51James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith you will receive a packet, which being wrapt up in a large one for me, from the Dep t of State , was taken out of the mail of yesterday, and not observed before the rider had set out. I find myself under the mortifying necessity of setting out tomorrow morning for Washington . The intricate state of our affairs with England produced by the mixture of fraud & folly in her late conduct,...
52James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d yours inclosing two letters improperly addressed to you. A sketch in manuscript was brought by yesterday’s Mail from N. York , saying that a vessel just arrived, stated that the Prince Regent had appointed his Cabinet; that Lord Holland was prime Minister ,
53James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
A gentleman of intelligence & good standing in Kentuckey lately signified to a friend here, that he was much in conversation with Col. Monroe during his trip to that Country, and that Sentiments which were repeatedly dropped by him, left no doubt, that altho’ he declined a more important Station at N.O. he would not object to the vacancy produced by the death of Gov r Lewis
54James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d your favor of the 26 th and have made to the members of the Cabinet the communication you suggest with respect to your printed memoir on the Batture . I learn from the Department of State that some books were rec d for you, and duly forwarded. What they were was not ascertained or remembered. If they do not on their arrival correspond with your expectation, let me know, & further...
55From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours inclosing two letters improperly addressed to you. A sketch in manuscript was brought by yesterday’s Mail from N. York, saying that a vessel just arrived, stated that the Prince Regent had appointed his Cabinet; that Lord Holland was prime Minister, Grenville Secretary of State, Moira Commander in Chief &c. and that a new Parliament was to be called. Whether these details be...
56From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival at O. C. House on thursday I found your favor of the 12th. inst: with the document expected, & the letters from Short & Warden inclosed. The whole are now returned. No copy of the document was in the Office of State, as you suppose must have been the case. This was owing to the letter being written by your own hand at Monticello, and being sent on to Mr. S. without being opened...
57From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1810 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 25th. Mar: has been duly recd. Every thing is so uncertain at this moment with respect to our approaching relations to France & G. B: that I can only say that a conveyance of your plow to the Former will be favored as much as possible, and that I will endeavor to have more definite information on the subject ready at Monticello for your return from Bedford. I am glad to learn that...
58James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The Pacific has just returned from G.B. bringing the acc ts to be seen in the Newspapers. The communications from Pinkney add little to them. The new orders , considering the time, and that the act was known on the passage of which the instructions lately executed by Erskine , were predicated, present a curious feature in the conduct of the B Cabinet . It is explained by some at the expence of...
59From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I feel reluctance in trespassing for a moment on the repose to which you have just retired, I can not well avoid inclosing a letter from Mr. La Trobe which he wishes may be seen by you before it be decided on, because he thinks you have already acquiesc’d in the reasonableness of its object: and which I wish you to see, because I am so raw on the whole subject, as to need any...
60James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 24 Ap l and return the letter inclosed in it ; after having made the communication intended for M r Gallatin . Your expostulations with Duane could not be improved; but he gives proofs of a want of candor, as well as of temperance, that will probably repel advice however rational or friendly. The great fulcrum of his attacks on M r Gallatin , is Erskine’s
61James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the letter from Foronda inclosed in yours of the 19 th Feb y . I find I shall not be able to read his lucubrations in print. Your The letter of subsequent date from D r
62From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
I got home from my trip to Washington on Saturday last; having remained there three days only. You will have seen in the Procln. issued, the result of our consultations on the effect of what has passed on our commercial relations with G. B. The enforcement of the non-intercourse act agst. her, will probably be criticized by some friends and generally assailed by our adversaries, on the ground...
63James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d your favor of the 15 th . All we know of the step taken by France towards a reconcilation with us, is thro’ the English papers sent by M r Pinkney , who had not himself rec d any information on the subject from Gen l A. nor held any conversation with the B. Ministry
64James Madison’s Notes on Thomas Jefferson’s Statement on the Batture Case, [ca. 10-13 August 1810] (Jefferson Papers)
p. 16. form of stating the consultation seems to imply a more elaborate inquiry into the law than was then made: better to give a summary of the grounds; & appeal to the full view of the arg ts in support of the opinion given. Id. too much unqualified pre-eminence ascribed to Civil Law. 17. quer. the advantage of the note which seems rather erudite & curious, than strictly within the scope of...
65From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. a private letter of Mar. 30. from Genl. Armstrong, in which he desires me “to present him most respectfully and cordially to you, and inform you that by the next public ship that goes to America, he shall have the pleasure to send you, an alteration of Mr. Guillaumes’ plough, which in light soils, is a great improvement upon the old one.” To me he adds, “By the same vessel I...
66From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter accompanied the skin of an Animal, not named by the writer, which belongs to the Region of the Rocky Mountains. The bundle being too large for the Mail, I shall forward it by some other oppy; perhaps as far as Orange, by a waggon I shall soon have on the return thither. You will have seen that a re-nomination of J. Q. A. for Russia, has succeeded with the Senate. In framing...
67James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the papers relating to the Convention of 1787. communicated to you, that copies in your hands might double the security ag st destructive casualties, was a delineation of Hamilton’s plan of a Constitution in his own writing. On looking for it among the Debates &c, which were returned to me, this particular paper does not appear. I conclude therefore, that it had not then been copied, or...
68From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 30 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
In the operation of removing from my former quarters, the Digest of the City Code & business, which you had been so good as to furnish me, has, by some unaccountable accident, been either lost, or possibly so thrown out of place, as not to be found. I have written to Capt: Coles, to take Monticello in his way, and ask the favor of you to permit him to take another copy, from your Original. As...
69From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
You will have noticed the propositions in the H. of Reps which tend to lift the veil which has so long covered the operations of the post off. Dept. They grew out of the disposition of Granger to appoint Leib to the vacant post office in Phila. in opposition to the known aversion of the City & of the whole State; & to the recommendation of the Pen: delegation in Congs. Having actually made the...
70James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
You will have noticed the propositions in the H. of Reps which tend to lift the veil which has So long covered the operations of the post off. Dep t . They grew out of the disposition of Granger to appoint Leib to the vacant post office in Phil a in opposition to the known aversion of the City & of the whole State; & to the recommendation of the Pen: delegation in Cong s . Having actually made...
71James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 July 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d came duly to hand. You will have noticed in the Nat: Intelligencer that the wicked publication of M r Smith is not to escape with impunity. It is impossible however that the whole turpitude of his conduct can be understood without disclosures to be made by myself alone, and of course, as he knows, not to be made at all. Without these his infamy is daily fastening itself...
72From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
Mr. & Mrs. Gallatin reached us on saturday last; and in fulfilment of their promise to you propose to set out for Monticello, tomorrow morning. We are preparing to accompany them. I see by the papers that Mr Smith has probably recd. dispatches from Mr. Pinkney, by a late arrival; but being in Baltimore, I have not yet heard from him on the subject. The newspaper dates from London were not...
73From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 27th. by which I find you have suspended the sending for your portion of the Merinos. I have not yet come to an eclaircissemt. with Mr. Hooe. I learn however that a reexamination of the tenor of Mr. J’s letter to him, has induced an abandonment of his pretensions to the Lamb. Still I am rather inclined to think that they are not altogether without foundation; &...
74James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I rendered the account of our Merinos sent on by my Overseer , I have learnt, that M r Hooe of Alexand a considers the lamb yeaned after their arrival, as allotted to him by the intention of M r Jarvis . I have not yet investigated the merits of his claim, by comparing what he may have rec d from M
75From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
I intimated to you the offence taken by Armstrong at the re-enstatement of Warden. It is not improbable that it will be the ground of an open hostility. This will call into view his present denunciations of W. which are pointed agst. him as an Adventurer & Impostor from the commencement to the end of his career, in comparison with the patronage so long continued to him, and the sentiments...
76James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Jarvis accompanied one to me on the subject of the Merinos. I learn that they have arrived safe; but the vessel is aground a few miles below Alexand a . Jos: Doherty is gone to bring them up, making the selections warranted by M r Jarvis . As the means I shall employ to have my pair conveyed to Virg a will suffice for yours, it will be unnecessary for you to attend to...
77James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Having particular occasion an d the state of business at Washington not forbidding, I am on a short visit at my farm. M rs M. as well as myself would gladly extend it to Monticello ; but with a certainty that our return to Washington must be very soon. I am obliged moreover to hold myself in readiness to hasten it, at any moment of notice. We must postpone therefore the pleasure of paying our...
78From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
Among the papers relating to the Convention of 1787. communicated to you, that copies in your hands might double the security agst. destructive casualties, was a delineation of Hamilton’s plan of a Constitution in his own writing. On looking for it among the Debates &c, which were returned to me, this particular paper does not appear. I conclude therefore that it had not then been copied, or...
79James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d your favor of the 2 d inclosing the letter from M r Meigs. The place he wishes, has been long allotted to M r Mansfield , who preferred it to that of the Surveyorship held by him; and who has just obtained the exchange; and a Commission for the place vacated, has just been sent to M r Meigs , who was long ago recommended for it; and who it was understood wished it. It is the more...
80From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 15: and attended to your remarks on “ways & means.” I find that the variance in our ideas relates 1. to the probable quantity of circulating medium: 2. to the effect of an annual augmentation of it. I cannot persuade myself that in the present stagnation of private dealings, & the proposed limitation of taxes, the two great absorbents of money, the circulating sum...
81James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from M r S. came under cover to me. It was brought by the vessel lately arrived at Phil a from Dunkirk . It appears that he had not left Paris , for Petersb g : nor meant to do so, untill he sh d hear further from the U.S
82From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 19th. You will see in the newspapers the result of the Advances made by G. B. Attempts were made to give shapes to the arrangement implying inconsistency and blame on our part. They were however met in a proper manner & readily abandoned; leaving these charges in their full force, as they now bear on the other side. The B. Cabinet must have changed its course...
83James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 July 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d your favor of the 27 th by which I find you have suspended the sending for your portion of the Merinos. I have not yet come to an eclaircissem t with M r Hooe . I learn however that a reexamination of the tenor of M r J’s letter to him, has induced an abandonment of his pretensions to the Lamb. Still I am rather inclined to think that they are not altogether without foundation; I
84From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of the 2d. inclosing the letter from Mr. Meigs. The place he wishes, has been long allotted to Mr. Mansfield, who preferred it to that of the Surveyorship held by him; and who has just obtained the exchange; and a Commission for the place vacated, has just been sent to Mr. Meigs, who was long ago recommended for it; and who it was understood wished it. It is the more...
85James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 June 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter was sent to me with a request that I w d forward it. The reason assigned was, that the one of which it is a duplicate, was presumed to have miscarried, no answerd answer to it having been rec d . An answer will of course be expected. I inclose a Paper containing the Declaration of war &c. merely to supply a possible miscarriage of others usually rec d by you. It is...
86From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ the letter from Mr. Brown was probably intended for you, I could not hesitate in carrying it into effect; and finding that the Bill on the Navy Dept. will be paid, I inclose, in order to avoid the delay of a week, the sum drawn for in Bank notes. I send them to you rather than directly to Mrs. T. first because I do not know what the direct address ought to be, & 2dly. because it is...
87James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d your favor of containing the requested extract from Armstrong’s letter relating to Warden . A. has entangled himself in such gross inconsistencies, that he may perhaps not execute this threat to vindicate his removal of W. ag st my reinstatement of him. This consideration alone will restrain his enmity ag st both of us. You will see the conflict in which he is engaged with Fulton
88From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 November 1809 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your letter from Eppington. I had not heard that either the Attorney Genl. or the Govr. of Illinois meant to resign. Inclosed are several letters for you recd. from France by the return of the Wasp. You will see the propriety of my adding one to myself from Mr. Short; to be returned after perusal. Our information from Paris, of the 19th. of Sepr. gives no countenance to the rumoured...
89James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d yours of Oc r . with that inclosed from Warden . His tale is plausibly told but entitled to little confidence. Be assured he is not the man he passed for with all of us originally. His apparent modesty & suavity cover ambition vanity avidity (from poverty at least) & intrigue. These traits began to betray themselves before he last left the U.S. on his arrival in Paris with his...
90James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I got home from my trip to Washington on Saturday last; having remained there three days only. You will have seen in the Procl n issued, the result of our consultations on the effect of what has passed on our commercial relations with G.B. The enforcement of the non-intercourse act ag st her, will probably be criticized by some friends and generally assailed by our adversaries, on the ground...
91From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letters were brought, together with the separate Packet now forwarded, by the John Adams. The official communications received by her, from F. & G. B. you will find in the Natl. Intelligencer of this date. The Editor I perceive passes over the obnoxious refusal of G. B. to comply with the reasonable course of putting an end to the predatory Edicts of both Nations; and it is not...
92From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. several letters from you which not requiring special answers, I now beg leave to acknowledge in the lump. I have delayed it in the hope that I might add something on our public affairs not uninteresting. If there be any thing at present of this character it will be found in the inclosed paper from N. York. We have no late official information from Europe; but all that we see from...
93From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have yours of the 24. The enquiry as to Franzoni will be made as soon as an oppy. offers. F. Page had been appd. before your letter was recd. & his Commission forwarded. We have letters from Erving to Jany. 28. He was at Cadiz, intending it appears to adhere to the Junta Suprema, till the drama should close, and then leave Spain, by way of Gibralter, Tangier, or England, if no other course...
94From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favor of the 13th. The general idea of disposing of the supernumerary Merino Rams for the public benefit had occurred to me. The mode you propose for the purpose seems well calculated for it. But as it will be most proper as you suggest, to let our views, be developed to the public, by the execution of them, there will be time for further consideration. When the Sheep...
95James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for perusal a letter from M r Dupont D. N. What does he mean by his desire “to contribute” to the Execution of his project of Education? You will observe that he has sent for you a copy of the Works of Turgot , as far as Edited. Be so good as to point out the mode in which you wish them to be transmitted. I expect a Waggon here next month which can take them to Orange , if you prefer...
96From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
It was long desireable that an Exposé of the causes and character of the War between the U. S. & G. B. should remedy the mischief produced by the Declaration of the Prince Regent & other mistatements which had poisoned the opinion of the World on the subject. Since the pacification in Europe & the effect of that and other occurrences in turning the attention of that quarter of the World...
97James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters came under cover to me, by the Hornet . France has done nothing towards adjusting our differences with her. It is understood that the B. & M. Decrees are not in force ag st the U. S. and no contravention of them can be established ag st her. On the contrary positive cases rebut the allegation. Still the manner of the F. Gov t betrays the design of leaving G. B.
98From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 10th. and return as you request, the letter of Mr. Higginbotham. He will probably have understood from Col: Monroe that the consulate of Lisbon is the object of numerous & respectable candidates. The seditious opposition in Mass. & Cont. with the intrigues elsewhere insidiously co-operating with it, have so clogged the wheels of the war, that I fear the campaign will...
99James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I intimated to you the Offence taken by Armstrong at the re-enstatement of Warden . It is not improbable that it will be the ground of an open hostility. This will call into view his present denunciations of W. which are pointed ag st him as an Adventurer & Impostor from the commencement to the end of his career, in comparison with the patronage so long continued to him, and the sentiments...
100James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly rec d your two letters of the 26. & 30. Ult: The State of Col. Monroe’s mind is very nearly what I had supposed. His willingness to have taken a seat in the Cabinet, is what I had not supposed. I have written to Maj r Neele , according to your suggestion, and shall follow it also as to the distribution of Gov r Lewis’s papers when they arrive. Fayette