The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
| II. |
TO JAMES MONROE. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO JAMES MONROE.
Dear Sir,—At the date of my last I expected I
should by this time have been on the journey which
promises the pleasure of taking you by the hand in
New York. Several circumstances have produced a
delay in my setting out which I did not calculate
upon, and which are like to continue it for eight or
ten days to come. My journey will also be rendered
tedious by the route which I shall pursue. I have
some business which makes it expedient for me to take
Winchester & Lancaster in my way, and some duties of
consanguinity which will detain me some days in the
I will write you again before I set out and if I
should not I will do it: immediately on my reaching
Philada. You will not write after the receipt of this.
I imagine you get from Mr. Jones better information
as to the back country as well as concerning
our more immediate affairs than I can give you. The
death of Christian seems to be confirmed. The disinclination
of Kentucky to a separation is also repeated
with strong circumstances of probability. Our staple
continues low. The people have got in debt to the
merchts, who set their own price of course. There
are perhaps other causes also besides the fall of the
market in Europe which of itself does not explain the
matter. One of them may be the scarcity of money
which is really great. The advocates for paper
money are making the most of this handle. I begin
to fear exceedingly that no efforts will be sufficient
to parry this evil. The election of Col. Mason is the
main counterpoise for my hopes against the popular
cry. Mann Page & Genl Nelson will also I flatter
myself be valuable fellow labourers. Our situation is
truly embarrassing. It cannot perhaps be affirmed
that there is gold & silver eno' in the Country to pay
the next tax. What then is to be done? Is there
any other alternative but to emit paper or to postpone
the collection? These are ye questions which will
be rung in our ears by the very men whose past
measures have plunged us into our difficulties. But
I will not plague you with our difficulties here. You
have enough of them, I am sure where you are.
colleagues & believe me to be, your's affectionately.
| The writings of James Madison, | |