. As soon...
186From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, 26 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a copy of the instruction given by the Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of our inspection laws, which has been put into my hands for that purpose; and am with the highest respect, Sir, Your Most Obedt. humble servant, RC and enclosure ( Vi ). Enclosure in a clerk’s hand. Addressed and franked by JM. Docketed by a clerk, “Done June 5h. 1790.” See Governor of...
187From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 27 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment your favor of the 16th. The inclosed papers will shew you that the project of asuming the State debts is revived & likely to employ further time. I hope we shall be able to defeat it, but the advocates for it are inconceivably persevering as well as formidable in point of numbers. The bill for funding the other debt is gone thro’ and will pass the 3d. reading in the H. of...
188From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 27 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
N. York May 27 [1790]. I have been some days in debt for your favor of the 19th. instant. I am glad the book for Browze arrived in time and was of the right sort. I had some doubts on the latter point. You have more than your share of the Influenza in the third attack of which you complain. I hope you are well of it by this time. It has spared very few in this place. I have had a full measure,...
189From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 19th. of May has been duly received. The information relating to your little daughter has been communicated as you desired. I hope she is by this time entirely recovered. Your friends in Broad way were well two evenings ago. I have paid the money to Taylor, and hope you will take the time you intimate, for replacing my advances on your account. The assumption has been revived...
190From James Madison to John Parrish, 6 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 28th May and am much obliged by the friendly communication. The number of Vessels employed in the Trade to Africa is much greater than I should have conjectured. I hope it will daily diminish and soon cease altogether. This hope is the better founded since the return of Rho: Island under the jurisdiction of the Union. Should the evil still go on, it...