1101To James Madison from George Turner, 5 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
The letter which I had the honour to address to you on the 2d. instant was written in great haste, and at a time when I felt a good deal indisposed: it was not, therefore, explicit. I now sit down to add a few lines here to the trouble I have already given you; but even here I cannot determine on the particular appointment of my choice. You say, the president has probably made up his mind as...
1102To James Madison from George Washington, 5 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I want to communicate two matters to Congress; the substance of which is contained in the enclosed Paper. The first requires to be decided upon before the proposed adjournment shall take place—but my motive for commun[ic]ating the other, at this time, is only to fix the attention, & to promote enquiry against the next meeting. Whether would an Oral or written communication be best? If the...
1103To James Madison from Benjamin Thompson, 7 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
As I have Supposed under the present government of the Union, that Congress will shortly find it expedient to make some Appointments in a Consular capacity to the Ports of France & French Islands, I have had thoughts of offering myself a Candidate for One or Other of the latter. My Knowledge of the language, customs & manners of the french Nation, I flatter myself, will entitle me to some...
1104From George Washington to James Madison, 9 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Consequent of the enclosed resolution, I had a conference with the Commee therein named yesterday, when I expressed the Sentiments which you also have enclosed. I was assured by the Committee, that the only object the Senate had in view was to be informed of the mode of communication which would be most agreeable to the President, and that a perfect acquiescence would be yielded thereto. But I...
1105To James Madison from George Washington, 9 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Consequent of the enclosed resolution, I had a conference with the Comee. therein named yesterday, when I expressed the Sentiments which you also have enclosed. I was assured by the Committee, that the only object the Senate had in view was to be informed of the mode of communication which would be most agreeable to the President, and that a perfect acquiescence would be yielded thereto. But I...
1106To James Madison from Alexander White, 9 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have not been long enough in this City to pretend to a knowledge of the general Sentiments of its Inhabitants. Those I have seen exclaim against the Salaries allowed our Officers, And make a particular handle of the 730 Dollars to the Door Keeper, they (Miers Fisher excepted) deem our own Wages too high, also the Salaries of the President and Vice President. In other Matters they express...
1107To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 27th. ulto. found me in Richmond attending the chancery whence I returnd two days since. We move on monday next to Albemarle having already sent up the principal part of our furniture &ca. You will address to me in future by the way of Richmond. Our delay has been protracted too long to secure us, I fear, from the contagion incident to the lower country; as yet however we...
1108To James Madison from “Pacificus,” 14 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
In a debate upon the Impost Bill, you declared yourself an enemy to local attachments, and said you considered yourself not merely the representative of Virginia , but of the United States . This declaration was liberal, and the sentiment just. But Sir, does this accord with the interest you take in amending the constitution? You now hold out in justification of the part you take in forwarding...
1109To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 15 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged for your Favr. of the 29h. July, and also for the Papers inclosed. Nothing gives me more Pleasure than hearing from you, but I have been always unwilling, to add to the Burthen of those Correspondences, in wh. you must be engaged. Mr Randolph generally gives me a sight of the Papers you send him, so that I shall think myself sufficiently attended to, by occasional Instances...
1110To James Madison from Alexander White, 17 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you a Line from Philadelphia mentioning such Facts as had come to my knowledge respecting the sentiments of the People on Public Affairs. My Journey was fatiguing, the weather being excessive hot, and the Stages over-burdened with Passengers and Baggage. I reached Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon—and took breakfast before I sat out on Wednesday morning. Several Gentlemen waited on me who...
1111To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
The day before yesterday I returned hither from Leesburg. There I was confronted with Mr. Henry, and for three days we lay along side of each other, with our best cannon in action. It was a diverting scene, taken in the whole. My client Chas. Carter must have been defeated, if a single point of four had gone against him; and to obtain one, every thing was tried in the way of assertion,...
1112To James Madison from James Maury, 21 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am long without any of your much respected favors in the letter way. You have been so obliging as to consign me some Tobo by the Cyrus & Venus which have been landed, but are not sold. Our Staple Commodity is much lowered in Value in almost every European Market, owing to the unusual Abundance of last Crop joined to as unusual meaness of quality. Yours is of the better Sorts, yet far...
1113To James Madison from Robert Rutherford, 22 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I write you by Mrs. Nourse a lady of my acquaintance from N. york and it only Serves to Convey you a few broken Sentences from a mind wanting in many respects, tho equal to most in the love of my Country & the rights of humanity. That I approve of the Constitution upon it’s general Superstructure is a fact, and trust, that such amendments will be introduced as will be pleasing to the people &...
1114To James Madison from Richard Peters, 24 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have to acknowledge your Favour of the 19th. I am obliged by your Information & acknowledge that some of your Reasons are the best that can be given. They are such therefore as I knew you could give. But many of them are founded on Apprehensions which forgive me for saying I think too highly wrought. I believe that a Firmness in adhering to our Constitution ’till at least it had a longer...
1115To James Madison from Alexander White, 25 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Monday Morning (Yesterday Se’night I presume) came to hand in course of Post. I find by the Papers that the Committee has reported the 12th. of Septemr as the proper time for Congress to adjourn—tho’ I do not believe they can adjourn at so early a day, or that they can or indeed ought to discuss all the business mentioned by the Committee, particularly the Act for punishing of Crimes....
1116To James Madison from William Barton, 26 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Before I left New York, I had an Opportunity of explaining to Mr. Page the nature of the Circumstances, which obliged me to decline an Acceptance of the office, with which I was lately honored by the President and Senate. It is, therefore, unnecessary to trouble You, with a recapitulation of my inducements to that act of self-denial; having requested Mr. Page to communicate them to You. I...
1117To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 27 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive yr. favour of the 24th June. Our Elections ended on saturday last, and appearances as far as I can learn, are decidedly federal, in the County where I live, they were violent in the opposition, and now have changed, I was elected by a large majority, Colo. Davie who attends our court, is in for Halifax, they are all from the town and County federal, Mr....
1118To James Madison from James Innes, 27 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
It is with reluctance, that I for a moment obtrude any little private Concerns of my own, on yr Attention, which, I doubt not is fully engrossed, by a Multiplicity of Objects of public moment. But as the Satisfaction I wish to obtain, can only be derived from public Soursces, I flatter myself, you will pardon me for the trouble I now give you. I hold a considerable quantity of lands, granted...
1119To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of July 29. Since that I have received yours of May 27. June 13. & 30. The tranquillity of the city has not been disturbed since my last. Dissensions between the French & Swiss guards occasioned some private combats in which five or six were killed. These dissensions are made up. The want of bread for some days past has greatly endangered the peace of the city. Some get a...
1120From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of July 29. Since that I have received yours of May 27. June 13. and 30. The tranquillity of the city has not been disturbed since my last. Dissensions between the French and Swiss guards occasioned some private combats in which five or six were killed. These dissensions are made up. The want of bread for some days past has greatly endangered the peace of the city. Some get...
1121To James Madison from James Manning, 29 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce to your acquaintan[ce] the bearer, Benjamin Bourne Esquire of this Town; and to request your assistance in obtaining the object of the petition to Congress, which he is sent forward to present, vizt: that the Seaport Towns in the State of Rhode Island may be exempt from the Tonage imposed on foreigners; & from the Impot also, to which they are subjected by the...
1122To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, [2 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
… I congratulate you upon having got through the Amendments to the Constitution, as I was very anxious that it should be done before y’r adjournment, since it will have a good effect in quieting the minds of many well meaning Citizens, tho’ I am of opinion that nothing was further from the wish of some, who covered their Opposition to the Government under the masque of uncommon zeal for...
1123To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 2 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
Besides several Packets of papers I am indebted for your two favrs. of July 15th. & Augt. 21st. reced. since my last. I congratulate you upon having got through the Amendments to the Constitution, As I was very Anxious that it should be done before yr. Adjournment, since it will have a good effect in quieting the minds of many well meaning Citizens, tho’ I am of Opinion that nothing was...
1124To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I sit down to write to you without knowing by what occasion I shall send my letter. I do it because a subject comes into my head which I would wish to develope a little more than is practicable in the hurry of the moment of making up general dispatches. The question Whether one generation of men has a right to bind another, seems never to have been started either on this or our side of the...
1125II. Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I sit down to write to you without knowing by what occasion I shall send my letter. I do it because a subject comes into my head which I would wish to develope a little more than is practicable in the hurry of the moment of making up general dispatches. The question Whether one generation of men has a right to bind another, seems never to have been started either on this or our side of the...
1126From George Washington to James Madison, 8 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Confidential The points which at present occur to me, and on which I wish your aid, are brought to view in the enclosed statement—I give you the trouble of receiving this evening that you may (if other matter do not interfere) suffer them to run through your Mind between this and tomorrow afternoon when I shall expect to see you at the appointed time. Besides the enclosed Would it do now that...
1127To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
The last ler. I got from you shewed the little leisure you possessed, & together with other considerations induced me to decline for a time writing to you. Indeed occupied with matters of a private nature only, I am out of the habit of communication as well as conversation with political affairs. In my tour in the upper country for Mrs Lee[’]s health, I have as much as in my power attended to...
1128To James Madison from George Washington, [ca. 8 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Confidential The points which at present occur to me, and on which I wish your aid, are brought to view in the enclosed statement—I give you the trouble of receiving this evening that you may (if other matter do not interfere) suffer them to run through your Mind between this and tomorrow afternoon when I shall expect to see you at the appointed time. Besides the enclosed Would it do now that...
1129To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
A circumstance has been suggested to me upon which I have some hesitation, and will be determined by the idea you may entertain of it. The Office of District Marshall for Virginia is thought to be important from its extent, & not altogether unhonorary from the powers & Trusts it involves; it is also thought it will be productive of compensation not contemptible. Viewing the subject thus some...
1130To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am just honored with your several favors of the 12th. 26th. & 28th. Ult. A trip of business through several of our southern Counties as far as that of Halifax on the borders of North Carolina took me out of the way of getting them sooner. In my route the principal Antifederal parts of the Country were comprehended and I can assure you that the people appear to be perfectly quiet & reconciled...
1131To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
From the manner in which you have been pleased to communicate with me both verbally & otherwise I have been led to write to you without reserve and with less ceremony perhaps than could be justified but that I generally had in view the public good. I trusted you would believe that such was my end, and therefore hesitated not to trouble you. On no occasion perhaps has such an apology been more...
1132To James Madison from John Dawson, [9 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival at this place I found as I expected the attention of every person fix’d on the subject which I left before you. Different are the opinions of different persons. Some, who are interested are much pleased with the Susqh. Others reprobate the conduct of their representatives. While some consider the fixing on the Susqh. as a thing which can never take place—and the vote only a...
1133To 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...
1134To James Madison from John Dawson, [13 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
You’ll be pleased to accept my thanks for your two letters with the inclosures, which I receivd on thursday & saturday. By the papers I discover that the bill for fixing the Seat of Goverment &c was not reported on Friday morning, and I have been assurd by a Gentleman in this place , that the committee appointd woud not bring it in untill they had collected, and sworn in all their forces. The...
1135To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I returned home three or four days ago, under the vexatious operation of a quartan. I have been correcting it by medicine and hope in a day or two to subdue it. I shall immediately upon recovering my ability to do business with propriety, enter upon and complete the statement of my introductory ideas in Phila. Yrs. afftely. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM.
1136To James Madison from Walter Jones, 15 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 18th. augt. found me so engaged in the usual Employment during our Autmn, that I have never had time to express my acknowlegements to you. The inestimable value of civil Liberty, like the gems, the precious metals, and fertile fields of the Earth, has ever made them the Common objects of robbery & usurpation—it is unfortunate that the first, tho infinitely most precious, is...
1137To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 17 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your message from Mr. Dawson, and am at a loss to account for my letter not reaching you sooner. I presume our Clerks must have let the post slip them the first time, and that it has lain over till the next. I am informed Mr. Jefferson is expected to arrive soon. The affair in which you were good enough to make me known to him is now decided on. I find it necessary to regain the papers...
1138To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have sent to Havre the following packages, with directions to send them by the first vessel to New York to your address. TI. No. 29. A box of books. These were packed before I took a list of them, therefore I cannot inform you of it’s contents. I believe the whole are for you; tho’ should it be otherwise the person’s name will always be found written on or in the book. TI. No. 33. TI. No....
1139From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sent to Havre the following packages, with directions to send them by the first vessel to New York to your address. TI. No. 29. a box of books. These were packed before I took a list of them, therefore I cannot inform you of it’s contents. I believe the whole are for you; tho’ should it be otherwise the person’s name will always be found written on or in the book. TI. No. 33. TI. No....
1140To James Madison from John Dawson, [18 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
By yesterday’s post of receiv’d your two letters dated on Monday and Wednesday. The legislature of this state have pass’d an act granting to Congress the Jurisdiction of ten miles square on any part they shall please, not [ sic ] have said nothing relative to the Susqh. I lament with you the decisions of the Senate on the subject of amendments. This circumstance added to the combination formd...
1141To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 20 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 18th. from wch. I find the ground of apprehension, particularly refer’d to by me, entirely removed. In regard to the probable effects of a position on Delaware or Susquehannah upon the Convention of Virginia could they have foreseen it, I am convinced they would have been fatal. I remember well that I learned from the letters of yourself and one or two...
1142To James Madison from George W. Smith, 22 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th Augt. in answer to mine, I have duly received. Your representation of the prospects Afforded by the arra[n]gements now making for the fœderal Administration, I esteem as friendly as it seems to be canded: And therefore feel myself strongly impressed with a sense of the obligation I am under to you. I have Attentively considered those prospects; & am persuaded, with you,...
1143From George Washington to James Madison, 23 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
My solicitude for drawing the first characters of the Union into the Judiciary, is such that, my cogitations on this subject last night (after I parted with you) have almost determined me (as well for the reason just mentioned, as to silence the clamours, or more properly, soften the disappointment of smaller characters[)]—to nominate Mr Blair and Colo. Pendleton as Associate & District...
1144To James Madison from George Washington, [ca. 23 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
My solicitude for drawing the first characters of the Union into the Judiciary, is such that, my cogitations on this subject last night (after I parted with you) have almost determined me (as well for the reason just mentioned, as to silence the clamours, or more properly, soften the disappointment of smaller characters [)] to nominate Mr Blair and Colo. Pendleton as Associate & District...
1145To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 26 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
As soon as I had recovered my attention to business, I entered upon the chastisement of my notes. But I found it impossible to retrace the subject, so as to square with the resolutions proposed, without the possession of those resolutions. But I have them not, except in a mutilated state. Indeed I have an apprehension, that were I to dilate the notes, I should mingle inadvertently much of what...
1146To James Madison from John Dawson, [27 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
By yesterday’s post of receivd your favour of Friday. Shou’d Trenton be substituted by the Senate I apprehend that your house will not agree to the amendments, and consequently the bill will be lost, and the question as to the permanent seat left open. This I have expected for some time woud be the fate of the business, and upon the whole I do not know but it is the best course it can take....
1147To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 28 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I received information of the nomination of Mr. O. yesterday. He is certainly a very suitable character, and well entitled to this place from his former employments. I have to make you my Apologies for the trouble I have given you, and my acknowlegements for such good offices as you have rendered, the extent of which I am sure was as great as your Ideas of public good would admit. I am well...
1148To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 30 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I called on you to day, but was unfortunate enough not to see you, as well to take leave of one of my most esteemed friends and dearest patriots to his country, as to communicate a wish, in the success of which I feel myself very much intereste⟨d⟩ that, you would be good enough to mention to the President, in case American affairs should require Ministers at the courts of London or Versailes,...
1149To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 4 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
It is more to comply with my promise, than to give you any information that I take up my pen. Col. Grayson will probably inform you what has pass’d between him & Morriss, who has given him notice that on the meeting of Congress he shall immediately take up the Bill only postpond —this Idea may possibly be thrown out here to brake his fall in this business—it appears to Col. Grayson & myself...
1150To James Madison from James Maury, 6 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
I had the Pleasure to write to you the 21st August; since which, it having been suggested to me, that the Appointment of Consuls may take place ere long, I beg Leave to renew to you the Desire I have to continue the offer of my Services to my Country in that Capacity: provided the office be deemed Necessary for this port & it would not debar me from Trading. In the inclosed I have taken the...