James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/03-11-02-0714

To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 February 1817

From Thomas Jefferson

Monticello Feb. 8. 17.

Dear Sir

In a late letter from mr. Spafford of Albany I received the inclosed with a request that after perusal I would forward it to you, adding a desire that, when read, you would address it under cover to him, as he sets some value on the possession of it.1 His object in making the communication to either of us is not explained, but perhaps it may be understood by you. Your frank on a blank cover will let him see that I have complied with his request.

We have at length received commissions for the Visitors of our Central college; but as we may expect the pleasure of your return among us with the returning spring, I defer asking a meeting until it shall be convenient to you to join us.

As you are at the fountain head of political news, I shall give you that only which is agrricultural. We have had a most severe spell of cold, which commenced on the 11th. of Jan. On the 19th. of that month the thermometer was at 6°. that is 26° below freezing. On the 5th. of this month it was at 9 ½° has been twice at 13°. and only three mornings of the last 3. weeks above freezing. Within that time it has been 7. days below freezing thro’. the day. 6 ½ I. only of snow have fallen at different times, and I think the winter has been as remarkably dry as the summer was. Apprehensions are entertained for our wheat, which looks wretchedly. But the fine autumn and month of Dec. may have enabled it to push it’s roots beyond the reach of frost. The tobacco fever is over, and little preparation making for that plant. Corn is at 5. 6. & 7. D. according to it’s position, and the apprehension of want continues. This may serve as a little preparation for your return to these contemplations, and especially as furnishing an opportunity of assuring you of my constant and affectionate friendship and respect

Th: Jefferson

RC (DLC); FC (DLC: Jefferson Papers). RC docketed by JM.

1The latest letter Jefferson had received from Horatio Gates Spafford was dated 21 Jan. 1817, enclosing a letter (not found) by “a Doctor of Divinity” who was “lately President of the University of Vermont.” That letter, Spafford wrote, contained opinions “concerning the Clergy” similar to those that Spafford had expressed in his “Franklin” essay, in which he had inveighed at great length against the intellectual and political dangers of established churches and “the creeds of a subtle priesthood” (see Spafford to JM, 23 Jan. 1817, and n. 1; American Magazine, a Monthly Miscellany 1 [1816]: 291). Spafford maintained that these opinions were “not too Severe,” and he asked Jefferson to forward them to JM “for perusal” if Jefferson believed it would “answer any good purpose, or even gratify a little curiosity”; Spafford requested that JM return the original to him (Looney et al., Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, 11:5–6). The first president of the University of Vermont was the Rev. Daniel Clarke Sanders, who had been dismissed by the trustees in 1814, in part because the institution was in serious financial difficulties and in part because his religious views were regarded as unorthodox by other New England Congregational clergy (John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes, eds., American National Biography [24 vols.; New York, 1999], 19:246–47). It is possible that JM acknowledged the receipt of this letter from Jefferson on 7 Feb. 1817 (letter not found but recorded as received in Jefferson’s “Summary Journal of Letters” on 5 Mar. 1817) (Looney et al., Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, 11:62).

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