106361Motion on Instruction to George Washington, [7–8 November] 1782 (Madison Papers)
On Mature deliberation on all the papers which had been referred to the Committee respecting the murder of Capt: Huddy, the British officer allotted as the subject of retal[i]ation for the murder and to the trial of Lippencut as the perpetrator thereof[,] It is deemed expedient & accordingly resolved that the Commander in cheif be directed to set at liberty the said British officer Resolved...
106362From James Madison to John Rodgers, 24 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
The present Secretary of the Navy being about to retire into private life, my thoughts are turned on you for his Successor. But before I make the nomination to the Senate, it will be agreeable to me, & proper in every respect, that I should have your sanction to it. Will you be so good as to satisfy me on this point? And as Mr. Jones’ affairs will not, I find, permit him to remain in the Dept....
106363From James Madison to Caesar A. Rodney, 15 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison requests a consultation with the Heads of Departments tomorrow at 12 Oclock. RC ( PSC ). In the hand of Edward Coles. The cover bears the following notes, later crossed out, in Rodney’s hand: “Take home— / the no. of ⟨Banks?⟩ / Rep— / Marriott’s forms / Letters— / J. G. Jackson / T. Jefferson / Dale ⟨Letters?⟩ / Mr. ⟨Dawson?⟩ / W. Eustis / ⟨J. W. Smith?⟩.” There are also some...
106364From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [29 November 1806] (Madison Papers)
that whilst the public force was acting strictly on the defensive, & merely to protect our Citizens from aggression, the criminal attempts of private individuals to decide for their Country the question of peace or war, by commencing active & unautho[ri]zed hostilities, ought to be promp[t]ly and effectually suppressed. MS ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). In JM ’s hand. Undated, unaddressed;...
106365From James Madison to Thomas Newton Jr., 11 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 5th. instant, and inclose as it requests a remittance of 56 Dolrs. the cost of the Cyder furnished by Col. Cocke. The excellence of the sample, makes me desirous of being recollected on the subject, as soon as the next crop will bear a shipment. If it be convenient to Col. Cocke to spare 14 or 15 Bbles, I shall be glad to take that quantity, and thank you for...
106366From James Madison to Benjamin Silliman, 26 May 1820 (Madison Papers)
I owe many apologies for not sooner recollecting that I was a subscriber for the first year of your Scientific Journal. I now inclose $5. which can not be more than I ought to pay for the numbers I have recd. of that valuable publication. Should it be less, be so good as to let me know. I sincerely wish you success in the prosecution of the work, and regret that the considerations which...
106367James Madison to Peter S. Duponceau, 30 October 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have received yours of the 25th. and have the pleasure of inclosing a Copy of the paper which is the subject of it. Permit me to accompany it with renewed assurances of my great & cordial esteem, and the sincere return from Mrs. Madison of your kind remembrances. RC ( OClWHi ); draft (DLC) ; letterbook copy (PHi: Peter S. Duponceau Letterbook, 1777-1839) .
106368From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
The letter from Acheson, should be known in some of its contents. I inclose it to you for reasons on the face of it. I inclose also the letter from Gilbert Taylor, as a memento to the letter you are to write to the Govr. of Tennessee, on the subject of the illegal enterprize on foot in that State. We are so far well on our way. Yrs. RC ( DLC : Monroe Papers). JM probably enclosed the 25 Aug....
106369From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 31. ult. The retrospective claim for Newspapers has been made on me, in one instance only, since I was out of office. A printer in Vermont sent me a charge for a weekly paper during my term of 8 years, several years after I was out of office. I answered that I had never subscribed for the paper, and had always supposed it to have been forwarded without pecuniary...
106370Motion on Protection of Commerce, [2 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 28, fol. 241). Written by JM. With a sharper quill than the one he used to draft the motion, JM penned at the top of the page, “Resolved that next be appointed to receive.” Almost certainly he made this note on 2 May, when Congress agreed upon a date for receiving La Luzerne ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34...
106371From James Madison to Samuel Johnston, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I lost no time in handing to the President the address inclosed in your favor of the 22 of May, and have postponed an acknowledgment of the latter in expectation of being able at the same time to cover the President’s answer. This has been and continues to be delayed by a very serious indisposition. We hope that he is not in much danger, but are by no means without our fears also. His disorder...
106372From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
I know not what to make of the inclosed letter. The purport of it clashes with every calculation founded in probability; and yet it is impossible to disregard altogether the reliance which Col. Monroe seems to place on what he writes. We shall be better able to judge on seeing the details and the authority for them which he promises. 5 inches of rain have fallen since sunday morning. Two of...
106373From James Madison to Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg, 28 May 1798 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 May 1798. Acknowledged in Muhlenberg to JM, 17 June 1798 . Discusses Barbara Peters’s claim to a house formerly held in trust by John Todd, Jr. JM had earlier enclosed to Jefferson a letter to Muhlenberg (not found)—“related to a case of humanity”—that was probably on the same subject ( JM to Jefferson, 15 Apr. 1798 ).
106374From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 June 1792 (Madison Papers)
Since I got to the end of my journey I have been without an opportunity of dropping you a line; and this is written merely to be ready for the first casual conveyance to Fredericksburg. I received yesterday your two favors No. 1 & 2. The gazettes under a preceding cover had come to hand some days before. Your answer to Hammond has on the whole got triumphantly through the ordeal. It is...
106375Commercial Discrimination, [24 January] 1794 (Madison Papers)
In Committee of the Whole, Dayton asserted: “If we really labor under wrongs, something more effectual than the measures proposed should be contemplated; but first it is our duty, to endeavor to obtain redress by pacific means, and before irritating measures are adopted, we should be well assured that redress has been refused.” Mr. Madison saw no ground to hope for redress from negociation, we...
106376From James Madison to Josef Bruno Magdalena, 30 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Josef Bruno Magdalena. 30 March 1806, Department of State. “In answer to your letter of the 26th. instant [not found], requesting to be informed of the mode in which the business of Spain with this Government may be conducted, within the United States under existing circumstances, I have to remark, that communications will be received in cases requiring them, from whatever Spanish...
106377To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Unwilling to detain the Rider, I send the letters recd. by him witht. remark. It is possible we may be able to set out for Monticello on Wednesday next. This will however depend on circumstances. Yrs &c &c DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
106378From James Madison to Joseph Hutton, [13–31] October 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 9. inst. I am very sensible of the interesting character of the event you have chosen for a poetic celebration, and cannot be inattentive to the motive of the request you have made to me on the occasion. There are considerations however which, with every anticipation of merit in the poem, weigh against a formal sanction to its contents, from the public station...
106379From James Madison to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 24 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 19th. inst: For an answer, I refer to the communication you will receive from Genl. Cocke, which will make known our views on the subject of it. With friendly respects RC ( ViU : Special Collections, Madison Papers); draft ( DLC ). RC addressed and franked to Brockenbrough at the University of Virginia; docketed by Brockenbrough. Letter not found.
106380From James Madison to Lafayette, 4 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your two favors of June 12. & Sepr. 17. & am extremely concerned that I cannot give you more satisfactory information as to the state of your locations, on which you are about to found such important arrangements. In so distant a situation, delays were always to be counted on. But they have been prolonged by several supervening casualties; and finally by a miscarriage of the particular...
106381From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 13 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have received and return my thanks for your polite favor accompanying the copy of the printed Journal of the Federal Convention transmitted in pursuance of a late Resolution of Congress. In turning over a few pages of the Journal, which is all I have done, a casual glance caught a passage which erroneously prefixed my name to the proposition made on the 7th. day of September for making a...
106382James Madison to John Tayloe Lomax, 10 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours dated 8th. post mark 6th Being absent at the last meeting of the Visitors, I am ignorant of the particular view they had on the order to which you refer Your Statement seems to shew that a deviation from the letter of it, whilst an accomodation to yourself & others, would not be objectionable in any quarter. I forward your letter however to Genl. Cocke my Extive....
106383From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 8 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
The communications from the B. Govt. lately recd. thro’ Baker are of a curious character. They promise that the O. in C. would cease on the 1st. Aug: with a right reserved to renew them in May next, in case the conduct of France and of the U. S. should require it; and particularly in case the Non-Imp: Act should not be repealed within 14 days after a notification of the actual repeal should be...
106384From James Madison to Joseph Delaplaine, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the instant. I had previously recd. a copy of the first half volume of the Repository. Of the general object of a work, which is to exhibit the likenesses & lives of selected Individuals, it would be superfluous to express an approbation. In the execution of the work, the essential merit must of course depend on the propriety of the selections, on the...
106385From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I received last evening your kind enquiries after my health. My last will have informed you of the state of it then. I continue to be incommoded by several different shapes taken by the bile; but not in a degree that can now be called serious. If the present excessive heat should not augment the energy of the cause, I consider myself as in a good way to get rid soon of its effects. Beckley has...
106386From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, [29 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
… I expected by this time to have been in Philada. My plan has been impeded by several circumstances. The only insuperable one has been a continued indisposition which has at length terminated in a complaint which has been promoted by my sedentary life, and which incapacitates me for travelling. I am at present having medical relief, and shall leave this as soon as I can. I calculate on some...
106387James Madison to William B. Sprague, 24 December 1831 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter of the 12th and would cheerfully make a direct application for the Autograph of Mr Blair if I knew the proper source. Mr Tyler a Virginia Senator in Congress will I beleive be able to ascertain it and doubtless equally willing to attend to your wishes I take the liberty therefore of suggesting the expediency of a line to him on the subject. I am laboring under a severe...
106388James Madison to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 13 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 10th. inst. As you can judge better probably than I can of the rule sugested by equity for adjusting the effect of the late suspension at the University, between the Students & the Hotel Keepers, I can only advise that you continue to exercise your own judgment, keeping in your hands as far as may be admissible, the means of accommodating a final arrangemt to the...
106389From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1796 (Madison Papers)
At the desire of Mr. de Liancourt, I put into his hands this introduction to your remembrance of him as an acquaintance at Paris. He meditates a visit to the Southern States, and expects to have the pleasure of taking Monticello in his route, either in going or returning. I need add nothing to your knowledge of his respectability & virtues, I shall only say that the impression I have of both,...
106390Memorandum on New Orleans, [ca. 1 March] 1792 (Madison Papers)
Information of Phil. Barbour, who resided long in West Florida After N. Orleans fell into the hands of Spain her Govr. forbade all British vessels navigating under the Treaty of Paris to fasten to the Shore, and caused such as did so to be cut loose. In consequence of this proceeding a British frigate went up near the Town, fastened to the shore and set out guards with orders to fire on such...
106391From James Madison to Daniel Parker, ca. 10 September 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 10 September 1813. “Mr. Parker will please to forward these to the Secy. of War, to whom J. M. has written on the subject, as he has on that of an answer to Govr. Shelby. If Mr. P. has not already sent to the Secretary the memorandum, relative to an answer, he will be so good as to do it, J. M. having referred the Secy. to it.” RC ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers). 1 p. Docketed by Parker,...
106392James Madison to Samuel L. Gouverneur, 1 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
Yr letter of the 26 Ult: was duly recd. It would give me real pleasure to aid the object you have in view. But after a lapse of so many years my memory, tho’ I have allowed it a little time for its efforts, furnishes no facts within the scope of your enquiry; and I can refer to nothing in my files that could fill the blank. I can only therefore express my entire confidence that the part Mr....
106393From James Madison to George G. Lee, 23 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have received this day a letter from Mr. Willis our Consul at Barcelona, respecting the forged Mediterranean passports, which you informed me were in circulation and [of] which you handed me a specimen. His statement suggesting probable utility of a greater precision of form in your information, I must beg the favor of you to give to me under oath with any additional circumstances your...
106394James Madison to Ferdinand R. Hassler, 6 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
J. M. presents his respects to Mr. Hassler with many thanks for the "Popular Exposition of the System of the Universe". politely sent & just recd; to which he adds his good wishes for the success, to wch. such a work executed with the known ability of the author can not fail to be entitled. Every insight into the grandeur & structure of the universe, having a happy tendency at once to expand...
106395From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 31 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Albert Gallatin. 31 March 1806, Department of State. “I request you to be pleased to issue a warrant for one hundred & two dollars & sixty nine cents, on the appropriations for the relief of Seamen, in favor of Nicholas Gilman, in whose favor the enclosed bill was drawn upon me on the 30th. June last, by Wm. Jarvis, the Consul of the United States at Lisbon, who is to be charged with the...
106396James Madison to William C. Rives, 21 October 1833 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. was duly recd. I had not forgotton the intimation of which I am reminded by it, but unabating interuptions, added to my crippled health, had produced a delay which I could not avoid; and since I had notice of your return from the springs, the same causes have operated. I found also on the trial, more of tediousness in consulting documents and noting references, than was...
106397From James Madison to Ebenezer Stevens, 17 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 July 1802, Department of State. Acknowledges Stevens’s letter of 14 July . Concurs in the opinion of the district attorney on the claim of demurrage for the Grand Turk but thinks it proper that the claimants should be referred to Treasury Department for a settlement of the question; “this is in fact the most regular course in such cases.” The claim of Stewart & Company should be submitted...
106398James Madison to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 7 December 1830 (Madison Papers)
I enclose two letters from Giacomo Ruggi, & a letter from Genl Lafayette on the subject of them. I enclose also an undated answer to Ruggi who appears to have been equally precipitate in his outset, and neglectful in suffering such a lapse of time, without seeking the information on which his perseverance should have depended. If you think a different answer could be safely given, be so good...
106399James Madison to James Monroe, 11 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
On the rect. of yours of the 5th. I wrote immediately to Mr. Trist, to forward you a copy of the Resolution you wish. Not having yet recd. the circular transcript of the Proceedings of the Session, I could not furnish one myself. I have desired Mr. Trist also to authenticate to you the day for the next meeting of the Visitors; for which my recollection assigns, the first day of October. You...
106400From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
As you appear to have read hastily the letter from Jessup, I send it back. That Onis is intriguing at N.O. is probable; and that the Spanish Govt. may meditate at [ sic ] attack there is possible; I should say impossible if there were less of folly in its Councils: or it might not possibly be backed by another Govt: altho’ it is not easy to conceive that this can be the case. The mercantile...
106401From James Madison to Albert Gallatin (Abstract), 12 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
12 April 1805, Department of State . “I request you to be pleased to issue a warrant for one thousand dollars on the appropriations for Barbary intercourse in favor of James Davidson, the holder of the enclosed bill of Exchange, drawn upon me on the 4th. of February last by Richard OBrien for the same sum in favor of Joseph Eleen; Mr. OBrien to be charged with the same & held accountable.”...
106402From James Madison to Nicholas Gilman, 4 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 June 1788, Richmond . Gilman to John Sullivan, 12 June 1788: “A letter from Mr. Madison dated Richmond July [June] 4th contains the following observations—vizt ‘Mr. Pendleton was put into the chair without opposition—yesterday it was unanimously agreed that no general or particular question should be taken until the whole had been debated clause by Clause and the debate...
106403From James Madison to William Bradford, 17 March 1775 (Madison Papers)
This I expect will be delivered to you by the Revd. Mr Samuel Smith who will inform you of every thing respecting our affairs that I could let you know by Letter. I wrote to you very lately by Mr David Hoops in answer to yours contain[in]g a few lines from Mr Irvin. If it should fail of coming to you it will be proper I should know of it because I there mentioned what I desired as to Dunlap &...
106404From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have received your letter of the 17th. of January, with two from yourself and Genl. Wilkinson of the 16th. & 17th. January and the other papers inclosed. The arrival of the French Troops and passengers is a circumstance to be regretted on several accounts. The steps taken and contemplated in consequence of it are approved by the President, and it is hoped will lead to a...
106405From James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, [5] October 1826 (Madison Papers)
The Board of Visitors have decided that a Secretary be appointed to it, and you have been selected for the service. The salary allotted is $200 payable quarterly. If you think proper to accept the place, it will desirable that you be present at the meeting of the Board tomorrow. Friendly respects $50. has been voted in consideration of yr. service in relation to the Catalogue for the Library....
106406From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 28 August] 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 27. came duly to hand. I had recd. the letter from W. Hampton & F. Maury. I had proposed to observe to them, that the case fell wholly within the State laws, & that it was probable the several Governors would be led to attend to it by the correspondence between the Mayor of N. Y. & the French consul & Admiral. It had occurred also that it might not be amiss for the President to...
106407From James Madison to St. George Tucker, 7 December 1818 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Eustis. His public character is well known to you by the Stations he has filled, the last of which was that of our Minister Plenipoty in the Netherlands. In his private character you will find every thing to recommend him as a valuable & interesting acquaintance. His lady who accompanies him is equally recommended by her amiable dispositions and pleasing...
106408James Madison to Lafayette, 3 August 1831 (Madison Papers)
My last letter of Decr. 12th. was written with a hope that Genl. Bernard then abt. to visit France, would be the bearer; but it did not, I suspect, overtake him. I hope however it did not miscarry altogether. I inclose this to him in confidence that it will reach New York before the Packet sails. The General is so fully acquainted with our affairs, great & small , that you can have every thing...
106409From James Madison to Benjamin Harrison, 7 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Harvard University Library). Although the cover is missing, the contents permit no doubt that Governor Harrison was the recipient. According to my promise by the last post & to your Excellency’s request I have made enquiry for some person fit for the service which my unfitness obliged me to decline, but with as little success as I expected. If skill in the business alone were requisite, it...
106410Replies to the Queries of Moustier, [30 October] 1788 (Madison Papers)
1. Quelle est l’opinion des habitans les plus instruits de la Virginie, sur le Contrat de la ferme avec Mons. Rob. Morris; et quel est le systeme qu’ils voudroient y substituer? 1. It is not easy to give a precise answer to this question; many of the best informed not having been led to communicate their opinions, and others having been directly or indirectly interested on one side or the...