James Madison Papers
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From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 21 October 1800

To Thomas Jefferson

Ocr. 21. 1800

Dear Sir

This will be handed to you by Mr. Altson [sic] of S. Carolina, who proposes to call at Monticello on his return from a Northern tour. He will probably be made known to you by other introductions; but those which he has brought to me, as well as a short acquaintance with him make me feel an obligation to add mine. He appears to be intelligent, sound in his principles, and polished in his manners. Coming fresh from N. Y. through Pena. & Maryld. he will be able to furnish many details in late occurrences. The fact of most importance mentioned by him & which is confirmed by letters I have from Burr & Gilston,1 is that the vote of Rho: Island will be assuredly on the right side. The latter gentleman expresses much anxiety & betrays some jealousy with respect to the integrity of the Southern States in keeping the former one in view for the secondary station. I hope the event will skreen all the parties, particularly Virginia from any imputation on this subject; tho’I am not without fears, that the requisite concert may not sufficiently pervade the several States. You have no doubt seen the late Paris Statement,2 as well as the comment on it by Observator who is manifestly Hamilton.3 The two papers throw a blaze of light on the proceedings of our administration, & must I think, co-operate with other causes, in opening thoroughly the eyes of the people. Sincerely yours

Js. Madison Jr.

RC (DLC). Docketed by Jefferson, “recd Oct. 23.”

1David Gelston.

2See Monroe to JM, 8 Oct. 1800, and n. 1.

3The essay entitled “France and America,” written by Alexander Hamilton and signed “Observator,” ran in the N.Y. Spectator on 8 Oct. 1800. Hamilton argued that the two nations should “pass into a state of peace in fact on the basis of the laws of nations” without signing a treaty at present (Syrett and Cooke, Papers of Hamilton description begins Harold C. Syrett and Jacob E. Cooke, eds., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (27 vols.; New York, 1961–87). description ends , 25:131–39).

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