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...
631Thomas R. Dew to James Madison, 15 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
Accompanying this, you will recieve a copy of my Lectures on the Restrictive system, together with a Pamphlet on the Slave question, which I must beg that you will do me the honor to accept Well aware of the burthen of your correspondence, & the constant demands which are made on your valuable labors I cannot think of requesting of you a perusal of the sheets which are herewith transmitted If...
632Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 11 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
On christmas morning, In attempting to rise, I found myself completely nullified , and almost as stiff as a statue, in the body. I had for some days felt a slight pain in the back, which had now almost impreceptibly ripened into quite a severe acute rheumatism, that rendered every attempt at motion excessively painful. In the course of 36 hours, the stiffness disappeared; but I had to confine...
633James Madison to Thomas S. Grimke, 10 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd the copy of your "Letter to the people of S. Carolina", after the delay of passing to Charlotte County thence to Charlottesville, and finally to O. C. House, the post office nearest to me. I beg you to accept my thanks for the publication; which are the more due as they were not preceded, by what were so, for the several other favors from your pen. Such has been the degree of my...
634Alexander Rives to James Madison, 7 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I was singularly gratified this morning to find by the reception of your letter, that you have thought proper to take notice of my anonymous obtrusion , and to favor me with an expression of your opinions on a vitally important subject, which I had imperfectly attempted to discuss in the hastily-written essays, which you received from me. Fearful lest I might add to the number of those, who by...
635James Madison to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 6 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I rec’d last evening your letter of Dec. 3d asking whether from my knowledge of your grandfather’s opinions, you have erred in asserting that he never entertained the opinion that a State had a Constitutional right to secede peaceably from the union, at pleasure, and that this was not his reading of the Virginia & Kentucky Resolution of 98-99. I do not recollect any precise conversation with...
636James Madison to Charles Yancey, 4 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 21st. inclosing a prospectus of a Newspaper about to be printed at Richmond. I have for a considerable time found it convenient rather to reduce than extend my receipts of Newspapers; and have no farther lost sight of that object, than by taking, in one or two instances a new Gazette for a single year . Under that limitation the paper in question may be...
637Thomas Jefferson Randolph to James Madison, 3 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
A new principle as I suppose it to be in our government is attempting to be established viz the constitutional right of a state to secede peaceably from the Union at pleasure she being the sole Judge of the cause which impels it. This doctrine is contended to be the legitimate correlary from the constitution and the Virginia & Kentucky resolutions of 98 & 99 I have asserted the fact from my...
638Samuel L. Gouverneur to James Madison, 2 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
I am particularly charged that the enclosed reach you in safety, & shall be happy, if agreeable to you to take charge of your reply. Mrs. G & myself unite in the most respectful & friendly remembrances to Mrs. Madison & yourself. With great respect V obt Ser RC (DLC) .
639James Madison: Notes on Virginia Resolutions, 1 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
Notes on Virginia Resolutions more [ ] (all the powers [ ] for one the = one for all [ ] from Resoln. 3d Strike out "[ ] actively and not instead one of the nullifying [ ] With the word retained its substance is taken away by the Keny. [ ] 9th. Resoln. & compleatly annihilated by the Explanatory Rept. of 99 _____________ The ratifying clause of the Virga. may [ ] by people of the U. S., all of...
640James Madison to A Friend of Union & State Rights [Alexander Rives], 1 January 1833 (Madison Papers)
Confidential I have rec. the letter signed "A friend of Union & State rights" inclosing two printed Essays under the same signature. It is not usual to answer communications without the proper names to them. But the ability & motives disclosed in the Essays induce me to say in compliance with the wish expressed, that I do not consider the proceedings of Virginia in 98-99 as countenancing the...
641James Madison to Unknown, December 1832 (Madison Papers)
I must plead a lapse of 50 years as an apology for not recollecting in my answer to yours on the subject of the Lands ceded by Virginia to the U.S. that a vindication of her title wd. be found in the secret Journals of Congress— It appears there under the head of "facts & observations", but had been prepared by the Virga. Delegates & put into the form of direct instructions from Congress to...
642James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 28 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you a few lines last evening in answer to yours of the 22d. Resuming my search for the letter of June 29. 1821 I have been successful & hasten to give you the words omitted in your copy. "After their full lustre" fill the blank with the words, "to the arguments agst. the su’ability of States", by individuals. I was rather surprized to find such a substantial identity in several...
643[Alexander Rives] to James Madison, 28 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of thus obtruding on your notice two fugitive newspaper Essays, in which I have attempted to vindicate the distinguished state papers, which your pen gave to Virginia in one of the most lowering periods of our Constitutional history and which have since been adopted as the articles of her political faith, from the imputation of the disorganising doctrine of a right of...
644James Madison to Joseph C. Cabell, 27 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment only recd. yrs. of the 22d. I regret the delay as you wished an earlier answer than you can now have, tho’ I shall send this immediately to the P.O. My correspondence with Judg Roane originated in his request that I wd take up the pen on the subject he was discussing or about to discuss. Altho’ I concurred much in his views of it, I differed as you will see with regard to...
645James Madison to Nicholas P. Trist, 23 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 19th. inclosing some of the S. C. papers. There is in one of them some interesting views of the doctrine of secession; one that had occurred to me, and which for the first time I have seen in print, namely that if one State can at will withdraw from the others, the others can withdraw from her, and turn her, nolentem, volentem, out of the Union. Until of late, there...
646Joseph C. Cabell to James Madison, 22 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
For some time past I have abstained from writing to you purely because I believed you might not wish to leave letters unanswered, and the state of your health rendered such drudgery painful if not injurious to you. I venture now to write a few hasty lines upon the subject of the debate in the House of Delegates on the 20th inst. upon a motion to print your letter to the Editor of the N. Am....
647James Madison to Reuben Conway, 21 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of this morning. I am glad to receive your confirmation of the merits of the son of Mr. Chapman. Of the merits of the father, and my great esteem & affection for him I need not speak to you. Should the intended application for a berth in the Academy at West point, for young Richard, be successful, it could not therefore fail to give me pleasure. But it wd. be agst. the rule...
648Reuben Conway to James Madison, 21 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
(re recommendation for Richard Chapman as cadet at West Point) The enclosed Papers I received from Mr Chapman on yesterday relative, to an application he wishes to make in behalf of his son, for a Cadets, Commission, at West Point. After having heard your objections (which every one must appretiate) to take part in matters of this kind, I should not have acted directly or indirectly in the...
649James Madison to Samuel L. Southard, 16 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison, with his respects to Governour Southard, thanks him for the copy of his very able address delivered in September at Princeton. It must prove as valuable, as it doubtless was an acceptable offering, to the Institution, of whose origin career and prospects, it presents so interesting a view. RC (owned by William C. Coles, Jr.); FC (DLC) .
650James Madison to Unknown, 10 December 1832 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, your letter of the 3d: Mr. Harding in an error in supposing it my intention to pay the debts of J. P. Todd., of which you will please to apprize him. Your Professional Agency in making the application needed no apology. I thank you Sir for the kind language expressed in relation to myself and beg you to accept my respects & my good wishes RC (MHi : Law School Library).