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 AMBROSE MADISON. |
 |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO AMBROSE MADISON.
Dear Brother,—I reed. yesterday yours of the 19
& my father's of the 20 Decr. I am glad to hear of
whose attack was unknown to me till the receipt of
my father's letter.
The inclosed papers will give you the late proceedings
of Congs. more fully tho' often very incorrectly,
than could be done in a letter. The excise on spirits
distilled in the Country will probably take place. In
fact, considering the aversion to direct taxes & that
the imports are already loaded, I see nothing else
that can be done. Besides the duty on imported
rum, requires a proportional one on Country rum, &
this a duty on other spirits. The tax will I presume
be so guarded as to operate on stills according to the
quantity really distilled.
I have rec.d a letter from Mr. Maury which says
that the market of Europe is very full of Tob.o
& recommends it to me to [save?] as much as
possible.
On leaving home I desired my father to pay Maj.r
Lee the sum due from me. I shd. have left the comission
in your hands if you had been in the way,
being apprehensive that some delicacy might arise
from unsettled transactions between him & my
father. I find accordingly that this has happened &
that Majr. Lee refuses the paymt. on yt. account. I
wish you to pay him if possible as I intended &
promised.
Tell Capt: Dade that Gen. Knox has not yet
reported on his case & that I will let him know the
event of his claim as soon as it happens. Adieu.
| The writings of James Madison, | |