1To James Madison from John Finch, 20 May 1824 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a few pages which may serve to amuse a leisure moment. They were printed last year in the American Journal of Science. At Richmond I had the honor of dining with Chief Justice Marshall, and then proceeded to examine the country below the Falls. At Coll. Allen’s plantation there is a very extensive deposition of fossil shells, more than I have ever seen in any other situation, and...
2To Thomas Jefferson from John Finch, 20 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Allow me to send a few pages which were published last year in the American Journal of Science.—After I left Monticello my tour was directed to the eastern shore of Virginia and the quantity of fossil organic remains is so great, that it opens quite a large field of comparison between the soil of America and Europe, and I believe similar strata will be found in the two Continents.—On the...
3From James Madison to John Finch, [post–9 June 1824] (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of May 20. with the 2 printed papers: one on the “Tertiary formations,” the other on the “Celtic Antiquities of America”; for which I return my thanks. Without venturing to decide on the validity of these ingenious Speculations, I may express my respect for the philosophic & literary character of which they bear the stamp. They merit each of them the further researches...
4John Finch to James Madison, 1 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
Although it is now some years since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Montpelier, I assure you, I have never forgotten the kindness and hospitality with which you treated me on that occasion. I have only written once since that period, because I was fearful of trespassing on your retirement, & on that valuable time, which is occupied with more important concerns. Since I was in Virginia, I...
5James Madison to John Finch, 13 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st. inst: & with it a copy of your "Essay on the effect of the physical Geography of the World on the boundaries of Empires:" The views taken of the subject are interesting, and some of them with the additional merit of originality, and I thank you Sir, for the communication of them. On turning from the past to the future speculation may be invited to the...
6John Finch to James Madison, 10 May 1829 (Madison Papers)
I enclose for your perusal a second essay on the Natural Boundaries of Empires, published in the American Journal of Science, for April, printed at New Haven. You will perceive in it an extract of your former letter, and hope you will excuse the freedom I took, in having it inserted without your consent. As it was on a scientific subject, however, I supposed that you could have no objection,...
7James Madison to John Finch, 20 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your letter of May 10th inclosing a continuation of your observations on the "Natural boundaries of Empires". The views you have taken of the subject, give it certainly an attractive interest. But I must retain the impression, that they may reasonably be qualified by the progress of human Art in controuling the operation of physical causes. I should have sooner acknowledged...