The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
TO JAMES MADISON. |
 |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO JAMES MADISON.
Hond. Sir,—Having written a letter and enclosed it
with a large collection of Newspapers, for you which
was to have been carried by Mr. J. Smith, but which I
have now put into the hands of Capt: Walker, whose
return will be quicker, little remains for me to add
here. Our anxiety on account of the West India
reports and conjectures. The account
however to which Rodneys name is prefixed renders
our apprehensions too strong for our hopes. Rivington
has been very bold in several of his spurious publications,
and at this conjuncture might venture as far
to serve a particular turn as at any. But it is scarcely
credible that he would dare or be permitted to sport
with so high an official name.
If Mr. Jefferson will be so obliging as to superintend
the legal studies of Wm. I think he cannot do better
than prosecute the plan he has adopted. The interruption
occasioned by the Election of Mr. J.[1]
although
inconvenient in that respect, is by no means a decisive
objection agst. it.
I did not know before that the letters which Mr.
Walker was to have carried last fall had met with the
fate which it seems they did. I shall be more cautious
hereafter. The papers missing in your list were I
presume for I do not recollect, contained in them.
The short notice does not leave me time to obtain
the information you ask as to Stiles. I have never
heard of Iron Stiles cast here, nor do I know the
price of Copper ones.
If Continental money passes here at all it is in a
very small quantity, at very great discount, and merely
to serve particular local & temporary ends.
It has at no time been more difficult for me to fix
my probable return to Virga. At present all my Colleagues
have left Congress except Col: Bland, and it
every State. Anxious as I am to visit my friends, as
long as I sustain a public trust, I shall feel a principle
which is superior to it. The state of my finances
also, unless the Assembly shall make a different
provision for the Delegates from what has hitherto
been in force, will be a serious bar to my removal
from this place. I shall I believe be under the necessity
of purchasing a carriage of some kind besides discharging
considerable arrears, & where the means for
effecting either are to be found is totally without my
comprehension.* * * * *
| The writings of James Madison, | |