51From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, [20] May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Docketed by Randolph, “Js. Madison, Jr. May 1783.” Many years later, after the letter was returned to JM, he wrote below the date line, “Randolph, Edm.” In another hand “[20?]” was inserted between “May” and “1783.” Apparently the same person wrote “96 Vol. I” at the top of the right margin of the first page of the letter. The reference...
52From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison June 24. 1783.” Cover missing. I cannot break in upon my punctuality so far as to omit acknowledging your favor by yesterday’s post, though I can scarce do more than refer you to the official letter to the Govr. and mine to Mr. Jones, which you will see, whether he be absent or present, having addressed it to you on the first...
53From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Docketed by Randolph, “J Madison June 10. 1783.” Apparently when he penned the letter, rather than when he recovered it many years later, JM wrote “Edmd. Randolph Esqr.” at the bottom of the first of three folios. Cover missing. Yesterday’s mail brought me two letters from you one of the 15 Ulto. inclosing the intervening sheet of the...
54From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 8 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “J Madison Octob: 8, 1782.” Letter unsigned and cover missing. Probably many years afterward, when the letter was returned to JM, he added to the docket, “contains Lovell’s cypher. E Randolph Esqr.” Late in his life JM or someone at his direction bracketed the text to indicate that all but the final sentence of the postscript should be included...
55From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 11 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Docketed by Randolph, “James Madison Feby. 11 1783.” I am particularly indebted to you for your favor of the 1st. inst. which you were obliged to forward through so many obstacles. Your idea of going into the legislative councils gives me peculiar satisfaction, & I anxiously wish the arrangements on which it depends may not miscarry. Indeed...
56From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 28 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
Excerpt ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 130–34). The manuscript has not been found. Only the last two paragraphs of the text, probably in cipher in the original, are printed here, because the rest of the letter is identical with the one which JM wrote to Joseph Jones on the same date, except for the personal...
57From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The honble Edmund Randolph Esqr Richmond.” Cover also franked and signed, “J Madison Jr.” Docketed by Randolph, “J Madison. Decr. 24. 1782.” In the last three paragraphs the italicized words or abbreviations are those encoded by JM in the official cipher. Since my last the Danae a French frigate has arrived from France with money for the French army and...
58From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 5–6 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “Js. Madison Aug 5–6. 1782 contains Lovell’s cypher.” Words italicized in the first paragraph were written in James Lovell’s cipher, those following “Augst. 6th.” in the official cipher. For the use of these codes, see Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (5 vols. to date;...
59From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 12 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked by “J. Madison Jr.” and addressed by him to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Aug: 12, 1783.” The arrival of yesterday’s mail has not enabled me to acknowledge the rect. of a favor. perhaps the post office may be again in fault. Our late belief of the arrival of the Defin: Treaty at N. York...
60From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 29 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed, “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed, “J. Madison Jr. May 29. 1782.” The inclosed letter was put into my hands several weeks ago. As I found by looking into it that it related to a subject decided on in the case of Col. Carrington, and which wd. be communicated by him to Majr. Pierce, I thought it unnecessary to transmit it by the Post. This is the...
61From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1782 (first) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “The honble Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Franked, “J Madison Jr.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Nov: 12. 1782.” On the cover, in Randolph’s hand, are also two parallel columns of small numbers. The left column is headed “Betsy” (Mrs. Edmund Randolph) and the other, “E. R.” Probably they were opponents in a household game for which Randolph kept...
62From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 27 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover franked by “J. Madison Jr” and addressed to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Jr. May. 27 1783.” A letter recd. yesterday from Mr. F. Webb, inclosing bills in my favor for £200 Virga. Curny. informed me of the successful effort of your friendship for my relief. Mr. Ambler informed me that your attempt was for £100 more, but was...
63From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 11 September, 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). On the cover JM wrote, “J. Madison Jr Sepr. 11. 1782” and “The Honbl Edmund Randolph Esqr. Virginia Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “James Madison Sepr. 11. 1782.” Randolph used one flap of the cover to make notes about the evidence presented at the trial of “the Man who is charged with the Murder of Capt. Knott.” See McIlwaine, Official Letters H. R. McIlwaine,...
64From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 8 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked by him and addressed to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J Madison July 8. 1783.” Yours of the 28. of June like the preceding one found me at this place, where my preparations for leaving Congs. will keep me much of the remainder of my time. The footing on which the Impost is placed by the Assembly is...
65From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 1 May 1781—Misdated (Madison Papers)
Letter misdated. 1 May 1781 [ 2 ]. Three of the earlier editions of the papers of JM printed portions of his letter, allegedly written on 1 May 1781, to Edmund Randolph, attorney general of Virginia and delegate from that state in Congress beginning on 14 June 1781 ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 90–93; Madison,...
66From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 111–12). The manuscript of the letter, which is missing, probably was lost between 1840 and 1865, the dates of publication of the Gilpin and Congressional editions, respectively. JM inadvertently dated the letter “1782” rather than 1783. The error was his rather than...
67From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “July 30. 1782.” Cover missing. The italicized words are those written by JM in the Lovell cipher. I was not mistaken in my intimation that an attack would be made on the last commission and instructions relative to peace [.] on Wednesday last the motion was made by M—r Lee and seconded by
68From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 9 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover franked by “J. Madison Jr.” and addressed by him to “The honble Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond by Express.” Docketed by Randolph, “1782, Aug. 9.” Extract of a letter from Carlton & Digby to Gen Washington. Augt. 2. “We are acquainted Sir by Authority, that negociations for a general peace have already commenced at Paris & that Mr. Grenville is invested with...
69From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover franked by “J Madison Jr” and addressed to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Aug: 24. 1783.” Beneath this docket is written in an unknown hand, “Letters of the honble J Madison (of Congress),” probably signifying that at one time the cover was at the top of a packet of JM’s letters. Mr. Jones who arrived the beginning of the...
70From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 13 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Feb: 13. 1783.” The italicized words are those enciphered by JM in the Randolph code. I heartily congratulate you on the dawn of peace presented in the inclosed paper. Apprehending that the commercial sagacity of this & intervening places, may sieze the crisis to speculate on the Staple of Virga., we have judged it prudent to...
71From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 19 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked by “J Madison Jr.” and addressed by him to “The honble Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “James Madison Novr. 19 1782.” I find by your favor of the 8th. that your occupation with the Courts has continued to be a bar to the completion of the Cypher. It is very little missed however on my part as yet, the...
72From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 12 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed by JM, “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond. By Express.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison March 12. 1783.” For the “Express,” see Delegates to Harrison, 12 Mar. 1783, n. 24 . Capt. Barney commanding the American packet boat which has been long expected with official intelligences from our Ministers in Europe arrived here this morning. He brings a supply...
73From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, [16]–17 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned letter in JM’s hand. Cover missing but letter docketed by Randolph, “17 Sept. 82.” The date line originally read “Philada. Sepr. 1782.” Many years later JM inserted “[17]” between the month and the year. In view of his “Sepr. 17.” at the beginning of the seventh paragraph, this insert almost certainly should have been [16]. The italicized words are those...
74From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 11 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed, “J. Madison, Phil: 11. June 1782.” Words written by JM in the official cipher are italicized. I have your favor of the 1st. instant. I hope you received mine altho you do not acknowledge them. My punctuality has not been intermitted more than once or twice since your departure, and in no instance for a considerable time past. I have written so fully...
75From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked by “J. Madison Jr” and addressed by him to “Edmund Randolph Esqr Richmond.” Randolph docketed the cover, “Decr. 30. 1782. J Madison.” Except for “May” in the fourth paragraph, the words italicized are those written by JM in the Randolph code. See Randolph to JM, 22 November 1782 , and n. 1. Your favor of the 13th. instant...
76From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 17 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked by “J. Madison Jr” and addressed by him to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Cover docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison. June 17. 1783.” Your favor of the 4th., the second from Williamsburg, was rcd. yesterday. I have recd. nothing from Mr. Hay during your absence from Richmond, but the omission has been supplied by Mr. Ambler...
77From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 29 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover missing. Letter docketed by Randolph, “James Madison. (of Congress). April: 29. 1783.” Yesterday’s post was the third that has arrived successively without a line from you. The Definitive Treaty it is said is to be remitted to the two Imperial Courts for their approbation, before the last hand will be put to it. This will be mere...
78From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 13 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). JM addressed the cover, “The honble Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” The docket, in Randolph’s hand, reads “J. Madison Jr April 13. 1782.” Except where otherwise noted, words italicized in the letter were written by JM in the official cipher. Subsequent to his recovery of the letter in 1821, JM lined through “April 13” with ink and beneath it wrote “August 13.”...
79From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In JM’s hand but lacks complimentary close and signature. Cover franked by “J. Madison Jr” and addressed by him to “The Honble Edmund Randolph Esqr Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “The Honble J. Madison Decr. 10. 1782.” Words italicized are those written by JM in the official cipher. The Assembly of Penna. have with much difficulty been prevailed on to desist from a...
80From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 1 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Lacks complimentary close and signature but in JM’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison April 1. 1783.” Your favor of the 22. Ulto. verifies my fears that some disappointment would defeat your plan of going into the Legislature. I regret it the more as every day teaches me more & more the necessity of such measures as I know you would have...
81From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 28 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned, and cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “Mr. Madison. 28th. Jan: 83.” To this docket is added in an unknown hand, “in part JO.” For a possible explanation of this phrase, see n. 3. Notwithstanding the precariousness of the passage over the Susquehanna your favor of the 15th. inst. was duly recd. yesterday. I will mention to Mr. J. your apology for the...
82From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 13 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Randolph’s surname is written in an unknown hand at the bottom of the letter’s second page. Internal evidence permits no doubt that he was the addressee. By Mr. Lee who set out yesterday afternoon I sent you a pamphlet collecting into one view all the acts & documents relative to the National debt &c which Congress have prepared for the Legislatures....
83From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 29 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). At the bottom of the first page of this two-page letter, JM wrote “E. Randolph Esqr.” The cover is missing. Words and parts of words encoded by JM in the official cipher have been italicized. Late in his life JM or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the beginning of the second paragraph and another bracket at the close of the sixth paragraph to designate the...
84From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, and the name of the addressee is not shown in the letter. Docketed in Randolph’s hand, “J Madison May 21. 1782.” JM’s autograph list of letters from “JM. to E. Randolph” ( Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (4 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , III, 100–101 , editorial note)...
85From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 3 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Many years later, after recovering this letter, JM wrote “Randolph” below the text. I thank you cordially for the narrative of legislative proceedings contained in your favor of the 24th ulto In return for the Journal of the House of Delegates I inclose herewith a copy of the proceedings of Congs. since Novr. last. There is a chasm in the Journal you...
86From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 20 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover missing but contents make clear that the addressee was Randolph. Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison jr. Aug. 20. 1782.” In the first two paragraphs the italicized words are those encoded by JM in the official cipher; in the third paragraph, the Lovell cipher. On JM’s roster of letters written to Randolph ( JM to Randolph, 13 August...
87From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 16 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “July 16. 1782.” The cover is missing. What may have been a brief complimentary close and signature are too faded to be legible. The italicized words are those written by JM in cipher, except in the one instance mentioned in n. 10. For the passage which he encoded in the Lovell rather than the official cipher, see n. 27. Many years after writing...
88From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 1 May 178[2] (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 90–93; and Madison, Letters [Cong. ed.] [William C. Rives and Philip R. Fendall, eds.], Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (published by order of Congress; 4 vols.; Philadelphia, 1865). , I, 43). The third paragraph of the letter, as here printed, is taken...
89From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Docketed by Randolph, “J Madison, September 30. 1782.” On the cover, of which only a fragment is extant, is “andolph Esqr. Richmond.” The letter from the Govr. to the Delegation recd. yesterday along with yours of the 20th. inst: expresses some agitation at the supposed effects of the letters to him from Genl Carlton. Whatever curiosity...
90From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 4 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “Madison. Febr 4. 1783.” Except where otherwise noted, the italicized words are those enciphered by JM in the Randolph code. For this code, see JM to Randolph, 7 Jan. 1783 , and hdn. By a letter recd. from Col: Monroe by Mr. Jones I find that my conjectures as to the cause of your silence by the last post were but too true. To the same cause...
91From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 17 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Originally docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison jr. (of Cong) 17 Septr 1782.” Probably upon recovering the letter ( Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (5 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , III, 100 ), JM canceled “Septr” and wrote “December” in front of “17.” Although dated...
92From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 14 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked by “J Madison Jr.” and addressed to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “James Madison Jany 14. 1783.” Yesterday’s post having arrived without a mail from Virga. I was disappointed of the pleasure of a letter from you. All the foreign articles which have come to hand are published in the inclosed gazette of...
93From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 5 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Nov: 5. 1782.” Except when otherwise noted, the italicized words are those written by JM in the official cipher. My last informed you that a proposition had been made in Congress for accepting the territorial Cession of N. York. The paper inclosed contains the proceedings which ensued. The acceptance of...
94From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, [28 July] 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked “J. Madison Jr.,” and addressed by him to “Edmund [Rand]olph Esqr. Richmond.” The brackets enclose a syllable which has faded out except for the first stroke of the “R.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison July 28 1783.” Yesterday’s mail brought me no letter from you. The Address from the Citizens of Pa. came before Congs. on...
95From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 25 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked and addressed by him to “Edmund Randolph [Esq]r. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “Honble Jas. Madison, March 25 1783.” Probably after recovering the letter and noting that Randolph’s “3” in the year could easily be mistaken for a “5,” JM added “1783” to the docket. Your favor of the 15th. inst: was duly recd. yesterday. Mine...
96From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 27 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. The cover is franked “J Madison Jr.” and addressed by him to “The honble Edmund Randolph Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison jr. Aug: 27, 1782.” Unless otherwise noted, the italicized words are those encoded by JM in the official cipher. Your favor of the 16th. came duly to hand yesterday. The hints which it gives with regard to...
97From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 7 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed will make the third letter I have written to Mr Nicholas within twelve months upon an interesting matter to Colo. Fairfax, without receiving an answer. As I am convinced a miscarriage of my letters, and not inattention in him is the cause of it, I take the liberty of addressing the inclosed to your care, & shall thank you for the bare acknowledgment of it. At this moment, we are...
98From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd with pleasure & thank you for your obliging favor of the 24th Ult. —I shall be happy in such communications as your leizure—& other considerations—will permit you to transmit me for I am as totally unacquainted with the political state of things, & what is going forward in the great national Council, as if I was an alien; when a competent knowledge of the temper and designs of our...
99From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will add to the obligations under which you have already laid me, by taking the trouble to transmit the inclosed to the speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. I am happy in having so good an opportunity, as that which now offers by Capt. la Touche, of forwarding the letter to the Marquis de la Fayette. I am not a judge of the Etiquette upon these occasions, but it really does seem odd...
100From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
12 April 1780. GW asks Randolph to undertake settlement of disputes among those holding mortgages on George Mercer’s lands in Virginia that GW sold prior to the war while acting under Mercer’s power of attorney. GW desired this “interesting & intricate” legal matter “brought to a conclusion at the ensuing Court.” GW promised Randolph that he would “take occasion in the course of a few Weeks to...