501From James Madison to Benjamin Bell and William Tapscott, 19 January 1823 (Madison Papers)
It is so very long since payments were due from both particularly one of you for the land purchased of Mrs. Willis & myself without our having recd. even a line on the subject from either, that you cannot be surprized at being now reminded of your obligations, and called to discharge them. I am not unaware of the circumstances which may have embarrass[ed] pecuniary transactions, but they...
502From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 January 1823 (Madison Papers)
The Speaker of the H. of R. the particular friend of my nephew Edgar Macon has intimated to him that a Clerk will soon be wanted for a Board for executing the late award of the Emp: of Russia, and has advised him to be a candidate. Of his qualifications for such a service Col: Barbour can speak with much more knowlege than I can, having been the patron of his professional studies, and...
503From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
Having just recd. a letter stating the circumstances in the extract enclosed, I have thought it not amiss, that they should be known to you. You will be able, or can be enabled to judge how far they merit attention. Some of them, if there be no error in the statement, seem to require & admit of correction. You will observe that the information is from a source professing & I believe truly to...
504From James Madison to Stephen Van Rensselaer, 11 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 4th. inst. inclosing the address of Mr. Eaton relating to a geological & agricultural survey of the vicinity of the Erie Canal. As far as my judgment extends, his instructions are ably drawn up, & give an adequate scope to the researches & observations most likely to be scientifically and practically useful. In the execution of the task objects not foreseen may...
505From James Madison to Littleton Dennis Teackle, 12 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I received a few days ago your letter of the 4. Instant, enclosing the copy of a bill to provide for the public instruction of youth, and to promote the interest of Agriculture; and requesting observations thereon. I wish I were less incompetent to a satisfactory compliance with the request. The wisdom of providing a system of diffusive education must at once, be universally approved. Of the...
506From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have rcd. your favor of the 3d. I am much obliged by the kind manner in which you speak of my Nephew. I hope you will always consider expressions of my good will in such cases as perfectly subordinate to public considerations, and superi[o]r pretensions. In the present case I am not sure that the appt. of my nephew to the place in question ought to be desired even by himself, unless Col:...
507From James Madison to Edward Everett, 18 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favour of the 9th. inst: and with it the little pamphlet entitled “Notes &c.” forwarded at the request of your brother; for which you will please to accept and to make my acknowledgments. The pamphlet appears to have very ably & successfully vindicated the construction given in the Book on “Europe,” to the provision article in Mr Jay’s Treaty. History, if it should notice...
508From 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...
509To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters & papers being addressed to you as well as me, I am not at liberty to withhold 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. DLC : Papers of James Madison.
510To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you on the loan, scanty as it is, for the University; in the confidence that it is a gift masked under that name; and in the hope that it is a pledge for any remnant of aid the Establishment may need in order to be totus teres atque rotundus . Can you not have the hands Set to work without the formality of a previous meeting of the Visitors? I have rec d no notice from Richmond...
511From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 21 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
Since I recd. your two letters of I have hitherto been prevented from acknowledging them first by some very urgent calls on my time, and afterwards by an indisposition which has just left me. I have forwarded the letters with the printed papers to Mr. Jefferson. I know well the respect he as well as myself attaches to your communications. But I have grounds to believe that, with me also, he...
512From James Madison to Richard Peters, 22 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your Agricultural Address in Jany. last, which I have read with much pleasure, and as always, not without finding instructive ideas. You have done very right in taking occasion to record the fact which shews that your Society is the Mother of the American family, and to present a fair view of its public services; with respect to which you might say, tho’ you will not...
513From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 1 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has just returned me your two letters & the papers accompanying them. Supposing that I had yet to acknowledge them he annexes a line requesting me to do it for him also: observing that it would hurt him much to leave unnoticed an old friend, and that the difficulty of using his pen with his crippled hand, had compelled him to abandon writing, but from the most urgent necessities....
514From James Madison to Peter Perpignan, 5 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
J Madison presents his respects to Mr Perpignan, with thanks for his minute & neatly executed representation of General Washington. RC ( NjP : Jasper E. Crane Collection of James and Dolley Madison). See Perpignan to JM , 26 Feb. 1823 , PJM-RS David B. Mattern et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Retirement Series (3 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 2009–). , 2:670.
515From James Madison to Jedidiah Morse, 8 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to the Revd. Dr. Morse & to his son, with acknowledgments for the Copies of “The New system of Modern Geogy.” and “The new System of Geogy. antient & Modern,” with which he has been favored. He has not been able to give them a particular examination. A very cursory one, has left no doubt that each will bear a very advantageous comparison with any similar...
516From James Madison to Creed Taylor, 8 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Decr. 21. with a Copy of the “Journal of the Law School,” taken charge of by Mr. Stringfellow, were handed to me a few days ago only. The delay will have been explained to you by himself. Having never engaged in the practice of the law, and the very limited knowledge of it acquired in the Closet being much obliterated, I find myself little qualified to appreciate the merits of...
517From James Madison to Isaac Briggs, 17 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his friendly respects to Isaac Briggs, and incloses a letter to the President of the Board of Public Works at Richmond. As it may be expected to reach Washington within the time named, this is directed to “Sandy Spring Maryland.” RC ( DLC : Isaac Briggs Papers); draft and draft of enclosure ( DLC ). Draft of enclosure, addressed to James Pleasants Jr. and dated 17 Mar., is...
518From James Madison to James Pleasants Jr., 18 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
I find that in consequence of the failure of the Board of Public Works to obtain the services of Col. McRee as its principal Engineer, the vacancy in the office remains to be filled. Not knowing whether Isaac Briggs may have yet received the consideration of the Board, I am led by my acquaintance with him to express the belief that he possesses a full measure of the Science, with a...
519From James Madison to Edward Everett, 19 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
I recd. on the 15th. your favor of the 2d. instant; with the little pamphlet of remarks on your brothers work on Europe. The pamphlet would have been much improved by softer words and harder arguments. To support its construction of the 18th. art: of the Treaty of 1794. the writer ought to have shewn that there are cases in which provisions become contraband according to the Law of Nations;...
520From 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...
521To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d 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...
522From James Madison to James Maury, 24 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter is from a man who takes care of my garden to his brother in Scotland from whom I lately recd. a letter saying that the brother here had not been heard of for several years, and requesting that the distress of the family might be relieved by a few lines from me wth. whom it was known he had been living. As a no. of letters have been sent, & of course miscarried, the writer...
523From James Madison to Jedidiah Morse, 28 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Docr. Morse with the annexed answers to the Queries accompanying his letter of the 14th. inst: as far as they were applicable to this State. The answers could not be conveniently extended as much as might perhaps be desired. Their brevity & inadequacy will be an apology for requesting that if any use should be made of them, it may be done without reference...
524From James Madison to Robert Mayo and William A. Bartow, 31 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of an Address in behalf of the Juvenile Library Company of Richmond which you have been pleased to forward to me. Knowledge of the useful kinds, is so conducive to individual & social happiness: and so essential to the form of govt. most friendly to both, that all the means of diffusing it have their merit. Among these means, libraries adapted to the early period of life,...
525From James Madison to Caleb Atwater, April 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of March 18. with the copy of a Bill providing for Common Schools in Ohio. It affords much gratification to see the emulating attention which is paid to this vital object throughout our Country; particularly in a young State which is rising to such national importance; and I shd. most cheerfully contribute any suggestions which might be of use on such an occasion. But...
526Trust Fund for Anna P. Cutts, [2 April 1823] (Madison Papers)
Whereas Dolley P. Madison the wife of James Madison of Orange County, Virginia, purchased at a public vendue of the furniture of Richard Cutts at the City of Washington, by her agent George Bomford, sundry articles of said furniture mentioned in the Bills or Schedules hereto annexed & signed by Tench Ringgold Marshal of the District of Columbia, and by P. Mauro, the said articles having been...
527From James Madison to John Adlum, 12 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
I recd some days ago the 2 Copies of your Memoir on the cultivation of the vine, with a bottle of your Tokay; and I have since recd. your letter enforcing the importance of making the Vineyard, an appurtenance to American farms. The Memoir appears to merit well the public attention to which it is offered. It is so long since I tasted the celebrated wine whose name you have adopted, that my...
528From James Madison to Thomas Mann Randolph, 13 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
Presuming that you will by this time have returned from your trip to the lower country, I enclose in fulfillment of my promise a copy of Mr. Adlum’s Memoir on the Vine. It is intended by him as appears for the Agricultural Socy of Alb: with which you will be so good as to have it deposited. I have thought it not amiss to give this same destination to his letter, that the members may have the...
529From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. did not come to hand till the evening before the last. From a communication just had with my nephew, I find that he is anxious not to lose the chance of the Secretariship to the Board under the Treaty, and seems to be encouraged in his hopes by his friend Col: Barbour. It will be agreeable to him therefore, if not objectionable, that his appt. to the other place you...
530From James Madison to Benjamin Bell, 22 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of Mar: 22. I am very sorry that any difficulties shd. have arisen in the case of the land sold to you by Mrs. Willis & myself. All that I had learnt relating to it, had left me under the impression, that no interfering claims existed that could invalidate our conveyance: and I trust that such will be found to be the case. You will of course take the proper steps for...
531From James Madison to Hubbard Taylor, 25 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
The two tracts of land containing 1000 acres each on Panthers Creek belonging to my Neice Mrs. Willis and myself, ware sold several years ago to Mr Ben: Bell, & Mr Tapscott, who are settled on them. I just lern by a letter from the former, who holds the lower tract, that interfering claims backed by a recent running of lines are set up in behalf of adjoining proprietors; which if not rightly...
532From 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.
533To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 29 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
What is the proper quetus for the solicitudes within expressed? DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
534From James Madison to James Taylor, 6 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have your two letters: the last of Apl. 12. inclosing one to J. P. Todd; which, in his absence at Philada. was opened as you desired. I had an early oppy. of mentioning to General Dade the note which it contained. With many others, he feels I believe the full weight of the present pecuniary difficulties. He will write to Mr. Timberlake on the subject of the Note. I have heard nothing of Mr...
535From James Madison to P. H. Jones, [post–6 May 1823] (Madison Papers)
The enclosed note was recd. from Genl. Js. Taylor of Kentucky with a request that if not paid it might be conveyed to you. Col: Dade under the circumstances of the case, with respect to which he has written to Kentucky, does not chuse to take up the note. It is accordingly put under this cover. With respect. Draft ( DLC ). Undated; conjectural day and month assigned based on mention of this...
536From James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 10 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of yours of Apl. 16. I took occasion to ascertain the ideas of Mr. Jefferson on the subjects of it. As to the Lectures, it is supposed that the rooms in the Pavillions will contain as many students, viz 150 each, as can be conveniently addressed by the Professors: and that as the Pavillions shall be respectively appropriated to them, the rooms in which the eyes as well as the ears...
537From James Madison to William Eustis, 22 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last mail your welcome favor of the 10th. instant. The newspapers had prepared me for the triumphant vote which restores a prodigal sister to the bosom of the republican family, and evinces a return of her grateful feelings for a revolutionary worthy. I congratulate you very sincerely on this event, with every wish that your administration may be as happy to yourself as I am...
538From James Madison to William C. Somerville, 22 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Somerv⟨ille⟩ with thanks for the volume on the past & present S⟨tate⟩ of France, recieved with his letter of the 9th. instant. Oth⟨er⟩ engagements have not permitted him to give it more than desultory glances. From these he thinks himself warranted in inferring a diligence of research, and a spirit of observation in the Author, from which a valuable work...
539From James Madison to Edward Coles, 23 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of April 25. and lose no time in acknowledging it. If the Constitution does not authorize, or practical objection forbid, a Call of the Senate by the Govr, it would seem proper in the case stated, that he should give effect to the law, by appointing the necessary officer; laying the proceeding with the grounds of it before the Legislature, in confidence that if any...
540From James Madison to William F. Gray, 24 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yrs of the 17th. The No. of the N. A. Review which I now have from you, are for Jany 22–July 22, Jany 23, Apl. 23. I shd. still be glad to receive the Back no. containing the review of a Book on “Europe” by Mr. Everett, brother of the present Conductor of the N. A. Review. Draft ( DLC ).
541From James Madison to Francis Preston, 2 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last Mail yours of May 15: and I can not but express my regret that any controversy should have arisen as to the distribution of the laurels gained in the memorable battle of Kings Mountain, where enough were gained for all the heroes of the achievement. I was not what you suppose I was, a member of the Council of State, either at the date of the battle, or when the vote of the...
542From James Madison to William F. Gray, 4 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of May 28. I do not find that I have rcd. more than one copy of No. 54. of the Quarterly review. I return with thanks the loaned Vol: of the N. A. Review than [ sic ] has lately come to hand. It appears that No. (XI), which contains that review, by whom sent, I can not ascertain. As it is a second hand copy, it may have been sent by a gentleman who had referred me to it....
543From James Madison to Thomas Todd, 6 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
A letter just recd. from Mrs. Todd has given us very great pleasure first because it assures us of the progressive restoration of your health, and secondly because it pledges anew the visit so long & as anxiously wished by us. I hope your health will continue to improve and that nothing will interfere to keep our families apart the ensuing fall & winter. I have recd. a letter from R. B. Lee...
544From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Morris who was employed for several years on a confidential Mission to Spain, observes to me that in executing the trust, he incurred expences, particularly in being transferred from Cadiz to Madrid, and during his residence at the latter place, which in the then circumstances of Spain were great beyond foresight, and moreover in providing a Clerk for whose services he had occasion: and he...
545From James Madison to William Eustis, 14 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 6th. inst: in which your pen has done justice to the elevated devotion to the public interest which it had to express. I had previously recd. under your blank cover, a printed copy of your Address to the Legislature. The coup de grace which the address gives to the factious ascendency so long forming a cloud over the State of Massachts. could not fail to...
546Memorandum on List of Documents Requested from James Monroe, [ca. 16 June 1823] (Madison Papers)
1. The date of the assignment of Genl. Jackson to District No. 7. 2. date of Genl. Harrisons resignation & of its receipt at the War Dept. 3. The letter from War Dept. to Genl. Jackson communicating his appt. of Brigadier, with Brevet rank of Majr. Genl. till a vacancy of Majr. Genl. sd occur in the line. 4. Letter from same to same transmitting the Commission of Majr. Genl. to Jackson 5. Any...
547From James Madison to William H. Sumner, 20 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. S. with thanks for the copy of his letter to Mr. Adams, on the importance of Militia. Views of the subject are taken in the letter which are very interesting, and as illustrated by the experience of Massachtts. particularly worthy of attention. As auxiliary to a regular force in time of war and a substitute for a large one in a state of peace, a...
548From James Madison to William P. Duval, 21 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
My nephew Edgar Macon having been commissioned by the President District & Territorial Attorney for Florida where he will be altogether a stranger, I take the liberty, for which an apology is perhaps due, of giving him a line of introduction to you. In obtaining his appointment he was particularly recommended by Mr. Barbour Speaker of the federal House of Reps. under whose auspices he pursued...
549From 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...
550To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the copy of your letter to Judge Johnson inclosed to me in your favor of the instant. your statement relating to the farewell address of Gen l 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...