James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-14-02-0316

To James Madison from Giuseppe Ceracchi, 28 July 1792 (Abstract)

From Giuseppe Ceracchi

Abstract. 28 July 1792, Amsterdam. Professes great esteem for JM1 and inquires about the “Monumento per celebrare la Libertà Americana” (the equestrian statue of Washington authorized by Congress in 1783 which Ceracchi hoped to execute).2

RC (NjP: Andre deCoppet Collection). One page, written in Italian. Docketed by JM.

1Ceracchi, an Italian sculptor, first met JM in 1791 when the two men lodged at Mrs. Mary House’s boardinghouse in Philadelphia (Conover Hunt-Jones, Dolley and the “Great Little Madison” [Washington, 1977], p. 79).

2On 7 May 1792 the House took up Ceracchi’s proposal and resolved “that, at the present time, it might not be expedient to go into the expenses which the monument … would require, especially with the additional ornaments proposed by the artist” (Annals of Congress description begins Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States, 1789–1824 (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). description ends , 2d Cong., 1st sess., 598–99).

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