151James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 2 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
On turning to my bundles of Old Pamphlets, I picked out the inclosed duplicate Nos. of Debates in Congress during a period for which copies are now scarce. I am sorry I could not find more. They may perhaps be of some aid in making up complete sets as opportunities occur. We had the pleasure of Mrs. Rives’ company till yesterday morning, when she left us in the good health she brought with...
152James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 5 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. tho somewhat tardily, your letter of Novr. 20. Since mine of the 10th. acknowledged in it, I have written you two others requesting further corrections of my remarks on the "Tariff", addressed in both instances to Edgewood; with a Duplicate of the last forwarded to Richmond. Has not the passage in Mr. Jefferson’s letter to Mr. Giles, to which you allude, denouncing the assumptions...
153James Madison to Alexander Garrett, 5 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
The documents sent in consequence of my request of Novr. 21. came safe to hand. The acct from July 1828 to the last Session of the Board in Octr. was unnecessary it being decided to limit the annual report for the Legislature, to the year from July 1827. to July 1828 only. What is particularly wanted, not being in the hands of Mr. Trist nor yet recd. from you is the acct. from July 1827. to...
154James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 8 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respectful compliments to the President of the U. States, returns many thanks for the copy of his Message to Congress, politely forwarded by him. It could not be read without a lively sense of the interesting features it presents of the National prosperity; nor without recognizing the ability & eloquence of which previous occasions had furnished like examples. RC (MHi:...
155James Madison to Alexander Garrett, 11 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 8th. & thank you for your attention to mine of the 5th. In justice to Mr. Trist, I must correct my error in saying he had informed me that he had written to you on the subject of the acct. from July to December 1827. On recurring to his letter I find it says only that he had written to Charlottesville . It was but my inference only & that, as appears, an...
156James Madison to William B. Sprague, 12 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 5th. You have been misinformed with respect to the relation of blood between Bishop Madison & myself. It was rather a distant one; his father & mine, being but cousins. In friendship & affection we were closely allied and I feel a pleasure in furnishing the autograph you request, as of one whose memory ought ever to be associated with that of the wise &...
157James Madison to James Hamilton, Jr., 13 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. the copy of your speech on the 28th. of Ocr. last; for which I am indebted to your politeness & tender my acknowledgments. I join very sincerely in all the praise which has been bestowed on the intellectual power & impressive eloquence by which it is distinguished But I am constrained to mingle with this just tribute, the remark that it comprizes doctrines in which I can not...
158James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 13 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Mr. Rives, requests the favor of him to have the letter herewith inclosed handed to Majr. Hamilton, if in Washington: or if not there, nor soon expected, to add to the address, the place where he will be found, & then have it put into the post office. RC and enclosure (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers) . Enclosure is JM to James Hamilton, Jr., 13 Dec. 1828.
159James Madison to William Allen, 16 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
Finding it convenient to send my waggons of [fl]our immediately, I request the favor of you to send by Mr Newman’s wch. goes off tomorrow morning, the articles on the enclosed Memorandum. I have desired Mr. Gray to hand over to you a balance of $7. dollrs in my favr., which may be applied towards paying for the articles. He will commit to your care also, a small supply of Wafers & sealing wax...
160James Madison to William F. Gray, 16 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I inclose $30. which will pay the balance due on the acct. in yours of the 11. & one dollr. worth of Wafers & sealg wax, which if put into the hands of Mr. Allen will be sent up, by Mr. Newmans Waggon now going down. The remaing $7 dollars, be so good as to hand over also to Mr. Allen—Finding it convenient to contract my subscriptions for periodicals, I must ask the favr. of you to withdraw...
161James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 17 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. yours of the 18th. The delay in sending on the Report of the Visitors was unluckily increased by my error in supposing that your letter to Charlottesville , had been addressed to the Bursar. On the discovery of it by his answer to one from me, I inclosed the Report unsealed to him with a request that he would include the omitted document, and then forward the communication by...
162James Madison to James Barbour, 18 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of duly receiving your interesting favor of Sepr. 29. The agricultural scenery which charmed you so much has had the same effect on other strangers surveying it with an equal taste for such improvements. I wish you may have as much reason to be pleased with the countenance of the Cabinet when your objects are presented to it. We think here it is high time for a...
163James Madison to Jean Guillaume Hyde de Neuville, 19 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your Speech politely forwarded. I have read it with pleasure on acct. of its intrinsic merits, & permit me to add with the greater, as it presents you in a position which Opens an important field for the exercise of the talents & virtues, of which you left the lively remembrance among us. The Baroness de Neuville has been so kind as to charge Mrs. Cutts with...
164James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 20 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
The last mail brought me your favor of the 17th. accompanied by a copy of the last Southern Review, for which I thank you. The disproportion of polemic politics which distinguishes it, tho’ derogating from the literary character of such works, might, if conducted with ability & good temper, be pardoned, at a moment and on topics peculiarly interesting. I have looked very hastily over the...
165James Madison to Robley Dunglison, 22 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I am just informed by Mr. T. J. Randolph that he is compelled by the insolvency of the Estate of his grandfather to apply, as Exr. for the Books bequeathed to the University & now in its Library, as assetts towards paying the debts of the Estate. It will be proper therefore that the Books be delivd. to his order which will probably not be delayed. FC (DLC) .
166James Madison to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 22 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 7th. post marked 9th. has but just come to hand, the 14th. day from its date. I need not, I am sure, express the pleasure I shall feel in contributing any thing in my power towards the object of it. The paper you inclosed was sketched with a view, as I recollect, to a prospectus for the information of subscribers, but may be so varied as to make part of a preface; whether...
167James Madison to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 24 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yrs. of 22. If Majr Spotsd. persists in his passion of resigning, & the right to object to it shd. be waived the first object will be to appt. a Successor; by the Procr. with the approvl. of Ex. Come. This failing, the mode of providg. for this case not beg. prescribed by the enacts., must be assumed it may be in the recess of ye. Board of Visitors, by the Exve. Come. on their...
168James Madison to John Hartwell Cocke, 24 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. the inclosed from the Proctor. Should Majr. Spotswood’s resignation be persisted in, & allowed to take effect, and a regular Successor not be attainable, I see no other resort but the step suggested by Mr. B. which must be on our assumed responsibility. I shall readily take my share of it in that or any other arrangement you may judge preferable in the emergency. With cordial...
169James Madison to Elliott Cresson, 24 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
With the examples before me, and as a token of the esteem and good wishes I feel for Elliott Cresson, I take pleasure in complying with his request, by the following sample of my handwriting. Liberty & Learning both best supported when leaning, each on the other. Printed copy (American Clipper, American Autograph Shop, Merion Station, Pa., Vol. 5, No. 5, Sept. 1937, Item 125).
170James Madison to Richard Cutts, 24 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
Hearing nothing on the Subject of my answer to the Bill in Chancy. I begin to fear that some miscarriage has taken place or that a throng of business has not left Mr. Jones time to attend to it. Which ever be the cause, time must now be pressing, as I understood from you the Court was to sit in this month. If the adversary in the suit be at all likely to make out a troublesome case, you can...
171James Madison to Daniel Brent, 29 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
With your favor of the 23d. was duly recd. the copies of 2 Reports from the Secy of State on the years committed to the care of Mr. Trist. I am sorry for the trouble taken in such voluminous transcripts which greatly exceedd. what I intended. I find too they happen not to contain the particular information which I had in view. But it appears from a passage in the larger Report that it is...
172James Madison to Ebenezer B. Williston, 29 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yr. letter of the 24th inclosing the prospectus of a work you are about to publish. Havg found it convt. especially at my advanced age, to reduce rather extend my subscriptions of every sort, I must offer this as an explanation for not complying with your request, I offer at the same time my thanks for the intended favor you intimate, which under existing circumstances, it will be...
173James Madison to [Thomas Cooper], 31 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
This statement shews that the loan of 60000 with 3 years of the pub: any. wd. compleat ye. estabt. {ye. library excepd.} viz the lawn of 10 pavns. & 55 dorms. & the E. & W. back streets, wth. 5 hotels, a Proctor’s house & 50 dorms. by the last day of 1822, but that this wd. require ye any. of Jany. 1. 1823 & consequently yt. we cd. not commence instalts. until Jany. 1824. The securing then...
174James Madison: Answer to Bill of Complaint of Charles Edmonston, 31 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
The Answer of James Madison of Orange County Virginia, to the Bill of Complaint of Charles Edmonston against him & others, in the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, for the County of Washington, on the Chancery Side. This Respondent, now and at all times, reserving to himself all & all manner of right, advantage, & benefit of plea, demurrer or exception to the errors, inaccuracies &...
175James Madison to William Allen, 31 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of your last letter I directed my overseer to communicate with the Miller on the subject of the musty flour. I have not learnt his intention in the case Be so good as to let me know how the balance in our account now stands. <Yr> Respy. Draft (DLC) .
176James Madison: Memorandum on the Tariff, 31 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
To the effect of <the> changes intellectual, moral and social, the institutions laws of the Country must be adapted, and it will require for the task all the wisdom of the wisest patriots. *How far this view of the subject will be affected by the Republican laws of descent & distribution in equalizing the property of the citizens and in reducing mutual supplies cannot be inferred from any any...
177James Madison to Richard D. Cutts, 4 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your letter, my dear Richard, gave me much pleasure, as it shews that you love your studies, which you would not do if you did not profit by them. Go on, my good boy, as you have begun; and you will find that you have chosen the best road to a happy life, because a useful one; the more happy because it will add to the happiness of your parents, and of all who love you and are anxious to see...
178James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 5 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of Decr. 28 in which you wish me to say something on the agitated subject of the basis of representation in the contemplated Convention for revising the State Constitution. In a case depending so much on local views and feelings, and perhaps on the opinions of leading individuals; and in which a mixture of compromises with abstract principles may be resorted to, your...
179James Madison to Adam J. Levy, 5 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. some days ago yours of Decr. 22. Altho’ I calculated on being left entirely to my own time, as explained in my last, for the remittance you request, I did not mean to delay it unnecessarily; and had allotted for the purpose a payment I had good reason to expect some weeks ago. Having not yet recd. it, I must take time for another arrangement, which I hope will not be very distant. As...
180James Madison to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 9 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
Will Mr. R. oblige J.M. by turning to the correspondence of Mr. Jefferson with Mr. Pendleton & als Col. John Taylor & telling me whether any thing & what appears to have passed between them, having relation to the publication of Mr. Pendleton in Octr. 1801. subscribed "The danger not over" FC (DLC) .
181James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 10 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 31st. Ult. was duly recd. You have not mistaken my idea of the Constl. power of Congs. to regulate trade: and it gives me pleasure that you take the same view of it. "The power to regulate trade" is a compound technical phrase, to be expounded by the sense in which it has been usually taken, as shewn by the purposes to wch. it has been usually applied. To interpret it with a...
182James Madison to Thomas S. Grimke, 17 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison acknowledges with many thanks the rect. of the Copy with which he has been favord by Mr Grimke of the Resolution submitted by him to the Senate of S. C. on the 12th. of Decr. They have been read with the attention due to the able views taken of a highly interesting question; and with a particular wish that they may promote a recurrence to the historical lights so useful in...
183James Madison to Richard Rush, 17 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your very kind letter of the 12th. The commendations you bestow on those relating to the Tariff belong rather to what so pregnant & important a subject ought to have made them, than to what they are. They were written to a friend who wished to avail himself of the presumed result of my better opportunities of elucidating the question; and whom I considered as needing such an...
184James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 17 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. with yours of the 12th. the 1st. vol: of Lyman’s Diplomacy. The mail charged with the 2d. is not yet arrived, owing to a failure between Washington & Fredg. Tomorrow’s will probably bring it. I have not examined into the discrepancy of dates you refer to in the origin of the tonnage regulation. Perhaps it may be explained by the circumstance of the same Session of Congress being...
185James Madison to Gulian C. Verplanck, 17 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I return herewith the Second Statement by the Council of the London University. If the Superstructure of Science correspond with the foundation marked out for it the Institution will not only be an honor to the country giving it birth, but will extend its instructive influence every where. I must apologize, Sir, for not sooner offering my thanks for a sight of the pamphlet, which I was...
186James Madison to John Sessford, 20 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
J. M. returns his thanks to Mr. Sessford for the copy of his Statistical view of the City of Washington. He wishes Mr. S. may long be a witness of its progressive improvement, and add to that enjoyment a large share of individual prosperity. Draft (DLC) .
187James Madison to William C. Rives, 23 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. under your cover, the newspaper containing the explanatory remarks on the two letters relating to the power of Congress to encourage domestic manufactures. The writer of the letters is laid under great obligation by the opportune & apposite interposition in their behalf. The strange misconstructions which continue to be put on the occasion & object of them, would produce surprize...
188James Madison to Walter Jones, 30 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favor of the 26th. and by the same mail, the prepared Answer to Mr. Edmondson’s Bills forwarded thro’ Mr Cutts. I am much obliged Sir by the considerate & acceptable view which the answer takes of the circumstances which connected me with the subject in controversy. I should have been content, if desired by Mr. Cutts with one less minute, leaving further explanations, if...
189James Madison to Samuel Martin, 30 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir your letter of jany. 7. in which you suggest the idea of opening the Mail free of cost, for all letters, newspapers, & pamphlets of limited size; Whatever consideration may be due to plans facilitating private intercourse, to public information; The abuses not easily guarded agt. to which the universality of such a privilege wd. be liable to the cheapness & extensiveness of...
190James Madison to Joseph Coolidge, Jr., 31 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received the copy of the Annual Report on the Harvard University: and I make my acknoledgements for the politeness to which I am indebted, with the more pleasure, as it offers an occasion for repeating to Mrs. Coolidge & yourself the regards & good wishes in which Mrs. Madison cordially joines me. FC (DLC) .
191James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 2 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. last evening yours of the 29th. Ult: It confirms I observe my fears that nothing could now be done for the University, tho the more in need of aid in consequence of the fever which is banishing a number of the Students & may have the effect of impairing its income. The spirit in which my letters to you are criticized is as singular as it is illiberal. The least degree of candor wd....
192James Madison to Frederick List, 3 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir your letter of Jany. 21. with the printed accompaniments; of which none can say less, than they contain able and interesting views of the doctrine they espouse. The more thorough the examination of t[he] question which relates to the encouragement of domestic manufactures, the more the true policy (until all nations make themselves commercially one nation[)] will be found to...
193James Madison to Daniel Raymond, 4 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 26th. Ult. & return my acknowledgments for the pamphlet I owe to your politeness. It would seem difficult for any to deny, that some of your observations on the subject discussed disprove the universality of the policy which exempts industry & commerce from legislative interpositions. Your rule for expounding the Constitution of the U. S. inverts as you may be...
194James Madison to James Barbour, 6 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favour of Novr 13. covering the Seals, for your attention to which I return you many thanks. They fully answer my wishes. I am glad to find that the Duke of Wellington, understood to be the mainspring of the Cabinet policy, and more than his predecessor a manager of the public will, holds a language so friendly towards this Country. The longer a practice corresponding with it...
195James Madison to James Maury, 6 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of your letter inclosing a letter to Mr. Walker, I put the latter into the hands of one of my neighbors who married his daughter. It appears that the old Gentleman died a few days after your letter reached him; but that he recollected the debt, referred to, and expressed a confidence that he had never recd. a payment of it. His long inattention to the subject, is explained by a...
196James Madison to James Barbour, 7 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
With your favr. of Novr. 13. acknd. yesterday, I recd that of the same date, in which you communicated the steps you had taken & had in view, in relation to a Successor to Professor Long. The Visitors I am sure will all be thankful for your attentions to that important object. Altho’ it appears that Dr. Harrison discharges well his temporary trusts yet besides the uncertainty of his permanent...
197James Madison to John Percival, 7 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of Jany. 31. and feel a proper respect for the solicitude which prompted it. But at the great age of my memory, and in reference to a remote period, crowded with a multiplicity of duties pressing on the attention, I think it most proper, on these considerations, as well as others involved in your enquiries, to refer for the information which is the object of them, to...
198James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 7 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
Do me the favor to hand the inclosed letters to Mr. Brent, with a request that he will be so good as to let the letters go from the Department with the first dispatches for England We have had no information from Edgehill since Mrs. Randolph & Mrs. Trist left us. We hope the accounts you have are all of them favorable. I take for granted you have not omitted a provision for the copies of Mr....
199James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 13 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
Since mine of Jany. 29, I have recd. one of the papers of Hampden. But it is No. 2. the Enquirer containing the first No. and a No. from the fellow pen having not come into the neighborhood. Be so good, when at leisure as to procure and enclose it to me. I observe that some stress is laid on the reference to our Coloneal relations to G.B. as having originated with me. The fact is, that I found...
200James Madison to Robley Dunglison, 13 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 9th. inst. and even not under the distressing circumstances it presents at the Universy see any course better adapted to them than that which the faculty have decided on. Might it not be well for the Proctor to have several hundred Bushels of good Lime so distributed as to produce its corrective effect where there may be the most need of it. With great & friendly...