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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TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
The inclosed memorandum was put into my hands
by Mr. St. John, the French Consul. He is a very
worthy man & entitled, by his philanthropy and
zealous patronage of whatever he deems useful, to
much esteem and regard. You will therefore oblige
me by putting it in my power to afford him the little
gratification he asks. I have another request to
trouble you with, which concerns myself. Col. H. Lee
tells me that he has purchased the tract of land thro'
which the Canal at the great falls is to run, and on
which the basin will be, for £4000. The tract contains
500 Acres only and is under the incumbrance of
a Rent of £150 Sterlg per annum; but, on the other
hand derives from its situation, as he supposes, a certain
prospect of becoming immensely valuable. He
paints it in short as the seat of an early Town, the
lots of which will be immediately productive, and
possessing other peculiar advantages which make the
bargain inestimable. In addition to many instances
of his friendship he tenders me a part in it, and
urges my acceptance on grounds of advantage to
myself alone. I am thoroughly persuaded that I am
indebted for the proposal to the most disinterested
and affectionate motives; but knowing that the
affects the estimate he forms of them, and being in no
condition to make hazardous experiments, it is advisable
for me to have the sanction of other judgments
to his opinions. You are well acquainted with
the situation and can at once decide whether it presents
the material and certain advantages on which
Col. Lee calculates. A general intimation therefore
of the light in which the matter strikes you, will lay
me under a very particular obligation. I am by no
means sure that in any result it will be in my power
to profit by Col. Lee's friendship, but it may be of
some consequence whether the opportunity be worth
attending to or not.
My information from Richmond is very unpropitious
to federal policy. Yours is not doubt more full
and more recent. A decided and malignant majority
may do many things of a disagreeable nature; but
I trust the Constitution is too firmly established to
be now materially vulnerable. The elections for the
Legislature of Penna. N. Jersey, & Maryland, ensure
measures of a contrary complexion in those States.
Indeed Virginia is the only instance among the ratifying
States in which the Politics of the Legislature
are at variance with the sense of the people, expressed
by their Representatives in Convention. We hear
nothing from Massachuts or N. Hampshire since the
meeting of their General Courts. It is understood
that both the appointments & arrangements for the
Government will be calculated to support and as far
as possible to dignify it. The public conversation
Mr. Hancock & Mr. Adams have been most talked of.
The former it is said rejects the idea of any secondary
station; and the latter does not unite the suffrages
of his own State, and is unpopular in many other
places. As other candidates however are not likely
to present themselves, and New England will be considered
as having strong pretensions, it seems not
improbable that the question will lie between the
Gentlemen above named. Mr. Jay & Genl Knox
have been mentioned; but it is supposed that neither
of them will exchange his present situation for an
unprofitable dignity.
I shall leave this in a day or two, and am not yet
finally determined how far my journey may be continued
Southward. A few lines on the subject above
mentioned will either find me in Philada, or be there
taken care of for me. Should anything occur here
or elsewhere worth your attention, it shall be duly
communicated by, Dear Sir your very respectful and
Affectionate Servant.
| The writings of James Madison, | |