University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MADISON.

Honored Sir,—Having an opportunity by Mr. Collins
I add a few lines to those I sent by Col. Burnley
on the Subject of your's by him. The Assembly have
not yet concluded their plan for complying with the
requisitions from Congress. It may be relied on that
that cannot be done without very heavy taxes on
every species of property. Indeed it is thought questionable

whether it will not be found absolutely impossible.
No exertions however ought to be omitted
to testify our Zeal to support Congress in the prosecution
of the War. It is also proposed to procure a
large sum on loan by stipulating to pay the Interest
in Tobo. A Tax on This article necessary for that
purpose is to be collected. Being very imperfectly
acquainted with the proceedings of the Assembly on
this matter I must refer you for the particulars to the
return of Majr. Moore, or some future opportunity.
The law for escheats & forfeitures will be repealed as
it respects orphans, &c. The effects of the measures
taken by the Assembly on the credit of our money &
the prices of things cannot be predicted. If our expectations
had not been so invariably disappointed
they ought to be supposed very considerable. But
from the rapid progress of depreciation at present and
the universal struggle among sellers to bring up prices,
I cannot flatter myself with the hope of any great
reformation. Corn is already at £20 & rising. Tob°.
is also rising. Pork will probably command any price.
Imported goods exceed everything else many hundreds
per cent.

I am much at a loss how to dispose of Willey.[1] I
cannot think it would be expedient in the present state
of things to send him out of the State. From a new
arrangement of the college here nothing is in future
to be taught but the higher & rarer branches of
Science. The preliminary studies must therefore be
pursued in private Schools or Academies. If the

Academy at Prince Edward is so far dissolved that
you think his return thither improper, I would recommend
his being put under the instruction of Mr.
Maury[2] rather than suffer him to be idle at home.
The languages including English, Geography, & arithmetic
ought to be his employment till he is prepared
to receive a finish to his education at this place.

By the late change also in the college, the former
custom of furnishing the table for the President &
professors is to be discontinued. I am induced by
this consideration to renew my request for the Flour
mentioned so often to you. It will perhaps be the
only opportunity I may have of requiting received &
singular favours, and, for the reason just assigned will
be extremely convenient. I wish to know without any
loss of time how far this supply may be reckoned. 5
or 600lb., at least I pursuade myself may be spared
from your stock without encroaching on your own consumption.
Perhaps Mr. R. Burnley would receive
and store it for me. Capt. Wm. Anderson I
believe also lives at that place and would probably do
any favour of that sort. I am desired by a Gentleman
here to procure for him 2 Bear Skins to cover the foot
of his Chariot. If they can be bought anywhere in
your neighborhood I beg you or Ambrose will take
the trouble to inquire for them & send them to Capt.
Anderson at Hanover Town. If the flour should come
down the same opportunity will serve for them.

Captain Anderson may be informed that they are for
Mr. Norton. If they can be got without too much
trouble I should be glad of succeeding, as he will rely
on my promise to procure them for him.

Having nothing to add under the head of news, I
subscribe myself yr. dutiful son.[3]