271To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 23 November 1796 (Madison Papers)
In expectation this will find you in Philaa: where the best information can be obtained respecting the returns of Electors for the several States, and from whence a well grounded conclusion may be formed—I wish to hear what hopes you have of the ultimate decision. From the last acct. we have of the Pensylvania elections (Fayette Green and Westmoreland returns not in) I think the Republican...
272To James Madison from Stephen Moylan, [ca. 26 November] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Generl. Moylans compliments to Mr. Madison, sends him 226 dollars 67 cents for half years rent of the house he lives in—on which he has made some necessary repairs which he cannot doubt, of being allowed for, he will furnish the account of his expenditures, when Mr. Madison is at more leisure, than he can be at present, being so lately arrived in this City. Genl. Moylan did not get possession...
273From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 27 November 1796 (Madison Papers)
We ended our journey on tuesday afternoon, without any injurious incident on the way. We found the roads better than I ever experienced them, and the weather was equally favorable. Mordecai arrived the day before yesterday, and sets out on his return today. Immediately on my getting here, I called on the man who was to make the hoisting Screw, & had the satisfaction to find that it had been...
274To James Madison from James Maury, 28 November 1796 (Madison Papers)
Presuming you are to be at Philadelphia as usual, I shall, by every opportunity, during the Session, endeavour to present you some Newspapers &, before this shall reach, I expect you will have received some. Conjectures on the Issue of the Pending Negociations at Paris are various. The prospects tho’ do not appear favorable to peace. During my being in Office at this place I have been induced,...
275From James Madison to George Washington, 1 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President & returns the Treatise on small Canals &c, with his acknowledgments for the perusal of it. He is not enough conversant with such subjects to decide on the merits of the various plans & machinery recommended by the Author. In general his principles appear to be both effective & practicable; but the question of their utility must be...
276To James Madison from Philip Freneau, 1 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Having three or four months Since formed a Resolution to bid adieu for a few Years to some old Trees in Jersey under the shade of which I edited, amongst ditching and grubbing, a small weekly Paper entitled the Jersey Chronicle, I did not know how to employ that interval better than in striking out here with some printer, if such could be found, already engaged in supporting the good old...
277From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 1 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 December 1796. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, 9 Dec. 1796 . Discusses presidential election of 1796.
278To James Madison from Joseph Chew, 2 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Having a Large Sum of money to Pay to Sir John Johnson and his not being acquainted with you made him wish me to give him a Power of Attorney for the disposial of my Two thousand Acres of Land in Bourbon County Kentucky. I have therefore given a Power of this date with Authority to Substitute and I believe he will appoint Robert Watts Esqr. of New York to Act for him, by this Power to Sir John...
279To James Madison from Alexander White, 2 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
The proposed measures for the establishment of a National University which I took the liberty of mentioning as you passed through this City, and which had been the subject of a letter while you were in Virginia, have assumed a form differrent from what they bore at either of those periods. A Copy of that letter is therefore unnecessary. The Commissioners have forwarded to the President a...
280From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
It is not possible yet to calculate with any degree of certainty whether you are to be left by the Electors to enjoy the repose to which you are so much attached, or are to be summoned to the arduous trust which depends on their allotment. It is not improbable that Pinkney will step in between the two who have been treated as the principals in the question. It is even suspected that this turn...
281From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 5 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 5 December 1796. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, 9 Dec. 1796 . Discusses presidential election of 1796.
282To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 9 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have yours of the first of this month. Was absent when it arrived or shod. have answered it the last post—that of the 5th. I have just recd. From both I collect it is very uncertain who will be the President. I have long apprehended the consequence which now appears probable that in the struggle between the principal Candidates and the friends of each voting for Pinkney or generally so as V....
283Power of Attorney from James Madison, Sr., 9 December 1796 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 December 1796. Gives JM power of attorney to receive interest and principal on his father’s U.S. stock. Witnessed by Richard Lee and Archibald Terrell before John Scott, acting magistrate in Orange County, Virginia. Ms ( PHC ). 1 p. In the hand of James Madison, Sr., except for Scott’s signature. Certified by James Taylor, clerk of the Orange County Court, 10 Dec. 1796. Enclosed in James...
284From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Exitus in dubio is still the Motto to the election. You must reconcile yourself to the secondary as well as the primary station, if that should be your lot. The prevailing idea is that Pinkney will have the greatest number of votes: & I think that Adams will be most likely to stand next. There are other calculations however less favaroble [ sic ] to both. The answer to the Presidents Speech is...
285From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 11 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 December 1796. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, ca. 15 Dec. 1796 . Encloses newspapers with news of presidential election.
286To James Madison from James Madison, Sr., 11 and 12 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letters not found. 11 and 12 December 1796. Acknowledged in JM to James Madison, Sr., 25 Dec. 1796 . Enclose power of attorney to JM, 9 Dec. 1796 , and discuss certificate of Samuel French and Mr. Noe’s draft.
287National University, [12 December] 1796 (Madison Papers)
In his address of 7 December, Washington had called on Congress to establish a national university and a military academy ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). , 4th Cong., 2d sess., 1595). Mr. Madison presented a memorial from the commissioners appointed under the act respecting the fixing of the seat of government...
288Petition of Peter Gree, ca. 13 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Document not found. Ca. 13 December 1796. Presented by JM to the House of Representatives, 13 Dec. 1796, and referred to the Committee of Claims. Reported in Claypoole’s Am. Daily Advertiser , 14 Dec. 1796.
289To James Madison from Alexander Fowler, 15 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
After some trouble I apprehend I have collected such evidence as will sufficiently obviate the objections made by the Committee of Claims last Session. They observe—“That it is not in proof before the Committee that any timely exertions have been made by the Petitioner to obtain Lands, or that he has not obtained Lands upon them , unless the appearance of the warrants, and Brackenridges...
290To James Madison from Joseph Jones, [ca. 15 December] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 11th. by this days mail I have recd. with the papers inclosed. I find nothing new from Europe. Mifflin has very fully stated to the legislature the ground of his conduct respecting the choice of Electors and will no doubt meet the public approbation. It is to be hoped an investigation of the bus[i]ness will take place if there shall be reason to think any unfairness has been...
291From James Madison to William Madison, ca. 15 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 15 December 1796. Referred to in JM to James Madison, Sr., 19 Dec. 1796 . Describes price of wheat, etc., at Philadelphia.
292To James Madison from John Watts, 16 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday recd. a Letter dated Montreal 1 Decr. Inst. from Sir John Johnson enclosing a Power of Attorney from Mr Joseph Chew to him and a Substitution to me for the Sale of 2000 A[c]res of Land in Bourboun County Kentuckey together with the enclosed Letter for you. I am desired to make Application to you on this subject, as they mention That you had a power from Mr. Chew for the Sale and...
293To James Madison from George Washington, 16 December 1796 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 December 1796. Invites JM “to dine on Thursday next at 4 oClock.” Requests an answer. FC ( DLC : Washington Papers). A printed card, with name, date, and time in a clerk’s hand.
294From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 16 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 December 1796. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, 8 Jan. 1797 . Encloses part of Thomas Paine’s Letter to George Washington and the first number of “Pelham.”
295To James Madison from Arthur Breese, 17 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 13h. May last, was handed me some time since by Mr. Vanwyck. He informed me that since he had seen you, Mr. Bailey & himself had agreed to take the Lot you sold them at the Estimated quantity 900. acres, Declining a Resurvey . I am inclined to believe that the Lot would more than hold out, Nine hundred Acres. I have the honor to be Sir with much Respect Your Very Obt. Sert....
296To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand last night. The first wish of my heart was that you should have been proposed for the administration of the government. On your declining it I wish any body rather than myself: and there is nothing I so anxiously hope as that my name may come out either second or third. These would be indifferent to me; as the last would leave me at home the whole year, &...
297From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
The returns from N. Hampshire, Vermont, S. C. & Georga. are still to come in, & leave the event of the Election in some remaining uncertainty. It is but barely possible that Adams may fail of the highest number. It is highly probable, tho’ not absolutely certain, that Pinkney will be third only on the list. You must prepare yourself therefore to be summoned to the place Mr. Adams now fills. I...
298From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 19 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
We have been concerned as well as disappointed in not having a single line from Orange since we left it. Fanny has written by every post; & has reminded you & complained of it. I have never even heard whether Mordicai got back safe or not. I refer to the letter to my brother William, for the state of things here, the price of wheat &c. You expressed a wish that some articles for Negro’s...
299From James Madison to John Watts, ca. 23 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 23 December 1796. Mentioned in JM to James Madison, Sr., 25 Dec. 1796 . Promises information requested by Watts on sale of Joseph Chew’s Kentucky land.
300From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
I can not yet entirely remove the uncertainty in which my last left the election. Unless the Vermont election of which little has of late been said, should contain some fatal vice, in it, Mr. Adams may be considered as the President elect. Nothing can deprive him of it but a general run of the votes in Georgia, Tenissee & Kentucky in favor of Mr. Pinkney, which is altogether contrary to the...