To James Madison from Richard Forrest, 25 June 1816
From Richard Forrest
City of Washington June 25 1816
Dear Sir,
I have this moment been favored with yours of the 23d inst, enclosing a letter for Mrs. Cutts, which I have just sent to her.1 The fifteen dollars for John Freeman,2 I will hand him to day with the proper directions to ensure a co-operation between the Steam Boat and the Stage to Montpelier.
I received a letter a few days since from my son Julius, dated at Frankford, on the 14th. inst. in which he mentions, having been very kindly treated by Judge and Mrs. Todd. He had attended a large meeting of Mr. Clay’s constituents at Verseilles, at which Mr. C addressed them, which had made a favorable impression.3 He thinks with proper exertion, Mr. Clay and Coll Johnson may be re-elected, but in every other instance the representation from that State will be changed. The people carry their veng[e]ance so far, as to oppose Genl. Desha (who voted against the compensation Bill[)] (as they term it), from a belief that he did not do it sincerely.
My son is delighted with the Western Country, and with its Inhabitants. I remain dear Sir, with sincere respect &c Your Obt. servt.
Richd. Forrest
RC (NN). Docketed by JM.
1. The letter has not been found, but JM probably forwarded Dolley Madison to Anna Payne Cutts, ca. 3 June 1816 (DMDE). This letter, very likely, should be dated ca. 23 June 1816.
2. John Freeman, a slave whose services through 1815 JM had purchased from Thomas Jefferson in 1809 ( 1:124–25), was married to Melinda [Malinda] Colbert, a free-black seamstress who sewed for the Madison family throughout their years in Washington (DMDE).
3. This may well have been the address printed in the 10 June 1816 issue of the (Lexington) Kentucky Gazette, in which Henry Clay defended his vote for the establishment of the second Bank of the United States. Clay also spoke on the currency problems resulting from the failure to resume specie payments (Hopkins et al., Papers of Henry Clay, 2:199–205).