2251From James Madison to Rufus King, 17 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Rufus King. 17 January 1806, Department of State. “I request the favor of you to peruse the enclosed letters from Mr. Hargrave, and give me your opinion respecting the justice and amount of any pecuniary claim he may have for the services he States that he rendered.” RC ( NHi : Rufus King Papers); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 15). RC 1 p.; in Wagner’s hand, signed by JM . On...
2252From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). A Vessel from West Florida has brought to the President of Congress intelligence from Govr. Galvez of the surrender of Mobile. No other particulars than those contained in the inclosed paper are mentioned, except the verbal report of the Capt. that the Garrison consisted of about 800 including inhabitants &c. Seven or eight vessels have just arrived from the W....
2253From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. which authenticates your convalescence was most welcome, & I thank you much for your kindness in relieving me from the anxieties which preceded it. Fortunately the first account we had of your illness was accompanied with some encouragement to hope that the crisis had been passed favorably; & this hope was fostered by the information of Col: P. Barbour on his return...
2254From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 6 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Nat W. Pendleton, Wytheville, Va., 1961). Docketed by Edmund Pendleton, “James Madison Esqr. Aug. 6th. 1782.” I shall pay due attention to the request contained in your favor of the 29th. relative to the slave of your nephew. Should I however be so fortunate as to recover him, the price of slaves here leaves no hope that a purchaser will be found on the terms demanded. We have had several...
2255From James Madison to John Hartwell Cocke, 3 August 1827 (Madison Papers)
Since my return home, I have received the letter from Mr. Gallatin of which a copy is enclosed. Be so good as to forward it to Mr. Cabell, with a request that he send it to Mr. Johnson, who from Richmond will easily give it conveyance to Mr. Loyall. I will make known its contents to Mr. Monroe & Mr. Breckenridge. I have heard nothing from any other quarter on the subject of the vacant Chair. I...
2256From James Madison to the Secretary of the Republican Meeting of Columbia, South Carolina, 17 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the Resolns. unanimously entered into by the Citizens of Columbia, & covered by your letter of the 20th. of Sepr. The very unexpected & inauspicious turn given to our relations with G. B. by the disavowal of the friendly Arrangt. concluded by her accredited Minister, cd. not fail to excite a lively sensibility among a people conscious of their own just purposes, and satisfied of...
2257From James Madison to Benjamin Harrison, 11 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Jasper E. Crane, Wilmington, Del., 1963). Cover addressed to “His Excellency Benjamin Harrison Esqr Richmond.” Docketed by Harrison, “Lr. from the Hon. James Madison February 11th. 83.” Your Excellency will receive this from the hand of Mr. Dunlap who will represent the advantages which his press at Richmond will derive from a payment of the allowance made for his losses in establishing...
2258James Madison to Thomas G. Addison, 31 May 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of May 22d. & thank you for the interest you kindly take in my health. For several years it has not been good; During the present, I have been suffering from a severe Rheumatism which has confined me to the house, & the addition of bilious fever has for many days, confined me to my bed The fever is leaving me but with less of strength to struggle agt. the Rheumatism. I...
2259From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 8 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I came to this place a day or two ago, where I found two Commsrs only. A few more have since come in, but the prospect of a sufficient no. to make the Meeting respectable is not flattering. I was sorry to find in Philada. that the unpunctuality of some of the purchasers of the Tobo. had put it out of the power of Mr. H. to supply me with all the money become due under the contracts. This...
2260From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 18 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
You will receive herewith the Commission which conveys your appointment as Secretary for the Department of war. It will afford me great pleasure if it should be consistent with your present views to accept it. The delay in communicating with you on the subject has proceeded from the calculation that you would have left Europe before a dispatch could reach it. I leave this one in the hands of...
2261From James Madison to Rufus King, 18 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have rec’d. & communicated to the Committee of the Senate the information contained in your favor of the 9th. which clearly shews that the Convention of May 12, with G. B is not to be construed by any reference to that of Apl. 30. with France. I am mortified at troubling you on a subject which more than any other, is in itself unworthy the attention of either of us, but which is obtruded on...
2262James Madison to Robley Dunglison, 17 May 1833 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday your letter of the 14: I feel too much regard for the University of Virga. not to regret the information it gives, however I may personally sympathise with advantages, which I hope may accrue to yourself. I have lost no time in forwarding a copy of your official, and an extract of your private letter, to each of my Colleagues. I owe you much for the kind interest you take in...
2263From James Madison to George Bomford, 7 June 1817 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Eddins the proposed contractor for the Musket Stocks, has since my last, ascertained by a careful examination of the fund of Walnut Trees on which he relied, that it will not yield more than about 12,000 Stocks of the description required. He can not therefore with prudence or safety engage for a greater amount. The form of the contract you inclosed has been so varied as to limit his...
2264From James Madison to George Graham, 25 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 23 d. and return the papers which accompanied it. As it is not probable that any order at this time from the Dept of War can cure the inconveniency produced by Col. Millars departure, it may suffice to say to Genl. Jackson, that his communications will for that reason await the return of the Secy. of War. Shd. your information & calculations however make it presumable...
2265James Madison to John Hartwell Cocke, 12 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 5th. has just come to hand, and embarrasses me a little as to the course by which I should best consult the views of the Visitors, in relation to an appointment of Mr. Ritchie at once to the vacant Chair of Nat: Philos:. Mr Johnston as you know is against any appointments in the recess of the Board, and I find by a letter from Mr. Cabell who writes from Washington that he adheres...
2266From James Madison to the Marqués de Someruelos, 21 April 1806 (Madison Papers)
I duly received your Excellency’s letter, enclosing the judicial proceedings had, under your direction, upon the American Brigantine Minerva, carried into Havana, by a Cruiser called St. Christo; whereby it is perceived, that after ascertaining the circumstances of the rescue made of her from a french privateer by which she had been captured, you were pleased to decree that the Vessel and the...
2267From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Gilmer. It would have been more agreeable if he had not suspended his decision as to the ulterior object offered him: but he can not be blamed for yielding to the reasons he gives for it. There is weight in what he suggests as to an extension of his research into Germany: and there may be some advantage in the attraction wch. a professor from that quarter might...
2268From James Madison to Louis-André Pichon, 27 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to receive with your letter of this day the proces-verbal of the delivery of the possession of Louisiana, made to Citizen Laussat in his character of Commissary of the French Government by the Commissioners of His Catholic Majesty. Whilst in this document is recognized an important evidence of the friendly proceedings of the parties who concurred in the events which have...
2269James Madison to Mann Butler, 11 October 1834 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 21. Ult in which you wish to obtain my recollection of what passed between Mr. John Brown and me in 1788, on the overture of Gardoqui "that if the people of Kentucky would erect themselves into an independent State, and appoint a proper person to negociate with him, he had authority for that purpose and would enter into an arrangement with them for the...
2270From James Madison to Rufus King, 23 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Mr. William Gibson, Merchant of Charleston, south Carolina, has represented to me, that he has two appeals now depending in London from the sentences of the Vice Admiralty Court of the Bahamas in the cases of the American Ship Sally and Brig Isabella, the former owned and both of them laden in part with his property, and which the presiding Judge, Condemned for the sole reason, that Mr. Gibson...
2271From James Madison to Thomas Newton Jr., 2 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Thomas Newton Jr. 2 January 1806, Department of State. “Mr. Madison presents his complts. to Mr. Newton and returns Mr. Morgan’s letter. If this gentleman will make out his account for the Seamen brought home, and transmit it with proof of their being citizens and that they were landed in the U. States, such allowance will be made him as is reasonable and warranted by law.” RC ( NjP :...
2272From James Madison to John M. Forbes, 18 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty for which I am sure the occasion will apologize of introducing to your kind attentions, the Reverend Herbert Marshall, a native Citizen of the UStates, and a Clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Having resided a few years ago in this Neighbourhood, I had an opportunity of knowing his worth, and he of forming a claim to this testimony of it. He has for a considerable...
2273From James Madison to William S. Nicholls, 22 December 1826 (Madison Papers)
When, in answer to yours of April 14, I intimated that I could not conveniently anticipate the payment of my note in your hands, it was not on⟨ly⟩ my purpose to be punctual at its maturity, but I relied with entire confiden[ce] ⟨on⟩ the allotted means. It is with serious concern, the more so as the occur⟨re⟩nce is so new to me, that I am under the necessity of disappointing a creditor. I had...
2274From James Madison to John Morton, 7 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 April 1802, Department of State. “The bearer Robert Reed Esqr. of Charleston South Carolina, has business of importance which calls him to the Havanna. Your successor Mr. Young, not being likely to be there so soon as Mr. Reed, I recommend him to your patronage. He is represented to me as a very respectable citizen, and as such, I wish him to be placed in the view of those in authority, to...
2275From James Madison to Isaac Shelby, 12 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of the 18th. July a few days only before I left Washington, which was on the 9th. instant. If any doubt had ever existed of the patriotism or bravery of the Citizens of Kentucky, it would have been turned into an admiration of both by the tests to which the war has put them. Nor could any who are acquainted with your history and character, wish the military services of your...
2276From James Madison to Anthony Fothergill, 5 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 28th. Ult: accompanied by two little tracts; one of them the fruit of your own benevolent and ingenious researches, on a subject as interesting as it has been obscure. Accept my thanks for both. I offer the same return for the friendly interest you take in my discharge of the trust for which I have just become responsible. I am duly sensible of the magnitude of...
2277James Madison to Jonathan Elliot, 1 September 1830 (Madison Papers)
I recd in due time your letter of Aug. 19. On what relates to my manuscript papers, I could only repeat what I have heretofore observed. With respect to an Edition of the Federalist, with remarks saving it from an identity with that covered by a copyright, alth I am sensible that the work under that title would admit of pertinent comments having that effect, yet I can not conceal from myself,...
2278From James Madison to John Payne Todd, 26 April 1826 (Madison Papers)
I will not attempt my dear Payne to express what you have added to our preceding distress by disregarding your mother’s last letter inclosing the means for your immediate return. You have not even mitigated her feelings and gloomy conjectures, by acknowledg. the rect. of it. And I now hasten to a subject which if disclosed to her, would but inflict new tortures. I learn that the arrears for...
2279James Madison to Edward Everett, 22 October 1834 (Madison Papers)
(I have received the copy of your Eulogy on Lafayette; and tho’ obliged in my present condition to read but little at a time, have gone through it, and with great pleasure, finding a reward in every page as I proceeded. It is a fine picture finely framed, with a likeness faithful to the noble original; the more noble for having renounced the vain title. It cannot fail to be universally...
2280From James Madison to Thomas Cooper, 8 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
By the return of the Frigate Essex, I have received from Mr. McRae on whom the Consulate at Paris provisionally devolved, an answer to my letter addressed to Mr. Warden on the subject of the Chemical books you wished to procure. I subjoin the requisite extract “A stranger & almost entirely ignorant of the language even of the Country, I have been obliged to avail myself of the aid of Doctr....
2281From James Madison to Peter Early, 18 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 2d. instant: with the Resolutions of the Legislature of Georgia expressing unanimously the sentiments inspired by the extravagant terms of peace demanded by the Enemy, and the readiness of that State to make every sacrifice necessary to a vigorous prosecution of the war, till it can be brought to an honorable termination. Resolutions of such a character are...
2282From James Madison to David Hosack, 23 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
J.M. with his respects to Dr. H returns his thanks for the Inaugural Discourse before the N. Y. Horticultural Society, politely sent to him. The Discourse is not only recommended by the general information it contains, but derives particular value from the model for such Establishts. presented in the sketch for that of N. York. Draft ( DLC ). David Hosack, An Inaugural Discourse, Delivered...
2283James Madison to Matthew Jackson, 20 February 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 6th. instant. The number relating to my religion addressed to me from diversified quarters, led me long ago to adopt the general rule of declining correspondences on the subject, the rule itself furnishing a convenient answer. I will not however withhold the expression of my sensibility to the friendly interest you take in my welfare here and hereafter; and your...
2284From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 18 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
You will find enclosed a list of your letters which remain unacknowledged. From the public papers you will have learnt the unfavorable result of the negotiations for the settlement of the controversy with Spain. In truth Mr. Monroe left Madrid without being able to accomplish any object of his mission; the councils of Spain obstinately rejecting our demands & declining not only to accept our...
2285From James Madison to William Pinkney, 25 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
I wrote two short private letters by the British Packet, which sailed from N. York on the 17th. They were accompanied by sundry printed documents and newspapers. You will now receive a continuation of them with a few additional copies of the Documents. Among the papers now forwarded are a number of copies of a Report on our foreign Relations made to the H. of Reps. by a Committee on that...
2286From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 26 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 December 1804, Department of State. “The enclosed letter addressed to Mr. Wynn, was communicated to me with a view to establish the construction it urges of the Act supplementary to the Consular act: but as the construction contended for would affect the public receipts, I have supposed it proper that your sentiments should rule the Consuls, some of whom have referred the point for...
2287James Madison to Cuyler Staats, 12 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of Jany. 14. 1830 was not recd. till yesterday, with the Richmond, postmark of Feby. 8th. Your preceding letter with the volume accompanying it was recd. at Richmond, where my duties as a member of the Convention, did not prevent me to give the due attention to your favor. And on my departure from Richd. I was obliged to leave the articles with sundry other similar communications...
2288From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 12 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 January 1802, Department of State. “The Secretary of State presents his respects to the Secretary of the Treasury and has the honor to enclose a copy of a letter lately received from Samuel Cabot Esqr. together with the letter from the Secretary of State therein referred to.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 217, First Auditor’s Accounts, no. 13,148). RC 1 p.; in Wagner’s hand; docketed by...
2289From James Madison to Samuel Smith, 22 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 20th. inst. to the Secretary of State has just been received at this Office. I have carefully looked over the files of Messrs. Monroe & Pinkney’s Communications, both the joint & seperate ones, and have not been fortunate enough to meet with the American Intercourse bill, to which you allude; nor have I found in the letters of these Gentlemen any intimation of their sending....
2290From James Madison to Edward Coles, 9 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you a few lines two days ago, inclosing a letter from Mrs. M. I this moment discover that instead of “ Jamesville ” it ought to have been addressed to “ Statesburg. ” This information may prevent its miscarriage. The inclosed papers give the last accts. from Europe. The Senate have confirmed the nomination of Mr. Pinkney to St. Petersburg: & negatived the special Mission to Naples. It...
2291From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 20 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Our debates have advanced as far as the Judiciary Department against which a great effort is making. The Appellate connazance of fact, and an extension of the power to causes between Citizens of different States, with some lesser objections are the topics cheifly dwelt on. The retrospection to cases antecedent to the Constitution, such as British debts, and an apprehended revival of the...
2292From James Madison to Joseph Gales Jr., 26 June 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have received yours of the 22d. I know not why Mr. Joy should be desirous of his political essays in a Newspaper form. As he has them in the more convenient form of a pamphlet, his disappointment cannot be an afflicting one. On looking into the Mass of my papers having relation to the long & interesting period through w[h]ich my public life extended, I have thought that I ought not to leave...
2293From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 22 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to a request of Tobias Lear Esqr., contained in a letter of the 22d. of July last, received by this Department, I have the honor to request that the Bill now enclosed from his Mother Mary Lear, drawn upon me on the 11th. instant, for Five hundred dollars may be paid out of the appropriations for Barbary Intercourse, to Clement Storer Esqr., in whose favor it is drawn; charging Mr....
2294From James Madison to William Jarvis, 17 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
I take this opportunity from Alexanda. of acknowledging your very valuable favor by the vessel lately arrived there from Lisbon. The Marinos came to hand, without other injury, than an infection of the Scab, which I believe has been cured by a mercurial ointment I had immediately applied to them. The great zeal for this precious breed of sheep, resulting from irresisble [ sic ] evidence of...
2295James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 16 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
I return the paper enclosed in yours of the 6th I have found in it the proofs of ability for such discussions which I should have anticipated. As I understand your discriminating view, (and it seems to be clearly expressed) of the Virginia documents in -98-99, it rescues them from the hands which have misconstrued & misapplied them. The meaning collected from the general scope, & from a...
2296From James Madison to Jesse Atwater, 21 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
The dispatches with which you are charged for Mr. Pinkney, you will deliver to him in London. The Schooner Hope, in which you take your passage, is to land you at some convenient place on the English Coast, on her way to Havre de Grace. You will let Mr. Pinkney know that the Hope, after receiving at that place Dispatches from Genl. Armstrong is to pass over to Cowes or Portsmouth, in order to...
2297James Madison to Ferdinand R. Hassler, 25 September 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. with two copies of your "Elements of Geometry" came to hand when a spell of sickness prevented me from making the proper acknowledgements. I now beg of you to accept them, particularly for the copy allotted to myself. That for the University has been duly forwarded and will there find a better capacity than I possess to do justice to the work. I can only repeat to you...
2298From James Madison to John G. Jackson, [ca. 5 September 1806] (Madison Papers)
I recd. duly yours of inclosing $300. The little delay has been no wise inconvenient. I regret only that I omitted to give you notice that there was no occasion for your being in a hurry. My last letters from London are of the 9th. & from Paris the 1st. of June. Nothing had occurred at either place from which the result could be known; on the other hand nothing particularly inauspicious to...
2299From James Madison to Charles Caldwell, 23 November 1826 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Ocr. 11. came duly to hand, and at a later day, a Memoir, referred to in it. You speak of two Memoirs: If more than No. 1. was sent, there has been a miscarriage. I am sorry that the claims on my decreasing remnant of time do not permit me to enlarge on the profound subjects embraced in the Memoir. I must not omit saying however, that they are profoundly treated; and that I...
2300James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, 12 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd in due time, with your favor of the 14th. Ult: a copy of your Inaugural Discourse prepared in early life. I was not at leisure till within a few days, to give it a perusal; and I ought not now to hazard a critique on the merits of its Latinity. If I were ever in any degree qualified for such a task, a recollection of my long separation from classical studies would arrest my pen. I am...