To James Madison from Enoch Reynolds, 8 February 1820
From Enoch Reynolds
Washington City 8th. Feby. 1820.
Sir.
In the summer of 1816, you did me the honor to subscribe for two copies of the splendid edition of the Declaration of Independence, then in hand, and now published by Mr. John Binns’ of Philada.1
The copies are now received by me, for the subscribers which I obtained, at ten dollars each.
I have also received some in elegant frames, the prices of which including the prints and glass complete are $29. or $27.50—accordingly as they are ornamented. I will thank you to inform me whether you will receive them with, or without the frames, and to whom I shall deliver them for you. I have the honor to be most respectfully Sir Your very obedt. Servt
Enoch Reynolds2
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. John Binns’s engraved facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, within an ornamental oval formed by the seals of the thirteen original colonies and portraits of John Hancock, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, was published in 1818. Binns (1772–1860) was an Irish-born editor and printer who was active in Pennsylvania Republican politics and closely allied with Simon Snyder.
2. Enoch Reynolds (ca. 1776–1833), originally from Connecticut, was chief clerk, under Richard Cutts, in the office of the superintendent general of military supplies in Washington in 1816. By 1829 he was chief clerk under the second comptroller of the Treasury (Daily National Intelligencer, 15 Oct. 1833; , Miscellaneous, 2:307, 310; A Register of Officers and Agents … 1829 [Washington, 1830], 19).