127871To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of inclosing to the President the draught of a message for the letters of Mr Pinckney, and our commissioners in Spain. E.R. took occasion last evening, to introduce the President’s invitation to the minister Fauchet, omitting the consul, with a view to ascertain the participation, which the latter may have in the functions of the former. It was quickly ascribed by...
127872To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 9 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot suffer my engagements in business, to interfere with a reply to the observations, with which you favored me, on the proposed letter to the collectors. For while I shall support, within my limited sphere, every just energy of government; I am solicitous, that my friends should ever believe, that I do support it, because it contributes to the essence of republicanism, and our fœderal...
127873To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 14 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of informing the President, that after every effort no person has appeared so proper for the temporary comptrollership as Major Lenox; and he will accept, without further expectations . Mr Wolcott and E. Randolph concur in thinking him unexceptionable; and if the President should approve, the business of the office, which is now stagnated, may immediately proceed. AL...
127874To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 28 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, April 28, 1794. “The Secretary of State has the honor of sending to the Secretary of the Treasury the applications for … passports.” LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State, Vol. 6, January 2–June 26, 1794, National Archives.
127875Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 15 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 5th. instant, and the inclosed memorial from Mr. Van Berkel. Should any public document throw a light upon his demand in the course of its discussion, it will be very agreeable to the executive to have access to it. The complaints of our merchants against the pressures of the late laws of trade have formed a distressing picture...
127876To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of informing the President, that Mr Taylor finished the copy last evening, and will this morning compare it with Mr Dandridge. After this examination by them, E.R. will be glad to examine the two copies with Mr Dandridge over again—The senate were so far from a quorum yesterday, that there is no ground for expecting a house to-day. Mr Izard and Mr Muhlenberg, both...
127877To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 17 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I had intended to have paid my respects to you this morning. But being deprived of that pleasure by a bad cold, and bad weather, I beg leave to offer to yourself, Mrs Hamilton and family, my best wishes for your and their happiness; and to assure You of the true esteem and regard, with which I am Dear sir Your mo. ob. serv. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The Hamilton family was...
127878To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 1 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am of opinion, that a passport ought to be granted for the above vessel, on condition, that she take any freight of provisions, which the owners of the vessels, detained at Bourdeaux ma<y> choose to put on board for their use. ADS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. This note was written on a letter of 1 May addressed to Randolph from Philadelphia merchants Reed & Forde: "We have a ship at...
127879To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My communications to you in the case of Pagan against Hooper, combined with the facts, which have since occurred, will support me in saying, that as the law-officer of the United States, I have contributed every thing in my power to the relief of Pagan. You will recollect, that counsel was employed by him to move for a writ of error: that the first application was refused: that upon...
127880To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison Jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “March 15. 1783.” I have not been able as yet to procure your expected favor from the post; nor shall I, until the return of the messenger, who carries this letter to the mail. We make considerable progress in the detection of the...
127881To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 3 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The mail, which was expected on Saturday morning, did not arive until sunday. at least the letters were not delivered before ten o’clock on sunday morning. But no letter came from Mount Vernon. A Mr Lowndes of South Carolina was charged with the enclosed letter, containing the proceedings of the town-meeting at charleston. He gave it to me on saturday last At two o’clock P.M. I requested Mr...
127882To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, [12 July 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
E. Randolph with best respect to Col. Hamilton, incloses to him an account of Mr. Knox, our late Consul at Dublin, which E. R. thinks reasonable, and proper to be paid out of the contingent fund in the President’s hands. Col. Hamilton’s opinion is reques[t]ed, whether it be a proper charge against the United States, and if it be so, how it is to be paid. LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the...
127883To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
This is the first letter, which I have written, since my convalescence after the dreadful attack from a hemiplegia, with which by a kind of sympathy with my poor wife, I was afflicted in a few weeks from her death. It happily affected no faculty of my mind, and has not taken away the sanguine hope, that altho’ I require in rough ground the aid of a crutch, I may be restored to the free use of...
127884To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 16 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In Randolph’s hand but lacks signature, cover, and docket. The words in italics are those encoded by Randolph in the official cipher. Your favor of the 5th instant remained impenetrable in a great measure, from our misapprehension of the new cypher. I wish that the stimulus, administered in the close of it, had also been among the inscrutable arcana, until I had...
127885To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 20 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
My anxiety has been awakened by the absence of all the expresses, which have probably reached Williamsport, since Sunday the 12th instant. But the general opinion is easy, from a conviction, that you will not encounter hostility, but will rather be occupied with milder arrangements for the restoration of order. Mr Rittenhouse has certified to me the distress of the mint for money; and Mr...
127886Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 2 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
The letter, of which the inclosed is a Copy, was written on the second day of July last to the secretary for foreign affairs. His communication on the subject of Ferrier is dated on the 13th. of June. The Executive entered into a consideration of it immediately upon its receipt and lost no time in preparing and forwarding an Answer. That answer is unquestionably in the office of foreign...
127887Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 3 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
A Copy of the inclosed resolution was formerly sent to you. No answer now appearing on our files, we take the liberty of transmitting a second copy, and requesting, that the decision of Congress, if already made may be notified to us, & that if your body has not yet decided, something definitive may be immediately urged: The subject is rendered more pressing by the situation of our accounts...
127888To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 13 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carrington, who is a defendant in the suit, brought by your Relation Jefferson vs. Reade’s administrators , obtained an order at the last court, that he, as being nonresident, should give security for costs at the next Term. Will you be so good, as to inform him of this, if he is within the circle of your correspondence? Be pleased to add, that dismission is the penalty on non compliance...
127889To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 February 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edmund Randolph, 28 Feb. 1792. On 2 Mar. Tobias Lear wrote Randolph “that the President received the Attorney General’s letter of the 28th of february.” By the president’s command Tobias Lear wrote Edmund Randolph that GW was “of opinion that it would be inexpedient for a pardon to issue for a person against whom an indictment is depending for false swearing. The...
127890To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 16–17 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Words encoded by Randolph in the official cipher are italicized. The letter lacks both cover and docket. Mr. F. Webb, who left this place yesterday for Phila., is the bearer of a bill for 20 £ Penna. currency. I have requested him to deliver it to you. As it was not put into my hands, after it was drawn, I wish you may not meet with some impediment in the negotiation...
127891To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1781 [1782] (Madison Papers)
The roads have been hitherto so bad, that we have been able to accomplish no more of our journey, than about 80 miles. Tomorrow we shall see Baltimore; and unless my arrangements miscarry, I shall revisit Richmond on Sunday se’ennight. For a few minutes this afternoon I thumbed the body of Maryland laws. In the preface to Bacon’s edition of them, I found a recital of an act of the Lords...
127892Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 2 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just taken the oath of office, which reminds me that I am brought into a nearer relation to your department than hitherto. While official men are under no less an obligation than others, to live in harmony; there are too many opportunities for misconception and misrepresentation to interrupt it. I have therefore prescribed this rule for myself: that if anything, supposed to be done in...
127893To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 3 January 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Owing to fading of the ink, considerable portions of the letter are scarcely legible. Cover addressed to “The honble James Madison jr Esqr of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Jany. 3d. 1783.” The post of yesterday brought your two favors of the 17th. and 24th of decr. The prospect of softening the states who were at first the most obdurate against the impost...
127894To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 24 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Soon after I had the honor of writing to you from Annapolis, I found an occasion of entering into discourse with the governor of Maryland on the subject of our political situation. He appeared to have been caught by the same apprehensions, as had taken hold of the people of Baltimore; and was very minute in his inquiries. Some hours afterwards he called at my lodgings, and in the presence of...
127895To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 13 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Docketed by JM, “Decr. 13. 1782.” Unless otherwise noted, words or parts of words italicized in the present copy are encoded in the Randolph cipher. See Randolph to JM, 22 November 1782 , and n. 1. Nothing, I think, need be apprehended from the conveyance of the cypher in an unsealed letter. The curiosity of the postmaster or any...
127896To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 9 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] June 9, 1794 . States that the persons “interested in the Ship William, being very importunate, E R is again obliged to beg the favor of Mr. H to transmit the papers together with his opinion concerning that vessel.” LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State, Vol. 6, January 2–June 26, 1794, National Archives. For the William , see H to Rufus King, June 15, 1793...
127897Edmund Randolph to Jaquelin Ambler, 21 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am instructed by the President of the United States to ask information from the Treasurer of Virginia, whether the arrearage of the Virginia donation to the fœderal city can be now paid. The public service suffers much from the want of it, and I must therefore request an answer, as soon as it may be convenient. If the money cannot be immediately advanced, the President would be glad to know,...
127898To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 January 1782—Misdated (Madison Papers)
Letter misdated. 15 January 1782[3]. The contents of this manuscript in the Madison Papers of the Library of Congress make certain that Randolph inadvertently dated it one year before he wrote it.
127899To John Adams from Edmund Randolph, 19 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your friendly answer to the letter, which I took the liberty of addressing to you in favor of Col o. Heath, has increased the attachment, which your civility to me in 1775, and your public conduct since, first produced My application in that gentleman’s behalf being founded on a conviction of his worth, I conceived, that it might not be improper to make that worth known to all those, who might...
127900To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of inclosing to the President the last part of the letter to Mr Fauchet. It was intended to have been much more diffuse; but the intelligence about the memorial makes it clear, that the subject will be there poured forth in folio; and, as he has as yet only fired some scattering shot, it is perhaps better to see the points, to which his battery is directed. There are...
127901To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 20 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover missing. I communicated to the governor that there were letters from Carleton, addressed to him, in the post office of Philadelphia. I find from his conversation yesterday, that he has given the delegation a full account of them. I have this day remitted to Colo. Bland 60£. He has 100£ more assigned him upon the sale of some...
127902Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 23 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing to you copies of the Vouchers, on which Dr. Draper obtained a military Certificate from our Auditor, together with his account. We are much obliged to you for referring to the resolution of Congress, which establishes the right of Virginia to a credit for this demand, and for the footing, on which you have placed it with the board of treasury. But we cannot...
127903To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the Atlantic, which arrived from Liverpool last evening, papers have been received from London, as low down as the 16th of August. Two of them the Sun , and the Star , which are supposed to be rivals, accord nearly in the same story of Robespierre’s fall. While I lament, that this, which is my only fear for the French Revolution, seems to be growing rapidly, and that the want of confidence...
127904To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The minutes, which were made yesterday at the conference in your room, did not permit an insertion of the reasons, upon which my dissent from the fourth proposition was founded. As I shall always contend, for what I conceive to be the constitutional and legal powers of the government; so I beg leave to request, upon this truly important subject, that you will suffer this letter to be filed...
127905To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
My dear wife is not better, than when I wrote to you last. I expect something determinate in a few days. Inclosed is a copy of my motion. Had it been intended to bring forward a convention immediately, the thing was imprudently worded; because it contains many unpopular points. But as subjects of reflection for the people, they could not, I thought, be too pointed. I give you a duplicate, that...
127906From Edmund Randolph to John Adams, 8 August 1794 (Adams Papers)
The letter, which M r. Adams delivered to me from you, was truly acceptable, as well from its friendly style, as the opportunity, which it presented, of an Acquaintance with him. When he was first contemplated for the Hague, my mind readily embraced the idea, under the influence of his own merit. I must be permitted at the same time to own, that the public services of the father strongly...
127907To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 18 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) [Philadelphia] May 18. 1793. E. Randolph presents his sincere respects to the President. I was from home, sir, on the business of your letter, when you did me the honor of stopping at our house. I really believe, that restitution is the wish of the majority of the merchants. But I find, that they do not distinguish the cases very accurately. Some, when they speak of restitution,...
127908To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 30 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I thank you sincerely for several letters, which my vagrant life between this place and Richmond upon business has prevented me from acknowledging in due season. The amendments, proposed by you, are much approved by the strong fœderalists here and at the Metropolis; being considered as an anodyne to the discontented. Some others, equally affectionate to the union, but less sanguine, expect to...
127909To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 22 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Nov. 22. 1782.” The inclosed cypher, tho’ not nicely executed or arm[e]d with every possible combination, is, I trust, sufficiently involved to serve, as a secure seal to our correspondences. I send it by the post, as the transactions of this week require no cover. Immediately on the receipt of your information that the appointment was renewed, I...
127910To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, [17 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of inclosing to the Secretary of the Treasury all the papers, which General Knox admits himself to possess, respecting the Ship William. E. R. intreats Colo. Hamilton to forward his opinion, together with the other papers; as he is hourly invaded by those, who are interested for the French Captors. LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State, Vol. 6,...
127911To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
The two copies are completed; and I pledge myself, that the transcribers are as silent on the contents as the grave. Colo. Griffin tells me, that Parker and Blount are feeling the pulse of the members upon the article of expence, incurred by the late expedition. This circumstance enables me to say to you, without forcing an opportunity, that I am determined, let it cost what labour it may, to...
127912Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and William Bradford, 14 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The President wishes your opinion, as to the step, proper to be taken, upon the inclosed address. To send to congress, what the President thinks unfit for himself, will be unkindly received; being uncivil in itself. To acknowledge the body, as such, is in every view inadmissible. So that the question seems to turn upon this; whether it be better to treat the paper with unqualiffied and silent...
127913To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of submitting to your consideration the draught of a letter, intended as an answer to Mr Hammond’s reply to Mr Pinckney’s memorial on the instructions of the 6th of November 1793. The inclosed letter from Colo. Hamilton shews, that he has perused the draught; and upon the three first remarks contained in that letter I will either satisfy him, or abandon my own idea. The...
127914To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, [18 February 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to send inclosed to the Secretary of the Treasury some Documents concerning John Cleves Symmes’s purchase, which he this moment found in a bundle marked “papers to be acted on” and which he supposes may throw some light on the subject of the lands in question. LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State, Vol. 6, January 2-June 26, 1794, National...
127915To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 27 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
Message proposed by E. Randolph, some days ago to the President; but now rendered unnecessary by Congress having proceeded to vigorous measures. Although I cannot doubt, that from the sources of information possessed by Congress themselves, and the communications, which I have occasionally made to them, they feel the crisis in our public affairs; yet at no time have I seen the necessity of...
127916To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 31 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The question, arising upon Mr Lovell’s letter, turns upon the identity of the vessel. If she remain a french bottom, a Register cannot be granted; if she has been converted into an american bottom it may. I shall enter into no subtle disquisition on such an occasion; but shall conform myself to practical ideas. It seems to be agreed in England and Philadelphia, that a vessel of the description...
127917To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 22 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The merchants have not yet made their report, as to the appointment of an agent. I cannot account for not receiving letters from Colo. Monroe by the return of the vessel, which carried him. I flatter myself still, that the Southern mail of tomorrow may bring some from Baltimore, where she arrived. William Mclung has refused to accept his commission, as attorney for the district of Kentucky. I...
127918Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 4 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
We are seriously alarmed at the invasion made by Congress on the lands of the Virginia troops by their resolution of the 17th. Ultimo. The steps, which we have taken upon this Occasion are contained in the inclosed advice. But, lest the troubles, which this Act may create, should be ineffectual in obtaining its repeal; or even in restraining Congress from further incroachments, we beg leave to...
127919To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your mission to Europe reached us the day before yesterday, and made me doubt whether you will not have sailed before my answer to your friendly letter by the last post shall get to hand. I had begun to transcribe for you the manuscript defence of our claim to western territory. I shall pursue the task, and forward it by some opportunity across the Atlantic. It is probable, that you will have...
127920To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 8 March 1795 (Jay Papers)
At 7 o’clock yesterday evening, M r . Blaney delivered to me the very important dispatches, which you had consigned to his care. He arrived at Norfolk eight days ago, after having been beaten off from the capes of Virginia for some weeks by strong winds. His charge was in good order, and the seals and Envelope were unviolated. The Amiable for Liverpool having dropped down the Delaware, there...