130501From James Madison to James P. Preston, [ca. 12] March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of Feby. 27. inclosing the appointment of me as a Visitor of the University of Virginia. However indisposed to public trusts, for which I am aware that every day is unfitting me, I can not decline a participation in the care of an Institution so honorable to the Public Councils of the State, and so auspicious to the coming generations of its Citizens. Should the...
130502To James Madison from William Eustis, 15 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
Since the receipt of your kind favor of the 25th January we have passed with a sameness (if such a word is tolerated) not affording much interest, one of the mildest winter seasons which we have ever experienced in this country. My health improving, has permitted exercise ad libitum on foot and on horseback. If there has been a subject of regret more dominating than any other it is that we are...
130503From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday yours of the 11th. The letter from Mr. Cabell which I return is of very agreeable import. His other letter was returned several days ago, and probably reached Monticello soon after the date of yours. Health & all other happiness RC ( CtY ).
130504To James Madison from Robert Walsh Jr., 17 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
You have made me a very interesting and pregnant communication. It is of a purport exactly suited to my principal aim, & suggests many important reflections besides those which it contains. I will make use of it, eagerly and thankfully; observing the restriction which you prescribe. I have already deposited the Address to the Agricultural Society in the Philosophical Library. Though it was...
130505To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
Mr Vaughan, with whose character you are I presume well acquainted, left this city lately on a visit to Mr Jefferson, & yourself, by Norfolk & Richmond, having much desire to see him once more, & to become personally acquainted with you, before, he returns to Kennebeck in Maine, to remain stationary the residue of his days. He was the confidential friend of the M. of Landsdowne & Dr Franklin...
130506From James Madison to Gulian C. Verplanck, 23 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
The copy of the anniversary discourse which you were so obliging as to send me came to hand a few days ago. And I cannot return my thanks for the favor without expressing the pleasure with which I have perused a publication made so interesting by the subjects chosen for it, and so ornamental to American Literature, by the manner in which they are treated. Be pleased to accept Sir, my friendly...
130507To James Madison from Baldwin Taliaferro, 26 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from my Son, who is now in Phila. from the purport of which you will see that he wished me to ask the favor of you to say what your impressions were with regard to his family respectibility &c. generally, his letter explai[n]ing for what purpose its intended. The interest which a Parent feels for the prosperity of a Child must be my apolegy for addressing you on a Subject...
130508To James Madison from William Shaler, 28 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the opportunity of the frigate U. S. returning home, to send to Mrs. Madison the paté de Perigueux , under the care of Captain Crane, which I mentioned in the letter I had the honor to address to you from Marseilles on the 15th December, which I request she will do me the favor to accept, as a mark of my remembrance, consideration, and respect. I very much regret not having...
130509Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, 29 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
At a meeting of the Visitors of the University of Virginia at the said University on Monday the 29th. day of March 1819, being the day prescribed by the Governor for their first meeting, James Madison, Joseph C. Cabell, Chapman Johnson, James Breckenridge Robert Taylor, John H. Cocke and Thomas Jefferson attended. The board proceeding to the duties prescribed to them by the act of the General...
130510To James Madison from James B. Pleasants, 6 April 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty of inclosing some observations for improving internal navigat[i]on, address’d to the President of the board of public works for Virginia, on which I do not ask an opinion, but if worth it, a free criticism, Liberal […]⟨o⟩bjections, being in my opinion the […] of projected improvement. I had thought to have paid before this a visit to orange, for I thought thy friendly...
130511To James Madison from Alexander Scott, 7 April 1819 (Madison Papers)
Having brought my long-protracted suit against John Law to a termination, I take the liberty to enclose you a copy of an extract from the record, shewing the decision of the court. Thro’ this troublesome controversy, I have had to contend with an adversary not less active and crafty than he had been malignant and vindictive; who spared neither pains nor expence, and called to his aid a host of...
130512To James Madison from Carver Willis, 15 April 1819 (Madison Papers)
I am requested by Capt Richard Baylor, to inform you, that Mr. Wm. Tapscott left funds in his hands, for the purpose of paying his part of the purchase of a tract of Land of you, jointly with Mr B. Bell. One thousand dollars (Mr Tapscotts, part of the payment now due,) have been collected, by Capt. Baylor, and will be paid over to your order on sight. Capt Baylor will require a receipt upon...
130513To James Madison from Maury and Latham, 27 April 1819 (Madison Papers)
Our firm had the honor to write to you on the 17th instant. We now enclose, Invoice, bill of lading, and bills of parcels, of your goods, Amounting to £32..11..3 in the Constitution, Captn Joseph Seward, bound to Norfolk, consigned to Mr Butler Maury, with directions to forward them to the Care of Mr Stone in Fredericksburg: We enclose to Mr Bell, Copies of the Invoice, bill of lading, & bills...
130514To James Madison from William Eustis, 28 April 1819 (Madison Papers)
So far on our way, we renew ourselves to you and to Mrs Madison. The papers of Genl Hamilton are taken from Dr Mason and, as he informs me, placed in the hands of Mr Hopkinson of Phila. On asking the Doctor if he had received the letter from you, informing him that you had found the paper he had asked for, he said yes, & added his impression was that in case he should find among the papers of...
130515To James Madison from John S. Barbour, 30 April 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have the satisfaction of announcing to you that the Case of the Mortgaged Lands in Fauquier County has this day been decided in your favour And a decree entered for a foreclosure & sale of the mortgaged premises. Mr Strode the Elder has claim to about 170 acres but from some error (in division of the whole tract in four parts by those under whom Strode held) but 70 acres only are considered...
130516To James Madison from John Martin Baker, 3 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
I am Honored with your Respected letter of the 20th: ultimo. (received on the 1st: instant) and beg leave to be permitted to return you my grateful thanks for your friendly mention of my late published small work. Mrs. Baker, begs the favor Sir, of her Respect with feeling Sentiments for Mrs. Madisons, kind friendly remembrance; we are thank God all well: the family join me with fervency in...
130517To James Madison from Micah Sterling, 7 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
I hereby transmit in behalf of the Agricultural Society of the County of Jefferson, State of New York, a Diploma of Honorary Membership confered upon you by the unanimous voice of the Society. When I left Watertown, my place of residence in that County I flattered myself with the honor of delivering it in person but circumstances prohibit Me from enjoying that high gratification. We flatter...
130518From James Madison to Richard Rush, 10 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Dcr. 13 came safely to hand; but was four months on its way. I have looked over, with amusement, the two posthumous works of Watson & Walpole. The former has an importance to which the latter can not pretend. But both, in drawing aside the curtain from the secrets of Monarchy, offer at once lessons and eulogies to Republican Government. As you have in hand a remnant of the fund...
130519To James Madison from the Calliopean Society of Transylvania University, 10 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
We the undersigned having been appointed by the members of the Calliopean Society, to inform you of your being unanimously elected an honorary member of said Society, deem it essentially necessary to inform you of our motives, and intentions. They are purely literary and are designed exclusively for the promulgation of useful knowledge, uniting its members in the indissoluble bands of unity,...
130520To James Madison from William King, 10 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
The people of this District have for a long time been engaged in the business of seperating from Massachusetts, and they are at last very well united, but we expect in the legislature from the delegation of old Massachusetts the most decided opposition. The Question has heretofore been submited to the people of Maine, it is now intended that the people of Massachusetts must decide on the...
130521To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 14 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
A Roman Sculptor, named Cardelli, an artist of distinguished talent, reduced by political vicissitudes, and hard necessity to make eggs and leaves on the Cornices and Friezes of the Capitol at this place, but panting for posthumous glory as if he were a Roman of the age of Fabius or of Scipio, has conceived the project of making his way to immortality by taking from the life, the Busts of the...
130522From James Madison to Micah Sterling, 15 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 7th. inst inclosing the Diploma from the Agriculy. Socy of Jefferson County in the State of N-York. Valuing as I do the spreading efforts for improving the rural arts, and extending the sphere of domestic manufactures, I can not be insensible to the distinction with wch. I have been honored by an Institution which is organized under such respectable auspices,...
130523From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 18 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 14th. in behalf of Mr. Cardelli. The examples and auspices alone, under which his request is made, entitle it to a ready compliance: and I know at present no objection to the particular time at which he proposes to make his visit. Mrs. Madison is very thankful to Mrs. Adams for the kind expressions you convey from her; and charges me to offer a cordial return...
130524From James Madison to William King, 20 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 10th. inst: requesting an account of the proceedings of Virginia in reference to the separation of Kentucky into an Independent State. Not being able to recur to the early proceedings of the Legislature on that subject, I can only give the substance of what was done. As soon as it was understood to be the wish of the people of Kentucky, which had been previously...
130525From James Madison to Richard Rush, 20 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Having written to you very lately, I only avail myself of the present opportunity furnished by Mr. Astor, to mention, in case of any delay or miscarriage of the letter, that yours of Decr. 13. was duly received and acknowleged. It was four months on its way, but came at length safely to hand with the books sent with it. Mr. Astor is on a visit to Europe, and will pay his respects to you in...
130526To James Madison from Benjamin Aydelott, 20 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed Bill of Merchantdize was bought by a young Man of genteel appearance reccommending himself as a distant relation of yours. Since the date of the bill he left this country (probably without recollecting his debt) without making payt if you have any knowledge of Such a man and can aid me in obtaining my Cash you will greatly oblige Your Very Hbe. St P. S. I Should not have troubled...
130527To James Madison from Richard S. Hackley, 23 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Having had much satisfaction, by an intimate & friendly intercourse with Don Mariano Lagaska director of the Royal Botanic Garden in this Capital, it occured to me, that I might render some service to my native state by forwarding to its patriotic agracultural society, (at the head of which, I have great pleasure in observing your name) a collection from that Valuable deposit, Which I now do,...
130528To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 24 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Cardelli the Sculptor, whom at my solicitation you have kindly permitted to visit Montpellier for the purpose of taking your Bust will have the honour of delivering you this Letter. From the knowledge I have of his talent and the success with which he has taken that of President Monroe, I hope he will execute the work to your satisfaction and with my thanks for your indulgence in giving...
130529From James Madison to the Calliopean Society of Transylvania University, June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter of May 10. communicating the mark of attention conferred on me by the Calliopan Socy. The objects of the Society, and the considerations governing the selection of its members form a just claim to my acknowlegements, & I beg that they may be duly presented. This distant & general expression of my sense of the honorary appt. I have recd. is the only mode in which I can...
130530To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 1 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
In a Letter which I had the honour of receiving from you last November, you observed, in relation to a plan of Government offered by Coll Hamilton, to the federal Convention in 1787, that it was not formally presented as a plan to be debated, but read by him, in the course of a Speech. Could you favour me so far, as to inform me of the day upon which that Speech was delivered, and the question...
130531To James Madison from Robert J. Evans, 3 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Profoundly impressed with the conviction that the time has arrived, when some plan should be adopted for the eventual total extirpation of Slavery from the United States; I am endeavouring through the medium of the National Intelligencer, under the assumed signature of “Benjn. Rush,” to call the attention of the American People to the subject. Knowing your devotedness to the best interests of...
130532From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 7 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 1st. instant. On recurring to my papers for the information it requests, I find that the speech of Col: Hamilton in the Convention of 1787, in the course of which he read a sketch of a plan of Government for the U. States, was delivered on the 18th. of June; the subject of debate being a resolution proposed by Mr. Dickinson “that the articles of...
130533To James Madison from William Plumer, 8 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to present you with a copy of my valedictory address to the legislature of New Hampshire; and to assure you that I am with much respect & esteem Sir, Your obedient servant RC ( DLC ). The enclosure was William Plumer’s 2 June 1819 address to the New Hampshire legislature, an excerpt of which is printed in William Plumer Jr., Life of William Plumer (Boston, 1857), 485–90.
130534To James Madison from Isaac Coffin, 10 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
In your dignified retirement I much fear my application to you for a second Supply of wild Turkies will induce you to believe me void of Modesty and Forbearance. Two as you know out of the Six survived the Voyage, they have repeatedly deserted & have as often been secured. They are much admired by all our country Gentlemen, but have not bred to the extent contemplated. I am most anxious to...
130535To James Madison from Petr Ivanovich Poletika, 10 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Being very desirous to Express to you those Sentiments of particular regard and esteem I have always felt for your eminent qualities in private and public life but which I could not manifest to you with propriety while you were filling the Exalted Station of the first Magistrate of this Country, I beg you to grant me leave to pay you a visit at your residence in company with a countrymen [ sic...
130536To James Madison from Thomas O’Connor, 11 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to solicit your support to the “Globe,” a periodical work, of which I am the editor. Six numbers (one each month) will make a volume of 384 pages octavo. Four numbers are ready for delivery, the fifth is in the printer’s hands. The price $3 per volume. Respectfully, I am, Sir, your very Obedt Servt RC ( DLC ). Addressed by O’Connor to JM “Late President of the United States...
130537From James Madison to Petr Ivanovich Poletika, 14 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. has just been received. I am much obliged by its kind expressions, to which my personal knowlege of you ensures the proper value. And I shall be still more gratified by the promised opportunity of welcoming you at my farm, accompanied by your friend. Mrs. Madison will then be able to thank you herself for the cordial sentiments conveyed to her. In the mean time, be...
130538From James Madison to Robert J. Evans, 15 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 3d. instant, requesting such hints as may have occurred to me on the subject of an eventual extinguishment of slavery in the U. S. Not doubting the purity of your views, and relying on the discretion by which they will be regulated, I can not refuse such a compliance as will at least manifest my respect for the object of your undertaking. A general emancipation...
130539To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 18 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I scarcely know how to apologize to you for troubling you again on the subject of the Journals of the federal Convention. I have already been indebted to you for the means of completing the Journal, which had been deposited at this Department; and in which the proceedings of the last two days were wanting. It appears by the Journal that on the 12th. of September a revised draught of the plan...
130540From James Madison to Thomas O’Connor, [post–18 June] 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of June 11. on the subject of the periodical Work you are Editing. Not doubting that it will be a valuable work, I should under other circumstances be a subscriber for it. But at the period to which I have advanced, I find it expedient to reduce rather [than] extend my engagts. especially for the multiplying publications of a long or indefinite continuation. I can only...
130541From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Ths. Lehré of S. C. is a candidate for the vacant Collectorship of Charleston, and writes that I shd bear some testimony to you in favor of his pretensions. Not having any personal knowlege of him this can relate only to his political sentiments and conduct as they were from time to time communi[ca]ted to me, and to the general standing which I have understood him to possess with his...
130542From James Madison to William Plumer, 20 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 8th. covering a copy of your interesting address to your Legislature; for which I pray you to accept my thanks. Allow me at the same time to congratulate you on the auspicious circumstances personal as well as public, under which you retire to the shade of private life; and to offer my sincere wishes that you may experience in it many years of health and...
130543To James Madison from Robert J. Evans, 26 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your truly valuable communication of the 15th. instant was duly received, for which I beg you to accept in the name of our common country, my most sincere thanks. Although the intrinsick importance of your remarks on the subject of an eventual extinguishment of slavery in the United States, will command for them great and weighty attention; I regret to observe your request, that no publick...
130544From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 27 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I return the list of yeas & nays in the Convention, with the blanks filled, according to your request, as far as I could do it by tracing the order of the yeas & nays, and their co-incidences with those belonging to successive questions in my papers. In some instances, the yeas & nays in the list, corresponding with those on more questions than one, did not designate the particular question on...
130545From James Madison to Calvin Jones, 28 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
The Copy of your proposals for publishing “The Farmer’s Magazine” has been a good while in my hands, without obtaining subscriptions; owing doubtless to the number of agricultural publications less remote, as well as to other causes at present concurring. For myself I find it more and more expedient not [to] multiply engagements, especially those of indefinite continuation. Having much...
130546To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 29 June 1819, Monticello. Described as a one-page autograph letter, signed, offered for sale 17–21 Mar. 1891 in the Catalogue of Autograph Letters and Historical Documents, Collected by the Late Prof. E. H. Leffingwell , (2 vols. in 1; Boston, 1891), 2:32, item 3633.
130547From James Madison to William S. Stone, 1 July 1819 (Madison Papers)
The Marshall I see has advertized for sale on saturday in Fredg. a piece of land which was mortged by Mr. Strode for a debt to me. Having no other prospect of being paid but from that property, and as it will probably not sell for the amount of the debt, it will be prudent to be myself the purchaser. My nephew Robt. Madison will be in Fredg. and be a bidder in my behalf: if nothing shd. happen...
130548From James Madison to James Monroe, 3 July 1819 (Madison Papers)
The best use I can make of the inclosed letter from Mr. Scott is to give you a perusal of its contents—after which you will be so good as to return it. The letter itself is a proof of his good sense, and literary education; and those inclosed in it are good vouchers for the other features of his character. In addition to other motives for wishing employment, it is very natural for him to be...
130549From James Madison to William Eustis, 6 July 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have delayed to thank you for your favors from Williamsburg & N York, till I should learn that a letter would find you at Boston. This I have just done. I am glad that your interview with Dr. Mason has authenticated a circumstance, which tho’ of a minute character, it is well eno’ should not be left in uncertainty. And I am very glad that you sought the conversation with Van Wert. The...
130550To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 July 1819 (Madison Papers)
Preparing within 4. or 5. days to set out for Bedford, where I shall continue two months, I have thought it would be acceptable to you to learn the present state of things at the University, and the prospect for the year. You may remember that almost in the moment of our separation at the last meeting, one of our Colleagues proposed a change of a part of the plan so as to place the gardens of...