James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/04-01-02-0408

From James Madison to Richard Rush, 20 May 1819

To Richard Rush

Montpellier May 20. 1819

Dear Sir

Having written to you very lately, I only avail myself of the present opportunity furnished by Mr. Astor,1 to mention, in case of any delay or miscarriage of the letter, that yours of Decr. 13. was duly received and acknowleged. It was four months on its way, but came at length safely to hand with the books sent with it.

Mr. Astor is on a visit to Europe, and will pay his respects to you in London. Being not sure that your personal acquaintance is such as to render it superfluous, I take the occasion of introducing him to it. You will find him very intelligent and very amiable. Always & affectionately yours

James Madison

RC (NjP). Addressed by JM to Rush in London and marked “Mr. Astor.” Docketed by Rush.

1John Jacob Astor (1763–1848) was born in Baden, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1783. He made a fortune in the fur trade and invested his profits in New York City real estate. He was instrumental in floating the 1814 loan in support of the War of 1812, and after JM’s death, Astor loaned money to Dolley Payne Madison, holding a mortgage on her Washington home. At his death he was deemed the richest man in America (Mattern and Shulman, Selected Letters of Dolley Payne Madison, 323).

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