### *James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, Apr. 23^rd^, 1787*

Dear Sir April 23. 1787.

Since my last which was of March 19, I have had the pleasure of yours of
Decr. 16, Jany. 30, and Feby. 7,(1) which were handed to me by Col
Franks. Along with them were received the copying machine and other
articles referred to in them. You will accept my warmest thanks for all
these favors. The packet for the Governor of Virginia under the same
cover with your letter of Feby. 7 has been forwarded. The accident to
your wrist was first made known to me by these communications. I learnt
with satisfaction from Col. Franks that the pain and weakness were
apparently going off, and ardently wish that your projected trip to the
South of France may produce a radical cure.

The vigorous measures finally pursued by the Government of Massachusetts
against the insurgents, had the intended effect of dispersing them. By
some it was feared that they would reembody on the return of favorable
weather. As yet no symptom of such a design has appeared. It would seem
that they mean to try their strength in another way; that is, by
endeavoring to give the elections such a turn as may promote their views
under the auspices of Constitutional forms. How far they may succeed is
not yet reducible to certainty. That a great change will be effected in
the component members of the Government is certain, but the degree of
influence imputable to the malcontents can not be well known till some
specimen shall be given of the temper of the new rulers. Mr. Hancock
takes the place of Mr. Bowdoin. His general character forbids a
suspicion of his patriotic principles; but as he is an idolater of
popularity, it is to be feared that he may be seduced by this foible
into dishonorable compliances. A great proportion of the Senate is also
changed, and a greater proportion of the other branch it is expected
will be changed. A paper emission at least is apprehended from this
revolution in their Councils.

Congress have agreed to Mr. Jays report on the treaty of peace and to an
address which accompanies it. Copies of bothwill no doubt be sent you
from his department. The Legislature of this State which was sitting at
the time and on whose account the acts of Congress were hurried through,
has adjou\[r\]ned till Jany. next without deciding on them. This is an
ominous example to the other States, and must weaken much the claim on
Great Britain of an execution of the Treaty on her part as promised, in
case of proper steps being taken on ours. Virginia we foresee will be
among the foremost in seizing pretexts for evading the injunctions of
Congress. S. Carolina is not less infected with the same spirit. The
present deliberations of Congress turn on 1. the sale of the western
lands. 2. the Government of the Western settlements within the federal
domain. 3. the final settlement of the Accounts between the Union and
its members. 4. the {treaty with Spain}.(2)

1\. Between six & seven hundred thousand acres have been surveyed in
townships under the land ordinance, and are to be sold forthwith. The
place where Congress sit is fixed for the sale. Its excentricity and
remoteness from the premises will I apprehend give disgust. On the most
eligible plan of selling the unsurveyed residue Congress are much
divided; the Eastern States being strongly attached to that of
townships, notwithstanding the expence incident to it; the Southern
being equally biassed in favor of indiscriminate locations,
notwithstanding the many objections agst. that mode. The dispute will
probably terminate in some kind of compromise, if one can be hit
upon.(3)

2\. The Government of the settlements on the Illinois & Wabash is a
subject very perplexing in itself; and rendered more so by our ignorance
of many circumstances on which a right judgment depends. The inhabitants
at those places, claim protection agst. the savages, and some provision
for both criminal and Civil justice. It appears also that land jobbers
are among them who are likely to multiply litigations among individuals,
and by collusive purchases of spurious titles, to defraud the United
States.

3\. The settlement of the public accounts has long been pursued in
varied shapes, and with little prospect of success. The idea which has
long been urged by some of us, seems now to be seriously embraced, of
establishing a plenipotentiary tribunal, for the final adjustment of the
mutual claims on the great and simple principle of equity. An ordinance
for this purpose has been reported by the Treasury board and has made
some progress through Congress.(4) It is likely to be much retarded by
the thinness of Congress, as indeed is almost every other matter of
importance.

4\. The {Spanish negociation} is in a very {ticklish situation}. You
have been already apprized of the {vote of seven states last fall} for
{ceding} the {Mississippi} for a {term of years}. From sundry
circumstances it was {inferred that Jay was} not {proceeding under this
usurped authority}. A late instruction to {him to lay the state} of the
{negociation before Congress} has {discovered} that he has {adjusted}
with {Guardoqui} an {article} for {suspending} the {use of the
Mississippi} by {the citizens of United States.} The report however
leaves it {somewhat doubtful how far United States} are {committed by
this step} and a {subsequent Report of} the {secretary} on the {seizure
of Spanish property} in the {western country} and on {information of
discontents} touching the {occlusion of the Mississippi} shews that the
probable {consequences of the measure perplex him extremely}. It was
nevertheless conceived by the {instructed delegations} to be {their duty
to press a revocation} of the {step taken} in some {form which would
least offend Spain} and {least irritate} the {patrons of the vote \[of\]
seven states}. Accordingly {a motion was made} to the {following
effect}\-\--;that the {present state of the negociation with Spain and
of} the {affairs of United States rendered it expedient} that {you
should proceed under a special commission to Madrid} for the {purpose of
making such representations} as {might at once impress} on that {court
our friendly disposition} and {induce it to relax} on the {contested
points} and that the {proper communications} and {explanations} should
{be made to Guardoqui relative} to this {change in} the {mode of
conducting the negociation}. This {motion was referred} to {Mr. Jay}
whose {report disapproves of it}. In this state the {matter lies}.(5)
Eight {states only being present no effective vote} is to be {expected}.
It may notwithstanding be incumbent {on us to try some question} which
will at least {mark the paucity of states who abet} the {obnoxious
project. Massachusetts} and {New York} alone of the present {states are
under that} description; and {Connecticut and New Hampshire alone of}
the {absent. Maryland} and {South Carolina} have heretofore been on the
{right side}. Their {future conduct} is somewhat problimatical. The
opinion of {New Hampshire} is only {conjectured}. The {conversion of
Rhode Island} countenances a {hope that she too} may in this instance
{desert the New England standard}.

The prospect of a full and respectable convention grows stronger every
day. Rho. Island alone has refused to send deputies. Maryland has
probably appointed by this time. Of Connecticut alone doubts are
entertained. The antifederal party in that State is numerous &
persevering. It is sd. that the elections which are now going on, are
rather discouraging to the advocates of the Convention. Pennsylvania has
added Doctor Franklin to her deputation. There is some ground to
calculate on the attendance of Genl. Washington. OurGovernor, Mr. Wythe,
Mr. Blair, and Col. Mason will pretty certainly attend. The last I am
informed is renouncing his errors on the subject of the Confederation,
and means to take an active part in the amendment of it. Mr. Henry
pretty soon resigned the undertaking. Genl. Nelson was put into his
place, who has also declined. He was succeeded by R. H. Lee, who
followed his example. Docr. McClurg has been since appointed, and as he
was on the spot must have been previously consulted.

Considerable changes are taking place I hear in the County elections in
Virginia, and a strong itch beginning to return for paper money. Mr.
Henry is said to have the measure in contemplation, and to be laying his
train for it already. He will however be powerfully opposed by Col.
Mason, if he should be elected & be able to serve, by Monroe, Marshal,
and Ludwel Lee (son of R. H. L.) who are already elected, and sundry
others of inferior rank. Mr. Harrison the late Governor, has so far
regained the favor of Charles City as to be reinstated a representative.
The part which he will take is uncertain. From his repeated declarations
he ought to be adverse to a paper emission. My next will probably be
from Philada.

In the mean time with my fervent wishes for your happiness

I remain Yr. Affecte. friend,

> Js. Madison Jr.

Deaths. Archibald Cary Esqr.\
Jno. Augustine Washington, brother of Genl. W.

RC (DLC: Madison Papers). Madison, Papers (Rutland), 9:398\--;401.\
1 See ibid., pp. 210\--;13, 247\--;52, 257\--;58.\
2 Words printed in braces in this text were written by Madison in
cipher.\
3 See Edward Carrington to James Monroe, April 18, note 3.\
4 See Rufus King to Elbridge Gerry, March 25, note 2.\
5 See Madison\'s Notes of Debates, April 18, notes 4 and 5. See also the
preceding entry and Madison\'s Notes for April 25 and 26.

***Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 24 November 6, 1786-February
29, 1788\
***