University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MADISON.

By a vessel which sails for Fredg to-day I have
sent a small box containing the following articles
6 ps very coarse muslins, 1 ps of finer, 2lb of Tea, 3
Books on Medicine & a few pamphlets, a sett of
marking instruments. The muslins were bought
as being extremely cheap, and useful for various
purposes. If my mother or sister wants any part of
them they will make free with them. If the finer
piece should not be applicable to any better purpose,
I allotted it for shirts, in which it is said to wear as
well as linnen. The coarser ps I supposed might be
dealt out in parts to my negro women if thought
proper as far as would give them each some kind of
garment. The cost would be a trifle and they wd
probably be better pleased than with some thing in
the ordinary way of greater value. I wish however
that use may be made of them as already hinted.
The coarse ps cost about 4 dols each. The fine one
abt 4s. Va Curry a yard. The two books by Hamilton
are for Dr. Taylor whom you will ask to accept
of them. The other by Waller I send for yourself.
It is said to be an able performance. If Dr. Taylor
on perusal of it shd wish a copy, I will forward one
for him. You will find that I have recovered the
pamphlet by the French Chymist on the mineral
waters of Virga. The Squash seed is of the same
kind with that inclosed lately in a letter.

As I retain the conviction I brought from home

in favr of the Mill at my brothers, I have been
endeavoring to dispose of the piece of land on the
Mohawk river.[96] But the acct I have of it embarrasses
me. I perceive that by selling it now, I shall
get 40 or 50 per Ct less than it will probably fetch
in a year or two. I am assured by correct & authentic
information that it is of the best quality, that the
country is rapidly settling all around it. That the
navigation of the river will soon be opened, and
that at a very few miles distance land of the same
quality sells for 8 or 10 dollars an acre. Within
three miles lotts in a town lately laid out sell for
£50 an acre and are with difficulty got for that. I
can not at present get more than 4 or 5 dollrs an acre.
The gentleman who gave me my information is a
respectable lawyer residing within three miles of the
land and intimately acquainted with it as well as
with that part of the Country. He writes me that
within 2 years past similar lands have risen at least
50 per Ct & that the prospect of future rise is at least
as great. Notwithstanding these favorable circumstances
I am so much disposed to forward the
plan of the Mill which I view as particularly favorable
to the interest of my brothers as well as myself,
that If a pursuit of it depends materially on my
contribution, I shall not hesitate to make the
sacrifice. Whether this be the case you can best
decide & I will thank you for a line on the subject
immediately on the receipt of this. Perhaps your
funds may be competent to the demands of the
present year. I am persuaded also that notwithstanding
the low rate of the [illegible] paper, there
would be less loss in your sale of that than I should
suffer from the present sale of the land.

The bill for suspending importations from G. B. &
Ireland which passed the H of Reps by 59 agst 34 was
rejected in the Senate, who are determined to rely
on the extraordinary mission of Jay to sue for
satisfaction. The H. of Reps are occupied with new
taxes to defray the expence of the naval armament,
the fortifications &c. An increase of the impost, a
stamp tax, further excises and a land tax are all
proposed. I much fear that the aversion to the last
will soon involve this Country in the pernicious
revenue system of Europe and without ultimately
avoiding the thing dreaded, as a land tax will be
sure to be added on the first great occasion that may
arise. It is not certain how much longer the session
will be spun out. I hope it will end at farthest
within the present month. If I should determine to
make above mentioned, I shall probably be obliged
to make a trip to New York before I return to
Virginia.