19501To James Madison from Jared Mansfield, 23 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
Attached to your person from principle, & a grateful sense of the honors, & favours, at different times conferred on me, it is with reluctance, that I venture to intrude for a moment, amidst your more important concerns. My duty however, as a member of the mil. Staff here, appears to require, that I afford information of affairs in my own province, which may be of consequence to Government,...
19502To James Madison from William Lee, 18 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lee. 18 October 1805, Bordeaux. “I profit of a good opportunity which has this moment offered, to forward to yourself the moniteur, and to the President the argus. These papers will now become more interesting from the operations on the Continent, which have at last commenced with some vigour. A part of the Division of the French Army under the command of Prince murat have...
19503To James Madison from George Washington, 16 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. came to hand the evening before last. The resolutions which you say are inserted in the Papers, I have not yet seen. The latter come irregularly, tho’ I am a subscriber to Hays Gazette. Besides the reasons which are assigned in my circular letter to the several State Societies of the Cincinnati, for my non-attendance at the next General meeting to be holden in...
19504To James Madison from William Duncan, 8 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
I am induced from a sense of duty to our much injured Country, to communicate to your excellency the following information received as matter of fact, from Mr. Tolado a Spanish Gentleman resident in Philadelphia, of whose Character I understand you possess some knowledge. “In pursuance of a communication of an official nature, by Dn. Lewis De Onis, to the Council of Regency in Spain,...
19505To James Madison from Adam Stephen, 12 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
In the reading the debates of your House, there appears some heat of parties; and it is no more than may be naturally expected, after so long a Session, and the discussion of so many and Various subjects. Mr Scots Motion for bringing the Attention of the House to the permanent Seat of Government for the United States, is in my Opinion Premature. I wish the Temper of the House may Suit it. The...
19506To James Madison from George William Erving, 24 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
In my letter No. 17 (Novr 4.) I adverted to the la te transactions which seem to have placed this government in a very critical situation with relation to that of France: The temper in which the late military preparations were undertaken, & the purpose of them also, having been perfectly understood by the Emperor; & it is not doubted but that he has determined upon some very important changes...
19507From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 December 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I have kept Mr. Joy’s letter a post or two, with an intention of considering attentively the observations it contains: but I have really now so little stomach for any thing of that kind that I have not resolution enough even to endeavor to understand the observations. I therefore return the letter, not to delay your answer to it, and beg you in answering for yourself, to assure him of my...
19508To James Madison from Daniel Burnet, 27 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
A doubt has arisen in this Territory on the intention of the Disolution of the General Asembly by the Governor. By some it is contended that the seats of the Legislative Council are vacated when he disolves the General Assembly. Others hold a contrary Opinion, And as I have been a member of the Council that was disolved by the Governor the first of March last, I have taken the liberty of...
19509To James Madison from William Tatham, 24 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
By last Mail, I did myself the honor of transmitting to you a printed pamphlet on the subject of a link of our coastwise navigation inland, which passes through this County: a matter which I have been many years investigating, and concieve to be of the highest importance in the consolidation of the united force of the Country, the fraternization of its Citizens, and the common safety or...
19510To James Madison from Andrew Stevenson, 8 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 10 ulto I recd in the course of the mail, & owe you an apology for not answering it sooner; but the truth is that what with personal indisposition, & professional & Legislative duties, I have not had an opportunity of doing so, until today. Since I last wrote you Mr. R. & myself have made the promised search amongst his father’s papers, for yr. letters, & I am pleased to say,...
19511From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your No. 1. came to hand two days ago. When I inclosed you the papers of the last week I was too much hurried to write. I now therefore write earlier, and inclose only one of Fenno’s papers. The residue of the New York election was as follows Clinton Jay Albany 444. 1 178 The Otsego votes were rejected, about 1000. in number, of which Jay had about 850. say a majority of 700. so that he was...
19512To James Madison from David Jameson, 20 September 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). I was favoured with yours of the 5th. by Post. It may not be amiss to mention to you that the post comes to Newcastle within eighteen Miles of this place on Wednesday, and we do not get the letters till the Monday following—after the rider has been down to Wmsburg. The Governor had a promise that there should be an alteration in the post route, or...
19513To James Madison from the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, 30 November 1821 (Madison Papers)
We learn that it is in contemplation with other seminaries of science in the US. to petition Congress at their ensuing session for a repeal of the duty on books imported from abroad. This tax, so injurious to the progress of literature, concerning nearly the interests of those for whose benefit our state has established the institution committed to our charge, we think it our duty to cooperate...
19514To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 18 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
A Vessel under English Colours arrived here some time since, and was reported to the Collector of the District, to have been a Spanish Vessel bound from Vera-Cruz to Cadix, which was captured by an English Frigate and ordered to Jamaica; But meeting with heavy gales & adverse winds (in which she had suffered considerably) was forced to enter the Mississippi. One of the Wardens of the Port of...
19515To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 2 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Addressed to “Hon James Madison, Esqr.” At the top of the left margin of the first page of the transcription, Peter Force’s clerk wrote “MSS [M]c Guires.” See Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (5 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , I, xxii, xxiii. Another copy, also made from the missing...
19516To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of the 8th. & 15th. came to hand yesterday. I have this morning revised your former letters to see what commissions it would be best for me to execute here for you. In that of Feb. 17, you desire a recommendation of a fit bookseller in Paris & London. This certainly I can better do from the spot. In the mean time address yourself to me as your bookseller for either place, because...
19517From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 3d. inst. Your’s of July 30. came to hand yesterday. Besides the present which goes by post, I write you another to-day to go by Mr. D. Randolph who sets out the day after tomorrow for Monticello, but whether by the direct route or viâ Richmond is not yet decided. I shall desire that letter to be sent to you by express from Monticello. I have not been able to lay my...
19518To James Madison from William Crawford, 17 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
The aim of the present address, will, I trust, be a sufficient apology for the intrusion. If the scheme it proposes shall be deemed either dangerous or impracticable, it will only subject you to the trouble of perusing it. It has always been the opinion of the subscriber—that the measures of our government should be calculated to afford security to the basis on which it ought to rest—the free...
19519To James Madison from Alexander White, 16 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I retired to this place to obtain a little rest, but find so great a proportion of the Company came for diversion, that my Views are nearly frustrated. A rainy Day has afforded me an opportunity of giving you the trouble of opening this, the trouble of reading it will depend on yourself after observing the Signature. I have frequently been honored with your conversation from which I conceive I...
19520To James Madison from George Nicholas, 5 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
I wish truth would permit me to say that our expectations from our new government have been realized. The fact is that there seems to be a foundation laid here for a great degree of unhappiness. This is in part owing to the constitution, in part to the uncommon mixture of extraordinary character which we have amongst us. The constitution is I think defective and bad consequences have already...
19521To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 13 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
In my preceding letters I have fully inform’d you of the a rrestation of several american Vessels at the entrance of this port, by french privateers; and likewise, that I had forwarded to Mr. Armstrong at Paris, copies of my protests, ac co mpanied with other documents I judg’d necessary for his in formation. To these, I have receiv’d his reply; that he has been assured by the french...
19522To James Madison from George Jackson, 5 February 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have directed some Letters to my son John, to the post office in Orange County. If he should not be there will you be so obliging as to inclose them back to me at this place, where I expect to be untill the third of March next. Congress progresses very slow in business and I expect they will continue so till this Day week, and then too if no President is chosing. I have no Doubt but very...
19523To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 15 Thermidor when the Ministers had a public audience the Senate were ⟨announced⟩—they entered the ⟨circle with⟩ their President Barthelemi at their head. He presented the decree declaring Bonaparte Consul for life as the result of the vote and made an address in writing upon the occasion which was answered by the first Consul from a paper he held in his hand so that it appears the...
19524To James Madison from Thomas A. Digges, 11 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have had the misfortune, from ill health and an accute disorder, to be confin’d here ever since the 20th april and am likely to be a longer resident in it from having my old family mansion nearly ruind by the severe hail storm of 21st may; and the more feeling ruin & depredations done & doing the Farm by an ungovernable vile Soldiery too close in my vicinity and the nightly plunder of the...
19525From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of Nov. 11. I acknoleged the receipt of yours of Aug. 20. Sep. 7. and 15. Since that, the one of Oct. 11. by the packet has come to hand as also that of July 3. by Mr. Short who came in the packet, was actually in N. York when you passed through it and had waited there several days in hopes of seeing you. I thank you very much for the relation of the proceedings of assembly. It is the...
19526To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 9th. has been duly recieved, & I now return the papers it covered, and particularly those respecting the ship New Jersey, on which I have bestowed due attention. I think the error of Genl. Armstrong a very palpable & unfortunate one; but one not at all chargeable on our government. By the French Convention the council of Liquidation has certain functions assigned to them, of a...
19527To James Madison from Deborah McClenachan Stewart, 8 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
Believe sir that I would not trespass on your time, knowing that it is directed to so many important objects, if I did not think your politeness would pardon the liberty I take, and that your benovolence will be concerned in granting me the information I am about to solicit. Permit me then to ask if any information has been lately received respecting the American claims on the French...
19528To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I offer you my sincere condolances on the melancholy loss, which has detained you at home: and am entirely sensible of the necessities it will have imposed on you for further delay. Mr. Lincoln has undertaken the duties of your office per interim, and will continue till you can come. Genl. Dearborn is in the War Department. Mr. Gallatin, though unappointed, has staid till now to give us the...
19529To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 12 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
After acknowledging the receipt of the letter which you did me the honor to write, under date of the 8th of January, and of the duplicate & triplicate of the same with their enclosures, I must perform the painful task of relating the unfortunate events which have taken place here. On the second of this month the French fleet, consisting of 14 sail of the line and 9 frigates, appeared off this...
19530To James Madison from Anthony Merry, 23 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honour to lay before You the inclosed Copy of a Memorial which has been presented to Lord Hawkesbury, His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, by several of the King’s Subjects Proprietors of Land in that Part of the Territory of the United States which formerly belonged to His Majesty under the Title of the Province of West Florida, respecting an Act which...
19531To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “March 1st. 1783.” Being here on business, I can not inspect your figures of feby. 18. The drift of them is, however, seen, and I have already met the sentiments half way, by an adherence to my opinion of the necessity of reviving...
19532To James Madison from Charles Pinckney, 12 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Wells, an American Gentleman, who has been here some time on claims from South America, informs me he will return to the United States in a few days—by him I have the further opportunity of informing you, that finding Mr. Cevallos considered himself as obliged to wait until he received Dispatches from the Colonial Officers of New Orleans before he could give a decisive answer to the...
19533Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 19 th came to hand by the last post; but that allows us so little time that I could not answer by it’s return. I had not before heard of mr Latrobe’s claim of Lenthall’s salary in addition to his own. that some of Lenthall’s duties must have fallen on him I have no doubt; but that he could have performed them all in addition to his own so as to entitle himself to his whole salary,...
19534Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I promised your gardener some seeds which I put under a separate cover and address to you by mail. I also inclose you a letter from mr Cabell which will shew you that the ‘sour grapes’ of W m & Mary are spreading; but certainly not to the ‘enlightened part of society’ as the letter supposes. I have sent him a transcript from our journals that he may see how far we are under engagements to D r...
19535To James Madison from John Nicholas, 4 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I fear when you see a second letter so soon that you will think yourself illy requited for your attention to the first, but like most zealots I attach so much consequence to the subject which presses upon my mind that I am not to be deterred by any common apprehension. I have seen with much anxiety the backwardness and unwillingness of Congress to enter upon the subject of taxation and my...
19536To James Madison from George W. Erving, 28 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
No 1. of the inclosed copies is a further note to Mr. Cevallos (dated Jany. 2d.) respecting the vessels detained at Algesiras: and No. 2 (of the 11th. Inst.) a memorandum which I gave him on the Same subject by his own desire, on his late arrival here in his way to England, when he promised me that he woud instantly write to Don Martín de Garay the new minister urging him to take up the...
19537To James Madison from Asher Robbins, 17 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have read your essay, addressed to the Agricultural Society of Albermarle, as I have all your productions, with much pleasure and profit. Tho’ it has a particular referrence to the local circumstances in the agriculture of that particular District, it abounds with general principles applicable and important every where, recommended by the charm of your peculiar style. As your Essay will be...
19538To James Madison from George W. Erving, 3 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you on the 13t. & on the 26th. Ulto. communicating the intelligence received here, of an Armistrice & subsequent peace concluded between France & Russia. In the same manner, to take the chance which there may be of this reaching you sooner than information from any other quarter, I now inclose an extraordinary gazette of Madrid published yesterday, in Consequence of...
19539To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 5 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
The Secy of the Treasury presents his respects to the President & informs that no effort will be made to prevent the injustice to the State of Georgia unless it is brought before Congress by executive message—the inclosed Statement of the case is believed to be Sufficcient to shew the injustice of the act in question. It is supposed that a message would not be so full in stating the case....
19540To James Madison from Daniel William Coxe, 8 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
I had some time since the honor of receiving from you an introductory Letter for Mr D. Clark to Mr King which was regularly forwarded. Being deeply interested in the trade of New Orleans with Mr. Clark, I take the liberty of enclosing you an Act of the British Parliament of 22d June with some private Remarks of my Correspondent annexed thereto —likewise Extract of another letter from the same...
19541To James Madison from William Lee, 16 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have been honored within these few days, by your letter of the 21st. December, to which I shall pay due attention. The confidence you have reposed in me, by continuing me for so many years in this Office, has been highly flattering, and has proved my greatest consolation, in all the painful occurrences, I have of late experienced in this city, which has now become peculiarly disagreeable,...
19542Joseph C. Cabell to James Madison, 27 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
In my late note from Warminster, covering the James River pamphlets, I indicated my intention to write you again very shortly. I attended Nelson Court on Monday, & came down in yesterday’s stage to this place. Having passed to-day at the University, I was preparing to take Montpellier in on way to Fredericksburg & Corrottoman & thence to Wms.burg. But hearing this evening that the Steam Boat...
19543To James Madison from George W. Erving, 5 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
I had visited the principal ports of Italy, & resided two months at Naples, when (on 26 Jany) I received the distressing intelligence of Mr Barlows decease; duty to my excellent friend induced me to abandon my further plans with regard to Italy, & immediately to return hither, for the purpose of giving comfort & assistance as far as in my power to his disconsolate widow. I left Naples on the...
19544To James Madison from Stephen Cathalan, 19 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
I paid you my respects on The 10th. last december—Since, I have been honoured with The Circular from The Department of State relative to future expenditures for The relief of our Seamen abroad to which I will pay a due attention, when occasion Will occur and I have observed with great pleasure by The grasious Messages from The president to Congress, That, it will be provided by more effectual...
19545To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 18 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a copy of the instructions of the French Government to their Commercial agent at Tripoli upon the Subject of our prisoners. I Shall Send it by the Post to morrow to Leghorn, with directions to Mr Appleton to forward it by the first conveyance, & if none offers to Send a Small vessel with it, & the notes I have Sent him to Commodore Prebble to whom I have written on the Subject, &...
19546To James Madison from John Stokely, 17 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
The more overbearing and more attrocious a Vice is, the more conspicious is virtue displaied by opposing it. And Sir, was there ever amore attrocious and overbearing Insult, than that of Great Britain, assuming dominion over all the seas. Bonnaparte is acused of usurpation, & of being a dangerous usurper. Pray Sir what has been the author of his Tyrany (if we may so call it) An opposition to...
19547To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Letter unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Addressed by Randolph to “The Honble Jas. Madison jr. esqr. of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Jany. 15. 1782,” a misdating by a year. The extreme badness of the weather prevented me from sending a letter from hence to Richmond for the post of last week. As I am really uneasy, at a little seeming omission on my part to...
19548To James Madison from Erastus Roberts, 18 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I take it upon myself to communicate to you my wish to be re-appointed in the service if a suitable vacancy should present itself. I take this method because I presume it to be the one most acceptable to government, and also, from your known wish to do justice to the late Army as far as it lays in your power—taking it for granted that every mans’ character, who has served four years and a half...
19549To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 28 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 12th inst. by Captn. John Rodgers, late of the Navy of the U. States, who sailed from this on the 13h for Baltimore, in the Schooner Nelly. I then acknowledged the rect. of your letter of the 8h of January, which reached my hands on the 30th and also gave as full an account of the disasterous events which had taken place here, as time and circumstances...
19550To James Madison from Peter S. Du Ponceau, 23 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Peter S. Du Ponceau. 23 July 1805, Philadelphia. “I have the honor of Sending you the conclusion of the Notes &c. with an Appendix of Documents & authorities. I have endeavoured as much as has been in my power, to fulfill the object which you appeared to have in view; if I have not Succeeded, I rely upon your goodness to ascribe it solely to my want of abilities, not to a deficiency of...