The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.[1]
Dear Sir,—I received no letter from you yesterday,
nor shall I receive any for that week, unless it be
through the channel of Rivington's Gazette, the post
having been robbed of his mail on Saturday evening
last in Maryland. I hope your letter did not contain
anything not in cypher which is unfit for the public
eye. The policy, however, which seems to direct
Carleton's measures, renders it probable that he will
decline the mean expedient pursued on such occasions
by his predecessors for giving pain to individuals.
It will be proper for us to take from this accident
an admonition to extend the use of our cypher.
The trade with New York begins to excite general
indignation, and threatens a loss of all our hard
money. The continued drains which it makes from
the bank must at least contract its utility, if it produces
no greater mischief to it. The Legislature of
New Jersey are devising a remedy for this disgraceful
and destructive traffic, and a Committee of Congress
are also employed in the same work. I have
whilst our foreign trade is annihilated, and the
enemy in New York make it an object to keep open
this illicit channel.
| The writings of James Madison, | |