To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 15 April 1783
From the Reverend James Madison
RC (LC: Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed, “Rev. J. Madison (Wmsburg.) to J M. Jr. Apl. 15. 1783.”
April 15. 1783.
Dear Col.
By a Letter from Mr. Jefferson 31. March.1 he has the Expression, speaking of Peace, “tho there can scarcely be a Doubt.” I hope by this Time you have official Accts of its Certainty: for tho’ no one indeed can scarcely doubt, yet every one wants the fullest Confirmation.2 I am sorry to find that he will not probably go to Europe as a Resident, from what he says, tho’ the Conclusion is rather indirect.3 But it is certain we shall want Men of Abilities on this Side the Atlantic as well as the other. I wished to mention to you, that it is generally expected a Convention for the Purpose of reforming our [State]4 Constitution will be proposed to the People, as soon as the assembly meets.5 Your Stay at Congress must be nearly at an End.6 Suppose therefore you return in Time for this Business.
I have written by this Post to Mr. J. If he be returned, I must beg the Favr of you to take Charge of the Letter for him.7 Dr. McC. is here, & begs to be affy. remembered8
Yrs sincerely
JM
Do you not intend to get the Encyclopedia Methodique.9 I hope we shall import it by the first oppy. It must be in itself a compleat scientific Library.
1. Not found.
2. JM Notes, 10 Apr., and n. 2; Delegates to Harrison, 10 Apr. 1783, and n. 8.
3. JM Notes, 1 Apr., n. 13. Unofficial but well-authenticated news of the signing of preliminary articles of peace by Great Britain with France and Spain was current in Philadelphia by 31 March. Writing that day to the Reverend James Madison, Jefferson probably anticipated the resolution of Congress on 1 April canceling his mission to Paris as a peace commissioner.
4. The bracketed word appears to have been interlineated at a later date by someone now unknown.
5. The Virginia General Assembly at the May 1783 session did not undertake to fulfill this expectation. See JM to Randolph, 8 Apr., and n. 10; Jefferson to JM, 7 May 1783 (LC: Madison Papers; , VI, 266).
6. Article V of the Articles of Confederation stipulated that “no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years” (, XIX, 215). Having been thrice re-elected by the Virginia General Assembly, with each annual term expiring on the first Monday in November, JM at about the end of October 1783 would become ineligible to serve in Congress until three years from that time had elapsed (, II, 40; III, 161; IV, 336; 358, n. 5; 365; 367, n. 8). Even though the Articles of Confederation, which had become effective on 1 March 1781, appeared to permit JM, if reappointed for “a fraction of a year” by the Virginia General Assembly, to serve in Congress until 29 February 1784, he soon concluded that an extension of term would not accord with his “private conveniency” (, VI, 270–71).
7. Not found.
8. Dr. James McClurg (, V, 201, n. 5; Randolph to JM, 22 Feb. 1783, and n. 9).
9. Report on Books, 23 Jan. 1783, entry No. 1.