James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/04-01-02-0184

To James Madison from Richard Rush, 14 January 1818

From Richard Rush

London January 14. 1818.

Dear Sir

I have great pleasure in sending you by a conveyance, which I hope will prove a safe one, Eustace’s tour and Malthus on population.1 In place of the most approved answer to the latter work, which, as yet, I have not been able to ascertain, I send the 34th number of the Quarterly review, which you will find to contain a more full notice of its doctrines than, I believe, has heretofore been taken in any periodical work in this country. The article upon Spain and her colonies, in this review, will perhaps also afford you the recreation of an hour.2

The Prince Regent has not been in London since my arrival. Hence my presentation has not yet taken place, nor have I, in consequence, mixed with any public or official circles. I have seen Lord Castlereagh3 twice; but without any important results from the interviews. I am still the mere stranger, having seen nothing but a few of the streets of this dark and dismal-looking metropolis. Until parliament meets, I shall be in no way of hearing any thing. By or before that time, it is probable I shall have had my reception.

My wife and little family bore the voyage remarkably well. We both beg to be remembered to Mrs Madison, and pray that you will receive at all times the assurances of our most sincere and affectionate respects.

Richard Rush.

RC (PHi: Richard Rush Papers).

1Rush sent JM one of the many editions of John Chetwode Eustace, A Tour through Italy … (2 vols.; London, 1814), and the fifth edition of Thomas R. Malthus, An Essay on the Principle of Population … (3 vols.; London, 1817).

2The review of Malthus’s work on population is found in No. 34 of William Gifford’s Quarterly Review 17 (July 1817): 369–403. The books reviewed under the title “Spain and her Colonies” (ibid., 530–62) are listed as two titles by Dominique de Pradt, Des colonies et de l’Amérique (2 vols.; Paris, 1816) and Des trois derniers mois d’Amérique (Paris, 1817), and Outline of the Revolution in Spanish America, “By a South American” [Manuel Palacio Fajardo] (London, 1817).

3Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh (1769–1822), had filled important positions in the British cabinet since 1802. As secretary of war from 1805 to 1809, he guided the British war effort against Napoleon. In 1812 Castlereagh became foreign minister, and he held that post until his suicide in 1822.

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