11Jared Sparks to James Madison, 5 May 1830 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to forward to you a recent number of the N. A. Review, which contains an article (p. 454) written by me respecting early revolutionary matters, in which you may possibly find some things to interest you, should you ever have leisure to look into it. Since my return I have conversed with Mr Adams concerning Charles Pinckney’s draft of a constitution. He says it was furnished...
12Jared Sparks to James Madison, 16 July 1830 (Madison Papers)
I send you enclosed a copy of the extract contained in the Draft of Washington’s Farewell Address, as first transmitted by him to Hamilton. You will remember my saying to you, that this extract purports to be the Address, which he intended for the public, if he had resigned at the end of his first term. It is doubtless essentially the same as the Sketch you sent him. Perhaps it may have...
13Jared Sparks to James Madison, 30 March 1831 (Madison Papers)
Having recently engaged to write a life of Gouverneur Morris, which is to be published with a selection from his writings, I take the liberty to apply to you for a few hints respecting the part he acted in the Convention of 1787. From several quarters I have understood, that he was an active member, and had a good deal of weight and influence, but the published account of that convention is so...
14Jared Sparks to James Madison, 24 May 1831 (Madison Papers)
I am under many obligations to you for your full and satisfactory letter, respecting the part taken by Gouverneur Morris in the Convention. The information is valuable, & not to be obtained in any other Quarter. I should not trouble you at present, were it not for a hint contained in the postscript to your letter, respecting a pamphlet by Mr Morris on the threatened repeal of the law of...
15Jared Sparks to James Madison, 16 June 1831 (Madison Papers)
I have procured from the Department of State a copy of the letter from Mr Charles Pinckney to Mr Adams, when he sent his draft for publication. This letter is so conclusive on the subject, that I do not think it necessary to make any further inquiry. It is evident, that the draft, which he forwarded, was a compilation made at the time from loose sketches and notes. The letter should have been...
16Jared Sparks to James Madison, 14 November 1831 (Madison Papers)
My mind has got into a new perplexity about Pinckney’s Draft of a Constitution. By a rigid comparison of that instrument with the Draft of the Committee reported August 6th, they are proved to be essentially, and almost identically, the same thing. It is impossible to resist the conviction, that they proceeded from one and the same source. This being established, the only question is, whether...
17Jared Sparks to James Madison, 17 January 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received your very obliging note of the 7th. instant. Yours of Nov. 25th. also came safely to hand. As to the main point in question, this letter seems to me conclusive, but I am still a good deal at a loss about the first draft of the Committee. The history of the composition of that draft would be a curious item in the proceedings of the convention. Perhaps it may...
18Jared Sparks to James Madison, 16 April 1835 (Madison Papers)
Will you allow me to ask a favor, which I cannot doubt you will very readily grant? By some accident, for which I cannot account, a letter from you to General Washington, dated Decr. 9th. 1786, has been mislaid or lost. I think I remember having seen the letter, but whether it was in the parcel that I sent to you I cannot say. General Washington alludes to it in such a manner, that it seems...
19Jared Sparks to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
In addressing you I am not certain that I do not take an inexcusable liberty, but it is one, which I am prompted to take, by the interest I feel in the subject respecting which I am about to make some inquiries. I observe in your Life of Capt. Lewis , prefixed to Lewis & Clarke ’s Travels, a short notice of our unfortunate countryman, Ledyard . I have always been an ardent admirer of this...
20John Hollins to Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The Rev d M r Sparks , the bearer of this, being on his travels in your part of Virg a and naturally feeling a desire to have an introduction to your worthy self—I have at the request of some of your friends, & my particular acquaintances, used the freedom to address you a few lines, introducing that Gentleman to your usual civilities & politeness=it is true I have no personal knowledge of M r...