1To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 13 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I take great Pleasure in transmitting the Result of the Experiment, which you wished to have made . The Instrument is delicate, & appears well formed. The Needle, which is 9 Inches in Length, is supported as usual, by a transverse Axis; but each Extremity of the Axis rests upon three small Friction Wheels, whilst the Parts of the Axis which touch them are highly polished, & of Steel. The...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 15 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have endeavoured to understand the Directions of the Gentleman , & would have been happy to have made such Experiments as he wished; but, before this can be done, he must express himself more clearly. At present, I am entirely at a Loss for his Meaning. Indeed, from some Expressions, I suspect he confounds the Compass with the Dipping Needle. Has he a clear Idea of the latter Instrument?—I...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 10 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you many Thanks for your Goodness in forwarding the interesting Papers , lately communicated to Congress. Whether the Public will coincide with the Secretary in the Conclusions he has drawn from them, must be very doubtful.—If, as Mr Gerry says, the Minister of France appeared sincere & anxious to obtain a Reconciliation; if his Views too, were liberal in Regard to a Treaty; if this...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 17 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I should certainly have answered your Favour by the succeeding Post, had I received it in Time. Unfortunately it did not come to Hand ’till the next Morning. I am sorry I cannot return such an Answer as could be desired. The Professorship of Chemistry &c has not been actually abolished; but after Dr McClurg left us, two Professorships of Humanity were instituted in it’s Stead.—This Revival of...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 11 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you many Thanks for your Care of Dr. Preistly’s Book. If an opportunity should offer for Norfolk, & the Book were directed to Col. Byrd—the Collector, it would come safe to Hand. Some Merchant connected with Norfolk would take Charge of it, & I doubt not, attend to the safe Delivery. I mention this only to save you a Trouble, to which I am so unwilling to expose you. I am particularly...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 30 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned in a former Letter , that a Meeting of the Visitors of this College was expec[ted] on the 25h. Inst. & that I would communicate to them Mr. Smith’s Proposition; or rather, your Recommenda[tion] of that Gentleman.—A Meeting was obtained, but Not[hing] of Consequence was done. Some preparatory Steps we[re] taken for a full Discussion of collegiate Business, [on] the 4h. of July. I...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 1 November 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Wilkinson , the late Agent or Steward for Mrs. Paradise , having departed this Life, I have been solicited by a Friend of mine, Mr Coleman , to mention him to you, as a fit Successor; upon the Supposition, that you had, in Conjunction with some other Gentlemen, full Authority to act in such a Case. I have said to Mr Coleman, that I was disposed to beleive, you had declined an Acceptance of...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Bishop James Madison, 24 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
As young Munford has returned to America, it is highly probable he will again solicit your Attention in some Way or other. Knowing your Disposition to befriend young Men of Talents, I thought it a Duty to make his Character known to you. He has plunged deeper into Villainy, than any Youth of his Age I have ever heard of. His History which is now well known, from Norfolk to L’orient; from...