From James Madison to Peter S. Du Ponceau, 10 January 1826
To Peter S. Du Ponceau
Montpellier Jany. 10. 1826
Dear Sir
On the receipt of yours of the 4th. I made search on my Book Shelves, for a copy of the printed Document to which you refer;1 but without success. And I know not that one is to be procured in this neighbourhood. From a late notice in a Newspaper of Richmond, where it was originally published, it is questionable whether a copy be attainable even there.
That you may not be altogether disappointed, I have cut from an old Magazine the sheets happening to contain what is wanted, & inclose them. It would have afforded me a double pleasure, if I could have complied in a better manner with your request in behalf of our2 great & good friend; in fulfilling whose wishes, on the smallest point, I shall always particularly gratify my own. From the terms in which he describes what he had in view, he will probably find what he will receive, of a more limited scope than he supposed.3 Mrs. Madison does not permit me to conclude without a sincere return from her of your kind remembrance. Be assured Dear Sir, of my continued esteem and cordial regard.
James Madison
RC and letterbook copy (PHi); draft (DLC). Minor differences between the copies have not been noted.
1. Here in the draft, almost certainly added at a later date, JM placed an asterisk and wrote in error in the left margin: “*The Memorial & Remonstrance on Relig. Liberty.”
2. In the letterbook copy, “your” is written in place of “our.”
3. The remainder of the letter is omitted from the draft.