31To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 29 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you a few lines by yesterdays post. The affair of Mr Carrolls House gives us uneasiness on several accounts—as it must wound the feelings of the President, & may be of some injury. The Major wrote to Mr Carroll in very polite terms to take down his House, being built on public ground. Mr Carroll for answer informd him that whenever it shoud be deemd an obstruction in consequence of...
32To James Madison from Francis Corbin, 25 October 1791 (Madison Papers)
It is a long time since I did myself the Honor of writing to you: a gratification of which I have been deprived by a concurrence of cross and untoward circumstances. The Accident which happened in my family last year, the ill State of my health for three years past—the multiplicity of private—and the perplexity of the Occasional public business in which I have been engaged have more than...
33To James Madison from William Hull, 14 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
In conformity to an appointment and instructions from the officers of the Massachusetts line of the late American army, I have attended at the seat of government from the 20th of March to the present period. The object of my commission was to obtain a decision on a memorial which they had heretofore presented to Congress, on the subject of further compensation for themselves and the soldiers...
34Reply of the President to the House of Representatives, [28 October] 1791 (Madison Papers)
The pleasure I derive from an assurance of your attention to the objects I have recommended to you, is doubled by your concurrence in the testimony I have borne to the prosperous condition of our public Affairs. Relying on these sanctions of your enlightened Judgment, and on your patriotic aid, I shall be the more encouraged in all my endeavours for the public weal; and particularly in those...
35From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 17 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Col. Wadsworth of Connecticut wishes to procure a Barrel or half-Barrel of the best Peach Brandy & I have undertaken to use my efforts for the purpose. If it can be got at all it is probably in our Neighbourhood. I recollect particularly that Colo Geo. Taylor had some that we thought good & which is perhaps to be obtained. If that or any better can be had I shall be glad that one of my...
36To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 17 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you immediately on my return to Virginia relative to my projected peregrination with you thro’ the Eastern States. I had then doubts whether I should be able to accomplish this design. Various circumstances have since occurred—to compel me to relinquish a journey so useful and agreeable and a companion so delectable. I please myself however with the hope that it will be in all...
37To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 23 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favor of the 10th Instant came to hand. The Commissioners were then met to take deeds from the parties according to the articles I inclosd to you. There occur’d a dificulty—some of the parties were of opinion that the lines of the propos’d city shou’d not contain more than within the Limits expresd by the president at the time of the accomodation (abt 4000 Ac[r]es), others contended that...
38From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 September 1792. In his list of letters to Jefferson (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers), JM noted that this letter, like that of 27 July, concerned “Kentucky Elections.”
39From James Madison to Daniel Carroll, 25 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 25 December 1791. Acknowledged in Carroll to JM, 30 Dec. 1791 . Informs Carroll that apportionment is to be reconsidered.
40For Dunlap’s American Daily Advertiser, [22 September] 1792 (Madison Papers)
The public have been lately amused with some criticisms in the United States Gazette, upon the political character and conduct of the Secretary of state. The charges exhibited against him, in substance, amount to this: 1. That he was always inimical to the present government, and has in a particular manner shewn it since he came into office, by the freedom with which he has censured public...
41From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 June 1792 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have had the pleasure of your two letters of the 10. & 17. inst. The latter has but just come to hand, and I can not say any thing as to the legal arrangement of the Cutters. We have had very seasonable weather of late in this quarter. I understand it has been less so farther South. How Albemarle & Bedford have fared I can not tell. Notwithstanding the good weather the very...
42The Origins of Freneau’s National Gazette, 25 July 1791 (Editorial Note) (Madison Papers)
Alarmed by the blatant partisanship of John Fenno’s Gazette of the United States , which JM and Jefferson grew to distrust after the publisher’s support of Alexander Hamilton became more apparent in the winter of 1790–91, the two republicans began seeking a journalistic counterbalance. Philip Freneau seemed to have all the qualifications. He was a trustworthy republican (Freneau and JM had...
43From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 13 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 13 March 1792. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, 22 Mar. 1792 . Concerns the questions of the appropriate military establishment for prosecution of the war against the Indians, the funding system, and executive influence in legislative matters.
44Compensation of the President and Vice-President, [7 February] 1793 (Madison Papers)
The House took up “the bill fixing the compensation of the President and Vice President of the United States.” Mercer moved to amend the bill by placing on it a four-year time limit to ensure the dependence of the executive upon the legislative branch. Livermore and Gerry opposed the amendment. Mr. Madison said, that the independence of the executive with regard to the legislative, as...
45To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I this moment recieve yours of the 26th. The sugar of which you inclose a sample would by no means answer my purpose, which was to send it to Monticello, in order, by a proof of it’s quality, to recommend attention to the tree to my neighbors. In my letter of yesterday I forgot to tell you there is a brig here to sail for Halif[a]x in 10. days. She is under repair, & therefore may possibly...
46To James Madison from James Maury, 3 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the papers & pamphlet you sent me by the Grange, wch. have afforded me much Entertainment. I am happy to see the malicious predictions of the lying prophet so completely counteracted by the prosperity of the Country he took so much pleasure in debasing & vilifying by Invective. Whenever any Thing here presents that promises Entertainment to you in that way, I shall...
47To 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.
48To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 7 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
Mr Johnson wrote to me the 31st Ulto. that he shoud set out for Pha the day following—it was with great concern I heard last night that he had not left home, but wou’d as soon as the roads were a little better. I hope however that this is not well founded. I have wrote to him several matters inclosd to Mr C. C. of C. If he is not with you I woud have them opend by Mr Carroll for your joint...
49To 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...
In estimating the tendency of Governme⟨n⟩ts to the increase or the relaxation of their powers particular causes distinct from their respective structures, but of powerful influence on their operation, seem to have been overlooked or little heeded by the great oracles of political wisdom. In the discussions produced by the establishment of and revisions of the new forms of Govt. in the U. S....
51To James Madison from William Madison, 3 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
The arguments on the subjects of the British debts are at length concluded and it is expected the Court will decide tomorrow. Judge Blair docs not set in the Cause. The Bill for reforming the inferior Courts is still before the House it has undergone several alteration & I apprehend will finally be rejected for the regulation will effect a great number of those who are to determine its fate. A...
52To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 June 1792 (Madison Papers)
I attended on the 15. according to appointment at Richmd. to meet the gentn., my associates, in the revision of the laws, on that business, but found only Mr. Nelson there. Mr. Lee & Mr. Tucker came abt. the 20th. but predisposed not to enter on it at that place. Three days were taken up in occasional consultations about an adjournment to Wmsburg wh. was advocated by the two latter & but...
53From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 30 October 1791 (Madison Papers)
We arrived here yesterday morning was a week, having been obliged to push through the bad weather by the discovery first made at Mount Vernon that the meeting of Congress was a week earlier than was calculated at our setting out. The President had been under the same mistake, and had but just been apprized of it. Many others had equally miscalculated. Being obliged to attend immediately on my...
54To James Madison from Henry Lee, 18 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your two letters of the 6th & 11th. The last communicated the appointment of commander in cheif of the W. A. This event has excited general astonishment here, and will be illy received I fear where the public good demands it should be otherwise received. I sincerely hope the new general may give peace to our country, and restore the honor of the American name. Altho the common report...
55From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 18 April 1791. Noted by JM in his list of letters to Jefferson as relating to the “conversation with Beckwith” (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers).
56Notes on Hudson Valley Lodgings, [post 24 April] 1791 (Madison Papers)
Best Taverns over the Bridge Kings bridge—New House Crowtons—A Widow Purdie Peekskill—Excellent Fish kill—2d. Tavern near a new Church good beds—bad dinner— Near this a curious spring noted by Colles in his chart enquire of it for Ct. Andriani Poughkepsie—Capt: Weeks— Reinbeck X—very bad— Red Hook—very good Claverack—best accommodations 1 mile beyond at a
57To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 30 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favors of the 20th. & 25th came to hand. Mr Carroll writes me that he shall sett of[f] for Pha. abt the 10th of next month, sooner if any thing urgent happens—this has releiv’d me from considerable anxiety. He thinks it impossible that any body will be so hardy as to make the attempt you mention—indeed on considering that Subject so many things strike my mind, that I cannot beleive any...
58From James Madison to Hubbard Taylor, 29 September 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 29 September 1792. Acknowledged in Taylor to JM, 3 Jan. 1793 . Concerns hopes for Taylor’s election to Congress, “the fermentations” in Kentucky, and the political attack on Jefferson.
59To James Madison from John Hurt, 4 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed papers I intended to have copied & sent to the President—but for want of paper, the being much indisposed & not expecting to have another opportunity by whom I should chuse to trust them; I send them to you in the careless manner you find them. If on a perusal of them you think they contain any thing worth his seeing please to make the proper apology & lay them before him—but if...
60To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 27 June 1792 (Madison Papers)
Yrs. of the 12th Inst came to hand; due attention shall be paid to the contents. The sale of Lotts in the City of Washington is to commence on the 8th Octr. One reason for that time, some of yr. Legislature wish’d to be present. In this I fear we shall be disapointed—yr. Govr. haveing call’d yr. Assembly to meet on the 1st of Octr. I wish it may suit you to be with us at that time, & for some...