Your letter of July 22. finds me in the hurry of my departure for Bedford. I return you Erving’s letter, and inclose Rankin’s petition for a pardon; as also a correspondence sent me by Lee of Bordeaux, which tho’ a little long, is entitled to a reading, as it throws light on subjects we ought to understand. I sincerely regret that mrs Madison’s situation confines her & yourself so long at Washington. I think it very unsafe for both. the climate of our quarter is really like that of another country. I have not felt one moment of disagreeable warmth since I have been at home. the thermom. has generally been, at it’s maximum from 86. down to 81. in hopes that on my return I shall learn that mrs Madison is much better, & safely moored in Orange I tender you my affectionate salutations.