Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-30-02-0392

From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 November [1798]

To James Madison

Monticello Nov. 17. [1798]

Th:J. to J.M.

Mr. Richardson has been detained by several jobs indispensable to the progress of the carpenters, & to the securing what is done against the winter. when will Whitton be done with you? or could you by any means dispense with his services till I set out for Philadelphia? my floors can only be laid while I am at home, and I cannot get a workman here. perhaps you have some other with you or near you who could go on with your work till his return to you. I only mention these things that if you have any other person who could enable you to spare him a few weeks, I could employ him to much accomodation till my departure in laying my floors. but in this consult your own convenience only.—I inclose you a copy of the draught of the Kentuckey resolves. I think we should distinctly affirm all the important principles they contain, so as to hold to that ground in future, and leave the matter in such a train as that we may not be committed absolutely to push the matter to extremities, & yet may be free to push as far as events will render prudent. I think to set out so as to arrive at Philadelphia the Saturday before Christmas. my friendly respects to mrs Madison, to your father & family. health, happiness & Adieu to yourself.

40. ℔. of IVy. nails @ 14 ½ d per ℔ were sent this morning, being all we had. they will yield (according to the count of a single pound) 314 x 40 = 12,560.

RC (DLC: Madison Papers, Rives Collection); partially dated, with “1799” added at dateline in unknown hand, leading to a later misunderstanding by Madison as noted in his letter to Nicholas P. Trist, 23 Sep. 1830 (see Madison, Papers description begins William T. Hutchinson, Robert A. Rutland, J. C. A. Stagg, and others, eds., The Papers of James Madison, Chicago and Charlottesville, 1962, 27 vols. Sec. of State Ser., 5 vols. description ends , 17:181); correct year supplied from SJL; addressed: “James Madison junr. Orange.” PrC (DLC); in ink at foot of text: “Madison James.” Enclosure: PrC of Document II of the group of documents on the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, printed at 4 Oct. 1798.

Richard Richardson carried this letter (Madison to TJ, 11 Dec. 1798).

A letter from Madison to TJ of 19 Nov., recorded in SJL as received 20 Nov. 1798, has not been found.

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