11Jared 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...
12Jared 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...
13To 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,...
14Jared 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...
15Jared 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...
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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19Jared Sparks to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in sending you a work, which I have lately published, and which accompanies this note. I know not whether the sentiments advanced in it agree in any respect with yours; but should you have leisure & inclination to look it over, I trust you will not be displeased with its manner & spirit. You will at least be ready to countenance any fair and liberal...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Jared Sparks, 3 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
For some time past I have been contemplating a publication on the American Revolution, intended to embrace the substance of the most authentic materials, particularly such manuscript papers & documents, as have not yet been made public. In perusing the histories of the revolution hitherto written, I have been forcibly impressed with the belief, that the best of them exhibit only the shadows of...