James Madison to Bernard Peyton, 9 December 1835
Montpr. Decr. 9. 1835.
Dear Sir
I have recd. yours of the 27th. Ulti. Should the whole of my little stock of Coke Devon do well you can be furnished here in the spring with a pair. Should the Bull Calf fail, you can be accomodated at least, by temporary management that will give you the initiating service of a grown Bull. It is desirable, if convenient; that you should replace your lost female from another source; that being the sex most suited to the present views here.
I had the good luck to lose none of my Tobacco, & to delay cutting the mass of the Crop til it was ripe, or in a state said to make good Tobacco, the whole too was saved without being smoked. I hope therefore it will share liberally in the price you anticipate. With cordial salutations
J. M
FC (DLC); draft (DLC).