11Benjamin King to James Madison, 22 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will not deem my addressing you an intrusion; but I am compelled by my necessities to do so. I am at present receiving but one dollar per day—in the Navy Yard at this place, which is not sufficient to supply myself and family with the necessaries of life. I am now eighty & odd years of age, and having filled the station which I did for thirty & odd years, I think it a great hardship...
12John C. Payne (for JM) to Robert Walsh, 19 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison being entirely disqualified by present indisposition to reply to your letter of the 22d ulto., he desires me to do it for him. I therefore enclose a brief note of the characteristic events of his life, and a list of his printed works now recollected. The list does not of course include his share in the printed proceedings of the old and new Congress & the Convention & Legislature...
13John C. Payne (for JM) to Charles J. Ingersoll, 14 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
Mr. M. being at present too much indisposed to use his own pen desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th. instant, and to thank you for your friendly solicitude on the subject of his health. I am sorry to say that the change in it since you left Montpellier has not been favorable. You need not be assured of the pleasure he always feels in the society of his friends...
14James Madison to C. Fenimore Williston, 13 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. sir your letter of the 6th. I know of no propositions to codify the laws of the United States, or of any particular state on the plan of Mr. Bentham other than those made by Mr B himself. Most of the states have doubtless revised their laws, with a view to their general improvement, and adaptation of them to the change of Government by the Declaration of Independence—such were the...
15James Madison to Edward Coles, 10 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
At the request of Mr. Madison who is too feeble to write, I subjoin a copy of the reply he dictated to an application renewed by C. S. Todd, thro’ my sisters, for the same object with that lately addressed to yourself. He adds his thanks for the copy you forwarded him of Armstrong, and his cordial respects. Allow us all to unite in the same tender to Mrs. Coles & yourself. "I have recd....
16[JM] to Bernard Peyton, 10 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
My wagon which is setting out to day will deliver two Hhds of tobacco. They were made from fresh mountain land and cured without smoke, as indeed was the rest of my crop, and I understand were neatly put up. You will best judge of the most favorable moment for selling them & let me know the proceeds. 2 Please forward by return of the wagon the following articles. P. S Your letter informing me...
17Charles J. Ingersoll to James Madison, 9 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
I feel it to be my first and most grateful duty on my return from the delightful pilgrimage to the shrine of Montpelier to enquire after your health & welfare which I hope Mrs. Madison or Miss Payne may be good enough to write a line to inform me of without troubling you. It has given no little poignancy to the great regret I experienced at being obliged to leave your residence to attend to...
18Virgil David to James Madison, 6 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
’L’amitié d’un grand homme est un bienfait des dieux’--Voltaire I am not certain that I have transmitted to you the following resolution unanimously adopted before the Institution of Laurenceville—If I have please pardon the freedom I have taken— "Resolved—That this Society, view with emotions of gratitude, the high regard entertained for its members by the Hon James Madison. John Q Adams....
19C. Fenimore Williston to James Madison, 6 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to receive your favour respecting the correspondence between yourself and Mr. Jeremy Bentham—in reply to some enquiries which I took the liberty of proposing to you. Will you excuse me when I further ask you to inform whether there have been any other proposals to codify your Law: who were the individuals proposing it and if their works were ever published to the world. I hope...
20James Madison to Benjamin W. Leigh, 1 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
I Have received a copy of your speech on the 4th. & 5th. April, and on the supposition that I may be indebted for it, to your politeness, I tender my acknowledgments accordingly. The increasing pressure of my infirmities has of late, rendered my attention to the public proceedings very superficial. To the expunging question I have paid very little. The views taken in your speech of some at...
21James Madison to Reynolds Chapman, April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. your letter, in which you say that according to information, to be relied on, one of the Candidates for the Senatorial District, had publickly asserted that I favoured his Election; and that it was doing injury to the other Candidate. Having declined interfering in the existing political contests, and elections, for reasons sufficiently obvious, in my aged and decrepid...
22Martin Van Buren to James Madison, 30 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
Allow me to present to you my Son Mr. Smith T. Van Buren—who is desirous of paying his respects to you. Wishing to be affectionately remembered to Mrs. Madison I am Dear, [Sir] very truly yours RC (University of Pennsylvania Library).
23Charles J. Ingersoll to James Madison, 28 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have come thus far with a design long cherished to afford myself the gratification of paying you and Mrs. Madison a visit at Montpellier. Our friend Gov. Coles on whom I called for the purpose before leaving Philadelphia has apprised me of the way. I find here that the steamboat for Fredericksburg leaves Washington every morning at six oclock which will enable me I understand to reach Orange...
24James Madison to Charles Tudor Stewart, 22 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
Your letter was not recd. till yesterday. I would cheerfully gratify you in the object of your pursuit, but like applications have already exhausted my files, and obliged me to give that answer. The autographs of Mr. Hamilton & Mr. Jay, two names you seem particularly to desire, I have no doubt can be easily obtained from public offices, or their family connexions. Accept my respects & good...
25Robert Walsh to James Madison, 22 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
It is probable that I shall go abroad about the end of next month to divide a twelvemonth between France & England. From patriotic motives & personal attachments I intend to publish in Paris or London from time to time Sketches Biographical & Bibliographical, of the most eminent among the living writers & intelligences of our country. I wish to obtain now, accordingly, suitable memoranda—mere...
26Edward Coles to James Madison, 20 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
A few days after the date of my late letter to you, I heard that Gen: Armstrongs Book was in the press at NewYork, & would soon be published. I heard to day that it had been received here, & went immediately in pursuit of it. I have just procured it & hasten to forward it to you, not having taken time to look into it I have only time to return you my thanks for your letter of April 10. and to...
27James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 19 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your speech on the 28th. of March. It is the only one I have read on the subject. It contains strong points, strongly sustained. I cannot but think however that the preservation of the original journals of the Legislature is undervalued; printed copies of transitory proceedings being generally neglected by the possessors, the more so, the greater the number of them...
28James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 16 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
The Bull-calf so unpromising at first has turned out a fine one, so that I can spare one of the grown bulls, at a price which I leave to any one of your judicious friends—observing only that he was 6 or 8 months old when he came to my hands, and besides pasturage with occasional grain in the summer he has been now kept thro’ three winters, well housed & lodged, and with as much good hay and...
29James Madison to George Bancroft, 13 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. with your letter of the 8th. the first Vol: of Genl: Armstrong’s "notices of the War of 1812" and offer my thanks for the politeness to which I owe it. It cannot but be agreeable to know that you were pleased with your short visit at Montpellier, where the impression it left will always ensure you a sincere welcome. Mrs Madison is very thankful for your kind sentiments addressed...
30James Madison to Edward Coles, 10 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of April 2d. It gives us great pleasure to learn that Mrs. Coles has recovered her health, and that the appearance of your little daughter continues to promise every thing her Parents could wish. I return the letter you enclosed, leaving it to be answered by your imperfect recollection. I make no comment, for which, indeed I am, and have been for some days past, too...
31James Madison to John K. Kane, 10 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
J. M. thanks Mr. Kane for his friendly communication of the 28th. March. Although in his present condition he cannot enter into an examination of the topics involved in the pamphlet, they suggest their own importance, and will doubtless receive from others the attention they deserve. He begs Mr. Kane to be assured of his respect and good wishes. FC (DLC) .
32George Bancroft to James Madison, 8 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I hardly know how sufficiently to express the very great delight and instruction I derived from the days your hospitality permitted me to spend under your roof. They will ever be remembered as among the happiest of my life. Mr Van Buren has this moment put into my hands the first volume of Armstrong’s work on the late war. I remember you expressed a curiosity to see it, & I beg leave to...
33James Madison to Lewis Cass, 3 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Govr. Cass, offers him many thanks for the copy of his late discourse before the American Historical Society at Washington. He has read it with great pleasure, the greater, from its favorable bearing on the literary reputation of our Country—"If History be Philosophy teaching by example," it will itself be instructed by the Philosophy of such discourses. FC (DLC) .
34Reynolds Chapman to James Madison, 3 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I am about to trouble you in a matter of delicacy and of interest. I do so, not without great reluctance: indeed nothing could impel me to it, but what I consider an imperious duty to a friend, and to truth. Mr. Smith, the competitor of Mr. Slaughter, in the Senatorial Canvass, asserted on thursday last, at a publick meeting, in the upper part of this county, as a gentleman of intelligence and...
35Charles Tudor Stewart to James Madison, 3 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
Having made a partial collection of the autographs of distinguished individuals, the undersigned would feel extremely gratified, if he could add yours to the number. Also, if it would not be asking too great a favor, the undersigned would feel exceedingly happy, if you would at the same time enclose the autographs of Jay and Hamilton , or whatever other distinguished contemporary and friend of...
36James Madison to Andrew Bigelow, 2 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have received, with your letter of the 15th. inst: a copy of your "Election Sermon on the 6th of Jany.," and thank you for the pleasure afforded by the able, and instructive, lessons which it so impressively adapted to the occasion. I cannot conceal from myself that your letter has indulged a partiality, which greatly overrates my public services: I may say nevertheless, that I am among...
37Edward Coles to James Madison, 2 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letter from Col: Ch: Todd was recd. to day. I have an imperfect recollection of the conversation as well as of the subject alluded to. I have however of certain remarks made by you at the time, & repeated frequently since, respecting Genl. Armstrong’s conduct on recieving the resignation of Gen’l Harrison, and as I have an impression on my mind that you noted the circumstances at...
38George Tucker to James Madison, 2 April 1836 (Madison Papers)
Professor Palfrey of Harvard College being desirous of paying his respects to you on his return to Boston from Louisiana, I take great pleasure in introducing him to your personal acquaintance—His character is no doubt already well known to you. I beg leave to present my respects to Mrs. Madison & to subscribe myself your respectful & obed. Servt. RC (DLC) .
39James Madison to Benjamin W. Leigh, March 1836 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison, with his best respects to Mr. Leigh, thanks him for the Copy of his interesting letter of March 2d. to the General Assembly; interesting both from the importance of its subject, and the ability with which it is treated. FC (DLC) .
40James Madison to Unknown, March 1836 (Madison Papers)
The precise obligation imposed on a representative, by instructions of his constituents, still divides the opinions, of distinguished statesmen. This is the case in Great Britain, where such topics have been most discussed. It is also now the case, more or less < >d was so, at the first Congress under the present Constitution, as appears from the Register of Debates, imperfectly as they were...