A dispute between Mr. Joseph Jones of King George and Mr. William Lee being mutually referred to us: We are of opinion that Mr. Jones never was an enemy to the payment of British or other debts: We are also of opinion that Mr. Lee’s inference respecting the opposition of Mr. Jones to the payment of debts, was founded on Mr. Jones’ support to the prohibitory laws revived last session of...
2To James Madison from Henry Lee, 16 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
By way of introduction of a correspondence, with a character I love & respect so sincerely, I enclose a report passed yesterday by Congress, the only material business done lately & which proves the dreadful situation of our fœderal government. The report speaks so fully on the subject that I withhold remarks which might [my?] solicitude for the public gives birth to. We have received some...
3To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
In our letter of this date to the Assembly you will know our sentiments on the interesting subject of finance. I am persuaded if the suggestions meet the approbation of the Legislature and any plans calculated on the principles of our letter, should be properly executed much good will accrue to the state. We omitted one subject which involves the respectability of our country viz that of a...
4To James Madison from Henry Lee, 25 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
You now have the report from the secretary of war mentioned in my last letter & omitted. The opinions I conveyed then relative to the eastern commotions are daily supported by additional intelligence. The eastern gentlemen here are confirmed in sentiments on this matter and beleive that the discontents will never be settled but by the sword. Perhaps their apprehensions may have some operation...
5From James Madison to Henry Lee, 9 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
The last mail went out at a time when I was so engaged that I could not drop a line to you. The task of first conveying to you the result of the elections for Congress has therefore probably been performed by some of your other friends. The Superiority which your reflection and firmness will maintain over the vicissitudes incident to public life, forbids any suggestions which may be calculated...
6To James Madison from Henry Lee, 11 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 November 1786. Mentioned in JM’s letter to Lee of 23 November 1786 . Concerned Lee’s sense of injury at being dropped by the Virginia legislature from the state delegation to Congress, and the “deriliction of the friendship” between JM and Lee because of JM’s being elected, so Lee thought, in his place ( Lee to JM, 20 Dec. 1786 ).
7From James Madison to Henry Lee, 23 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 11th inst. Having never felt an intermission of my regard for you, I cannot be insensible either to the friendship which it speaks on your part, or the failure of it which it supposes on mine. That the latter sentiment should have resulted from a communication which could have no motive but one that ought to have prevented such a consequence, may well fill me...
8To James Madison from Henry Lee, 20 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
After the notification of my disgrace which reached me about the 20th. Novr. I hastened from N York & pressed forward to my home. Every difficulty of weather and roads opposed my progress and retarded us effectually, for it took us three weeks to reach this place which I had reckoned on accomplishing in twelve days. At Length we arrived on the banks of potomac, and thro our avidity to embrace...
9To James Madison from Henry Lee, 7 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Having a few moments only to devote, you must be satisfied with a very laconic letr. Such is my distance from the line of posts, that to use it, I must avail myself of accidental conveyances, which are often like the present, sudden. It is with real Grief I inform you that by a late vote of the assembly of Virga. on a collateral question, they have manifested hostility to the new constitution....
10To James Madison from Henry Lee, [ca. 20 December] 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am so far on my return from a visit to Richmond. On my route I spent a day with Judge Pendleton. He continues amidst the strange change of opinion on the worth of the fœderal Government, unalterable. This firmness does not belong to all the bench, for it was declared as indubitable, that the Cheif Justice had abandoned his first sentiments on this subject. I wished to have given you a...
11To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
To aid Mr. Twining I put my name on his bill & procured the endorsement of Mr. Constable to authenticate it in N York. Mr. Twinings bill is not paid by the Postmaster General who gave me his written assurance that it should be paid when due on condition that the contract was performed relating to the mail. This letr. Mr. Constable has & you can see. I am called on for the money & without the...
12To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
This letr. is written purposely to inform you of the project mentioned to you in New york concerning the land at the Great falls. The quantity is 500 acres, the price may be called 4,000£ with the incumbrance of an annual rent of 150£ sterling. The advantages infinitely exceed that of any spot of ground in the U. States. The canal runs thro the land, & the bason is in the land, the situation...
13To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you when I was here last month relative to our project of union in the purchase of the great falls. To this letr. I have as yet received no reply. Mr. Arthur Lee tells me that he left you in Philada. unwell. With respect to the suggested purchase I am more & more persuaded, that it is worthy of our best attention, & that judicious conduct of the business will ensure to us early,...
14From James Madison to Henry Lee, 30 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 29th Ult: was received in N. York—the pleasing one of the 19th Inst. found me in this City, whither I had come with a veiw either to return to N. York or proceed to Virginia as circumstances might determine. I have not sooner acknowledged your first favor, because it intimated that the Subject of it admitted of delay, and I did not wish to precipitate a determination on...
15To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
My business has yet detained me here. Three days ago I returned from a visit to the great falls where Genl. Washington was to have met me. The rain stopped him & the other directors, which to me was a mortifying disappointment as I entertained hopes with their aid to have concluded amicably & advantageously the dispute with Mr Fairfax. This is in train, tho the prospect is not the most...
16To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
I had presumed from the decision you have taken of standing for your district, that I might have seen you here before I left this town, But as the hour of my departure is approached & my expectation baffled, I now transmit to you for your satisfaction a plot of the canal with Col. Gilpins (one of the potomack companys directors) observations. This gentleman speaks from personal knowledge &...
17To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am so far on my return from Richmond to Alexa. at which place Mrs Lee still is. The attack which commenced when you was in Alexa. has been very severe & her condition when I last heard from [her] was very unpromising. It may so happen that I shall be detained in Alexa. during the winter, tho’ my hope & intention is to return soon home. Have you recovered my packet with the plan of the canal,...
18To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
The papers necessary to our European project are enclosed herewith—viz my power of attorney, your remarks which are so full that I can add nothing, the old plot of the canal which must be kept by you, and a copy sent, it being not fit—& my letr. to Mr. Jefferson. The last explains fully the manner which appeared to be best for us to embrace, but should any thing be improper, you can pass it...
19To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Tomorrow I go from hence, Mrs. Lee as when you left her. If I forgot to fill up the power of attorney, please to insert Mr Jeffersons name. Yesterday the original papers went off in the Maryland bound to Bordeaux to the care of Mr. Mason Merchant there—I am told in three or four days the mail reaches Versailles from that port. Many applicants above & here, on each side of the river have waited...
20To James Madison from Henry Lee, 9 [April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Whenever I ask your aid to the promotion of the wishes of my friend, receive it on this express condition, that the public good must combine with the views of the gentlemen recommended. Very happy in the appointent [ sic ] of my old fellow soldier Lindsay to the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Parkers election, I desire only to entreat your attention to his compeer Mr. M. Livingston, should it be...
21To James Madison from Henry Lee, 10 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you for a long time but often hear of you. All ranks of people within my observation seem highly pleased with the govt. since its commencement & reckon far too much on the benefits which it may produce—these expectations will meet with disappointment, which may create chagrin in the public mind & renew clamor. The president is dear to the citizens beyond parralel or...
22From James Madison to Henry Lee, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
It was fortunate that a duplicate of your letter to Mr. Jefferson went so soon from Alexandria. The copy in My hands did not find a conveyance fit to be trusted for a very long time—it cannot have reached him yet. I was determined to await a secure opportunity, and the intermission of the French Packet left such an one extremely rare. I was compelled at last to put it into the hands of a...
23To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
The last ler. I got from you shewed the little leisure you possessed, & together with other considerations induced me to decline for a time writing to you. Indeed occupied with matters of a private nature only, I am out of the habit of communication as well as conversation with political affairs. In my tour in the upper country for Mrs Lee[’]s health, I have as much as in my power attended to...
24From James Madison to Henry Lee, 4 October 1789 (Madison Papers)
I Meant to have acknowledged your favor of the 8th Ult. by your brother, but in the hurry of the occasion missed even the pleasure of seeing him after the adjournment. He will give you the details of our proceedings, particularly on the subject of the seat of Government. I am extremely afraid that the hopes of the Potomac do not rest on so good a foundation as we wish. Every circumstance which...
25To James Madison from Henry Lee, 25 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Burnley will convey this letr. by some one of the many of your county people now here with their tobacco. In it you will receive a letr. sent to me from Alexa. by Mr C Lee on the presumption that you was or would be here. The assembly have gone thro most of their business, & are now engaged in consideration of the amendments proposed by Congress, to the constitution. Some time ago Mr....
26To James Madison from Henry Lee, 25 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to make known to you the bearer Docr. Morrow. He was early engaged in the service of the U States as a naval surgeon. He continued in this employment thro various vicissitudes, suffering extreme hardships, & acquitted himself with honor & reputation. He understands that naval hospitals will be established & wishes to resume his old employment. His knowledge, his amiability of...
27From James Madison to Henry Lee, 1 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 March 1790. Acknowledged in Lee to JM, 13 Mar. 1790 . Probably relates to the defeat of JM’s discrimination amendment, the assumption debate, and Lee’s Potomac land speculation.
28To James Madison from Henry Lee, 4 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Since your illness at Georgetown I have heard nothing of you, only that you had so far recovered as to proceed, until yesterday, when a gentleman from Alexandria told me that you had taken your seat in Congress. This information gave me pleasure, as it seemed to communicate your complete recovery, as well as because it assured me that you was executing your duty at a time which seems big with...
29To James Madison from Henry Lee, 13 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Before I left home, Col Lee being about to depart for Congress, I wrote you by him. Since my arival here I got your letr. of the 1st. March, & have had an opportunity of reading your debates in Congress. Your motion which underwent so much discussion & met with such a decided negative is pleasing to the landed interest in this Country, & very much disrelished by the town interest. It is...
30To James Madison from Henry Lee, 3 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am induced to address you on a subject which violates the rule I had lately prescribed to myself with respect to our public affairs. A youth the son of Mr. Thomas L. Lee to whom I beleive you was intimately known met me this morning on the road. Bred to the mercantile line in one of the most respectable houses in our country & cut off from his expectations there, by the death of his...
31From James Madison to Henry Lee, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 4th ult. by Col. Lee was received from his hands on Sunday last. I have since recd. that of the 3d Instant. The anticedent one from Alexandria, though long on the way was recd. some time before. In all these, I discover strong marks of the dissatisfaction with which you behold our public prospects. Though in several respects they do not comport with my wishes—yet I cannot...
32To James Madison from Henry Lee, 22 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I got here last night from a trip to the great falls, & met your letr. of the 4th. It is really lamentable publicly & privately that a gift of Nature so useful should be locked up for the want of 3000 £ this currency. Was I in possession I verily beleive that the money would be returned in the course of one year. Col. Bull formerly of Pensylvania now of Berkeley, who was with me yesterday, &...
33To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
In the forenoon this day I got here—soon saw the President & your affectionate friend Mr. Jefferson. The first has nearly recovd. Mr. J. & myself dined with him & as far as I can judge, no chance for 16 years opposes the happiness of the U:S from any event feared by us in N york. As to your corn which you so much prized & which Mr J. seems to reckon valuable & uncommon, the president says he...
34To James Madison from Henry Lee, 3 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
During my absence the physicians attending our afflicted countryman Col: Fisher have after various examinations decided that he has no stone, & incline to think his disorder is what is called a catarhh, a disease in the neck of the bladder or prostrate glands. In this doubt & consequent anxiety, I have advised him to obtain Doer. Mcnights opinion, to do which with certainty your agency is...
35To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
As I hope on my return to Virga. to raise as much money as will pay off old Fairfax & put into our power the great falls, I mention to you my intention that you may lend as much aid as you can. I have ordered the deed to be made out to you & me in the proportion agreed on & have charged you with one fourth of the purchase. If the event turns out as I expect, I shall not only be pleased by the...
36To James Madison from Henry Lee, 24 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
Soon after I parted with you, I left Phild. and quickly got here. My whole rout presented to me one continued scene of stock gambling; agriculture commerce & even the fair sex relinquished, to make way for unremitted exertion in this favourite pursuit—thousands even at this late hour entering into a line of life which they abhor, in order to participate in legal spoil & preserve in some degree...
37To James Madison from Henry Lee, [8 December] 1791 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed please to give to our friend Frenau. It contains a list of some subscribers to his gazette. We are all miserable here; the late defeat of our army engrosses every mind; please to tell me of any saving circumstances in this unhappy affair should the act. to the gen govt. possess such wished for differences from the one circulating among us. At the same time let me beg you to recede...
38From James Madison to Henry Lee, 18 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 8th & handed to Freneau the subscriptions inclosed for him. His paper in the opinion here justifies the expectations of his freinds and Merits the diffusive circulation they have endeavoured to procure it. I regret that I can administer no balm to the wound given by the first report of our western disaster. You will have seen the official account which has...
39To James Madison from Henry Lee, 22 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Mr James Marshall brother to our friend John is about going to London on business very important to himself. Proper introductory letters will be very necessary to him especially to characters political & commercial. For it may happen that the interposition of the first may be necessary to remove some difficultys which he apprehends. You know the merit of the family, the excellence of Mr. John...
40From James Madison to Henry Lee, 1 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have received your’s of the 22d Dec, and am sincerely sorry that I cannot be as instrumental on the occasion stated in it as My respect for the wishes of the Mr. Marshall’s and particularly for your’s, by which they are seconded, would make me anxious to be. The truth is I am not on any footing of personal acquaintance with Mr. Hammond which would justify me in asking the favor of him in his...
41To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your two letters Decr. 18h. & Jany. 1st. In the first you mention having given to Mr. Frenau my letter to him enclosing a list of some subscribers to his gazette. I lately saw one or two of the gentlemen who have not yet recd. their papers. What can this be owing to? The disaster in the West is it seems from all accounts without alleviation. Painful indeed to my mind is the recollection...
42From James Madison to Henry Lee, 8 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 January 1792. Acknowledged in Lee to JM, 17 Jan. 1792 . Discusses pending legislation in Congress related to the debt funding system.
43To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
Snow on the ground for seven days past & now snowing fast. Good weather for wheat. Your letter of the 8h. with its enclosures got here last night, as did the previous one you mention some days past: My reply followed the subsequent post. I thank you for your occasional communications altho I do profess my chagrin & disappointment in the leading principles adopted by the administration of the...
44From James Madison to Henry Lee, 21 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your favour of the 9th. I communicated to Mr. Freneau the complaint of his subscribers. He answers me that the papers have been punctually sent under the best precautions allowed by the present mode of conveyance. The post Office bill now depending aims at an admission of newspapers into the mail, which will increase the expense somewhat of the subscribers, but will alone...
45From James Madison to Henry Lee, 29 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Marshall called last evening with your favor of the 17th. but not being at home, I have not yet seen him. Our weather here corresponds with that you describe, except perhaps we have less snow and more cold. The snow is 7 or 8 Inches only. Farther North, as well as South, it is said to be much deeper. The Subject of Western defence is not yet over. In relation to it, I have nothing to add...
46To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 21st. On reference to the post office the subscribers to Frenaus gazette found their respective papers generally. I have read with attention your remarks to my observations on the first clause in the reply of your house to the presidential speech & while I acknowledge the commercial advantages enjoyed by the states since the adoption of the present...
47To James Madison from Henry Lee, 6 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your letter of the 29h. Frenau’s Gazette you mention has not reached me, nor indeed have I for two mails got any papers from him. This precariousness in the reception of his paper will cramp the circulation of it. For which I am exceedingly sorry as it is rising fast into reputation. Innes is so pleased with the attention of the editor to political matters and to the independence...
48From James Madison to Henry Lee, 12 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of the 29th Ultmo. The Senate have disagreed to that part of the Military Bill which augmented the regular establishment to about 5000 Men—and will probably send it back with that alteration. They prefer a completion only of the old Regiments & a liberal provision for temporary forces. Nothing has passed from which I can conjecture in the most remote degree whether you may...
49From James Madison to Henry Lee, 28 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
No nomination has yet been made of a new commander for the military establishment, nor of any of the Brigadiers authorised by the supplemental act lately passed. I refer to the News papers for the inferior appointments which have taken place. It is understood that St. Clair is not to remain in service. A proposition was yesterday made in the H. of Reps. desiring the President to institute an...
50To James Madison from Henry Lee, 4 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure last night to receive your letter of the 28h. March with the newspapers enclosed. In the various doings of Congress there detailed it plainly appears that very little regard is paid to the minds of their constituents. In every transaction something occurs which excites suspicion of an undue influence or a latent design inimical to the intention and true spirit of the...