James Madison Papers

James Madison to Henry Clay, 13 March 1832

Montpellier Mar. 13. 1832

J. Madison with his best respects to Mr Clay thanks him for the Copy of his speech "In Defence of the American System &c" It is a very able, a very eloquent, and a very interesting one. If it does not establish all its positions, in all their extent, it demolishes not a few of those relied on by the opponents. J. M. feels a pleasure in offering this tribute to its merits. But he must be pardoned for expressing a regret that an effusion of personal feeling was, in one instance, admitted into the discussion.

RC (ICU); draft (DLC).

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