James Madison Papers

From James Madison to William Cabell Rives, 29 May 1827

To William Cabell Rives

Montpellier May 29. 1827

Dear Sir

I owe an apology for not sooner thanking you for the copy of your Speech in the House of Reps. on the 20th. of Feby. last.1 It came to hand when some engagements of my time, which were protracted beyond my anticipation, did not permit the attention due to it. Without expressing an unqualified concurrence in all the sentiments embraced by the range of your observations, I can, without qualification, say, that the subject is argued with an ability that cannot fail to enlighten whatever Constitutional or political question may call it forth.

Having a spare Copy of a pamphlet prepared in the Department of State in 1805.2 on a subject of much interest at its date, you will oblige me by accepting it. It is possible that the Controversy, in some of its forms, may recur during your public Career, which I hope will be a long one; and in that event, the trouble of researches into applicable authorities and illustrations, may be diminished by those to which the occasion led. I pray you Sir to be assured of my great esteem and my cordial respects

James Madison

RC (DLC: William C. Rives Papers); draft (DLC). RC docketed by Rives.

1William Cabell Rives, Speech of Mr. Rives, (of Virginia,): In Reply to Several Gentlemen Who Opposed the Motion Made by Him to Strike Out of the Military Appropriation Bill the Appropriation for Surveys of Roads and Canals […] (Washington, D.C., 1827).

2Madison, Examination of the British Doctrine (Shaw and Shoemaker description begins R. R. Shaw and R. H. Shoemaker, comps., American Bibliography: A Preliminary Checklist for 1801–1819 (22 vols.; New York, 1958–66). description ends 10777).

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