17 September and 8 October 1783. In the Pennsylvania Journal, and the Weekly Advertiser (Philadelphia) of 17 September and 8 October there are two essays, respectively entitled “The North-American, No. 1” and “The North-American, No. 2.” With some reservations, Edmund C. Burnett attributed these anonymously written articles to James Madison. Irving Brant is completely convinced that JM was...
12Report on Memorial of Massachusetts General Court, [19 September] 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 20, I, 155–56). In a memorial of 11 July to Congress, the General Court of Massachusetts justified its refusal to sanction the impost proposed in the Plan for Restoring Public Credit by protesting against the high salaries paid to Congress’ too numerous civil officials and the full pay promised to officers of the continental army for five years. This latter was “more than...
13Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 19 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Yesterday’s post brought me none of your favors. I have nothing to communicate to you but that my advices from our north western frontiers tell me that if the Pennsylvanians continue their settlements on the other side of Ohio a general indian war is to be apprehended which...
14Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 20 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Burnett, Letters Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). , VII, 301, and n. 1). Probably written by John Francis Mercer, who signed it, and possibly also signed by Joseph Jones and JM. The original manuscript has not been found, although about 1930 it was among the Executive Papers in the Virginia State Library. We...
15From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Many years later, after the return of the letter to him, JM wrote “Sepr. 20. 1783” at the top of the last page. Your favor of the 31 ult: came to hand yesterday. As the reason which chiefly urged my departure for Virga. has ceased I have been led to protract my attendance on Congress by the interest I felt in some measures on foot, and the particular...
16From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 20 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Many years later, after recovering the letter, JM docketed it, “Sep: 20. 1783 JM.” I have nothing to add to my last on the subject of foreign affairs, further than that the Court of France has fixed on L’Orient as a free port for the U. S. The Virga. Cession underwent a decision of Congs. a day or two after my last. The form which they have given it...
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 23, fol. 161). Undated and unsigned but in JM’s hand. That the district which may be ceded to & accepted by Congress for their permanent residence, ought to be entirely exempted from the authority of the State ceding the same; and the organization & administration of the powers of Govt. within the sd. district concerted between Congress & the inhabitants thereof. For...
18Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 26 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Addressed to “The Honorable the Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your two favors of the 8th. and 13th. instant came to hand by the last post one of them has been detained in the post office which I suppose has also been the case with one of mine. General Irvine’s complaint of the Virginians crossing the Ohio reached me I suppose on...
19Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 27 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Samuel Patteson. Addressed to “The Honorable Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Since I wrote to you yesterday I have seen the Attorney who tells me his performance respecting our claim to the western Country is ready for the inspection of the Committee and that as soon as it meets their approbation it will be transmitted to you. I am &. Q.v. On 1 June...
20To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 29 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
Summary ( LC : Madison Miscellany). Copied from a calendar, probably prepared about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk. He noted that the manuscript of the letter, addressed “To James Madison,” consisted of “1 page 4°.” Recovery from illness. Sir Guy Carlton. The people Eastward averse to the half-pay, or commutation. The British restrictive proclamation. Pendleton probably referred to his own...