1Proposals to Furnish Delegates Copies of Papers to Be Debated, [ca. 28 December] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 23, fol. 79). Docketed: “Report of Comee. on Motion of Mr. Middleton Decr. 28. 1781 Mr. Middleton Mr. Clymer Mr. Clark for furnishing the members of Congress with printed Reports before debated.” The first of the proposals shown below is in Edmund Randolph’s hand, the second in JM’s. Resolved, that the secretary upon application to him made for that purpose furnish a copy...
2James Madison: Notes from State Papers, December 1830 (Madison Papers)
Vol. 4. p. 324--"to encourage Agriculture"--How 332--Agricult. manufs. Come. & navy may be protected agst casual combts within [draft?] 449. not too much regulat—meet [un?]equaly [ ] in foreign intercourse 453—"foster fisheries for navy", & food, & protect manufacrs. adaptd. to our [ ] these rules of action [five? fine?] principle of Constn. 5. p. 31 "Take a broader field of Legisln., whether...
“Take care of me when dead,” Thomas Jefferson famously asked James Madison in one of the last letters that passed between the two elder statesmen. Specifically, Jefferson mentioned two issues. First, he hoped that Madison would assume leadership of the nascent University of Virginia, expressing “comfort to leave that institution under your care.” Second, Jefferson stated that it would be “a...
4To James Madison from Robert Taylor, 31 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
When I saw Genl. Moses Green last he requested me to write you and inform you that if there was a vacancy of a regimental command in the Army it would give him great pleasure to fill it if he could be thought worthy of it. He would sooner have made known his wishes had he known that there certainly would have been war, but holding the office of adjutant-general in the State, which yeilds some...
5To James Madison from Charles Goodrich and Others, 13 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
The Subscribers Citizens of the United States residing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts beg leave Most respectfully to represent That during the present War they have been captured on the high seas by the forces of the enemy while your petitioners were employed on services useful to their country either on board Merchantmen or private armed vessels of war and after being carried into...
6To James Madison from George W. Erving, 11 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
In a postscript (dated 8th. Inst.) of my dispatch No. 54, I communicated to you copy of a note dated the 7th., at the moment received from Mr. Cevallos, and containing the protest of this government against a negotiation which it apprehends to be on foot between the french Minister at Washington and our government, relative to the Floridas. I presume this to be a report excited by those who...
7The Virginia Plan, 29 May 1787 (Madison Papers)
The Federal Convention plunged into its momentous assignment without great delay chiefly because a prepared outline for a new government was ready for the delegates’ consideration—the so-called Virginia Plan. JM never claimed to be the author of this plan, but his guiding influence in the Virginia caucus, which drafted the resolutions, is beyond dispute. Some weeks before the delegates...
8To James Madison from Samuel Blodget, 11 April 1810 (Madison Papers)
On observing to several friends in Congress (who are in favour of a renewal of the Charter to the Bank U S & on the terms They have offerd to Congress as they are expressed in the report through a committee Published this day in the National intelligencer) That a much better plan could be carried into effect with or without the junction with the Old Bank , I was called on for a Sketch of a...
I have the honor to forward to you a letter, covering a certificate of the election of Nicholas Vandyke Esqr., as a Representative in Congress for the State of Delaware, transmitted to this Department by order of the Governor of that State. I am &c. DNA : RG 59—DL—Domestic Letters.
10To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 6 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have little to add to the letter of which I Send duplicates the absence of the First Consul & Minister, has Suspended all business, & I availed myself of the circumstance to make a tour in France, not chusing to go to England least any thing Should turn up that would require my attention, & particularly the return of the ratification which we are impatiently looking for. The decree of which...
11To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 15 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
The last papers announce the nomination of Alexander Wolcott Esqre. as an associate Jud⟨ge o⟩f the Supreme Court of the United States, & that the nomination ⟨has⟩ been submitted by the Senate to a Committee for inquiry & consid⟨eratio⟩n. It is conceived, as this commitment was not of course, that ⟨it is?⟩ indicative of opposition & delay, if not of obloquy to be heaped on ⟨the?⟩ Candidate, &...
12Board of Visitors, University of Virginia, 19 July 1830 (Madison Papers)
Monday July 19th. The Board met according to adjournment. Resolved, That it is the duty of the Chairman, from time to time, to lay before the Faculty all such information as, in his opinion, the interests of the University may require, and promptly to bring to their attention all such offences against the laws as he may deem proper for their animadversion; especially all such as he may think...
13To James Madison from Augustus Woodward, 21 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
The last litigated question relative to titles here was decided yesterday. I have the pleasure to add that the form of our report is the only thing of consequence now engaging our attention. I have the honor to be Sir, respectfully your obedient servant, DNA : RG 59—Territorial Papers—TP, Michigan.
14To James Madison from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 28 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Be pleased to accept my cordial thanks for the inquiries you have made as to an engineer for this state. I am obliged to Mr. Latrobe for the information he has given it is very satisfactory and will be useful. Before I wrote to you I took the liberty to enclose to the Secretary of State a letter to Mr. Adams, and to request the Secretary to have inquiries made through our ministers, as to the...
25 January 1802, Bremen. Reports that nothing material has occurred since his 13 July dispatch. Encloses list of vessels in port during the last six months. On 20 Nov., received through Pitcairn at Hamburg JM’s 1 Aug. circular letter and is pleased to have directions regarding registers and sea letters. Has notified the duke of Oldenburg, who oversees quarantine regulations on the Weser, of...
16Presidential Proclamation, 1 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
Whereas the enemy by a sudden incursion have succeeded in invading the capital of the nation, defended at the moment by troops less numerous than their own, and almost entirely of the militia: during their possession of which, though for a single day only, they wantonly destroyed the public edifices having no relation in their structure to operations of war, nor used at the time for military...
17To James Madison from John Armstrong, 12 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
I arrived in this city on the 29th. ulto, and found here M[e]ssrs Livingston and Munroe; the one, on the point of setting out for Italy; the other, about to prosecute his journey to Spain. On an intimation from Mr Livingston of my arrival, I had an immediate interview with Mr Talleyrand, and, in a day or two, received from him a notice, that “the next diplomatic audience had been assigned for...
18To James Madison from John Walker, 18 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 18 June 1789. Calendared in the lists probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany). The two-page letter was offered for sale in the Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892), which listed items from the McGuire collection of JM’s papers.
19To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, [7 December] 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Water stains have entirely eliminated the last four lines of this letter and largely blotted out what appears to have been the first eight lines. [Questa serv?]irà di supp[lemento alla pr?]ecedente d[el 30 del passato?] unicamente [un’aneddoto che potrebbe causare una revoluzione?] della Regina [d’Ungheria] della guerra [al me questo?] ultimo [L’Imperatore è tutto...
20To James Madison from Lafayette, 13 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
While You are Honorably Engaged in patriotic Concerns for which my feelings Have not Ceased, during Six and thirty Years, to be truly American, I don’t Like to intrude on Your time With observations Relative to My private affairs. Yet the Correspondance is Now So Uncertain that I will not miss a Good opportunity to trouble you with a few Selfish Lines. I am much pleased to preface them with...
21From James Madison to James Monroe, 31 October 1823 (Madison Papers)
I this moment only receive your letter of the 17th. Mine by this mail renders nothing more necessary in answer to it. I understand Mr. Crawford is so far recovered that he hopes to be on the road for Washington in a few days. His weakness I presume will make his journey very slow. Sending this with some other letters by an extra messenger who will hardly reach the P. Office in time I add only...
22To James Madison from Thomas Strode, 11 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
Suffer me Sir to tender You my gratefull acknowledgments for the friendly attention You bestowd. on my application at the War-Office, a favour that no time shall erase from my Memory & that no improper action or Sentiment shall disgrace. I have ever held the Savage character of the Soldier of fortune or ambition in detestation & equally dispised the slothfull wretch who wishd. to be uselessly...
23To James Madison from Joseph Pitcairn, 11 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Since I had this honor on the 11th. April—several Changes have taken place, which I hope you may not find it improper that I state to You. Prusia has desired the Danes to leave Hamburg, which they are preparing to do. The Navigation of the Elbe is become free to all flags (English not excepted) in consequence of the British allowing the Greenland Shipping of Holstein to depart with passports &...
24James Madison to David A. Hall, 8 August 1834 (Madison Papers)
Although your favour of March 28th accompanying the " History of the Bank " has been so long on hand, the continued inroads on my health, have not permitted me even yet to do more than glance at the Contents of the volume. From that I perceive that it comprizes information which must be extensively acceptable; particuarly to those engaged in political & historical researches. I sincerly wish...
25From James Madison to Robert Smith, 26 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I return herewith the letters from Vanderhorst, & Bernabeu. It would have been better if Lowry had more carefully concealed his destination. The case of the Spanish Goods landed from the French privateer, must be decided by the result of the judicial enquiry into the character of the latter. If equipped from our jurisdiction, the capture gives a claim to restitution. If not so equipped, the...
26To James Madison from James Maury, 18 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
From time to time I lately have had the honor of transmitting you the orders in Council relative to Neutrals. In this you have a price Current with the remark that the apprehension of a rupture with the U: S: A: appears rather increasing and has occasioned some advances in several articles of American produce, tho’ none in Cotton. I have the honor to be with perfect respect your Most Servant...
27To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1792 (Madison Papers)
I sent you last week some of Fenno’s papers in which you will have seen it asserted impudently & boldly that the suggestions against members of Congress were mere falshoods. I now inclose his Wednesday’s paper. I send you also a copy of Hamilton’s notes. Finding that the letter would not be ready to be delivered before the Pr’s return, I made notes corresponding with his, shewing where I...
28From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 25 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Albert Gallatin. 25 June 1806, Department of State. “Be pleased to issue your warrant on the appropriation for the Contingent expences of the Department of State for one thousand Dollars in favor of Roger C. Weightman, Agent of William Duane: said Duane to be held accountable for the same.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 15). 1 p. The warrant was issued the same day, as noted in...
29To James Madison from Seth Hunt, 18 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 August 1801, Boston. At William Lee’s request, encloses bond for $2,000 executed by Lee, Elbridge Gerry, and himself as security for Lee’s performance of his duties as commercial agent at Bordeaux. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Bordeaux, vol. 1). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner: “William Lee’s official bond. / For the Secretary’s approbation.” Enclosure not found. A full transcription of this document...
30To James Madison from Joseph Rademaker, 21 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor on the 20th. April to transmit to you a letter of communication from H. R. H. the Prince Regent of Portugal addressed to the United States of America on the happy occasion of the birth of a Royal Princess, but I have not yet been honoured with an answer. I now beg leave to inform You that H. R. H. having taken into consideration the many dangers which vessels are liable to when...