301To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 10 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I once knew a Swedish Clergyman in this city, who told me that when he preached in the Country, he always studied his Congregation first , and Afterwards his sermon. Something like this Should be done by legislators. They should perfectly understand the character of the people whom they represent, and Afterwards suit their laws to their habits and principles. I suspect the present Congress...
302Public Debt, [10 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Secretary Hamilton’s report on the means of providing funds for the assumption of state debts was sent to the House on 4 March ( Syrett and Cooke, Papers of Hamilton Harold C. Syrett and Jacob E. Cooke, eds., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (26 vols.; New York, 1961–79). , VI, 286–89). Debate resumed on 8 March; the next day the assumption resolution, as amended by JM’s motion of 24 February,...
303Public Debt, [11 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Debate continued on the second alternative of the sixth resolution (see headnote to speech of 10 Mar.). JM wished to reduce “the number of alternatives,” preferring “a simple, unembarrassed system.” A motion to drop this option carried by a vote of 32 to 23 (or 24). Jackson then moved to strike out that part of the third alternative making $66.67 of every $100.00 subscribed irredeemable by any...
304To James Madison from James Callaway, 12 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
As there is like to be business for some Person (in Our Destrict) under the fœderal Governmt. I am induced to solicet your Interest in my favr. if there should be a call for a man to Collect the excise or duties, in my County, or District, or to fill any Post of Profett. As you are not acquainted with me you may know by application to some of my County men. If security shoud. be Required I...
305Public Debt, [12 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Laurance, objecting to Jackson’s motion (see headnote to speech of 11 Mar.), said that foreigners should be encouraged to speculate in the public debt. Mr. Madison said that foreigners speculating in our funds would induce a spirit of luxury. That the pernicious consequences of credit had been severely felt; that our experience did not justify the supposition that an influx of active property,...
306To James Madison from Henry Lee, 13 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Before I left home, Col Lee being about to depart for Congress, I wrote you by him. Since my arival here I got your letr. of the 1st. March, & have had an opportunity of reading your debates in Congress. Your motion which underwent so much discussion & met with such a decided negative is pleasing to the landed interest in this Country, & very much disrelished by the town interest. It is...
307From James Madison to Edward Carrington, 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst: came to hand two days ago. Though I can not yield to the remarks on my proposition in the House of Reps. I am not the less indebted for the candor which dictated them. The nature of the domestic debt will account for the diversity of opinions among those who examine it. Those who are disinterested or being interested are superior to that biass, will be mutually...
308From 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...
309To James Madison from John Dawson, 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am now to acknowledge with many thanks your favour of the 31 January. The hope of collecting some thing worthy communicating has prevented my writing earlier but I fear shoud I let this rule govern there woud be an end to our correspondence; sure I am I shoud not hear from you as often as I wish. I[n] this place where most persons are dealers in public securities your plan for a...
310From James Madison to Francis Taylor, ca. 14 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 14 March 1790. On 2 Apr. 1790 Taylor noted in his diary: “Bro[the]r James sent a letter to me from the Honble James Madison Esqr which he got yesterday at his fathers” (Vi). Conjectured date based on evidence that JM wrote a number of Virginia correspondents on Sunday, 14 Mar. 1790.
311To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
When I came home, I found my family in a really deplorable condition. Not to mention my children, most of whom were sick, the situation of my wife was very alarming. She gave every symptom of a painful and dangerous abortion being at hand. It is now a fortnight since she was first confined to her room, and every appearance grows more and more critical. It is almost certain, that the fœtus, now...
312To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 15 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 March 1790. The list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany) notes that the letter consisted of two pages and calendars it as follows: “Hamilton’s plan. Mr. Pendleton’s criticisms thereon.”
313To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
The governor has reason to expect the death of Colo. Grayson in a short time; and therefore requested Mr. Wm. Nelson to know from me, what you wished, in a case of a vacancy in the senate. I have just written to him, expressing your decided negative. I was diverted yesterday by Mr. John Pierce of James City (the delegate) asking whether you had not become a methodist . After I had recovered...
314From James Madison to Benjamin Rush, 20 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of the 10th. instant some days ago. Altho’ I feel the force of many of your remarks, I can not embrace the idea to which they lead. It would not be consistent with the view I have taken of the subject; nor indeed promise any chance of success agst. the present politics of the House. The Petitions on the subject of Slavery have employed more than a week, and are still before...
315From 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...
316To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 21 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am sorry to find that the Rhode Island Convention have adjourned without determining in favor of the Constitution. This conduct is however so far favorable as it may be deemed a proof that they are not violently bent against it. The general causes of the conduct of that State are perfectly well understood, but I wish much to know as far as you have collected them and are at liberty to...
317To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 23 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Il latore della presente sarà il Sigr: Conte Paolo Andreani, di Milano, che vi raccomando particolarmente. Voi sapete ch’io sono piuttosto scrupoloso che facile a dar lettere di raccomandazione; onde non avete bisogno ch’io vi prevenga sul suo merito, che ben presto distinguerete da voi medesimo. Tra i suoi studi la Fisica e l’Istoria Naturale sono i più favoriti. Ve lo dico, affinchè sappiate...
318To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 23 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
My dear wife is not better, than when I wrote to you last. I expect something determinate in a few days. Inclosed is a copy of my motion. Had it been intended to bring forward a convention immediately, the thing was imprudently worded; because it contains many unpopular points. But as subjects of reflection for the people, they could not, I thought, be too pointed. I give you a duplicate, that...
319Slave Trade Petitions, [23 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The select committee on the slave trade memorials presented its report, consisting of seven resolutions, on 5 March ( DHFC Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds., Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America (3 vols. to date; Baltimore, 1972—). , III, 316, 340–41). This report came before the Committee of the Whole on 16 March. After repeated attempts on 16 and...
320To James Madison from Walter Jones, 25 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 28. feby. gave me the disagreeable Information of your infirm Health; which I can now, rather earnestly wish than very confidently hope is perfectly restored. Your sedentary Duty is not less adverse to Health, than the pressure of your mind from the magnitude of the objects that engage it, to Say nothing of their Complexion. The latter appears not quite satisfactory to the...
321To James Madison from Gustavus B. Wallace, 25 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
There are a great number of small ballance’s due to the Soldiers and officers of this and the North Carolina line which has been drawn by the pay master Genl and still remains in his hands to the Amount as I am inform’d of thirty thousand dollars. There is now in this State a man from newyork by the name of Renolds purchaseing these ballances at the rate of 3/ in the pound he was in this town,...
322To James Madison from Joseph Jones, [26] March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have avoided opening my usual correspondence with you from a conviction in my own mind that any communications I could make would be uninteresting to you and occasion a waste of your time that might be otherwise more usefully employed in prosecuting your labours in the public service, more especially as I take it for granted Mr. Fenno gives us a pretty authentic detail of the proceedings in...
323To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 27 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
Upon coming to Town last ev’ning I had the pleasure to receive your several favors of the 10th. 14. & 16 Inst. and am made happy by the freindly manner in which you received my remarks upon your proposition—they were dictated indeed by my own sincerity, and a confidence, not only in the purity of the motive which founded the proposition, but also in your wishes on every occasion to obtain the...
324From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 28 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have been some days in debt for your favor of the 21st instant. Accept my thanks for the Medal and copy of your new Constitution inclosed in it. I have delivered to Mr. Jefferson the remarks on a standard of measures, and communicated to him the several other interesting matters which you mention. The former will be disclosed to no one else, but remain in his hands for the purpose intended....
325From 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...
326To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 30 March] 1790 (Madison Papers)
I forgot to take your final opinion last night as to the mode of conveying official communications from the states through the channel of the President to the two federal houses . Whether it will be best to do it 1. by message from the presidt. through mr. Lear? 2. by do. through Th: J. appearing personally? 3 by do. through do. by way of letter? Be so good as to say what you think. I must be...
327To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 31 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of the 28th. instant by yesterdays post. I find the idea of a landed fund for the encouragement of manufactures is an old one in my mind. On looking over the little address to the frds of Manufactures in 1787 I observe I have hinted it there. You will excuse me therefore, if I wish not to part with it sooner than can be avoided. An infringement of the constitution is a...
328To James Madison from Richard Peters, 31 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I know your Time is so much occupied that unless on some very important Occasion it ought not to be interrupted. I send you a Pamphlet given to me by a Member of our House Mr Herman Husbands. As he reprobates the System of Finance it will not be the less pleasing to you on that Account. Having drawn the Principles of the federal Government from higher Sources than we ever thought of he must be...
329To James Madison from Ambrose Madison, April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. April 1790. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 2 May 1790 . Reports improving health of Nelly Conway Madison.
330To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 1 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I will thank you to inform me whether it is likely that any thing will be done this session of Congress for establishing the emoluments of the Marshals office. This becomes an interesting question to those who must from duty be in Situations to incur expense, or hazard a neglect of duty by remaining where it will not be expensive. There was a temporary provision made at the last session by a...
331From James Madison to Adam Stephen, ca. 1 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 April 1790. Acknowledged in Stephen to JM, 25 Apr. 1790 . Gives views on the assumption of state debts.
332To James Madison from the Comte de La Forest, 2 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 2 April 1790. La Forest was the French vice-consul in New York. Calendared on the list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany).
333To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 2 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 2 April 1790. Acknowledged in JM to Pendleton, 13 Apr. 1790 . The list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany) notes that the letter consisted of one page and calendars it as follows: “Further objections to Hamilton’s plan. The progress of liberty in Europe.”
334To James Madison from Henry Lee, 3 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am induced to address you on a subject which violates the rule I had lately prescribed to myself with respect to our public affairs. A youth the son of Mr. Thomas L. Lee to whom I beleive you was intimately known met me this morning on the road. Bred to the mercantile line in one of the most respectable houses in our country & cut off from his expectations there, by the death of his...
335From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 4 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
You will see by the papers herewith covered that the proposed assumption of the State debts continues to employ the deliberations of the House of Reps. The question seems now to be near its decision, and unfortunately, tho’ so momentous a one, is likely to turn on a very small majority, possibly on a single vote. The measure is not only liable to many objections of a general cast, but in its...
336From James Madison to William Short, 6 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 17 Novr. had so long a passage and since it came to hand opportunities to France have been so deficient, that it has remained unacknowledged much longer than the pleasure it gave me would otherwise have allowed. The crisis in France is so interesting, particularly to this Country, that nothing can be more acceptable than the circumstances which mark the revolution and augur a...
337To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 6 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose you a further consideration of the affairs of R. Island —and two of the papers of which I sent the origls. to Col. H. You will see they will be objects of treaty & consequently must require to be reserved. That which relates to our Navigation is comprized in sixty pages & I have not any person to copy it at this time. In haste yr. respectful & obedt. Servt. RC...
338To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 7 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have seen the decision of the House of R. upon the Quaker Memorial, nearly I suppose as the Committee reported. From the lengthy debates however and the Matter of these debates, I had been led to suppose it possible at least that the report was a different one asserting something like a power in Congress to meddle with emancipation. The very circumstance of such a subject being taken up in...
339To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 7 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Yr. Favor of february tenth did not reach me untill yesterday having been from home six weeks during which I have suffered extremely with a pleurisy—& afterwards the Gout—or rather a flying Gout. I am thank heaven now almost recover’d. Small breaches in Laws are precedents which will be drawn in point in favor of larger & more important ones—and a Government subject to the will only of those...
340To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 10 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you upon the prospect of the funding System being delayed ’till the next session of Congress. I hope an election will intervene, before you meet again. Should this be the case, I think it probable that no One of our members who has voted against your motion, & in favor of the leading principles of Mr Hamilton’s report will be reelected. I have long deplored the temporary...
341From James Madison to Henry Lee, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 4th ult. by Col. Lee was received from his hands on Sunday last. I have since recd. that of the 3d Instant. The anticedent one from Alexandria, though long on the way was recd. some time before. In all these, I discover strong marks of the dissatisfaction with which you behold our public prospects. Though in several respects they do not comport with my wishes—yet I cannot...
342From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 2d. instant. From the sentiments expressed in it you will hear with pleasure that the proposed assumption of the State debts, was yesterday negatived, after many days deliberation, by 31 vs 29. We hoped that this vote would have been mortal to the project. It seems however that it is not yet to be abandoned. The other part of the Secretary’s Report has been...
343To James Madison from John Dawson, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Accept my thanks for your letter of the 20th. uto. which I have recievd. By the death of our very worthy friend Colo Grayson it became the duty of the Executive to appoint some person to fill the vacancy in the Senate. Application was made to Mr. Henry and on his refusal to serve Colo Mason was unanimously appointed—he also declind and then Mr. John Walker was chosen—who I presume will be in...
344From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
An answer to your favor of the 5th. has been delayed by my hourly expectation of hearing from Taylor. A few days ago he came to Town and I have had an interview and settlement with him. The balance with the interests at 7 PerCt. was 864 dollars. He has not however executed the conveyance for want of some chart which he could not get here, but has entered into bond to do so by August, with good...
345To James Madison from John Trumbull, 17 April 1790 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 17 April 1790. Acknowledges JM’s payment of “Three Guineas being One Half of the Subscription” for prints depicting the Battle of Bunker Hill and the death of General Montgomery. Printed receipt ( DLC : Broadsides and miscellaneous nonbroadsides). Signed by Trumbull. On this same day, Jefferson gave Trumbull six guineas for two sets of the prints published in London on 10 Nov. 1788 (...
346To James Madison from Gustavus B. Wallace, 20 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 10th. I receiv’d. Mr. Reynolds is now on his way to Newyork from what he inform’d me his partner got the Lists from a Clerk of the Treasury. Since I wrote you he receve’d some other Lists amounting to 3000 dollars due to the offi[c]ers of this state. The person that he corresponds with from this place and remits the Soldiers powers of Attorney to is William J. Vriedenburg No. 40...
347Assumption of the State Debts, [20 April] 1790 (Madison Papers)
The House took up the report of the Committee of the Whole, consisting of eight resolutions, on 29 March. The first three passed, but the fourth (providing for the assumption of state debts) and the remaining resolutions were recommitted ( DHFC Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds., Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America (3 vols. to date; Baltimore,...
348From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, ca. 20 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 20 April 1790. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 2 May 1790 . Advises him to ship tobacco abroad or postpone its sale in anticipation of rising prices.
349To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 21 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am further Obliged by your Favr. of the 4th. & two Packets of papers accompanying it. I congratulate you on having that ill-judged & improper measure of Assuming the State debts, ’ere this determined; & tho’ a large Majority on so important a Subject, was desirable, yet I shall be glad to hear it is finally negatived even by a decis[i]on from the Chair. It has fix’d a Suspicion of a...
350To James Madison from Henry Lee, 22 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I got here last night from a trip to the great falls, & met your letr. of the 4th. It is really lamentable publicly & privately that a gift of Nature so useful should be locked up for the want of 3000 £ this currency. Was I in possession I verily beleive that the money would be returned in the course of one year. Col. Bull formerly of Pensylvania now of Berkeley, who was with me yesterday, &...