Madison, James (1751-1836) to Edmund Pendleton re: waiting foreign dispatches on peace talks; selling slave
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06757 Author/Creator: Madison, James (1751-1836) Place Written: Philadelphia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1782/08/06 Pagination: 1 p. + docket 24.8 x 19.7 cm Order a Copy
Awaiting news of peace talks and personal advice regarding impossibility of selling a slave. Madison notes that while European newspapers "teem with paragraphs relative to pacific negotiations" but past British policy "should always restrain our hopes of peace from circumscribing our preparations for war." In July 1782 the Earl of Sherlburne took over the ministry and in early August he agreed to enter formal negotiations with the Americans. Madison also talks about selling a slave: "Upon recollection, it will be impossible to dispose of the slave in this state[,] there being a legal institution ag[ain]st it. Even his coming into [Philadelphia] will operate as a manumission, unless the case of runaway ... [is] provided...." Pendleton had earlier asked Madison's help in helping locate a runaway slave of Pendleton's nephew and, if found, to either lodge him in jail or sell him for 100 pounds or more. See Madison Papers 5: 27 and EP's letter to JM 29 July 1782 (4: 442-3). Madison also is responding here to the unexpected Pennsylvania abolition act of 1780, which suddenly raised deep legal issues of comity.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Philada. 6th August: 1782.
Dear Sir
I shall pay due attention to the request contained in your favor of the 29th relative to the slave of your nephew. Should I however be so fortunate as to recover him the price of slaves here leaves us hope that a purchaser will be found on the terms demanded.
We have [inserted: had] several arrivals since my last but [inserted: am] still without official letters. The European papers, as you will see by the manuscripts in the inclosed teem with paragraphs relative to pacific negotiations. The language & conduct of the new Administration of G. B. do by us means discountenance the supposition that they are more solicitous for peace than this predecisions, and less scrupulous as to the [illegible] of national honor. But the insidious policy which has so long directed the British councils, should always [illegible] in our
hopes of peace from circumscribing our preparations for war. We expect every moment dispatches from our foreign Ministers which will elucidate the publications of the Gazettes.
The French Squadron which lately appeared off the capes
of Chesapeak [sic] are now off the Capes of Delaware. I can say nothing as to its ultimate destination. Our trade I hope will at least receive some transient advantages from its visit to the
American Coast.
I am [illegible] with much regard [illegible]
J Madison Jr.
P.S. Upon recollection, it will be impossible to dispose of the Slaves in this
State, there being a legal institution agst. it. Even his coming into will
operate as a manumission, unless the case of runaways be provided for which I believe
I will enquire more [illegible] into matter.
[docket]
James Madison [Esq.]
Aug. 6th. 1782
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