1To 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...
2To James Madison from Robert Ballard, 5 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am very sory that I had not the pleasure of seeing you in Baltimore on your way to Congress. The Inclosed, will I hope excuse the liberty of Addressing a Gentlemen on business of a Public Nature, to whom I am not known. On receiving Mr McHenry’s Note to you I purposed to follow you, and Mr Lee, as far as Mr Scarrets Tavern, but Mrs Ballards indisposition prevented. Sir, to be as brief as...
3Joseph Barnes to George Clymer, 23 August 1789 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 23 August 1789, Philadelphia. James Rumsey’s supporters are anxious for Congress to take action on copyright and patent legislation so that the inventor’s improvements in milling machinery will be protected against those who would “reap the benefits of anothers toil: which is the only thing we most fear.” A bill should be acted upon before Congress adjourns. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by...
4To James Madison from William Barton, 26 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Before I left New York, I had an Opportunity of explaining to Mr. Page the nature of the Circumstances, which obliged me to decline an Acceptance of the office, with which I was lately honored by the President and Senate. It is, therefore, unnecessary to trouble You, with a recapitulation of my inducements to that act of self-denial; having requested Mr. Page to communicate them to You. I...
5To James Madison from John Beckley, 13 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
In appealing to your Candor I feel a confidence that no apology will be necessary for the present mode of address. Before I left Virginia I communicated to my good friend Mr: Randolph, the reasons that induced me to become a Candidate for the appointment of Clerk to the House of Representatives of the United States, and for that purpose to relinquish the public situation in which I stood...
6To James Madison from William Bingham, 17 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I observe by the public Prints, that the Bill for the Establishment of the Impost has returned from the Senate, with considerable Reduction of the Duties on Several Specified Articles. I will not undertake to Scrutinize the Reasons that have urged the Amendments. But, as the Bill is now before the House of Representatives, I will take the Liberty of commenting on that part of it, which limits...
7To James Madison from William Bingham, 25 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I will make no Apology to you for the small Portion of Time that the Perusal of this letter may claim from more valuable Avocations. By Letters I have received from Europe, I am induced to think that Strong Impressions on the public Mind, will be made by the first legislative Acts of Congress, which will display in Some Measure, the Character of our new Government. I am afraid we Shall be...
8To James Madison from Jacob Broom, 16 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you upon the success of that inestimable Constitution which I had the honor to witness your support and approbation of; and it is with pleasure I find you are entitled to a share in the deliberations consequent of it’s adoption. I take the liberty, Sir, to solicit the favor of your interest to the appointment of a Collector of Duties and Imposts; this being the only Commercial...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To James Madison from Zachariah Burnley, ca. August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. August 1789. Mentioned in JM to Hamilton, ca. 5 Oct. 1789 . Requests JM’s aid in obtaining a clerkship for his son, Reuben.
12To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 12 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 8th. Ult. inclosing the application of William Mason. I did transmit to Colo. Merewether certain papers of this Man and long ago informed him that they were insufficient to establish his claim which recd. no aid from the Muster Rolls of the Army. I do not now recollect signing the Rect. of which he sends a Copy, but it is highly probable I did,...
13To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 30 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
That several of the Packets you have done me the favor to send have remained so long unacknowledged is owing to my having been engaged in business which took me out of reach of the Post Office. I a few days ago was possessed of the whole together. The papers containing the debates upon the powers of the President to remove Officers of the Executive department, were truly acceptable. This was...
14To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 3 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since mine of the 30th. Ult, I have been honored with yours of the 20th. & 22d. I am disappointed in the Issue of the Tonage Bill—it is however to be hoped that G. B. will, from what has happened, take some alarm & adopt such a policy as will leave it unnecessary to agitate a question of discrimination amongst foreign Nations again—she is apprised to the natural advantages we possess over her,...
15To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am just honored with your several favors of the 12th. 26th. & 28th. Ult. A trip of business through several of our southern Counties as far as that of Halifax on the borders of North Carolina took me out of the way of getting them sooner. In my route the principal Antifederal parts of the Country were comprehended and I can assure you that the people appear to be perfectly quiet & reconciled...
16To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 14 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was a few days ago favored with your very freindly and polite letter of the 19th. Ult. by Mr. Donaldson. Accept my thanks for the terms in which you acknowledge the Rect. of mine of the 20th. of February. Assure yourself that I have long had a due sense of the favorable sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me, and that they are contemplated with the greater satisfaction, as they are...
17To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 27 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 8th. Instant and thank you for the notice you take of my declining a visit to N. Y. I am the less inclined to take such a trip, since you have mentioned the great numbers who are there. I would not be rated amongst them for the best that any one of them will obtain. I am pleased to discover from the debates of your House that although an accurate attention...
18To 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...
19To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
A circumstance has been suggested to me upon which I have some hesitation, and will be determined by the idea you may entertain of it. The Office of District Marshall for Virginia is thought to be important from its extent, & not altogether unhonorary from the powers & Trusts it involves; it is also thought it will be productive of compensation not contemptible. Viewing the subject thus some...
20To 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...
21To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 22 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Carroll presents his complits to Mr. Madison returns him the inclosed estimate, & is much obliged to Mr. Madison for the perusal of it. Quere how the deficiency on this branch of revenue is to be made good? Would not an excise on ardent spirits, foreign & domestic be adviseable? Stamp duties I hope may be collected to defray the expence of the federal Judiciary. RC ( DLC ). Addressed by...
22To James Madison from Peter Carr, 13 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
You informed me some time ago, that there remained in your hands a balance of some money due Mr. Jefferson, and that you were willing it should be applied to the use of my brother and myself. Being disappointed in receiving money which I had expected here you will oblige me much, by advancing what is in Yr. hands. I am Sir Yr. very H Servt RC ( DLC ). Addressed by Carr. Docketed by JM. Perhaps...
23To 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...
24To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 18 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have this afternoon obtained from a friend of Col. Geo. Morgan a copy of his handbill which was put into the hands of confidential people in N. Jersey & Pennsylvania for the purpose of procuring followers. I know your solicitude about the western Country, and have therefore enclosed you a copy, which after you have done with it be pleased to give to Mr. Jay when you have an opty. I am this...
25To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 24 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you a few lines some days ago, which I hope you have received. The letter contained Col. Morgan’s propositions to our farmers & tradesmen. On sunday last I sat down to make a few notes on some points which appear necessary to be considered in forming our System of impost. Enclosed you will find a copy of them hastily transcribed, of which you will make any use you see proper. Some of...
26To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 18 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I observe you have brought forward the amendments you proposed to the federal Constitution. I have given them a very careful perusal, and have attended particularly to their reception by the public. The most decided friends of the constitution admit (generally) that they will meliorate the government by removing some points of litigation and jealousy, and by heightening and strengthening the...
27To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 17 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your message from Mr. Dawson, and am at a loss to account for my letter not reaching you sooner. I presume our Clerks must have let the post slip them the first time, and that it has lain over till the next. I am informed Mr. Jefferson is expected to arrive soon. The affair in which you were good enough to make me known to him is now decided on. I find it necessary to regain the papers...
28To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 16 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
A very long acquaintance with Col. Saml. Hanson, who will have the honor to deliver you this letter, and the respectability and number of testimonials of his merits, which he carries with him to New York have induced me to trespass on your friendship. He goes as a candidate for some public employment for which his talents may be thought equal, and I wish to give him a chance of your support....
29To 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...
30To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 21 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
Having for some time felt a great deal of anxiety about the consequences to the United States, which appear likely to rise out of the Affairs of the Western Country I have turned my attention a good deal to considering that Subject, and as I know you also have had a very great solicitude about it I shall trouble you with such thoughts or facts relating to it as I think may possibly be of use....