1From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Governeur Morris who will embark in a few days for Havre, from whence he will proceed immediately to Paris. He is already well known to you by character; and as far as there may be a defect of personal acquaintance I beg leave to supply it by this introduction. My two last were of Ocr. 8. & 17th. They furnished a State of our affairs as they then stood. I...
2From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last was intended for the Augst. Packet and put into the hands of Commodore Paul Jones. Some disappointments prevented his going, and as he did not know but its contents might be unfit for the ordinary conveyance, he retained it. The precaution was unnecessary. For the same reason the delay has been of little consequence. The rule of secresy in the Convention rendered that as it will this...
3From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August 1784 (Madison Papers)
The decision to introduce the Mississippi question in the context of JM’s experience is necessarily an arbitrary one because an open western waterway was among his concerns from the early days in Congress until the matter was settled by the Louisiana Purchase. The main point is that JM never looked upon the problem as a Virginia riddle. As a Virginia legislator he hoped to see citizens in the...
4From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1784 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of my intentions as explained in my last dated in Philada. I came to this City on saturday last. The information I have here recd. convinces me that I can not accomplish the whole route I had planned within the time to which I am limited, nor go from this to Boston in the mode which I had reckoned upon. I shall therefore decline this part of my plan, at least for the present, &...
5From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Herewith inclosed are a letter for yourself forwarded to my hands from General Washington, and two others for the Marquis, one from the same quarter, the other from myself. I put both the last under cover to you, not knowing what regard may be due to Newspaper authority, that the Marquis is under the open displeasure of the Court, and may therefore be the less likely to receive letters thro’...
6From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1784 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival here I found that Mr. Short had passed through on his way to N. York & was there at the date of my last. I regret much that I missed the pleasure of seeing him. The inclosed was put into my hands by Mrs. House who recd. it after he left Philada. My two last, neither of which were in cypher, were written as will be all future ones in the same situation, in expectation of their...
7From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being just acquainted by a letter from President Griffin that Mr. Paridise is in N. York and proposes to sail in the first packet for France I drop you a few lines which will go by that conveyance if they arrive at N. York in time; which however I do not much expect. The proposed Constitution still engrosses the public attention. The elections for the Convention here are but just over and...
8From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 30 September 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Addressed to “Honble Thomas Jefferson.” Docketed by him, “Madison James of Orange.” The brackets in the first paragraph signify words or parts of words which a water stain has obliterated. My last was written on the supposition that Mr. Jones & myself would be on our way to Virga. by the middle of Ocr. and that my best chance of an interview with you...
9From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 17th. of Sepr. with sundry other letters and Packets, came duly by the last packet. Such of them as were addressed to others, were duly forwarded. The three Boxes, marked IM, G.W. and AD, it appears were never shipped from Havre. Whenever they arrive your commands with regard to the two last shall be attended to, as well as those relating to some of the contents of the...
10From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1785 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledged from Philada. your favor of the 11 of May. On my return to Orange I found the copy of your Notes brought along with it by Mr. Doradour. I have looked them over carefully myself & consulted several judicious friends in confidence. We are all sensible that the fre [e] dom of your strictures on some particular measures and opinions will displease their respective abettors . But we...