1James Madison to C. Fenimore Williston, 13 May 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. sir your letter of the 6th. I know of no propositions to codify the laws of the United States, or of any particular state on the plan of Mr. Bentham other than those made by Mr B himself. Most of the states have doubtless revised their laws, with a view to their general improvement, and adaptation of them to the change of Government by the Declaration of Independence—such were the...
2James Madison to C. Fenimore Williston, 19 March 1836 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir your letter of the 9th. and am sorry that I cannot give you the information it requests; nor can I refer to the source from which it may be most conveniently & successfully sought. I do not possess a Copy of the printed Correspondence between Mr. B* & myself on the subject of his proposed "Codification for the U. S." nor even the original manuscript of my part of it for which...