James Madison Papers
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To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 16 September 1782

From Jacquelin Ambler

RC (LC: Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM, “Sepr. 16. 1782.”

Richmond 16. Sept. 1782

Dear Sir

I am a wretched Correspondent—nothing to send you but Apologies for short epistles. It is confidently said here that the war will be pushed by Britain with redoubled vigour the next Campaign & that our State is certainly the Object to be first reduced. I hope there are not sufficient grounds for this Report & that you will be able to contradict it in your next.1

I inclosed you by last Post Mr. Ross’s draft for £190. V. Curry.2 I hope it is paid. The Sheriffs having generally compleated the first moiety of their Collection & paid it into the Treasury3 I fear we shall see little more Money there for some time. I need not assure you that when we have any the Gentlemen of the Delegation4 will not be forgotten. I shall endeavor to have your Account settled with the Auditors as soon as possible.

I am with great esteem Yr. friend & Servt

J. A.

1No reply has been found. Ambler in his letters of 5, 12, and 18 October 1782 to JM (qq.v.) makes no mention of receiving any communication from him. Ambler’s comment about the expectation in Richmond that the war would continue may signify that he and his associates had heard of the death of the Marquis of Rockingham and the resignation of several leading members of the British ministry who had advocated peace and the recognition of the independence of the United States. This news first appeared in the Virginia Gazette description begins Virginia Gazette, or, the American Advertiser (Richmond, James Hayes, 1781–86). description ends on 21 September. See Calendar of Virginia State Papers description begins William P. Palmer et al., eds., Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts (11 vols.; Richmond, 1875–93). description ends , III, 312; JM to Randolph, 11 September 1782, P.M., and n. 12.

2Virginia currency. David Ross, merchant, still transacted much business for the Commonwealth, although he was no longer one of its commercial agents. Ambler’s letter, probably dated 9 September, to JM has not been found. See Randolph to JM, 7 September 1782.

4JM, Theodorick Bland, Joseph Jones, Edmund Randolph, and Arthur Lee.

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