1From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 23 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 23 April 1801. Mentioned in Randolph to JM, 29 June 1801 . Queries Randolph on his reference to inheritance case of Hoomes v. Hoomes .
2From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 25 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 25 March 1801. Mentioned in Randolph to JM, 29 June 1801 . Asks Randolph a series of legal questions concerning settlement of father’s estate.
3From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 13 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
“Your favor of the 12 Ult. having arrived during an excurtion into Albemarle, I did not receive it till my return on yesterday. I lose not a moment in thanking you for it; particularly for the very friendly par[a]graph in the publication in Fenno’s paper. As I do not get his paper here, it was by accident I first saw this extradiordinary manœuvre of Calumy; the quarter, the motive, and the...
4From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
The President has been critically ill for some days past, but is now we hope out of danger. His complaint is a peripneumony, united probably with the Influenza. Since my last I have found that I did not go too far in intimating that the cause of your delay would forbid the smallest criticism on it. I earnestly pray that you may no longer have occasion to plead that apology. In consequence of a...
5From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 6 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of Apl. 27. is this instant put into my hand. I have written to you all the letters that were promised, and have forborne to write others, because the cessation of yours led me to conclude that you had set out for N. Y. I am extremely sorry to find that this was not the case, but cheifly, on acct. of the cause of your delay. I can not suppose that under your circumstances any criticism...
6From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favr. of the 15. which requests an immediate acknowledgment, by some irregularity did not come to hand till I had recd. that of the 18, nor till it was too late to comply with the request by the last mail. I have been so unlucky also as to miss seeing the President twice that I have waited on him in order to intimate the circumstances which you wish him to know. I shall continue to repeat...
7From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. came to hand yesterday. I feel much anxiety for the situation in which you found Mrs. Randolph; but it is somewhat alleviated by the hopes which you seem to indulge. The Language of Richmond on the proposed discrimination does not surprize me. It is the natural language of the towns, and decides nothing. Censure I well knew would flow from those sources. Should it also...
8From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the few lines you dropped me from Baltimore, and daily expect those promised from Fredg. I am made somewhat anxious on the latter point, by the indisposition under which you were travelling. The question depending at your departure was negatived by a very large majority, though less than stated in the Newspapers. The causes of this disproportion which exceeds greatly the estimate...
9From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
For a week past the subject of amendts. has exclusively occupied the H. of Reps. Its progress has been exceedingly wearisome not only on account of the diversity of opinions that was to be apprehended, but of the apparent views of some to defeat by delaying a plan short of their wishes, but likely to satisfy a great part of their companions in opposition throughout the Union. It has been...
10From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favd. with yours of the 30 Ult. and thank you for your remarks on the Judiciary bill. I am glad to find you concurring in the decision as to the power of removal. It seems to meet with general approbation North of Virga. and there too as far as I yet learn. Mr. Pendleton is fully in opinion with you. So is Monroe I am told . The more the question is weighed the more proper I think...
11From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last stated a question relating to the power of removal from offices then on the anvil of the H. of Rs. I now inclose the discussions as conveyed to the public thro’ the Newspapers. It is not necessary to apprize you that the reasonings on both sides are mutilated, often misapprehended, and not unfrequently reversed. You will perceive yourself that much of the reasoning is also founded on a...
12From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 17 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed bill relating to the Judiciary has been just introduced into the Senate. Having not yet looked it over I can say nothing of its merits. You will be a better judge, and such remarks as your leisure will permit, will be acceptable & useful. A very interesting Question is started—By whom officers appointed during pleasure by the Presidt. & Senate are to be displaced?—whether the...
13From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed paper contains the proposition made on Monday last on the subject of amendments. It is limited to points which are important in the eyes of many and can be objectionable in those of none. The structure & stamina of the Govt. are as little touched as possible. Nothing of a controvertible nature can be expected to make its way thro’ the caprice & discord of opinions which would...
14From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 31 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 19th. instant and thank you for the answer to Mr. St. John’s enquiries. The apprehensions of Mrs. Randolph give me unfeigned concern, but I indulge strong hopes that they proceed from an imaginary cause. There are so many symptoms which mimic the cancerous that it would be wrong to suffer appearances to prevail against the favorable chances. At the same...
15From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Whilst I thank you for your favr of the 23d. Ult: I must remind you that it does not contain the promised information on the Case of the French Consul here. I am led to it by being myself just reminded by him of the omission on my part. The plan of an immediate temporary impost was what first occurred on the subject. It is not yet abandoned, but the practicability is questionable. The plan of...
16From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 12 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 27. Ulto. My last was sent from Alexandria, and as the receipt of it is not mentioned, I fear that it may have miscarried. I have not sooner written from this place, because I waited for an opportunity of collecting the features & complexion of the new Government, which in its legislative capacity never became practically organized till the 6th. instant; and...
17From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
This is the first convenient opportunity I have had for dropping you a line since I last came into the State. Your sanction to my remaining in N. York during the crisis of the elections, conveyed through Col: Carrington, never came to hand till I had arrived in Orange. It coincided so fully with my inclination, and indeed with my judgment, that had it been received in due time, I do not know,...
18From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 23 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of the 5th. & 10th instant have been duly recd. The appointments for the Senate communicated in the latter, answer to the calculations I had formed, notwithstanding the contrary appearances on which the former was founded. My only surprize is that in the present temper and disproportionate number of the antifederal part of the Assembly, my name should have been honored with so...
19From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday your favor of the 23d. Ult. The first countenance of the Assembly corresponds with the picture which my imagination had formed of it. The views of the greater part of the opposition to the fœderal Government, and particularly of its principal leader, have ever since the Convention, been regarded by me as permanently hostile, and likely to produce every effort that might...
20From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I inclose herewith two pamphlets on the questions agitated in France. They are written by the Marquis Condorcet, and contain more correct information than has been communicated to the public through any other channel. I inclose also a Gazette containing observations on Manufactures by our acquaintance Mr. T. Coxe. You will probably think them worth handing to the Printer for republication....
21From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 17 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are 4 letters from Mazzei & one from Mr. Jefferson which you will be good eno’ to dispose of. I have a letter from the former in which he begs me to add my importunities to you & Mr. Blair, for speedy succour if possible. I have one also from the latter, but it contains nothing of much consequence. His public letters to which it refers have not yet been communicated from the Office of...
22From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been favd. with yours of the 12th. instant. The picture it gives of the state of our Country is the more distressing as it seems to exceed all the known resources for immediate relief. Nothing in my opinion can give the desired facility to the discharge of debts, but a reestablishment of that confidence which will at once make the creditor more patient, and open to the solvent debtor...
23From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 14 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 3d. instant would have been acknowledged two days ago, but for the approaching completion of the arrangement for the new Govt. which I wished to give you the earliest notice of. This subject has long employed Congs. and has in its progress assumed a variety of shapes, some of them not a little perplexing. The times as finally settled are Jany. for the choice of Electors,...
24From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of the 13th. The effect of Clintons circular letter in Virga. does not surprize me. It is a signal of concord & hope to the enemies of the Constitution every where, and will I fear prove extremely dangerous. Notwithstanding your remarks on the subject I cannot but think that an early convention will be an unadvised measure. It will evidently be the offspring of party &...
25From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 11 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
The length of the interval since my last has proceeded from a daily expectation of being able to communicate the arrangements for introducing the New Government. The times necessary to be fixt by Congress have been many days agreed on. The place of meeting has undergone many vicisitudes and is still as uncertain as ever. Philada. was first named by a member from Connecticut, and was negatived...
26From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers will give you a view of the business in the Convention at Poughkepsie. It is not as yet certain that the ratification will take any final shape that can make New York immediately a member of the new Union. The opponents can not come to that point without yielding a compleat victory to the federalists, which must be a severe sacrifice of their pride. It is supposed too that...
27From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 16 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers will give you the latest intelligence from Poughkepsie. It seems by no means certain what the result there will be. Some of the most sanguine calculate on a ratification. The best informed apprehend some clog that will amount to a condition. The question is made peculiarly interesting in this place, by its connexion with the question relative to the place to be recommended...
28From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 July [August] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Some of the letters herewith inclosed have been here for some time without my knowing it. The others came to hand yesterday. I have also in hand for you the Marquis Condorcet’s essai on the probability of decisions resulting from plurality of voices, which I understand from Mazzei is a gift from the Author. I shall forward it by the first conveyance. There are public letters just arrived from...
29From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since I got home which was on the day preceding our election, I have received your favor of the 29th. of Feby. which did not reach New York before I had left it. I view the amendments of Massachussetts pretty nearly in the same light that you do. They were meant for the people at large, not for the minority in the Convention. The latter were not affected by them; their objections being...
30From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 3 March 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Convention of N. Hampshire have disappointed the general expectation. They have not rejected the Constitution, but they have adjourned without adopting it. It was found that on a final question there would be a majority of 3 or 4 in the negative but in this number were included some who with instructions from their Towns against the Constitution, had been proselyted by the discussions....
31From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 27 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
A Congress was made for the first time on monday last and our friend C. Griffin placed in the chair. There was no competition in the case which you will wonder at as Virginia has so lately supplied a president. N. Jersey did not like it I believe very well, but acquiesed. I postponed writing by the last mail, in hopes of being able by this to acquaint you with the probable result of the...
32From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 20 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 3 inst. By a letter from Mr. Turberville of later date I have the mortification to find that our friend Mr. Jones has not succeeded in his wish to be translated from the Executive to the Judiciary Department. I had supposed that he stood on ground that could not fail him in a case of that sort; and am wholly at a loss to account for the disappointment. The...
33From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have put off writing from day to day for some time past, in expectation of being able to give you the news from the packet, which has been looked for every hour. Both the French & English have overstaid their usual time ten or 15 days, and are neither of them yet arrived. We remain wholly in the dark with regard to the posture of things in Europe. I received two days ago your favor of Decr....
34From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
The period since my last has been so unfruitful of occurrences that I have not thought it worth while to trouble you with a letter and I do it now more to prevent too long a chasm, than for the sake of any interesting communication. Our public letter gave you the latest authentic information from Europe. A general war seems not improbable; a war between the Turks & Russians has actually...
35From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 18 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
I returned hither yesterday from Philada. to which place I had proceeded under arrangements for either going on to Virginia, or coming back as I might there decide. Your very affectionate favor of the 23d. Ult: found me in Philada. after travelling to N. York, and I should have answered it before my return, had any matters for communication occurred worth the expence of postage. I did not make...
36From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I mentioned in a late letter that I had addressed to your care a small box of books for the University. I now inclose the Bill of lading. Inclosed also is a bill of lading for another Box destined for Mr. W. Hay. Will you be so good as to have it handed to him. I paid two dollars for its freight from France to this port, which he may repay to you. The money you remitted by me to Col....
37From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 7 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I was yesterday favored with yours of the 30th. Ult: and heard with particular pleasure the favorable influence of your journey on Mrs. Randolph’s health. I wrote to you shortly after my arrival here, and rehearsed the proceedings of Congress on the subject of the new federal Constitution. I have since forwarded by Mr. Hopkins a large foreign letter for you with some others for the friends of...
38From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, ca. 28 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 28 September 1787. Mentioned in JM to Randolph, 7 Oct. 1787 . Relates proceedings of Congress on the report of the Federal Convention.
39From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 22 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure of your’s of the 11 inst. acknowledging mine of the 2d. In some of your letters I observe you do not say whether any have been recd. from me or not. I have not omitted to write in a single instance since our correspondence commenced. The time approaches so nearly now when I shall have an opportunity of asking verbal communications on confidential points that I forbear to...
40From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Apl. 4. has been recd since my last. The probability of Genl. Washington’s coming to Philada. is in one point of view flattering. Would it not however be well for him to postpone his actual attendance untill some judgment can be formed of the result of the meeting. It ought not to be wished by any of his friends that he should participate in any abortive undertaking. It may occur...
41From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 8 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of the 22d & 27th. of March have been received since my last. In a former one you ask what Tribunal is to take cognizance of Clarke’s offence? If our own laws will not reach it, I see no possibility of punishing it. But will it not come within the Act of the last Session concerning treasons and other offences committed without the Commonwealth. I have had no opportunity yet of...
42From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of the 15th. inst. All of preceding date have been already acknowledged. The information which you wished to go to Mr. Guardoqui has been communicated. The real impression made by it cannot easily be seen thro’ the political veil. If he views the state of Western affairs in the true light, his representations to Spain, must convince her that she has no option but between...
43From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 25 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure of your two favors of the 1 and 7. instant. The refusal of Mr. Henry to join in the task of revising the Confederation is ominous; and the more so I fear if he means to be governed by the event which you conjecture. There seems to be little hope at present of being able to quash the proceedings relative to the affair which is so obnoxious to him; tho’ on the other hand...
44From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 19 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 1st. instant for which I make you my acknowledgments. The public letter which goes by this mail with the papers inclosed contain all the current information. I have made enquiry as to the copies of the Treaties with Europe & the Indian Nations, which you wish to be forwarded, and am told that you will find all of them on the printed Journals of Congress,...
45From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 11 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
The Governor of this State is just returned from his trip to the upper parts of it. He found every thing quiet in the place to which suspicions & reports carried him. He says also as I am told that Lincoln has restored a calm in that part of Massts. which borders on N. Y. as he had before done in the other disaffected parts. Notwithstanding these favorable accounts there is reason to apprehend...
46From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 25 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary’s despatch will have communicated to you the Resolution of Congress giving their sanction to the proposed Meeting in May next. At the date of my last a great division of opinion prevailed on the subject; it being supposed by some of the States that the interposition of Congress was necessary to give regularity to the proceeding, and by others that a neutrality on their part was a...
47From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 18 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your letter for Mr. Jefferson arrived a few hours too late for the packet and must wait for some other conveyance. I have some reason to expect one in ten or fifteen days. Congress have received no late intelligence either from him or Mr. Adams. Nor have any interesting measures yet taken place since they have been assembled in force. Those in expectation relate to 1. The Mississpi. On this...
48From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Having but recently got here I had not time to add a few private lines as I wished to our public letter. We have as yet no definitive information from Masts. touching the operations of Genl. Lincoln. Little doubt however is entertained that the insurrection will be effectually quelled. The Legislature of that State seem to have taken great spirits from the prospect. They have come at length to...
49From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, ca. 14 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 14 February 1786. Mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 18 March 1786 , where JM noted the arrival of a letter written by the Attorney General “dated prior to his receipt of mine.” Apparently JM wrote Randolph some time in the middle of February concerning Jefferson’s plea that work on the state capitol should be suspended until his set of plans could be completed and sent to...
50From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 26 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 17th. inst: inclosing a letter from Mr. Jones and a copy of the ecclesiastical Journal, came safe to hand. If I do not dislike the contents of the latter, it is because they furnish as I conceive fresh and forcible arguments against the Genl. Assessment. It may be of little consequence what tribunal is to judge of Clerical misdemesnors or how firmly the incumbent may be...