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...
2Note for Report on Prisoners of War, [29 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, VI, 399). Having received Washington’s letter of 9 July enclosing copies of his correspondence with Sir Guy Carleton concerning a possible exchange of American seamen for British soldiers ( Virginia Delegates to Harrison, 16 July 1782 , and n. 9), Congress on 15 July referred these dispatches to a committee comprising John Witherspoon, JM, and John Rutledge ( JCC...
3Comments on the Cost of the War, [31 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. p. 75). See Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, 24 July 1782 , headnote. On 31 July 1782 Congress resumed the debate begun the day before on the problem of how, in view of an...
4Motion on Exchange of Prisoners of War, [22 August] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XXI, 893). On motion of Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, Resolved , That in case General Burgoyne shall have been exchanged for the honble Henry Laurens, credit shall be given for the officers which may be received for him in the...
5Board of War to Virginia Delegates in Congress and Motion of Delegates, [22 December] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journals of the Continental Congress , XVIII, 1181–82). The letter of 21 December from the Board of War has not been found, but it is summarized in the Journals , preceding the motion made the next day. For the possible context of this item, see Matthias Halsted to Virginia Delegates, 17 December 1780 , and n. 2. The delegates for Virginia laid before Congress a letter, of 21,...
6Motion on Commissaries of Prisoners of War, [3 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 149, I, 480). In JM’s hand. That the Secretary at War be authorized to appoint proper persons to take charge of the prisoners of war at the said places until the said Commissaries shall be discharged from their arrests, or Congress shall otherwise direct Following “said,” JM wrote and deleted “trials shall be had.” On 3 July the secretary at war informed Congress that the...
7Motion to Request Report from Superintendent of Finance and Secretary at War, [6 June] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 321). This motion was written by JM. At its close, “pass’d” was added, probably by Charles Thomson. Docketed in an unknown hand: “Motion of Mr Madison Seconded by Mr Bland Passed June 6th 1782.” That the Superintendant of Finance & Secretary at War report to Congress the steps taken by them in consequence of the reference made to them on the day of Congress adopted...
8Report on Rations for Prisoners of War, [10–11 June] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 323). In JM’s hand. Docketed: “Motion of Mr Madison seconded by Mr Scott June 10. 1782 Referred to Mr Madison Mr Cornell Mr Boudinot Read June 11. 1782 postponed for the purpose of taking up a motion of Mr Midleton.” Charles Thomson’s “Register of Reports from Boards, Offices, and Committees of Congress, 1781–1785” notes that the report was “filed 8 Aug. 1782” ( NA :...
9Amendment to Report on War Department, [16 January] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 27, fol. 153). In JM’s hand. *That at all times in the absence of the Secretary at War, the Assistant be authorised to transact all such business within the department as shall be assigned to him by the said Secretary, who shall be responsible for the conduct of the Assistant By letters of 11 and 14 January, respectively, addressed to the president of Congress, Secretary at...
10Report on German Prisoners of War, [5 June] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 28, fols. 67, 75–76). The report and the words, “Rept. of Committee on the German Prisoners,” written parallel with the right-hand margin of the cover, are in JM’s hand. The cover also bears the docket, not by JM: “Report of Comee. respectg. german prisoners Debated May 15. 1782. June 5. 1782. Referred, except the last clause, to the Comr. in chief Secry at War and Super....
11Case 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,...
12To 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...
13Notes on Debates, 7 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782 , ed. n. Immediately preceding the entry for the present date, JM wrote, “Wednesday Novr. 6th. no congress.” On the reconsideration the Resol: for exchanging the 2 for: officers Its repeal was unanimously agreed to. A motion was made by Mr Osgood to assign an early day for filling up the vacancy in the Court of appeals. It was...
14Motion on Point of Order, [3 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 297). The manuscript is in JM’s hand. Charles Thomson entered “Madison, Bland” at the top to signify who made and seconded the motion, and “Madison” at the bottom to indicate that JM demanded a roll call. Below the second “Madison,” Thomson recorded the vote on the motion. On a cover addressed by a clerk of the War Office to “His Excellency, The President of...
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed extracts appear as sufficiently interesting, to induce us to forward them to you. The reiterated information we have lately received from different quarters leave little room to doubt, that the Southern States, will be the grand theatre of war this ensuing winter and spring. The Waggons with stores for the army under your...
16To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 8 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Lacks docket and cover. Although Joseph Jones clearly dated this letter “8th June,” he either wrote portions of it on 7 June or else mistakenly used the term “yesterday” to date certain proceedings of the House of Delegates which had taken place on 6 June. Thus at the outset of his third paragraph he mentions as happening “Yesterday” an election which had occurred on...
17To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 8 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Addressed by him to “The honble. James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Novr 8. 1782.” The house of delegates was within two members to day of a sufficient number to proceed to business. Among the reformations, suggested in my last letter but one, the foremost will probably be some attack on those debtors to...
18From James Madison to Benjamin Harrison, 1 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Maine Historical Society, Portland). Franked “public Service” and “J. Madison Jr.” Addressed to “His Excellency Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” Docketed, “J Madison Recd. 14h. Febry 1782.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 19th. Ult. notifying to me the desire of the Executive to associate me with the Revd. Mr. Andrews in settling the boundary between Virga. & this State, came...
19From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 7 February 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is missing, but the contents of the letter permit no doubt that Pendleton was the recipient. The post has been very irregular for several weeks past & this week the Mail South of Annapolis has failed altogether; by which means I lose the pleasure of your alternate favor. A vessel from France informs us that the frigate freigted with the event at York had...
20Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 15 April 1783—Missing Letter (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 April 1783 . After Congress had ratified the provisional articles of peace with Great Britain ( JM Notes, 15 Apr. 1783 , and n. 2), JM and Theodorick Bland, on behalf of all the Virginia delegates, apparently sent a brief letter, now missing, to Governor Harrison, informing him of the ratification (Anderson Galleries [New York] Catalogue, No. 1581 [2–3 May 1921], item 34).
21Thomas Walke to Virginia Delegates, 3 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 78, XXIV, 367–70). Addressed “To the Honble The Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Docketed, “Letter from Thos Walke to the Delegates of Virga. May 3d 1783. Read May 8th, 1783 (copy of the within sent to the Commander in Chief Agreeably to an order of Congress of this day.)” In consequence of the 7th: article of the treaty between America, and England; I, with a number of...
22Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [24 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy (Charles Thomson’s “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation, from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI [1878], pp. 64–65). This edition was made from a transcript rather than from Thomson’s manuscript ( ibid ., p. xi) and will be referred to hereafter as Thomson, “Debates.” Both the manuscript and the transcript are lost. As...
23To James Madison from David Jameson, 10 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Jameson, D Aug. 10. 1781.” I desired Mr. Jones in my letter to him about the Delegates money, to present my complimts. to you to let you know I had not been favoured with a line from you since May and that I had not had it in my power to write to you; being driven from Post to pillar to secure my person and employing my best...
24Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, [5 November] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Extract (Virginia State Library). This six-line plea, probably in the hand of Jefferson’s clerk, is entitled, “Extract of a Lre from the Virga Delegates in Congress to his Excellency the Governour dated at Phila: Nov. 5. 1780.” The letter from which this excerpt was taken is lost, but it was probably from the pen of Theodorick Bland. His financial distress appeared to exceed that of his fellow...
25To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 3 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Madison Js Revd. Oct. 3. 1782.” Cover missing. I recd. your last, wherein you tell me of the Remembrance of some of my French Acquaintances. I really thought many of them Men of distinguished Merit, tho’ my Acquaintance with them, from our Trip to the Mountains was but short. Does Peace really retire, or are we too sanguine in our Hopes. Is it not...
26To James Madison from David Jameson, 15 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Rives Collection of Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Aug: 15. 1781.” In my letter by last Post I mentioned to you the very distressed condition of this State. I cannot help repeating the subject, it hangs so heavy on my Mind I can neither speak nor think on any other. Repeated representations have been made of our condition for the last eighteen Months, and of the fatal consequences...
27Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, [8 October] 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In Joseph Jones’s hand, except for JM’s signature. Although the top of the manuscript is torn so that the date is missing, the docket reads, “Lr f’m Virga Delegates Oct. 8. 82.” The mutilated condition of the bottom of the manuscript obliged the bracketed insertions of words and letters which may have been there originally. The cover is missing. We are honoured...
28Board of Admiralty to James Nicholson, 22 May 1780 (Madison Papers)
FC ( NA : PCC , Marine Committee Letter Book, fol. 288). The Board are favoured with your letter of the 3d instant acknowledging the receipt of theirs of the 17th ultimo, wherein the[y] expressly directed you to proceed with the Trumbull on A short Cruize so as to return to the Delaware by the latter end of June in Order to join the Confederacy Saratoga & Deane for the execution of a...
29Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 25 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand, except for Bland’s signature. Docketed, “Lr. f’m Del. in Congress June 25 82.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 15th. came safe to hand yesterday. The loss of the mail of the preceding week is the more regretted, as we understand that a packet from N. York for England which had been intercepted and carried into N. Carolina, made a part of it. A private...
30Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [2 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. p. 82). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. After Congress had listened to the dispatch of 28 April 1782 from John Jay, minister plenipotentiary-designate at Madrid, telling of...
31To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 4 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). No docket or cover. The last post brot. me a Letter from the Treasurer which determines my visit to Congress. He informs me he has bills to the amount of upwards of twelve hundred pounds on Philadelphia which he wishes to apply to the use of the Delegation and had written to you and also to me informing us of it, that our Correspondents, and those of the other...
32From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 25 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned letter in JM’s hand. The cover is missing. Randolph wrote his own name in the lower left-hand margin of the first page of the manuscript. Probably many years later JM or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the beginning of the first paragraph and another bracket at the close of the fifth paragraph to designate that portion of the letter for...
33To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 9 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Addressed to “The Hon’ble Mr. Maddison.” Long after JM received the letter, probably he or someone at his bidding placed a bracket at the close of the fourth paragraph. If JM meant that the first four paragraphs should be included in the earliest published collection of his papers, his wish was disregarded by Henry D. Gilpin, perhaps because the...
34Notes from Congress’ Secret Journal on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, 8 June 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes from Secret Journal, 28 May 1781 , headnote. State of Virga. moves to limit power to cede boundaries as qualification to Mr. Witherspoon’s motion to recede—all no but Sharpe Houston & Virga —on question on the sd. motion—all ay but Virga. See Notes from Secret Journal, 6 June , and nn. 2, 3, 4; ibid ., 7 June 1781 , and n. 7; Motions on Boundaries, 8 June...
35Notes on Debates, 10 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). For a description of the manuscript of Notes on Debates, see Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (6 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , V, 231–34 . For The Report of the Committee on the Resolutions of Va. concerning the contract Under which Tobo. was to be exported to N. Y. and the admission of...
36Credentials as a Delegate to Continental Congress, 14 June 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : Credentials of Virginia Delegates, fol. 51). Resolved that James Madison, Edmund Randolph, Joseph Jones, Theodorick Bland and John Blair Esquires be appointed Delegates to represent this Commonwealth in Congress, for one Year from the first Monday in November next; they having been so elected by joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly. (Signed), Besides electing Randolph for the...
37From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “Thos. Jefferson Esq.” Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas. Feby. 11. 1783.” The words italicized in the third paragraph are those written by JM in the cipher described in Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan. 1783 , ed. n. Also in LC : Madison Papers is JM’s draft of the letter. Your favor of the 31 of Jany. was safely brought by Mr. Thomson. That of the 7. inst:...
38From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 16 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I was very glad at not being disappointed in my expectations of a favor from you by yesterday’s post. Several reports in quick succession of the arrival & progress of the predatory band under Arnold had rendered us exceedingly anxious to hear the truth & particulars of the matter. Some letters by the post tell us that the Governor with Baron Steuben was wholly...
39To James Madison from the Reverend James Madison, 9 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Addressed to “James Madison Esqr. Member of the Hon the Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “Revd. J Madison March 9. 1781.” I rec’d. your Letter by C. Kelly and was much rejoiced at the agreable Intelligence, nor do I doubt, but the Member of Parliament will find that the delenda est Carthag [ o ] is not so easily effected as he wd. fain hope. I rejoiced at the...
40Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 30 November 1782 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of Thomas L. Savage and addressed to “The Honble. Virginia Delegates in Congress.” Your favor by Post came safe to hand, like you I have nothing new to communicate. Mr. Clarke has ship’d a quantity of Tobacco from this Country to N. York more than the first resolution of Congress amounted to, and without giving me any Information of his design, he says...
41Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 23 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York State Library, Albany). Except for JM’s signature, this letter is entirely in the hand of Theodorick Bland. It is with much concern that we have learnt from Your Excellencys and the Baron de Steubens letters to Congress, the Misfortunes our Country has sufferd from the Invasion under the command of the detestable Arnold, and that he has ventured with impunity even to our Capitol....
42Notes on Debates, 3 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782 , ed. n. After a verbal report of the Committee above mentioned, who acquainted Congress that in a conference with Mr. Livingston he professed a willingness to remain in office till the 1st. of Jany. to give time for the choice of a Successor, Mr. McKean proposed the Resolution, which stands on the Secret Journals; several...
43Election 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...
44Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Lincoln, and Benjamin Lincoln to Virginia Delegates, 1 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
Copy (Virginia State Library). Made by Arthur Lee on a single page and enclosed in Virginia Delegates to Harrison, 2 April 1782 ( q.v. ). The success of recruiting in Virginia will very much depend on the State having Arms & Clothing for the Men that may be raisd. We therefore beg you will inform us, what supply of these Articles the State may depend upon from your department. We have the...
45Notes on Debates, 21–22 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). For a description of the manuscript of Notes on Debates, see Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (7 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , V, 231–34 . See the secret Journal for these two days. The passage relating to the armed neutrality was generally concurred in for the reasons which it expresses....
46Patrick 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...
47To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 5 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is only a fragment, reading, “Hble: James Madi … of the Virgi.” Letter unsigned. A norma di quanto vi scrissi nella mia quarta lettera dei 28. del passato, vi mando l’incluse pregandovi di aggiungere a quella di Mr. Lomax il suo nome di battesimo, che non ò mai saputo. Da quella, e dall’altra che v’inclusi p[er] Mr. Man Page, voi vedete quel che penso...
48To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 24 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “May 24. 1783.” The Auditors have at length found the Accot. and are now satisfyed that I did not exceed the mark when I assured them the Bal. due to you on the 1st. Jany last was upwards of £800. in consequence of which they have given Mr. Webb a Warrt. on your Accot. for £100. which he will transmit you in addition to the £200. sent last Post. I...
49Virginia Delegates to Thomas Nelson, 7 November 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). Written by Edmund Randolph. JM’s name was signed by Joseph Jones. For the present week, we have nothing particular to communicate; the State of the discussion of the cession of Virginia not yet being prepared. We shall therefore postpone any farther observations on this head, intending to accompany our next information with an account of the quota of money,...
50From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed, “Edmd Randolph Esqr. per Express. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “Jas. Madison jr. Congress. private March. 24. 1783.” The express by whom I send this conveys to the Governor the welcome event of a general peace. The preliminary articles were signed on the 20th. of Jany. The day to which hostilities are limited is omitted in the abstract of the...