121From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 January 1796 (Madison Papers)
The articles sent to Havre, came as you anticipated, in the same vessel with Mr. Murray, to N. York, from whence they have safely arrived here. They lay us under very great obligations to your kindness, and are the more valuable, as we venture to consider them as bearing the sanction of Mrs. Monroe’s taste as well as yours. The carpets, in particular, are truly important acquisitions. In the...
122From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 January 1796 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have had the pleasure of your two favors of Ocr. 23 & 24. The business of the Treaty with G. B. remains as it stood. A copy of the British ratification has arrived; but the Executive wait, it seems, for the original as alone proper for communication. In the mean time, altho’ it is probable that the house if brought to say yea or nay directly on the merits of the treaty will...
123To James Madison from John Browne Cutting, 26 January 1796 (Madison Papers)
I ought perhaps to apologize to You for the liberty I take and have taken. But in a matter so highly interesting to my personal character—I have venturd to obtrude myself—I fear abruptly, upon your valuable hours—desirous to be indulged in consulting you upon this occasion both as a man of honor and a republican statesman. For however confident I am of the merits of my claim I shall disdain to...
124To James Madison from George Taylor, Jr., 30 January 1796 (Madison Papers)
It is with pain I find myself constrained to trouble you on the present occasion. Nor should I now do it, but from a reluctance to petition the House. This I have already done twice unsuccessfully, and I should suppose the chance of succeeding, at this moment, in that mode, still less favorable than hitherto. But, sir, I conceive there never has been a time furnishing more real cause for...
125From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 January 1796 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a letter from Jno. Bringhurst explaining a claim on you for about £17. Pa. Currency, and requesting me to advance it. Taking him to be an honest man in distress, I shall probably venture a compliance with his solicitation, if it should be found that he cannot wait for your orders. In the mean time you can inform me whether the acct. be accurately stated: but if so, you need not...
126To James Madison from Robert Simons, [ca. 1 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Pardon the liberty I take of sending my petition to you with whom I have never had the pleasure of a personal Acquaintance: In you I have ever found the friend of the People, one whom as long as we Keep propriety on our side, I am convinced from your past conduct will be our sincere friend. I know that it should have been delivered to Mr Wm Smith our Representative, but his well known...
127To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 4 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I am just returned from Loudoun a journey the most disagreeable from weather and roads I ever encountered. Before my departure I wrote you a letter inclosing one for Monroe wherein I informed you of my fruitless search in Albemarle to discover any thing to answer the expectation and inquiry of Mr. Knox. I also mentioned my having recd. a letter from Monroe informing me he expected pickering...
128To James Madison from Richard Peters, 4 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you the Memorial I troubled you about which I should sooner have sent but that I thought it best to accompany it with a Translation. It is addressed under a mistaken Idea of the old Arrangement of Congress. But this will not affect the Substance. This young Man never had a Commission tho’ he did the Duty he mentions. He came to this Country & left it with the Marquis. The Facts he...
129To James Madison from John Browne Cutting, [ca. 5 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have been confined by an inflammation in my throat—or I shou’d have called on you at an early hour this day. Perhaps your leisure moments on the morrow (if the committee-business does not monopolize you)—will permit you to give a simple negative or affirmative to my written questions—on paper? I only ask this: in case my indisposition continues—so that I shoud not be well enough to visit...
130Postal Road Survey, [5 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison after some general remarks on the subject, offered a resolution, the purport of which is to authorise the President of the United States to cause a survey of the main post road from Maine to Georgia; the expence to be defrayed out of the surplus revenue of the post office. Gazette of the U.S. , 9 Feb. 1796 (reprinted in Philadelphia Gazette , 10 Feb. 1796, Aurora General Advertiser...
131To James Madison from John Browne Cutting, 6 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Accept my best acknowledgments both for your goodness in the investigation of my case; and the candid & obliging opinion you communicate concerning it. In proportion to the solicitude resulting from the delicacy of the nature of my claim—the hard struggle I have made for evidence to substantiate it—and the nicety of Feelings that have been deeply wounded—in the affair—is the satisfaction I...
132From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Several mails preceding that of yesterday brought nothing more Southern than Baltimore. This will account for my not receiving your favor of the 24th. Ult, till yesterday. I will make the enquiries & execute the commissions in it with pleasure, & without delay. I am afraid to make the same promise as to the weekly history of what passes in the Govt. behind the curtain; especially as the Cypher...
133From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 7 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Jany. 6., owing to failures of the Mail South of Baltimore, did not come to hand within the usual time; and subsequent delays in the communication consultation & decision of Mr. Giles & myself, on the manner of publishing & applying your observations on the carriage tax, have brought down the return of my thanks for your favor to the present date. I read with real pleasure the...
134Compensation for Members of Congress, [8 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
On 16 December 1795 the House appointed a committee to report bills for compensating members of Congress. The chairman, Goodhue (Massachusetts), reported legislation on 28 January 1796 which proposed that members of both Houses receive a salary of $1,000 annually instead of $6 per day. In the debate in the Committee of the Whole on 8 February, Giles (Virginia) moved to strike the word...
135To James Madison from Jared Ingersoll, [9 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
As you have considered the question of Constitutionality arising on the Carriage Tax, & I am applied to, on a sudden, to engage in the Argument, if without inconvenience, you could bestow 10 or 15 minutes to hint your Ideas upon the Subject, they will be very acceptable to me. Excuse the liberty I take I am With much respect Your obed hum servt RC ( NHi ). Addressed by Ingersoll to JM, “No....
136Domestic Debt of the United States, [9 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
On 3 February, Smith (South Carolina) reported a bill to extend until the end of the year the time for receiving on loan the domestic debt of the United States. In debate on 9 February, Swift (Connecticut) moved a clause that “it shall be lawful for the offices of the Treasury to receive on Loan Continental bills.” Several speakers opposed the clause as violating statutes of limitations and...
137From James Madison to Robert Simons, [ca. 10 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your letter under the same cover with a Memorial to the House of Reps. came duly to my hands thro’ those of Majr. Butler: and the Memorial, was according to your request put into the hands of the Speaker. As it has not been & is not meant to be laid before the House, it may be proper for me to give you this information, & to add that the part relating to an impeachment of the Senate which is...
138To James Madison from James Wattson, 10 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
The high Esteem & regard I have for you Makes Me trouble you, with this peice of Information which perhaps you already have Viz: That all Linnen Cloth Cotton Cloth, Tykes, Checks—&c. have a Bounty granted by Government of Britain of one penny half penny ⅌ yard of 36 Inches—they draw back also the Excise for Instance printed Cottons draw back the Excise Duty of 3d ⅌. yd. & also a Bountie of one...
139Postal Road Survey, [11 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison moved that the resolution laid upon the table, some days ago, be taken up, relative to the survey of the post roads between the province of Maine and Georgia, which being read, he observed that two good effects would arise from carrying this resolution into effect; the shortest rout from one place to another would be determined upon, and persons, having a certainty of the stability...
140Contested Election, [11 February] 1796 (Madison Papers)
On 8 December 1795 Matthew Lyon petitioned the House, protesting the election of Israel Smith (Vermont). The petition was referred to the Committee of Elections, which returned to the House on 27 January 1796 a report in favor of Smith. Debate began 11 February on whether to recommit the report to allow Lyon to present further evidence on behalf of his petition ( Annals of Congress Debates and...
141From James Madison to George Washington, 12 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President of the United States, with a letter from Arthur Cambell Esqr. which an accompanying letter to Mr. M. requests him to deliver to the President. Mr. Cambell makes a further request of Mr. M. to make any explanations that may be necessary. Mr. M. is not sensible that he possesses any local or other knowledge that can elucidate the...
142To James Madison from George Washington, 13 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for forwarding Mr. Campbells letter; & whenever I shall have the pleasure of seeing you (for I would not put you to the trouble of calling for that purpose only) I will converse with you upon the subject of it. I confess, in the meantime, that I do not see upon what ground the application is made, to me . I can hardly suppose, Congress will disband the Troops now in Service, and...
143To James Madison from Jared Ingersoll, 14 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I am particularly obliged by your sending me the Book on Taxation. I will endeavour to possess myself of the Report to which you allude & shall be particularly happy to have a conference with you to-morrow. I am With great regard yr RC ( NN ). Addressed by Ingersoll. Possibly JM sent Ingersoll a copy of John Taylor, An Argument respecting the Constitutionality of the Carriage Tax; Which...
144To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 17 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I was not only astonished but concerned to see in what manner the resolutions of the Virginia Ass: was treated by the Mass. Legislature as well as some others but by others with more decency —these are strange and unaccountable things to me but I suppose are well warranted in the opinion of others better informed. I had supposed there was nothing unconstitutional in a state legislature...
145From James Madison to James Blair, ca. 20 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 20 February 1796. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 21 Feb. 1796 . Orders clover seed for Montpelier.
146From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have made enquiry as to Lownes. In general he is well spoken of, in every respect. Old Mr. Howell however, told me he was not a punctual man & was slow in his payments. I then mentioned my reasons for asking him. He proceeded to say that his son dealt in the same article with Lownes, and that if you chose to take your Iron rod here, he would be responsible for the most exact...
147From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have been much disappointed in not hearing from you on the subject of the Chariot; as well as on the enquiries I made respecting my crops of Corn, & the quantity of Wheat sent from my farms to Mr. Dunbar. I have just heard that Mr. Anderson expected to receive a quantity of Clover seed, & have written to Mr. Blair to procure me from 1 to 3 bushls. accordg. to the price, & forward it to...
148To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I propose to write you a longer letter in answer to your two favors of Jan. 31. & Feb. 7. which came by our last post. But as I may possibly not have time before A’s departure, I inclose you a letter to J. Bringhurst, as the perusal of it will answer that article of your letters. When read, be pleased to seal & send it. I thank you as much for your advance to him as if I had really owed it,...
149From James Madison to Arnold Henry Dohrman, 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 21 February 1796. Acknowledged in Dohrman to JM, 26 Feb. 1796 . Concerns Dohrman’s debt to Philip Mazzei.
150To James Madison from William Russell, 22 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed you have several papers relative to my claim against the United States, and am sorry to trouble you so much about the business. I should esteem it a singular favor if you would still try to settle it for me, as I am in want of what is due me at present, and desire no more than is just and right. After informing Mr. Robertson of my business, he referred to his Papers and finding that I...