From James Madison to David Porter, 20 July 1819
To David Porter
Montpellier July 20. 1819
Dr. Sir
I have recd the specimen of carved work in the War Club from the Pacific Ocean, which you put into the hands of my son in law.1 And I tender my sincere thanks for this mark of your polite attention. Let me add that I shall be very happy in expressing them personally at Montpr. if your occasional rambles could furnish me with an oppy. It would double the gratification to Mrs M. & myself, if Mrs. Porter could be prevailed on to take at the same time the benefit of our fine air & temperate climate.
I beg you to be assured of my great respect & that I can never cease to recollect the obligations due for the very brilliant share you have contributed to the naval glory of our Country.
Draft (DLC). David Porter (1780–1843) entered the U.S. Navy in 1798 as a midshipman and served in the Quasi-War and the war with Tripoli, rising through the ranks to a captaincy and command of the Essex in the War of 1812. JM appointed him a commissioner of the Navy Board in 1815, where he served until late 1822. He resided at Meridian Hill in Washington, D.C. He was commander of the West Indian squadron, 1823–25, and he resigned from the service in 1826 to become commander-in-chief of the Mexican navy, 1826–29. He was U.S. consul general at Algiers in 1830 and then chargé d’affaires, 1831–39, and minister to the Ottoman Empire, 1839–43.
1. JM referred here to Richard Cutts.