31From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last was of the 29th. March. A few days ago I had the pleasure of yours of the 12. Jany. I thank you for your attention to the works of the Abbè Barthelemy and the Marquis Condorcet, And wish much that your attempts to procure me a genuine copy of the King of Prussia’s may succeed. I send you herewith the first No. of the Congressional Register, which will give you some idea of the...
32Import 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...
33From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Whilst I thank you for your favr of the 23d. Ult: I must remind you that it does not contain the promised information on the Case of the French Consul here. I am led to it by being myself just reminded by him of the omission on my part. The plan of an immediate temporary impost was what first occurred on the subject. It is not yet abandoned, but the practicability is questionable. The plan of...
34Title for the President, [11 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The debate concerned a title for the executive office. Should the House appoint a committee to confer with a Senate counterpart on the proper title for the president? The House had already indicated its disapproval of majestic titles to the Senate, but the senators refused to accept this decision. A Senate committee had recommended on 9 May that the president be addressed as “ His Highness the...
35Import Duties, [12 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The committee had resumed consideration of the impost bill. The question was whether to strike out the six-cent duty on molasses. Ames suggested that an excise on country rum was preferable to a duty on molasses. Mr. Madison Said his mind was incapable of discovering any plan that would answer the purpose the committee have in view, and not produce greater evils than the one under...
36From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of April . The newspapers will have given you some idea of our proceedings, though in a state always mutilated, and often perverted. The Impost is still the subject of deliberation. The general quantum of duties has at some periods been a source of discussion. At others, the ratio of particular duties, have produced still more of it. The proper one between rum &...
37Import Duty on Slaves, [13 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Parker moved to fix a duty of ten dollars on each slave imported into the United States. Some congressmen who were sympathetic with Parker’s object preferred a separate bill on slave imports. Mr. Madison . I cannot concur with gentlemen who think the present an improper time or place to enter into a discussion of the proposed motion; if it is taken up in a seperate view, we shall do the same...
38Import Duties, [15 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
JM moved to add a clause to the impost bill limiting its duration. Mr. Madison . When he offered this amendment to the bill, he thought its propriety was so obvious and striking, that it would meet no opposition. To pass a bill, not limited in duration, which was to draw revenue from the pockets of the people, appeared to be dangerous in the administration of any government; he hoped therefore...
39From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 17 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 3d. instant was not recd. till two days ago. It is not certain however that the post office is chargeable with the delay, the date of its receipt stamped at Fredg. being the 16th. of the month. The progress of our revenue system continues to be slow. The bill rating the duties is still with the Senate. It is said that many alterations will be proposed, consisting of...
40Removal Power of the President, [19 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The House took up the establishment of executive departments. JM moved the creation of foreign affairs, treasury, and war departments. The debate centered on the clause vesting in the president alone the power to remove the officers heading these departments. Smith (South Carolina) contended that impeachment was the only constitutional means of removal. Mr. Madison Did not concur with the...
41Treasury Department, [20 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Gerry proposed to place the treasury in the hands of three commissioners. Baldwin preferred a single secretary, with subordinates serving as a check upon his authority. Mr. Madison Had intended to have given his sentiments on this subject; but he was anticipated in some things by the gentleman last up. He wished, in all cases of an executive nature, that the committee should consider the...
42From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 21 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. gave me the first information of Browse’s illness. I hope his recovery is by this time established, as well as that of your mamma. My letters from Virginia give me room to fear much for the situation of the same relation. She was in bad health when I came away, and I understand that she has continued to decline till her case is extremely critical. I send to the post...
43Citizenship, [22 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The House took up the petition of David Ramsay, who claimed that the election of William Smith of South Carolina was invalid because he had not been a citizen for seven years when elected ( Ramsay to JM, 4 Apr. 1789 and n. 2). Mr. Madison. I think the merit of the question is now to be decided, whether the gentleman is eligible to a seat in this house or not, but it will depend on the decision...
44From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
This will I expect be handed you by a young gentleman, Mr. Colden, the son of an amiable lady of that name within the circle of my acquaintance in this place. I need not apprize you that the family, of which Governour Colden is the Ancestor, is a respectable one. The young gentleman has been in Scotland for some years, pursuing his education, and with the approbation of his friends proposes to...
45From 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...
46From 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...
47Notes for Speech in Congress, [ca. 8 June] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Reasons urging amendts. 1. to prove fedts. friends to liberty 2. remove remaining inquietudes 3. bring in N. C. & R. Island. 4. to improve the Constitution Reasons for moderating the plan 1. No stop if door opend to theoretic amendts. 2. as likely to make worse as better till trial 3. insure passage by ⅔ of Congs. & ¾ of Sts. Objectns. of 3 kinds vs the Constn: 1. vs. the theory of its...
48Amendments to the Constitution, [8 June] 1789 (Madison Papers)
On 25 May, the day assigned to take up amendments, JM moved to postpone the subject for two weeks ( Gazette of the U.S. , 27 May 1789). On 8 June he moved to refer the business to a Committee of the Whole. Jackson opposed amendments at this time as premature, and suggested a postponement until March 1790. Others objected that Congress had more pressing business to complete before amendments...
49From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed from Col: H. Lee with the papers accompanying it fully explain themselves. Inclosed also is a letter from Mr. P. Carr, who has been here several weeks. One of his inducements to visit N. York during the present vacation, was a hope of falling in with you on your visit to America. I regret much both your disappointments. It is not yet in my power to say when the...
50From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 15 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed paper contains the proposition made on Monday last on the subject of amendments. It is limited to points which are important in the eyes of many and can be objectionable in those of none. The structure & stamina of the Govt. are as little touched as possible. Nothing of a controvertible nature can be expected to make its way thro’ the caprice & discord of opinions which would...
51Removal Power of the President, [16 June] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Committee of the Whole took up the bill establishing a department of foreign affairs. Smith (South Carolina) and others wished to strike out the clause declaring the secretary “to be removeable from office by the President of the United States.” Mr. Madison. If the construction of the constitution is to be left to its natural course with respect to the executive powers of this government,...
52From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 17 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed bill relating to the Judiciary has been just introduced into the Senate. Having not yet looked it over I can say nothing of its merits. You will be a better judge, and such remarks as your leisure will permit, will be acceptable & useful. A very interesting Question is started—By whom officers appointed during pleasure by the Presidt. & Senate are to be displaced?—whether the...
53Removal Power of the President, [17 June] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Debate continued on the clause in the bill establishing a foreign affairs department that declared the secretary could be removed from office by the president. Mr. Madison. However various the opinions which exist upon the point now before us, it seems agreed on all sides, that it demands a careful investigation and full discussion. I feel the importance of the question, and know that our...
54Removal Power of the President, [18 June] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The removal clause in the bill establishing a foreign affairs department was still under consideration. Mr. Madison. The question now seems to be brought to this, whether it is proper or improper to retain these words in the clause, provided they are explanatory of the constitution. I think this branch of the legislature is as much interested in the establishment of the true meaning of the...
55From James Madison to Samuel Johnston, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I lost no time in handing to the President the address inclosed in your favor of the 22 of May, and have postponed an acknowledgment of the latter in expectation of being able at the same time to cover the President’s answer. This has been and continues to be delayed by a very serious indisposition. We hope that he is not in much danger, but are by no means without our fears also. His disorder...
56From James Madison to Henry Lee, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
It was fortunate that a duplicate of your letter to Mr. Jefferson went so soon from Alexandria. The copy in My hands did not find a conveyance fit to be trusted for a very long time—it cannot have reached him yet. I was determined to await a secure opportunity, and the intermission of the French Packet left such an one extremely rare. I was compelled at last to put it into the hands of a...
57From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
The last favor for which I am to thank you is of June 9th. For some time past I have been obliged to content myself with inclosing you the Newspapers. In general they give, tho’ frequently erroneous and sometimes perverted, yet on the whole, fuller accounts of what is going forward than could be put into a letter. The papers now covered contain a sketch of a very interesting discussion which...
58From James Madison to William Short, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. George James of Virginia is recommended to me by a friend as of integrity and worth, and on that ground I take the liberty of introducing him to you. He is not sure that his objects in visiting Europe will carry him to Paris, but the possibility of such an event interests him in the means of becoming known to you, and I lend my aid for the purpose the more readily, as it affords an...
59From 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.
60Removal Power of the President, [22 June] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The bill establishing a department of foreign affairs was still being debated in the Committee of the Whole. On 19 June the motion to strike out the clause, “to be removable from office by the President,” was defeated. The objection arose, however, that this clause had the appearance of being a grant of power by the legislature. To avoid this difficulty, Benson moved that whenever the...