From James Madison to Richard Rush, 5 April 1821
To Richard Rush
Montpellier apl. 5. 1821
Dear Sir
This will be presented by John P. Wilson Esqr.1 of this State. I cannot speak of his worth from personal knowlege, but it is well vouched to me by a friend on whom I can entirely rely. He avails himself of resources & a leisure which enable him to indulge his curiosity in a trip to Europe; and he will be so much gratified by being made known to you that I can not refuse him a line of introduction. Yours with the highest esteem
James Madison
RC (NjP). Addressed by JM to Rush in London and marked “Mr. Wilson.” Docketed by Rush.
1. John P. Wilson (d. 1865), a graduate of Washington College in 1810, was a lawyer and planter who represented Campbell County in the Virginia House of Delegates, 1823–25, and Cumberland County, 1829–31. Wilson was also a trustee of Hampden-Sydney College from 1819 to 1848 (Wilmer L. Kerns, Waltons of Old Virginia and Sketches of Families in Central Virginia … [Westminster, Md., 2005], 68 n. 54; Catalogue of the Officers and Alumni of Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1749–1888 [Baltimore, 1888], 63; , 446; General Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Hampden-Sidney College. Virginia. 1776–1906 [Richmond, Va., 1908], 17).