To James Madison from John Henry Sherburne, 23 April 1825
From John Henry Sherburne
Washington City April 23. 1825.
Hon’d & Respected Sir,
I have the honor of transmitting you herewith, a Copy of my prospectus for the publication of the life & Character of the Chevalier John Paul Jones,1 and observe, that this Work is now in the press, and when I shall receive it, I hope you will permit me to have the honor of presenting you with a Copy. Mr. Adams & Mr. Jefferson have Contributed largely in furnishing me with documents of great importance, all of which, are Official.
I should be highly gratified if you (in a leisure moment) would have the goodness to give me your Candid opinion of Jones, of his Conduct &c. during our Revolutionary struggle, which shall be Confidential if you desire it.
I will take this opportunity of observing that my Father (Judge Sherburne of Portsmouth N.H.)2 has often expressed a wish, that should I ever have occasion to visit Virginia, to call to make his respects to yourself and your Amiable Lady, also my late Uncle Gov. Eustis, when last in Congress, wished me very much (should I have an opportunity) to visit your delightful Seat but public business has always prevented me from having that honor. With Sentiments of the highest respect & esteem, I have the honor to be Your most Obt Servt
John Henry Sherburne3
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. John Henry Sherburne, Prospectus of the Intended Publication of the Life of the Chevalier John Paul Jones … (Washington, 1825; 22266). JM’s copy is in the Madison Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress.
2. John Samuel Sherburne (1757–1830) was a Dartmouth-educated lawyer and Revolutionary War veteran, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1793–97, and as U.S. district attorney for New Hampshire, 1801–4. President Jefferson appointed him U.S. district judge at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1804, and he served in that position until his death (Edward R. Sherburne, “Henry Sherburne of Portsmouth, N.H., and Some of His Descendants,” New-England Historical and Genealogical Register 58 [1904]: 233).
3. John Henry Sherburne was register of the U.S. Navy in 1825, and the author of a number of books, including the Life and Character of the Chevalier John Paul Jones (1825) (Register of the Commission and Warrant Officers of the Navy of the United States … [Washington, 1825], 1).