I have taken the liberty, Sir, of inclosing for you by mail, a copy of a sketch of Mr. Jefferson’s life written by me not long since.1 I shall feel much gratified by your accepting it as a mark of the sense I entertain of Mrs. Madison’s kindness and your own, during the short visit I made to Montpellier.2

The memoir was compiled entirely from materials which are open to the public, and without any particular acquaintance with private anecdotes or new political information. To you therefore who have enjoyed at once the best opportunities of knowing all that is interesting in the private character of Mr. Jefferson, and the secret springs & operations of the great political events connected with his life, there will be little to afford particular interest, but it will convey to you the impressions of that great man which arise from the contemplation of his life to one who enjoys the benefit of actions, in which he is too young to have in any way participated. Should you discover any errors either in particular facts or general remarks, I shall feel myself highly obliged by being enabled to correct them; a circumstance I more especially desire, as the publisher already contemplates another edition.

I beg you to present my sincere respects to Mrs. Madison, and to be assured that I shall always recollect with very great pleasure the period I passed in her society and your own; and I shall always be happy in every occasion which enables me to show the profound respect, with which I remain Your obedt. Servt.