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 JAMES MONROE. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO JAMES MONROE.
Dear Sir,—I drop you a few lines rather as a fulfilment
of my promise than for the purpose of information,
since they go by Mr. Jones who is much
better acquainted with the politics here than myself.
I find with pleasure that the navigation of the
Misspi. will be defended by the Legislature with as
much zeal as could be wished.[81]
Indeed the only danger
is that too much resentment may be indulged by
many agst. the federal councils. Paper money has
not yet been tried even in any indirect mode that
could bring forth the mind of the Legislature. Appearances
on the subject however are rather flattering.
Mr. H [enry] has declined a reappointt. to the office he
successor, and will pretty certainly be elected. R. H.
L [ee] has been talked of, but is not yet proposed.
The applts. to Congs are a subject of conversation &
will be made as soon as a Senate is made. Mr.
Jones will be included in the New Delegation. Your
presence & communications on the point of the
Missippi are exceedingly wished for and would in
several respects be extremely useful. If Mr. Jones
does not return in a day or two come without him I
beseech you. I am consulted frequently on matters
concerning which I cannot or ought not to speak,
and refer to you as the proper source of information
as far as you may be at liberty. Hasten your trip I
again beseech you. I hope Mrs. Monroe continues
well. My sincerest respects wait on her. In haste
The House of Delegates received a memorial from the delegates representing
the counties of the district of Kentucky, setting forth that a report prevailed
in that district that Congress proposed to cede to Spain the exclusive navigation
of the Mississippi for twenty-five or thirty years, in consideration of some commercial
advantages, that they conceived it their duty to represent that the
prosperity of the Western country was absolutely dependent on the free navigation
of that river, as without it they could not carry their produce to market;
that Congress could not, without a flagrant violation, of the confederation, deprive
them of an advantage which nature had thus given them, and for the
secure enjoyment of which the federal government was formed. Resolutions
and instructions to the delegates in Congress in the sense of the memorial were
passed by the House, November 29, 1786.—Journal of House of Delegates.
| The writings of James Madison, | |