1From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
Having been detained in Washington untill the 6th. inst. I did not reach home till Tuesday night, and of course too late to comply with the arrangement notified in yours of the 10th. March by Bizet. I take for granted that the other Visitors met, and that for the present at least my attendance will not be needed. As it has always been our purpose to pay a visit to Monticello at no distant day...
2From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 November 1817 (Madison Papers)
I recd. some days ago yours of the 15th. and shall send my Palladio by the Stage of tuesday. It will probably arrive by the time you get back from Bedford. I send you the inclosed from Mr. Cooper, that in case of the supposed miscarriage of his letter to you, it may enable you to give him the answer for which he is so anxious. I shall inform him that I have done so, without undertaking to...
3From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1818 (Madison Papers)
Yours by the bearer of this was safely delivered last evening. I return the letter to the Govr. which is well adapted to its object. The pencelled marks will merely suggest for your consideration, whether the term Monastic , tho’ the most significant that could be chosen, may not give umbrage to the Institutions to which it is applicable; and whether the idea of seeking professors abroad , may...
4From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 6th. inclosing the letters to & from Dr. Cooper, and forward the former by this days mail, the first that has offered. The relinquishment of our claim on him was unavoidable, and but reasonable, and it could not have been made known to him in more suitable terms. RC ( DLC ). Fragment. Remainder of text, closing, and signature clipped. Docketed by Jefferson, “recd....
5From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1818 (Madison Papers)
The day on which the first instalment for the Central College becomes due, being near at hand, I think it not amiss, as no conveyance of mine offers, to intimate, that it shall be paid on draft, or if requisite sent by a special hand. Yrs. affectionately RC ( MoHi ). Docketed by Jefferson, “recd Apr. 2.” JM subscribed $1,000 to the Central College fund (Cabell, Early History of the University...
6From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 April 1818 (Madison Papers)
I take the opportunity by Judge Holmes of sending my first Instalment for the Central College, which I beg the favor of you to have put into the proper hands. The only subscription to the lists I distributed is the inclosed one from Gen A. T. Mason. Is it worth while to avail ourselves of his solitary liberality in that distant quarter, which connects him so little with an institution as yet a...
7From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 24 July] 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have postponed the return of the two papers, to the present time, in consequence of your intimation, that you would not return from Bedford till about a week before the day of assembling at Rockfish, and I shall note that this letter is not to be forwarded from Monticello. Affectionate respects RC (owned by Linwood M. Jr. and Tucker Respess, Charlottesville, Va., 2003). Undated; conjectural...
8From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 10 October] 1818 (Madison Papers)
I was much gratified in learning from the President that you were so well recovering from the attack your health suffered beyond the mountains. I wish I could join you at the meeting of the Visitors on Monday, & attend also that of the Agricultural Society. But circumstances do not allow me that pleasure. RC ( ViU ). 1 p. Fragment. Undated. Unsigned. Conjectural date assigned on the basis of...
9From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have not been able to learn a tittle of your health, since I saw you. It has, I hope, been entirely re-established. I congratulate you on the success of the Report to the Legislature on the subject of the University. It does not yet appear what steps have been taken by the Governor towards giving effect to the law. Will you be so good as to have the inclosed forwarded when convenient to Mr....
10From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 3. came safe to hand, with the seeds you were so kind as to send with it. I return Mr. Cabell’s letter. I hope his fears exaggerate the hostility to the University; tho’ if there should be a dearth in the Treasury, there may be danger from the predilection in favor of the popular Schools. I begin to be uneasy on the subject of Cooper. It will be a dreadful shock to him if...
11From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday morning yours of the 8th. and return the several copies of letters inclosed in it. The letter to you from Mr. Cabell was returned by the mail before the last. I know not any course better to be taken in relation to Dr. Cooper, than your letters to him & Correa. I have not a particle of doubt that the answer of the latter will compleatly remove the objection brought forward...
12From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 11th. The letter from Mr. Cabell which I return is of very agreeable import. His other letter was returned several days ago, and probably reached Monticello soon after the date of yours. Health & all other happiness RC ( CtY ).
13From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 September 1819 (Madison Papers)
I received yesterday yours of the 23d. inclosing the draft of a report from the Visitors, in which I see no occasion for addition or alteration; but much for regret at the deficiency of our resources. The subject is presented however to the Legislature, with the most inviting aspect for their attention and assistance. I shall endeavour to be with you about saturday, and Mrs. Madison will have...
14From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. which authenticates your convalescence was most welcome, & I thank you much for your kindness in relieving me from the anxieties which preceded it. Fortunately the first account we had of your illness was accompanied with some encouragement to hope that the crisis had been passed favorably; & this hope was fostered by the information of Col: P. Barbour on his return...
15From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. a few days ago the two inclosed letters one from Mr. Hackley, the other from the Botanical professor at Madrid: the latter accompanied by the three little pamphlets also inclosed, and by thirty specimens of wheat, with four of Barley, and between 2 & 300 papers of the seeds referred to as “rariom Horti Botan: Matritousis.” The Wheats & Barleys notwithstanding the numerous varieties, I...
16From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1819 (Madison Papers)
By the return of the ladies who have favored Mrs. Madison with so agreable a visit, I send back the correspondence with Cooper. It has ended better than I expected. I learn with the greatest pleasure that your health is so well restored. I hope you will be careful of it. Above all avoid the fatigues of the pen. I do not say with the Spaniards I kiss your hands, but I say with all my heart, God...
17From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1820 (Madison Papers)
Judge Todd accompanied by one of his sons being on his return thro’ your neighbourhood will call to pay his respects to you. His great worth justly entitles him to this introduction to your recollections. I propose to be with you tomorrow evening. Mrs. M. will not lose the opportunity of making a visit to the ladies of Monticello. Yours allways & affecy. RC ( NjP ).
18From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Novr. 29. came to hand a few days ago. The letter from T. C. is returned. I had one from him lately on the same subject, and in consequence reminded the President of his political career; dropping at the same time a few lines in his favor to our Senator Mr. Barbour. I sincerely wish something proper in itself could be done for him. He needs it and deserves it. The law terminating...
19From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
In The inclosed you will see the ground on which I forward it for your perusal. In the late views taken by us, of the Act of Congress, vacating periodically the Executive offices, it was not recollected, in justice to the President, that the measure was not without precedents. I suspect however that these are confined to the Territorial Establishments, where they were introduced by the Old...
20From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 16th. inclosing the paper from Mr. Ticknor, on the tax imposed on Books imported. He has taken a very comprehensive and judicious view of the subject. The remark you add to it is a proper one also; that books being a permanent property ought not to be taxed whilst other permanent property is exempt, both in the acquisition and possession. I have always considered...
21From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1821 (Madison Papers)
I return the several papers which accompanied yours of the 30th. ult. I have interlined with a pencil for your consideration a very slight change in the petition to Congress, and another in the Report to the P. & D. of the Lit: Fund. The first is intended to parry objections from the reprinters of foreign books, by a phraseology not precluding exceptions in their favor. The exceptions can be...
22From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1822 (Madison Papers)
This is the first mail since I recd. yours of the 25 Ult: which did not come to hand in time for an earlier answer; having lain a day or two at Or: Ct. House. Regarding the New Socy. for the benefit of the Indians, as limited to their civilization, an object laudable in itself; and taking for granted, perhaps too hastily, that the plan had not been formed & published without the sanction of...
23From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1822 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found. 29 March 1822 . Listed as a one-page autograph letter, signed, in Parke-Bernet Galleries Sale No. 451 (5–6 Apr. 1943), item 389, with the following extract: “I am sorry that the approaching meeting of the Visitors will furnish an exception to the punctuality of my attendance … I presume that my failure, even if it prevents a quorum, is rendered of...
24From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1822 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ To Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found. 8 August 1822 . Enclosed in Dolley Madison to Lewis J. Cist, 4 July 1842 ( DLC : Dolley Madison Papers). Acknowledged by Jefferson as received on 9 Aug. 1822 in his Epistolary Record ( DLC : Jefferson Papers), with his note: “Hite & Baldwin.”
25From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 [January 1823] (Madison Papers)
I have duly received yours of the 6th. with the letters of Mr. Cabell, Mr Gerry, and Judge Johnson. The letter from Mr. C. proposing an Extra Meeting of the Visitors, & referred to in yours was not sent, and of course is not among those returned. The friends of the University in the Assembly seem to have a delicate task on their hands. They have the best means of knowing what is best to be...
26From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letters & papers being addressed to you as well as me, I am not at liberty to withold them, tho’ I know the disrelish you will feel for such appeals. I shall give an answer, in a manner for us both, intimating the propriety of our abstaining from any participation in the electioneering measures on foot. I congratulate you on the loan, scanty as it is, for the University; in the...
27From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two letters of the 12 & 14. inst. You will have inferred my approbation of the course taken in order to avoid a loss of time in executing the Rotunda. I shall be with you at the Meeting of the Visitors if possible. The letter from O. Flaherty with its companions, are herewith inclosed. It is quite presumable that he possesses the technical qualifications for the professorship...
28From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 29 April 1823] (Madison Papers)
What is the proper qui[e]tus for the solicitudes within expressed? RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). Undated; conjectural date based on Jefferson’s docket “recd. Apr. 29. 23.” JM probably enclosed Joseph C. Cabell’s letter to him of 16 Apr. 1823 , concerning the configuration of the lecture halls designed for the Rotunda. See Jefferson’s reply to JM , 30 Apr. 1823.
29From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the copy of your letter to Judge Johnson inclosed in your favor of the instant. Your statement relating to the farewell address of Genl. Washington is substantially correct. If there be any circumstantial inaccuracy, it is in imputing to him more agency in composing the document than he probably had. Taking for granted that it was drawn up by Hamilton, the best conjecture is that...
30From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the two communications from the President inclosed in your letter of Aug. 30. I am afraid the people of Spain as well as of Portugal need still further light & heat too from the American example before they will be a match for the Armies, the intrigues & the bribes of their enemies, the treachery of their leaders, and what is most of all to be dreaded, their priests & their...