The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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FRIDAY JUNE 6. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
FRIDAY JUNE 6.
The Report as to the territorial Cession of Virga after some
uninteresting debate was adjourned.[107]
Madison was in the meantime becoming highly impatient to know how the
plan for raising revenue was being received in Virginia. He wrote to Edmund
Randolph, May 27:
“A letter recd. yesterday from Mr. F. Webb, inclosing bills in my favor for
£200 Virga. currency informed me of the successful effort of your friendship for
my relief. Mr. Ambler informed me that your attempt was for £100 more, but
was abridged on a doubt as to the balance due to me. My answer to him by
this conveyance will shew that you would have been sufficiently under the
mark.
“The next post I hope will bring me your remarks on the Budget of Congress,
with the pulse of the Assembly with regard to it. The example of Virga
will have great & perhaps decisive influence on the event of it. In Rhode
Island they are attacking it in the Newspapers before it has appeared. But
that State is swayed by a party which has raised & connected its importance
with an opposition to every Contt. measure. The bulk of the people are taken
in by a belief that, if no general impost on Trade be levied, their State will be
able to tax the neighboring States at pleasure. Should all the other States unite
heartily in the plan, I do not think any single State will take upon itself the
odium & the consequences of persevering in a veto upon it.
“I wish much to know how far your hope was well founded of an introduction
of Mr. Jefferson into the Legislature. The hopes of some I find extend to
his Mission to Congress. The latter would be exceedingly fortunate &, if his
objections are not insuperable ought & I trust will be urged upon him by
his friends. I have been also indulging a hope that your return for such periods
as would be most interesting, & would least interfere with the exercise of your
profession, might be reconciled to your views. Unless temperate & experienced
members come in for the ensuing year, I foresee that the exclusions reqd by the
Confederation will make way for a change in the federal Councils not favorable
to those catholic arrangements on which the harmony & stability of the Union
must greatly depend.
“We have recd. no accession of intelligence either as to the progress of the
definitive Treaty, of the bill in the British Parlt. for commerce with the U. S.
or of the negociations among the hungry suitors for the loaves & fishes of the
Administration.”
| The writings of James Madison, | |