1To James Madison from George Washington, 22 [March] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of the 5th. & 8th. came duly to hand; the first from Baltimore, the latter from Philda. The design of this is merely to acknowledge the receipt of them, and to forward the enclosed; but I will add, as I have my pen in my hand, that Col. Bland, after having lain a week with the Gent at Gunston, after having been shipwrecked & land-wrecked, mired, fatigued with walking, &c. &c....
2To James Madison from George Washington, 30 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 19th.; by which it appears that a quoram of Congress was hardly to be expected until the beginning of the past week. As this delay must be very irksome to the attending Members, and every days continuance of it (before the Government is in operation) will be more sensibly felt; I am resolved, no interruption shall proceed from me that can well be...
3To James Madison from George Washington, 5 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Notwithstanding the conviction I am under of the labour which is imposed upon you by Public Individuals as well as public bodies—Yet, as you have began, so I would wish you to finish, the good work in a short reply to the Address of the House of Representatives (which I now enclose) that there may be an accordance in this business. Thursday 12 O’clock, I have appointed to receive the Address....
4Reply of the President to the House of Representatives, [8 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your very affectionate Address produces emotions which I know not how to express. I feel that my past endeavors in the service of my Country are far Overpaid by its goodness: and I fear much that my future ones may not fulfill your kind Anticipation. All that I can promise is, that they will be invariably directed by an honest and an ardent zeal. Of this resource my heart assures me. For all...
5To James Madison from George Washington, 11 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed were communicated to me (as you will perceive) to make a Confidential use of. Upon receipt of the first letter I expressed a desire to be informed (if there was nothing improper in it) through what channel the report came, and what reliance could be placed in the authenticity of it. This produced the sec’d letter. As you are upon business which requires every information of the...
6To James Madison from George Washington, 12 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
To draw such a line for the conduct of the President as will please every body, I know is impossible; but to mark out and follow one (which by being consonant with reason) will meet general approbation, may be as practicable as it is desireable. The true medium I conceive must lye in pursuing such a course as will allow him time for all the official duties of his station. This should be the...
7To James Madison from George Washington, [17 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison having been so obliging as to draw the answer to the Address of the House of Representatives—GW. would thank him for doing the same to that of the Senate. If he receives it any time this day or tomorrow morning it will be sufficient. RC ( DLC ); Tr ( MH ). Late in life JM docketed the RC : “G. Washington without date—(perhaps 1789,) 90 or 91.” Fitzpatrick ( Writings of Washington ,...
8Reply of the President to the Senate, [18 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your Address, in which the most affectionate sentiments are expressed in the most obliging terms. The coincidence of circumstances which led to this auspicious Crisis, the confidence reposed in me by my Fellow-citizens, and the assistance I may expect from counsels which will be dictated by an enlarged and liberal policy, seem to presage a more prosperous issue to my...
9To James Madison from George Washington, [ca. 31 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
… As far as a momentary consideration has enabled me to judge, I see nothing exceptionable in the proposed amendments. Some of them, in my opinion, are importantly necessary, others, though in themselves (in my conception) not very essential, are necessary to quiet the fears of some respectable characters and well meaning Men. Upon the whole, therefore, not foreseeing any evil consequences...
10To James Madison from George Washington, [12 June?] 1789 (Madison Papers)
As the Communications herewith enclosed will not take much time to Read; As there are matters related which to me are new; and as the information respecting land transactions, and other things in the Western Country will require to be noticed & acted upon in some way or another, I send them to you together with a Gazette with a marked paragraph containing some suggestions that have not, I...
11Washington’s Queries concerning Negotiations with Spain, [ca. 25 July] 1789 (Madison Papers)
He had better, in my opinion, return with our ideas to this effect, delicately & tenderly expressed, than with any hope or expectation of our yeilding the navigation of a River which is so tenaciously contended for by a large part of the Union, and the Relinquishment of which, or the fear of which, founded on appearances, would occasion—certainly—the seperation of the Western territory. Ms (...
12To James Madison from George Washington, 5 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I want to communicate two matters to Congress; the substance of which is contained in the enclosed Paper. The first requires to be decided upon before the proposed adjournment shall take place—but my motive for commun[ic]ating the other, at this time, is only to fix the attention, & to promote enquiry against the next meeting. Whether would an Oral or written communication be best? If the...
13To James Madison from George Washington, 9 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
Consequent of the enclosed resolution, I had a conference with the Comee. therein named yesterday, when I expressed the Sentiments which you also have enclosed. I was assured by the Committee, that the only object the Senate had in view was to be informed of the mode of communication which would be most agreeable to the President, and that a perfect acquiescence would be yielded thereto. But I...
14To James Madison from George Washington, [ca. 8 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Confidential The points which at present occur to me, and on which I wish your aid, are brought to view in the enclosed statement—I give you the trouble of receiving this evening that you may (if other matter do not interfere) suffer them to run through your Mind between this and tomorrow afternoon when I shall expect to see you at the appointed time. Besides the enclosed Would it do now that...
15To James Madison from George Washington, [ca. 23 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
My solicitude for drawing the first characters of the Union into the Judiciary, is such that, my cogitations on this subject last night (after I parted with you) have almost determined me (as well for the reason just mentioned, as to silence the clamours, or more properly, soften the disappointment of smaller characters [)] to nominate Mr Blair and Colo. Pendleton as Associate & District...
16To James Madison from George Washington, 3 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I returned yesterday from Annapolis, having conducted the Marquis La Fayette that far on his way to New York, and left him proceeding on the road to Baltimore, on Wednesday last. This trip afforded me opportunities of conversing with some of the leading characters in the different branches of the Legislature of Maryland, on the subject of inland navigation, and the benefits which might arise...