1From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 5 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
The last letter from my brother A. left me in much anxiety for the State of my mother’s health. I have ventured to hope from the silence which has followed, that she has been on the recovery. I wish much to hear oftener from the family than I do and would set the example if other occupations, and particularly a very extensive correspondence would permit. The business goes on still very slowly....
2From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 21 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
An indisposition on the road retarded me so much that I was not able to take my seat in Congs. till yesterday. It began at Dumfries with a slight complaint in my bowells. On my arrival at George Town it took the form of a Dysentery and was pretty severe for some days. With the aid of my friend Docr. Stuart who was so good as to see me every day, I was in a condition to prosecute my journey in...
3From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet recd. a single line from Orange since I left it. The letter from my brother when at Alexa. is the only written information that I have had the pleasure of, A few lines from Mr. Hite excepted. These gave me an account of my sisters marriage, and added that about that period my mother was better. I am anxious to hear more on that subject, and indulge my hopes that her health will...
4From 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...
5From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 13 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
My last was to my brother A. and acknowledged ⟨the⟩ receipt of the Diary. I inclose one for the month of April ⟨whi⟩ch you can compare with your own for the same month. I inclose also a few grains of upland rice, brought from Timor by Capt: Bligh lately distinguished by an adventure which you must have seen in the Newspapers. He was returning from a voyage of discovery in the South seas, and...
6From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 31 July 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your’s of the 9th. inclosing a letter for Mr. Chew which I shall forward as you desire. As far as I have had an opportunity of enquiring I do not find that Coffee can be got here on terms that will make it worth while to prefer it to what can be got in Virginia. The price of brown Sugar I have not yet learnt but will attend to your request on that subject. The funding bill has at...
7From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 14 August 1790 (Madison Papers)
Congs. not having closed their session till the day before yesterday, and the weather being extremely hot, I have thought it necessary in order to avoid the danger of a bilious attack to which I am become very subject, to wait here a few weeks which will render the journey more safe, and afford me moreover the pleasure of Mr. Jefferson’s company quite to Orange. This resolution puts it out of...
8From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 28 November 1790 (Madison Papers)
We arrived here yesterday was a week without any occurrence on the road worth mentioning. The President arrived yesterday & the members are coming in for Congress. I have made enquiry with regard to the articles you want, and send you the inclosed paper which will give you information not only with respect to them, but all others in the market here. The high price of sugar makes it advisable I...
9From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 January 1791 (Madison Papers)
Since my last to my brother A. I have recd. no letter from Orange, altho yours & his both, preceding left me particularly anxious to know the event of the Influ[e]nza attack on my Mothers health. The peace between G. B. & Spain has been fully authenticated. The English accts. give a sad picture of affairs in France, but there are more direct accts. which are more favorable. The H. of Reps. has...
10From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 13 February 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 31. Ult: and am glad to find that my sister Hite has withdrawn herself from the Region of the Small pox. It gives me particular pleasure also to learn that my mother’s health has so far been restored. You will see by one of the inclosed papers that the price of Wheat continues at from 8/4 to 8/6. Whether it will rise or fall or how much, is more than I can say. I...
11From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 23 April 1791. Acknowledged in letter from JM’s father of 11 May 1791 . Recommends sending tobacco to Thomas Leiper of Philadelphia for sale if prices in Virginia do not rise, and probably suggests that a power of attorney be executed to convert loan office certificates held in the father’s name into U.S. treasury notes.
12From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 2 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 29th. of May never came to hand till yesterday when it fell in with me at this place. My brother’s of nearly the same date had done so a few days before. My answer to his went by the last mail. I refer to it for the information yours requests. I had indeed long before advised you both to ship to Leiper all the good Tobacco of your Crops. It is certainly the best you can do...
13From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 30 October 1791 (Madison Papers)
We arrived here yesterday morning was a week, having been obliged to push through the bad weather by the discovery first made at Mount Vernon that the meeting of Congress was a week earlier than was calculated at our setting out. The President had been under the same mistake, and had but just been apprized of it. Many others had equally miscalculated. Being obliged to attend immediately on my...
14From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 13 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday a letter from my brother Ambrose which gave me the first information I had since I left home concerning the state of my mothers health. I am extremely glad to find she had so much mended and hope her health may continue to grow better. My brother signified to me that Miss Baynton wished a furr instead of a chip hat to be sent her. Unluckily the latter had been bought, packed...
15From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 17 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
My last informed you of the articles procured & forwardd. in consequence of my several commissions. I now send the key of the trunk in which some of the articles are contained. I forgot to mention that the Tea in the Dressing boxes belongs to my brother Ambrose. You will see by the inclosed papers that the number of future representatives in Congress has been a subject of discussion, and is...
16From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 3 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
The last letter I recd. from you was of Novr. 12. I had previously informed you that your certificates had been funded by Messr. Ashton & Wister. They are now in my hands, with interest due on them from Jany. last, which cannot be drawn without a power of attorney to me for the purpose. My brother William can procure you blank powers at Richmond. It will be proper in filling up the blank to...
17From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 10 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 26 Ult: has just come to hand. I am glad you have put the commission for slitted Iron into the hands of Mr. Dunbar. He will probably be able to get it when to be had on better terms. I find there is some now advertised but there is no more conveyance by water for this season. I am sorry that this circumstance will put it out of my power to forward the article desired by Miss...
18From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 9 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are three numbers of the National Gazette to which I refer for the proceedings of Congress. The British packet just arrived at N. York brings accounts that Lord Cornwallis tho’ successful in a general action with Tippoo Saib has found the latter so formidable an Enemy especially with the aid of the rainy season, that a retreat became necessary to his safety, in which his cannon was...
19From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 2 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have for some time past written once a week, inclosing always the Natl Gazettees as they come out. I now do the same now. The River having been all the Winter & still continuing blocked up, I have never executed the several commissions in your last. I have made enquiry as to Clover seed and I find that the white is not to be had, and that the red will cost about 16 dollars a bushel, which is...
20From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 15 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
The last letter recd. from you was that of Feby. 1. Since my answer to that the state of the roads & rivers has been such as to render the conveyance of letters very tedious if not uncertain, and hence to produce the interval between that date & the present. I now inclose 5 Nos. of the National Gazette which continue the intelligence throughout the period of my silence. You will find noticed...
21From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 30 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have procured & inclose with the two last Natl. Gazettes, the 1st. No. which compleats your sett. If any that I send from time to time shd. miscarry, I wish you to let me know it and I will supply the loss. The Representation-bill has passed the two Houses, in the unconstitutional form proposed by the Senate, and is now before the Senate. It fixes the number at 120 members & distributes them...
22From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 17 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Col. Wadsworth of Connecticut wishes to procure a Barrel or half-Barrel of the best Peach Brandy & I have undertaken to use my efforts for the purpose. If it can be got at all it is probably in our Neighbourhood. I recollect particularly that Colo Geo. Taylor had some that we thought good & which is perhaps to be obtained. If that or any better can be had I shall be glad that one of my...
23From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are three more of the Natl Gazettes. They will give you all the information which is current; as well in relation to the proceedings of Congress, as to other matters. A vote has passed the two Houses fixing the 5th. of next month for the adjournment. It is possible that it may be put off a day or two longer, tho’ it is pro[ba]ble from the impatience of the members that the session...
24From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 7 May 1792 (Madison Papers)
The proposed adjournment on the 5th. has been put off to the 9th. & it is possible tho’ I think rather improbable that a further short procrastination may take place. I am not yet decided as to the route & mode of my return. I still wish to take Frederick in my way if I can make it convenient. Leiper has sold 2 Hhds of your Tobo. at 32/6. I shall endeavor to close the business before I leave...
25From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 July 1792 (Madison Papers)
The Iron from Mr. Guinn was delivered this morning. I have noted in the margin its weight at the shop which I suppose comes sufficiently near the quantity charged. The 36/. due for the potts & boxes have been put into the hands of the Waggoner. His own charge for freight was 12 dollars which I have paid, tho’ from the sum you left, it must be more than you had calculated. The family is as you...
26From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here safe on thursday last. On enquiry I could learn nothing of Majr. Hite or Mr. Beale. I have since found that the latter was here; but he went off before I had an opportunity of seeing him. This failure makes me at a loss whether I shd. pursue the attempt to convey the articles you wished to go with Majr. Hite’s goods; look out for another conveyance; or postpone the sending them...
27From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have sent by a Vessel just sailed a small cask of port wine—a few Glass & plate wares with some knives & forks and two or three Books for Fanny. They are addressed to Mr. Anderson. Among the Books are two translations of Telemachus. One was bought before that in 2 vol: which is the proper one for her use could be met with. The supernumerary one which is the best for the English reader may be...
28From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 1 March 1793 (Madison Papers)
I red. yesterday yours inclosing a letter to Mr Chew, which I forward this morning. The one here inclosed from him came to hand a few days ago. For the news I refer to the inclosed papers, having not a moment to spare for adding more than that I remain Yr. Affee. son RC ( NjP ). Letter not found. Probably James Madison, Sr., to Joseph Chew, 19 Feb. 1793 ( ViW ).
29From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., ca. 23 November 1793 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 23 November 1793. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 25 Nov. 1793 : “I wrote from Fredg. by Col: Monroe’s servant & informed you that I had left with Mr. Jones £18–12–5 which would be del[i]vered to your order.”
30From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 25 November 1793 (Madison Papers)
Having procured at this place a substitute for Daman I shall send back Sam, after going a few miles just to try the new arrangement. He will be in Fredg. tonight and will thence make the best of his way home. A letter red. at Fredg. from Mr. Jefferson says that the fever has entirely vanished. Another of the 20th. from a gentleman in Philada confirms it in the most decided terms. And I...