To James Madison from Benjamin Waterhouse, 9 June 1822
From Benjamin Waterhouse
Cambridge 9th. June 1822
Dear Sir,
I here send for your acceptance a copy from a new edition of my Lecture on the pernicious effects of the too free use of Tobacco & ardent spirits on young persons.1 How you in the South will approve my zeal in combatting this organ of “Virginia influence,” I know not. I have felt a degree of regret as often as I reflected on the sums annually expended amongst ourselves for that which is neither meat—drink or clothing. With an high degree of respect I remain your obt. servt
Benjn: Waterhouse
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Benjamin Waterhouse, Cautions to Young Persons concerning Health, in a Public Lecture Delivered at the Close of the Medical Course in the Chapel at Cambridge, November 20, 1804: Containing the General Doctrine of Dyspepsia and Chronic Diseases; Shewing the Evil Tendency of the Use of Tobacco upon Young Persons; More especially the Pernicious Effects of Smoking Cigars. With Observations on the Use of Ardent and Vinous Spirits …, 5th ed. (Cambridge, Mass., 1822; Shoemaker 11351).