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 PENDLETON. |
 |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO EDMUND PENDLETON.
Dear Sir,—When you get a sight of the Resolution
of the Gen. Ass. referred to in your favor of the
8th, you will readily judge from the tenor of it what
steps would be taken by the Delegates.[1]
It necessarily
submitted the fate of the object in question to the
discretion and prospects of the Gentleman[2]
whom reports
it seems have arraigned to you, but who I am
bound in justice to testify has entirely supported the
character which he formerly held with you. I am
somewhat surprised that you never had before known
of the Resolution just mentioned, especially as, what
is indeed more surprising, it was both debated &
passed with open doors and a full gallery. This circumstance
attached to it.
The N. York papers and the intelligence from
thence make it evident that they have no hope of relieving
Cornwallis, unless it can be effected by some
desperate naval experiment and that such an one will
be made. Their force will probably amount to 26
sail of the line, and if we are not misinformed as to
the late arrival of three ships of the line to 29 sail.
The superiority still remaining on the part of our
Allies and the repeated proofs given of their skill &
bravery on the water forbid any apprehension of danger.
At the same time we cannot help calculating that
every addition to the British force proportionally diminishes
the certainty of success. A fleet of provisions
amounting to about 40 sail convoyed by a 44 & 2 frigates
have arrived at N. York within the week past.
Having sent all the papers containing the proceedings
on the case of Mr. N. agst. V. as they came out,
I shall to complete your view of it add the last effort
in his favor published in the enclosed No. of the
Freemans Journal. I am told however that the publisher
ought to have subjoined that the privy Council
interposed & directed restitution of the King of
Spain's effects.
The Legislature of Virginia instructed her delegates November 5, 1779, to
use their utmost endeavors to maintain the freedom of the Mississippi. On
January 2, 1781, these instructions were modified, the navigation to be claimed
only co-extensively with our territory and' 'every further or other demand of the
said navigation be ceded, if insisting on the same is deemed an impediment
to a treaty with Spain."—Rives, i., 247, 248.
| The writings of James Madison, | |