1To James Madison from Samuel Dexter, 30 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
I resisted my inclination to present you my respectful congratulation on your accession to the Chief Magistracy of the Nation from an apprehension that as I had the misfortune to differ from the last Administration as to the best means of protecting some of the important rights & interests of our Country, it might wear the appearance of hollow civility to eminent station rather than of...