It is a great sacrifice & disappointment to us to pass so near you, without having it in our power to pay our respects to Mrs. Madison & yourself. We are travelling in the public stage, with a brood of little ones doubled in number since we had the pleasure of seeing you, & with a cumbrous accumulation of baggage, which render a deviation from the highway entirely impracticable for us. We are compelled, therefore, to adjourn, for a short time, the pleasure of again saluting Mrs. Madison & yourself, which has constantly been among the most cherished anticipations of our return to our native land. As soon as I shall have looked around me at home, I shall hasten to enjoy the pleasures of a visit to Montpelier, & if it should be possible, Mrs. Rives will certainly accompany me. In the mean time, we have had the highest satisfaction in hearing of the improvement of your health, & the continuance of Mrs. Madison’s unimpaired—

Mrs. Rives desires to offer her warmest salutations to Mrs. Madison & yourself, & begging leave to add my own, I remain, my dear sir, with profound respect & devoted attachment your’s most truly