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 MRS. MADISON. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO MRS. MADISON.
My Dearest,—We reached the end of our journey
yesterday at one o'clock, without interruption of
any sort on the road. Mr. Coles had been here some
time, and one, if not two, of the expected despatch
vessels of England had just arrived, and Mr. Gelston,
after a short passage from France, entered Washington
about the moment I did. You may guess,
therefore, the volumes of papers before us. I am
but just dipping into them, and have seen no one as
yet, except Mrs. Smith for a few minutes last evening.
What number of days I may be detained here it is
impossible to say. The period, you may be sure,
will be shortened as much as possible. Everything
around and within reminds me that you are absent,
and makes me anxious to quit this solitude. I hope
in my next to be able to say when I may have this
gratification, perhaps also to say something of the
intelligence just brought us. I send the paper of
this morning, which has something on the subject,
and I hope the communications of Gelston will be
found more favorable than is stated. Those from
England can scarcely be favorable when such men
hold the reins. Mr. and Mrs. Erskine are here. His
successor had not sailed on the 20th of June.
God bless you, and be assured of my constant
affection.
| The writings of James Madison, | |