1To James Madison from Reverend James Madison, 3 August 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I recd. your last of ye 18th. July, as well as ye preceeding, enclosing ye European Intelligence. I hope at last ye Blessings of peace cannot be far from us. If Russia adheres to her Memorial, and ye. Dutch have not lost their antient spirit, if ye Irish too proceed in their reasonable & just Demands, wh. I have no Doubt they will, because they are reasonable & just,...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 18 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js. Revd Sept. 13. 1782.” Someone other than JM wrote “Chastellux” under this date. The Reverend James Madison plainly dated his letter 18, not 13, September. The two last posts disappointed me. I had a Letter ready to acknowledge your Favours of the 13 & 14th. of last Month, which afforded us so much Consolation; but it would be as easy to...
8To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 3 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js Revd. Oct. 3. 1782.” Cover missing. I recd. your last, wherein you tell me of the Remembrance of some of my French Acquaintances. I really thought many of them Men of distinguished Merit, tho’ my Acquaintance with them, from our Trip to the Mountains was but short. Does Peace really retire, or are we too sanguine in our Hopes. Is it not...
9To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 16 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js. Revd Jany. 16. 1783.” I recd yesterday your’s of the 24th. Ulto. and am much obliged for the part you have taken in both the affairs mentioned. As the Price is so high, I am not very much disappointed at the Want of Ingredients: As to the Seal, we shall take it very kind of you to forward it as soon as convenient. The Money shall be paid...
10To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 15 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed, “Rev. J. Madison (Wmsburg.) to J M. Jr. Apl. 15. 1783.” By a Letter from Mr. Jefferson 31. March. he has the Expression, speaking of Peace, “tho there can scarcely be a Doubt.” I hope by this Time you have official Accts of its Certainty: for tho’ no one indeed can scarcely doubt, yet every one wants the fullest Confirmation. I am sorry to...
11To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 4 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM: “Madison Js Revd June 4. 1783 June 4 1783. Presidt. Madison. inclosing Ret. from Scott for engraving seal.” Cover addressed to “The Honb. James Madison Esqr Member of Congress Philadelphia or In his Absence To The Hon J. F. Mercer Esqr.” I recd. the Seal by Mr. Jones & am much obliged to you for the Trouble you have given yourself relative to it. The...
12To 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...
13To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 15 November 1785 (Madison Papers)
As several Matters will probably be agitated this Session in wh. the Interests of our University may be deeply concerned, I have wish’d to give you some Information respecting them, & then as a Friend to Science I am sure we shall have a powerful Advocate in our Favour. The 1st. is involved in the Dismemberment of the State. The Seperation of Kentucky may take Place, without an express Reserve...
14To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 11 June 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am greatly indebted to you for the Books you were so good as to send me by Mr Griffin, particularly the Observations of Mr Adams; not however that he has made a Convert of me, any more than I trust, he has of you, to what appears to be the secret Design of his Work. Is it probable, my dear Friend, that all that Trouble was taken, & Shew of Learning displayed, merely to refute the Opinion of...
15To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 1 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
We are here, & I beleive every where, all Impatience to know Something of your conventional Deliberations. If you cannot tell us what you are doing, you might at least give us some Information of what you are not doing. This wd. afford a Clue for political Conjecture, and perhaps be sufficient to satisfy present Impatience. I hope you have already discoverd the Means of preserving the American...
16To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, [ca. 1 October] 1787 (Madison Papers)
I was greatly indebted to you for your Favour by Mr. Blair. I do not know whether I should be justifiable in making any observations upon what I suppose, may be considered, as the Chef d’oeuvre of continental Wisdom. Yet to you I will venture a few. The general Plan for a federal Government, that is, the Idea of a Division of the Power of the united States into three Branches, is certainly...
17To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 9 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I should, my dear Friend, have acknowledged the Favr of your last, long before this, had my Answer been as little delayed, as the Satisfaction reced. from it, was sincere: but as I always write to you, rather to get your Observations upon political Subjects, than for the Sake of communicating my own, I have been unwilling to impose that Burthen too frequently upon you. Your Answer, tended...
18To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 22 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I cannot, my dear Friend, refrain writing a few Lines, in Consequence of the late Vote of the Assembly respecting Senators for the new Govt. It is certainly a remarkable Instance, to say the least, of that Whim & Caprice wh. has so often controuled the Decisions of Popular Bodies. I do not know indeed, whether you wished an Appointment in the Senate, but if you did, I am sure the Effect of the...
19To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 1 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I cannot refuse so favourable an oppy. as this wh. Col. Griffin offers, of writing a Line or two. It afforded me great Satisfaction to hear of your Election, especially as I had urged you, by a Letter written previous to the last of the Legislation, respecting the Elections, to permit yourself to be proposed for this District. I rejoice that you are in a Situation, which enables you to be...
20To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 5 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Peter Carr will deliver this. He has taken the opportunity of the Spring Vacation, to visit New York, but is apprehensive you may not immedy. recollect him, & has therefore desired me to notify him to you. I am greatly obliged for your Favour of the 19h. Apl., and am happy to find, you have not only entered upon the arduous Task of legislating for this extended Continent, but that there...
21To 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...
22To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 12 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your Favr. by Mr Randolph and shd. sooner have written to you, but that I waited for his Departure. I wished to congratulate you on a Motion made by yourself some Time past, which tho’ unsuccessful, in my opinion, does equal Credit to the Head & to the Heart: and I beleive, there are very few indeed, unconnected with the Business of Certificates, who think otherwise. The...
23To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 10 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
I am greatly obliged for your Favours by Col. Griffin. The Pleasure, wh. I receive from your Communications, is always particularly agreable; I often wish they were more frequent, but I know the Constancy of your Attention to Matters of more Moment; and it is with real Concern, that I hear your Attention to them has been the means of impairing your Health. I hope however, it will be...
24To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 25 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Otway Bird wishes to obtain your assistance in some Business wh. he has with Congress, & has expressed a Desire that I should introduce him to you. Permit me then to assure you, that he is a Gentleman of real worth. We have few Citizens so distinguished for that disinterested Part, which he took in the late Contest, & none more, for a Conduct truely exemplary & respectable on every...
25To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 12 November 1794 (Madison Papers)
I cannot refrain sending you my sincere Congratulations, upon an Event, which promises you so much Happiness. It was my Intention to have paid you a short Visit, in September, upon my Return from the Mountains, but heard, when in your Neighbourhood, that you were from Home, & engaged in the Pursuit, which terminated so agreably to yourself, & I trust also, to the amiable Partner whom you have...
26To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 24 December 1794 (Madison Papers)
I confess your Answer, respecting the proposed University, was in a great Measure anticipated. But as Mr Jefferson originated the Idea, or Proposition, & referred me to your Aid, I wished to have your own Declaration upon the Subject. Should any fortunate Circumstances place either yourself or Mr J. in the Legislature, this great & important Object might be, I am persuaded, readily effected;...
27To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 25 July 1795 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed Letter was delivered to me from the Post Office here, & as I often get Letters very differently directed, I opened it without Hesitation. Indeed I had read a Part of the Letter, & saw the general Tendency of it, before I perceived the Mistake; however, I can assure you, that no Secrets, if such they can be called, have leaked out, which have not my most hearty Concurrence. For...
28To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 9 January 1800 (Madison Papers)
I had almost resolved to pay you a short Visit, during your Stay in Richmond; but my Engagements in College will not permit me to indulge my Inclination. Perhaps Mrs. Madison & yourself could spare the Time to spend a few Days with us, before your Return to Orange; if so, be assured, it would afford the greatest Gratification to me, as well as to my Wife, who remembers you with the warmest...
29To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 9 October 1800 (Madison Papers)
The Preservation of wheat against the Ravages of the Fly being of such Consequence to you, & to your Neighbourhood, I thought every Hint that promised any Success would be agreable to you. I have therefore inclosed an Extract of a Letter, which I found in a late Paper, from Norfolk. The Paper I beleive does not circulate in your Part of the Country. The Character of the writer seemed to render...
30To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, [28 December] 1800 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your Favour from Richmond, & am greatly obliged for your friendly Information respecting the Land purchased by Mr Patton. I should have answered it sooner, but wished first to see the Result of some kind of Negotiation that had already been opened for Land not far from you. That appears now to be at an End; & if I could get that Part of Patton’s Purchase, which you have described upon...
31To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 23 February 1801 (Madison Papers)
I recd your Favr. enclosing Mr Patton’s Letter, and am greatly obliged for your Kindness in making those necessary Inquiries respecting the Land. The Sum demanded is beyond my Means. I could not, in my Purchase exceed 2000 £ for the Land alone; the other necessary Expences informing a Settlement would be considerable, & must be attended to as well as the Land. Mr Geo. C. Taylor has written to...
32To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 11 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have too entire a Confidence in the Purity of those Views which will direct the Measures of the Executive of the U. S.—to permit me to express a Wish, often to be heard. On the contrary, such is my Conviction of the Wisdom & Patriotism of our worthy President, that Nothing but the Apprehension of a particular Case, in which I feel the greatest Interest, could have induced me to solicit your...
33To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 8 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have at present 500 Dollars, which I will forward, with great Pleasure, by Post if you desire it. The Remainder of the Sum you mentioned, shall also be sent, provided certain Payments, which I expect, be made in Time to meet your present Demand. I am sorry I had not a larger Sum at Command, as I should feel a real Satisfaction in accomodating you with it. John & myself had a very rough...
34To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 24 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
I hope the 500 Dols. herewith sent will come safe to Hand. Nothing is requisite but to return some writing acknowledging the Receipt, or obligation to refund the Amount. Perhaps the usual Bond in such Cases will be the most eligible Mode. Let it not specify any Interest; for if this small Sum be an Accomodation, that is all I desire. The Remainder shall be forwarded, if I am not disappointed....
35To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 17 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 December 1801, Williamsburg. “Permit me to introduce to you my Friend Dr. Barraud, whom I have so often mentioned to you; & to request the Favour of your Assistance in securing to him the Post, which he holds under the Government. This Request would never have been made, were I not assured, that no one will discharge the Duties attached to the Place with more Integrity, or more Ability.” RC...
36To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 29 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have desired my Son James Catesby, who is passing on to Phila., to attend the medical Lectures there, to pay his Respects to you, if Circumstances should permit him to spend a Day in Washington. His excessive Diffidence gives him a very awkward Demeanor; but he does not want an usual Portion of Understanding. A Paragraph in Davis’s Paper of the 27h. Inst has just been shewn to me, in which...
37To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, [1803] (Madison Papers)
I have undertaken a Map of Virginia and anxious to give it all the Correctness, which the best observations can afford, find myself almost obliged to request your Aid. There is a Map by Col. Francis Deakens, in the Possession of Mr Geo. Fenwick, of Washington, with a Number of Notes describing the Potowmac River, & the Line between Maryland & Virginia, with the Roads, Water Courses Etc, which,...
38To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 27 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your Favour, inclosing 400$. It will give me Pleasure in disposing of them, as you advise; & I beg you to mention to Dr. Thornton, that upon this, or any other Occasion, he may be assured of my friendly services. As to the other Subject, be so good as to adopt such arrangements as will be most agreable to yourself. I do not expect soon to want the Money; & as to Int. I had no...
39To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 14 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your Favour inclosing a Bond for more than is due to me. As John will be on his Way to Baltimore, in a few Days, I shall desire him to call upon you, & deliver a Letter, inclosing the late Bond. If you will pay Int. you must settle it as to prCt. Your former Bond is inclosed. No Person from Gloster has yet called upon me. I think if he were advertized that the Money was ready for him,...
40To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 18 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I remit the Note, which you forwarded, & will thank you to supply John with 60$, & send to me one for the 500 orignally lent. John is on his Way to Baltimore to commence his Novitiate in mercantile Business. I had destined him for the Law; but have submitted to his own Election. He appears anxious to give yourself, Mrs Madison & Miss Paine a momentary Call, & I have also urged him to do so....
41To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 11 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I inclose two papers, which I will beg the Favr. of you to give to Dr. Thornton. I really have no Memorandum of the Date required; nor is [it] at all essential. You can come near eno’ to the Time, as it was, probably, about the Middle of Novr. John mentions in his Letter your Goodness in paying to him 60$. Since I wrote to you respecting the Pretensions of Maryland, finding some Difficulty in...
42To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 13 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last Post your Favour of the 4h. Inst., together with the inclosed Note, which was perfectly satisfactory. I thank you for your Communication respecting the Presidency in the Phila. University. Dr Logan had written to me upon the Subject; but I requested him not to consider me as a Candidate; nor to permit me to be voted for at the Election. Instead of desiring to engage in more...
43To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 12 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the Map, which you were so good as to procure, & forward. It is, probably, the best Authority for the Delineation of the Potommac, from Washington, & will be followed. I thank you also for communicating Mr Moores determination of the Long. of the federal City. If it can be relied upon, & I suppose it may, from his Character, it proves no inconsiderable Error in the...
44To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 3 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
Being desirous to secure as many Shares as I can command in the Virginia Bank, I must beg the Favour of you, if perfectly convenient, to remit the Amount of your Note, some Time within this Month. As Specie only will be recd. from the Subscribers, I should be much obliged, if you can furnish me with either Norfolk, or Alexandria Notes; unless you can see any other Mode, by which the Amount in...
45To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 8 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
This new Bank has excited no small Bustle, among some whose Calculations of future Profit run pretty high; perhaps, indeed, higher than the Event will justify. I confess that I am among the Number, & am engaged, in full Sail, for this Eldorado . You must not be surprized then, that I should write to you again upon the Subject of the 500$. I find now, that it will be perfectly convenient to...
46To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 18 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your Draft upon the Norfolk Bank for 500$, & now return your Note. The Sum paid to John was the Amount of Interest then due; as to any Bal. it is so trifling as to be of no Consideration, being, at most, not more than the Int. from Novr. to Apl. The Circumstances which you mention relative to the Virga. Bank, will very probably occur. Competition, it may reasonably be expected, will...
47To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 2 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
As you will, no Doubt, retire to your Seat in Orange, during some Part of the autumnal Months, I will be much obliged to you, whilst there, if you will favour me with a Copy of your Father’s Metereological Observations: or, if the original Papers containing them could be sent to me, they should be carefully returned. This would, probably, be the most eligible Mode of affording a View of them,...
48To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 26 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
Your Favr. of the 17t. is considered as a Proof of that Friendship upon which I have ever placed a perfect Reliance. It would certainly be injudicious to hesitate in the Prosecution of a well-concerted Plan of Business, upon a Prospect of Success, so very uncertain. Indeed, I would not have made the Proposition, had I been acquainted with the Circumstances, which you mention. It is true, I am...
49To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 14 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to make known to you, Mr. Greenhow, a very worthy & respectable Inhabitant of this Place, & who wishes to be gratified with your Acquaintance. I congratulate you, most sincerely, on the irresistible Demonstration, which has been given, of the Wisdom & sound Policy of the Measures of the Genl. Govt, with Respect to our foreign Relations. Be pleased to present my best Regards to Mrs....
50To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 8 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
Being at this Time in Montgomery County, some very respectable Friends have express’d a Wish, that I would recommend to your Notice Mr. Thomas Lewis, Grandson of the late Genl Lewis, as a Candidate for the Place of a Midshipman in the American Navy. From the Character, which he sustains as a young Man of Prudence & uniform good Conduct, as well as unquestion’d Fortitude, I have no Doubt,...