1James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, 28 November 1835 (Madison Papers)
Your letter on the subject of Mr. Pemberton has not passed into oblivion; but I am sensible that the lapse of time since it was received exposes it to that appearance. For my silence, I must plead my growing dislike to the pen, and the condition of my fingers, which imposes on me often, as in the present case, the unwelcome task of dictating to borrowed one’s. Though I am aware of your junior...
2James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, March 1834 (Madison Papers)
private I have recd. your favor of the 20th. Ult. with a copy of your "Public Lecture". We have read it with pleasure; and Mrs M, I believe with profit , being herself among the Amateurs of the Snuff box. The Lecture is a good medicine for the bad habits, which it paints in such warning colours. The Temperance Societies appear to have had a salutary effect, in diminishing the use of Ardent...
3James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, 21 June 1833 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 30th. Ult was duly recd. with the little volume to which it refers. The facts contained in this, are an acceptable appendix to the stock of information on a subject which has awakened much curiosity. I the less wonder at the relish shewn for such a treat as you have provided, considering the plums & the sauce you have added to the pudding. Altho’ the state of my eyes permit...
4James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, 27 May 1831 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your letter of the 9th. and with it the Vol. on the authorship of "Junius". Altho’ it found me but little at leisure & in crippled health, I felt too much respect for the writer, not to say curiosity for the subject also, not to give it an entire reading. Whether you have untied the knot at which so many ingenious hands have tugged in vain, I will not make myself a Judge. I...
5James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, 12 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd in due time, with your favor of the 14th. Ult: a copy of your Inaugural Discourse prepared in early life. I was not at leisure till within a few days, to give it a perusal; and I ought not now to hazard a critique on the merits of its Latinity. If I were ever in any degree qualified for such a task, a recollection of my long separation from classical studies would arrest my pen. I am...
6From James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, 13 July 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your friendly letter of June 30. and congratulate you on your safe return from so long a journey. The fact you confirm with respect to Genl. Hull furnishes the best apology for the imbecility which occasioned his downfal[l]; and his friends would shew more discretion in availing themselves of it, than in attempts to decorate him with artificial laurels. I am truly sorry for the...
7From James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, 27 December 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 12th. instant, and with it the “Botanist,” and the Sheets containing “Heads of a Course of Lectures.” A glance over them has satisfied me that the Volume on Botany very happily opens the door to the subject, and gives enough of an Inside view to attract curiosity, and guide investigation. From the heads selected for the Lectures, they must have embraced a...
8From James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, 22 June 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 9th. with a copy of your Lecture on Tobacco & ardent spirits. It is a powerful dissuasion from the pernicious use of such stimulants. I had read, formerly, the first Edition of the Lecture; but have read this last also, for the sake of the additions and Notes. Its foreign translations and its reaching a fifth Edition are encouraging evidences of its usefulness;...
9From James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, [ca. 16] March 1817 (Madison Papers)
On a long list of epistolary debts which I could not attend to, during the period of my public duties, is your favor containing explanations relating to “A Journal of a young man &c.” I beg leave now to thank you for that mark of your attention. The reception given by the public to the work is the best evidence of its interesting character; and a perusal of a part of it only, a sufficient one...