1To James Madison from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In Seluting Gentlemen for the great heads of Departments, in the Executive branch of the Government, I feel confident, that the greatest good of our common Country will be your primary Object; Yet it must be considered very desirable, that they should be Gentlemen, who combine Your personal confidence with their abilities faithfully to discharg their public Functions: In this view of the case,...