51Commission as Colonel of Orange County Militia, 2 October 1775 (Madison Papers)
By Virtue of the Power and Authority invested in us, by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Colonel of the Militia of the County of Orange ; and you are therefore...
52Receipt to the Treasurer, [24 October 1775] (Madison Papers)
Received twenty pounds for the Use of Colo. James Maddison for collecting Arms by Warrant from the Committee of Safety. Ms ( Vi ). Entered in the Treasurer’s Office Receipt Book, probably by Robert Carter Nicholas. Signed by JM.
53Account with William Bell, 1776 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1776 . Lists costs for clothing, for equestrian provisions, for money “paid to Dr Wiggins,” for expenses for travel to Princeton, and “for Harry’s expences in Philada. & Journey home” totaling £66 10s. 4½d. and a credit of “149 Continl. Dollars,” or £44 14s., leaving a balance due of £21 16s. 4d. Ms ( Vi : Orange County Judgments, Madison v. Shepherd , November 1797). 1 p. Headed “Mr. William...
I hereby Certify, that Jas. Madison Jr, And William Moore Esqrs., Are duly Elected Delegates, for the Sd. County, to Serve in General Convention, for one year then Next following, Given Under my hand, and Seal, this 25th Day of April, 1776, Salutem Sciatis —that is, “Greeting. Let it be known.” The Convention of July 1775 at Richmond provided that on the regular “court day” in April of each...
55Case of William Aylett, [8–22 May] 1776 (Madison Papers)
[8–22 May 1776] When JM, a delegate from Orange County, took his seat in this Convention on 8 May 1776, he was at once appointed to the Committee of Privileges and Elections. This large group, ultimately numbering nearly half of the 130 delegates, concerned itself primarily with the validity of their election and with alleged instances of individual Virginians manifesting disloyalty to the...
56George Mason’s Proposed Declaration of Rights, [ca. 20–25 May 1776] (Madison Papers)
This document is probably the paper mentioned by Thomas L. Lee in his letter of 1 June 1776 to his brother, Richard Henry Lee , then in Philadelphia attending the Second Continental Congress: “I enclosed you by last post a copy of our declaration of rights nearly as it come through the committee” (Kate M. Rowland, Life of George Mason , I, 240). The articles in this copy are unnumbered. They...
57To James Madison from William Bradford, 20 May 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
20 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book and Register, for the months of May & June 1776,” now in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, William Bradford wrote on 20 May: “… went to the town meeting where notwithstanding the badness of the day ther was a great number of inhabitants & it was resolved 1. That the present Government was inefficient 2. That the Assembly could not legally form a new...
58From James Madison to William Bradford, [ca. 21 May] 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
Ca. 21 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book,” Bradford noted on 28 May 1776: “This morning I recieved a Letter from Mr Maddison who is a member of the Virginia Convention, informing me of the declaration of Independency made by that body.” Since the resolution calling upon the delegates of Virginia in the Second Continental Congress to propose that “the United Colonies” be declared “free and...
59Committee’s Proposed Article on Religion, [27–28 May 1776] (Madison Papers)
When the committee laid its amended draft of George Mason’s proposed Declaration of Rights before the Convention on 27 May, that body ordered it “to be committed to a committee of the whole Convention” and “ Resolved , that this Convention will on Wednesday next [29 May], resolve itself into a committee on the said declaration; and that, in the mean time, the same be printed, for the perusal...
60Madison’s Amendments to the Declaration of Rights, [29 May–12 June 1776] (Madison Papers)
There is no certain evidence known to the editors which fixes the time when either JM’s first or second amendment was laid before the Convention or its committee of the whole. The official journal of the Convention merely reveals that the drafting committee’s report, having been printed, was debated on 29 and 30 May and 3, 4, 5, and 11 June 1776. The session of 11 June seems to be the most...
61From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., [1–15 June] 1776 (Madison Papers)
would be adviseable to make the best terms you can with him. I intend to apply myself to him on my return home. I have not had an opportunity since I red. your last of taking the opinion of Col Pendleton on Ignatius’s Queries, but I shall speak to him on the subject as soon as I can find him at leasure, which his close engagement in business occasions to be not very often the case. Col. Henry...
62To James Madison from William Bradford, 3 June 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
3 June 1776 . In his “Memorandum Book” (see 20 May 1776) Bradford wrote: “As my friend Maddison had desired me in his last to give him a sketch of the Constitution of this province and of that of Connecticut which might be useful to him as a member of Convention, I determined to return an early answer & wrote a rough draught of a Letter for that purpose. The constitution of Connecticut I...
63Article on Religion Adopted by Convention, [12 June 1776] (Madison Papers)
16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator , and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practise Christian forbearance, love, and charity, towards each other.
64From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 June 1776 (Madison Papers)
I this day disposed of the Bill of Exchange I brought down to Col. Zane at 42%. and filled up the Blank for the sum with £.180. I take this earliest opportunity of acquainting you with it that no inconvenience may arise from your making any engagements inconsistent with the sale I have made. I was unwilling to take so low a price for the Bill but thought it the best that could be done at this...
65Case of Unsettled Claims from Dunmore’s War, 9 December 1776 (Madison Papers)
On 29 June 1776, immediately after adopting the “form of government,” or state constitution, which it had framed, the Virginia Convention heeded the eleventh and twenty-second articles by electing a governor (Patrick Henry) and eight members of the Council of State. JM acted as one of the four tellers for each of these elections ( Proceedings of the Convention , May 1776, pp. 78–79; Hening,...
66From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., [29] March 1777 (Madison Papers)
The family have been pretty well since you left us except Anthony. He was taken on Wednesday morning with a strong Ague succeeded by a high fever and accompanied with a pain in his Stomach and side. The Swelling in his Arm also increased very considerably and became hard and painful. I was a good deal at a loss in what manner to proceed with him being unable to form any Judgmt. of the nature...
67Defeated for Election to Virginia House of Delegates, [24 April] 1777 (Madison Papers)
In the election of Delegates to the Legislature for the ensuing year (1777), he was an unsuccessful candidate. Previous to the Revolution the election of the County representatives was as in England, septennial, and it was as there, the usage, for the Candidates to recommend themselves to the voters, not only by personal solicitation, but by the corrupting influence of spirituous liquors, and...
68To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, [November 1777–August 1778] (Madison Papers)
This is the first time I have had an opportunity to write to you since your election to your new & honourable office. I rejoice that your country has been able, in spite of all your modesty, to discern your merits; & that she has had virtue enough to place you in a station where your talents will not be useless to her. Altho I could wish you had the same opinion of yourself that others have, &...
69Petition of Orange County Planters to the Virginia House of Delegates, [ca. 5 December] 1777 (Madison Papers)
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Orange Hum[b]ly Sheweth That your Petitioners having nothing so much at heart as the Liberty and Independance of their Country are Extreamly Anxious to See every regulation take place that may be Conducive to their Final Establishment. That convinced of the Expediency at all times and the indispensible Necessity at Present of improving our...
70Session of Virginia Council of State, 14 January 1778 (Madison Papers)
The eleventh article of Virginia’s Form of Government ( Hening, Statutes William Waller Hening, ed., The Statutes at Large; being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619 (13 vols.; Richmond and Philadelphia, 1819–23). , IX, 116) provided for a Privy Council, or Council of State, of eight members to be chosen by the legislature....
71Patrick Henry in Council to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 20 January 1778 (Madison Papers)
Francis Lightfoot Lee Esquirs Letter for the Committee on the Subject of provisions filled me with Concern & astonishment. I applied to the Deputy Commissary General to furnish some Active persons for throwing an instant Supply of Provisions to the Army to answer the present Exigency. I was told by him that he could get none such immediately but he would write to his Deputy to do the Business....
72Virginia Treasurer’s Office Receipt, 22 January 1778 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 January 1778. JM receives for the use of Isaac Zane the sum of £180 for the county of Frederick. Ms ( Vi ). Entry in Treasurer’s Office receipt book. Signed by JM.
73From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 January 1778 (Madison Papers)
I got safe to this place on Tuesday following the day I left home, and at the earnest invitation of my Kinsman Mr. Madison have taken my lodgings in a Room of the Presidents house, which is a much better accom[mo]dation than I could have promised myself. It would be very agreeable to me if I were enabled by such rarities as our part of the Country furnishes, particularly dried fruit &tc which...
74Session of Virginia Council of State, 23 January 1778 (Madison Papers)
The Governor with the Advice of the Council, issued the following Warrants upon the Treasurer for the Bounty of the Draughts to be made in the Several Counties agreeable to Act of Assembly for filling up the fifteen Virginia Regiments. A Warrant for one hundred & three pounds ten Shillings payable to William Moore Esquire on account of Orange Draughts. The General Assembly having empowered the...
75Session of Virginia Council of State, 12 February 1778 (Madison Papers)
present Dudley Digges David Jameson & } Esquires John Blair James Madison jr The Express sent with a Letter written by the Board Yesterday to the president of the Council at Rosewell being returned & unable to Cross York river by the Wind; and sundry other Matters of Importance presenting for the Consideration of the Council, a Letter was written to the Governor by Express informing him...
76Session of Virginia Council of State, 13 February 1778 (Madison Papers)
present Dudley Digges Esquire Lieutenant Governor John Blair David Jameson & Nathaniel Harrison James Madison jr Esquires A Warrant was issued by the Lieutenant Governor with the Advice of the Council, for one hundred pounds payable to Colonel Thomas Marshall upon Account for forwarding the recruiting his Regiment of State Artillery The Lieutenant Governor having in the absence of the Governor...
77Session of Virginia Council of State, 27 February 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency; Dudley Digges James Madison jr John Blair And David Jameson Bolling Stark Esquires On Considering the proceedings of a general Court Martial of Militia Officers held in Louisa County on Richard Anderson Esquire County Lieutenant: the Board approve the Sentence of the Court Martial & advise His Excellency to discontinue the said Richard Anderson as County Lieutenant...
78From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 6 March 1778 (Madison Papers)
Since I wrote to you by Mr. Cave I have taken the freedom to give an order on Mr. Lee who is at present at Nants for the money due to you in favour of the Revd. Mr. Madison who wanted to procure from Europe a few literary curiosities by means of a French Gentleman just setting out on public Business for this State, addressed to the management of Mr. Lee. I take the opportunity by Mr: Harrison...
79From James Madison to William Bradford, 23 March 1778 (Madison Papers)
An Express being just setting off for Head Quarters, I cannot help imparting to you some very agreeable intelligence just recd. A Capt. of a Letter of Marke Vessel from thi[s] State, writes to the Govr. from Cheasepeak Bay that he left Martinique on the 23 Ult. that Letters had been recd. there from France as lat[e] as 1st. from sundry respectable Merchts. relating that the French Court had...
80From James Madison to David Ross, 23 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
Be Pleased to Pay to the Order of Messrs Peter Whiteside & Co. The Sum of Two hundred Pounds this Currency, being the Amount I have received from them on Account of the Virginia delegation, and for which I have given them two dfts on you of this Tenor & date. Sir RC , two copies ( Vi ). Both copies in an unidentified hand, signed by JM.
81Session of Virginia Council of State, 7 April 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency Dudley Digges James Madison & David Jameson Bolling Stark Esquires The Board taking into Consideration the Cases of the several Criminals Sentenced by the general court to be executed & it appearing from the unanimous recommendation of the Judges, the grounds of which were explained to the Board by the Honourable John Blair one of the Judges, that Frederick Rampendall &...
82Session of Virginia Council of State, 30 April 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency the Governor; John Page David Jameson & Dudley Digges James Madison jr Esquires The Business hitherto done without a regular Board was this day laid before them and was approved of. Adjourned till Tomorrow 10 oClock This action demonstrates the council’s method of procedure relating to earlier business done by too few members of that body to constitute a quorum. Thus, at...
83Session of Virginia Council of State, 1 May 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency; John Page James Madison & David Jameson Bolling Stark Esquires The Governor laid before the Board a Letter from Colonel Muter informing him that Phillips the noted Traitor has again made an Insurection in Princess Anne County at the head of fifty men; Whereupon they do Advise his Excellency to order one hundred men from the Militia of Nansemond to act in Conjunction...
84Session of Virginia Council of State, 25 May 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency; John Page Nathaniel Harrison Dudley Digges David Jameson & Thomas Walker James Madison jr Esquires The Board being informed that the Barracks at York Town were lately burnt by some unknown accident & it being absolutely necessary that the same should be rebuilt as speedily as possible they do advise the Governor to empower & direct Mr James Taylor to purchase Timber &...
85Election to Virginia House of Delegates Voided, 27 May 1778 (Madison Papers)
Resolved , That James Madison, jun. Esq. who at the last election for the county of Orange, was elected and returned one of the delegates to serve in General Assembly, being at the time of election a member of the Council of State, was incapable of being elected a member of this House; Ordered , That the Speaker be desired to issue a writ for the election of a delegate for the county of...
86Session of Virginia Council of State, 12 June 1778 (Madison Papers)
present John Page Esquire Lieutenant Governor; Dudley Digges Nathaniel Harrison & Thomas Walker James Madison jr Esquires It appearing from satisfactory Information respecting the Case of Toby a negro man Slave belonging to Benjamin Wilkins, now under Sentence of Death by the Court of Prince George County for Burglary that the said Toby is a proper object of Mercy the Board do advise the...
87Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Madison Papers)
General Washington sent me an Account of the Drafted Soldiers that have joined the Army from this State; & it appears that not one half of the Number voted by the Assembly have got to Camp. Truth obliges me to add that very few more of the Drafts will ever be got into the Service. I lament this capital Deficiency in our Quota of Troops; but no Efforts of the Executive have been sufficient to...
88Session of Virginia Council of State, 2 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency Dudley Digges David Jameson & Nathaniel Harrison James Madison jun. Esquires It being represented to the Board that Doubts have arisen concerning the extent of the privilege granted to the Officers and Soldiers raised in this State of being supplied with Goods from the public Stores at the reduced prices—They do advise the Governor to direct the Commissary of Stores in...
89Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 8 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
Some Resolutions of Congress & proceedings of the Board of War, have been lately transmitted to me, by which it appears that an Expedition against Fort Detroit is resolved on. In order to effect the purposes of it 2000 of the Militia together with Amunition, provisions, Horses, military Stores, Cloathing &c. &c. are requested to be furnished by this State: I should most chearfully exert myself...
90Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 10 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
Just after sending away my Letter to you of the 8th. on the Subject of the Expedition to Detroit, the inclosed Letter from Mr. Lockhart came to my Hands. As it [is] impossible to furnish him with the capital Articles he wants, & as the Beef Cattle cannot be taken from the Monopolizers he mentions, I think additional Reasons appear for postponing the Expedition. However refering to my last & to...
91To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 15 September 1778 (Madison Papers)
I have read over your theoretical objections against the doctrine of moral liberty; for practically you seem to be one of its disciples. I remember the manner in which you have formerly expressed yourself upon that intricate subject. And indeed they express the difficulties that occured to me in attempting to resolve it. I reasoned without hopes that the solution I have given it is at least as...
92Session of Virginia Council of State, 10 November 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency; John Page David Jameson Dudley Digges James Madison Thomas Walker And Nathaniel Harrison Bolling Stark Esquires. The Board taking into consideration the perilous Situation of the People of Monongalia County, Advised the Governor that orders be given to convey 130 Rifles belonging to the public at Fredericksburg, to that County addressed to the Care of the County...
93Patrick Henry in Council to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 14 November 1778 (Madison Papers)
The Executive power of this State having been impressed with a strong apprehension of incursions on their Frontier Settlements from the Savages situated about the Illinois & supposing the Danger would be greatly obviated by an enterprize against the English Forts & possessions in that Country which were well known to inspire the Savages with their bloody purposes against us, sent a Detachment...
94Session of Virginia Council of State, 17 November 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency; Dudley Digges David Jameson Thomas Walker James Madison Nathaniel Harrison Bolling Stark & Joseph Prentis Esquires Walter Batwell esquire a British Subject & formerly an Officer in the British Service having been for some years in this State and hitherto been unable to remove himself & family to Britain & having set forth his Distressed Situation to this Board & praying...
95Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 23 November 1778 (Madison Papers)
I am Honoured with the Receipt of your Favour of the 14th. instant covering two Acts of Congress viz. one of the 10th. instant for obtaining from this State & Maryland, Gallies to attack East Florida. another of the 11th for requesting permission to export from Petersburg in Virginia a Quantity of Flour & Bread for the use of his most Christian Majesty. No Time has been lost in giving Efficacy...
96Session of Virginia Council of State, 27 November 1778 (Madison Papers)
present His Excellency; John Page Nathaniel Harrison Dudley Digges David Jameson Thomas Walker James Madison & Joseph Prentis Esquires. The Governor having communicated to the Board a Letter, which he had received from Colonel Muter, giving an Account that a British Ship of War (the Swift) in chace of the Rattlesnake privateer, run aground near Cape Henry, & that the Crew to the number of 91...
97Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 28 November 1778 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. inst. is come to hand together with the Acts of Congress of the 26th. of August for establishing provision for Soldiers & Seamen maimed or disabl’d in the public Service—of the 26th September for organizing the Treasury, a proclamation for a General Thanksgiving, & three Copies of the Alliance between his most Christian Majesty & these united States. I lost no time in...
98Patrick Henry in Council to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 4 December 1778 (Madison Papers)
The great distress our Trade has of late and does at present suffer from the Ships & privatiers of the Enemy which infest our Coast has given the Executive power inexpressible uneasiness. A great number of Captures have been made not only of Vessels belonging to this State but of those belonging to our Allies and the other States. And as the long nights and windy Season during which it is well...
99Patrick Henry in Council to George Rogers Clark, [12 December] 1778 (Madison Papers)
To Colonel George Rogers Clarke Commander in Chief of the Virginia Troops in the County of Illinois. You are to retain the Command of the Troops now at the several Posts in the Country of Illinois and on the Wabash which fall within the Limits of the County now erected & called Illinois County which Troops marched out with & have been embodied by you. You are also to take the Command of five...
100Session of Virginia Council of State, 23 December 1778 (Madison Papers)
Present His Excellency; Dudley Digges James Madison & Thomas Walker Benjamin Waller Esquires The General Assembly having passed a Resolution empowering the Governor with the Advice of Council, to raise a Regiment of Voluntiers to consist of Six hundred Men rank & file, with proper officers to command them, for the particular purpose of guarding the British Prisoners which are now, or may...