121To George Washington from James Madison, 16 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of the 31 of March, and find with much pleasure that your views of the reform which ought to be pursued by the Convention, give a sanction to those which I have entertained. Temporising applications will dishonor the Councils which propose them, and may foment the internal malignity of the disease, at the same time that they produce an ostensible...
122To George Washington from James Madison, 30 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
I found on my arrival here that certain ideas unfavorable to the Act of the Convention which had created difficulties in that body, had made their way into Congress. They were patronised cheifly by Mr R.H.L. and Mr Dane of Massts. It was first urged that as the new Constitution was more than an Alteration of the Articles of Confederation under which Congress acted, and even subverted these...
123From James Madison to George Washington, 18 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Recollecting to have heard you mention a plan formed by the Empress of Russia for a comparative view of the aborigines of the new Continent, and of the N. E. parts of the old, through the medium of their respective tongues, and that her wishes had been conveyed to you for your aid in obtaining the American vocabularies, I have availed myself of an opportunity offered by the Kindness of Mr....
124To George Washington from James Madison, 11 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Newspaper inclosed with the letter which follows, comprises the information brought me by the mail of yesterday. Boston Feby 3d “I inclose a Newspaper containing the propositions communicated by Mr Hancock to the Convention, on thursday last. Mr [Samuel] Adams who contrary to his own sentiments has been hitherto silent in Convention, has given his public and explicit approbation of Mr...
125From James Madison to George Washington, 1 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have been here too short a time as yet to have collected fully the politics of the Session. In general appearances are favorable. On the question for a paper emission the measure was this day rejected in emphatical terms by a majority of 84 vs 17. The affair of the Missisippi is but imperfectly known. I find that its influence on the federal spirit will not be less than was apprehended. The...
126From James Madison to George Washington, 25 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been favoured since my last with yours of the 10th. inst: with a copy of the Governours letter to the Assembly. I do not know what impression the latter may make in Virginia. It is generally understood here that the arguments contained in it in favor of the Constitution are much stronger than the objections which prevented his assent. His arguments are forceable in all places, and with...
127Memorandum from James Madison, 29 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
“The act for establishing the temporary and permanent seats of the Government of the U. States” requires the following steps for carrying the latter into effect. 1. The appointment of three Commissioners of sufficient respectability having good will to the general object without any particular bias of private interest residing (a majority at least) so conveniently to the scene of business as...
128From James Madison to George Washington, 27 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Convention came to a final adjournment to day. The inclosed is a copy of their act of ratification with the yeas & nays. A variety of amendments have been since recommended; several of them highly objectionable; but which could not be parried. The Minority are to sign an address this evening which is announced to be of a peace-making complexion. Having not seen it I can give no opinion of...
129From James Madison to George Washington, 20 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
I was favoured on Saturday with your letter of the 7th. instant, along with which was covered the printed letter of Col. R. H. Lee to the Governour. It does not appear to me to be a very formidable attack on the new Constitution; unless it should derive an influence from the names of the correspondents, which its intrinsic merits do not entitle it to. He is certainly not perfectly accurate in...
130From James Madison to George Washington, 12 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President of the United States, with a letter from Arthur Cambell Esqr. which an accompanying letter to Mr. M. requests him to deliver to the President. Mr. Cambell makes a further request of Mr. M. to make any explanations that may be necessary. Mr. M. is not sensible that he possesses any local or other knowledge that can elucidate the...