To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 April 1824
From Horatio Gates Spafford
Troy, N.Y., 4 Mo. 8, 1824.
Respected Friend,
As I once spoke or wrote to thee concerning a Gazetteer & Geography of the State of Virginia,1 I am anxious to have thee see my Gaz. & Geog. of New York,2 just published. It is a 3 dollar volume, octavo, 620 pages, & I wait thy instructions how to send it. When thou hast examined it, I should very much like to know thy opinion of it, particularly as to the freedom I have used in speaking of many matters besides mere Topography. My object has been a manly frankness, such as I think becomes a Republican, aiming only at truth.
I am soon to engage in a History of our Canals, for which I have collected the materials. Very respectfully, thy friend,
Horatio Gates Spafford.
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. See Spafford to JM, 15 Mar. and 11 June 1822, , 2:496, 533–34.
2. For Spafford’s gazetteer, see Spafford to JM, 15 Mar. 1822, ibid., 496 n. 1.