1James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 29 September 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have been duly favored with your very kind letter of the 23d. It was our intention to take Castle Hill again in our way to the University, for which the former experienced welcome was more than a sufficient inducement. But I am under the disagreeable necessity of saying that a late indisposition has left a prolonged feebleness in the state of my health, which will deprive me of the pleasure...
2James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 19 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your speech on the 28th. of March. It is the only one I have read on the subject. It contains strong points, strongly sustained. I cannot but think however that the preservation of the original journals of the Legislature is undervalued; printed copies of transitory proceedings being generally neglected by the possessors, the more so, the greater the number of them...
3James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 13 July 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last mail yours of the 8th. but not in time for an answer by its return. I hope however a letter to Mr. Gallatin which I inclose with pleasure will not be too late for the object of it I thank you, Sir, for your attention to the case of Cooley; and am very glad that you will be able to put Genl. Lafayette at ease agst. the threatened litigation. Your postscript relating to Dr....
4James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 1 July 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have received your very kind letter of the 26. Ult. We had neither changed our purpose, nor forgotten our promise, to take Castle Hill in our way to the University. We hope for the pleasure of being there on the forenoon of Tuesday the 8th. inst., proceeding the next day, to our destination. In the mean time we pray Mrs. Rives & yourself to accept our best respects & our cordial salutations....
5James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 13 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Mr. Rives, requests the favor of him to have the letter herewith inclosed handed to Majr. Hamilton, if in Washington: or if not there, nor soon expected, to add to the address, the place where he will be found, & then have it put into the post office. RC and enclosure (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers) . Enclosure is JM to James Hamilton, Jr., 13 Dec. 1828.
6James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 20 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
The last mail brought me your favor of the 17th. accompanied by a copy of the last Southern Review, for which I thank you. The disproportion of polemic politics which distinguishes it, tho’ derogating from the literary character of such works, might, if conducted with ability & good temper, be pardoned, at a moment and on topics peculiarly interesting. I have looked very hastily over the...
7James Madison to William C. Rives, 25 October 1835 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Richard Chapman a son of Reynolds Chapman who married one of my neices. He will communicate the hope of his father and his own, that he may obtain a birth in the Military school at West-point. My esteem and regard for the Father, and good wishes for the son, will apologize for my saying that his success could not but be agreeable to me, if the way for it be...
8James Madison to William C. Rives, 2 August 1833 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 28 ult was, my dear Sir, duly recd. I thank you for Mr. Tylers pamphlet with the accompanying News-paper: and I thank you still more for the friendly disposition you express on the subjects of them, as they relate to me. If I mistake not Mr. T. has omitted in his pamphlet a passage in the Newspaper Edition of his speech, which was levelled agst. the Virginia deputies to the...
9James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 22 June 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have received your very friendly favor of the 15th. enclosing the Diploma of Honorary Membership of the United States Naval Lyceum. As I acknowledged through Captain Ridgely, soon after its receipt, the notification transmitted by him, that the Society had conferred on me this distinction, it may suffice to ask the favor of your communicating to Lieut. Hudson the safe receipt of the diploma....
10James Madison to William C. Rives, 12 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your very kind letter of the 6th. from Washington; and by the same mail, a copy of your late speech in the Senate for which I tender my thanks. I have found as I expected, that it takes a very able and enlightening view of its subject. I wish it may have the effect of reclaiming to the doctrine & language held by all from the birth of the Constitution, & till very lately by...
11James Madison to William C. Rives, 21 October 1833 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. was duly recd. I had not forgotton the intimation of which I am reminded by it, but unabating interuptions, added to my crippled health, had produced a delay which I could not avoid; and since I had notice of your return from the springs, the same causes have operated. I found also on the trial, more of tediousness in consulting documents and noting references, than was...
12James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 2 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
On turning to my bundles of Old Pamphlets, I picked out the inclosed duplicate Nos. of Debates in Congress during a period for which copies are now scarce. I am sorry I could not find more. They may perhaps be of some aid in making up complete sets as opportunities occur. We had the pleasure of Mrs. Rives’ company till yesterday morning, when she left us in the good health she brought with...
13From James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 29 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
I owe an apology for not sooner thanking you for the copy of your Speech in the House of Reps. on the 20th. of Feby. last. It came to hand when some engagements of my time, which were protracted beyond my anticipation, did not permit the attention due to it. Without expressing an unqualified concurrence in all the sentiments embraced by the range of your observations, I can, without...
14James Madison to William C. Rives, 15 February 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the Copy of your Speech on "the removal of the Deposits," kindly forwarded in pamphlet form. It has certainly treated the questions embraced in it with the distinguished ability which was looked for. Whilst I feel a pleasure in doing it this justice, I must not forget, as I presume you aware, that some of them are not viewed by me in the lights in which your reasonings present...
15James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 16 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I inclose the promised letters to the Baron & Baroness de Neuville to which is added one to Genl. Lafayette. In this last, I have interwoven what will make you properly known to him and Mrs M. has subjoined what will equally introduce Mrs. Rives. We offer to you both our affectionate respects, & a repetition of all our good wishes Draft (DLC) .
16James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 10 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 31st. Ult. was duly recd. You have not mistaken my idea of the Constl. power of Congs. to regulate trade: and it gives me pleasure that you take the same view of it. "The power to regulate trade" is a compound technical phrase, to be expounded by the sense in which it has been usually taken, as shewn by the purposes to wch. it has been usually applied. To interpret it with a...
17James Madison to William C. Rives, 26 January 1836 (Madison Papers)
I return with thanks the papers you kindly favored me with an opportunity of perusing. They are not without interest tho’ superseded by the mass of information now before the public. I am sorry to find from this, that so much uncertainty still clouds the issue of the controversy with France. Should it fail of an amicable adjustment by the parties themselves, it is quite possible that Great...
18James Madison to William C. Rives, 23 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. under your cover, the newspaper containing the explanatory remarks on the two letters relating to the power of Congress to encourage domestic manufactures. The writer of the letters is laid under great obligation by the opportune & apposite interposition in their behalf. The strange misconstructions which continue to be put on the occasion & object of them, would produce surprize...