NOTE.
The system which I have followed in compiling
the volumes of Madison's writings has been to
include those which narrate events important to
American history, those which show his agency in
such events, those which expound the Constitution
of the United States, and those which illustrate his
private life and character. The progress of the
Revolution, the formation of the Constitution, the
constitutional crises of 1798 and 1832, the struggle
for neutrals' rights, the economic and social conditions
surrounding a Southern planter and slaveholder
are the chief subjects which are illuminated
by these pages. Many of the papers have never
been printed before and all of them are printed from
original sources where such exist. A few have been
available only from a previously-printed record.
Such are his speeches in the Virginia convention
which ratified the Constitution in 1788 and in the
early congresses; but such important state papers
as his vital instructions when he was Secretary of
State, while most of them had contemporaneous
publication, are here given with accuracy from the
official record, and few of them were given accurately
in their previous publication. In determining what
papers should be included I have resisted the temptation
to select newly-discovered letters rather than
better known but more important papers.
Since my work began a number of additional
sources of material have been opened to me, and for
this courtesy I have made acknowledgment in the
appropriate places; but I wish to record separately
my indebtedness and gratitude to the Chicago Historical
Society, whose great collection of Madison
papers, second only to that which the Federal
Government owns, has been freely placed at my
disposal and freely made use of.
G. H.
Washington, April, 1910.
