51To James Madison from John Strode, 20 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Desperate must be His circumstances—and Credulous the Man, who forsakes His Country & friends, to follow an Adventurer So Wild as Morgan, who does not even pretend to originate His scheme in Any Manner of Security, or from power or Authority, whatever. His proposals can have no influence on me. Am Nevertheless most humbly thankfull my Good Sir for Your kind Condescention and trouble in the...
52To James Madison from Thomas Underwood, 20 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Yours I recd. for which I thank you and am happy to hear that the Members of your honorable body agree so well in Political matters. I wish very much to know your oppinion of the public debt, that bears so hard on us whether it can be discharged in any short time without having recourse to direct taxes—and how the general oppinion runs respecting the Certificates due to the officers and...
53To James Madison from James McHenry, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was very happy to learn that you had dismissed the first reported bill for the collection of the revenue. In this State and perhaps in some of the others, the Laws were too much in favor of the officers at the expence of the revenue. Here, where the imports are so very considerable, instead of a naval officer and collector constituted to be checks upon each other, the whole power was lodged...
54To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 24 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the copy of the amendments proposed to the constitution which you lately inclosed to me —they are calculated to secure the personal rights of the people so far as declarations on paper can effect the purpose, leaving unimpaired the great Powers of the government—they are of such a nature as to be generally acceptable and of course more likely to obtain the assent of Congress...
55To James Madison from Edward Stevens, 25 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your very obliging Letter of the 11th May has been received some time past, and I thank you for the information it gave. We in this Quarter are anxciously looking forward for the events of the Deliberations of Congress. Numbers of us have been astonished at their leting slip through their hands all the Duties on the Spring importations and think it will be lamented, that your first plan on...
56To James Madison from John Dawson, 28 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
You will be pleas’d to accept my thanks for the Journals receivd a few days since by mr. Hopkins, from whom I learnt the different subjects which engage the attention of Congress and the variety of opinions on some of them. You have it in contemplation, I hear, to adjourn in August. Surely you will not do this without recommending those alterations which have been so ardently desird by many of...
57To James Madison from George Nicholas, 29 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter and enclosure not found. 29 June 1789. Calendared in the lists probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany). The two documents were offered for sale in the Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892), which listed items from the McGuire collection of JM’s papers.
58To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 30 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I thank you sincerely for several letters, which my vagrant life between this place and Richmond upon business has prevented me from acknowledging in due season. The amendments, proposed by you, are much approved by the strong fœderalists here and at the Metropolis; being considered as an anodyne to the discontented. Some others, equally affectionate to the union, but less sanguine, expect to...
59To James Madison from Hugh Williamson, 2 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Post Master at Peters burg informed me on this Day Week that a Letter in your Hand for me had but two days before that passed through his Hands. I verily believe that unless you can persuade Congress seriously to take up & agree to some such Amendmts as you have proposed North Carolina will not confederate but of this more particulars when I have the Pleasure of seeing you which I hope...
60To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 3 [July] 1789 (Madison Papers)
I arrived a few days past from Wilmington, and had an opportunity of hearing the sentiments of a number of people in five counties through which I traveled who were originally opposed to the new government. They have, most of them, changed their opinions, and are now friendly to it. I am anxious to know the fate of your attempt to mend the constitution, and whether anything can, with...
61To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 3 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Yours by Mr. Hopkins with the journal inclosed has been received and the journals as you desired delivered to Mr. Randolph who requests me to return you his thanks—that of the 21t. is also come to hand. I have seen a copy of the bill establishing the judiciary and from the cursory reading I have given it the different powers and jurisdictions of the Courts would have been more clearly seen had...
62To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, [3 July] 1789 (Madison Papers)
… The question concerning the power of removing Officers was important, and twas much better to investigate it fully, tho’ at the expense of a weeks discussion, than take a wrong step in it. I concur in sentiment with the decision. The Argument that the Power of removal should follow that of Creation has weight, but is abundantly overballanced by the objection that an Executive Officer might...
63To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 3 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Yr. Obliging favr. of the 21st. past, is just come to hand. The question concerning the power of removing Officers was important, and ’twas much better to investigate it fully, tho’ at the expence of a weeks discussion, than take a wrong step in it. I concur in Sentiment with the Decision. The Argument that the Power of removal should follow that of Creation, has weight, but is abundantly...
64To James Madison from Richard Peters, 5 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
It is better to be late in thanking you for your Present of Tobacco by Mr Delany than not to do it at all. You have given me the Quid but as to the pro quo you must find it in the Satisfaction you enjoy in doing civil Things. I am in the Midst of a popular Assembly of Mowers & Haymakers & my Harvest will overtake me before I am ready for it. You are in the Midst of a popular Assembly of...
65To James Madison from Samuel Johnston, 8 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your Letters of the 21st and 22d. of June by the last post and feel very sensibly the Obligation you have conferred on me, by the trouble you have taken in this Business, at a Season when you were too much engaged to have any time to spare without inconvenience. Every one is very much pleased with the President’s answer to our Address. I have agreeably to your...
66To James Madison from David Rittenhouse, 10 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Engaged as you are in business of the greatest importance as well as difficulty, and harrass’d by a thousand importunate applications, I am fully sensible of the impropriety of troubling any of my friends in Your situation, even with a letter, unless I had either some useful information or matter of amusement to communicate. Permit me nevertheless, by this method, to recommend to your notice...
67To James Madison from George W. Smith, 10 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
You will doubtless be much surprised at an Obtrusion so unexpected, and from one who much [ sic ] be considered by you as a Stranger. I am however, no Stranger to your Character; in which Wisdom & Virtue unite to render it amiable, and which can never fail to acquire you the Respect, the admiration, & the Esteem of all who know it. Much time & much labour it hath cost you. You were happy, Sir,...
68To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 11 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Christopher Roane, who is a searcher at City Point, requests to be introduced to you. He would wish to continue in office . He is a man of great integrity, and has conducted himself well as a Searcher. He was an officer during the late war. Your assistance, in continuing him in office, will, I think, be of service to him, & of advantage to our country, if appointed; he appears to me, to be...
69To James Madison from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., 11 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have erased the names of my Brothers between whom the above Letter passed, to leave you at liberty to make what use you think proper of it. I send you inclosed also an Extract from the Printed report above-mentioned which I recd by the Packet, & which I sent for general information to Mr Fenno. I think it may be particularly useful in Virginia. I remain Dr Sir Your obedt Servt. RC and...
70To James Madison from Peter Carr, 13 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
You informed me some time ago, that there remained in your hands a balance of some money due Mr. Jefferson, and that you were willing it should be applied to the use of my brother and myself. Being disappointed in receiving money which I had expected here you will oblige me much, by advancing what is in Yr. hands. I am Sir Yr. very H Servt RC ( DLC ). Addressed by Carr. Docketed by JM. Perhaps...
71To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor advising of the passage of the tonage & impost bills by both houses I have recd. It was my intention to have remov’d to Albemarle & attended the Chancery next month thence. But as it will be better to leave Mrs. M. here in that interval than there, where she has comparitively but few acquaintance, have postpon’d our removal untill abt. the 15. of August. The contest between the two...
72To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 19 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am told, that within these few days a considerable quantity of Madeira wine has been run into Virginia in the face of day; and that the opinion of the bar is, that neither law nor court exists, which can embrace the case. We shall have a total anarchy in the customs, unless you speedily forward both to us. The impost-bill, we are informed, has been matured into a law. We hear nothing of...
73To James Madison from George Turner, 19 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
As many of the public offices are about to be disposed of, may I crave the favour of your influence? Having experienced your friendship on a former occasion, though I did not make use of the letter you favoured me with, I feel emboldened to offer you this additional trouble, which, I trust, you will excuse. I am unacquainted with the particular appointments which are, at this time, to be made,...
74To James Madison from Richard Peters, 20 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
It is but within a Day or two that I recieved yours of the 14th. in which you very properly leave me as you found me on the Subject I rambled into. But I will revenge myself by sending you a Copy of an old Fable which I have in a curious Collection I keep by me entitled “ Aunciente connynge Balladdes .” I am chained to my Chair by my old Tormentor the Piles & I maliciously wish not that all my...
75To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of June. Within a day or two after, yours of May 9. came to hand. In the rest of Europe nothing remarkeable has happened; but in France such events as will be for ever memorable in history. To begin where my last left them, the king took on himself to decide the great question of voting by persons or by orders, by a declaration made at a Seance royale on the...
76From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of June. Within a day or two after yours of May 9. came to hand. In the rest of Europe nothing remarkeable has happened; but in France such events as will be for ever memorable in history. To begin where my last left them, the king took on himself to decide the great question of voting by persons or by orders, by a declaration made at a Seance royale on the 23d....
77To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 15th. In my letter of yesterday, I gave you a faithful narrative of my situation. On further reflection I feel the propriety of the communication more strongly. More confidentially therefore do I repose myself on you. Colo. Parker seems to think (but I am persuaded upon grounds, in no respect tenable,) that the president expects applications from...
78To James Madison from Walter Jones, [ca. 25 July] 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was favoured a few days ago, with your Letter of the 12th. of July, which evinced the just prospect I had entertained and expressed, of your correspondence. The inestimable Rights & Interests, subject to your Custody or discussion, naturally fill a mind, warmly interested in their fate, & remote from the source of Intelligence, with an Anxiety, that longs for the Relief of Information, and...
79To James Madison from Leighton Wood, 25 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Being desirous from a variety of reasons mostly of a private na[ture] to change my residence, & presuming on your Friendship I ta[ke] the liberty of soliciting your recommendation to some O[ffice] under the new Government, for which you may deem [me] qualified. The different Departments that I have had the honour to hold for twelve Years past in the State of Virginia, & for almost nine of them...
80To James Madison from John Hoomes, 27 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have lately made a tour of the district of Kentucky & am very much pleased with the face of the Country & have Serious thoughts of moving to it, which may be a matter of considerable consequence to me, & perhaps of the greatest & lasting importance to my family. For those reasons I trust you will excuse me for troubling you on a Subject so interesting & if hastily determined on may end in...
81To James Madison from Richard Grubb, 29 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
At a time when Your extensive abilitys and attention are so constantly engaged and unremittingly employed in the advancing the happiness, of Your Country, an Address from an Individual and who has not the honor of being personaly known to You, And on a subject which may appear somewhat partial, May be an intrusion deman[d]ing great merit in the subject and Party intruding to apologize for. The...
82To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 22d. Since that I have received yours of the 23d. of May. The president’s title as proposed by the Senate was the most superlatively ridiculous thing I ever heard of. It is a proof the more of the justice of the character given by Doctr. Franklin of my friend [:] always an honest man often a great one but sometimes absolutely mad . I wish he could have been here during the...
83From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 22d. Since that I have received yours of the 23d. of May. The president’s title as proposed by the senate was the most superlatively ridiculous thing I ever heard of . It is a proof the more of the justice of the character given by Doctr. Franklin of my friend: ‘Always an honest man , often a great one, but sometimes absolutely mad.’ . I wish he could have been here during...
84To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 30 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
That several of the Packets you have done me the favor to send have remained so long unacknowledged is owing to my having been engaged in business which took me out of reach of the Post Office. I a few days ago was possessed of the whole together. The papers containing the debates upon the powers of the President to remove Officers of the Executive department, were truly acceptable. This was...
85To James Madison from Archibald Stuart, 31 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am happy to inform you that throughout the Whole of My Circuit (which is not small) Party spirit & Political dissentions are now no more. We all Wish to come in under the Cloak of a few amendments should they even be inadequate to a compleat Justification of our former Opinions: for this purpose if no Other reasons could be offered I hope some of your amendments will go down. There is but...
86To James Madison from Zachariah Burnley, ca. August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. August 1789. Mentioned in JM to Hamilton, ca. 5 Oct. 1789 . Requests JM’s aid in obtaining a clerkship for his son, Reuben.
87To James Madison from George Turner, 2 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
When I took the liberty to trouble you with my letter, I wished to leave much to the discretion of my friends, as to any appointment for which I might be offered. I had no precise knowledge of the greater part of the offices to be created; nor was I informed how the candidates for public favour had directed the train of their applications. It was possible, I reflected, that many of them might...
88To James Madison from John Walker, 2 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 2 August 1789. Calendared in the lists probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany). The one-page letter was offered for sale in the Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892), which listed items from the McGuire collection of JM’s papers.
89To James Madison from John Walker, 2 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 8th ult: with its inclosures; But little have I to give you in return. We have at length been blessed with a fine rainy season, after one of the most alarming droughts I remember, which was, as far as I could hear, almost universal; but the rain, I hope, has been as general, & if frequently repeated, we may still make a plenty of bread, tho’ the crops of...
90To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 3 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since mine of the 30th. Ult, I have been honored with yours of the 20th. & 22d. I am disappointed in the Issue of the Tonage Bill—it is however to be hoped that G. B. will, from what has happened, take some alarm & adopt such a policy as will leave it unnecessary to agitate a question of discrimination amongst foreign Nations again—she is apprised to the natural advantages we possess over her,...
91From George Washington to James Madison, 5 August 1789 (Washington 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 communicating 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 first...
92To 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...
93To 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...
94To 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...
95From 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...
96To 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...
97To 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...
98To 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...
99To 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...
100To 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...