1To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 12 April 1827 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mrs Randolph was forwarded to me, with the expectation that I should hand it to you in person, but I have been prevented till the present time from proceeding farther south. In a few days, however, I hope to have the honor of waiting on you, and my chief motive for sending this letter in advance is, that I may intimate to you some of the purposes for which I am...
2Jared Sparks’s Visit to Montpelier, 25 April 1827 (Madison Papers)
April 25th, Wednesday. Breakfast at Orange Court House. Rode thence to Mr. Madison’s, four miles distant, where I spent the day most agreeably. My principal object in visiting Mr. Madison was to converse on historical matters pertaining to General Washington and Revolutionary times. I found him affable, ready to converse, full of interesting facts, and communicative. A few particulars related...
3To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 22 May 1827 (Madison Papers)
After my return to Mount Vernon I looked through the letter books, and noted down the dates of all the letters recorded as having been sent to you by General Washington. The list is enclosed. Should you find upon inspection, that you possess letters of importance not comprised in this list, I hope you will have the goodness to furnish me with copies of the same. The letter dated Jany. 1789,...
4To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 25 August 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your two very obliging letters of May 30th. and Aug. 6th. have been received. Although you have already seen some of the letters sent by you to General Washington, yet I have tho’t it best to put the whole in the parcel, which I have left with Mr Coolidge for Col. Peyton. You will understand, therefore, that this parcel contains all the letters from you, which I have found among General...
5To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 29 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
As Col. Peyton left Boston unexpectedly he did not receive the parcel of letters, as you proposed; but I forwarded them soon after by Col. Storrow, from whom I presume they came safely to your hands. I am now on my way to Washington preparatory to my departure for Europe, and if the letters have been sent to Mr Barbour I shall obtain them, but should this not have been done, you can keep them...
6To James Madison from Jared Sparks, 27 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 7th: of January came safely to hand. I trust you have before this time received the packet of letters sent by Col. Storrow. Had any accident befallen them I think he would have informed me. It is probable he has waited for a safe conveyance. I have written him on the subject. As all Genl. Washington’s papers are put up in chests, and deposited in the safety vault of an...
7Jared Sparks to James Madison, 23 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 13th inst, with a letter enclosed for Genl. Lafayette. It is uncertain whether I shall proceed directly to France after my arrival in England, or whether I shall first examine the papers in London. In this latter case I will take care that Genl. Lafayette’s letter shall be forwarded under cover to our minister at Paris, in such a manner as...
8Jared Sparks to James Madison, 8 March 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of March 28th. reached me after my return from Europe. I am glad that the packet committed to Col. Storrow got to you safely. Should it be convenient to you to send this parcel to Washington, to the care of Mr. Everett, as soon as Apl. 10th. I shall be there, and can bring it home with me; if not, it may be sent at any time hereafter to Mr Brent, of the Department of State, with a...
9Jared Sparks to James Madison, 15 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 8th. instant, and shall accept with very great pleasure your kind invitation to visit Montpellier and examine the letters of General Washington in your possession. I shall probably go in the stagecoach, which I understand will reach Orange Court House on monday. Meantime please to accept the assurances of the perfect respect with which I am, Sir, your much...
10Jared Sparks: Notes on conversations with James Madison, 19 April 1830 (Madison Papers)
The apportionment of taxation in the old states of 3/5 for slaves was decided rather from accident, than any accurate calculation. The subject caused much debate in Congress. The east and the south differed. The former was for a high ratio, the latter for a low;—¼, ½, 2/3 were proposed and rejected. At length Mr Madison proposed 3/5, which was accepted, & he still thinks it very near the true...