11To James Madison from Reverend James Madison, 18 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I intended to have sent you a Letter by ye. last post, but failed of an oppy. and by this Time I suppose you have heard thro’ many Channels of ye. Loss of our Capitol, & ye Disgrace of Virginia. True it is that Arnold with not more than 1500 men landed at Westover, marched within 24 Hours after ye Time of landing to Richmond, destroyed whatever was considered as...
12From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 30 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but JM, Sr., docketed the letter, “Madison Js. cop. March 30. 1782.” Mr. J. Walker has safely delivered to me three letters from you attended with the money therein specified. He has also been so obliging as to undertake the conveyance of the several articles of Medecine you wanted with a Gallon keg filled with good Port: wine, to all which I...
13To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 2 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed: “The Hone. James Madison Esqr. Member of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM: “Revd J. Madison Aug 2. 1782 Mahmouth-Opossum.” At right angles to this and in a darker ink, JM also wrote, probably at a much later time, “Aug. 2. 1782.” Above the date is penned “Madison Js Revd” and below it “Natural history,” in an unknown hand. I recd. your Favr. with the...
14To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, [ca. 2] March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Letter has an appended note by Carlo (Charles) Bellini. Docketed by JM, “Madison Js. Revd. Mar. 1782.” After so long a Silence, my Friend, where shall I begin? Like Cain, I have been a Vagabond, since August last. But have at Length returned to this Place, for little else indeed, than to be a Spectator of Misery & Ruin. Our Friend Bellini, who has withstood all the...
15To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 27 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js Augst. 27. 1783.” Cover missing. I have not written to you, my good Friend, for some Time past, because I expected you would have been in Virga. soon after the last I recd. from you; but as I have not heard of your Arrival, suppose you to be still in Congress. If so, I shall continue to tax you even without your Consent. Is there the least...
16To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 15 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed: “The Hone. James Madison Esqr. Member of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM: “Revd Js. [?] Madison June 15. 1782 Mahmouth-Opossum.” I shd have been more expeditious in acknowledg your Favr. of 22d April, had I not expected an Answer to a Short Letter I wrote you from the Attorny’s by Mr. F. Webb, who intended then shortly to set out for Phila. We have...
17To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 26 April 1789 [1783] (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 26 April 1789 [ 1783 ] , Richmond . Misdated by a cataloguer. The correct date is assigned by internal evidence. “News of the Peace. Objections to the impost. Virginia elections.” Noted in the list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany).
18From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 1–2 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Col James Madison Orange County Virginia Favd. by B. Bradburn.” I recd. your letter by Mr. Randolph and this morning have a verbal information from you by B. Bradburn. I shall send by him a Barrel of Sugar and a bag of Coffee, which I wish to be retained for your own use as far as necessary, & the residue divided between my brothers Fr. & A. This...
19To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 4 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). No docket or cover. The last post brot. me a Letter from the Treasurer which determines my visit to Congress. He informs me he has bills to the amount of upwards of twelve hundred pounds on Philadelphia which he wishes to apply to the use of the Delegation and had written to you and also to me informing us of it, that our Correspondents, and those of the other...
20To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 9 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “James Madison Esqr. Member of the Hon the Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Revd. J Madison March 9. 1781.” I rec’d. your Letter by C. Kelly and was much rejoiced at the agreable Intelligence, nor do I doubt, but the Member of Parliament will find that the delenda est Carthag [ o ] is not so easily effected as he wd. fain hope. I rejoiced at the...
21To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 24 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “May 24. 1783.” The Auditors have at length found the Accot. and are now satisfyed that I did not exceed the mark when I assured them the Bal. due to you on the 1st. Jany last was upwards of £800. in consequence of which they have given Mr. Webb a Warrt. on your Accot. for £100. which he will transmit you in addition to the £200. sent last Post. I...
22To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 9 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). In the left margin at the top of the transcription, Peter Force’s clerk wrote “MSS. McGuires.” See Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (7 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , I, xxii, xxiii. In answer to yr favr of the 27th past, I should be glad to give you a full detail of the Sentiments of the...
23To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 6 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). My friend Mr Griffin left me this Morning by whom I sent you my best Wishes for yr health which he told me was low. I hope the Approaching Cold Season may brace up yr Nerves. I judged from yr Account of the number of the Enemy embarked from New York, that they were in pursuit of something to eat; we now hear they have pick’d up a quantum suffici[en]t to load their...
24To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 5 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Octr. 5. 1782.” Cover missing. The Sheriffs having supplied us with a little more Money I was enabled to make a dividend among the Officers of Government— £120.. —.. for each of the Gentlemen of the Delegation. one half of this I just had time in the hurry of business to send you Mr. Harrison’s drft on Mr. Holker for last week; and should have sent...
25To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 12 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Octr. 12. 1782.” Cover franked by Ambler and addressed in his hand to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” The Auditors are at present out of Town; as soon as there is a Board I will lay your Account before them. it is probable they must wait for the Scale of Depreciation from you before they can adjust it. In addition to the £60....
26To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, [ca. 3 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Between the opening two lines of the message appears “1782 Ambler J,” in the hand of William C. Rives, JM’s first major biographer. Lacking a superscription by Ambler, the manuscript is likely the final page of a longer letter. It seems to have been written on 3 August, as explained in n. 6, below. I waited on the Auditors yesterday and am informed they grant Warrts....
27To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 11 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is copied from a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk He noted that the letter was addressed “To James Madison” and the manuscript consisted of “2 pages 4°.” Williamsburgh as a seat of Government. Some seat on the Potomac. The jurisdiction of Congress over the territory aquired for a seat of Government. For the...
28To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 13 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). I have yr favr of the 31st past & am pleased to hear the former Account of the Arrival of the Cork fleet proved premature, since we are so bad Christians as to be gratified with the distress of our Enemies. It was probably the transports with their new levies which were mis taken for the others. The Enemy here have collected a handsome recruit of Provisions, but...
29To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 29 June 1783—Note on Letter (Madison Papers)
FC ( LC : Hamilton Papers). Lacks salutation and the signature has been excised. Dated by Hamilton, “Princeton June 29. 178[3],” and docketed by him, “1783 29 June—To Mr Madison abt. the removal of Congress.” 29 June 1783. Several circumstances appear to warrant the belief that Hamilton did not post this letter: (1) the RC is not among the Madison Papers in the Library of Congress; (2) in his...
30From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [6 July 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
On my arrival in this city I am more convinced than I was before of the necessity of giving a just state of facts to the public. The current runs strongly against Congress and in a great measure for want of information. When facts are explained they make an impression and incline to conclusions more favourable to us. I have no copy of the reports in my possession, which puts it out of my power...
31From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 June 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The receipt of your letter of May 6. remains unacknoleged. I am also told that Colo. Monroe has letters for me by post tho’ I have not yet received them. I hear but little from our assembly. Mr. Henry has declared in favour of the impost. This will ensure it. How he is as to the other questions of importance I do not learn. On opening my papers when I came home I found among them the inclosed...
32To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 7 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Lacks complimentary close and signature, but the text, in Randolph’s hand, seems to be complete. The cover was addressed by him to “The honble. James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 7. 1782.” I waited upon Mr. Ambler to shew him your letter by yesterday’s post, but he was too much indisposed to have communication with any person. Mr....
33To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by Randolph to “The honble James Madison jr. esq. of congress. Philadelphia.” Erroneously docketed by JM, “Aug: 18th. 1782.” On the cover he wrote, “Huddy Camp Front: N.Y Brit: fleet. Mr. Jones. Finance Contr: Money Mattrs. Cessions.” These jottings were to remind him of subjects to mention in his reply of 29 October (...
34To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 1 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed and cover missing. I have no Letter from you by this Post. expecting to receive from Mr. Ross a duplicate of the Bill which fell into the hands of the Robbers and forward it to you this week I came to Town to day but have no letter from him. Col. Monroe writes me he promised to send it. my friend Griffin will therefore be obliged to wait longer than I...
35From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 June 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of the 13th. and 20th. Ult. came to hand about a week ago. I am informed the assembly determined against the capacity of reelection in those gentlemen of the delegation who could not serve a complete year. I do not know on what this decision could be founded. My hopes of the success of the Congressional propositions here have lessened exceedingly. Mr. Henry had declared in favor...
36From George Washington to James Madison, 27 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I accept very kindly the Address of the President & Professors of the University of William & Mary. The Reduction of the British Force in this State for which I feel myself highly indebted to the Noble Exertions of our Brave and Generous Allies, is a Circumstance which gives me great pleasure, not only as it affords a Return of peaceful Security to many of my fellow Citizens, but as it will, I...
37To James Madison from William Bradford, 20 May 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
20 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book and Register, for the months of May & June 1776,” now in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, William Bradford wrote on 20 May: “… went to the town meeting where notwithstanding the badness of the day ther was a great number of inhabitants & it was resolved 1. That the present Government was inefficient 2. That the Assembly could not legally form a new...
38To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 25 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). The summary is copied from a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk. He noted that the letter was addressed “to James Madison” and the manuscript consisted of “1 page folio.” Mr. Pendleton’s reply to Madisons objection to his plan of paying public creditors. Consuls and Superintendents of Trade preferable to Foreign Ministers. JM’s...
39To James Madison from Nathanael Greene, 1 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
Draft (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). With the exception of a few corrections by General Greene, the text of the letter was penned by his aide-de-camp, Captain Nathaniel Pendleton. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, & to thank you, for your Obliging Letter of January 13th. I am uncertain whether I have not done this before, but am fearfull thro’ the hurry of a...
40To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 20 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC (University of Virginia Library). This is apparently the only one of the many letters written by which still exists in original manuscript form ( Pendleton to JM, 27 August 1780 , headnote). How it alone survived is problematical. Perhaps the neatly printed “To James Madison Nov: 20th: 1780.” near its bottom margin was added by an autograph collector to whom JM gave the letter. The letter...