31To James Madison from Richard Peters, 31 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
I percieve, by the News Papers, that Congress are about establishing Fees in the Admiralty Side of the District Court. I have heard that considerable Deductions have been made from the Fees as mentioned in the Bill first brought forward by Mr Smith of S. C. I saw that Bill & objected both to the Clause embarrassing the Seamen in their Lien upon the Ship, & to the Quantum of Fees. The first I...
32Repayment of Bank Loan, [26 December] 1792 (Madison Papers)
By the Bank Act of 1791, the federal government paid $2 million, from funds previously borrowed at 6 percent interest and appropriated for debt reduction, for its shares in the Bank of the United States. The bank in turn lent the government $2 million to be applied toward the reduction of debt as previously appropriated and to be paid off in $200,000 annual installments over the next ten years...
33To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 24 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your letters with the papers inclosed. It appears from the accounts I have seen that Mr. A. will be reelected and I think and have heretofore expressed that opinion to Monroe that the investigation of his opinions and their tendency was not commenced in time to make the impression on the Public mind that was necessary to effect a change—nor do I think his conduct in office (if...
34Madison’s National Gazette Essays, 19 November 1791–20 December 1792 (Editorial Note) (Madison Papers)
JM wrote eighteen unsigned essays that Philip Freneau published in the National Gazette between 21 November 1791 and 22 December 1792. (For details of his encouragement of Freneau’s newspaper, see The Origins of Freneau’s National Gazette , 25 July 1791.) Each essay bears the heading “For the National Gazette .” Two of them, forming a single, extended essay— “Money”—were probably written...
35For the National Gazette, 20 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
Republican .—The people themselves. The sacred trust can be no where so safe as in the hands most interested in preserving it. Anti-republican .—The people are stupid, suspicious, licentious. They cannot safely trust themselves. When they have established government they should think of nothing but obedience, leaving the care of their liberties to their wiser rulers. Republican .—Although all...
36To James Madison from Joseph Barnes, 20 December 1792 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 20 December 1792, Philadelphia. A list of proposed alterations to the 1790 federal patent law, followed by “observations tending to demonstrate the Necessity and equity of the proposed amendments.” Includes remarks on how James Rumsey’s discoveries in working with steam power have been denied legal protection. “Since it is not the wish of any good Citizen, ’tis presumed the...
37To James Madison from John Vining, 18 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with the Desire of a number of my Constituents, I take the Liberty to enclose to you a Memorial from the Merchants of Wilmington to which they request your Patronage. Having Business of peculiar private Importance before the Legislature of this State which will meet on the first of January, I shall necessarily be absent from the House of Representatives until about the middle of...
38From James Madison to George Washington, 14 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President, and informs him that Mr. Johnson, the candidate for the light-house appointment, having left the City yesterday morning, it cannot now be ascertained how far he is apprised of the limited provision annexed to the place. RC ( DNA : RG 59, State Department, Miscellaneous Letters). Addressed by JM.
39To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 12 December] 1792 (Madison Papers)
I dine at home & alone to-day & Saturday of the present week. I inclose some loose thoughts on the bankrupt bill. Extempore thoughts & doubts on very superficially running over the bkrpt. bill. The British statute excepts expressly farmers, graziers, drovers , as such, tho they buy to sell again. This bill has no such exception. The British adjudications exempt the buyers & sellers of bank...
40From James Madison to Daniel Carroll, 11 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 December 1792. Acknowledged in Carroll to JM, 13 Jan. 1793 . Reiterates request for information about the Potomac navigation. Comments on the tax on horses as a direct tax and its unequal effect between North and South. Gives news concerning France and Browse Trist.
41From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, [10 December] 1792 (Madison Papers)
As you find an amusement in our Newspapers I inclose two of the last; which however contain little of consequence, except a new report from the Treasury Dept. The Mover of the reference which gave birth to it declared he did not mean to authorize a proposition of new taxes, and it appeared that some at least voted for the Motion on that idea. You will find however that a different construction...
42To James Madison from William Overton Callis, 9 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
I received your favor 27th last Month in due time: and now inclose you my own affadavit and a certificate from Genl. Wood, who commanded the Regiment at the time of my derangement; which (the Paymaster, Benjn Lawson, being dead) is I conceive the best evidence that the nature of the case will admit of. This compensation having been allowed by congress in lieu of all others subsequent to the...
43From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 6 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 28th. Ult. I wish I could remove your anxiety for the French. The last accounts are so imperfect & contradictory that it is difficult to make any thing of them. They come also thro’ the Brussels & English channels, which increases the uncertainty. It appears on the whole that the combination agst. the revolution, and particularly agst. their new republic, is...
44To James Madison from William Overton Callis, 2 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 25 Ult. came to hand last evening: I have to acknowledge the polite attention to the request contained in my last. If I should be fortunate enough to succeed in my claim, your own prudance will dictate to you to the proper channel to transmit the proceeds. I have now to retu[r]n you my particular thanks for your communications, relative to the Competitors for the Vice...
45To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 28 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 November 1792. Acknowledged in JM to Pendleton, 6 Dec. 1792 . Expresses concern over the fate of the French.
46To James Madison from John Dawson, 27 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I am honord with your favour of the 21st. inst., for which youll be pleased to recieve my thanks. I inclose you a list of the Electors of our state agreeably to the returns to the Executive. The member from the Berkeley district is the only one who will be in favour of the present Vice President, & he is indebted to the bad day for his election as he was opposed by Colo Smith. All the others...
47To James Madison from John Waller Johnston, 27 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
When I took the liberty last March, to ask the favor, of your interesting yourself, in my behalf with the Secretary of the Treasury for the appointment of keeper of the light house on Cape Henry, I did not know, that there was any other applicants; but was afterwards informed, that Mr William Lewis, of this place had applied before me; & consequently had got the appointment: but last week...
48From James Madison to William Overton Callis, 27 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 November 1792. Acknowledged in Callis to JM, 9 Dec. 1792 . Requests vouchers needed for Callis’s Revolutionary War claim and comments on the state of the army account books.
49From James Madison to William Overton Callis, 25 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 25 November 1792. Acknowledged in Callis to JM, 2 Dec. 1792 . Concerns Callis’s Revolutionary War claim. Recommends voting for Clinton over Adams for vice-president, as antirepublicanism is now a greater danger than anti-federalism.
50From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have sent by a Vessel just sailed a small cask of port wine—a few Glass & plate wares with some knives & forks and two or three Books for Fanny. They are addressed to Mr. Anderson. Among the Books are two translations of Telemachus. One was bought before that in 2 vol: which is the proper one for her use could be met with. The supernumerary one which is the best for the English reader may be...
51To James Madison from Joseph Howell, 21 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed papers left with me, I have examined and made the necessary Notes thereon. I am Sir Your obedt. servt. RC ( DLC ). Addressed by Howell and docketed by JM. Enclosures not found.
52Public Debt, [21 November] 1792 (Madison Papers)
The House debated several motions that would have avoided a direct reference to the secretary of the treasury. The issue was whether the constitutional provision that bills for raising revenue must originate in the House precluded asking the secretary for a plan to reduce the public debt. Fisher Ames summarized the position of those who wanted a report from the secretary. “On the whole, if we...
53To James Madison from William Overton Callis, 19 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I observe by an Act of the last session of Congress, that the Door for claimants for Personal Service against the U. States, is again open: I have taken the liberty therefore to inclose you a Power of attorney to settle my claim with any Person authorised to do it. In the year 1778 I retired from the Army as a supernumerary Luent. of the 4th. Virginia Regiment, under an arangment of the Army...
54To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 19 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I arrived at home on the fourth of October, & in about 10 Days was thrown up again with the Gout which has kept me confined ever since. Thinking that you wou’d probably leave home before my Letter cou’d reach you, I deferred writing untill I knew certainly that you were in Philadelphia, this the Fredericksburg Paper of the 15th. informed me, & I embrace the earliest oppy. by a private hand to...
55Public Debt, [19 November] 1792 (Madison Papers)
The Committee of the Whole took up the section of the president’s speech dealing with reduction of the public debt. FitzSimons moved for a resolution that the House should adopt measures and direct the secretary of the treasury to report a plan to reduce the debt. Mr. Madison wished for information before he could agree to the motion just made. The exact state of our finances, he conceived,...
56From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 16 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I make use of the opportunity afforded by the return of Col. Hoomes to inclose a parcel of the late newspapers, which may contain some things not in the other papers you get. You will find in them all the particulars known here concerning the affairs of France; and sketches of the business as yet brought before Congress. The Presidents Speech & the two answers are I believe also in the...
57Inquiry into General St. Clair’s Defeat, [14 November] 1792 (Madison Papers)
The Committee of the Whole took up the report of the select committee’s inquiry into the causes of the failure of St. Clair’s expedition. Mr. Madison suggested that the most simple, most practicable and consistent plan would be, to recommit the report of the Select Committee, and refer the present applications Letters of the secretary of war and quartermaster general. to the Committee, to whom...
58Inquiry into General St. Clair’s Defeat, [13 November] 1792 (Madison Papers)
On 7 November the House referred to the Committee of the Whole the report on the defeat of General St. Clair’s western army, which document a select committee had presented on the last day of the previous session ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States, 1789–1824 (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 2d Cong., 2d sess., 672). On 10 November the House...
59To James Madison from Thomas Bell, 13 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 November 1792. Mentioned in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany).
60To James Madison from John Dawson, 12 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
We have heard from several elections & have reason to think that the friends to Mr Clinton, or rather the opponents to Mr. Adams are generally chosen. Moses Hunter however is chosen for the Frederick district, who it is said will be friendly to Adams. Whether S. T. Mason or Colo Peyton is elected for Loudon &c is not yet known—if the latter it is to be feard that he will be for Adams. I wish...