581Samuel Martin to James Madison, 10 April 1833 (Madison Papers)
It is with Some pleasure I can Say it is very probable a bill can be got up next Session for the purpose of reducing the postage The past Session it was lost by the Casting Vote of Speaker Stevenson a Vote that would disgrace any respectable member of the Cherokee Council I calculate on a vast deal of good arising from it In France & England it will be a Subject of discussion in their...
582James Madison to Henry Clay, 2 April 1833 (Madison Papers)
Accept my acknowledgements for the copy of your Speech on the bill modifying the Tariff. I need not repeat what is said by all, on the ability and advantage with which the Subject was handled. It has certainly had the effect of an Anodyne on the feverish excitement under which the public mind was laboring; & a relapse may happily not ensue. There is no certainty however that a surplus revenue...
583James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 1 April 1833 (Madison Papers)
I received by the last mail yours from Albemarle with the documents referred to. That from Nelson with its accompaniments, had previously come to hand. I regret much my loss of a visit which I was so near being favored with. Besides the personal gratifications it would have afforded me, we could not well have been together without touching on topics not personal, and on which our ideas might...
584Joseph C. Cabell to James Madison, 27 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
In my late note from Warminster, covering the James River pamphlets, I indicated my intention to write you again very shortly. I attended Nelson Court on Monday, & came down in yesterday’s stage to this place. Having passed to-day at the University, I was preparing to take Montpellier in on way to Fredericksburg & Corrottoman & thence to Wms.burg. But hearing this evening that the Steam Boat...
585Benjamin O. Peers to James Madison, 22 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
Being engaged at present in making "a thorough revision of the Laws Course of studies &c" of Transylvania University, at the instance of the Board of Trustees who have recently elected me to the Presidency of this Institution; I am extremely anxious to avail myself of so favourable an opportunity to introduce such improvements as may have been made in other Colleges, together with such as may...
586Joseph C. Cabell to James Madison, 20 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
Having discovered from the direction of the debate that it would be unnecessary and probably imprudent to use your letter to Judge Roane, in the discussion in the House of Delegates upon the subject of federal relations, and being hardly pressed by the opposition to my measures respecting the connection of the waters, I decided to suspend my communications with you till the end of the session,...
587James Madison to Jesse Torrey, Jr., 18 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. my worthy friend your letter of the 3d. inst. having previously recd. & read the printed paper to which it refers. It appears to breathe the same benevolent spirit, and to have the same patriotic views with all of your writings which I have seen. How far such a publication would be patronized, and reward your labours, I can not, in my retired situation, undertake to judge. The...
588James Madison to Roberts Vaux, 16 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Roberts Vaux, thanks him for the historical Discourse of Mr. M cCall. It well merited the praise bestowed on it by the Society before which it was delivered. A like task as well executed in every State, would of themselves be a historical treasure; and might guide while they prompted researches, not as yet too late, but rapidly becoming so. RC (Biblioteca...
589James Madison to Daniel Webster, 15 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I return my thanks for the copy of your late very powerful speech in the Senate of the United States. It crushes "nullification" and must hasten an abandonment of "Secession". But this dodges the blow by confounding the claim to secede at will, with the right of seceding from intolerable oppression. The former answers itself, being a violation without cause, of a faith solemnly pledged. The...
590James Madison to David Hoffman, 14 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your letter of the 14th. ult: which not requiring an immediate answer, I yielded the more readily to other claims on my attention. I inclose you a few lines which will make you known to Baron Humboldt, the only personal acquaintance, within the scope of your request, and since the deaths of Mr Lay & Mr. Bentham, I have no epistolary ones that would be so. You will not I am...
591James Madison to Baron Alexander von Humboldt, 12 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
Will you permit me, my dear Baron, after such an oblivious lapse of time, to recall myself to you by a few lines introducing Professor Hoffman, who fills with distinguished qualifications the Chair of Law in the University of Maryland. He is about to take a look at Europe; and will be particularly gratified by an opportunity of paying his respects to one, whose fruitful genius, philosophical...
592James Madison to William C. Rives, 12 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your very kind letter of the 6th. from Washington; and by the same mail, a copy of your late speech in the Senate for which I tender my thanks. I have found as I expected, that it takes a very able and enlightening view of its subject. I wish it may have the effect of reclaiming to the doctrine & language held by all from the birth of the Constitution, & till very lately by...
593Josiah Quincy to James Madison, 10 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
My Son in law Benjamin D. Greene Esq of Boston, with his lady, and another of my daughters are about visiting the Southern States, with combined views of health and curiosity. In their excursion they are about to pass, in the vicinity of your residence, and have that wish, which is at once so natural and honorable, personally to know and to be permitted to pay their respects to one, who has...
594Andrew Stevenson to James Madison, 10 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to make you personally acquainted with Mr Longacre of Phia! Mr L. as you well know—is one of the most eminent artists in our Country and is engaged in a national work of great interest! He is extremely desirous of taking himself a likeness of you for his Portrait Gallery, & goes to Montpelier for that purpose! I hope you will not object to sitting & I beg leave to recommend this...
595George Joy to James Madison, 7 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
Should the Bearer Mr. James C. Fuller extend his travels to the peaceful shades of your retreat, you will greatly oblige me by giving him such countenance and advice as you may judge useful to a Gentleman Farmer, of the Society of friends, seeking where in the U. S. he may best pitch his Tent. He goes with his Son to survey the whole ground and judge for himself of the expediency of shipping...
596James Madison to Edward Everett, 6 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your letter of the 24th ult: I should always feel pleasure in complying with your wishes. But in the present instance, besides that the task however abridged, would not accord with my prolonged indisposition, and other claims on the scanty intervals of relief, there is another obstacle, which I could not well get over. It will suffice to say of it, that it is nowise...
597William C. Rives to James Madison, 5 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty, at the moment of leaving here, to send you a printed sheet containing some observations made by me on a recent occasion of considerable interest in the Senate. It is not, without great diffidence, that I submit any attempt of mine to interpret the true doctrines of ’98 & ’99, & the just theory of our constitution, to the discriminating view of their founder; an indiscretion...
598Jesse Torrey, Jr. to James Madison, 3 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have forwarded a copy of the first number of the National Library, by mail, and hope you will do me the special favour of reading it entirely, as soon as convenient, if you have not already done so. I presume that your age and state of health are such that you do not read or write much, nor participate much in public concerns. You may perhaps recollect the conversation respecting free...
599[James Madison] to [John] Tyler], 1 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
In your Speech of February 6th 1833 you say "He (Edmund Randolph) proposed (in the Federal Convention of 1787) a Supreme National Government, with a Supreme Executive, a Supreme Legislature, and a Supreme Judiciary, and a power in Congress to veto State laws. Mr. Madison I believe, Sir, was also an advocate of this plan of govt. If I run into error on this point, I can easily be put right. The...
600James Madison to Buckner Thruston, 1 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 13th. inst: was duly received, with a copy of Judge Cranche’s Memoir of President Adams; to which is annexed your Latin Epitaph embracing the coincidences in the lives & deaths of him & of President Jefferson. After an alienation through so long a period from classical studies, I may well distrust my competency to decide on the Latinity of the Epitaph. To the vein of just...
601James Madison to Thomas R. Dew, 23 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your letter of the 15th. Ult with the copies of the two pamphlets; one on the "Restrictive system"; the other on the "Slave question" The former I have not yet been able to look into; and in reading the latter with the proper attention I have been much retarded by many interruptions as well as by the feebleness incident to my great age increased as it is by the effects of...
602James Madison to Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler, 22 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor with the accompanying Copies of your Report on Weights & Measures, & I have forwarded the two, one for Professor Patterson, & one for the University of Virginia; and shall dispose of the others as you desire. For the Copy alloted to myself, I return you my thanks. The decrepit state of my health, added to my great age & other causes, have prevented me from looking much...
603Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 20 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
The somersets which have been turned here since I last wrote have changed the aspect of things in more respects than one. It has opened prospects with regard to the prosecution of internal improvements, and among others the Chesapeake & Ohio canal, which will not be without their effect upon the value of property here. Should this new scheme be adopted, the inevitable effect will be a large...
604James Madison to Ralph Randolph Gurley, 19 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 15th informing me that I have been unanimously elected to the Office of President by the American Colonisation Society." The great and growing importance of the Society and the signal Philanthropy of its members give to the distinction conferred on me a value of which I am deeply sensible. It is incumbent on me at the same time to say, that my very advanced...
605James Madison to William B. Sprague, 16 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 6th. requesting " for public use, " an expression of my approbation of a "Quality Periodical" about to be established at Albany "for the promotion of temperance" No one can be more aware than I am of the evils of intemperate habits; in moral, social political physical & economical points of view, and I have noticed with great pleasure, the progressive reform...
606Thomas W. Griffith to James Madison, 15 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I was duly honored by your Letter of the 5 Instant, acknowledging the receipt of the Pamphlet of proposed Alterations of the Constitution, and informing me of your impaired health, for which I am heartily sorry, and would have been more so, had I imposed on you the task of giving your opinions, with the reasons, thereon, which was by no means intended. Having reprinted these Alterations, with...
607James Madison to Martin Van Buren, 14 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
J. M presents his respects to Mr. V. B. & thanks him for the Copy of the Report of the Joint Comtee of the Senate & Assembly of N.Y. on a Communication from the Governor kindly forwarded to him. He has recd. from a Perusal of the Document a just impression of the ability with which it was prepared & of the praiseworthy spirit of moderation & conciliation, which pervades it Draft (DLC) ; FC (ViU) .
608David Hoffman to James Madison, 14 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I contemplate sailing for Europe in April, with the view of a hasty tour through England, France, Germany and Italy, during an absence of only about sixteen months. My main design therefore, will be to take an exterior view of things, but am still desirous to go well documented . I am particularly anxious to have a coup d’œil at least, of many of the savans of Europe . If it comports Entirely...
609James Madison to Henry A. S. Dearborn, 13 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison has received the Copy of the Speech of Genl. Dearborn kindly forwarded by him. His ability has done ample justice to the subject as viewed by him, and his partiality much beyond justice to the deserts of his friend RC (DLC : Blair and Woodbury Autograph Collection); FC (DLC) .
610Buckner Thruston to James Madison, 13 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I rashly offered, when I had the pleasure of visiting you last September, to send you a latin Epitaph on those illustrious men, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, without reflecting, that I might expose a very crude performance, to the eyes of a very competent judge of such compositions: Having lent the pamphlet to a friend, I only received it back this day: I now acquit myself of my promise. It...
611Ralph Randolph Gurley to James Madison, 12 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour & pleasure to inform you, that you were unanimously elected to the office of President of the American Colonization Society, (so lately vacated by the decease of the Ven. Charles Carroll of Carrolton) at the recent annual meeting of the Members of this Institution. With profound respect & esteem Honoured Sir Your faithful & obt st RC (DLC) .
612James Madison to Unknown, 10 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I recd. lately thro’ the Department of State, a letter from Mr. Randolph our Envoy to Russia. I ask the favour of you to let the enclosed answer pass thro the same channel with your next communications to him. Be pleased to accept at the same time the renewed assurances of my high esteem, with my cordial salutations RC (NjP : Crane Collection).
613James Madison to John Randolph, 10 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I recd. Sir, a few days ago your letter of Decr. 15. accompanied by that of Mr. Richardson. There being no vacancy or provision for such an Instructor in the University of Virga. I have sent his letter with an extract from yours to a friend in Williamsburg, who will communicate them to the proper authority in Wm & Mary. Should the services of Mr. Richardson be there wanted, a correspondence,...
614James Madison to Andrew Stevenson, 10 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. instant, with the paper returned, was safely received. It may not be amiss for me to say, that the opinions expressed in the letter, that Constitutional provisions, necessary and proper to defeat resistance to the laws, ought not to be opposed, had no specific reference to the Bill depending, but was a general remark that whatever Constitutional provisions might be...
615Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler to James Madison, 6 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
In taking the Liberty to address to You herewith Copies of my Reports upon Weights and measures, I again make use of the priviledge, which I have often assumed to continue to give You some account of my employment of my time. The object of the present is most likely not without some Interest for You, the manner in which I have treated the subject is in many respects new, and I hope however...
616William B. Sprague to James Madison, 6 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
You are no doubt apprized of the wonderful success which has attended the philanthropic efforts that have been made in this part of the country for the promotion of Temperance. Several gentlemen who are at the head of the operations of the NewYork State Temperance Society, are establishing a quarterly periodical in this city, to be devoted exclusively to the diffusion of light on this...
617James Madison to Thomas W. Griffith, 5 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of enclosing a sketch of numerous amendments which you think are required by the Constitution of the U.S. I am duly sensible to the respect you manifest for my opinions on such subjects. But mere opinions, without a full view of the reasons for them could be of little value; and this is a task which in my enfeebled condition and in the midst of other demands on the...
618Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 5 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
January is past, and I am still here, without any immediate prospect of getting away. I still flatter myself, however, that I may yet, before this month passes over, make my appearance at Montpelier. My health is sensibly improved. Indeed every one tells me I look remarkably well; but with this, my feelings are still far from according. I yet suffer much from a general want of tone of body and...
619James Madison to Andrew Stevenson, 4 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your communication of the 29. ult, and have read it with much pleasure. It presents the doctrines of Nullification & Secession in lights that must confound if failing to convince their patrons. You have done well in rescuing the proceedings of Virga. in 98-99. from the many misconstructions & misapplications of them. The 7th. Resolution, ought to have explained the 3d. and the...
620James 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....
621James Madison to William Henry Harrison, 1 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 22d. Ult: in which you request my opinion of the character & merits of Genl. Pike. Having had but a very slight personal acquaintance with him, I can not say more of his private character, than that every thing I recollect to have heard of it was favorable to it. Of his enterprizing spirit, his distinguished gallantry, and his zealous services in his military...
622Thomas S. Grimké to James Madison, 30 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
Accept my apology, not only for my inadvertence in addressing my last Pamphlet to Charlotte, instead of to Orange C. H. but likewise for my delay in replying to your letter of 10th of the present Month. Whilst I deeply regret your ill health, I cannot but on that account more deeply estimate the favor of so interesting and gratifying a letter from your pen. May your life be yet mercifully...
623Andrew Stevenson to James Madison, 29 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I fear you will dread the sight of a letter from me, inasmuch, as it may lay claim, to the compliment of an answer! I beg you however to consider this letter as waiving its priviledge at least until yr lame hand, & leisure, will enable you to do so, without the slightest inconvenience to yourself! Knowing well that you are not an indifferent spectator of the scenes that are passing, so full of...
624Samuel L. Gouverneur to James Madison, 26 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have always understood from Mr. Monroe, that when he left this country he deposited with you, his packet of papers, relating to the investigation into the conduct &c of Genl. Hamilton—which was never opened, until it was returned by you to him, after his mission had terminated, and after the developement of its contents had been made from an other quarter. It would be very gratifying to me,...
625R. H. C. Taylor to James Madison, 26 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
By recent information obtained from Washington City, we learn that thro’ our father, (late Majr Wm Taylor) myself and Sisters are entitled to some land scrip as the heirs (or a portion of them) of my uncle John, for services rendered by him in the war of the revolution. It appears that it is only necessary to prove that he was a midshipman in the service, or that it was understood by those who...
626Thomas W. Griffith to James Madison, 25 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
The compilation, of which I have the honour to tender you a Copy herewith, was undertaken from an impression that the agitation of the subject of amending the Constitution of the United States, even by an obscure individual and very imperfect manner, would afford some aleviation to the irritated feelings of part of the Community. Having on the eve of different public Meetings on the...
627James Madison to Edward Livingston, 24 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 19th. inst., in which you ask my assent to the publication of my answer* to yours of Apl. 29. 1830, inclosing a copy of your speech on Mr. Foots resolution. As the answer contained nothing of a confidential import, there can be no objec<tion> to that use of it other than that the formal sanction of the writer might seem to attach more importance to the Epitome...
628Edward Livingston to James Madison, 19 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
Your opinions on constitutional points are of so much value that when they are given even in private letters they are considered as public property and are published frequently I believe without your permission; I have never thought myself authorized to take such a liberty with any part of a private Correspondence, and therefore trouble you with this application. In acknowledging the receipt...
629James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 18 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 11th. was duly recd. I am sorry that you could not visit us at the intended time, and still more so for the obstacles to it. We shall look for you at the period you now have in view, with a hope that the trip on horseback will be as favorable to your health as it promises to be. I have not yet looked into the columns of the Gazette kindly enclosed to me, on the Bank transaction. I...
630James Bayard to James Madison, 18 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I hope I shall be excused for asking your perusal of the enclosed work upon the Constitution of the United States. It is intended principally for the use of Colleges and schools where the subject has hitherto been much neglected, so that few persons besides lawyers pretend to have any knowledge of the Constitution. At the present time it is peculiarly important that this instrument should be...