James Madison Papers
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To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, 8 August 1815

From Thomas Cooper

Carlisle August 8. 1815

Dear Sir

Your nephew will soon set out from this place, and probably not return. His studies have been greatly interrupted by a very long illness, but since he has been able to read, he has red with good effect. He has however more talent than Industry; but there is no reason to complain on the whole. His health is better: but I am not sorry to hear he is destined for new orleans; for I am persuaded he will run less risk there, than in a climate where the winters and springs, are so severe as in the middle States. I have with this view, made him read Justinian twice, & recommended him to include the Code Napoleon in his french reading. His Brother is making good use of his time.1

I am inclined to think I shall not stay here longer than this session, and am almost decided to pass the winter at new Orleans myself; and if I find an opening to practice the Law, I shall pursue it. I cannot however decide till the beginning of October.

I send you a pamphlet, which if your more serious avocations will permit you to peruse, you may for the sake of your nephew when you see him, add to the errata and addenda. One of my students desired me to mark out for him a course of reading on politics, & this pamphlet has been the result.2 I have printed a few only to give away, for my political Sentiments are very unlike those of any party. But I must remain such as I am untill further lights. At all events I remain with much respect Dear Sir Your friend and Servt

Thomas Cooper

Mr Dallas has never sent me his retrospective view of the causes of the War &c have you any of them?3

RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.

1. Cooper probably referred to Robert Lewis Madison’s younger brother Ambrose, who graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1817 (William Madison to JM, 11 Feb. 1813, PJM-PS description begins Robert A. Rutland et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Presidential Series (9 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1984–). description ends 8:647; Cullum, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy [1868 ed.], 1:171).

2. Cooper evidently referred to his Extract of a Letter to a Student at Law (n.p., 1815). JM’s copy may be found in the Madison pamphlet collection at the Library of Congress.

3. For An Exposition of the Causes and Character of the War, see Memorandum for Alexander J. Dallas, ca. November 1814, PJM-PS description begins Robert A. Rutland et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Presidential Series (9 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1984–). description ends 8:345–52 and n. 1.

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    Madison Papers
    Title
    To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, 8 August 1815
    Author
    Cooper, Thomas
    Recipient
    Madison, James
    Date
    8 August 1815

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To James Madison from Thomas Cooper, 8 August 1815,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/03-09-02-0510. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, Presidential Series, vol. 9, 19 February 1815–12 October 1815, ed. Angela Kreider, J. C. A. Stagg, Mary Parke Johnson, and Anne Mandeville Colony. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018, pp. 516–517.]

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