51From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1785 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledged from Philada. your favor of the 11 of May. On my return to Orange I found the copy of your Notes brought along with it by Mr. Doradour. I have looked them over carefully myself & consulted several judicious friends in confidence. We are all sensible that the fre [e] dom of your strictures on some particular measures and opinions will displease their respective abettors . But we...
52From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1786 (Madison Papers)
My last dated Novr 15 from this place answered yours of May 11th. on the subject of your printed notes. I have since had opportunities of consulting other friends on the plan you propose, who concur in the result of the consultations which I transmitted you. Mr. Wythe’s idea seems to be generally approved, that the copies destined for the University should be dealt out by the discretion of the...
53From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your two favours of the 1 & 20 Sepr. under the same cover by Mr. Fitzhugh did not come to hand till the 24th ult: and of course till it was too late for any Legislative interposition with regard to the Capitol. I have written to the Attorney on the subject. A letter which I have from him dated prior to his receipt of mine takes notice of the plan you had promised and makes no doubt that it...
54From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
My last was of March 18. since which I have been favoured with yours of the 8. & 9th. of Feby. Bancroft’s application in favor of Paradise inclosed in the latter shall be attended to as far as the case will admit; though I see not how any relief can be obtained. If Mr. P. stands on the list of foreign creditors his agent here may probably convert his Securities into money without any very...
55From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1786 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of the 18th. of May I have recd. your very agreeable favor of the 28th. of Octobr. I began to fear it had miscarried. Your reflections on the idle poor of Europe, form a valuable lesson to the Legislators of every Country, and particularly of a new one. I hope you will enable yourself before you return to America to compare with this description of people in France the...
56From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1786 (Madison Papers)
My last of the 19th. of June intimated that my next would be from N. York or this place. I expected it would rather have been from the former which I left a few days ago, but my time was so taken up there with my friends and some business that I thought it best to postpone it till my return here. My ride through Virga. Maryd. & Pena. was in the midst of harvest. I found the crops of wheat in...
57From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter did not get to my hands till very lately though it was covered by one from Mrs Carr dated Aug: 21. I conferred a few days ago with Mr. Wythe on the subject of your Nephew in Williamsburg, and had the pleasure of receiving the most favorable account of his capacity, his diligence and his disposition. He is now in the College and enjoys the advantage of Mr. Wythe’s valuable...
58From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your last favor which was of the 25th of April, has already been acknowledged. My last inclosing a letter from Mrs. Carr, was dated a few days ago only. It was put into the hands of Mosr. Chevalier who has gone on to N. York, whither I shall forward this to his care. It is to embark in the packet which will sail on the 15th. inst. The recommendation from the Meeting at Annapolis of a...
59From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last was from Richmond of the 4th. of December, and contained a sketch of our legislative proceedings prior to that date. The principal proceedings of subsequent date relate as nearly as I can recollect 1st. to a rejection of the Bill on crimes & punishments, which after being altered so as to remove most of the objections as was thought, was lost by a single vote. The rage agst. Horse...
60From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
My endeavors to obtain for you the peccan Nuts have all been unsuccessful untill a few days ago when I recd. by the post about a dozen of them which I now enclose. They go by a French Gentleman in a vessel bound for England, who will either carry them himself to Paris, or consign them to the care of Mr. Adams. I do not yet despair of being able to possess myself of the full quantity which you...
61From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last was of the 15th. of Feby. and went by the Packet. This will go to England in the care of a French gentleman who will consign it to the care of Mr. Adams. The appointments for the Convention go on auspiciously. Since my last Georgia, S. Carolina, N. York, Massts. and N. Hampshire have come into the measure. The first and last of these States have commissioned their delegates to...
62From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of March 19. I have had the pleasure of yours of Decr. 16. Jany. 30. and Feby. 7. which were handed to me by Col Franks. Along with them were received the copying machine and other articles referred to in them. You will accept my warmest thanks for all these favors. The packet for the Governor of Virginia under the same cover with your letter of Feby. 7. has been...
63From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am just furnished by Mr. Pollock with a box containing a few Peccan Nuts, which Mr. Jno. Vaughan of this City undertakes to forward by a Vessel just sailing for France. Monday last was the day for the meeting of the Convention. The number as yet assembled is but small. Among the few is Genl. Washington who arrived on Sunday evening amidst the acclamations of the people, as well as more sober...
64From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1787 (Madison Papers)
The day fixed for the meeting of the Convention was the 14th. ult. On the 25th. and not before seven States were assembled. General Washington was placed unâ voce in the chair. The Secretaryship was given to Major Jackson. The members present are from Massachussetts Mr. Gherry, Mr. Ghorum, Mr. King, Mr. Strong. From Connecticut Mr. Sherman Docr. S. Johnson, Mr. Elseworth. From N. York Judge...
65From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1787 (Madison Papers)
I lately received & forwarded to Mr. Jno. Banister Jr. a packet which came from you under cover to me. I had an opportunity which avoided the charge of postage. The Convention continue to sit, and have been closely employed since the Commence[me]nt of the Session. I am still under the mortification of being restrained from disclosing any part of their proceedings. As soon as I am at liberty I...
66From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 19 August 1787. Introduces Tench Coxe as requested in Coxe’s letter to JM of 18 Aug . Recorded in list of letters from “J. M. to Ths. Jefferson” (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Noted in Jefferson’s “Summary Journal of Letters” as received 13 Dec. 1787 ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (19 vols. to date; Princeton,...
67From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last was intended for the Augst. Packet and put into the hands of Commodore Paul Jones. Some disappointments prevented his going, and as he did not know but its contents might be unfit for the ordinary conveyance, he retained it. The precaution was unnecessary. For the same reason the delay has been of little consequence. The rule of secresy in the Convention rendered that as it will this...
68From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Shortly before the Philadelphia convention adjourned, JM confided to Jefferson his opinion that the proposed Constitution would “neither effectually answer its national object nor prevent the local mischiefs which every where excite disgusts agst the state governments” (6 Sept. 1787 [partly in code]). The letter printed below, running to seventeen manuscript pages, contains JM’s detailed...
69From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 17th. of Sepr. with sundry other letters and Packets, came duly by the last packet. Such of them as were addressed to others, were duly forwarded. The three Boxes, marked IM, G.W. and AD, it appears were never shipped from Havre. Whenever they arrive your commands with regard to the two last shall be attended to, as well as those relating to some of the contents of the...
70From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
The packet has been detained here since the date of the letter which you will receive along with this, by some preparations suggested by an apprehension of war. The delay is very unfavorable to the trees on board for you. Mr. de la Forest the consul here called on me a few days ago and told me he had information that the farmers general & Mr. Morris having found their contract mutually...
71From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
By the Count de Moustier I received your favour of the 8th. of October. I recd. by his hands also the watch which you have been so good as to provide for me, and for which I beg you to accept my particular thanks. During the short trial I have made, she goes with great exactness. Since the arrival of the Count de Moustier, I have recd. also by the Packet Mr. Calonne’s publication for myself,...
72From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment received an answer to a letter written to Mr. W. S. Browne on the subject of Mr. Burke’s affairs. The answer is written by direction of Mrs. Brown and informs me that her husband is absent on a voyage to the West Indies and is not expected back till April; that when “he arrives he no doubt will be ready to deliver the effects on proper application. The amount of effects I...
73From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being just acquainted by a letter from President Griffin that Mr. Paridise is in N. York and proposes to sail in the first packet for France I drop you a few lines which will go by that conveyance if they arrive at N. York in time; which however I do not much expect. The proposed Constitution still engrosses the public attention. The elections for the Convention here are but just over and...
74From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your two last unacknowledged favors were of Decr. 20. and Feby. 6. They were received in Virginia, and no opportunity till the present precarious one by the way of Holland, has enabled me to thank you for them. I returned here about ten days ago from Richmond which I left a day or two after the dissolution of the Convention. The final question on the new plan of Government was put on the 25th....
75From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mr Warville has just arrived here, and I seize an opportunity suddenly brought to my knowledge to thank you for your several favors, and particularly for the pedomiter. Answers to the letters must be put off for the next opportunity. My last went off just as a vote was taken in the Convention of this State which foretold the ratification of the new Government. The latter act soon followed and...
76From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
My last went via England in the hands of a Swiss gentleman who had married an American lady, and was returning with her to his own country. He proposed to take Paris in his way. By that opportunity I inclosed copies of the proceedings of this State on the subject of the Constitution. North Carolina was then in Convention, and it was generally expected would in some form or other have fallen...
77From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being informed of a circuitous opportunity of France I make use of it to forward the inclosures. By one of them you will find that Congress have been at length brought into the true policy which is demanded by the situation of the Western Country. An additional resolution on the secret journal puts an end to all negotiation with Spain referring the subject of a treaty after this assertion of...
78From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Herewith inclosed are a letter for yourself forwarded to my hands from General Washington, and two others for the Marquis, one from the same quarter, the other from myself. I put both the last under cover to you, not knowing what regard may be due to Newspaper authority, that the Marquis is under the open displeasure of the Court, and may therefore be the less likely to receive letters thro’...
79From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have written a number of letters to you since my return here, and shall add this by another casual opportunity just notified to me by Mr St. John. Your favor of July 31. came to hand the day before yesterday. The pamphlets of the Marquis Condorcet & Mr. Dupont referred to in it have also been received. Your other letters inclosed to the Delegation have been and will be disposed of as you...
80From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Governeur Morris who will embark in a few days for Havre, from whence he will proceed immediately to Paris. He is already well known to you by character; and as far as there may be a defect of personal acquaintance I beg leave to supply it by this introduction. My two last were of Ocr. 8. & 17th. They furnished a State of our affairs as they then stood. I...
81From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter has been just sent me by Miss Rittenhouse and I avail myself of the delay of Mr. Morris to give it a conveyance. Since mine already in the hands of Mr. Morris further returns have been recd. from the Western Counties of this State, which tho’ not the entire residue, reduces the final result to certainty. There will be seven representatives of the federal party, and one a...
82From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last was committed in December to Mr. Gouverneur Morris. I was then on my way to Virginia. The elections for the new government commenced shortly after my arrival. The first was of Electors, to Ballot for a President and Vice President. The successful candidates were General Wood, Mr. Zachy Johnson, Genl Edward Stephens, Doctor David Stuart, Mr. W. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Mr. Warner Lewis of...
83From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last was of the 29th. March. A few days ago I had the pleasure of yours of the 12. Jany. I thank you for your attention to the works of the Abbè Barthelemy and the Marquis Condorcet, And wish much that your attempts to procure me a genuine copy of the King of Prussia’s may succeed. I send you herewith the first No. of the Congressional Register, which will give you some idea of the...
84From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
This will I expect be handed you by a young gentleman, Mr. Colden, the son of an amiable lady of that name within the circle of my acquaintance in this place. I need not apprize you that the family, of which Governour Colden is the Ancestor, is a respectable one. The young gentleman has been in Scotland for some years, pursuing his education, and with the approbation of his friends proposes to...
85From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was written on sunday last and included an introduction of young Mr. Colden who is to be the bearer of it from Scotland where he now resides, I have had the pleasure of yours of March 15. My former letters will have made known to you the obstacles to a licence for your visit to America. The new authority has not yet taken up your application. As soon as the auxiliary...
86From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed from Col: H. Lee with the papers accompanying it fully explain themselves. Inclosed also is a letter from Mr. P. Carr, who has been here several weeks. One of his inducements to visit N. York during the present vacation, was a hope of falling in with you on your visit to America. I regret much both your disappointments. It is not yet in my power to say when the...
87From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
By this conveyance you will receive permission through Mr. Jay to make your proposed visit to America. I fear it will not reach you in time for your arrival here before the commencement of the windy season; yet I hope the delay will not oblige you to postpone your voyage till the Spring. The federal business has proceeded with a mortifying tardiness; chargeable in part on the incorrect...
88From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
A concurrence of motives has detained me here since the adjournment of Congress. One of them has been a hope of your arrival within the time. I set off tomorrow for Philada. where I shall remain some days, and not without a continuance of the same hope. I need not tell you how much pleasure I should feel in making my journey to Virginia coincide with yours, nor with how much patience I should...
89From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
In the letter left for you in N. York on my leaving that place I omitted to mention to you three names which solicit a Clerkship in the office which will be under your direction. They are Mr. Fisher, Mr. Smith, & Mr. Orr. The first has vouchers of his pretensions which will enable You to decide readily on them. The second is a son of Merriwether Smith. I am not personally acquainted with him,...
90From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
A dysenteric attack at Georgetown with its effects retarded my journey so much that I did not arrive here till a few days ago. I am free at present from the original complaint, but a little out of order with the piles generated by that or the medicine it required. The Cato in which were the busts of P. Jones and the box of books for myself never arrived till the day before yesterday, having...
91From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. of Jany. inclosing one of Sepr. last did not get to hand till a few days ago. The idea which the latter evolves is a great one, and suggests many interesting reflections to legislators; particularly when contracting and providing for public debts. Whether it can be received in the extent your reasonings give it, is a question which I ought to turn more in my thoughts...
92From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 11 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
By the last mail I acknowledged the receipt of your favor of the 9th. Ult: and hazarded a few remarks on the subject of that of Sepr. last from Paris. The newspapers forwarded by me from time to time will have exhibited something of the complexion of the politics here, particularly as they relate to the public debt. On this subject the H. of Reps. is at this moment deliberating. All that can...
93From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
We proceed slowly in business. The Report of Mr. Hamilton has been, of late, the principal subject of debate. On the foreign debt the vote has been unanimous. On the domestic, a reduction of the transferred principal has been brought into view by several arguments and propositions. My idea is that there should be no interference of the public in favour of the public either as to principal or...
94From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
The newspapers will have shewn you the late proceedings of the House of Representatives. The present subject of deliberation is the proposed assumption of the State debts. Opinions are nearly balanced on it. My own is no otherwise favorable to the measure than as it may tend to secure a final settlement and payment of balances among the States. An assumption even under such circumstances is...
95From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 September 1790 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 23 inst: by the bearer who now returns with the Horse. I will consult with some persons who are acquainted with him & let you know the price I set on him. The time & place of payment which you propose would suit me as well as immediate payment here: but I consider this credit as a necessary set off agst. advances which you will have made for me in France. If no obstacles...
96From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 31 December 1790. Acknowledged in Jefferson to JM, 1 Jan. 1791 . Gives his views concerning the application of the treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and France to the latter’s protest of the United States tonnage acts.
97From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [11 January] 1791 (Madison Papers)
T: J. to J. M. Dr. To advances for him on the road to Philada. £14..5..6 To Horse Credit By 50 dollars £18..15– Balance to T. J. £ 4..9..6. Pa. Curry. If the intended charge of £25. for the Horse is not cancelled by the presumptive evidence that he was not sound at the time of sending him, the balance will lie on the other side. The scruples of J. M. on this point are not affected,...
98From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [13 March] 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your first proposition having been arranged, I have only in answer to your last to acknowledge that I feel all the inducements you suggest & many more to be in a situation where your society would make a part of my hourly enjoyments. In making the sacrifice therefore you will be assured that the circumstances which determine me are unaffected. My stay here is so uncertain & limited that a...
99Memorandum to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 18 April] 1791 (Madison Papers)
Substance of a Conversation held by Js. Madison Jr with Col: Beckwith, at the desire of Mr. Jefferson— Last evening offered the first opportunity of breaking to Col B—— the subject for which he has been thought a proper channel to the Governour of Canada. It was explicitly made known to him, that besides its being generally understood that the N. W. Indians were supplied with the means of war...
100From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 18 April 1791. Noted by JM in his list of letters to Jefferson as relating to the “conversation with Beckwith” (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers).