1To James Madison from Payton Gay, 20 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
...of my heart. Although, for some years past, my mercantile pursuits, have prevented me from entering into all the nice speculations of the politician, I have undeviatingly looked on you as the grand key-stone of our Confederacy, and my best exertions have never been wanting, when misguided or designing men have attempted to shake the arch of Union. I am now anxious to take an active part in...