James Madison to James P. Preston, 13 May 1828
Montpellier May 13. 1828.
Dear Sir
I recd. by the last mail yours of the 9th. and comply with its request by a few lines to the President for the mail of today. I could not refuse this evidence of my esteem & regard, tho’ it is an interposition, of which obvious considerations make me as sparing as possible. Being entirely ignorant of the names with which yours will be in competition, I can form no estimate of the result. With great respect & good wishes
James Madison
RC (ViHi: James Patton Preston Letters and Papers); draft (DLC).