1From James Madison to Richard Peters, 17 December 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return my thanks for the agricultural Almanack for the coming year, the value of which is not a little enhanced by your instructive contributions. You take a refuting notice of the opinion that the grains of wheat are the ridus [ sic ] of the Hessian fly. This error commenced the appearance of the insect among us, and threatened to injure the foreign market for that great staple. The danger...
2From James Madison to Richard Peters, 4 November 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have another occasion for making my acknowlegements in the receipt of the Agricultural Almanac for 1820, which you have been so good as to send me. It is well recommended to circulation, by its substitution of instructive paragraphs on rural subjects for trite & trifling jests; and by the blank leaves inviting practical and experimental notices. The backwardness in furnishing these is much...
3From James Madison to Richard Peters, 23 February 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of Mr. Biddle’s address so obligingly forwarded by you. I knew before that Mr. B. was a fine writer; but I did not know that he was so accomplished a farmer. His address shews that he is both. I have read it not only with pleasure but with instruction: and I return you my thanks for the opportunity of doing so. Accept in addition to them my cordial regards and my best...
4From James Madison to Richard Peters, 8 September 1826 (Madison Papers)
I have received, my dear friend, with great pleasure your letter of the 1st. instant, so full of kind feelings; and with it, a copy of the Agricultural Memoirs for which I return my thanks. I have not lost my relish for the subject of them, but do not retain the activity that could spare from other claims on my time, the portion required for that. Tho’ not counting quite as many years as you...
5From James Madison to Richard Peters, 22 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your Agricultural Address in Jany. last, which I have read with much pleasure, and as always, not without finding instructive ideas. You have done very right in taking occasion to record the fact which shews that your Society is the Mother of the American family, and to present a fair view of its public services; with respect to which you might say, tho’ you will not...
6From James Madison to Richard Peters, 28 November 1824 (Madison Papers)
I return my thanks for the copy of the Agricultural Almanack, obligingly sent me. You do not fail, I see, to dispense thro’ that medium, rays of instruction on a favorite subject. I hope your good constitution, good health, & good habits, may have their full effect, in keeping you above the Horizon, for that and other enlightening services. I should have acknowledged your favor some what...
7From James Madison to Richard Peters, 15 August 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 30 ult: and trouble you with an acknowlegement of it, for the sake of thanking you, which I do very sincerely for the “Notices for a young farmer.” I do not know that there exists any where so many good lessons compressed into so small a space, and placed in so fair a light. I have read the little manual with profit, and with the gratification derived from its...
8From James Madison to Richard Peters, 22 February 1819 (Madison Papers)
I perceive that I am indebted to you for the copy of an Agricultural Almanack & Memorial, brought me by a late mail, for which I offer my thanks. Accept them also for the Copy of Mr Rawle’s Address which you have been so kind as to send me. I am particularly pleased with your scheme of a “Pattern Farm.” There is no form in which Agricultural instruction can be so successfully conveyed: nor is...