From George Washington to James Madison, 6 December 1795
To James Madison
Sunday Afternoon 6th Decr 1795
Dear Sir,
The papers, of which I was speaking to you on friday evening, are herewith sent.
In looking over Sir John Sinclair’s letter (since I spoke to you on this subject) I perceive it is to a Committee I am at liberty to communicate the extracts.1 This, however, I consider as sufficient authority to give you the perusal of them; as the project, if it can be accomplished, in this country, must be put in train. When you have read, & considered the Papers, I would thank you for their return with your sentiments thereon.2
The “Outlines of the 15th chapter &ca” I send for your acceptance, several of thes⟨e⟩ having been forwarded to me.3 With great esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your Obedt & Affecte Servt
G. Washington
ALS (matched fragments), ICHi and NjP.
1. See Sinclair to GW, 18 July (first letter), which enclosed Extracts from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Agriculture, respecting Mr. Elkington’s Mode of Draining; together with Copies of such Papers as have been communicated to the Board upon that subject (London, 1795). There Sinclair suggested that a committee might be formed to consider his Plan of an Agreement among the Powers in Europe, and the United States of America, for the Purpose of rewarding Discoveries of general Benefit to Society (London, 1795) and possibly to make a grant to Joseph Elkington.
2. The fragment from ICHi ends here.
3. GW is referring to Robert Somerville, Outlines of the Fifteenth Chapter of the Proposed General Report from the Board of Agriculture. On the Subject of Manures (London, 1795), which evidently was transmitted with Sinclair’s letters of 18 July.