Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 June 1791

To James Madison

Philadelphia June 21. 1791.

Dear Sir

I arrived here on Sunday evening. Yesterday I sent your note to Lieper who immediately called and paid the 200 Dollars, which I have exchanged for a post note and now inclose. I mentioned to the Atty Gen. that I had a note on him, and afterwards sent it to him, saying nothing as to time. I inclose you also a post note for 35. Dollars to make up my deficit of expences (25.94 D.) to pay Mr. Elsworth and the smith, and also to get me from Rivington’s Hamilton More’s practical navigator, if his be the 6th. edition, as I believe it is. This is the last edition revised and printed under the author’s eye. The later editions are so incorrect as to be worth nothing.

The President will leave Mt. Vernon on the 27th. He will be stayed a little at Georgetown.—Colo. H. Lee is here. He gives a very different account from Carrington’s of the disposition of the upper country of Virginia towards the Excise law. He thinks resistance possible.—I am sorry we did not bring with us some leaves of the different plants which struck our attention, as it is the leaf which principally decides specific differences. You may still have it in your power to repair the omission in some degree. The Balsam tree at Govr. Robinson’s is the Balsam poplar, Populus balsamifera of Linnaeus. The Azalea I can only suspect to be the Viscosa, because I find but two kinds the nudiflora and viscosa acknoleged to grow with us, and I am sure it is not the nudiflora. The White pine is the Pinus Strobus. I will thank you if in your journey Northward you will continue the enquiries relative to the Hessian fly, and note them. The post is almost on it’s departure so Adieu.—Your’s affectionately,

Th: Jefferson

RC (DLC: Madison Papers); addressed: “James Madison esquire at Mr. Elsworth’s Maiden lane New York”; franked; postmarked: “21 iu” and “free.” PrC (DLC).

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