To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 5 March 1812
From Joel Barlow
5 March 1812.
Dear Sir
I believe I forgot in my hasty letter of the 3d. to mention that I had recd. yours of the ——1 by the Hornet, & have endeavoured to make as much impression as possible with observations it contains relative to the conduct of France since the repeal of the decrees. I particularly notice what you say of the affair of E. Florida. The hint will be sufficient to induce me to reject any proposition that shall be connected with the idea of giving any money in any shape for the part of an arrangement that shall regard that side of the Missisippi.
I have seen the duke once since I wrote you, & it appears he is at work on the treaty, & I am [in] hopes it will not be delayed long. With great respect yr. obt. st.
J Barlow
RC (DLC).
1. Barlow was referring to JM’s letter to him of 17 Nov. 1811. Barlow’s note was apparently accompanied by a letter written by Ruth Baldwin Barlow on 4 Mar. 1812 to Dolley Madison. On that occasion Ruth Barlow requested that she be sent “a good Portrait of our excellent President,” which, she added, “is so often asked for, I am mortified not to have it hanging up in our drawing room—if I dare, would ask for yours the same size to hang beside it” (ViU).