University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MADISON.

Hond Sir,—Mr Jones & myself being here transacting
some private business which brought us from
Princeton the end of last week, I here receive your
letter of the 22d. ult. The favorable turn of my
mother's state of health is a source of great satisfaction
to me, and will render any delay in my setting
out for Virga. the less irksome to me. I shall return

to Princeton tomorrow; my final leaving of which
will depend on events, but can not now be at any very
great distance. On a view of all circumstances I have
judged it most prudent not to force Billey back to
Va. even if [it] could be done; and have accordingly
taken measures for his final separation from me. I
am persuaded his mind is too thoroughly tainted to
be a fit companion for fellow slaves in Virga. The
laws here do not admit of his being sold for more than
7 years. I do not expect to get near the worth of
him; but cannot think of punishing him by transportation
merely for coveting that liberty for which we
have paid the price of so much blood, and have proclaimed
so often to be the right, & worthy the pursuit,
of every human being.

We have no later advices from Europe than when
I wrote by Merry Walker.