The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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TO HENRY DEARBORN. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO HENRY DEARBORN.
Dear Sir I have recd. yours of the 24th July.[70]
As my esteem and regard have undergone no change,
I wish you to be apprized that such was the state of
things, and such the turn they were taking, that the
retirement which is the subject of your letter, was
pressed by your best personal friends.
It was my purpose to have written to you on the
occasion, but it was made impossible by a severe
illness, from which I am now barely eno' recovered
for a journey to the Mountains, prescribed by my
Physicians as indispensable. It would have been
to be the case, you had executed your original intention
of providing for your health, by exchanging the
sickliness of Niagara for some eligible spot, And I
sincerely lament every pain to which you have been
subsequently exposed from whatever circumstance
it has proceeded. How far the investigation you
refer to would be regular, I am not prepared to say.
You have seen the Motion in the House of Representatives
comprehending such an object; and the prospect
held out of resuming the subject at another
session. I am persuaded that you will not lose in
any respect by the effect of time and truth.
Accept my respects & best wishes.
In the letter of July 24 from Utica Dearborn said he intended
to retire to his family near Boston and asked that an inquiry be made
into his conduct.—Mad. MSS. The request was denied; but, ostensibly
because of his ill-health, he was relieved of his active command
and transferred to New York, considered an important post. Madison
to Armstrong, Sept. 8, 1813.—Madison's Works (Cong. Ed.).
| The writings of James Madison, | |