To James Madison from John Rhea, 17 May 1820
From John Rhea
Washington 17th. May 1820.
Sir,
I did anxiously desire to have visited You as I passed through on my way home, and had anticipated the pleasure of seeing Mrs Madison and Yourself—but some business in Tennessee requires my attention as soon as possible. The late has been a long session of Congress, and there has been some troublesome business—inclosed is a copy of a speech and of a circular letter, which please to accept.1 In the circular I have stated some opinions relative to agriculture commerce and Manufacture—which I trust will have Your approbation. I am with sincere esteem Your obt sert.
John Rhea
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Rhea enclosed a pamphlet entitled Debate on the Spanish Treaty, in the House of Representatives (Washington, 1820; Shoemaker 2996), which included a copy of his speech on the Spanish treaty given on 4 Apr. 1820, and a circular letter to his constituents, dated 8 May 1820. JM’s copy of the pamphlet is in the Madison Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress. Rhea’s speech is printed in , 16th Cong., 1st sess., 1776–81; his circular letter is printed in Cunningham, Circular Letters of Congressmen, 3:1115–21.