51From James Madison to George Washington, 11 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been duly favored with yours of the 3d. instant. The length of the interval since my last has proceeded from a daily expectation of being able to communicate the final arrangements for introducing the new Government. The place of meeting has undergone much discussion as you conjectured and still remains to be fixed. Philada. was first named, & negatived by a voice from Delaware. N. York...
52From James Madison to George Washington, 24 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was yesterday favored with yours of the 17th. 18th. under the same cover with the papers from Mr. Pleasants. The Circular letter from this State is certainly a matter of as much regret, as the unanimity with which it passed is matter of surprize. I find it is every where, and particularly in Virginia, laid hold of as the signal for united exertions in pursuit of early amendments. In...
53From James Madison to George Washington, 14 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
The delay in providing for the commencement of the Government was terminated yesterday, by an acquiescence of the minor number, in the persevering demands of the major. The time for chusing the electors is the first wednesday in Jany. and for chusing the President the first wednesday in Feby. The meeting of the Govt is to be the first wednesday in March, and in the City of New York. The times...
54From James Madison to George Washington, 26 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I subjoin two resolutions lately taken by Congress in relation the Mississippi, which I hope may have a critical and salutary effect on the temper of our western Brethren. On report of the Committee &c to whom was referred the Report of the Secy. for For. Affairs on a motion of the Delegates of North Carolina, stating the uneasiness produced by a Report “that Congress are disposed to treat...
55From James Madison to George Washington, 21 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I send you the inclosed paper chiefly for the sake of the Edict which fixes on May for the meeting of the States general in France. Letters from Mr. Jefferson authenticate this document. They mention also the disgrace as it is called of the Marquis. The struggle at present in that Kingdom seems to lie entirely between the Monarchy & aristocracy, and the hopes of the people merely in the...
56From James Madison to George Washington, 5 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed memorandum was put into my hands by Mr. St. John the French Consul. He is a very worthy man & entitled by his philanthropy and zealous patronage of whatever he deems useful, to much esteem and regard. You will therefore oblige me by putting it in my power to afford him the little gratification he asks. I have another request to trouble you with, which concerns myself. Col. H. Lee...
57From James Madison to George Washington, 2 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
The information conveyed in your favor of the 17th. ulto. lays me under great obligations. It was by no means my wish to have imposed the task of so full and particular a view of the subject. The general result in your own mind was all that I had in contemplation. One of the papers herewith enclosed will shew you the state of the election for the Senate in Massts. It was understood here that...
58From James Madison to George Washington, 14 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. instant with the letters attending it never came to hand till last evening. I have good reason to believe that the delay happened between Alexanda. & Fredg. rather than at or from the latter place. Mr. F. Maury pays particular attention to all letters which arrive there for me, and forwards them to Orange by opportunities which are frequent & safe. I apprehend there will...
59From James Madison to George Washington, 5 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
On our journey hither we have fallen in with the Bearer of the Electoral Votes of Georgia. They are unanimous as to the President and are all thrown away on individuals of the State as to the Vice President. The Representatives were not chosen when the Gentleman set out, but the election was to take place in a day or two after. General Matthews, he tells us will be one, Mr. Baldwin another, &...
60From James Madison to George Washington, 8 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
We arrived here yesterday evening where we have met with Mr. Dawson just from New York. When he left it, 18 Representatives and 8 Senators had assembled. It is not certain when the deficiences will [be] made up. The most favorable conjectures postpone it to Monday Sev’-night. The members attending are cheifly from the Eastward. I do not learn that a single member except Mr. White is from a...
61From James Madison to George Washington, 19 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
On our arrival here we found that the number of Representatives on the spot had been stationary from the second day of the Meeting. Mr. Page, Mr. Lee, & myself raised it to 21. and Mr. S. Griffin and Mr. Moore have been since added. The number of attending Senators continues at 8. When a Quorum will be made up in either House, rests on vague conjecture, rather than on any precise information....
62From James Madison to George Washington, 26 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed copy of Morgan’s invitation to his fellow Citizens was obtained from one of his friends, and forwarded to me from Pennsylvania. It is the most authentic & precise evidence of the Spanish project that has come to my knowledge. The instrument referred to as retained in Morgan’s hands in order to be signed by the Adventurers, would still further explain the transaction. No Quorum is...
63From James Madison to George Washington, 6 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
The arrival of R. H. Lee yesterday has made up a Quorum of the Senate. A Quorum in the other House was made on wednesday last. The ballots will be opened today unless an indisposition of Mr. Basset should prevent, which was not probable yesterday afternoon. The notifications to the President & Vice President will be left to the Senate. Mr. Charles Thomson will be the Messenger to the former....
64Address of the House of Representatives to the President, [5 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Representatives of the People of the United States present their congratulations on the event by which your fellow-citizens have attested the pre-eminence of your merit. You have long held the first place in their esteem: you have often received tokens of their affection. You now possess the only proof that remained of their gratitude for your services, of their reverence for your wisdom,...
65Memorandum for George Washington, [ca. 8 October] 1789 (Madison Papers)
On the supposition that the business can be more properly conducted by a private Agent at London, than a public Minister at a third Court, the letter and instructions for the former character appear to be well adapted to the purpose. If any remark were to be made, it would relate merely to the form, which it is conceived would be made rather better by transposing the order of the two main...
66From James Madison to George Washington, 20 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
It was my purpose to have dropped you a few lines from Philada. but I was too much indisposed during my detention there to avail myself of that pleasure. Since my arrival here I have till now been without a fit conveyance to the post office. You will recollect the contents of a letter shewn you from Mr. Innis to Mr. Brown. Whilst I was in Philada. I was informed by the latter who was detained...
67From James Madison to George Washington, 5 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have been furnished with the inclosed copy of the letter from the Senators of this State to its Legislature. It is well calculated to keep alive the disaffection to the Government, and is accordingly applied to that use by the violent partizans. I understand the letter was written by the first subscriber of it, as indeed is pretty evident from the stile and strain of it. The...
68From James Madison to George Washington, 4 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
After being detained 8 or 10 days beyond the intended commencement of my Journey, by the critical illness of my mother, I am now subjected to a further delay by an attack on my own health. A slight complaint in my bowels which I first felt on the day of my arrival here (friday last) very suddenly took the form of a pretty severe dysentery. With the aid of Docr. Stuart who has been good eno’ to...
69Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 July 1790 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 12 July 1790, New York. Secretary Jefferson reports to Washington that he “had a conference yesterday with mr. Madison on the subject recommended by the President. He has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes mr. Madison concurred.” The enclosure, in Jefferson’s hand, delineates “the conduct we are to observe in the war between Spain and...
70From James Madison to George Washington, 17 September 1790 (Madison Papers)
In the course of the visit we made the day we left Mount Vernon, we drew our host into conversation on the subject of the federal seat. He came into it with a shyness not usual in him. Whether this proceeded from his delicacy as having property adjoining George town, or from what other motive I cannot say. He quitted the subject always as soon as he could. He said enough however to shew his...
71Address of the House of Representatives to the President, [10 December] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The Representatives of the People of the United States have taken into consideration your Address to the two houses at the opening of the present Session of Congress. We share in the satisfaction inspired by the prospects which continue to be so auspicious to our public affairs. The blessings resulting from the smiles of Heaven on our Agriculture, the rise of public Credit, with the farther...
72Address of the House of Representatives to the President, [27 October] 1791 (Madison Papers)
In receiving your address at the opening of the present Session, the House of Representatives have taken an ample share in the feelings inspired by the actual prosperity and flattering prospects of our Country: And whilst, with becoming gratitude to Heaven, we ascribe this happiness to the true source from which it flows, we behold with an animating pleasure, the degree in which the...
73From James Madison to George Washington, 20 June 1792 (Madison Papers)
Having been left to myself, for some days past, I have made use of the opportunity for bestowing on your letter of the 20 Ult: handed to me on the road, the attention which its important contents claimed. The questions which it presents for consideration, are 1. at what time a notification of your purpose to retire will be most convenient. 2 what mode will be most eligible. 3 whether a...
74Address of the House of Representatives to the President, [9 November] 1792 (Madison Papers)
The House of Reps. who always feel a satisfaction on meeting you are much concerned that the occasion for mutual felicitation afforded by the circumstances favorable to the National prosperity, should be abated by a continuance of the hostile spirit of the Indian tribes; and particularly that the reiterated efforts for effecting a pacification with them should have issued in new proofs only of...
75From James Madison to George Washington, 14 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President, and informs him that Mr. Johnson, the candidate for the light-house appointment, having left the City yesterday morning, it cannot now be ascertained how far he is apprised of the limited provision annexed to the place. RC ( DNA : RG 59, State Department, Miscellaneous Letters). Addressed by JM.
76From James Madison to George Washington, 24 October 1793 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. instant did not arrive till sunday night, and being not then at home, I did not receive it till last night. I now lose not a moment in complying with its request; tho’ I foresee it cannot reach you before you will have left Mount Vernon, and before you will probably have made up a final determination on some if not on all the questions proposed. These are 1. Ought the...
77Address of the House of Representatives to the President, [6 December] 1793 (Madison Papers)
The Representatives of the people of the United States, in meeting you for the first time since you have been again called by an unanimous suffrage to your present station, find an occasion which they embrace, with no less sincerity than promptitude, for expressing to you their congratulations on so distinguished a testimony of public approbation; and their entire confidence in the purity &...
78From James Madison to George Washington, 8 February 1794 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his apologies to the President for not sending the pamphlets &c. from Sir J. Sinclair, sooner for the use of Mr. Peters, as was intimated when he last had the honor of seeing the President. He had hopes of being able prior to this to have looked a little into them, and have complied with the desire of the President expressed when the papers were put into J. M’s hands. It...
79From James Madison to George Washington, 12 February 1794 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President, and begs leave to lay before him the inclosed letters, on behalf of a candidate for a vacancy in the Custom-House Department in Virginia. Mr. M. being a perfect stranger to the candidate can add no information whatever of his own. He knows Mr. Maury well, and considers his recommendation ⟨as res⟩pectable. RC and enclosures ( DLC...
80Address of the House of Representatives to the President, [21 November] 1794 (Madison Papers)
The House of Representatives calling to mind the blessings enjoyed by the people of the United States, and especially the happiness of living under Constitutions and laws which rest on their Authority alone, could not learn with other emotions than those you have expressed, that any part of our fellow Citizens should have shewn themselves capable of an insurrection. We feel with you the...
As the Reps. of the people of the U. S. we can not but participate in the strongest sensibility to every blessing which they enjoy; and cheerfully join in the gratitude which is due to the great Source from which every national as well as personal good proceeds. A final & formal termination of the distressing war which has ravaged our N. Western Frontier, will be an event which must afford a...
82From James Madison to George Washington, 12 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President of the United States, with a letter from Arthur Cambell Esqr. which an accompanying letter to Mr. M. requests him to deliver to the President. Mr. Cambell makes a further request of Mr. M. to make any explanations that may be necessary. Mr. M. is not sensible that he possesses any local or other knowledge that can elucidate the...
83From James Madison to George Washington, 25 May 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President, and begs to mention the wish of Joseph Nevil Esqr. (late a member of the House of Representatives) to be taken into consideration in the appointment of Surveyor, under the law for the sale of lands N. West of the Ohio. He takes the liberty also of inclosing a letter from General Posey, expressing his wishes with respect to an...
84From James Madison to George Washington, 1 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President & returns the Treatise on small Canals &c, with his acknowledgments for the perusal of it. He is not enough conversant with such subjects to decide on the merits of the various plans & machinery recommended by the Author. In general his principles appear to be both effective & practicable; but the question of their utility must be...