105501Power of Attorney for Callender Irvine, 1 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
Know all men by these presents, that I James Madison, President of the United States do make, constitute and appoint Callender Irvine Esquire, my true and lawful attorney for me, and in my name, to transfer to the books of the Treasury of the United States, all Stock standing in the name of the President of the United States in trust for the Seneca Nation of Indians, in the books of the...
105502From James Madison to William Davis Robinson, 6 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of Decr. 28. accompanied by a Copy of your “Memoirs of the Mexican Revolution.” As I can not at present find leisure to go thro the volume, I make an offer at once, of my thanks for your obliging attention. So little is known of the late events & of the actual State of things in Mexico, which well deserve to be known, that accurate information as to both must be...
105503James 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...
105504From James Madison to Samuel Spring, 6 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of Aug 26. I recollect our Collegiate friendship with the same impressions which it gives me pleasure to find you still retain. Nor have I forgotten the pleasant hours that passed between us at a much later day under my own roof. We all feel the weight of the times and it is to be regretted that all cannot unite in the measures opposed to them. If it were proper for...
105505From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 20 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Col: James Madison Orange County Virginia[.] Favd. by Capt M. Walker.” Probably late in his life, JM, or John C. Payne, whose handwriting greatly resembled JM’s, wrote “(Biographical.)” above the salutation and “Madison, Jr” above the date line on the first page. Having written a letter and inclosed with it a large collection of Newspapers for you which...
105506From James Madison to William Eaton, 20 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your letters of 2 & 18 Septr. 6 Octr. 1. 9. 10. 15. 16. 13. 25, 19, & 21 Novr. and 8th. Decr. have been received since the date of Mr. Lincoln’s letter by the Grand Turk, which sailed from New York in March last, with the third cargo of Regalia for Tunis. The proofs, which have been given by the Bashaw of Tripoli, of hostile designs against the United States, have, as you will learn from...
105507From James Madison to George Long, 8 September 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 31. was duly recd. by the Mail preceding the last. Altho’ it ought not to produce surprize, that you should, on the expiration of your engagement here, prefer a residence in your native Country, I am very sure that I express a regret common to the Visitors that the University should lose a professor, whose qualifications, can scarcely be hoped for in a Successor whether...
105508Memorandum on Cabinet Meeting, 23 & 24 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
Rush for awaiting further information from Europe. turn over Ms ( DLC ); Tr ( DLC , series 3). Ms dated 27 June 1814 in the Index to the James Madison Papers. JM ’s memorandum on his 27 June 1814 meeting with the cabinet was written on the verso.
105509James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 5 June 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 30th. Ult. and given attention to the passage relating to the Statement of Dr. Watkins. I feel certainly every proper motive to comply with your request, especially under the reserves you annex to it. But I happen not to have the means of doing so which you take for granted. After a lapse of more than 20 years, without intervening occasions, for recurring to the...
105510From James Madison to McLellan & Brown (Abstract), 25 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
25 March 1805, Department of State . “The third instalment of British claims, will be payable in London until the 1st. of September next, and if not drawn from thence at that date, they will cease to be payable there, as they will be transfered to the United States. The third instalment, you will observe, is not due until the 15th. July next. Bills drawn upon Mr. Erving for any sum in his...
105511From James Madison to John Hartwell Cocke, 9 February 1828 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a letter from Mr. Egan covering a letter from Mr. Giles to the Visitors, and copy of a letter from Mr. Jefferson to Mr Giles, as testimonials in favor of his application for the Chair of Mr. Long. As it appears to be the wish of Mr Egan that the papers should be made known to the Visitors as soon as may be, it may be well that they be communicated to our Colleagues as opportunities...
105512From James Madison to Richard Riker and Others, 31 May 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your letter of April 28th. and with it a Medal of Gold, commemorating the completion of the Erie Canal, presented in the name of the City of New York by order of the Common Council; the Medal being accompanied by a box made of Maple brought from the Lake in the first Canal boat the Senaca Chief. I beg the Corporation to be assured that I feel in its full extent, the value...
105513James Madison to William Cogswell, 10 March 1834 (Madison Papers)
private Your letter of the 18th. Ult: was duly received. You give me a credit to which I have no claim, in calling me " The writer of the Constitution of the U.S." This was not, like the fabled Goddess of Wisdom, the offspring of a single brain. It ought to be regarded as the work of many heads & many hands. Your criticism on the "Collocation of books in the Library of our University, may...
105514From James Madison to Peter S. Du Ponceau, 18 June 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 10th. inclosing, in behalf of the Historical Committee of the Philosophical Society, a prospectus of the first vol: of their Transactions. I wish the Committee to be assured that I am fully sensible of the merit of such an Institution; and that it will afford me pleasure to promote its objects, if opportunities occur for adding to its store of historical...
105515Jonathan Bull & Mary Bull, 1821 (Madison Papers)
Jonathan Bull & Mary Bull, who were descendants of old Jno. Bull, the head of the family, had inherited contiguous estates in large tracts of land. As they grew up & became well acquainted, a partiality was mutually felt, and advances on several occasions made towards a matrimonial connection. This was particularly recommended by the advantages of putting their two estates under a common...
105516James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 25 April 1831 (Madison Papers)
I inclose an extract of a letter from Professor Dunglison communicating his purpose of leaving his Chair in the event of his being appointed to a vacant one at Baltimore; and I have recd. a like communication from Professor Patterson, which I understand from him he has made directly to you. These occurrences are very embarrassing; and in some respects the more so, as involving contingences,...
105517From James Madison to William Hull, 10 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
Having asked and obtained the opinion of the Attorney General on certain points stated by the Secretary of the Michigan Territory, and as the opinion may be of use to you as well as to him, I enclose a copy of it, and am, Sir, with great respect, Your Very Obt. Servt. DNA : RG 59—DL—Domestic Letters.
105518James Madison to Richard Rush, 28 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. my dear Sir your favor of the 21st. and thank you for the 2 pamphlets inclosed with it. Of the one which has for its mark the living Character it may well be said (varying a borrowed phrase), "that the keenness of the shaft is ever more than equalled by the vigor of the bow:" nor is it to be wondered that the portrait in the other, of the Character deceased, should have...
105519From James Madison to Ann Cary Randolph Morris, [post–6 November 1816] (Madison Papers)
Being constrained by circumstances which I can not properly disregard, to decline the request in your letter without date, I can not do otherwise with the one enclosed in it than return it in the same state it came to hand, that you may substitute some other course for its delivery. I beg you to be assured Madam that this Step does not proceed in any degree from a want of the sympathy which...
105520From James Madison to George Washington, 11 August 1788 (Madison 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...
105521James Madison to James Cornick, 31 January 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have received Sir your letter of the 27th and am sorry I can give no information on the Subject of it. I have no recollection that the case of your father was at any time made known to me. Having never been a practitioner of law, that consideration could not have led him to place his papers in my hands. The Services which it appears your father rendered were certainly meritorious Mr. Maury...
105522From James Madison to Charles Caldwell, 22 July 1825 (Madison Papers)
Your letter from Charlottesville came duly to hand, and an earlier answer would have been given to it; but for a hope, which has not been fulfilled that a little delay might enlarge the compliance with its request. The instances of longevity which you wish me to repeat on paper as within the limits of my farm, on which there are about 70 persons of every age & description and among my...
105523From James Madison to Charles Johnston, 16 June 1827 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your favor of May 21. accompanied by a copy of the Volume containing the well-written narrative of your Capture by the Indians, with sketches of their Character & manners. I have not however till within a few days been able to give it the reading I wished. The narrative would be interesting were it merely a tale of fiction. But stamped as it is with an authenticity so well...
105524Outline for Speech Opposing Paper Money, [ca. 1 November 1786] (Madison Papers)
JM had long anticipated that an emission of paper currency would be attempted in the October 1786 session of the Virginia legislature ( JM to Monroe, 4 June 1786 ). He made two sets of notes opposing paper money, one an expanded version of the other. Since the dating and order of preparation are matters of conjecture, the briefer of the two texts has been placed first and the date on which the...
105525From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 November 1798 (Madison Papers)
You will have this from Mr. Reuben Chuning, who wishes to consult with you on the subject of your Housebuilding. He is one of the Workmen whom I recommended to you, and will I am persuaded justify all I have said in his favor. He has not yet put the last hand to my work, but will probably be ready as soon as you are for commencing yours. I have met with some mortifying delays in finishing off...
105526Notes on Debates, 21 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). For a description of the manuscript of Notes on Debates, see Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (7 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , V, 231–34 . These notes, comprising the final entry made by JM of the deliberations of Congress until he resumed his records in 1787, are dated only 21 June, though...
105527From James Madison to Jedidiah Morse, 15 August 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 4th. May, has been so long in hand that I am really sorry to be obliged to acknowledge the receipt of it, without complying with the request it makes. In my present situation, it has not been possible to furnish the information immediately of myself. I have accordingly been obliged to apply by letters to friends in those parts of the Country where the information was to be...
105528Method of Choosing the Judiciary, [21 July] 1787 (Madison Papers)
JM had moved on 18 July that the national judiciary should be nominated by the executive and “such nomination should become an appointment if not disagreed to … by ⅔ of the 2d. branch” ( Ms [ DLC ]). After being postponed, debate on this motion was now resumed. Mr. Madison stated as his reasons for the motion. 1 that it secured the responsibility of the Executive who would in general be more...
105529From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1801 (Madison Papers)
Mrs. Browne having been detained at Fredg for some time, I did not receive your favor of the 19th. in time to be conveniently acknowledged by the last mail. The succeeding one of the 26th. came to hand on the 7th. instant only, a delay that fixes blame on the post office either in Washington or Fredg. In all the letters & most of the Newspapers which I have lately recd. thro’ the post office,...
105530James Madison to James Barbour, 11 June 1828 (Madison Papers)
It has been much the wish of Mrs. Madison & myself to give a call at Barboursville whilst you remain there: but find it will not be in our power. We trust it will be in yours, if not before, to make a stage & pass a day at least with Mrs. Barbour and your family, at Montpellier, on the way to the port of your departures; to whom with yourself, we offer our joint and best salutations. RC ( ViHi...
105531From James Madison to Alexander I, 4 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
John Quincy Adams Esqr., who for several years past has resided with you as the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, being required by the public interest to undertake other functions, we have directed him to take leave of you and to embrace that occasion to assure you of our continued friendship and sincere desire to preserve and strengthen the harmony and good understanding so...
105532From James Madison to William Cooke, 4 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a letter recommending your case to the support of the Governor of Cuba. The Convention between the United States and Spain, for liquidating claims to compensation for excesses committed by individuals of either nation upon those of the other, during the late war, has been lately ratified by the President and Senate. It now awaits only the exchange of ratifications at Madrid to be...
105533To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 5 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed papers which I have got from Mr. Beckleys office furnishes an answer to your letter. There is a Bill depending in favor of claims barred by the limitation of time—which if it passes will provide for those of Owen and Woods as I understand the tenor of the Bill and the nature of their claims. As soon as the fate of the Bill is decided I shall write to the parties. RC ( DLC ). See...
105534James Madison: Notes on foreign commerce and constitutionality of the tariff (Madison Papers)
(Those who deny that the power of Congs to regulate foreign commerce includes a protective power, yet contend that the power grantable to the States to impose duties on, it was intended to provide for a protection or substitute, and who rely for a proof on the testimonies of L. Martin, must yield to the inference that the protection is a branch of the comercial [expansion sign] power, distinct...
105535From James Madison to John Swanwick, 30 June 1795 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 30 June 1795. Acknowledged in Swanwick to JM, 26 July 1795 . Asks Swanwick to rent the house that he described in his letter to JM of 14 June.
105536From James Madison to Joseph Jones, [ca. 6 January] 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). JM’s note to Jones is on the upper portion of a page on which Jones, writing below the note, penned his reply. Neither writer dated or signed his communication. Many years later JM docketed the page, “Virga Govr. of (Harrison Jany. 7 1783.” On 6 January 1783 JM and Joseph Jones, who was unable to attend Congress because of ill health, were the only Virginia delegates...
105537From James Madison to George and Charles Carvill, 12 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. with the last No. of the U.S. Review &c an account for $5. which I inclose, returning the rect. for your signature. Finding that my advanced stage of life disqualifies me from giving a due attention to such publications, I must request of you, as I am doing in other cases, that my name be discontinued on the list to which the Review is sent. Be pleased to accept at the same time...
105538From James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 26 July 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favr. of the 10th. did not come to hand till saturday morning last. I concur in thinking it will be expedient to request from the Genl. assembly any interest which may be allowed on the debt due from the U. S.—unless it shd. appear that the attempt will be hopeless, or it be morally certain that no such allowance will be made. On these points you will be able to form the best judgment...
105539From James Madison to Alexander White, 2 February 1795 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 2 February 1795. Acknowledged in White to JM, 14 Feb. 1795 . Apparently discusses news reports of Jay’s negotiations with Great Britain, the prospects for peace in Europe, and legislation pending in Congress.
105540From James Madison to Richard Forrest, 7 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours by Mr. Eno. When I took the liberty of asking your assistance in procuring me a few Merinoes, it was far from my intention to give you the trouble you have been so good as to take. As you are, however, on the spot, I avail myself of your kindness so far as to add a request, that you will have a few more Ewes purchased, if the sale tomorrow should offer bargains...
105541From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Will you have such an answer given Mr. Chandler, as will accord with precedents, which I presume may admit of his communicating through a flag, shd. one be sent to Bermuda for other purposes and in the mean time to make an expert: on the ships here. The indulgences given to others who have lost Negroes, either by the Genl. or State authorities, have probably encouraged this application....
105542From James Madison to Timothy Clowes, 19 June 1827 (Madison Papers)
Your two letters of May 4. & 25. with their respective enclosures have been duly reccd. as has been a letter from Mr Hatch, enclosing the copy of Certificates refered to in the first of them to me. These several communications will be laid before the Visitors of the University of Virga. at their appointed meeting on the 10th. of next month. FC ( DLC ). In Dolley Madison’s hand.
105543From James Madison to Edward Thornton, 5 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
Information has just been received that Capt. Douglas commanding the British Ship of War Boston, has undertaken to impress two Seamen, from an American Vessel shortly after she had proceeded to sea from the Port of Norfolk. The fact is regularly attested by a deposition of which a copy is inclosed, and from which it appears that one of the seamen is still detained on board the Boston; the...
105544James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the copy of your letter to Judge Johnson inclosed in your favor of the instant. Your statement relating to the farewell address of Gen l Washington is substantially correct. If there be any circumstantial inaccuracy, it is in imputing to him more agency in composing the document than he probably had. Taking for granted that it was drawn up by Hamilton , the best conjecture is that...
105545From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 31 January 1807 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Albert Gallatin. 31 January 1807, Department of State. “Be pleased to issue your warrant on the appropriations for the Contingent expenses of the Mississippi Territory for Seventy three dollars & ninety seven Cents, in favor of William Chew, authorised to receive the same, by the enclosed order from Cowles Mead Esqr., who is to be charged and held accountable for the same.” Letterbook copy...
105546From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ your personal and official acquaintance with Mr. J Graham, be well known to me, I can not, on the occasion of my final departure fr⟨om⟩ the public service, satisfy myself, without expressing my sense of his great merit. Mr. Graham, recommended by my knowlege of his public Agency abroad, and of his private virtues, was invited into the Department of State, as the Chief under the Head of...
105547Method of Appointing the Executive, [25 July] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Ellsworth moved that the executive be chosen by the national legislature, except when an incumbent had served a “‘whole term … in which case the choice shall be by Electors’” chosen by the state legislatures ( Farrand, Records Max Farrand, ed., The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (4 vols.; New Haven, 1911–37). , II, 108–9). Mr. Madison. There are objections agst. every mode that has...
105548From James Madison to William Lyman (Abstract), 7 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
7 March 1805, Department of State . “As Mr. Erving will probably have left London before the receipt of the third Instalment under the late Convention with G. Britain, you will after ascertaining that point, give notice thro’ the public prints in London, that the drafts upon him of the American claimants under the Convention so far as they shall be conformable with the advertisment enclosed,...
105549From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I returned to this City on the 24th. The President arrived the day after. General Dearbourn was here before. Messrs. Gallatin & Smith are daily expected. We have reassembled a little earlier after our full vacation than usual, in order to be the more prepared for the earlier meeting of Congress. The last letter recd. from you was of the 11th. of Augst by Mr. Baring who forwardd. that with the...
105550From James Madison to Henry Lee, 1 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 March 1790. Acknowledged in Lee to JM, 13 Mar. 1790 . Probably relates to the defeat of JM’s discrimination amendment, the assumption debate, and Lee’s Potomac land speculation.