101From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 7th. inst. That mentioned to have been sent by the preceding post has not come to hand nor two others which Mrs. Randolph informs me you wrote before you left Virginia, nor indeed any other should you have been so kind as to have written any other. When I received the first letter fr[om the President of C]ongress inclosing their resolution, and mentioning...
102From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 3 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A journey into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy has prevented my sooner acknoleging the receipt of your private favors of July 12. 1786. and Jan. 28. and May 3. 1787.—I am anxious to hear what you have done in your federal convention. I am in hopes at least you will persuade the states to commit their commercial arrangements to Congress, and to enable them to pay their debts,...
103[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 25 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. Send his defence of Western territory to care Dr. Franklin-Norfolk-canal thro Dismal-Patowm. and Ohio.” Not found.]
104From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry you have been at the trouble of sending an express to me for information as to the transactions between the Executive and Nathan as I am satisfied I do not recollect a single fact that you are not already possessed of. In the winter of 1779. 1780. Mr. Nathen presented us some bills drawn by Genl. Clarke, Colo. Todd and perhaps others, which he said he had taken up at New Orleans or...
105Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The sale of Mazzei’s lots is at length concluded and the purchaser having deemed it necessary for me also to sign the deed as co-attorney with yourself, altho’ by a separate instrument, which being special did not revoke the power given to you, I have not hesitated to do so. I now forward it for your signature, and as that must be certified by some court, I must ask the favor of you to execute...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 1 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, the Chevalier de Saint Trys, passing hence to America, and meaning to visit Virginia, I take the liberty of recommending him to the notice and civilities of your Excellency, and of praying you to introduce him to such a line of acquaintance as may be agreeable and useful to him. Tho’ not particularly honoured by a previous acquaintance with him, I have sufficient assurances...
107From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. was recieved yesterday. the copy of the judgment v. Pendleton & Lyons was assigned by me by an indorsement to the Treasury of the US. and was sent to messrs Pickering & Wolcott; but returned to me with a request to keep it till called for. I do not recollect whether, since I came into the administration it has been given up to the Treasury, or is still in my hands. if...
108From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Randolph’s Reply, 12 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to tell me what answer to give to the interrogatory in the last sentence of this letter? [ Reply by Randolph: ] I do not see any absolute, or indeed probably necessity for the ancient treaties. But I am not certain, that it may not be satisfactory to have those, made with the state governments; since some of the commissioners are new in this kind of business; and might...
109To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with a Memorandum by Jefferson, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As your excellency and the council probably have not access to Vattel, on whose doctrines this hasty answer is founded, I shall inclose the paragraph from his work, which treats of the right of soldiery to booty. They seem to amount to this: that booty does in strictness belong to the commonwealth; but that late usage has divided it among the captors, military stores excepted. Now I believe,...
110From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 15 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be surprised to hear I am still in America. The vessel, in which Ct. Rochambeau and Chastlux went, having been destined for Cadix it was thought more adviseable for me to take my passage in the Romulus which was to sail within a few days. This was concluded the rather as at the sailing of the Emeraude I had not got half through the necessary communications. The French fleet having...
111From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 28 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 22d. it was the first information I had had of the sentence against Moss, the District attorney not having written to me as you supposed. I referred the case to the Post M. Gl. who in his answer says ‘his is not a single crime, but a series of crimes for months, if not years. there were found upon him between 1300. & 1500. D. which he had robbed in small...
112[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 30 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 30 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. European news. Dutch commotions—but 7. states—not fault of delegates but want of money.” Not found.]
113From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 27 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your two favors of May 26. and 29. which came to hand in due time and relieved my mind considerably, tho’ it was not finally done. During the vacation we may perhaps be able to hunt up the letters which are wanting, and get this tornado, which has been threatening us, dissipated. You have seen the speech and the address, so nothing need be said on them. The...
114From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 5 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed memorial from the British minister on the case of Thomas Pagan, containing a complaint of injustice in the dispensations of law by the courts of Massachusets to a British subject, the President approves of my referring it to you to report thereon your opinion of the proceedings, and whether any thing, and what, can or ought to be done by the government in consequence thereof.—I am...
115From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 24 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to mr Randolph and incloses him a note by which he will percieve that the pardon to Moss was sent from hence on the 11th. inst. under cover to the Marshal as is the usage. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
116Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 9 July 1791. By the president’s command, returns the enclosed letter with the thanks of the president for the attorney generals attention in submitting it for his perusal and notes that “The President expresses his pleasure at its contents.” LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter has not been identified.
117Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 31 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of this date ⟨requesting to⟩ be informed whether you understood the President rightly upon the following points respecting ⟨the demoliti⟩on of Mr Carroll’s House. Questn 1: Whether payment could be ordered to Carroll for ⟨more⟩ of his House than was run up, when he executed his ⟨agreement?⟩ Answr upon this point the Attorney General’s opinion is desired....
118Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President has desired me to transmit to you the enclosed containing a copy of a bill exhibited in the High Court of Chancery of Virginia relative to certain lots drawn as prizes in Colonel Bird’s lottery, and to request that you would take some opportunity to remind him of the business, and do the necessary in it before his departure from this place. The President thinks he shall be too...
119Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President directs me to offer you his sincere condolence for the loss of your sister—to which permit me, my dear sir to add mine. The President thinks it would be best for you to take an opportunity of conversing with Mr Ellicot respecting Mr Carroll’s house, before you send him your opinion on the subject, as he wishes every information to be had that can be obtained respecting it. The...
120From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 16 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers will give you the latest intelligence from Poughkepsie. It seems by no means certain what the result there will be. Some of the most sanguine calculate on a ratification. The best informed apprehend some clog that will amount to a condition. The question is made peculiarly interesting in this place, by its connexion with the question relative to the place to be recommended...
121From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 25 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned letter in JM’s hand. The cover is missing. Randolph wrote his own name in the lower left-hand margin of the first page of the manuscript. Probably many years later JM or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the beginning of the first paragraph and another bracket at the close of the fifth paragraph to designate that portion of the letter for...
122From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure of your’s of the 11 inst. acknowledging mine of the 2d. In some of your letters I observe you do not say whether any have been recd. from me or not. I have not omitted to write in a single instance since our correspondence commenced. The time approaches so nearly now when I shall have an opportunity of asking verbal communications on confidential points that I forbear to...
123From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favd. with yours of the 30 Ult. and thank you for your remarks on the Judiciary bill. I am glad to find you concurring in the decision as to the power of removal. It seems to meet with general approbation North of Virga. and there too as far as I yet learn. Mr. Pendleton is fully in opinion with you. So is Monroe I am told . The more the question is weighed the more proper I think...
124From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed, “Edmd Randolph Esqr. per Express. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “Jas. Madison jr. Congress. private March. 24. 1783.” The express by whom I send this conveys to the Governor the welcome event of a general peace. The preliminary articles were signed on the 20th. of Jany. The day to which hostilities are limited is omitted in the abstract of the...
125From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “James Madison Novr. 10. 1782.” Only a portion of the cover is extant. On it, in JM’s hand, appears “The honble Edmun Fav’d. by Col: Bassett.” For “Col: Bassett,” see JM to Randolph, 12 November 1782, n. 1 . I put under this cover the Newspaper of saturday last, and a poetical production of N. England which has much applause bestowed on it. We...
126From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison. April 15th. 1783.” My letter by a private hand who left this place a few days ago together with late public letters will have fully apprized you of the decisive events which have taken place in favor of peace. The paper inclosed will amuse you with the bickerings in the British parliament on that subject. Genl....
127From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 5 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Aug: 5. 1783.” Your favor of the 18th. ult. which my last did not acknowledge was in the mail & was shortly after recd. Your succeeding one of the 25th. inclosing the pamphlet came to hand yesterday. The Gazette which I inclose will give you a sight of the Philada. Address to Congress and their answer. Since I left...
128From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed to: “The honble Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond Favd. by Mr. Nathan.” See n. 10, below. Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison jr. Philad: Decr. 2. 1782.” The italicized words are those which JM encoded in the official cipher. The Secy. of F. Affairs communicated to me a few days ago his determination speedily to resign his office He asked me in the course...
129From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 3 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “[J]. Madison jr. Decr. 3. 1782.” Except where noted, words or parts of words italicized are those encoded by JM in the official cipher. Applications from the States of N. Hamshire & Massachusetts concerning the old paper of which they hold a surplus have called the attention of Congress once more to...
130From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of the 15th. inst. All of preceding date have been already acknowledged. The information which you wished to go to Mr. Guardoqui has been communicated. The real impression made by it cannot easily be seen thro’ the political veil. If he views the state of Western affairs in the true light, his representations to Spain, must convince her that she has no option but between...
131From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 3 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In JM’s hand. Cover missing. Letter is unsigned. Docketed by Randolph, “Sepr. 3. 1782.” He evidently showed the letter to the Reverend James Madison, who wrote above the docket, “Septr. 22. 1782 JMadison,” possibly the date when the clergyman received the letter. Apparently upon recovering the letter, Randolph crossed out the “22” and wrote “3” above it. The...
132From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 4 March 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, “James Madison March 4, 1783.” The italicized words are those written by JM in the Randolph code, for which see Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (6 vols....
133From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 14 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “James Madison Novr. 14. 1782.” Below this date JM added, probably many years later, “to E. Randolph.” By a line dropped for the post, tho’ perhaps too late to get into the mail, and by another by Dr. Tucker who soon followed, I informed you of the reappointment of Mr. Jefferson, that the act passed unanimously & without even an...
134From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 6 May 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, 6th. May 1783.” Many years later JM or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the close of the fourth paragraph, probably to designate that the letter to that point should be published in the first comprehensive...
135From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, [7] May 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Madison, Papers [Gilpin ed.] Henry D. Gilpin, ed., The Papers of James Madison (3 vols.; Washington, 1840). , I, 125–26). The enclosed gazette details all the information which we have received relative to the parliamentary advances towards a negotiation with the United States. The first reports which issued from the packet which brought them, were of a very different...
136From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 9 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the contents permit no doubt that JM was writing to Randolph. I had promised myself the pleasure of a line from you by this post but find by a letter from Mr. Jameson that you had not arrived at Richmond at the time of writing for it. I have inclosed to Mr. J. the paper of this morning which contains all the news current without doors....
137From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 31 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 19th. instant and thank you for the answer to Mr. St. John’s enquiries. The apprehensions of Mrs. Randolph give me unfeigned concern, but I indulge strong hopes that they proceed from an imaginary cause. There are so many symptoms which mimic the cancerous that it would be wrong to suffer appearances to prevail against the favorable chances. At the same...
138From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Addressed to “E. Randolph Esqr.” Cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “James Madison. Septr. 10. 1782.” Except where otherwise noted, the italicized words were written by JM in the official cipher. The loss of the French 74 in Boston Harbour presented an occasion which was embraced by Congress, of making a small requital to their Ally for...
139From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked by JM and addressed to “The honble Edmund Randolph Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J Madison June. 30. 1783.” My last informed you of the mutinous insult which was offered to Congs. on the Saturday preceding. On the Evening after the insult Congs. met and resolved that the Executive Council sd. be informed that in their...
140From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 4 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In the second volume of this collection, beginning with folio 73, are four pages of a letter written by JM and dated “June 4th. 1782.” Although the cover is missing, the contents permit no doubt that Randolph was the addressee. Folio 42 of the third volume of JM’s manuscripts in the Library of Congress seems to be an additional page containing a postscript to the...
141From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1782 (second) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed to “The honble Edmd. Randolph favd. by Dr. Tucker who will deliver it himself if he can—if not by the hand of Col: Monroe.” This cover was docketed by Randolph, “Novr. 12. 1782 J Madison.” On the fragment of a second cover there appears, certainly not in Tucker’s and seemingly not in Monroe’s hand, “[Ho]nble Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Resolved...
142From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison jr. Oct: 15. 1782.” Probably many years later, after this letter was returned to him, JM wrote below Randolph’s docket, “contains Lovell’s cypher.” Words or parts of words which JM encoded in that or the official cipher have been italicized in the present copy. The third paragraph of the...
143From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
For a week past the subject of amendts. has exclusively occupied the H. of Reps. Its progress has been exceedingly wearisome not only on account of the diversity of opinions that was to be apprehended, but of the apparent views of some to defeat by delaying a plan short of their wishes, but likely to satisfy a great part of their companions in opposition throughout the Union. It has been...
144From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Docketed, “James Madison. 2d July 1782.” The cover is missing. The italicized words are those that JM wrote in the official cipher. The confidential & circumstancial communications in your favor of the 20th. of June have afforded me much pleasure. Those which relate to the scheme of garbleing the delegatetion were far from surprizing me. In...
145From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 11 September, 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed by JM to “Edmund Randolph Esqr Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “JMadison Sept: 11. 1782.” Accompanying this manuscript in the Library of Congress is a copy of the letter, apparently made by a clerk, with a few corrections and comments in the hand of William C. Rives, author of the first major biography of JM. The Gentleman by whom I wrote this morning...
146From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the few lines you dropped me from Baltimore, and daily expect those promised from Fredg. I am made somewhat anxious on the latter point, by the indisposition under which you were travelling. The question depending at your departure was negatived by a very large majority, though less than stated in the Newspapers. The causes of this disproportion which exceeds greatly the estimate...
147From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last stated a question relating to the power of removal from offices then on the anvil of the H. of Rs. I now inclose the discussions as conveyed to the public thro’ the Newspapers. It is not necessary to apprize you that the reasonings on both sides are mutilated, often misapprehended, and not unfrequently reversed. You will perceive yourself that much of the reasoning is also founded on a...
148From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 April 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned and lacks a complimentary close. Cover franked by JM and addressed to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison. April 22. 1783.” The mail of yesterday like the preceding one broungt no letter from you. I just understand that a Frigate from France is at Chester, but what intelligence she brings & particularly whether she brings a...
149From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 18 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Aug: 18. 1783.” I have not this week any more than the last the pleasure of acknowledging a favor from you. Perhaps I may find one at Princeton when I get there. On thursday a question for returning to Philada. was put and decided in the Negative by a large majority. The friends of the measure foreseeing its fate, and supposing that...
150From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 17 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are 4 letters from Mazzei & one from Mr. Jefferson which you will be good eno’ to dispose of. I have a letter from the former in which he begs me to add my importunities to you & Mr. Blair, for speedy succour if possible. I have one also from the latter, but it contains nothing of much consequence. His public letters to which it refers have not yet been communicated from the Office of...