Title: From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1800
From: Madison, James
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Orange Decr. 20. 1800
I did not write to you from Richmond, because I was considerably indisposed during my stay there, & because I could communicate to you nothing that would not reach you with equal speed through other channels. Before I left that place, the choice of electors in S. Carolina, had been recd. by the Govr. in a letter from Col. Hampton, and was understood by all parties to fix the event of a Republican President. The manner in which the Electors have voted in that State, in Va. Maryland, Penna. & N. Y. makes it probable that the V. P. will also be republican. If the States of Georgia N. C. Tene. & Kentucky, should follow these examples it will even devolve on the H. of Reps. to make the discrimination. There can be no danger I presume but that in such an event a proper one will be made; but it is more desireable that it should be precluded by the foresight of some of the Electors. Gilston of N. Y. assures me, that there are two if not three States in which something to this effect may be looked for, but he does not name the States. Govr. Davie passd. thro’ Richd. whilst I was there. I happened not to see him however, nor did I learn from others what complexion he seemed disposed to give to the business of his mission. It was my intention to send by you my subscription money for Lyon, as well as Smith, and my memory leaves me at a loss whether I did so or not. I rather suspect that it was not done. Will you be so good as to recollect & let me know; and if it be in no respect out of your way, you will further oblige me by making the advance to him for me. It shall be replaced as soon as possible. He was promised that the sum 5 dollars should be forwarded by you, and the disappt. may be as inconvenient to him as disagreeable to me. I observe an answr. to Hamilton’s pamphlet by a Citizen of N. York, as advertized in Washington. If this be not the piece published in the Aurora under the name of Aristedes, I would thank you for a Copy. I recd. a Copy of H.s pamphlet lately under cover from Mr. Steele. My Rheumatic complaint has sensibly increased on me of late. I am trusting for a remedy to temperance & flannel. Wishing you an exemption from the like & all other evils I remain Dr. Sir, Yrs. Affey.
Js. Madison Jr.


Title: To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1800
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Madison, James

Dec. 26. 1800.
All the votes are now come in except Vermont & Kentuckey, and there is no doubt that the result is a perfect parity between the two republican characters. The Feds appear determined to prevent an election, & to pass a bill giving the government to mr. Jay, appointed Chief justice, or to Marshall as Secy. of state. Yet I am rather of opinion that Maryland & Jersey will join the 7. republican majorities. The French treaty will be violently opposed by the Feds. The giving up the vessels is the article they cannot swallow. They have got their judiciary bill forwarded to commitment. I dread this above all the measures meditated, because appointments in the nature of freehold render it difficult to undo what is done. We expect a report for a territorial government which is to pay little respect to the rights of man. Your’s of the 20th. came safely to hand. I am almost certain that you sent money by me to Lyon, which he sent to me for & recieved as soon as he heard I was arrived. As I was merely the bearer I did not take a receipt. I will enquire into it, and do what is necessary. No answer yet from R. R. L. Cordial & affectionate salutations. Adieu.


Title: From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 27 December] 1800
From: Madison, James
To: Monroe, James

Dr Sir
[ca. 27 December 1800]
I have recd. your favor of the 16th. It has not removed the inquietude prevailing in this quarter as to the precise issue of the Election. There are reports from different quarters which seem to be positive that a difference of several votes has taken place between the two Repub: Candidates; but I can not trace in them either authenticity or particularity eno. to entitle them to confidence. The project suggested by Col. Newton of a State Bank as an antidote to the partialities of the Natl. Bank, involves many important considerations. Altho’ As a dernier resort, much may be urged in its favor, yet I should presume the want of State funds would at this time be an insuperable objection; nor perhaps ought such an experiment to pr[e]cede that which is to be made of a change in our national administration from which a new turn may be given to most of the national measures. In every view, a better judgment could be formed on the subject some time hence than at present. Your Overseer Richd. McGee was with me two days ago, & is now up at your farm. He has been summoned as a Witness at a Court on tomorrow, which will prevent his being there again till monday or tuesday next, at which time he will be ready to see you or receive your instructions. He has I find no horse. I lent him one to go up, and undertook to say that he might use yours, for removing his effects from his father’s in Louisa. Our Affecte. wishes to all around you. Yrs. truly.
Js. Madison Jr.
I fear we shall find any conveyance for the Dicty. &ca very difficult at this Season.


Title: To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 5 January 1801
From: Mercer, John Francis
To: Madison, James

My dear Sir
Baltimore Jany. 5. 1800 [1801]
I am at length able to say I have 350 dollars that I can pay you. I am at this moment under Execution to amt. of 2000$ & I have seldom been engaged for a less sum during the last 8 or 10 years, & never before coud I flatter myself that those difficulties woud find a certain period, this year certainly will close them, & free me from every species of embarrassment. Write me whether I shall enclose you the Bank Notes, or you may draw on Mr. Andrew Skinner Ennalls of Baltimore at 15 days sight for that sum & it will be paid, he will accept it & give me notice to send him the Money from West River.
We have involv’d ourselves in great embarrassment by voting uniformly for Burr. The de[s]perate views of party will leave no effort unattempted to dissapoint the Wishes of the republicans by rejecting Mr. Jefferson—& I fear they will suceed they are extremely sanguine here, it depends on Maryland, & altho’ Dent has intimated his wish for Jefferson, yet it is said he will obey instructions & such are now on the Carpet in his district—last night I was told that New Jursey & New York woud be for Burr. Indeed I have but little hopes, but from the prudence & decision of Burr himself—from him we shall hear decisively to Night. I expect he will be electted by the States but he must & ought to reseign. You have seen his letter to Genl. Smith. The Fœderals say they understand him, & it is all right, but ⟨sanity?⟩ to me it is unequivocal. It all amounts to this that we are too honest. With every wish for yr. happiness I am yr. freind & Serv.
John F. Mercer


Title: From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1801
From: Madison, James
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Jany. 10. 1801.
Mrs. Browne having been detained at Fredg for some time, I did not receive your favor of the 19th. in time to be conveniently acknowledged by the last mail. The succeeding one of the 26th. came to hand on the 7th. instant only, a delay that fixes blame on the post office either in Washington or Fredg. In all the letters & most of the Newspapers which I have lately recd. thro’ the post office, there is equal ground for complaint.
I find that the vote of Kentucky establishes the tie between the Repub: characters, and consequently throws the result into the hands of the H. of R. Desperate as some of the adverse party there may be, I can scarcely allow myself to believe that enough will not be found to frustrate the attempt to strangle the election of the people, and smuggle into the cheif Magistracy the creature of a faction. It would seem that every individual member, who has any standing or stake in society, or any portion of virtue or sober understandg must revolt at the tendency of such a manouvre. Is it possible that Mr. A. shd. give his sanction to it if that should be made a necessary ingredient? or that he would not hold it his duty or his policy, in case the present House should obstinately refuse to give effect to the Constn. to appoint, which he certainly may do before his office expires as early a day as possible, after that event, for the succeeding House to meet, and supply the omission. Should he disappt. a just expectation in either instance, it will be an omen, I think, forbidding the steps towards him which you seem to be meditating. I would not wish to discourage any attentions which friendship, prudence, or benevolence may suggest in his behalf, but I think it not improper to remark, that I find him infinitely sunk in the estimation of all parties. The follies of his administration, the oblique stroke at his Predecessor in the letter to Coxe, and the crooked character of that to T. Pinkney, are working powerfully agst. him. Added to these causes is the pamphlet of H which, tho’ its recoil has perhaps more deeply wounded the author, than the Object it was discharged at, has contributed not a little to overthrow the latter staggering as he before was in the public esteem.
On the supposition of either event, whether of an interregnum in the Executive, or of a surreptitious intrusion into it, it becomes a question of the first order, what is the course demanded by the crisis. Will it be best to acquiesce in a suspension or usurpation of the Executive authority till the meeting of Congs. in Der. next, or for Congs. to be summoned by a joint proclamation or recommendation of the two characters havg a majority of votes for President. My present judgment favors the latter expedient. The prerogative of convening the Legislature must reside in one or other of them, and if both concur, must substantially include the requisite will. The intentions of the people would undoubtedly be pursued. And if, in reference to the Constn: the proceeding be not strictly regular, the irregularity will be less in form than any other adequate to the emergency; and will lie in form only rather than substance; whereas the other remedies proposed are substantial violations of the will of the people, of the scope of the Constitution, and of the public order & interest. It is to be hoped however that all such questions will be precluded by a proper decision of nine States in the H. of R.
I observe that the French Convention is represented as highly obnoxious to the Senate. I should not have supposed that the opposition would be hinged on the article surrendering public vessels. As the stipulation is mutual it certainly spares our pride, sufficiently to leave us free to calculate our interest, and on this point there cannot be a difference of opinion. I was less surprized at the obstacle discovered in the British Treaty, the latter of which combined with the repeal of the French Treaty, beget a suspicion that in some quarters at least the present posture of things has been long anticipated. It is certain however that the Convention leaves G. B. on a better footing than the B. Treaty placed her, and it is remarkable that E. D. & Murray, should have concurred in the arrangement, if it have any real interference with bona fide engagements to G. B. It may be recollected that the privilege given to British prizes was not purchased like that to French prizes, by any peculiar services to us; and never had any other pretext, than the alledged policy of putting the two great rival nations of Europe as nearly as possible on an equal footing. Notwithstanding this pretext for the measure, H. in his late pamphlet acknowledges the error of it. It would be truly extraordinary if a measure intended for this equalizing purpose, should be construable into an insuperable barrier to the equality proposed. It is of vast moment both in a domestic & foreign view, that the Senate should come to a right decision. The public mind is already sore & jealous of that body, and particularly so of the insidious & mischeivous policy of the British Treaty. It is strongly averse also to war, and would feel abhorrence of an unjust or unnecessary war with any nation. It is much to be wished that these facts may not be disregarded in the question before the Senate. If there be any thing fairly inadmissible in the Convn. it would be better to follow the example of a qualified ratification, than rush into a provoking rejection. If there be any thing likely, however unjustly, to beget complaints or discontents on the part of G. B. early & conciliatory explanations ought not to be omitted. However difficult our situation has been made, justice & prudence will it is hoped, steer us through it peacefully. In some respects the task is facilitated at the present moment. France has sufficiently manifested her friendly disposition, and what is more, seems to be duly impressed with the interest she has in being at peace with us. G. B. however intoxicated with her maritime ascendancy, is more dependent every day on our commerce for her resources, must for a considerable length of time look in a great degree to this Country, for bread for herself, and absolutely for all the necessaries for her islands. The prospect of a Northern confederacy of Neutrals cannot fail, in several views, to inspire caution & management towards the U. S., especially as in the event of war or interruption of Commerce with the Baltic, the essential article of naval Stores can be sought here only. Beside these cogent motives to peace and moderation, her subjects will not fail to remind her of the great pecuniary pledge they have in this Country, and which under any interruption of peace or commerce with it, must fall under great embarrassments, if nothing worse. As I have not restrained my pen from this hasty effusion, I will add for your consideration one other remark on the subject. Should it be found that G. B. means to oppose pretensions drawn from her Treaty, to any part of the late one with F. may she not be diverted from it, by the idea of driving us into the necessity of soothing France, by stipulations to take effect at the expiration of the Treaty with G. B. and that wd. be a bar to the renewal of the latter; or in case the pretensions of G. B. should defeat the Treaty now before the Senate, might not such an expedient be made a plaister for the wound given to F?
My health still suffers from several complaints, and I am much afraid that any changes that may take place are not likely to be for the better. The age and very declining state of my father are making also daily claims on my attention; and, from appearances it may not be long before these claims may acquire their full force. All these considerations mingle themselves very seriously with one of the eventual arrangements contemplated. It is not my purpose however to retract what has passed in conversation between us on that head. But I can not see the necessity, and I extremely doubt the propriety, should the contest in hand issue as is most probable, of my anticipating a relinquishment of my home. I cannot but think, & feel that there will be an awkwardness to use the softest term, in appearing on the political Theatre before I could be considered as regularly called to it, and even before the commencement of the authority from which the call would proceed. Were any solid advantage at stake, this scruple might be the less applicable, but it does not occur that the difference of not very many days, can be at all material. As little can I admit that the circumstance of my participation in the Ex. business, cou’d have any such effect on either the majority or minority as has occured; or if a partiality in any particular friends would be gratified by a knowledge of such an arrangement, that the end would not be as well attained by its being otherwise made known to them that it was to take place, as by its being announced by my appearance on the spot. I only add that I am sensible of the obligation of respecting your conclusion whatever it may finally be; but I can not but hope that it may be influenced by the considerations which I have taken the liberty to hint. Very affecly. & respectfully I am Dr. Sir Yrs.

You may recollect a difficulty suggested in makg. appts. witht. a Senate, in case of resignations prior to March 4. How have you solved it?


Title: To James Madison from James T. Callender, 23 January 1801
From: Callender, James T.
To: Madison, James

Sir
Richmond Jail Janry. 23d, 1801
I take the freedom of sending you a Newspaper; and by next post, which will not be till Monday, I shall send you a copy, all but the first Sheet, of the conclusion of my Prospect. This trifle should have been done long since; but I find difficulties in getting the printer to move.
I should have had not less than Seven Columns, this week, in the Argus and Examiner. But I have been curtailed to less than two. The rest will appear, God knows when. I beg, Sir, that it may, for the sake of justice, be understood that I have never been able to find room for one fourth part of the original matter which I wanted to put into the Newspapers of Richmond, though the editors are very willing to oblige me; so I am once more going to send down to the Petersburg Republican eight or ten columns of peccant matter, that, if retained longer, might produce an intellectual suppuration.
I wish to be freed from this cramped stile of publication; and, for that purpose, I mentioned some time since, to General Mason, a birth which I want to apply for to the new president. The income is no great affair, as it would not be more than 7 or 800 dollars per annum, after clearing expences; but it would give me the decisive command of Several Newspapers, besides other accomodations in the printing line. I have never mentioned a syllable of the Scheme to any mortal, but the General; and think it unnecessary to tease you with a repetition of the particulars. You can, when convenient, get them from himself. It is needless to say that I place unlimited confidence both in the sincerity of your good wishes for me, and in the correctness of your judgement, which, for reasons that I have not adverted to, may probably differ from mine. The Governor’s brother has been twice here, with one of those fine open manly Virginian faces, that I have almost never seen in any other State of America; foreigners, perhaps, excepted. I am, Sir, your most obedt Sert.
Jas. T. Callendar.
Since writing the above, I have just got the Sheets of my pamphlet. They come by this post.


Title: To James Madison from James T. Callender, ca. February 1801
From: Callender, James T.
To: Madison, James

Letter not found. Ca. February 1801. Mentioned in Callender to JM, 27 Apr. 1801 (PJM-SSWilliam T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The
          Papers of James Madison (1st ser., vols. 1–10, Chicago, 1962–77, vols. 11–17,
        Charlottesville, Va., 1977–90)., 1:117). Discusses Jefferson’s promise to remit Callender’s fine (see Monroe to JM, 4 June 1800, and n. 2).


Title: To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1801
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Madison, James

Feb. 1. 1801.
I have not written to you since the letter by mrs. B. Your’s of Jan. 10. is recieved, and your own wishes are entirely acquiesced in as to time. Clermont has refused. I think to adopt your idea at Baltimore. I dare not through the channel of the post hazard a word to you on the subject of the election. Indeed the interception & publication of my letters exposes the republican cause as well as myself personally to so much obloquy that I have come to a resolution never to write another sentence of politics in a letter. The inclosed came under a blank cover to me, & I broke it open & read it through, and till I was folding it up to put away, I did not discover your name on the back of it, & consequently that it was destined for you. I hope your health is getting better. I think nothing more possible than that a change of climate, even from a better to a worse, and a change in the habits & mode of life, might have a favorable effect on your system. I shall be happy to hear that your father is rallying. The approaching season will be favorable for that. Present my respectful attachments to mrs. Madison, and accept affectionate assurances of friendship to yourself. Adieu.


Title: To James Madison from George Jackson, 5 February 1801
From: Jackson, George
To: Madison, James

Sir,
Washington 5th Feby. 1801
I have directed some Letters to my son John, to the post office in Orange County. If he should not be there will you be so obliging as to inclose them back to me at this place, where I expect to be untill the third of March next.
Congress progresses very slow in business and I expect they will continue so till this Day week, and then too if no President is chosing. I have no Doubt but very greate anxiety is all over this greate union to know the result of the 11th Instant. I am sure it is with us. Those who call themselves Fedrealists, Appear to be detorminged to not give up Mr Burr, and in answer to this, those who call themselves Republicans are as desided not to give up Jefferson such is the party spirit, this puts me in mind of the observation I made to you on my way to this place, which was that the freinds of Jefferson might be put in a dilemma tho they could carry the Election, your remark (I well remember) was that admiting it was so, congress would not hesitate to Deside and Mr Burr would give way &c. How correct my information is I will not pretend to say, but I am informed that Mr Duvall (one of the Electors of Maryland) would have Dropt Mr Burr, onaly through you, that was, Burr would lose two or three votes in Virginia, tho this information I Doubted—bouth partys in congress have hild and continue to hold caucus on the occasion, and what gives me an aditional hope in our Triumph is the caucus, the Republicans from the States of New York and New Jersey hild last Saterday, the result of which Mr Kitchall Doctr Conditt, and several others have told me (tho it is yet a secret with the feds.) they meet for the express purpose to pledge themselves to each other and detorming so to do A Majority of the Representatives from both those states where present, in course Mr Linn, a very suspicious character on both sides, the fact is both partys have been Jealous of his vote and none certain and it has been a bye word with Jersey (I am told) that their state was ecqualy divided by feds and antifeds, 2½ on both sides. However the business is now fixt, And the Men of order and good government (as they call themselves) most give way or there will be no President, and let the Senate assume the power if they dare. I very often tell some of them, take cair of your Banks & paper currency. If you will not give us Jefferson for President, onaly Suffer an Interregum to take place & see if your small states will ever get so much power in your hands agane; I confess I have no Doubt if I let any reason take place, but Jefferson will take the Presidential chair on the 4th. March next; I have no doubt but the regection of the French Treaty by the Senate has come to your knowledge. If so, give me leave to informe you that Honble. Body yersterday reconsidred their vote and have advised the ratification, by expunging the second Article and Limiting its duration to 8 years.
I pray you to present my best wishes to Mrs Madison and famoly and please to accept of them yourself and beleve me to be very respectfully your most Obedent Sert.
G: Jackson
NB Tell Mrs Madison I have been unfortunate anough to lose one of my children, the last Mail brought the disagreeable newes of his Death it was my yongest Son, he died the 11th ultimo.
G: J


Title: To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 8 February 1801
From: Mercer, John Francis
To: Madison, James

My dear Sir
Baltimore Feby. 8th. 1801.
It was with the greatest regret that I learned by a letter from Mr. Ennalls & now by yours enclosd to him that a draft had been presented to him & return’d for the 350$ which I had desired you to draw on him for. Having given myself 15. days, & having allmost daily communication with this place, I conceiv’d it impossible that a draft coud arrive & that term expire previous to my hearing of it & it has been always an invariable Custom that drafts lay the time limited (even under the circumstance of non-acceptance) before they are returnd. Why the procedure was different from the usual mode in this case I am uninform’d.
I had imagin’d it probable that it woud not suit you to have Money in Baltie. & I therefore waited your reply previous to lodging it here, as possibly it might be necessary & it woud be more convenient in that case to remit immediately from W River, fearing however some accident I did write to Mr. Ennalls, that such a draft might make its appearance & to accept it, but he did not receive the Letter in time, altho’ written & receiv’d prior to my hearing from you.
The thing is remedied as far as the payment of the money, but that hardly lessens the pain I feel that the circumstance has occur’d. I know you coud only attribute it to the real cause, but doing that it still must have given you a momentary uneasiness, which certainly ought not have been added to the inconveniences which a detention of your Money have I find subjected you to.
My continuing still your debtor can only be ascribed to unexpected circumstances. I have twice made arrangements, which I considered as fully adequate to the demands agt. me, but in both instances I have been dissapointed. Debts naturally grow & resources decrease in a manner which Debtors only can conceive & they after some experience. I hope the period is not far distant when I shall no longer be poor amidst plenty, & altho’ the satisfaction of paying you what I owe you will be always attended with the paneful reflection of the time I have detain’d the Money, yet it relieve [s] me from part of the mortification I at present experience.
You probably are better inform’d with respect to politics than I am—I have only an occasional Letter from the City, having long since declin’d all correspondence, except what arises from the necessity of ⟨keeping?⟩ of[f] a Judgmt. or execution. From the temper the fœderalists have discovered—particularly in some late debates & their public Dinner to Woolcott—their Toa[s]ts &c.—I think something is to be dreaded from the efforts of the party. In this expiring struggle they may be difeated. I am told a Letter is receiv’d from Genl. Smith, which speaks positively that Mr. Jefferson will have 9. States perhaps to the first Ballot—& that Craik has declard openly for him this I was led to expect from some private information & on the influence of the source to which it was ascrib’d I calculated considerably myself. But that is nothing—the destitution of principle which woud make the attempt, the manner in which it was first intended to make it, are serious things—the ground work laid for the future efforts of the Party—Under a formidable & extended Judiciary wholly devoted to them, promise no peace. These are not peaceable times. I know Mr. Jeffersons temper. I have preconceiv’d the principles on which he will attempt to administer this Government, & I applaud, them both, […] they shoud & ought to be attempted—but with great caution. He ⟨ought?⟩ to expect nothing, but deep rooted deadly malice from that party, they will receive all his ad[v]ances & profit only of them to convert any favors of his to his destruction. This he is to look for & to calculate on, & altho’ a cool, calm & conciliating line of conduct, shoud be adopted & persevered in, Yet it shoud be cautiously directed. If particular characters are not guarded agt. he will ultimately rue it. These Men who have put themselves at the head of this Election business to deprive the People of their Choice, ought to be mark’d—they are men, that unless guarded agt. will ultimately produce great evil. I do believe they may be dissevered from the Body of the Fœderalists, many of the steadiest of whom are already disgusted with their proceedings, but it is by making the discrimination which their conduct so justly exposes them to. I mention these things because, I am connected with both parties by very close ties & see more of the interior of each than most others & the hints being founded on real facts may be useful. Yrs. Affectly.
John F Mercer


Title: To James Madison from Andrew Skinner Ennalls, 9 February 1801
From: Ennalls, Andrew Skinner
To: Madison, James

Sir
Baltimore 9th. Feby. 1801.
I am favor’d with Yours of the 31 Jany. ⅌ Post Inclosing a Letter for Colo. Mercer which I reced. this day, and have delivered it Him, He having come to Town last Evening.
Your Draught in Favor of Messrs. Vass & Dunbar at 15 Days sight I refuse[d] to Accept for want of Advise. A few Days after I recd. a Letter from Colo. Mercer of the Draft, I then waited on Mr. Jolly the Gentn. who presented it and informed Him I had received Advise of it and wou’d Accept it. He said He had returned it, but wou’d write on ⅌ post to be returnd. which it was the 6th. Inst. presented and Accepted and will pay it when it falls due which will be the 11th. Inst. Having Accepted it of the 24th. Jany. the day it was first presented. I am Sir Your Mo. Obt. Servt.
Aw. Skinner Ennalls


Title: To James Madison from John Dawson, 12 February 1801
From: Dawson, John
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir!
City of Washington February 12. 1801.
I am much hurt that I cannot communicate to you, and to my other friends in Orange and Madison the pleasing information which I anticipated in my last—the enclosd paper will shew to you our proceedings—on today we met at twelve and gave one vote, the result of which was the same as before—we then suspended voting untill tomorrow at eleven, and all other business is prohibited by a rule.
What the feds, especially those of Maryland, mean, I cannot tell—a day or two will bring their plan to view—some whisper that they mean to propose a legislative provision; others that the Senate on their meeting on the 4 of March will appoint a president pro tern: who will act as the president of the U. S. I still think they will give way. We are resolv’d never to yield, and sooner hazard every thing that [sic] to prevent the voice and wishes of people being carried into effect.

I have not closed my eyes for 36 hours—this, and the interesting moment will prevent my making the general communication which I intended on today, untill the result is assertaind—this I will thank you to make known.
Do let me hear from you on our present situation. Yrs, with much esteem
J Dawson
We voted 28 times.


Title: To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1801
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Madison, James

Th: J. to Jas. Madison.
Washington Feb. 12. 1801. 7. A.M.
The H. of R. has been in conclave ever since 2. oclock yesterday. At 10. P.M. 17 ballots had been tried, & were invariably 8. 6. & 2 divided. I have not heard from the Capitol this morning. I can venture nothing more by the post but my affectionate salutations, to yourself & mrs. Madison.
P. S. 1. P.M. The H. of R. suspended the balloting from 7. to 12. this morning, & after trying a few more balots with the same effect, suspended it again till 11. A.M. tomorrow.


Title: To James Madison from Hore Browse Trist, 13 February 1801
From: Trist, Hore Browse
To: Madison, James

Dear sir
Charlottesville. Feby. 13th. 1801.
Mr Peter Dobell of Philadelphia (an Intimate & very particular friend of mine for many years) in case of a Republican Administration intends applying for the Consulship at Bordeaux. For that purpose he has already obtained the recommendatory signatures of all the respectable commercial part of that City. Those of the Assembly of Pennsylvania—Gov: McKeans & Dallas’s—Doctors Shippen—Wistar & many other professional Gentlemen. Shall I request you for your opinion “whether there will be a chance of his succeeding, with the above recommendations? & in what manner the petition must be delivered?⟨”⟩ He has asked my advice & in order to give him a more correct Answer I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken in wishing to obtain yours. He has an offer for Bengall which must be decided upon immediately & which I shall advise him to accept in case you think the Consulship cannot be obtained.
Benj. Franklin Bache entered this World of Perplexity a Week ago—rather Puny. Mrs. B. is extremely well. I have just returned from thence & the Mail closing must excuse the hurry of this. With my Best respects to Mrs M. & Miss P. I am as ever your much obliged Friend
Hore Browse Trist.


Title: To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 February 1801
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Madison, James

Washington Feb. 18. 1801.
Notwithstanding the suspected infidelity of the post, I must hazard this communication. The Minority in the H. of R. after seeing the impossibility of electing B. the certainty that a legislative usurpation would be resisted by arms, and a recourse to a Convention to reorganise & amend the government, held a consultation on this dilemma, Whether it would be better for them to come over in a body, and go with the tide of the times, or by a negative conduct suffer the election to be made by a bare majority, keeping their body entire & unbroken, to act in phalanx on such ground of opposition as circumstances shall offer? We know their determination on this question only by their vote of yesterday. Morris of V. withdrew, which made Lyon’s vote that of his state. The 4 Maryland Federalists put in 4. blanks which made the positive tickets of their collegues the vote of the state. S. Carolina & Delaware put in blanks. So there were 10. states for one candidate, 4. for another & 2. blanks. We consider this therefore as a declaration of war, on the part of this band. But their conduct appears to have brought over to us the whole body of Federalists, who being alarmed with the danger of a dissolution of the government, had been made most anxiously to wish the very administration they had opposed, & to view it when obtained as a child of their own. They see too their quondam leaders separated fairly from them, & themselves aggregated under other banners. Even Hamilton & Higginson have been zealous partisans for us. This circumstance, with the unbounded confidence which will attach to the new ministry as soon as known, will start us on high ground. Mr. A. embarrasses us. He keeps the offices of State & War vacant, has named Bayard M. P. to France, and has called an unorganised Senate on the 4th. of March. As you do not like to be here on that day, I wish you could come within a day or two after. I think that between that & the middle of the month we can so far put things under way, as that we may go home to make arrangements for our final removal. Come to Conrad’s where I will bespeak lodgings for you. Yesterday mr. A. nominated Bayard to be M. P. of the US. to the French republic: to-day Theophilus Parsons Atty. Genl of the US. in the room of C. Lee, who with Keith Taylor cum multis aliis are appointed judges under the new system. H. G. Otis is nominated a district attorney. A vessel has been waiting for some time in readiness to carry the new minister to France. My affectionate salutations to mrs. Madison & yourself. Adieu.


Title: To James Madison from Alexander Fowler, 19 February 1801
From: Fowler, Alexander
To: Madison, James

Sir,
Fowlers Glenn, near Pittsburgh 19h. February 1801.
Believing, as I do, that you know my conduct and exertions in the cause of truth and liberty, to have been pure, uniform, disinterested and decissive, on all occassions, and in all situations, I take the liberty to sollicit your countenance, and protection, should an opportunity intervene, whereby you could introduce my name to Mr. Jefferson. On my arrival from Europe in 1778, I had the countenance of all; and at the conclusion of the Revolution, on settling my accounts with the Board of Treasury, I was Complimented by the Board for my conduct in office, as Auditor of the Western department, with assurances from my Republican friends, that I should not be forgot; but since that period, such a change has taken place, in the Sentiments of Men, as well as in the measures of Government, that on contemplating on the noble deeds, and patriotick conduct of this Country in the memorable year 1775, (of which I had the honor of bearing some share) I ha⟨ve⟩ often been in doubt, whether I was treading on the free s⟨oil o⟩f America, or on that claimed by the Tyrant of Morrocco, or the Great Mogul. In consequence of this wonderfull change, I retired to a small Farm here, of about 150 acres, about three Miles from Pittsburgh; and have employed myself, in the cultivation of it, merely to be out of the way of an insulting, contaminating crew, who seemed to think, that America was made for them alone; and the promoters of the Independence of this Country; the genuine friends of freedom, were to become their nominal slaves. Even in my retirement, I was not permitted to live in peace. Insult, and injury, pursued my [sic] to my Glen. The free mind was to become prostituted to the mad carreer of that illustrious scoundrel Porcupine, and a British faction. Here, we were not allowed to follow conviction. The mind must become debased, and tutored by Lessons from the school of Porcupine and Abercrombie, the hirelings of faction, by their wretched agents Ross, and Addison, the political Girgishites of the West; in course, I even discovered myself, in the same situation, at Pittsburgh, in the year 1800, that I found myself in, at Boston in 1775; There I was honored with the appellation of the Rebellious Fowler, here I have been honored with that of the Jacobin Fowler. I was doomed to betray truth, and belie my feelings, or submit to insult and Injury; of which I believe I have borne my share; at least, more than I ever thought, I could have submitted to, through the Channel of John Sculls Pittsburgh Gazette; but I am convinced, that the low, filthy, fulminations of such a Paper, can do me no injury, with those that know me.
On Mr. MacKean being chosen by the people, to preside over the State of Pennsylvania, knowing me in the year 1774, when the Royal Irish Regimt. (to which I belonged) was quartered in the City of Philadelphia; and finding that I was living in retirement, and had adhered firmly to the political principles I had embraced, he forwarded me unsollicitted, a Commission of the Peace for this district, as also the Commission of a brigadier General, of the Allegheney Militia, being the County where I reside. In the latter station, I have the pleasure of saying, that I have been of some service to the State, but of none to myself; for altho both Commissions are Honorable, they are of no benefit to me; and notwithstanding my Industry on my Farm; what with the low price of produce, and the high price of labour, it is with difficulty, that I can, on the most frugal plan, make the fruits of my labour Ballance my expenditures. This day, I have sold two hundred Bushels of Wheat for half a dollar pr. Bushel, merely to scrape up o⟨ne⟩ hundred dollars.
There are two offices at this place, either of which would ⟨suit?⟩ me, and enable me to live more Independent, should the present Incumbents be removed. One is held by John Nevill, the other by the younger John Wilkins; the latter Quarter Master, at this place, the former Inspector of the Revenue. It is reported here, that they will both be removed; and if envenomed rancour, low vulgarity, and deep duplicity, and intrigue, against the privileges, and prosperity of a free people, and the friends of freedom, merit a rem[o]val, they do. I have been advised by my Republican friends here, to apply for one, or other, of these offices; either of them would suit me; and I think, I am full as Competent as either of these Gentlemen, and without vanity, better Entitled. I know Sir, you was my friend, and I hope you will befriend me in this instance. I have the Honor [to] be, with the most perfect Esteem, and respect, Sir, Your Most obedient humble Servant
A: Fowler.


Title: To James Madison from the Right Reverend James Madison, 23 February 1801
From: Madison, James (Reverend)
To: Madison, James

My dear Sir
Feby 23d. 1801. Williamsburg.
I recd your Favr. enclosing Mr Patton’s Letter, and am greatly obliged for your Kindness in making those necessary Inquiries respecting the Land. The Sum demanded is beyond my Means. I could not, in my Purchase exceed 2000 £ for the Land alone; the other necessary Expences informing a Settlement would be considerable, & must be attended to as well as the Land. Mr Geo. C. Taylor has written to me a Letter, offering his Place, but adds Nothing about the Price. He says it contains about 500 Acres, & is a valuable Tract, having also the Advantage of convenient Buildings. It is not improbable, this [sic] his Price might be within the Limits I have mentioned, especially if a considerable Proportion could be paid within a short Period. I shall beg the Favr. of him to let me know the least he will take for the Land, & then give him an Answer. It is true, however, that my Anxiety for a Settlement in the Country has somewhat abated. My great Wish was to accomodate not only myself, but my Family. Mrs. M. seems to have changed very much in her Wishes since the late Insurrection. Another Circumstance has some Weight at present. The Presidency of New York Coll., I have been told by respectable Authority, might be obtained, if I would declare my Willingness to accept. The Place is worth from 800 to a 1000 pr. An. N Y Curry. I have desired a full Account of the Duty required Etc. What may be the Result, I cannot as yet foretell. One Thing is very much in Favr. of the Proposition, Viz, that the Office of the Pr. there appears to be, by no Means, laborious.
I have just recd. also your Favr by Mr Conway. Be assured, that I shall take a singular Pleasure in rendering him every Service in my Power. It was not your intent to take him into our Family, but I have directed to him to [sic] very convenient Lodgings, & at the same Time, near to me. He appears to be sensible, & well disposed; of Course, I have no Doubt of his Improvement. His Father may be assured of my Attention & Friendship to him.
I rejoice with you, that the presidential Election has at Length terminated in a Manner so greatly desired by every Friend to genuine Republicanism. But I hope also to hear, that you will not decline the office of Secretary of State. I am sure, the general Wish of your Fellow Citizens is, that you may accept of it.
Whilst I was investigating the Machine before Mentioned—upon the Supposition that it was really an American Invention, I found, that it was already described in the British Encycl:—Little indeed is said about it, & that little, of very little Consequence; but my whole Ardour was, in a Moment, gone. I think, however, I went far eno’ to justify the Conclusion, that the Air is not forced into the Vessel by the Fall of the Water, or by any Vacuum which is supposed to be formed by it’s Descent thro’ the Tubes. This however is the Idea in the Encycl.
Be pleased to present my best Regards to Mrs. Madison & Congratulations to Mrs. Rose. Yrs. most sincerely & Affectly.
J Madison


Title: From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 February 1801
From: Madison, James
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Feby. 28. 1801
Your favor of the 1st. instant was to have been acknowledged a week ago, but the irregularity of the post occasioned by high waters has delayed it to the present opportunity. I have now to acknowledge your two subsequent ones of the 12th. & 19th. In compliance with the last, I had proposed to leave home in a few days, so as to be with you shortly after the 4th. of March. A melancholy occurrence has arrested this intention. My father’s health for several weeks latterly seemed to revive, and we had hopes that the approach of milder seasons would still further contribute to keep him with us. A few days past however he became sensibly worse, and yesterday morning rather suddenly, tho’ very gently the flame of life went out. It is impossible for me now to speak of my movements with precision. Altho’ the exact degree of agency devolving on me remains to be known, a crowd of indispensible attentions must necessarily be due from me. In this posture of things I can only say that I shall wait the return of the post after this reaches, by which I hope to learn whether your intended continuance at Washington will admit, and the state of things will require, my being there before you leave it. By this information I shall be governed, unless imperiously controuled by circumstances here.
The conduct of Mr. A. is not such as was to have been wished or perhaps expected. Instead of smoothing the path for his successor, he plays into the hands of those who are endeavoring to strew it with as many difficulties as possible; and with this view does not manifest a very squeamish regard to the Const:n. Will not his appts. to offices, not vacant actually at the time, even if afterwards vacated by acceptances of the translations, be null?
The result of the contest in the H. of R. was generally looked for in this quarter. It was thought not probable that the phalanx would hold out agst. the general revolt of its partizans out of doors & without any military force to abet usurpation. How fortunate that the latter has been witheld; and what a lesson to America & the world, is given by the efficacy of the public will when there is no army to be turned agst. it!
I observe that a Come. is appd. to enquire into the effects of the late fires. This is no doubt proper; but does not I think promise much. More is to be expected from the scrutinies of honest heads of depts. aided by the documents & other evidences which they will have time & the best means of examining. I take for granted one of the first steps of the new admn. will be to institute returns, particularly in the Navy & war depts. of the precise state in which every circumstance involved in them, comes into the new hands. This will answer the double purpose of enabling the public to do justice both to the authors of past errors & abuses, and the authors of future reforms.
I recd. a few days ago the inclosed letter from Mr. Page. Altho’ there are parts of it, which might well be omitted in the transmission to you, yet the length of the proper extracts tempts me to shun the trouble of makg them. In justice to Docr. Tucker, I say with pleasure, that I have always regarded him as a man of the greatest moral & political probity, truly attached to republican principles, of a very ingenious mind, extensive information, & great exactitude in his ideas & habits of business; and consequently well fitted for public service. The letter from Callendar, seems from its contents to have been meant for you, tho’ superscribed to me. Most affectionately I am Dr. Sir Yrs.
Js. Madison Jr.


Title: To James Madison from George Jackson, 3 March 1801
From: Jackson, George
To: Madison, James

D Sir,
Washington City 3d March 1801
I recd your favour of the 14th ultimo and have noted the contents thereoff. I have no Doubt but you have been well informed how the House of Represintatives have acted on all occasions as will [sic] as the presendent of the U S. I will take the liberty to inclose you a Circular letter that I have wrote to my Constituents in which you will see the most prominent faters [sic] of the feds.

I have no Doubt but you will be called to fill some very Important office under the next Administration which is to take place tomorrow at 12 Oclock. Your freinds here think the first will be the Sec. of State. I will Hazzard an Opinion, and that is If any new Apointments do take place in the Sales of the North Western Lands or Colection of public money on the sale, that I think A Colo Williman Lowther of Wood County, is as well deserving of one of those apointments, as peraps any Gentleman in the western Country—and wish to mention him for the express purpose If any vaccancy takes place, and I know no man have greater demands on the public in that Country, than Colo. Lowther. I am with respect your Obednt. Sert.
G. Jackson


Title: From James Madison to David Ross, 23 March 1782
From: Madison, James
To: Ross, David

Sir
Philadelphia March 23d 1782.
Be Pleased to Pay to the Order of Messrs Peter Whiteside & Co. The Sum of Two hundred Pounds this Currency, being the Amount I have received from them on Account of the Virginia delegation, and for which I have given them two dfts on you of this Tenor & date. Sir
J Madison Jr.


Title: The Recently Rediscovered Letters of Edmund Pendleton, 25 March 1782–30 January 1795 (Editorial Note)
From:
To:

Editorial Note
The following is the first of 37 letters from Edmund Pendleton to JM that either have never been previously published or have been published only in the form of a partial extract. Twenty-five of the letters fall into the former category and 12 into the latter. These letters are part of a larger collection of 155 letters and other documents that Pendleton wrote to JM and to his father, James Madison, Sr., between the years 1752 and 1795. The collection once belonged to Frederick B. McGuire of Washington, D.C., but was sold in 1892 by the Philadelphia manuscript dealer Stan. V. Henkels, apparently to the Washington, D.C., book dealer Will H. Lowdermilk (see PJMRobert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers
          of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (1 vol. to date; Charlottesville, Va.,
        1986—)., 2:65–66 n.). The whereabouts of the collection after 1892 was unknown until it was acquired in 1990 by Richard Gilder, Jr., of New York. The kind permission and cooperation of Mr. Gilder and of Myron Kaller & Associates of Asbury Park, New Jersey, made it possible for the editors to add these new Pendleton letters to this supplement during the last stages of publication of this volume.
The bulk of Pendleton’s correspondence in this collection is addressed to JM. Only 45 of the letters and other documents are to James Madison, Sr. Of the remaining 110 items to JM, 69 were copied before their sale in 1892, either by clerks in the employ of Peter Force or by Worthington C. Ford, and these copies furnished the texts for many of the Pendleton letters that appeared in the earlier volumes of this edition of JM’s papers. Since it has not yet been possible for the editors to check the accuracy of these copies against the recently rediscovered original letters, this supplement contains only the texts of the 37 letters that have been either hitherto unknown or known only in partial form. The editors were, however, able to transcribe these 37 letters from photocopies and then verify the texts by comparing them with the originals. In the earlier volumes of this edition many of these letters were either calendared or, where it was possible to do so, published in partial form. In the cases where the latter were already annotated, the editors have chosen not to reproduce here the notes that can be found in earlier volumes. They have, though, provided cross-references to relevant background material.


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 25 March [1782]
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virga. March 25th. 1789 [1782]
I have yr. favr. of the 12th., & tho’ by the Irregularity of the Post, I have miss’d a few of yours, yet I have no doubt but upon a fair Adjustment I am greatly in arrear in point of benefit arising from the correspondence, and am only to trust to that acceptance which is allowed to a widow’s mite cast into the Treasury. I am pleased with the debates in the papers, and wth. Paynes Political tract, which I think has the most of reasoning and the least Virulence of any performance I have seen of his. The people of Vermont, like many other Politicians of the Cunning sort, seem to have overshot their Mark, & will deserve to be mortified at least, before they obtain their point; However, their conduct unavoidably suggests a very Serious Consideration of the consequences of their emancipation; that is, will they be a proper firm Barrier to the United States in that quarter giving intelligence of any injurious design or movement in Canada & in the meantime endeavour to impede it? Or will they on the contrary avail themselves of their situation so as by contracts with the Enemy or the appearance or threat of them, to gain unreasonable advantages to themselves? The former would be their duty as members of the union, but their conduct indicates that the latter would be their Policy: besides the Objections that their admission would Influence the political scale, Adding weight to the Northern against the Southern & to the small against the great; and the probable Byas they would feel to foster confusion & disorder as their parent, are ⟨in⟩ my mind unanswerable Objections at least with the large or Southern States, or any who love order & propriety: All these Arguments gain additional weight when it is considered that the general Education & manner of life of those people have not a tendancy to cultivate a liberality of Sentiments & conduct.

I begin to look out for the Contents of the Budget open’d on the meeting of Parliament after the hollidays to discover in what manner they mean to carry on the War—according to present Appearances the West Indies is the destined Theatre. Dr. Ramsay will have given you the latest Accounts from the Southward that have reached Us. I am sorry to tell you that from some defect in the law, our drafts for the Continental line are not made, & I am told must be suspended ’til the Meeting of the Assembly in May. I am Dr Sr. Yr. Affecte. & Obt. Servt.
Edmd Pendleton


Title: From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 27 August 1782
From: Madison, James
To: Pendleton, Edmund

Dear Sir
Philada. Aug: 27th. 1782.
I have examined into the law of this State relating to slaves coming into it from other States, and find an exception for the case of fugitives which will secure your nephew agst. danger from that source. As the French army however is at this time but beginning to move from Baltimore, I hope the Messenger will recover the slave before he reaches this place. Should it happen otherwise my services shall be freely given. With equal chearfulness will I procure the gold lace as soon as it is in my power. At present, my situation is such that I can give no other proof of a disposition to serve my friends, in any case where the least pecuniary advance is necessary. The balance is so much agst. Virga. in its trade with this place that no draughts on the former can be negociated here. My friends at Richmond are ende[a]voring to procure some relief for me, but as it will depend on the state of the Treasury I dare not be very sanguine of their immediate success.
We have had not a syllable from Europe since my last. The French fleet is in Boston Harbor. The arrival of a British fleet from the W. Indies is reported, but not confirmed.
The proceedings of the Ct. Martial on Lippencut were yesterday laid before Congress by Genl Washington. It appears that the Culprit did not deny the hanging of Huddy, but justified it as a necessary retaliation & warranted by verbal orders from the Board of Refugees. The Ct. acquitted him on the pretext that no malicious intention appeared to have dictated the measure. The whole trial would have disgraced a Russian Tribunal before the reign of Peter the first. Carlton explicitly acknowledges & reprobates the crime, and promises to pursue it in other forms, but complains of the precipitate step of Gel Washington in devoting to execution an innocent & even a capitulant officer before satisfaction had been regularly demanded & refused. As the affair is now before Congress I shall add nothing further till the result is known.
Our friend Mr. Jones arrived on sunday last, himself his lady, and his little son, particularly his lady very much indisposed, or rather ill, and having been so from the 2d. day after setting out. They have taken their station at Germanto[w]n which they think necessary to restore their health & do not mean to encounter the noise & polluted atmosphere of the City till that end is attained.


Title: Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 3 September 1782
From: Virginia Delegates
To: Harrison, Benjamin

Sr.
Philadelphia Septr. 3d. 1782
Yesterday’s Post arrived without any letter from your Excellency.
We laid before Congress the resolution of the assembly, relating to the emission of the 18th. of March 1780, and the destruction of the old Continental money by Commissioners within the states, which was refer’d to the Superintendt. of finance to report generally upon—as the steps to be taken on the Resolution of our Assembly, will be applicable to other states Similarly circumstanced.
The Resolution of Congress relative to the Garrison of York has, we are informed, by the Secretary of Congress, been transmitted to Yr. Excellency through the War department.
We shall endeavor to procure and send to Your Excellency, a Copy of a Copy of a Petition which was presented to Congress from Sundry Inhabitants (as set forth in the Petition) of Kentucky of a Similar nature to three others which have at Sundry times made their appearance in Congress. We think it may serve as a foundation for an enquiry, as well into the causes of the grievances set forth, as into the movers of such Petitions. We have only to remark that the Persons who deliver them, do not act the most open part but keep themselves incog: while some apologies (tho lame ones in our opinion) are offerd for the evident marks of Spuriousness these Petitions generally bear on the face of them; by Certain Gentlemen in Congress. We must observe, that this last Peti[ti]on, tho pretended to be a Copy of an original one, is accompanied with no certificate of its being so; while the Petition is in one hand writing, and the names in four or five different hands, and not written by each subscriber.
We leave to your Excellency the Propriety of laying it before the next Session of Assembly.
The Grand Comme. for devising ways and means to pay the Interest of the National Debt, have among other things reported it as their opinion—“that the Western Lands, if ceded to the U. S. might contribute towards a fund for paying the debts of these States.[”] But no part of their report has yet been acted upon.
A Rumor prevails that the combined fleets of France, Spain, & Holland, have form’d a Junction in the British Channel—& that they have fallen in with & taken eighteen or twenty of the Quebec fleet, but nothing Authentic has been received relative to this or any thing else from Europe since our last. We have the Honor to be with every possible respect Yr. Excellys. most obedt. & very Humb: Sts.
J Madison Jr.Theok Bland Jr.A. Lee


Title: From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 10 September 1782
From: Madison, James
To: Pendleton, Edmund

Dear Sir
Philada. Sepr. 10th. 1782.
I am extremely sorry for the ill luck which your favr. of the 2d. instant informs me attended the endeavors to regain Mr. Pendletons fugitive negro; and the more so, as his hopes from my pursuit of him will be equally disappointed. I shall write immediately to Col: Jameson on the subject & enclose your description of the negro, and the request of Mr. Pendleton as to the sale of him. As it is possible however that a detached service may render it inconvenient for him to make the necessary searches & applications, and I have no other acquaintance with the army fit for such business, I think it would be well for you to engage the cooperation of such other Gentlemen as you or others connected with Mr. Pendleton may know. Any letters on this subject enclosed to me shall be duly forwarded.
Genl Washington has moved with his army down to Verplanks point. His object in this movement is uncertain. Seven Ships, part of a fleet from the W. Indies under Lord Hood are arrived at New York, and 1500 foreign troops have embarked at that place for Halifax.
I am inform’d by a letter from Thornton Taylor th⟨at⟩ he some time ago wrote to me on the subject of some mon⟨e⟩y due to him here, & inclosed a power to receive it for him. Will you be so obliging as to inform him that the letter miscarried, & that he must write again? I know not where he resides nor how to convey a line to him.
Our Ministers in Europe are still silent, or their despatches unfortunate. The arrival of a packet at N. Y. has yielded us the intelligence in the enclosed paper, some of which is very interesting. The new revolution in the British Cabinet which seems to be throwing the whole administration into the hands of the Shelburne party, has not a very pacific aspect. Unless however they make a coalition with the old ministry, it would seem that their popular & eloquent antagonists will be able to render their triumph of short duration. In any event their councils must be either divided, or their measures obs[t]ructed. Perhaps both these evils may be their portion. If an honorable peace could be ours, then whatever it be would be of little moment to us. Adieu.


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 24 February 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Edmundsbury Feb. 24. 1783.
Yr. dispatch by express to the Executive will no doubt produce Essential Service to yr. constituents, in wresting ⟨our Merchts’s⟩ Staple from the grasping hands of Speculators, ⟨Many⟩ of ⟨whom,⟩ I am told were hunting it. It added to the weight of my debt too, in conveying me yr. Solacing favr. of the 13th. inclosing the British King’s Speech to Parliament, full of Peace & the Sentiments of a Patriot King. Oh what a change of Expressns. ⟨Is he converted.⟩ Has he just awaked from a trance, in wch. he has been burried from 1763. Is it the work of Ld. Shelburne? Or is it the Spirit of the Nation acting powerfully upon both? These points they may settle amongst themselves, so they confirm, what the Speech strongly presages: Peace & Independence—under which we will endeavour to do tolerably without a Monarch. Ay & we will trie to be friends with ⟨his sons, if they are good old folks⟩ & behave well, not hankering after the rod to coerce, or Sugar plumbs to coax Us into neglect of our new & better friends. I am indeed overjoy’d on this Occasion to think I shall probably live to se[e] this great object accomplish’d, which, when I was concerned ⟨in the commencement of it, I⟩ thought would not be completed ’til another generation. Rivington may now Sing without a Sneer

Joy to great Congress, joy ⟨and loud all told⟩
The Grand Cajoler’s, are themselves cajoled.

Let songs of Triumph every Voice employ
And every Muse discharge a feu de joie
Hail, Congress, Hail, Magnificent, renown’d
Rejoice, be merry, your great Point is found.

You se[e] what spirits you have put me into; don’t depress them wth. an old Story that an Accident has happen’d between the Cup & the Lip.

   * Swifts song on Indde.

“That somebody took something ill
& Broke the Party at Quadrille.”

I believe I shall turn Poet instead of copying if I don’t conclude, in all situations I cannot forget that I am Yr. much Obliged as well as Affe. & Obt. Servt.
Edmd Pendleton


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 26 April [1783]
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir,
Richmond April 26. 1789 [1783]
I am from hence to ⟨acknowled⟩ge the receipt of yr. two favrs. of the 8th. & since, the latter conveying the Official Authentication of the Account of peace, about which people began to entertain doubts, much encouraged by the Speculators—it is now fix’d, and we must turn Our thoughts to the realising it’s benefits. I find people here objecting to the Impost upon the score of danger from too much Independant power in Congress. My poor endeavours shall not be wanting to remove the Objections, as far as I can—surely Gentlemen should consider that withholding necessary Powers is an extream as Injurious to the Society, as giving unnecessary & dangerous ones, which would suggest the proper mean of giving just so much as is necessary. I am just told young Mr. Wormeley is elected for Middlesex & a Rod is preparing to whip him home again; I am sorry there should be an Occasion for bickering, and think he was very imprudent to come forth so hastily, before the conciliating Spirit had time to Operate. I believe the Suspected Tories of last Assembly, are generally return’d again, and one fellow who was then expelled for having Publicly damn’d Congress, Governors & all Public Officers, is rechosen & I suppose will be another sourse of dispute. I am hurried & must Suspend ’til my next What I meant further to say, except that I am always Dr sr. Yr. Affe.
Edmd. Pendleton


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 30 June 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virga. June 30th. 1783.
I assure you that neither my health nor punctuality were tardy in the disappt. you mention in yr. favr. of the 17th.—but either the Post Office or some impertinent Curiosity by the way, intercepting my letter of the 9th., wch. I wrote, and put into the usual course; however you will have abundant proofs that the loss was probably small.
If the troops were not furlough’d without Mutinous behaviour in one Instance, and pathetic complaints in general, at a time when they were assured by their beloved Commander that Congress had done every thing in their Power, to do them Justice, and they had no reason to doubt the success of their recommendation to the states; what will be their feelings & behaviour when they hear that the plan is rejected? Our Assembly gave A final Negative to the Bill for adopting yr. Propositions, on the 3d. reading last week, and left the matter as they found it, except by a Law for the appropriation of the produce of Our taxes to be Collected next November to the payment of our civil list, the Interest & 1/10th. of the principal due for the depreciation to our Continental & State Officers & Soldiers, and the rest to be remitted to Congress, which is estimated at about £110,000. the whole tax being calculated (pretty accurately I believe) to produce £231,000. I should be the more concerned at this rejection, (tho’ I hope the consequences may not be so bad as you apprehend, since in some mode or other, the payment of the debt must be provided for) if Virga. stood alone, or by her example, might be supposed to induce other states to come into the Opposition; but this is not the case, since North Carolina had before also rejected it, almost unanimously.
The Assembly have become bidders to have the Session of Congress in this State or in it’s Vicinity. If Williamsburg is accepted they offer all the Public buildings & land there, & £100,000. to repair the Palace, build Hotels &c.—if any place on potowmack is accepted, they offer difft. sums in conjunction wth. Maryland, as it shall be on the North or South side of the river—the lands & Jurisdiction which are to accompany the Offers, I don’t distinctly recollect, having the Resolutions only at 2d. hand. I am Dr. Sir, Yr. very Affe. & Obt. Servt.
Edmd Pendleton


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 14 July 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virginia July 14th. 1783.
I have your favr. Of the 30th., that of the preceeding date hath not yet come to hand; an unexpected call from home last Post day prevented my paying you my respects then, so that you will miss that Lre.
I am sorry to hear of the Insult offer’d to Congress, and the more so for the little respect shewn to their dignity by the Executive of Pennsylvania; even poor dispised Virga. I think would have shewn more spirit on such an Occasion, and not have suffer’d so gross an Insult on those who held the Fœdral Sovereignty, to pass unchastised; nor have been passive Witnesses of so disgraceful a flight to another State for protection, an Illomened commencement of Peace & Independence.

When a thorough Investigation of this Subject comes to be made, I conjecture that the Meeting will be found to have Originated with some restless Creditors in that City, conscious of the Injustice of their demands, & perhaps no great friends to America, who wish to use the just demands of the Army as a cover for hastening Payments by terror—the Class of Creditors I mean are those who when the Continental money was in it’s greatest state of depreciation in the Southern States, purchased it up at from 1000 to 2000 for one, & I am told have procured a Vote of Congress to have them redeemed at 175 for one; a circumstance wch. I learn occasioned much clamour in the Assembly at their late Session, & had some influence in their determination of the great question. You know my Sentiments on this Subject that Justice and the Public faith only require the Repayment of what the holders realy advanced for them, with Interest from the time of the advance (for I can’t distinguish them from the case of Loan Certificates) nor can I think the difficulty of taking the Account, so great as is represented, or if it even was so, that it ought to impede the course of Justice, to charge the States with so enormous a sum to enrich private individuals, which is the more unreasonable, as I fancy it will be found that the greatest part of this money has centred in one State—which hath had in other circumstances sufficient advantages over the others, without adding this, wch. appears, to me at least, unjust. Congress may be thought to countenance this kind of Crs., when in their late Address to the States, they Speak of such Creditors, “who having greater confidence in the States, Received their money & loan Certificates, whilst others refused them.” This is true and just as to numbers who thus acted in the early stages of the dispute from the purest principles of Patriotism; but would be misapplied to those I am now speaking of, who were Spectators of the rapid decline of the money, without an effort to prevent it, nay perhaps with many to hasten it, ’til it came to it’s lowest state, and then engross’d it, with a View by noise & Clamour about public faith & I know not what, unjustly to injure the virtuous Citizens, and fill their own Coffers, without an Atom of Public merit—surely such may be distinguished from the former class, & justice done to both.
The Supine neglect of the Executive to interpose the force of the State on this Occasion, probably had it’s source in the t——d Spirit of the C—f M—j——e, whose nerves are too weak for any exertions, but those of Oratory or the pen. I discover they are paving the way for throwing the blame on Congress, as being unnecessarily alarmed, on wch. subject I suppose they will enlarge—I judge this affair will hasten your Acceptance of one of the Offers of the States for your Session, & sincerely wish that all other affects of it may soon subside.
We have the most pleasing prospect of Plentiful Crops of all kinds, if the weather continues Seasonable; for the present tobacco, the price seems fix’d at 36/ for James River & 30/ for Rappa. tho’ the Speculators as usual, are divided in Opinion Whether it will rise or fall. I am &c


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 11 August 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virga. Augt. 11th. 1783.
Yr. favr. of the 29th. past has raised my expectation of receiving by yr. next a confirmation of the Arrival of the definitive treaty, & I hope in consequence, a more prompt evacuation of New York, than Carlton has hitherto shewn a disposition for. I wish them gone if it was only to preserve our people from Mercant[i]le impositions, founded on doubts that the War is not over. Nay it was only yesterday Reported, that Hostilities had commenced afresh at N. Y. By some of these Artifices the purchase of tobacco is Stagnant, & some say the price is fallen, tho’ I believe on the eve of rising.
I confess I never was sanguine in my expectations of Wms.burg’s becoming the Seat of Congress, notwithstanding the advantages wch. presented themselves to my view, upon a Supposition that a Water Carriage would become the common Passage of the Members & others to and from it in time of peace; to which I can add that Salubriety of Air may be there Assuredly depended upon, from long experience, as well as the nature of the Situation, wch. is a high ridge with a drain on each side to James & York Rivers—the Southern Scite of the State, & this City being near the most Southern corner of it, were objections, whose weight were not likely to be lessened by the present Bias to locality. Yr. Observation that the only chance of Success to either Virga. or Maryland, must be derived from their Union in some one place on Potowmack, I doubt not will be verified by the event, whatever part they take. You know I am not over Anxious on the Occasion, since the junction of Riches & vice, which are Attendant on that great Session, puzles the will in determin[in]g whether ’tis desireable or not, however singular I may be in the Sentiment.
I wish it was in my power, as I have always inclination to comply with yr. request in sketching out some bounds of the Jurisdiction wch. Congress should require, & the State grant where they sit: But having spent some hours in contemplation on the Subject since I first heard it mentioned, tho’ I was not so Sagacious, (like our Fairfax Instructor) as to discover Lust of Power in the request, I have not been able to investigate in my own mind, it’s nature or purposed Use, without which, a proper limitation & extent of it, cannot be accurately defined. As to the power of Congress on the occasion, I do not see any difficulty: they can’t assume the Jurisdiction as of their own authority, which they admit by asking it of the State; but being granted them, I see nothing in reason or the fœdral Articles which should restrain them in the exercise of a Power derived from the Sovereignty of that State, to which it is altogether confined, and as far as I can at present descern, the others are wholly unconcerned about it.
It is not new to me, who have been formerly worn out of all Patience by it, that there will be variety of Opinions, and those pertinaciously attended to, on every the most simple questions, some of wch. I have seen agitated for a week, after the Subject was thought to be fully understood & the President had even risen to put the question. A plain man would think that a few days might serve to take a view of the United States as they are at present, and their probable extent—& on considering those and the centricity & other advantages & disadvantages of the places (& attendant offers) proposed, to determine between them, especially as the choice, though permanency should enter into it, will not be as unalterable as the laws of the Medes & Persians; if it was, a Speculative genius might propose the falls of the Ohio, or the junction of that River with the Missippi., which an imagination not over heated, might point out as the probable future Seat of the Empire. But whither am I got to, ’tis time to check these wild Sallies, & to say, that the longer you stay at Congress, provided no private Injury occurs, the more agreable to me, & I beleive to the State in General, & to repeat that I am wth. unalterable regard Dr. sr. Yr. Affe. & Obt. Servt.
Edmd. Pendleton


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 18 August 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virga. Augt. 18. 1783.
Yr. favr. of the 5th. was not fraught with a confirmation of the definitive treaty’s Arrival as I expected; however as I do not discover it to be the Interest of any of the powers concerned, to stop a Peace, I still flatter my self the delay is produced rather by some adjustment of forms than real contentions wch. may endanger the final ratification of the Preliminaries; I wish Carlton was more alert in his preparations to be gone.
The Address of the Citizens of Philada. would have been cleverer if fewer Egotisms had appear’d in it; some were excusable as an evidence of their Attachment to the fœdral Government; and I am inclined to think that a Majority were ready to have protected Congress from, & resented the insult, and that I formerly hinted the true Sourse of the neglect; Be that as it may—that body are polite & civil in their answer, and properly avoided any declaration on the Subject of returning: that event I expect will take place as soon as the Soreness of Congress is healed, and will be brought about by the inconveniences of a Session at Prince Town, where the Straitness of Lodgings &c will get the better of the Complaisance of the Inhabitants: those therefore who wish the Negative to prevail, judge wisely in hastening the question. We have a dry season, but yet the price of tobo. is lower than it has been, for want of rivals in our small trade, wch. seems to be running fast into the british Channel, for want of other Merchants. I am Dr sr. Yrs. sincerely
Edmd. Pendleton


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 25 August 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virga. Augt. 25th. 1783
Your favr. of the 12th. casts a Slur upon that of July 21st. very unmerited, as that & every other containing any Political Sentiment, however hastily written, deserve more Attention than I have paid to them. I feel the strongest conviction that we never differed in the end of our pursuits, the pure public good, untainted or corroded by any selfish views, however our sentiments may differ as to the mode to be pursued for attaining it. At the same time I see Solidity & good sense in yr. distinction between a Certificate issued for a certain liquidated value received, and a Bill offered to the Public, containing no Acknowledged value it is to answer for—and acknowledge the Justice of yr. general remarks as to the principles of preserving the Public faith as to both; It is about the application of these general Principles that we disagree. As to the first we agree so far that the holder of a Certificate is without doubt intitled to the value deposited, independent of all subsequent accidents & events, but I think when he throws it into General circulation, and it passes from hand to hand as a marketable commodity, the similarity to the Bills commences & continues—they have both alike a nominal value appearing in their face, alike the subject of Speculative depreciation, & hence the ground of my proposed distinction between the holder & a late purchaser at a low value. It was indeed the best price at Market, but as Ingrossers & forestallers of Markets incur the Public odium and are justly punishable, so if the fact be as I suppose that the Possessors of these notes & Certificates, to speak in the general, were in a confederated practice to reduce their value to the Public Injury & their own emolument, neither public faith or Honour intitle them to a reward for this nefarious conduct, both which are sufficiently, and perhaps superabundently preserved by restoring them to their real money & Interest. And here my friend I anew dissent from yr. proposition of founding the mode of paying the notes upon necessity, & not Justice. I cannot think that any necessity, short of Bankrupcy, or a total inability to pay, can sanctify Injustice; And I hope we are not, nor ever shall be in a condition which shall impel the adoption of that poor plea. No I am so far from thinking that Justice demands the Payment of our Continental Bills at the nominal value in specie, if we are able, that if specie sufficient was in yr. Treasury, I should think the throwing it into the Delaware, a more honourable & just disposition of it, as to the surplus beyond what the Possessors gave, than to put it into their Pockets. But I beg pardon for the trouble I have given you already on this subject.
As I never expected any fruits from Mr. Danaes errand to the Court of Petersburg, I am not very anxious about his disappointment there. The delicacy of the Empress, may probably be allowed a proper Ostensible reason for her conduct, tho’ I do not beleive it the real one, which seems not difficult to trace from their verbal communication.
In adjusting yr. Peace establishment, will you pardon me in hazarding an hint as to foreign Ministers, or rather our having Ministers at foreign Courts? I see in their Appointment a great Annual expence, one point of considerable Objection, but not the greatest. I fear their entering into the Cabals and policies of Europe, so as to imbroil America in their future Wars, with wch. I think we have nothing to do. A general Commerce with them all should be the object of our policy, and this purpose it seems to me may be better answered & at a small part of the expence, by a Consul or Superintendt. of Trade in each nation, than by the glare, expence & danger of a Courtly Minister.
Our drought continues & we begin to be very Apprehensive of a famine. I am Dr. Sir Yr. very Affe. friend
Edmd Pendleton


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 1 September 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virginia Septr. 1. 1783.
From yr. favr. of the 19th. past, I find Congress have at length negated a return to Philada., I am sorry the question was brought on in a manner not quite honourable, because every proceeding of that sort lessens the dignity of Congress, & gives a Precedent for Chicane, wch. increases jealousy & danger in our great Council. It is now reported that you have fix’d on Annapolis for your permanent Seat, to which I give no Credit, since the question had not been agitated when yours came away, Tho’ a return to Philada. being now laid aside, I expect the Straitness of yr. Accommodations at Prince Town, will hasten a decision of the great Question.
I had just heard that Mr. Jones was gone to Phila., where I hope he arrived safe & is well, pray present him my best respects. If he means to stay at Congress, I shall hope to hear from him, & will make my Complts. to him.
I see great Propriety in the protection from Insults to Congress & foreign Ministers wch. you mention; and that it will be very imperfectly afforded, if made to depend on the Government of the State you sit in, reason suggests, & experience has proved—and to effect yr. purpose, there are two ways which seem to present themselves to yr. choice and that of the Citizens concern’d, who from the true principles of our Government, & of reason, must be consulted on the Occasion. The first is to cede to Congress the whole intire Sovereignty in the limited district, with all the legislative, Executive & Judiciary Powers. The other to reserve to the State the Legislative powers, and give the appointment & control of the Executive & Judiciary Officers to Congress. I have not sufficiently examined either proposition, to satisfy my self which ought to have the preference, or whether either is admissible, but think at present the first most Eligible, if it was not for the Objection, that to make Congress the Legislative for a people who are not concerned in their election, is a violation of fundamental rights, & introduces despotism. Cannot this be remedied by making Congress the Executive, & allowing the Citizens to choose representatives to make laws for the Society, with a Negative only in Congress?
It would seem right when the limits are fixed, to call a Convention of the People within it, to consult with Congress & form a Government that might best answer their purposes, as they would become a new & distinct Society. These hints, crude as usual, are at yr. service, to make what use you please of.
[We have at length had very fine rains, but according to the state of all sublunary things, are now under great anxiety, lest our Crops should be nip’d by a Frost, the wind blowing very bleak from the North; however we must be Satisfied with whatever happens. I am very truly Dr Sir Yr affe friend.
Edmd Pendleton]
Do you know what is become of poor Jo: Chew? I suppose he must share the common State of not being allowed to return & to begin the world anew in Nova Scarcity.


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 29 September 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virga. Sepr. 29. 1783.
I am now, tho’ in a feeble state, just able to acknowledge the receipt of yr. two favrs. of the 8th. & 13th., a smart fever prevented my writing by Last post, which I hope the Bark has removed. Sr. Guy Carltons Enquiry into the forgery had probably a double view of screening the Offenders, & of exposing his predecessors in Office, I fear nothing of Justice entered into his motives. I am sorry to hear that the People Eastward are so very Averse to the half pay or commutation: should they influence their Legislature, I suppose their Officers will be excluded, and the willing states provide for theirs, a discrimination like to sow the seeds of dissention.
The Change of Spirit in Britain towards the united States betrayed by the restrictive Proclamation, shews they are still pursuing that rotten Policy, which lost them America & will deprive them of her trade. The liberality they professed on that Point upon signing the Preliminary Articles, was the most likely means of recovering most of our trade, & would have had that effect, as this policy will produce the contrary. We have some Liverpoole Captns. here, among others Capn. Quinney, Passangers & I suppose to Spy the Market. My best respects to Mr. Jones, wth. whom I sincerely condole on his second tender loss. [I am at all times My dr. Sir Yr. Affe. & Mo. Obt. Servt.
Edmd. Pendleton]


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 6 October 1783
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Virga. Octr. 6. 1783
Since my last yr. sevl. favrs. of Augt. 24th. & 30th. & Sepr. 20th. have reached me, the two former filling up the Chasim I supposed in yr. letters. The question touching Garrison’s in time of peace, is in it’s nature delicate as well as difficult, and therefore I don’t Wonder there should be diversity of Opinions about it. They seem useful & indeed necessary, & yet have their certain evils, among which not the least considerable is that they lead to a standing Army, that bane of Society; nor is it less difficult to decide the question, if they are admitted, whether they ought to be Continental, or supported by & under the Government of the respective States where they are kept. These Points will be no doubt warmly agitated & thurroughly investigated, as well in Congress as the several Assemblies, & to the final decision I shall submit as a good Citizen.
German Town must be named in the Competition for the permanent seat of Congress, merely as another name for Philada., which I suppose they can’t name with propriety, for I can’t suppose a single man in the united States would prefer that Village to the great City so near it. I have thought for some time that the contest would end in a return to that City, as soon as resentment for their former neglect had a little worn off.
I did not expect our good Friend of Versailles would have restricted our trade to one Port, but imagined all his ports would have been open to Our Vessels, as ours are to his—I hope from the Edict furnished in the papers from their Govr. in the west Indies, that they mean to be more liberal there than their British Neighbours. If trade is like to be so confined, we must turn our thoughts to manufactures, and endeavour to support ourselves without any of these haughty Europeans, who I think will suffer as much as we shall from a Stop to the Commercial Intercourse between Us. I have just heard of 4 ships arrived in Hampton road 3 from Britain & one from Ireland—the price of goods hath risen & that of tobacco fallen. The sickly season has prevented the sitting of our General Court, which should have begun last Wednesday, two Judges only appeared, who adjourned from day to day waiting for a third, to the great mortification of Some hundreds of Attending people. This is contrasted by a great race at Fredericksburg to day, where no doubt there will be company enough. My respects to Mr. Jones. I am Dr. Sir Yr. Affe. & Obt. Servt.
Edmd Pendleton


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 18 December 1784
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dr. Sir
Edmundsbury Decr. 18. 1784.
I am unwilling at all times to intermeddle with the business of the legislature, & particularly concerned when under a necessity of making application to a particular friend of that body, but when I am impelled to it by the situation of a distressed Neice, & a family of her small Children, I know your own feelings will suggest my Appology. She is the unfortunate wife of Philip Davis, who is this week convicted of forging or passing counterfeit tobacco Notes. I feel the consequence of this growing Offence to the Public so strong, that I know not how to sollicit for his pardon, nor indeed am I acquainted with the circumstances of his conduct in the Affair sufficiently to judge, if it was my province, whether he is a proper object of Mercy—to the Judges therefore who heard his trial & will no doubt represent it impartially, & to the Executive who are to judge of it, I leave that subject, only observing that I have heard he bore a fair Character ’til lately, when keeping a tavern, he first drank too much, then turn’d Gamester, from whence the progression to this offence was not unnatural, & adding my wishes that should he experience Mercy, his future life may justify it’s interposition. But what I meant to trouble you about, rests with the Assembly on a contrary Supposition, and that is, the granting his small forfeited estate to his widow & Children; I will venture to say her Character is fair, & that so far from partaking in his Offence, farther than being involved in it’s unhappy consequences, that she would detest every criminal Idea. To the community it is no more than a drop to the Ocean, to the family it will be a support with their Industry, & perhaps preserve the children useful Members of Society, instead of being Vagabonds & Pests. And unless we retain the Idea of punishing the Innocent for the faults of those to whom they happen to be related, I do not see the ground upon which th⟨e⟩ Community claim the Estate, adding thereby to the Sufferings of t⟨he⟩ innocent. The example of the Suffering Offender is Supposed t⟨o⟩ satisfy the Community at large; satisfaction ought to be made to ⟨the⟩ Injured individual, & the residue seems free from claim; It w⟨as⟩ upon these principles that the revisors Marshalled the Estate⟨s of⟩ Criminals, & I still think them right; but I beg pardon, I am teach⟨ing⟩ Washington the Art of War. Anything you can justly do in this Affair, will be esteemed a particular favr. confer’d on Dr. Sr. Yr. Affe. & Obt. Serv⟨t.⟩
Edmd Pendleton


Title: To James Madison from Lafayette, [8 February 1785]
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Madison, James

[Versailles, 8 February 1785]
… [France has ordered] two large Armies to get in readiness … in Flanders and … in Alsace.… I hope matters will be compromised and a War avoided…. Your Ministers will write you more than I can respecting their negotiations…. Our friend Mr. jefferson has been unwell but now feels better…. Remember me to the Governor and all friends in Virginia.…


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 19 November 1786
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dr. Sir
Caroline Novr. 19th. 1786.
A severe Paroxism of my old disorder having deprived me of the pleasure of seeing you this Session, I take the liberty of submitting to your consideration a Bill I drew some time ago to amend the Act for reforming the County Courts, as it Occur’d to me that considerable delays might happen in the quarterly returns of process instead of Monthly, especially where the first process was not executed. As some Gentn. may think the System already too speedy, and stirring the Subject might indanger the former law, from wch. as it stands, very beneficial effects have arisen, you are the best judg[e] Whether it is best or worth while to mention it. I know not whether to congratulate my Countrey on yr. reappointment to Congress, since we shall much miss you here, however I will do so, as my Maxim is, “All happens for the best.” I write by Candle light & in a hurry, & wish you may read it. I am Dr. Sir Yr. Affe. & Obt. Servt.
Edmd Pendleton


Title: From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, [ca. December 1786]
From: Madison, James
To: Madison, Ambrose

Dr. bror.
[ca. December 1786]
I send you by Mr. Winslow £63–16. in gold, a payment advanced by Mr. Broadhead. I have at command also the 200 dollrs. which I mentioned as to be paid the 2d. of this month, & which you may draw on me for. I refer to my letter to my father & to Mr. Winslow for news. Yrs affy.
Js. Mad⟨ison⟩ Jr


Title: To James Madison from James Marshall, [ca. December 1786]
From: Marshall, James
To: Madison, James

Sir
[ca. December 1786]
From some late proceedings of the Spaniards in Louisiania, I suspect it cannot be long before serious acts of hostility will commence between them and our western Citizins.
I will state a few facts several of which have been within my own knowledge & if you find leisure will thank you for your advice, how it will be proper for the people of Kentucky to proceed on the occasion.
About eighteen months since a Colo. Pere went down to New Orleans with two boats loaded with flower, he did not communicate the manner of his reception. But his proceeds were thought to be considerable, from his anxiety last spring to carry down a much larger cargo of the same article. Encouraged by his success a Mr. Parker a Mr. Tardiveau & several others purchas’d to the amount of 150000 weight of flower for the same purpose, they went by the way of St. Louis in order to obtain a passport for New Orleans. They were receiv’d by the Governor of St. L. in a friendly manner. He however refus’d them passports, but gave as a reason, that he was then oblig’d to give twelve & fourteen Dollars pr. barrell for indian corn meal for the subsistance of the Kings troops, & he should be much blam’d, & perhaps punish’d, if under those circumstances he was to permit flower to be carried from his garrison. A Mr. Cere a merchant at St. L. who is suppos’d to be in partnership with the Govr. afterwards purchas’d a part of the flower, & endeavor’d to buy the rest at a low rate, but could not succeed. Since I have left Kentucky the Govr. of St. L. has confiscated the property of those among the Americans who had any within the teritory of Louisiana & among the rest a cargo belonging to Genl. Wilkinson which had been receiv’d by Mr. Cere on consignment.
I consider this sir as an unjustifiable act particularly after the encouragement which [was] given to those who carried flower to the different Spanish settlements & who from their reception had a right to expect their property would be secur’d to them. I am pretty well convinc’d retaliation will be made, the Spanish trade up the Missisippa is totally in our power & has produc’d them fur’s to the value of £350,000 pr. anm. These fur’s are caried down the river in open unarm’d boats that are frequently oblig’d by the current to row immediately under our shore. As they do not permit us to set foot within their territory can they complain if we are equally strict? Should one of the persons injur’d sieze on a boat when on our side of the river, do you think he would be consider’d as a criminal? Do you think it would not have a tendancy towards bringing the present tedious negotiation concerning the Missisipa to a close perhaps more favorable than we now have (from our indecision) a right to expect. If you should think the measure politic I can have it put in execution. You will have the goodness to excuse this freedom from a stranger, when you know that upon your opinion depends the attempt I have mention’d. I am with the most perfect respect Yours
James Marshall


Title: To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 12 August 1787
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Madison, James

Dear Sir
Edmundsbury Augt. 12. 1787.
I have hitherto delayed to pay you my respects, lest I should for a moment withdraw your Attention from the great & important work you was engaged in; but the papers having announced that the Convention had settled the Principles of their System, and appointed a Committee to reduce it to form, I could no longer delay letting you know I am yet in the living Class, I think my health considerably better, & Possess strong hopes of being able to Attend the Courts this fall.
We are all in anxious expectation of some great work, the produce of such Collective wisdom and prudence, and I have the pleasure to Observe amongst the Serious, best Citizens, a general disposition to approve and adopt whatever is recommended; tho’ on the other hand, some few, & of them, Members of the Assembly, declare themselves against it Ante Mainum, (as the Dicers say). I am sorry there are not more Members of the Assembly in Our Delegation to explain and inforce what is done. I hope Colo. Mason will make a truce with the Gout for that Season at least, as his Attendance will be useful in that, as well as other Instances.
The Secrecy injoined & observed by the Convention, was not only beneficial in that it occasioned the Ebulitions of fire, fancy & Party amongst the Members to evaporate in the room of their Session, and their work to be submitted to the Public in it’s perfect State, but it also prevented these pre-determined Gentlemen, from making mangled details of the work, and by misrepresentations to form a prejudice against it amongst the Citizens.
I have heard much of threaten’d Riots, In Opposition to the payment of debts and taxes, but no particular Instance of mischief of the sort, except the burning of the Court House in King William, the Prison in New Kent, and the Clerk’s Offices of both. That the famous Mr. Posey was author of the latter, nobody seems to doubt, tho’ they have not yet evidence sufficient to convict him. Money is indeed very scarce, wch. is generally Attributed, & I beleive very justly, to our late Regulations of trade, which has driven many foreign Vessels to Baltimore. The Season has been remarkably dry, and the prospect of Crops generally melancholly—particularly on the South side of James River. My best respects to all yr. worthy Colleagues. I am, Dr. Sir, wth. Sentiments of perfect Esteem & respect, for them & you Yr. Affe. friend
Edmd Pendleton