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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 JAMES MADISON.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TO JAMES MADISON.

MAD. MSS.

Hond Sir,—I got safe to this place on Tuesday
following the day I left home, and at the earnest invitation
of my kinsman Mr. Madison[1] have taken my
lodgings in a Room of the Presidents house, which is
a much better accomodation than I could have promised
myself. It would be very agreeable to me if I


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were enabled by such varieties as our part of the
Country furnishes, particularly dried fruit &c &c which
Mr. Madison is very fond of to make some little returns
for the culinary favours I receive. Should any opportunity
for this purpose offer I hope they will be
sent. You will see by the inclosed Acct. of Sales what
money you have in Mr. Lee's hands, and if you chuse
to draw for it, you can transmit me your Bills for sale—
You will be informed in due time by Advertisement
from the Governor what is proper to be done with
the Shoes &c &c collected for the Army. You will be
able to obtain so circumstantial an acct. of public affairs
from Majr. Moore that I may save myself the trouble
of anticipating it—Majr. Moore also has for my Mother
14 oz of Bark—The other Articles wanted by the
family are not at present to be had. When ever I
meet with them I shall provide and transmit them.
I hope you will not forget my parting request that I
might hear frequently from home, and whenever my
brother[2] returns from the Army I desire he may be
informed. I shall expect he will make up by letter
the loss of intelligence I sustain by my removal out
of his way. With the sincerest affection for yourself
& all others who I ought particularly to remember on
this occasion.

I am Dear Sir your Affectn. son
I find on enquiry that Mr. Benjamin Winslow is discontinued
in the military appointment given him by
the Governour & Council. I promised to let him

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know this by letter but my being as yet unprovided
with paper makes it necessary to leave this information
for him with you.
J. M. Jr
Although I well know how inconvenient and disagreeable
it is to you to continue to act as Lieutenant
of the County[3] I cannot help informing you that a
resignation at this juncture is here supposed to have
a very unfriendly aspect on the execution of the
Draught and consequently to betray at least a want
of patriotism and perseverence. This is so much the
case that a recommendation of Cony Lt. this day
received by the Govr., to supply the place of one who
had resigned to the Court, produced a private verbal
message to the old Lt. to continue to act at least as
long as the present measures were in execution.
J M Jr
 
[1]

Rev. James Madison, President of William and Mary.

[2]

Ambrose Madison, four years younger than James, joined the army at the
outbreak of hostilities.

[3]

"His father was still the county lieutenant of Orange; but having reached
an age when the duties of the office were felt to be burdensome to declining
years, he wished to relieve himself of them in favor of a successor, who should
be younger and more capable of exertion."—Rives, i., 191.