To James Madison from Henry Lee, 12 March 1827
From Henry Lee
Westmld. Ct. H. 12th. March 1827
Sir
For your letter of the 16th. Feby I now beg leave to express my thanks, and shall take occasion shortly to add some observations, with a view of getting further information on parts of it.
I have recd. such high recommendations of the bearer Mr. Clarke,1 an English Gentleman who is travelling for health & information; and have concieved such sincere esteem for him from an intimate acquaintance with him of some months standing, that I shall make no apology for introducing him to you, and of bespeaking for him those opportunities and attentions which his liberal and natural desire to see the patriots & sages of this Republic will render acceptable and useful to him. I remain with very sincere respect sir, your most obt. Sert.
H Lee
P.S. Mr. Clarkes grandfather Genl. Rochfort,2 was taken at the Siege of york—when a young officer.
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. George Rochfort Clarke (1801–89), a graduate of Cambridge University, arrived in New York on 15 August 1826 from Liverpool. After his visit to the United States, Clarke became a well-known barrister and justice of the peace and inherited properties in Oxfordshire, England, and Jamaica, West Indies (London Times, 3 Oct. 1889; Baltimore Patriot & Mercantile Advertiser, 17 Aug. 1826).
2. George Rochfort was a captain at Yorktown, where he commanded the Royal Artillery (W H. Askwith, comp., List of Officers of the Royal Regiment of Artillery from the Year 1716 to the Year 1899 […], 4th ed. [London, 1900], 8A).