To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 11 September 1803
From James Madison
Sepr. 11. 1803
Dear Sir
I have recd the letters sent me by the last mail under two covers, and return those belonging to your own files. I inclose herewith also the communications last recd from the office of State. I can not without losing the present opportunity make comments on any of them. A few only invite them.
Yours with respectful attacht.
James Madison
Docr. Wallace in whose behalf the letters from Mr. Brent & Mr Thomson were written is with me, and proposes I find to wait on you with a letter from Mr. Wythe, who it seems is his kinsman. I have stated to him the relation of Dr. Bache to the object of his pursuit.
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department at Orange on 12 Sep. and “Wallace” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: see below.
For communications received from the office of state, see Jacob Wagner to Madison, 2 and 7 Sep. 1803 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 5:374-5, 385-7).
letters from mr. brent & mr thomson: Virginia congressman Richard Brent of Prince William County wrote to Madison from Fauquier Court House on 11 Aug., informing him of James Wallace’s intent to become a citizen of New Orleans. Praising his medical training and noting the physician’s desire to apply for any medical position established there, Brent recommended Wallace as a “Man of genious and of knowledge in his profession” with respectable connections who would be deserving of a post at a garrison or hospital (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Wallace Dr James to superintend hospitl. N. Orleans Richd. Brent to mr Madison”; Vol. 32:460n). See also Philip R. Thompson to TJ, 10 Sep.
wait on you: according to SJL, TJ received the 31 Aug. letter from George Wythe on 12 Sep. For William Bache’s position, see Vol. 40:461-3.