1From James Madison to William Bentley, 28 October 1809 (Madison Papers)
I received in due time your friendly letter of August 12. last. My respect for your sentiments as well as justice to my own, require that I should say, in explanation of my not complying with your considerate hint, that I was restrained by an apprehensiveness, that an expression, at that period, of the gratitude and admiration which I feel in a degree exceeded by no Citizen, for the venerable...
2From James Madison to William Bentley, 27 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of your favor of the 11th. instant, I have addressed the few lines inclosed, to General Stark. If the possession of this sincere testimony of my esteem be entirely satisfactory, it may perhaps be as well, that it should not be followed by a publication; the sole object being, to contribute in that form, whatever gratification may be afforded him, by learning the sentiments of...
3From James Madison to William Bentley, 8 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 2d. inst: accompanied by a likeness of General Stark. I thank you for both. The latter, in its execution, seems to do so much credit to the talent of your pupil, that I, the more readily, confide in its likeness; and shall place it by the side of others, whose originals are known to have inspired the General with that esteem of which they are worthy. The...
4From James Madison to William Bentley, 28 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Crowninshield having made me acquainted with the passage in your letter to him, which speaks with so much personal kindness towards me, and so favorably of my discharge of the public trust which is about to close, I can not forego an expression of the value I put on such sentiments from such a source. The approbation of the wise and the worthy is the recompence which ought to be next to...