1From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 2 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I wrote some days ago to my brother Ambrose since which little has taken place worth adding. The inclosed newspapers contain a sketch of what has been done in the House of Reps. I mentioned to my brother that I thought it better to ship or postpone the sale of Tobo. than to sell at the present price in the Country. I am more & more convinced that this will be prudent. The price has risen...
2From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., ca. 23 November 1793 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 23 November 1793. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 25 Nov. 1793 : “I wrote from Fredg. by Col: Monroe’s servant & informed you that I had left with Mr. Jones £18–12–5 which would be del[i]vered to your order.”
3From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 September 1784 (Madison Papers)
I arrived at this place the night before last only, having declined starting from Fredg. at the time I proposed when I parted with you & having staid at Baltimore one day. At the latter place I fell in with the Marquis & had his company thus far. He is proceeding Northwd. as far as Boston from whence he goes to the Indian Treaty at Fort Stanwix & from thence returns to Virga. about the same...
4From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have been much disappointed in not hearing from you on the subject of the Chariot; as well as on the enquiries I made respecting my crops of Corn, & the quantity of Wheat sent from my farms to Mr. Dunbar. I have just heard that Mr. Anderson expected to receive a quantity of Clover seed, & have written to Mr. Blair to procure me from 1 to 3 bushls. accordg. to the price, & forward it to...
5From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 15 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of Jany. 2d. It will be well for you to send on your list of articles wanted as soon as possible. I hope Kyser will not disappoint us in the Clover Seed; and that other chances at Fredg. & elsewhere will be watched: As I shall get some at all events even here, I wish a Box to be made as soon as can be done. It will be the more necessary the more scanty the...
6From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 13 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
My last was to my brother A. and acknowledged ⟨the⟩ receipt of the Diary. I inclose one for the month of April ⟨whi⟩ch you can compare with your own for the same month. I inclose also a few grains of upland rice, brought from Timor by Capt: Bligh lately distinguished by an adventure which you must have seen in the Newspapers. He was returning from a voyage of discovery in the South seas, and...
7From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 25 November 1793 (Madison Papers)
Having procured at this place a substitute for Daman I shall send back Sam, after going a few miles just to try the new arrangement. He will be in Fredg. tonight and will thence make the best of his way home. A letter red. at Fredg. from Mr. Jefferson says that the fever has entirely vanished. Another of the 20th. from a gentleman in Philada confirms it in the most decided terms. And I...
8From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 24 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
My last informed you of the miscarriage of the Assize scheme. It has been followed with an attempt to reform the County Courts, which will probably end in the appointment of four months in which the Courts shall be confined to Docket business & compelled to dispatch it. A Bill is depending for the payment of British debts, nearly on the model of that which fell thro’ last year. It is extremely...
9From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have sent by a Vessel just sailed a small cask of port wine—a few Glass & plate wares with some knives & forks and two or three Books for Fanny. They are addressed to Mr. Anderson. Among the Books are two translations of Telemachus. One was bought before that in 2 vol: which is the proper one for her use could be met with. The supernumerary one which is the best for the English reader may be...
10From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 17 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Col. Wadsworth of Connecticut wishes to procure a Barrel or half-Barrel of the best Peach Brandy & I have undertaken to use my efforts for the purpose. If it can be got at all it is probably in our Neighbourhood. I recollect particularly that Colo Geo. Taylor had some that we thought good & which is perhaps to be obtained. If that or any better can be had I shall be glad that one of my...
11From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 July 1770 (Madison Papers)
I reciev’d yours dated June 4th. & have applied to Mr. Hoops as you directed; he says you must suit yourself in paying him, & if you should let him have a bill of Exchange it must be on your own terms: Forty Pounds £40. New Jersey Currency is the Sum I shall have of him before I get home. my frugality has not been able to keep it below that, consistant with my staying here to the best...
12From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 9 October 1771 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to your requests I hereby send you an answer to your’s of the 25th. of Sept. which I recieved this morning. My Letter by Dr. Witherspoon who left this place yesterday week contains most of what you desire to be informed of. I am exceedingly rejoiced to hear of the happy deliverance of my Mother & would fain hope your rheumatic pains will not continue much longer. The Bill of...
13From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 16 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Anderson in answer to your enquiries tells me that you shall have goods at 87½ Per Ct. and that he will take Tobo. for his brother if it be ready by the 10th. of next month. The H. of Delegates have done little since my last, and some of what was then done is still ineffectual for want of a Senate. A proposition for stopping the receipt of indents was made, and met with so little...
14From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 14 December 1794 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 24th. Ulto: was answered last week. I have since recd. that of the 3d. inst: the cheif object of which is to learn whether I shall be able to contribute an effective proportion to the advances which will be wanted for the Mill. To this enquiry I can only say in general that, tho’ it is possible I may not be able to co-operate as much as might be desireable, I have several...
15From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 12 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison, Js. Feby. 12. 1783.” Col: Jameson affords me an opportunity of writing which I cannot omit, although I have little more to say to you than that I hope you & the family may be as well as I am myself. I readily suppose from the reports prevalent here that some information on the subject of peace will be expected, & I wish it were in my power...
16From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 31 July 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your’s of the 9th. inclosing a letter for Mr. Chew which I shall forward as you desire. As far as I have had an opportunity of enquiring I do not find that Coffee can be got here on terms that will make it worth while to prefer it to what can be got in Virginia. The price of brown Sugar I have not yet learnt but will attend to your request on that subject. The funding bill has at...
17From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 30 October 1791 (Madison Papers)
We arrived here yesterday morning was a week, having been obliged to push through the bad weather by the discovery first made at Mount Vernon that the meeting of Congress was a week earlier than was calculated at our setting out. The President had been under the same mistake, and had but just been apprized of it. Many others had equally miscalculated. Being obliged to attend immediately on my...
18From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 1 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 17th. Feby. and have made enquiry as to the Andover Works, not indeed thro’ the channel you suggested, but through one still more direct & authentic. I find that the works are not pursued with such alacrity at present as to promise the supply you wish, that it is uncertain whether it would be delivered at Philada. at all, and that the price is at present...
19From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed “May 27. 1783” by the recipient. Probably some years after writing the letter, JM wrote “Madison Js” above the date line. I duly recd. yours of the 16th. inst: yesterday by the post, and hope as you are fixing a communication with Fredg. that I shall hear often from you during my stay here thro’ the same channel, as I shall be attentive on my side to fulfil...
20From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 5 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
I have disposed of the tobacco entrusted to me for 40/. per Ct. but receive in hand no more than will be delivered by Mr. Craig. The residue will be paid before I leave this place. I inclose a draught on S. J. from Col: Harvey, for £200 for Which I have credited Mr. Anderson on his bond. Mr. Anderson could not pay the balance now, but expects to do it shortly. The draught & the remittance will...
21From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 19 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
We have been concerned as well as disappointed in not having a single line from Orange since we left it. Fanny has written by every post; & has reminded you & complained of it. I have never even heard whether Mordicai got back safe or not. I refer to the letter to my brother William, for the state of things here, the price of wheat &c. You expressed a wish that some articles for Negro’s...
22From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 15 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
The last letter recd. from you was that of Feby. 1. Since my answer to that the state of the roads & rivers has been such as to render the conveyance of letters very tedious if not uncertain, and hence to produce the interval between that date & the present. I now inclose 5 Nos. of the National Gazette which continue the intelligence throughout the period of my silence. You will find noticed...
23From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 25 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your two letters of the 12 & 11. came duly to hand since my last. The power of Atty sent me proves sufficient. It will be necessary for you to have a proper one at Richmond to prevent another transfer hither. The weather has been so intensely cold that I have not yet gone out to the proper office with Saml. French’s Certificate. I am at a loss to account for Mr. Noe’s draught. I know of no...
24From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 3 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
The last letter I recd. from you was of Novr. 12. I had previously informed you that your certificates had been funded by Messr. Ashton & Wister. They are now in my hands, with interest due on them from Jany. last, which cannot be drawn without a power of attorney to me for the purpose. My brother William can procure you blank powers at Richmond. It will be proper in filling up the blank to...
25From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 14 August 1790 (Madison Papers)
Congs. not having closed their session till the day before yesterday, and the weather being extremely hot, I have thought it necessary in order to avoid the danger of a bilious attack to which I am become very subject, to wait here a few weeks which will render the journey more safe, and afford me moreover the pleasure of Mr. Jefferson’s company quite to Orange. This resolution puts it out of...
26From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 22 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
The last mail brought us the pleasure of yours, of Jany. 8th. Fanny did not bring the letter-types with her, and cannot say with absolute certainty where they are to be found. She is pretty confident however that she put them in the Closet upstairs, on the right hand shelf, among some books. The shortness of the crop of Corn at Black-Meadow is a proof of the ruinous tendency of perpetual...
27From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 June 1794 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 26 Ult: on the subject of the bill of exchange, and at the same time a draught from Mr. Triplet for 200 dollars on a house here which has accepted it. I have not yet fixt on a Forte Piano but have several in my eye; and will make a choice as soon as I can satisfy myself, and will have it forwarded it [ sic ] as soon as an opportunity offers. The adjournment is put off till...
28From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 20 March 1780 (Madison Papers)
FC ( LC : Madison Papers). In this retained copy, JM omitted “Hon’d Sir,” his usual salutation when writing to his father. The extreme badness of the roads and frequency of rains rendered my journey so slow that I did not reach this place till saturday last. The only public intelligence I have to communicate is that the great and progressive depreciation of the paper currency had introduced...
29From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 24 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
The H. of D. have just past a bill makg. Tobo. recievable in the tax at the market price at the several Warehouses to be fixt by the Executive. There is a proviso that the highest price shall not exceed 28/. An equality of price throughout was contended for which I disapproved 1. because I think it wd. have been unjust. 2 because the bill could not have been carried in that form. I was not...
30From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., ca. 5 March 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 5 March 1797. Referred to in JM to James Madison, Sr., 12 Mar. 1797 . Requests his name not be placed on Orange County ballot for Virginia House of Delegates.
31From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 10 November 1794 (Madison Papers)
My last was as far back as the return of Sam from Harewood. I have postponed writing untill the Session should commence for two reasons. One you will readily conjecture: The other that I might inclose the introductory proceedings. From the want of a Quorum of Senators, these have not yet taken place. It was expected that the defect would be supplied to day. Whether it will be or not I cannot...
32From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 13 February 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 31. Ult: and am glad to find that my sister Hite has withdrawn herself from the Region of the Small pox. It gives me particular pleasure also to learn that my mother’s health has so far been restored. You will see by one of the inclosed papers that the price of Wheat continues at from 8/4 to 8/6. Whether it will rise or fall or how much, is more than I can say. I...
33From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are three more of the Natl Gazettes. They will give you all the information which is current; as well in relation to the proceedings of Congress, as to other matters. A vote has passed the two Houses fixing the 5th. of next month for the adjournment. It is possible that it may be put off a day or two longer, tho’ it is pro[ba]ble from the impatience of the members that the session...
34From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 21 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
An indisposition on the road retarded me so much that I was not able to take my seat in Congs. till yesterday. It began at Dumfries with a slight complaint in my bowells. On my arrival at George Town it took the form of a Dysentery and was pretty severe for some days. With the aid of my friend Docr. Stuart who was so good as to see me every day, I was in a condition to prosecute my journey in...
35From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., [1–15 June] 1776 (Madison Papers)
would be adviseable to make the best terms you can with him. I intend to apply myself to him on my return home. I have not had an opportunity since I red. your last of taking the opinion of Col Pendleton on Ignatius’s Queries, but I shall speak to him on the subject as soon as I can find him at leasure, which his close engagement in business occasions to be not very often the case. Col. Henry...
36From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., [29] March 1777 (Madison Papers)
The family have been pretty well since you left us except Anthony. He was taken on Wednesday morning with a strong Ague succeeded by a high fever and accompanied with a pain in his Stomach and side. The Swelling in his Arm also increased very considerably and became hard and painful. I was a good deal at a loss in what manner to proceed with him being unable to form any Judgmt. of the nature...
37From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 July 1792 (Madison Papers)
The Iron from Mr. Guinn was delivered this morning. I have noted in the margin its weight at the shop which I suppose comes sufficiently near the quantity charged. The 36/. due for the potts & boxes have been put into the hands of the Waggoner. His own charge for freight was 12 dollars which I have paid, tho’ from the sum you left, it must be more than you had calculated. The family is as you...
38From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 November 1796 (Madison Papers)
We ended our journey on tuesday afternoon, without any injurious incident on the way. We found the roads better than I ever experienced them, and the weather was equally favorable. Mordecai arrived the day before yesterday, and sets out on his return today. Immediately on my getting here, I called on the man who was to make the hoisting Screw, & had the satisfaction to find that it had been...
39From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 29 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 7th. was handed to me a few days ago by Mr. Newman who is to call on me this evening for an answer. 700 dollars were enclosed in it. As I cannot get any wire of the description you direct, nor indeed any but a little fitted for bolting according to the flour model, and that at a price more than double the old one I have declined laying out the money. Should you be in great want &...
40From St. Mary’s Seminary to James Sr. Madison, 23 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
Dr. the Honble James Madison for Jno. Todd. College charges specified in the Prospectus 1808 June 7 Washing Two quarters $9. mending Linen Stockings 3. Doctor’s Fees & Medicines 4. Paper slates, quills & c 3. Postage on 1 Letter & Pene post comon on 11th 30 Six Months board & Tuition en avance
41From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 June 1776 (Madison Papers)
I this day disposed of the Bill of Exchange I brought down to Col. Zane at 42%. and filled up the Blank for the sum with £.180. I take this earliest opportunity of acquainting you with it that no inconvenience may arise from your making any engagements inconsistent with the sale I have made. I was unwilling to take so low a price for the Bill but thought it the best that could be done at this...
42From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 17 November 1794 (Madison Papers)
I now inclose the letter omitted in my last. We have not had the pleasure of a single line from Orange since yours recd. just before leaving Berkeley. I hope it will not be long before our expectation is gratified on this point; and that you will be able to tell us all that we wish in favor of the re-establishment of my mothers health and the continuation of your own. I shall be glad also to...
43From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 4 May 1794 (Madison Papers)
By a vessel which sails for Fredg. today, I have sent a small box containing the following articles 6 ps. very coarse muslins, 1 ps. of finer. 2 lb. Tea, 3 Books on Medicine, a few pamphlets & a Sett of marking instruments. The muslins were bought as being extremely cheap, and useful for various purposes. If my mother or sister wants any part of them they will make free with them. If the finer...
44From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 8 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by James Madison, Sr., “Sep 8 1783.” Cover missing. Mr. Jones & myself being here transacting some private business which brought us from Princeton the end of last week, I here receive[d] your letter of the 22d. ulto. The favorable turn of my Mothers state of health is a source of great satisfaction to me, and will render any delay in my sitting out for...
45From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 18 November 1785 (Madison Papers)
I rcd. yrs. by Capt. Barbour who I hope will enquire as to Turpin in the land office. I wish you rather to confide such business to friends coming here who can be relied on than to refer it to me. I am so little Master of my time, and the Office is removed so far out of the way that I cannot be relied on. I will endeavor to get the Journals for you soon. The price of Tobo. forbids the sale of...
46From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 17 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
My last informed you of the articles procured & forwardd. in consequence of my several commissions. I now send the key of the trunk in which some of the articles are contained. I forgot to mention that the Tea in the Dressing boxes belongs to my brother Ambrose. You will see by the inclosed papers that the number of future representatives in Congress has been a subject of discussion, and is...
47From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 30 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have procured & inclose with the two last Natl. Gazettes, the 1st. No. which compleats your sett. If any that I send from time to time shd. miscarry, I wish you to let me know it and I will supply the loss. The Representation-bill has passed the two Houses, in the unconstitutional form proposed by the Senate, and is now before the Senate. It fixes the number at 120 members & distributes them...
48From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Having a moments time to drop you a line I inform you that the Bill for confirming surveys agst. subsequent entries has been negatived by a large majority, rather on the principle that it was unnecessary & retrospective, than that it was unjust in itself. On the contrary all the principal gentlemen were of opinion that it was just, but already provided for by the law. Mr. Innes the late Judge...
49From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 1 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Jno. Lusher & Joe got down this forenoon, with the articles sent. I shall execute your instructions as to the advertisements, and the Revised laws, if I can get at the latter time eno’ in the morning. I will do the same as to the French Dicty. for Mr. Taylor if I can effect it in time; if not I will make use of the first succeeding opportunity. I can give you no account of the Key of the...
50From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet recd. a single line from Orange since I left it. The letter from my brother when at Alexa. is the only written information that I have had the pleasure of, A few lines from Mr. Hite excepted. These gave me an account of my sisters marriage, and added that about that period my mother was better. I am anxious to hear more on that subject, and indulge my hopes that her health will...