To James Madison from Richard Rush, 17 September 1816
From Richard Rush
Washington September 17. 1816
Dear sir.
Mr Dallas, Mr Crawford and myself met yesterday upon the business relative to the capitol.
It struck us, that, under the act of congress of the 29th of April last, the executive possesses authority to sanction the encroachment upon the centre building, to give room for the stair-way contemplated by Mr. Latrobe. Touching the expediency of such a measure, we found a resolution of the senate of the 5th of April last, not before brought into view, but which has immediate relation to the subject. If I had the journal now at hand, I would set it out. The amount of it however is, that the very alteration proposed was submitted to the senate and approved.1 We all considered that this foreclosed the necessity of further deliberation. The measure will therefore, I presume, go into effect.
As respects the material for the roof, though full of distrust of ourselves, we determined upon copper.
The impression of my very agreeable visit to Orange is still upon me.2 I have thought much of you during the late rains, which I hope will have raised up the drooping corn fields all around you. Here they have been abundant, and almost incessant, since the 3d of the month.
I left my little family well at Annapolis a few days ago, and with respectful compliments to Mrs Madison, beg to offer to you the assurances of my great attachment and respect.
Richard Rush.
FC (PHi: Richard Rush Papers).
1. See Samuel Lane to JM, 22 Aug. 1816, and n. 1.
2. Rush described his visit to Montpelier to Charles Jared Ingersoll on 9 Oct. 1816 as follows: “I have never seen Mr Madison so well fixed any where as on his estate in Virginia, not even before he was burnt out here. His house would be esteemed a good one for any of our country seats near Philadelphia, and is much larger than most of them. The situation is among mountains, and very beautiful. A fine estate surrounds him, at the head of which he appears to eminent advantage, as well as in his great as in estimable qualities. He has the reputation of being an excellent manager, and is a model of kindness to his slaves. He lives with profuse hospitality, and in a way to strike the eye far more agreeably, than while keeping tavern here. On the fourth of July I was told ninety persons dined with him. To be sure it was a special occasion; but not a week, scarcely a day, passes that he is not doing hospitality in a large way. He was never developed to me under as many interesting lights; as during the very delightful week I spent under his roof. Perhaps I should add, that French cookery, and Madeira that he purchased in Philadelphia in :96 made a part of every day’s fare!” (PHi: Charles Jared Ingersoll Papers).