From James Madison to Elijah Fletcher and Richard H. Toler, 10 October 1827
To Elijah Fletcher and Richard H. Toler
Montpellier Ocr. 10. 1827
Sir
I have just seen in another Gazette, the following paragraph, noted as an extract from the “Lynchburg Virginian” viz1
Without being aware of the ground on which the Statement is alledged to be within the personal knowledge of the Editor, it is proper to observe that, as often happens in the report of conversations, there must have been some degree of misapprehension or misrecollection.
It is true that I have not approved the proceedings of the General Assembly of the State, which would2 (limit the power of Congress over trade to regulations having revenue alone for their object); that I have in occasional Conversations, been led to observe that a contrary doctrine has been entertained and acted on, from the commencement of the Constitution of the U. States, by the several Branches of every Administration under it; and that I regretted the course pursued by the General Assembly, as tending to impair the confidence & cordiality of other parts of the Union, agreeing with Virginia in her exposition of the Constitution on other points. In expressing these ideas, however, more respect has been felt for the patriotic sensibilities of the Legislative Body, and for the talents & good intentions of Members, personally or otherwise known to me to be particularly entitled to it, than might be inferred from the tone of the publication. I must observe also, that though it is true, that I have spoken of the power of Congress over Commerce in its enlarged sense, as a primary & known object in forming the Constitution, the language of the statement is inaccurate at least, as being susceptible of a construction, embracing indefinite powers over the entire resources of the Country.
I must presume that the expressions which refer by name to the Governor of the State, were not meant to be ascribed to me; being very sure that I could never have so far forgotten, what I owed to myself, or the respect due to him.
It is with much reluctance, Sir, that I have had recourse to these explanatory remarks, withdrawn as I am from scenes of political agitation, by my age & pursuits more congenial with it. It is the single instance of a communication from me to the press on any subject connected with the existing State of parties. With respects,
James Madison
Draft (DLC). Docketed by JM: “Editor of the ‘Lynchburg Virginian’” at top of page. On verso, JM noted: “Fletcher & Toler Editors of the Lynchburg Virginia[n] Ocr. 10. & 14 & 31. 1827.”
1. JM left a space here for the extract: “We state, as a fact within our knowledge, that, very recently, the sage and patriot of Montpelier expressed his deep regret at the course now pursuing by some of the most eminent politicians of Virginia—That he reprobated it, as sapping the foundations of her power and influence in the confederacy, whilst, by a course of moderation and prudence, she might have won over a majority of her sister States to emb[r]ace her principles. That he defended the right of the National Government, under the Constitution, to impose a Tariff of duties on imports, with reference to other objects than revenue—he averred that such had been the course pursued by every administration in the country, his own & Mr. Jefferson’s included; that to call all the latent resources of the country into action, and to give them such protection as circumstances might suggest, was one of the principal reasons for the abalishment [sic] of the confederation system, which was found inadequate for that purpose, and the adoption of the Federal Constitution—and that the resolution passed by the last Legislature in relation to this subject, was extremely unwise and impolite. Here, then, is a man everlastingly quoted by the martexts of the Constitution in this State, who assisted to frame this instrument, and who was one of its earlies[t] and ablest cotemporaneous expounders, and who in the exercise of his Executive duties at a later day, was called on to construe in provisions, who says, that he is erroneously thus quoted—and that William B. Giles, that dog in the manger, is fast hurrying his beloved Virginia to ruin and contempt. We again repeat, that what we have here stated is of our own knowledge, and cannot be contradicted” (Richmond Enquirer, 23 Oct. 1827).
2. JM placed an asterisk here and in the left margin wrote: “*corrected into ‘exclude from the power of Congress &ca.[’] as in the letter of 14th. Oct. attached to this. See also the further explanatory note of J.M. of Oct. 31. also attached to this.”