From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 October 1809
To Thomas Jefferson
Washington Ocr. 6. 1809
Dear Sir
I inclose for perusal a letter from Mr. Dupont D. N. What does he mean by his desire “to contribute” to the Execution of his project of Education?1 You will observe that he has sent for you a copy of the Works of Turgot,2 as far as Edited. Be so good as to point out the mode in which you wish them to be transmitted. I expect a Waggon here next month which can take them to Orange,3 if you prefer that conveyance to a water one to Richmond.
The late news from Europe will be found in the Newspapers. Jackson has been presented, and is on the threshold of business. He is not deficient in the diplomatic professions, but nothing appears, to contradict the presumption that he is so in the requisite instructions.
We left Montpellier on friday last and reached Washington on monday about 3 OC. The heat was very oppressive on the road & has so continued since our arrival; notwithstanding a fine shower of rain the evening before the last. Be assured always of my affectionate & high respects
James Madison
RC (DLC). Docketed by Jefferson, “recd Oct. 8.” Enclosed Pierre Samuel DuPont de Nemours to JM, 11 July 1809 (, 1:285–86).
1. DuPont had written a treatise embodying a national plan for education in the U.S. and told JM he was eager to implement the scheme (, 1:285–86 and n. 1).
2. DuPont sent JM seven volumes of his edition of Turgot’s Works and asked the president to convey other sets to Jefferson, the American Philosophical Society, and his children then living in Delaware. DuPont’s edition was published in nine volumes in Paris, 1808–11 (ibid.; E. Millicent Sowerby, comp., Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson [5 vols.; Washington, 1952–59], 3:51–53).
3. JM forwarded the volumes to Jefferson by stagecoach on 17 Nov. (Sowerby, Catalogue of Jefferson’s Library, 3:52).