James Madison Papers

Henry Colman to James Madison, 24 July 1830

Salem 24 July. 1830.

Dear Sir,

I am much obliged by your favorable reception of the "Hints to the Essex Farmers." Humbly as you seem inclined to speak of Virginia farming, the country is much indebted to Mr Taylor for his Arator, to Mr Bordley for many useful observations in his Husbandry, to Mr Jefferson for his improvements in the construction of ploughs, and to Mr Madison himself for a very able address on Agriculture, delivered in Albemarle County, I think. Genl Washington seems likewise to have been remarkable not only for his great interest in agriculture but for an outstanding attention to its minutest details. It is remarkable in respect to Agriculture that it has been a favorite pursuit with many of the most distinguished & most intellectual men that have ever lived; that they have pursued it always with a continually increasing satisfaction, and at their retirement from public life & distinction they appear to find in the humbler pursuits of agriculture a delightful gratification, and often seem vainer of their success in it than in any of the higher concerns of literature, politics or war–

You have heard, my dear Sir, I dare say often of the Salem Patriarch Dr. Holyoke; who died among us last year at the advanced age of a century. He occupied the close of life in composing a book on morals, as he occupied the whole of life in giving a bright example of purity & excellence of moral principle & conduct. The book has been recently printed for the family but not published. I thought it might give you pleasure to see it; and I therefore beg your acceptance of the accompanying copy of the work with the assurances of the great respect with which I subscribe myself, dear Sir, Your obedt Servt,

Henry Colman.–

P. S. I take the liberty likewise to enclose a copy of a Biographical sermon, which I had designed to have sent at the time of its publication but by accident omitted.–

RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.

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