From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 March 1824
To James Monroe
Montpellier Mar. 8. 1824
Dear Sir
My known respect for the public & personal worth of Dr. Richard Field1 has led to a wish from his friends that I would make it known at a moment when his name will be before you as a candidate for a2 Collectorship. I must apologize for any intrusion in such a case; but in speaking of Docr Field I can not say less than that from every thing I have known or believe of his character, he is well qualified for such a trust, and that he has always been ranked among our most patriotic Citizens. With the highest respect
James Madison
RC (NN: Monroe Papers); draft (DLC). RC docketed by Monroe. Minor differences between the copies have not been noted.
1. Richard Field (ca. 1768–1829) was an Edinburgh–trained physician and editor of the Petersburg Intelligencer, 1828–29. He was first president of the American Colonization Society of Petersburg, formed in 1823, and president of the United Agricultural Society of Virginia (Richmond Enquirer, 29 May 1829; New-Orleans Argus, 4 Aug. 1828; Ronald R. Seagrave, Dinwiddie County Virginia: A Brief History [Charleston, S.C., 2012], 52; Rothbard, Panic of 1819 [2007 reprint], 227 n. 63). James Robertson Jr. was appointed collector of Petersburg on 23 Mar. 1824, and was confirmed by the Senate on 2 Apr. (, 3:367, 369).
2. The draft has “vacant” here.