Madison, William, 1762-1843 to James Madison

Writes to his brother, then a Virginia congressman, about advocating for Madison's resolutions (in favor of a policy of commercial retaliation against European powers) in an election. The comment that the resolutions, which Madison submitted to Congress in December 1793, were "attached to the British nation" alludes to Madison's position that President Washington's 1793 proclamation of neutrality in the conflict between Britain and France unwisely showed indifference to the French movement toward republicanism. Also discusses the growing unpopularity of the excise tax and urges its repeal. Suggests that petitions from Pennsylvania and Maryland provide an opportunity to "bring forward the motion." The Whiskey Rebellion erupted a few months later. A note penciled on the document at a later date incorrectly identifies the author as James Madison's father.