211To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 8 February 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of the 24. which pursuing me by a circuitous route, did not reach this untill within a few days. I place value on every mark of your friendship & to convince you that public business alone was not what induc’d me to revive impressions which were strongly imprinted on my breast. I now write you from a recess, where news of private happiness can be the only subject of...
212To James Madison from Lafayette, 16 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
Was I to found my Hopes Upon the Letters I have from Congress, I would please my fancy with the Expectation of Wellcoming You to the European Shore—and Yet, when I Remember Your obstinate plans of life, I am affraid least my Warm Wishes Should be disappointed—in the Mean While, I will Continue writing, and By the Way Will advise You to send Your Answers By the packets Rather than By a private...
213To James Madison from Alexander White, 4 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your obliging letter of 5t. October reached me before I left Woodville. I was detained some days by an indisposition so that the Resolutions on which the Address to Congress and letter to Clinton were founded, had passed before my arrival, I had however the pleasure of giving my negative to the Address and Letters themselves, and of contributing somewhat towards forming those which were...
214To 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...
215To James Madison from George Washington, 31 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
At the same time that I acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favor of the 21st. Ult. from New York, I promise to avail myself of your indulgence of writing only when it is convenient to me. If this should not occasion a relaxation on your part, I shall become very much your debtor—and possibly like others in similar circumstances (when the debt is burthensome) may feel a disposition to...
216To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, ca. 6 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 6 December 1787, Tarborough. Mentioned in Hawkins to JM, 14 Feb. 1788 . Reports the time set for the election and meeting of the North Carolina ratifying convention.
217To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 28 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favor from G Town came to hand, likewise yrs. of the 10th. Instant I receiv’d a few days past. As I do not know of an opportunity of conveying this to you, it is probable you will see in the papers, the result of the proceedings of our Convention, before this reaches you. It is expected this day will close the important business, if it was not determin’d yesterday. Our Convention consists...
218To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 23 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
I committed some hasty thoughts to paper in an illegible hand, which I sent you by Doctr. Griffin, relative to a clause in the British debt bill that you told me, pass’d the House of delegates by an almost unanimous assent, directing those who had paid British Debts into the public Treasury, to pay them over again. From the little consideration I had given this question myself. & from the...
219To James Madison from James McClurg, 10 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet been able to execute your commission to Mr. Beckley; but shall take care to forward the act as soon as it can be obtain’d. The report of a tendency to Insurrection in several quarters of the State is not without some foundation; tho’ the friends of Order have hitherto mantain’d the Superiority, so as to prevent any very outrageous doings. An expectation of a remedy for their...
220To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
It is now several months since I was honord with a letter from you. During the recess of Congress, while your attention was not closely confind to public business, and while the situation of the Union must have furnishd you with daily information which woud have been interesting to you, I flatterd myself you woud not have neglected your friend. The approaching elections are the subject of...
221To 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...
222To James Madison from Elias Boudinot, 27 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor, as well as great Pleasure, of enclosing a diploma from the College of New Jersey, whereby you will find the Trustees of that Institution, have not been unmindful of the Obligations the public owe you for past Services. May you long enjoy the public Favour while they reap the benefit of your valuable Labours. Dr. Witherspoon gave me a Letter directed to you to send with the...
223To James Madison from John Beckley, 13 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
In appealing to your Candor I feel a confidence that no apology will be necessary for the present mode of address. Before I left Virginia I communicated to my good friend Mr: Randolph, the reasons that induced me to become a Candidate for the appointment of Clerk to the House of Representatives of the United States, and for that purpose to relinquish the public situation in which I stood...
224To James Madison from James Madison, Sr., ca. 20 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 20 November 1786. Mentioned in JM’s letter of 7 December 1786 to his father . Made business inquiries of JM as to who was to receive the tobacco for Anderson’s brother; the discount rate of indents in Richmond; and whether these loan office certificates for his tax payments were obtainable.
225To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
This day for the first our President Mr. Hancock took his Seat in convention, and we shall probably terminate our business on Saturday or Tuesday next. I cannot predict the issue, but our Hopes are increasing—if Mr. Hancock does not disappoint our present Expectations our wishes will be gratified. But his character is not entirely free from a portion of caprice—this however is confidential....
226To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 21 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 9h. instant and am glad to learn that you think the chance is in your favour. I hope no disagreeable change may happen. Yet I own I fear something from your indisposition. Our debate here began on the clause respecting the proportion of representation &c. which has taken up two days. Tomorrow I imagine we shall talk about the power over elections. The only...
227To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
By some inexplicable mystery, the inclosed letter from Mr. Jones, and my intended answer to your last epistolary favor, have still remained in my possession. Being engaged when the gentleman, who brought your friendly attention to me, I doubt whether I gave him an intelligible reply to his question, if my answer was ready. Our apparent disobedience to the appointment of the assembly must be...
228To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you lately but hope it hath not arisen from ill-health. Two days since we recd. dispatches from Mr. Adams in which he informs us of his demand of the surrender of the posts, & remonstrance agnst the violation of the treaty also in the instance of the negroes, with the answer of the minister to his memorial. In this answer it is stated that the King admits a violation in...
229To James Madison from Lafayette, 15–17 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Lafayette arrived in New York on 4 August 1784 for a visit which lasted until 21 December 1784 when he sailed to France aboard the frigate La Nymphe . During his stay, he was greeted by Washington and other Virginians at Richmond on 18 November. After feastings, celebrations, and a visit to the State Assembly, the two Revolutionary heroes spent a few days at Mount Vernon and then went north,...
230To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, [8 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
In my last I think I informed you that the elections had turned out, beyond expectation, favourable to the Antifœderal party. They have a majority of two thirds in the Convention and according to the best estimate I can form of about four sevenths in the community. The views of the leaders in this City are pretty well ascertained to be turned towards a long adjournment say till next spring or...
231To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 [ca. 29] October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have omitted to write to you since my return home, from an inability to obtain so accurate a grasp of the Opinions prevailing here, as to justify me in communicating the politics of our legislature. The first raptures in favor of the constitution were excessive. Every town resounded with applause. The conjectures of my reasons for refusing to sign were extraordinary, and so far malicious, as...
232To James Madison from Muscoe Livingston, 12 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
May I be permited My Good Sir, to Ask Your Friendly Aid on the Subject of Colo Lees Letter, which I here take the liberty to Inclose; & which Letter, I did intend to have don My Self, the Honor to deliver but that A trip to N York, will be attended with considerable Expence; & unless I can Meet with Some incouragement from you, & the Other Genttlemen I have taken the liberty to write to, I had...
233To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 8 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
The Governor in his return drop’d at the Bowling Green, yr. very kind favr. of the 20th. past covering the result of your long labours at Philadelphia, for both of which I thank you. I had heard of and lamented the withholding the Names of the two respectable Gentn. of our delegation, tho’ am yet Ignorant of the ground of their dissention; what ever it was, I cannot approve their Conduct. To...
234To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 17 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
Col. Heth came to Town and proceeded on his journey sooner than I expected and before I had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Harris. After calling upon him and geting the survey of the Canal I found little information could be collected from it and inserted on the map. I have therefore sent what Mr. Lambert had executed by Col. Henley who I understand means to go on Tomorow and has promised to...
235To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 23 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since you left Philadelphia I have kept my attention awake to the conduct of the most able—as well as the most active members of the late opposition. I find those who were excessively violent, active & unreserved in their opposition are perfectly silent. Their conduct carries more of ceasing to oppose, than of acquiescence. But some of the most sensible, cautious and artful characters express...
236To James Madison from George Washington, ca. 30 January 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 30 January 1789 . Mentioned in Washington to JM, 2 Jan. and 16 Feb. 1789 . Requests JM’s advice concerning a proposed speech drafted by David Humphreys (see Washington to JM, 16 Feb. 1789, n. 1 ).
237To James Madison from James Mchenry, 26 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am just returned from the Eastern shore of this state. I have been in every County save one, and find a laudable determination in each to make a choice of federal representatives for our ensuing assembly. I hope the time for commencing proceedings under the new Congress will favor this intention. If you have any data by which one may judge of the views or plan of the Antifederalists I beg...
238To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1789 (Madison Papers)
Among the arrangements of office which will most likely take place in the United States, some will probably be peculiar to the different states. As I am confident that a knowledge of characters here would assist those in whose hands this business rests, I shall not scruple to request your attention to my particular friend colo. William Heth. He was an officer of distinguished merit in the...
239To James Madison from Mary Bristow, 19 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ I have not the honor of personaly knowing You, the benevolence of Your Character emboldens me to trouble You with a few lines to solicit Your power, and Influence with the Assembly of the States, in behalf of my Infant Son, whoes case is so truely hard! I will not trouble You with a long detail: but refer You to the Petition and Memorial presented by me, and the Two Gentlemen who are...
240To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 29 June 1787 (Madison Papers)
We are not to know the result of your deliberations for five or six weeks to come, as from all accounts your Session will continue untill some time in August. Some of your uxorious members will become impatient from so long absence from home. How does the Dr. stand it—enjoy himself as usual in the society of his friends, or cast longing looks towards Richmond. Mrs. McClurg is, and looks well,...