To James Madison from John Mason, 14 May 1810
From John Mason
Indian Trade Office 14th. May 1810
Sir
I had the honour to intimate to you in conversation the other day that remonstrances had been made by some of the agents for Indian Trade in the Upper Mississippi against the facility with which british Traders obtained licences to trade in that quarter.
On that subject, it has occurred to me to be my duty to communicate to you Sir a letter lately received from the agent at Fort Madison. Mr. Johnson1 the writer—tho’ not of much acquirement is a man of good sense and as I beleive of strict truth. With high Respect & &
J M sup
Letterbook copy (DNA: RG 75, Letters Sent by Superintendent of Indian Trade).
1. The letter from John W. Johnson—factor for Indian trade at Fort Madison, located fifteen miles above the juncture of the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers in the Louisiana Territory—has not been found.