31From James Madison to James Maury, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 21 June 1789. Acknowledged in Maury to JM, 13 Feb. 1790 (DLC). Introduces George James.
32From James Madison to George Washington, 20 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
It was my purpose to have dropped you a few lines from Philada. but I was too much indisposed during my detention there to avail myself of that pleasure. Since my arrival here I have till now been without a fit conveyance to the post office. You will recollect the contents of a letter shewn you from Mr. Innis to Mr. Brown. Whilst I was in Philada. I was informed by the latter who was detained...
33Import and Tonnage Duties, [9 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
FitzSimons moved to add a number of articles to be given a specific duty, including some for the purpose of protecting home manufactures. Mr. Madison . From what has been suggested by the gentlemen that have spoken on the subject before us, I am led to apprehend we shall be under the necessity of travelling further into an investigation of principles than what I supposed would be necessary or...
34To James Madison from Alexander White, 17 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you a Line from Philadelphia mentioning such Facts as had come to my knowledge respecting the sentiments of the People on Public Affairs. My Journey was fatiguing, the weather being excessive hot, and the Stages over-burdened with Passengers and Baggage. I reached Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon—and took breakfast before I sat out on Wednesday morning. Several Gentlemen waited on me who...
35To 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...
36From James Madison to Richard Peters, 19 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been much delighted with the extract from your collection of fables, and should have told you so sooner, were I less incumbered with a number of involuntary correspondencies, which stand in the way of those which my inclination would cherish. May I hope that “The wise Cooks & foolish Guests” is but a sample of the treat you meditate for your friends, out of the “Aunciente & connynge...
37To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of June. Within a day or two after, yours of May 9. came to hand. In the rest of Europe nothing remarkeable has happened; but in France such events as will be for ever memorable in history. To begin where my last left them, the king took on himself to decide the great question of voting by persons or by orders, by a declaration made at a Seance royale on the...
38From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was written on sunday last and included an introduction of young Mr. Colden who is to be the bearer of it from Scotland where he now resides, I have had the pleasure of yours of March 15. My former letters will have made known to you the obstacles to a licence for your visit to America. The new authority has not yet taken up your application. As soon as the auxiliary...
39From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 31 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 19th. instant and thank you for the answer to Mr. St. John’s enquiries. The apprehensions of Mrs. Randolph give me unfeigned concern, but I indulge strong hopes that they proceed from an imaginary cause. There are so many symptoms which mimic the cancerous that it would be wrong to suffer appearances to prevail against the favorable chances. At the same...
40To James Madison from Hardin Burnley, 28 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
A few days ago I wrote a letter to Majr. Madison giving him some information on the general business of the present Session, which I suppose he has probably communicated to you. I now take the liberty of obtruding on you a short communication on the same subject. The revenue bill which proposes a reduction of the public taxes one fourth below the last year’s amount is with the Senate. Whilst...
41Tonnage Duties, [7 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
JM moved to lower the tonnage duty on ships of countries which had no alliance with the United States from fifty to forty cents until the end of 1790, when it would be raised to seventy-five cents. Mr. Madison . As there is a great diversity of sentiment respecting the policy of the duty, I am very happy to find it is not prescribed by the geographical situation of our country; this evinces...
42To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 20 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 18th. from wch. I find the ground of apprehension, particularly refer’d to by me, entirely removed. In regard to the probable effects of a position on Delaware or Susquehannah upon the Convention of Virginia could they have foreseen it, I am convinced they would have been fatal. I remember well that I learned from the letters of yourself and one or two...
43Import Duties, [9 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The impost bill, first read on 5 May, was under consideration by the Committee of the Whole. Tucker, seeking a general reduction of duties, moved to lower the tax on Jamaica rum to six cents a gallon. Mr. Madison . The right understanding of this subject is of great importance; the discussion has been drawn out to a very considerable length on former occasions. The chain of ideas on which the...
44To James Madison from Henry Lee, 14 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
Tomorrow I go from hence, Mrs. Lee as when you left her. If I forgot to fill up the power of attorney, please to insert Mr Jeffersons name. Yesterday the original papers went off in the Maryland bound to Bordeaux to the care of Mr. Mason Merchant there—I am told in three or four days the mail reaches Versailles from that port. Many applicants above & here, on each side of the river have waited...
45From James Madison to Samuel Johnston, 22 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 22 June 1789. Acknowledged in Johnston to JM, 8 July 1789 . Encloses President Washington’s reply to the address from North Carolina. Recommends the publication of both the address and the reply.
46From James Madison to [Nicholas Lewis?], 25 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
In a letter of March 15. from Mr. Jefferson I am requested to communicate to you the result of his application for leave to make a visit to America. The application was made long ago, but never decided on under the old Congress, nor taken up under the present Government till a few days ago. His wish is now complied with and notice that he has leave of absence will be forwith transmitted...
47To James Madison from Elias Langham, 11 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty some days ago to address a letter to you, relative to an Appointmt. that I wish to Solicit under the Federal Government. I then Observed that I shoud forward the best recommendations that I coud procure, for that Purpose. I now inclose such recommendations as I have procured & beg leave to request your Attention thereto. As I am unacquainted with the nature of making such...
48To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
The day before yesterday I returned hither from Leesburg. There I was confronted with Mr. Henry, and for three days we lay along side of each other, with our best cannon in action. It was a diverting scene, taken in the whole. My client Chas. Carter must have been defeated, if a single point of four had gone against him; and to obtain one, every thing was tried in the way of assertion,...
49Import Duties, [14 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Committee of the Whole proceeded to set the amount of duty on each of the enumerated articles, beginning with rum. Sherman proposed fifteen cents per gallon; Laurance preferred twelve cents. Mr. Madison . I would tax this article with as high a duty as can be collected, and I am sure if we judge from what we have heard and seen in the several parts of the union; that it is the sense of the...
50From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 21 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
For a week past the subject of amendts. has exclusively occupied the H. of Reps. Its progress has been exceedingly wearisome not only on account of the diversity of opinions that was to be apprehended, but of the apparent views of some to defeat by delaying a plan short of their wishes, but likely to satisfy a great part of their companions in opposition throughout the Union. It has been...
51From James Madison to George Turner, 23 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 23 July 1789. Acknowledged in Turner to JM, 2 Aug. 1789 . Discusses the availability of various federal government offices. Recommends that Turner solicit a judgeship in the Northwest Territory.
52To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 1 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your favour of the 5th of may, with the report of the committee, and the newspapers, and I can assure you I concur in every thing and from the bottom of my heart. The Character of the president, will give dignity and energy to our government, and will together with the favourable appearances stated by you tend to reconcile all parties to it. I, having know[n]...
53From James Madison to George Washington, 5 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have been furnished with the inclosed copy of the letter from the Senators of this State to its Legislature. It is well calculated to keep alive the disaffection to the Government, and is accordingly applied to that use by the violent partizans. I understand the letter was written by the first subscriber of it, as indeed is pretty evident from the stile and strain of it. The...
54Reply 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...
55To James Madison from George W. Smith, 22 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th Augt. in answer to mine, I have duly received. Your representation of the prospects Afforded by the arra[n]gements now making for the fœderal Administration, I esteem as friendly as it seems to be canded: And therefore feel myself strongly impressed with a sense of the obligation I am under to you. I have Attentively considered those prospects; & am persuaded, with you,...
56To James Madison from Joseph Jones, [10 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
No safe opportunity offering, the letter for Mr. Nelson has not been forwarded, and I shall now reserve it for him untill the chancery term commences which will be in a day or two —those from Mr. Jefferson have been attended to, the one to Dr. Currie I have delivered, that for Mr. Lewis met a ready conveyance by Mr. Bob Nelson who was here, when it came to hand, on his way to Charlottesville,...
57Reporting of House Debates, [26 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Burke moved that the House no longer permit reporting of the debates, but he later withdrew the motion. Tucker then moved that the House sanction an accurate and impartial publication of the debates. Mr. Madison Thought it improper to throw impediments in the way of such information, as the house had hitherto permitted from the purest motives; but he believed it equally improper to give the...
58To James Madison from Elias Langham, 15 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am induced to think that a Commissary of Military Stores will be one of the first Appointments that Congress will make under the new Government, I therefore take the Liberty of writing to you on the Subject, & inclosing some Other letters to your care, you being the representative of the district in which I live. I leave open the letters for your examination, which after readg. be pleased to...
59To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 18 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have this afternoon obtained from a friend of Col. Geo. Morgan a copy of his handbill which was put into the hands of confidential people in N. Jersey & Pennsylvania for the purpose of procuring followers. I know your solicitude about the western Country, and have therefore enclosed you a copy, which after you have done with it be pleased to give to Mr. Jay when you have an opty. I am this...
60From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 24 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last stated a question relating to the power of removal from offices then on the anvil of the H. of Rs. I now inclose the discussions as conveyed to the public thro’ the Newspapers. It is not necessary to apprize you that the reasonings on both sides are mutilated, often misapprehended, and not unfrequently reversed. You will perceive yourself that much of the reasoning is also founded on a...