1To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 20 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
An opportunity occurring to a post office—enables me to consign a few lines to you—to assure you that I am still sensible of the obligations that Myself my posterity & my fellow citizens are under to you—who have devoted Your life hitherto to the formation of such measures as tend to the promotion of general happiness. I was not a little disappointed that you did not visit Richmond during the...
2To James Madison from David Rittenhouse, 19 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to recommend to your favorable notice Mr. Francis Bailey, printer, of this City, as a Gentleman of abilities in his profession and an amiable Character. I understand he intends to apply for something in the way of his business, either to the Treasury or elswhere. His mechanical Genius must in some respects give him advantages superior to any other printer of my Acquaintance. He...
3To James Madison from the Governor of Virginia, 9 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of the Directions of the General Assembly, I do myself the honour to transmit to you an Act—Concerning the erection of the district of Kentucky into an Independant State. I have the Honour &c. FC ( Executive Letter Book Executive Letter Book, manuscript in Virginia State Library. ). Addressed to the Virginia representatives and senators in Congress. In a clerk’s hand. Enclosure...
4To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
I wrote the inclosed letter to you a little before I left Paris, & having no occasion to send it, I brought it with me. I mentioned it to you when I had the happiness of possessing you at Monticello, but still forgot to give it to you. After so long lying by me, and further turning the subject in my mind, I find no occasion to alter my mind. I hazard it therefore to your consideration. I...
5From James Madison to George Washington, 4 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
After being detained 8 or 10 days beyond the intended commencement of my Journey, by the critical illness of my mother, I am now subjected to a further delay by an attack on my own health. A slight complaint in my bowels which I first felt on the day of my arrival here (friday last) very suddenly took the form of a pretty severe dysentery. With the aid of Docr. Stuart who has been good eno’ to...
6To James Madison from Thomas Underwood, 4 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you a copy of a rect. given me by Mr. John Hopkins for ticketts deld. him in order that he might draw money or Certificates for the prizes which I am entitled to recieve havg. bought the Ticketts of Mr. Massie. Mr Hopkins deld. the Ticketts to Mr. Rd. Claibourne who sed he would do the business but fail’d and has gone to Europe and carryed my Ticketts so that I...
7To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 1 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
Colo. Heth has at length brought the Money, and taken up your dr[a]ft for £100. which enables me to transmit your Bond, and the Auditor’s receipt. It will ever give me satisfaction to serve you, being with very great esteem & regard, Dear Sir Your obedt Servt Know all men by these presents that I, James Madison Junior of the County of Orange in Virginia, am held and firmly bound to his...
8To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 20 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have not until very lately known with certainty where I could address a letter to you. Mr. Beckley told me he left you in New York and that you was shortly to set out for Virginia, but Mr. Jones’s return to Richmond from his trip to Orange gave me the first information of your having got home. But for this uncertainty I should before now have made you my most grateful acknowledgments for...
9To James Madison from John Dawson, 17 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of forwarding to you two resolutions which have pass’d both houses, on the subject of the permanent seat of the General Goverment. To the first of these there was considerable opposition from the South side of James river, under an apprehension that it woud not be advantageous to that part of the State; and from some of the Antis who considerd it as a favour to Congress—they...
10From James Madison to George Washington, 5 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have been furnished with the inclosed copy of the letter from the Senators of this State to its Legislature. It is well calculated to keep alive the disaffection to the Government, and is accordingly applied to that use by the violent partizans. I understand the letter was written by the first subscriber of it, as indeed is pretty evident from the stile and strain of it. The...
11To James Madison from Hardin Burnley, 5 [December] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my letter to you which I wrote a few days ago the resolutions of the Committee on the amendments proposed by Congress have been reported. Those which respected the ten first were agreed to with even less opposition than they experienced in the Committee, & that wh. passed on the 11th & 12th. was rescinded by a majority of about twelve. The amendments with the resolutions on...
12To James Madison from John Jay, 2 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
A few days since I received a Letter from Mr. Jefferson, dated at Cowes in the Isle of Wight the 17th. October last, in which he mentioned that he expected to sail from that Place the next Day in a Vessel bound to the Chesapeake, and enclosed a Bill of Lading, a Copy of which I have the Pleasure of herewith sending to you. In case the Packages mentioned in the said Bill of Lading, arrive...
13To James Madison from Hardin Burnley, 28 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
A few days ago I wrote a letter to Majr. Madison giving him some information on the general business of the present Session, which I suppose he has probably communicated to you. I now take the liberty of obtruding on you a short communication on the same subject. The revenue bill which proposes a reduction of the public taxes one fourth below the last year’s amount is with the Senate. Whilst...
14To James Madison from Henry Lee, 25 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Burnley will convey this letr. by some one of the many of your county people now here with their tobacco. In it you will receive a letr. sent to me from Alexa. by Mr C Lee on the presumption that you was or would be here. The assembly have gone thro most of their business, & are now engaged in consideration of the amendments proposed by Congress, to the constitution. Some time ago Mr....
15To James Madison from William Irvine, 23 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Captain Bunyan arrived here this morning from London in 29 days. A Mr Trumbull came passenger—they are now at Brakefast with us. They say that Mr. Jefferson sailed from Cowes, on the same day they did, in a Ship bound for Norfolk in Virginia. Unless he has a remarkable passage indeed, this information may be the first you can receive of his destination—which is my motive for giving you this...
16From James Madison to George Washington, 20 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
It was my purpose to have dropped you a few lines from Philada. but I was too much indisposed during my detention there to avail myself of that pleasure. Since my arrival here I have till now been without a fit conveyance to the post office. You will recollect the contents of a letter shewn you from Mr. Innis to Mr. Brown. Whilst I was in Philada. I was informed by the latter who was detained...
17From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 19 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was too much indisposed for some time after the receipt of your favor of the 12 Ocr. to comply with the request in it, and since my arrival here and recovery I have till now been without a conveyance to the post office. The supplemental funds which at present occur to me as on the whole most eligible are 1. An excise on home distilleries. If the tax can be regulated by the size of the Still...
18To James Madison from William Short, 17 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
I recieved some time ago by Mr. James the letter of introduction you had given him for me. I hope I need not tell you how readily I am disposed at all times to do whatever may be agreeable to you—& particularly with how much pleasure I should have rendered any services in my power to Mr. James, had he remained here—the confusion & disorder which prevailed in Paris during the few days of his...
19To James Madison from William Irvine, 15 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor from Fredericksburgh, covering a letter for Mr. Jefferson came to hand & I will either deliver it or leave it in the office of foreign affairs, in case of absence, which may probably happen, as I am informed the County in which I live have elected me for the State Convention, which is to meet at Philadelphia on tuesday week. The inclosed was sent to me yesterday from the office of...
20To James Madison from [André Limozin?], 13 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 November 1789, Havre de Grace, France. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 21 Jan. 1790 (IaU) and JM to Jefferson, 24 Jan. 1790 ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (19 vols. to date; Princeton, 1950—). , XVI, 126). Reports scarcity of bread and prices of wheat and flour. French government is offering bounty on wheat,...
21To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 2 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
My excursions during the sickly season deprived me of the pleasure of continuing our correspondence which should have been sooner resumed on my part after my return had I not expected on the adjournment of congress you wod. have left N. York—but hearing you were not returned to Virginia I take occasion by Mr. Griffin to drop you a few lines. The Assembly are as usual moving slowly in the...
22To James Madison from William Lambert, 2 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Reuben Burnley, having been for some time past, a Clerk in the Commissioners Office for stating the Accounts of Virginia against the United States, is desirous of continuing at the seat of the general Government after the business in which he is at present engaged, is completed, and to be employed in the Office of the Secretary of State, should Mr. Jefferson accept the appointment. As that...
23To James Madison from George Nicholas, 2 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor dated in July came safe to hand, I thank you for the communications contained [in] it. I shall not trouble you with any remarks on any of the subjects as my observations will be of no use but will confine my self to the giving you such information respecting this district as may enable you to form a proper judgment of her situation; and as I shall never write any thing to you the...
24From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
In the letter left for you in N. York on my leaving that place I omitted to mention to you three names which solicit a Clerkship in the office which will be under your direction. They are Mr. Fisher, Mr. Smith, & Mr. Orr. The first has vouchers of his pretensions which will enable You to decide readily on them. The second is a son of Merriwether Smith. I am not personally acquainted with him,...
25To James Madison from Philip Schuyler, 1 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Agreable to your request I called on Mr. Taylor, on the subject of your letter of the 5th Ult. He informed me that he had called twice at Mr Cortwrights but had not been able to see Mr Munro. That he is ready to execute a deed for the lands in question on the payment of the remainder of the money. He is a man of strict probity, and informs me that the lands will now sell for at least 2½...
26From James Madison to William Irvine, 1 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 November 1789, Fredericksburg. Acknowledged in Irvine to JM, 15 Nov. 1789 . Encloses JM’s letter to Jefferson of 1 Nov. 1789 .
27Memorandum on an African Colony for Freed Slaves, [ca. 20 October] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Without enquiring into the practicability or the most proper means of establishing a Settlement of freed blacks on the Coast of Africa, it may be remarked as one motive to the benevolent experiment that if such an asylum was provided, it might prove a great encouragement to manumission in the Southern parts of the U. S. and even afford the best hope yet presented of putting an end to the...
28To James Madison from William Irvine, 19 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
The post with the letters brought by the British Packet passed me at Brunswick, on saturday morning at five o clock, so that you would receive every information brought by that conveyance the same evening. I went to Lloyds house on saturday afternoon, he was not at home, I left a note for him informing what I wanted, he called on me yesterday & said he had sent the paper you wished by a Mr...
29To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 12 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
I thank you My Dear Sir for the line you was so obliging as to leave for me and for the loan of the book accompanying it; in which I have not yet made sufficient progress to judge of its merit. I dont know how it was but I took it for granted—That you had left town much earlier than you did; else I should have found an opportunity after your adjournment to converse with you on the subjects...
30To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 10 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am this moment labouring under a violent relapse into the ague and fever, which I supposed to be past; and should not [have] incurred the uneasiness of writing, but to convince you, that the arrangements, made in the higher and subordinate branches of the judiciary department, are sanctified in my judgment by the strictest propriety; and, so far as I am concerned, contain what is probably...
31From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
A concurrence of motives has detained me here since the adjournment of Congress. One of them has been a hope of your arrival within the time. I set off tomorrow for Philada. where I shall remain some days, and not without a continuance of the same hope. I need not tell you how much pleasure I should feel in making my journey to Virginia coincide with yours, nor with how much patience I should...
32Memorandum for George Washington, [ca. 8 October] 1789 (Madison Papers)
On the supposition that the business can be more properly conducted by a private Agent at London, than a public Minister at a third Court, the letter and instructions for the former character appear to be well adapted to the purpose. If any remark were to be made, it would relate merely to the form, which it is conceived would be made rather better by transposing the order of the two main...
33To James Madison from William Grayson, 7 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was so much fatigued with the trip in the stage, as to be rendered utterly unqualified to proceed on my journey before the day before yesterday, when I got something better; I should have been more unhappy than my state of health would have made me, if I had not been informed here that Mrs. Grayson was greatly recovered. The visits which I have recieved & the Company I have kept have served...
34To James Madison from James Maury, 6 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
I had the Pleasure to write to you the 21st August; since which, it having been suggested to me, that the Appointment of Consuls may take place ere long, I beg Leave to renew to you the Desire I have to continue the offer of my Services to my Country in that Capacity: provided the office be deemed Necessary for this port & it would not debar me from Trading. In the inclosed I have taken the...
35From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, [ca. 5 October] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The bearer will deliver two of your books which have been some time in my hands. I add to them a pamphlet recd. not long since from France. I can not recommend it because I have not read it. The subject tho’ a hackneyed is an interesting one, and the titles of some of the chapters promising. You will soon discover how far it may be worth your perusal. The inclosed letter to Genl. Schuyler...
36From James Madison to Philip Schuyler, 5 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 5 October 1789, New York. Acknowledged in Schuyler to JM, 1 Nov. 1789 , and enclosed in JM to Hamilton, ca. 5 Oct. 1789 . Asks Schuyler to contact John Taylor of Albany regarding a contract with JM and James Monroe to buy 900 acres in the Mohawk Valley.
37From James Madison to Henry Lee, 4 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
I Meant to have acknowledged your favor of the 8th Ult. by your brother, but in the hurry of the occasion missed even the pleasure of seeing him after the adjournment. He will give you the details of our proceedings, particularly on the subject of the seat of Government. I am extremely afraid that the hopes of the Potomac do not rest on so good a foundation as we wish. Every circumstance which...
38To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 4 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
It is more to comply with my promise, than to give you any information that I take up my pen. Col. Grayson will probably inform you what has pass’d between him & Morriss, who has given him notice that on the meeting of Congress he shall immediately take up the Bill only postpond —this Idea may possibly be thrown out here to brake his fall in this business—it appears to Col. Grayson & myself...
39To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 28 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I received information of the nomination of Mr. O. yesterday. He is certainly a very suitable character, and well entitled to this place from his former employments. I have to make you my Apologies for the trouble I have given you, and my acknowlegements for such good offices as you have rendered, the extent of which I am sure was as great as your Ideas of public good would admit. I am well...
40Location of the Capital, [28 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Debate continued on the Senate amendment to substitute Germantown for the Susquehanna site. Mr. Madison Contended that the amendment proposed by the senate, was a departure from every principle adopted by the house; but he would not trouble them with a recapitulation of arguments, which, he feared, would be unavailing; he wished, however, that the house would provide against one inconvenience,...
41To James Madison from John Dawson, [27 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
By yesterday’s post of receivd your favour of Friday. Shou’d Trenton be substituted by the Senate I apprehend that your house will not agree to the amendments, and consequently the bill will be lost, and the question as to the permanent seat left open. This I have expected for some time woud be the fate of the business, and upon the whole I do not know but it is the best course it can take....
42To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 26 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
As soon as I had recovered my attention to business, I entered upon the chastisement of my notes. But I found it impossible to retrace the subject, so as to square with the resolutions proposed, without the possession of those resolutions. But I have them not, except in a mutilated state. Indeed I have an apprehension, that were I to dilate the notes, I should mingle inadvertently much of what...
43Reporting of House Debates, [26 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Burke moved that the House no longer permit reporting of the debates, but he later withdrew the motion. Tucker then moved that the House sanction an accurate and impartial publication of the debates. Mr. Madison Thought it improper to throw impediments in the way of such information, as the house had hitherto permitted from the purest motives; but he believed it equally improper to give the...
44Location of the Capital, [26 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Senate amended the residence bill by substituting for the Susquehanna site a district adjoining Philadelphia, including Germantown. Mr. Madison . However different our sentiments, with respect to the place most proper for the seat of the federal government, I presume we shall all agree, that a right decision is of great importance; and that a satisfactory decision is of equal moment to the...
45From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 23 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
The pressure of unfinished business has suspended the adjournment of Congs. till saturday next. Among other articles which required it was the plan of amendments, on which the two Houses so far disagreed as to require conferences. It will be impossible I find to prevail on the Senate to concur in the limitation on the value of appeals to the Supreme Court, which they say is unnecessary, and...
46To James Madison from George Washington, [ca. 23 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
My solicitude for drawing the first characters of the Union into the Judiciary, is such that, my cogitations on this subject last night (after I parted with you) have almost determined me (as well for the reason just mentioned, as to silence the clamours, or more properly, soften the disappointment of smaller characters [)] to nominate Mr Blair and Colo. Pendleton as Associate & District...
47To James Madison from George W. Smith, 22 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th Augt. in answer to mine, I have duly received. Your representation of the prospects Afforded by the arra[n]gements now making for the fœderal Administration, I esteem as friendly as it seems to be canded: And therefore feel myself strongly impressed with a sense of the obligation I am under to you. I have Attentively considered those prospects; & am persuaded, with you,...
48Location of the Capital, [21 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The seat of government bill was under consideration in the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Madison Felt himself compelled to move for striking out that part of the bill, which provided, that the temporary residence of congress should continue at New-York; as he conceived it irreconcileable with the spirit of the constitution. If it was not from viewing it in this light, he should have given the...
49To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 20 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 18th. from wch. I find the ground of apprehension, particularly refer’d to by me, entirely removed. In regard to the probable effects of a position on Delaware or Susquehannah upon the Convention of Virginia could they have foreseen it, I am convinced they would have been fatal. I remember well that I learned from the letters of yourself and one or two...
50From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 18 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. was not received till it was too late to be answered by the last mail. I now beg you to accept my acknowledgments for it. The Newspaper paragraph to which it alludes discoloured much the remarks which it puts in my mouth. It not only omits the occasion which produced them, but interpolates personal reflections which I never meant, wch. could not properly be expressed,...