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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.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TO JAMES K. TEFFT.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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425

Page 425

TO JAMES K. TEFFT.

MAD. MSS.

I have recd. Sir, your letter of Novr. 17 accompanied
by one from the Revd. Mr. Sprague and in
compliance with your request,[127] I enclose autographs
of certain individuals such as you refer to. I would


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Page 426
willingly have given with their names, more of their
writings, but could not do it without mutilating the
sense, or embracing matter of a private nature.
There is a difficulty, particularly where the letter
does not close on the first or third page. Several
other autographs wd. have been added those of
Mr. Pat. Henry, George Mason & Geo. Wythe,

427

Page 427
but I found that their letters on my files, had been
taxed to the full in that way.[128]

I avail myself Sir of your proferred kindness, by
asking you to procure for me, if it can be conveniently
done, such of the numbers of the "Georgian,"
preceding No. 124, Apl. 21, 1828, & succeeding
No. 129, Apl. 26, 1828, as contain notes of Majr.
Pierce in that Convention; forwarding with them
the charge of the Editors, which will be remitted


428

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to them. It will be matter of curiosity at least to
compare the notes taken on the same subjects
by different members of the Body.

If Mr. Sprague be still with you, be pleased to
make known to him that his letter was recd. &
duly appreciated, and to accept for yourself my
respects & salutations.

Autographs sent of J. Adams J. Q. Adams James
Monroe Ed. Pendleton R. H. Lee Alexr Hamilton


429

Page 429
E. Gerry Alb. Gallatin H. Dearborn Henry Lee
Revy officer) Jacob Brown (Majr. General) A.
J. Dallas Wm. Eustis William Pinkney (of Maryd)
Rob. R. Livingston DeWitt Clinton.

 
[127]

Tefft wrote from Savannah, introduced by William B. Sprague
of the same place.

[128]

In the draft of the letter was the following sentence against which
Madison wrote, "extract":

"[In the year 1828 I recd. from J. V. Bevan sundry numbers of the
'Savannah Georgian," containing continuations of the notes of Majr.
Pierce in the Federal Convention of 1827. They were probably sent
on account of a marginal suggestion of inconsistency between language
held by me in the Convention with regard to an Executive Veto,
and a use made of the power by myself, when in the Executive administration.
The inconsistency is done away by the distinction, not
averted to, between an absolute veto, to which the language was
applied, and the qualified veto which was exercised.]"