1From James Madison to Daniel Carroll, 10 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 10 April 1791. Acknowledged in Carroll to JM, 23 Apr. 1791 . JM apparently sought details of the land acquisitions within the area set aside for the federal district on the Potomac.
2From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 11 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
I herewith inclose by a conveyance to Fredericksburg three pamphlets as requested by my father, the other by yourself: to which is added a list of the seeds &c sent lately to Mr Maury, according to the information contained in my last. I have not heard from you in answer to my letter on the subject of Tobacco. I have informed Mr Maury of my request to you to forward a few of the Hhds to this...
3From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your note of the 8th. March left in Philada. was not put into my hands till the 24th. I immediately took the proper steps for complying with the desire of Mr. Brackenridge, and now inclose the information obtained for him. The Books are to be had according to the Editions & prices annexed to his list of Mr. Rice of this City. Should Mr. Brackenridge be satisfied with them, which in most...
4Memorandum to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 18 April] 1791 (Madison Papers)
Substance of a Conversation held by Js. Madison Jr with Col: Beckwith, at the desire of Mr. Jefferson— Last evening offered the first opportunity of breaking to Col B—— the subject for which he has been thought a proper channel to the Governour of Canada. It was explicitly made known to him, that besides its being generally understood that the N. W. Indians were supplied with the means of war...
5From 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).
6From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 April 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 23 April 1791. Acknowledged in letter from JM’s father of 11 May 1791 . Recommends sending tobacco to Thomas Leiper of Philadelphia for sale if prices in Virginia do not rise, and probably suggests that a power of attorney be executed to convert loan office certificates held in the father’s name into U.S. treasury notes.
7Notes 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
8From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1791 (Madison Papers)
Finding on my arrival at Princeton that both Docr. Witherspoon & Smith had made excursions in the Vacation, I had no motive to detain me there; and accordingly pursuing my journey I arrived here the day after I left Philada. My first object was to see Dorhman. He continues to wear the face of honesty, and to profess much anxiety to discharge the claims of Mazzei; but acknowledges that all his...
9From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 12 May 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. was recd. last evening. To my thanks for the several inclosures I must add a request that the letter to Baynton which came in one of them may be handed to him by one of your servants. The directory will point out his habitation. I had seen Payne’s pamphlet with the preface of the Philada. Editor. It immediately occurred that you were brought into the Frontispiece in the...
10From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 19 May 1791 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 9th. instant found me in this City. I immediately wrote to Mr. Leiper & this day recd his answer on the subject of Tobo. which I inclose. I think you & my father wd. do well to send your tobo. to him as soon as you can, takin⟨g⟩ care to send none but of the most respectable quality. I cannot comply here with my father’s request as to the raisins & Tamarinds. Before I left Philada....
11Notes on the Lake Country Tour, [31 May–7 June] 1791 (Madison Papers)
Until recent times historians interpreted the trip JM and Jefferson took to Lakes George and Champlain, as well as their swing through New England and across the Long Island Sound, as a politically motivated journey. Beguiled by the contemporary commentaries of Federalists, students of the period argued that the two Virginians sought northern support for their opposition to the Hamiltonian...
12From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1791 (Madison Papers)
I received your favor of the 21st. yesterday, inclosing post notes for 235 dollars. I shall obtain the bills of Mrs. Elsworth & the Smith this afternoon and will let you know the amount of them. There is a bill also from the Taylor amounting to £6–7. which I shall pay. The articles for which it is due are in my hands and will be forwarded by the first opportunity. If a good one should fall...
13From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1791 (Madison Papers)
By a Capt: Simms who setts off this afternoon in the Stage for Philadelphia I forward the Bundle of Cloaths from the Taylor. His bill is inclosed with that of Mrs. Elsworth including the payment to the Smith. I have seen Col: Smith more than once. He would have opened his budget fully to me, but I declined giving him the trouble. He has written to the President a state of all his conversations...
14From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, ca. 29 June 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 29 June 1791. Mentioned in JM’s letter to his father, 2 July 1791 . Answers his brother’s queries concerning the tobacco market in Philadelphia and also gives a report on his trip to the lake regions in Vermont and through New England with Jefferson as a companion.
15From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday your’s of the 28th. and this morning called on Col: Smith from whom I obtained the pamphlet & map, herewith inclosed. The former you are to keep. The latter being the last copy is to be sent back to him after satisfying yourself with it. With respect to the Map of S. America he says that it was obtained from the Engraver by Pitt & Grenville during the squabble with Spain, and...
16From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 2 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 29th. of May never came to hand till yesterday when it fell in with me at this place. My brother’s of nearly the same date had done so a few days before. My answer to his went by the last mail. I refer to it for the information yours requests. I had indeed long before advised you both to ship to Leiper all the good Tobacco of your Crops. It is certainly the best you can do...
17From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. came to hand on friday. I went yesterday to the person who advertised the Maple Sugar for the purpose of executing your commission on that subject. He tells me that the cargo is not yet arrived from Albany, but is every hour expected; that it will not be sold in parcels of less than 15 or 16 hundred lb. & only at Auction, but that the purchasers will of course deal it...
18From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I received last evening your kind enquiries after my health. My last will have informed you of the state of it then. I continue to be incommoded by several different shapes taken by the bile; but not in a degree that can now be called serious. If the present excessive heat should not augment the energy of the cause, I consider myself as in a good way to get rid soon of its effects. Beckley has...
19From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 21 July 1791. Acknowledged in Jefferson to JM, 24 July 1791 . In his list of letters to Jefferson (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers), JM noted that this letter, like that of 13 July, concerned “Publicola.” Perhaps this was JM’s letter of 21 July to an unspecified correspondent, listed in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892), p. 262.
20From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 21st. came to hand last evening. It was meant that you should keep the pamphlet inclosed in it. I have seen Freneau, and, as well as Col: H. Lee, have pressed the establishment of himself in Philada. where alone his talents can do the good or reap the profit of which they are capable. Though leaning strongly agst. the measure, under the influence of little objections which...
21From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 26 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I am just in possession of your favor of the 24 inst: & thank you for the pamphlet which I shall look over without delay. Mr. Dorhman has this moment handed me a letter to Mazzei which will give him the change of prospect as to the balance of the debt. I really believe D’s misfortune to have been great & real. Mazzei must rest contented with his ultimate security in the land which I consider...
22From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [29 July] 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have this instant recd. yours of the 27th. in which you refer to as inclosed the pamphlet desired by me—to wit T. Coxes answer to Sheffield: As it is not inclosed I snatch this sudden oppty. to request you to forward it by Monday’s mail. I thank you for the other inclosures & have only time to add that I am Sir, RC ( DLC ). Addressed by JM. Docketed by Jefferson, “July 29. 1791 / recd July...
23From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yours of the 28th. last evening. Your preceding one covering among other things your memorandums through France was acknowledged by a few lines put into the hands of a young gentleman bound to Philada. in the Stage of yesterday. The purpose of them was to apprize you that you had omitted Coxe’s answer to Sheffield and to request the favor of you to send it by Monday’s mail. Should the...
24From James Madison to William Bingham, [ca. August] 1791 (Madison Papers)
The Legislature of Virginia chuse their Senators for Congs. as they do their State officers, by joint ballot of the two Houses. The ballots are first separately collected in each House & then brought together & counted by Committees from each in presence of such other members as think fit to attend, the election being decided by the major vote without regard to a distinction of Houses. It is a...
25From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 August 1791. Acknowledged in Jefferson to JM, 3 Aug. 1791 . In his list of letters to Jefferson (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers), JM noted that this letter dealt with “Freneau. Col. H. Lee.”
26From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
It being probable that I shall leave this place early in the ensuing week I drop you an intimation of it, that you may keep back any letters that may fall into your hands for me, or that you might intend to favor me with. The outward bound packet for Halifax & London sailed to day. The one expected for some time past is not yet arrived, and I do not learn that any foreign news is recd. thro’...
27From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of putting the inclosed into your hands that in case Col: Lee should have left Philada. the contents may find their way to Col: Fisher who is most interested in them. And I leave it open for the same purpose. The Attorney will be a fit channel in the event of Col: Lee’s departure, for conveying the information. You will find an allusion to some mysterious cause for a...
28From James Madison to Joseph Jones, [post 23] August 1791 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr. Childs who solicits subscriptions to a new Gazette to be edited from his press by Mr. Freneau. The plan will be shewn you & speaks its own merits. Those of Mr. Childs have besides other vouchers the character & success of a paper of which he has long been the printer in New York. With Mr. Freneau I have been long & thoroughly acquainted. He is a man of genius, of...
29From James Madison to Mann Page, Jr., [post 23] August 1791 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr. Childs who solicits subscriptions to a new Gazette to be edited at the Seat of Federal Government, from his press by Mr. Freneau. He will communicate to you the plan, which speaks its own merits. Those of Mr. Childs have, besides other vouchers, the character & success of a paper of which he has long been the Printer in New York. With Mr. Freneau I have been long...
30From James Madison to Charles Simms, [post 23] August 1791 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr. Childs who solicits subscriptions to a new Gazette to be edited from his press by Mr. Freneau. The plan being inclosed speaks its own merits. Those of Mr. Childs are vouched by the character & success of a paper which has been for a long time published by him in N. York. With Mr. Freneau I have been long and intimately acquainted. He is a man of genius, of...
31From James Madison to Edward Carrington, 28 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 August 1791, Philadelphia. Acknowledged in Carrington to JM, 21 Sept. 1791 . Encloses note of Tench Coxe and concerns related business to which JM attended for Carrington.
32From James Madison to Hubbard Taylor, 11 October 1791 (Madison Papers)
Since my arrival in Orange which was long delayed by a ramble into the Eastern States, I have recd. two favors from you, one of them inclosing a Kentucky Gazette. I am glad to find the true method of dealing with the savages has been hit on; and hope that such a terror has been struck into them as will prevent the necessity of future chastisements. In my present situation I can give you little...
33From 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...
34From James Madison to Robert Pleasants, 30 October 1791 (Madison Papers)
The delay in acknowledging your letter of the 6th. June last proceeded from the cause you conjectured. I did not receive it till a few days ago, when it was put into my hands by Mr. James Pemberton, along with your subsequent letter of the 8th. August. The petition relating to the Militia bill contains nothing that makes it improper for me to present it. I shall therefore readily comply with...
35Preliminary Draft of an Essay on Natural Order, [ca. 10 November] 1791 (Madison Papers)
Symmetry of Nature The planetary system, the greatest portion of the Universe, as yet brought under human observation, is regulated by fixed laws, and presents most demonstrably, a scene of order and proportion. From analogy we conclude that the whole universe, if it were equally understood, would exhibit equal proofs of a like arrangement. The general aspect of the earth leads us to remark...
36From James Madison to William Overton Callis, 10 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 10 November 1791. Acknowledged in Callis to JM, 18 Nov. 1791 . Concerns sale of Callis’s land warrant and settlement of a Revolutionary War claim.
37From James Madison to Reuben Lindsay, 10 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 10 November 1791. Acknowledged in Lindsay to JM, 9 Dec. 1791 . Concerns the exchange of John and Thomas Dickenson’s certificates of registered debt.
38From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 13 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
I recd. yesterday a letter from my brother Ambrose which gave me the first information I had since I left home concerning the state of my mothers health. I am extremely glad to find she had so much mended and hope her health may continue to grow better. My brother signified to me that Miss Baynton wished a furr instead of a chip hat to be sent her. Unluckily the latter had been bought, packed...
39From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 17 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
My last informed you of the articles procured & forwardd. in consequence of my several commissions. I now send the key of the trunk in which some of the articles are contained. I forgot to mention that the Tea in the Dressing boxes belongs to my brother Ambrose. You will see by the inclosed papers that the number of future representatives in Congress has been a subject of discussion, and is...
40From James Madison to John Stadler, 18 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d. of October last. On examining its contents I find that of the three grounds of complaint stated, two have no relation to matters within the sphere of Congress. They can be addressed with propriety only to the authority of the State of Virginia. With respect to the third, viz. the deficiency of the continental allowance for your services under a...
41Notes on Emigration, [ante 19 November] 1791 (Madison Papers)
Emigration Both in the vegetable and animal Kingdoms every species derives from nature a reproductive faculty beyond the demand for merely keeping up its stock. The seed of a single plant is sufficient to multiply it an hundred fold. The animal offspring is never limited to the number of the parents. This ordinance of nature is calculated in both instances for a twofold purpose. In both it...
42For the National Gazette, 19 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
Population and Emigration. Both in the vegetable and animal kingdoms, every species derives from nature, a reproductive faculty beyond the demand for merely keeping up its stock: the seed of a single plant is sufficient to multiply it one hundred or a thousand fold. The animal offspring is never limited to the number of its parents. The multiplying power in some instances, animal as well as...
43Proportional Representation, [22 November] 1791 (Madison Papers)
The Constitution limited the apportionment ratio to no more than one representative to every 30,000 persons. With the 1790 census completed, reapportionment became necessary. On 15 November 1791, following a debate in which such lower ratios as 1:34,000 and 1:40,000 were proposed, JM voted with the majority in the House for a 1:30,000 ratio. On 22 November the Committee of the Whole debated...
44From James Madison to George Nicholas, 24 November 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 24 November 1791. Acknowledged in Nicholas to JM, 1 Feb. 1792 . Apparently concerns pending legislation in Congress, including the excise bill and duties on spirits.
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....
46Appropriation for Operating the Federal Government, [2 December] 1791 (Madison Papers)
In Committee of the Whole, Parker of the Virginia delegation requested an examination of the increased expenses, as the proposed appropriation was nearly double that of the previous year. A general debate followed. Mr. Madison considered the present a good opportunity to determine how far the House could go into an examination of the accounts of public officers. It was true that the...
47From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 3 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
The last letter I recd. from you was of Novr. 12. I had previously informed you that your certificates had been funded by Messr. Ashton & Wister. They are now in my hands, with interest due on them from Jany. last, which cannot be drawn without a power of attorney to me for the purpose. My brother William can procure you blank powers at Richmond. It will be proper in filling up the blank to...
48For the National Gazette, 3 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Much has been said, and not without reason, against a consolidation of the States into one government. Omitting lesser objections, two consequences would probably flow from such a change in our political system, which justify the cautions used against it. First , it would be impossible to avoid the dilemma, of either relinquishing the present energy and responsibility of a single executive...
49From James Madison to Charles Carter, 4 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 December 1791. Acknowledged in Carter to JM, 16 Dec. 1791 . Reports that Carter’s son is well situated as an apprentice.
50Post Office and Post Roads, [7 December] 1791 (Madison Papers)
In Committee of the Whole on 6 December Sedgwick had moved to delete from the post office bill specification of the post roads and instead to grant the president authority to designate them. Debate resumed on 7 December, when White and Livermore spoke against the motion. Mr. Madison said that the arguments which are offered by the gentlemen who are in favor of the amendment, appear to be drawn...