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 JAMES MADISON. |
 |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO JAMES MADISON.
Hond. Sir,—A conveyance by a waggon returning
to your neighbourhood this moment presenting itself
I make use of it to forward a collection of papers
which have accumulated since the last supply. If
there are any deficiencies be so good as to point
them out to me. By the same conveyance I send to
which is 3 dollars which he is to remit thro' you.
The disappointment in forwarding the money by
Mr. Brownlow has been sorely felt by me, and the
more so as the Legislature has made no provision
for the subsistence of the Delegates that can be relyed
on.[1]
I hope some opportunity will soon put it
in your power to renew the attempt to transmit it, &
that the delay will have made considerable addition
to it. Besides the necessity of this supply for the
common occasions, I have frequent opportunities
here of purchasing many scarce & necessary books
at 1/4 of the price which if to be had at all they
will hereafter cost me. If an immediate conveyance
does not present itself for the cash, I wd. recom̃end
that a bill of exchange on some merchant here be
got of Mr. Hunter, Mr. Maury or other respectable
merchant, & forwarded by the post. This is a safer
method than the first and I make no doubt is very
practicable. I wish at all events the trial to be
made & that speedily.
I recollect nothing new which is not contained in
regards to all the family. I have not time to add
more than that I am,
J. Ambler, Treasurer of Virginia, wrote to Madison, May 11, 1782: "I
sincerely wish our Treasury would enable us to make you a remittance. We
have not had ten pounds Specie in it since my coming into office, and it is
much to be feared there will not any come in for a long time. . . . Want
of commerce prevents a due circulation of what Money is in the State so that
tho' the Army of our Allies spend some with us, it remains in few hands.—The
officers of Civil Government have not been paid for the last ten months."
August 24th, he writes that accounts should be rendered for the number of days
of service as a delegate at $8.00 a day. Madison was charged with £2000,
paid in December, 1779, before he left Virginia. From that date up to November,
1782, £500 was paid him. March 22, 1783, Ambler announced that
£865, 8s, 3d was still due him.—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |