James Madison actually said...

Considering that the sum of which the million of livres in question made a part was a gratuitous grant from the French Government to the United States, and the declaration of that Government that that part of the grant was put into the hands of M. de Beaumarchais as its agent, not as the agent of the United States, and was duly accounted for by him to the French Government;

01/31/1817

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More James Madison Quotes

"In a society under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign as in a state of nature."
"The diversity in the faculties of men from which the rights of property originate is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests."
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary."
"Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires."

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