104041James Madison to Darius Darling, 4 March 1836 (Madison Papers)
I did not recieve until last evening your letter of the 22d. Feby. communicating the late proceedings of the "American Historical Society of Military & Naval Events", and "asking leave to present my name as an honorary Member". I have too much respect for the object of the society, and for the names composing it, to be insensible to the honor of an association of mine, with them. I must not...
104042From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 5 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
Be pleased to issue your warrant on the appropriations for the Contingent expenses of this Office, for five hundred dollars, in favor of William Whann Esqr., the holder of the enclosed Bill for that amount, drawn upon me, on the 22d. July last, by Meriwether Lewis Esqr., Governor of the Louisiana Territory, who is to be charged and held accountable for the same. I am &c. DNA : RG...
104043To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 2 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Having passed Dalton on the road, I have received the dispatches from M. & Pinkney under the delay of their coming hither from Washington. You will have recd. copies from Washington, according to instructions I left there. The business at Madrid has had an awkward termination, and if nothing, as may be expected, particularly in the absence of the Emperor, shd alleviate it at Paris, involves...
104044From James Madison to Maurice Lisle, 29 January 1807 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Maurice Lisle. 29 January 1807, Department of State. “It being understood that the charge of American Agent, which the interest of the United States seem to require at Tortola, would not be unacceptable to you, the President has been pleased to confer it upon you. It will relate 1st. to the superintendence of our Seamen in the place of your residence, and as far as is practicable and...
104045From James Madison to the Senate, 26 February 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 February 1813. “I nominate Brigadier General James Wilkinson, Brigadier General Wade Hampton, William R. Davy of South Carolina, Morgan Lewis now Quarter Master General, William H. Harrison of Indiana Territory, and Aaron Ogden of New Jersey, to be Major Generals in the Army of the U. States. “Thomas Posey to be Governor of the Indiana Territory. “George Poindexter to be a Judge of the...
104046Power of the Legislature to Negative State Laws, [17 July] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison considered the negative on the laws of the States as essential to the efficacy & Security of the Genl. Govt. The necessity of a general Govt. proceeds from the propensity of the States to pursue their particular interests in opposition to the general interest. This propensity will continue to disturb the system, unless effectually controuled. Nothing short of a negative on their...
104047From James Madison to John Ross, 13 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th. Ult. There can be little doubt, that the first claim you state is of the general nature of those which are recoverable under the late Convention with France. Should you be able to prove that your original documents have been accidentally destroyed, the Commissioners and other functionaries who are to decide these claims will doubtless admit you to prove...
104048From James Madison to David Holmes, 12 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
In reply to your Letter of yesterday I have the Honor to state to you, that no remuneration has been made by the Danish Government to the United States "for and on account of the Prizes taken by the Alliance Frigate in 1779, carried into Bergen in Norway, and afterwards by Order of the Danish Government restored to the British" With great Respect I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your Mo: Obt Sert...
104049Discrimination between Present and Original Holders of the Public Debt, [19 February] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Speaking against JM’s motion, Burke said that many officers and soldiers had received conspicuous marks of gratitude for their services, notably in appointments to civil offices. Mr. Madison. If paper, or the honor of statues or medals, can discharge the debts of justice, payable in gold and silver, we can not only exonerate ourselves from those due to the original holders, but from those of...
104050James Madison to Haym Salomon, 25 February 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. M.with his respects to Mr. S. & informs him, in answer to the enquiry in his letter of the 18th. informs that none of the persons to whom it relates are now living, & that no descendant of either is in the Natl Legislature. The only male descendant now alive is John Mercer the son of Jno. F. Mercer, misnamed it would appear W. Fr. &c by Mr. S. in his letter; and now a resident of the City...
104051To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 March 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
The past week has been spent chiefly on the question of an Embargo. It was negatived on Friday by 48 against 46, the former composed chiefly of Eastern, the latter of Southern members. The former are now for giving the power to the Executive, even during the session of Congress. In France, everything is in a state of vigor beyond what has been seen there. Fauchèt proceeds with great...
104052From James Madison to Alexander White, 17 March 1794 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 17 March 1794. Acknowledged in White to JM, 30 Mar. 1794 . Asks for White’s opinion on proposals for an embargo; reports on Theodore Sedgwick’s plan for a military buildup.
104053Notes on Debates, 10 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782 , ed. n. Immediately preceding the entry for 10 December, JM wrote, “Monday 9th. Decr. No Congress.” A Motion was made by Mr. Ramsay directing the Secy. at War who was abt. to visit his family in Massachussetts, to take Vermont in his way & deliver the Resolutions passed a few days since to Mr. Chittenden. For the motion it was...
104054From James Madison to Henry Tazewell, ca. 16 June 1795 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 16 June 1795. Acknowledged in Tazewell to JM, 26 June 1795 . Mentions lands in Orange County. Asks Tazewell to deliver letter from Dolley Payne Madison.
104055Notes on Debates, 1 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). For a description of the manuscript of Notes on Debates and a discussion of JM’s reasons for recording what was said and done in Congress, see Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (6 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , V, 231–34 . The decision of the controversy between Connecticut & Penna. was...
104056To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I left Washington on the morning of the 6th. and ended my journey on Saturday evening. Having received no communications from the office before the mail which arrived the day before yesterday, and concluding that your trip to Bedford was probably undertaken about this time I have been the less in a hurry to trouble you with a letter. I now inclose several papers transmitted by Mr. Wagner....
104057To George Washington from James Madison, 11 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with yours of the 3d instant. The length of the interval since my last has proceeded from a daily expectation of being able to communicate the final arrangements for introducing the new Government. The place of meeting has undergone much discussion as you conjectured and still remains to be fixed. Philada was first named, & negatived by a voice from Delaware. N. York...
104058To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters will shew the object of the Bearer Mr. Baker. From his conversation, I find that, placing Bourdeaux & Gibralter out of view, he wishes to be appd. as Consul, to Minorca , where he says a Consul will be admitted, now that it is again under the Spanish Government, and where he observes a consul may be of use to the U. States, particularly during our bickerings with the...
104059From James Madison to George Wythe, 15 April 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of February accompanying the Testimony which the University of William & Mary have been pleased to bestow on me. A distinction which is rendered so flattering both by the characters of those from whom it is received, and of those with whom it associates me calls for acknowledgments, which I should feel greater satisfaction in expressing if I had less reason to...
104060From James Madison to the Vermont General Assembly, 26 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received the address of the General Assembly transmitted to me on the 15th ult. with the impressions which ought to be made by the sentiments expressed in it. Conscious as I am, how much I owe the high trust with which I am invested, to a partiality in my fellow citizens which overrated my qualifications, I am compelled to mingle my regret that these are not more adequate, with the...
104061From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 26 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of Decr. 28. but [not] till three weeks after the date of it. It was my purpose to have answered it particularly, but I have been robbed of the time reserved for the purpose. I must of consequence limit myself to a few lines and to my promise given to the Fresco Painter to forward you the inclosed letter. Nothing since my last from Jay or Monroe. The Newspapers as usual...
104062Memorandum of Conversations with John Armstrong, 24 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
In the morning, a note by an Express from Genl. Winder was handed me. It was addressed to the Secretary of war. Not doubting the urgency of the occasion, I opened & read it; and it went on immediately by the Express to Genl. Armstrong who lodged in the seven Buildings. Finding by the note that the General requested the speediest Counsel, I proceeded to his Head Quarters on the Eastern Branch,...
104063Amendments to the Constitution, [8 June] 1789 (Madison Papers)
On 25 May, the day assigned to take up amendments, JM moved to postpone the subject for two weeks ( Gazette of the U.S. , 27 May 1789). On 8 June he moved to refer the business to a Committee of the Whole. Jackson opposed amendments at this time as premature, and suggested a postponement until March 1790. Others objected that Congress had more pressing business to complete before amendments...
104064From James Madison to Congress, 11 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 June 1812. “I transmit for the information of Congress copies of letters which have passed between the Secretary of State and the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain.” RC and enclosures, two copies ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 12A-D1; and DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, 12A-E2). Each RC 1 p.; in the hand of Edward Coles, signed by JM. For...
104065From James Madison to John G. Jackson, 4 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 21st. I cannot too much applaud Your zeal & that of your associates, in efforts to retrieve what has been lost by the want of that or something else in others. The present sacrifices you are yourself making call for peculiar acknowledgments. I am constrained at the same time to remark that according to the view taken here, of the prospects before Genl. Harrison,...
104066From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 12 October 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your favor inclosing the printed extracts from the pamphlet of Cunningham, and have made the communication of it where you intended. It is impossible not to feel indignation at the outrage committed by the publication on private confidence. From the specimens given of its contents it will nevertheless have much effect in inflaming animosities in certain quarters, & probably in...
104067From James Madison to Daniel Eccleston, 18 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. the Medallion of General Washington accompanying your favor of Jany. 1; and return my thanks for it. The high veneration in which his Memory is held in his own Country, renders such tokens of respect to it, in others, at once grateful in themselves, and just titles to esteem in those, who looking beyond a national horizon, can do justice to the worthies & benefactors of...
104068From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are three more of the Natl Gazettes. They will give you all the information which is current; as well in relation to the proceedings of Congress, as to other matters. A vote has passed the two Houses fixing the 5th. of next month for the adjournment. It is possible that it may be put off a day or two longer, tho’ it is pro[ba]ble from the impatience of the members that the session...
104069From James Madison to Tench Coxe, [29 December] 1793 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Coxe. He wishes to have a little conversation with him this forenoon or tomorrow if convenient, and will thank Mr C. to name by the bearer an hour at which Mr. M. may wait on him. RC ( PHi : Tench Coxe Papers). Addressed by JM. Docketed, probably by Coxe: “recd. in the Morning of Sunday 29 Decr. 1793—appointed Mr. M. to call at his (Mr. C’s) house this...
104070From James Madison to Samuel Meeker, 10 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 4th. from the information I have received, there does not seem to remain a doubt, that American vessels are excluded from the carriage of Cotton of foreign growth to Great Britain for her consumption. How far the prohibition will effect cotton, the production of our western Country, shipped from New Orleans, is not equally clear; and it would therefore certainly...