The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
| II. |
TO EDMUND RANDOLPH. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.
My Dear Sir,—Your favor introducing Mr. Corbin
and that by the last week's post have both been receivd.
The former did not get to Princeton before Mr.
so near leaving it that I had no opportunity of manifesting
my respect for your recommendations otherwise
than by verbal civilities to him. Yesterday's post
brought me no letter from you. In answer to your
comment in the preceding one on the reception of a
Minister from the Œconomical Republic to which we
are allied, it will suffice to inform you, that in pursuance
of a commission from him six elegant horses are
provided for his coach, as was to have been one of the
best houses in the most fashionable part of the City.
Wherever Commerce prevails there will be an inequality
of wealth, and wherever the latter does a
simplicity of manners must decline.
Our foreign intelligence remains as at the date of
my last. I forget whether I mentioned to you that
our Ministers unanimously express surprise at the
doubt started in America as to the epoch which terminated
hostilities on our Coast. They affirm that
one month from the date of the instrument was
meant & suppose that that exposition will not be contested
Pray can your researches inform me Ist.,
Whether prizes made by & from parties not subject
to the power before whose maritime courts they are
carried, are provisionally or finally tried?—2d. How
far the rules established by the Sovereign of the
Captor & those by the Sovereign of the Courts prevail
in such trials? 3dly, What difference is made in
cases where both the parties concerned in the capture
are subject to the same power and where they are
subject to different powers?
| The writings of James Madison, | |