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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 MARTIN VAN BUREN.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TO MARTIN VAN BUREN.

MAD. MSS.

J. Madison has duly recd. the copy of the President's
Message forwarded by Mr. Van Buren. In
returning his thanks for this polite attention, he
regrets the necessity of observing that the Message
has not rightly conceived the intention of J. M. in his
veto in 1817, on the Bill relating to Internal Improvements.


376

Page 376
It was an object of the veto to deny to
Congress as well the appropriating power, as the
executing and jurisdictional branches of it. And
it is believed that this was the general understanding
at the time, and has continued to be so, according to
the references occasionally made to the document.
Whether the language employed duly conveyed
the meaning of which J. M. retains the consciousness,
is a question on which he does not presume to
judge for others.

Relying on the candour to which these remarks
are addressed, he tenders to Mr. Van Buren renewed
assurances of his high esteem & good wishes.