Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-06-02-0160

To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 18 March 1782

From James Madison

Philada. March 18th. 1782

Dear Sir

In my last to you on the subject of the map in the hands of Dr. Smith I informed you of the little chance of getting a copy of it for you. Nothing has since occurred which affords the least expectation from that quarter. But I have met with a bundle of old pamphlets belonging to the public Library here in which is a map published in 1650 which from this and other circumstances I am pretty confident is of the same impression with that of Doctr. Smith’s. It represents the South sea at about 10 days travel from the heads or falls I forget which of James River. From the tenor however of the pamphlet to which it is immediately annexed and indeed of the whole collection there is just ground to suspect that this representation was an artifice to favor the object of the publications which evidently was to entice emigrants from England by a flattering picture of the advantages of this Country, one of which dwelt on in all the pamphlets is the vicinity of the S. Sea, and the facility it afforded of a trade with the Eastern World. Another circumstance which lessens much the value of this map to the Antiquary is that it is more modern by 25 years than those extant in Purchase’s pilgrim, which are referred to in the Negociations between the British and French Commissaries touching the bounds of N. Scotia as the first of Authenticity relating to this part of the world. If notwithstanding these considerations you still desire that a copy be taken from the map above described I shall with pleasure execute your orders, or if you wish that a copy of Virga. or of the whole country may be taken from those in Purchase, your orders shall be equally attended to. I much doubt however whether that book be so extremely scarce as to require a transcript from it for the purpose you seem to have in view.

You will find in the inclosed gazette all our latest intelligence both from Europe and the W. Indies. The Ministerial speeches in Parliament as well as other considerations render it pretty certain that the system for recovering America will be changed. A peace with Holland and a suspension of the expensive operations in America are to give their resources full play against France and Spain, whilst all the arts of division and seduction will probably be practised on the U. States.

Congress have taken no step in the business of the Western territory since the report of the Committee of which I have already given you an account, and which we hear arrived at Richmond on the day of the Ajournment of the Assembly. We wish it to undergo their consideration, and to receive their instructions before we again move in it. Mr. Randolph by whom this goes will probably be present at the May Session and will be possessed of every information that may be necessary. I refer you to the interview with him which I hope that occasion will afford you for other congressional intelligence.

I am this moment told that pretty certain information is come to hand of the final reduction of St. Kitts.

With great regard I am Dr. Sr. Yr. obt. friend & Servt.,

J. Madison Jr.

RC (DLC: Madison Papers); endorsed by TJ: “Madison Jas. Mar. 18. 1782.” Enclosure not found.

Madison’s last … on the subject of the map was apparently his letter to TJ of 3 Apr. 1781. The map published in 1650 was Nicholas, John, and Virginia Farrer’s “Faithfull Map of Virginia in America” (1651), which identified the “peacefull Indian Sea” as “10 dayes march with 50 foote and 30. horsemen from the head of the Jeames River” (copy in PPL-R, where Madison saw it).

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