On the 24th of February I acknowleged your good letter of the 25th of the preceding November,1 with a promise to say more to it in my next, which has been put off until now: and, probably, might have gone on even further, but for my friend Mr James Hagarty2 calling this morning to request an introduction to you. He is returning, for a while, to his native Land and intends taking3 Monticello on his way from Richmond to the Valley. He has resided here some years and possesses my esteem.

I also did & do complain of Matt for his short stay: I can however assure you that he much regrets he could not gratify the desire he felt of seeing & knowing more of one with whom he was so much pleased as Mr Madison. Accept my thanks for what you so kindly say of the writer & of his sons.

You may conceive what were my feelings on our privation of this ancient friend at Monticello. We were classmates more than seventy years ago: and, from that time to his finally leaving us, I have invariably experienced his steady friendship. I was the youngest of the class: and indeed used to think he was partial to me. The picture you give of the prospects of those he has left behind is truly afflicting. And is Nothing to be done for them! after all we have heard from the various sections of the Union which were so promising!

Tobaccoe is becoming as bad an article as I have known for the last forty years; and, for the best of reasons: You gentlemen planters grow too much. My opinion is that the planter had better prefer the price where he is to the chance of better in Europe. France now consumes so much of her own Growth that her annual wants from the ancient Dominion are reduced to about six thousand hhds. instead of twenty five thousand, which they used to take before our Revolution. Then they were content with any thing that could be called Tobaccoe; but, now, they will not look at any thing but the richest & hig[h]est flavored. These they use as a Doctor, as it is called, for the purpose of imparting flavor to their flavorless Trash; I must however do them the justice to own they give the highest prices that are to be had in Europe.

By the public prints you will see the change of Administration & something of what is going on here: but, if you see Mr. Hagarty, you will find him well qualifyed to converse with you on these & other political Matters.

Some months past there prevailed so unfavorable a report of your Health that I was indeed alarmed; but I will now hope you are in the enjoyment of your usual good hea[l]th, which your habits of living & your hea[l]thy mountain should entitle you to.

As to your old friend, his activity & energy, on the verge of eighty two, is singular: and, in proof of its being so, I plunged into a cold Bath this morning with the happiest effect. The practice seems to agree with me as well as with your ancient friend Mr Carrol, who, they tell me is ten years my senior. I endeavor to be duly thankful for these good things, for these great Blessings.

To your venerable Mother & Mrs Madison I present my best and kindest remembrance. Your old obliged friend

Memo. The forgoing was intended to have been delivered to say [sic] by Mr Hagarty, but I have this day given him an introduction to you which I hope he will present. This is by the Newyork one of the packet ships.