Thompson received four copies of Lyman’s work, on Saturday. Two were immediately taken—the one by Mr Everett, the other by the Russian minister. These circumstances, together with the annunciation of "considerable additions" to the part formerly published, & the continuation of the history through periods concerning which you may feel the interest of curiosity, determined me on subjecting you to the expense of $5. Since Saturday evening, I have looked into the book, to see whether I could find any thing relating to our tonnage & navigation laws; but have not been able to do so. He refers to 90, as the period at which commenced our discriminating tonnage duties, whereas Mr Jefferson’s report recommending them, is dated in 91--what does this mean? Pitkin, both in his narrative & tables is equally barren on the Subject.

We have had some pretty severe weather, and the air in which I have been walking has made by fingers so stiff that I can scarcely write. Mrs Madison has, no doubt, been informed by her correspondents of our safe arrival, & good fortune in getting up to Washington in the Steam boat—The previous trip it had been obliged to stop at Alexandria—Accept for her & yourself my affectionate adieux