From James Madison to Chester Bailey, 19 September 1826
To Chester Bailey
Sepr. 19. 1826
Dr Sir
Yrs of the 130. has just been recd.1 I sincerely regret the occasion for it, & that I can not venture to comply with its request, by fixing a time at wch. your bill agst. Cd. be discharged.2 When I authorized expectations on that subject, I was aware that circumstances might require this delay then reserved to myself and they have proved even more unfavorable than were anticipated. I must hope therefore that you will find other means that may relieve you: and that you will not doubt the pleasure I should feel in contributing to them if in my power. Of the mode of arranging the payment expected from me, I had none in view, but the ordinary one of remitting it in money. No apology was necessary for the superscription on your letter. I wish the style of it was in universal practice.
Draft (DLC).
1. Letter not found.
2. JM left a blank space in this sentence. He was referring to Bailey’s claim against John Payne Todd; see JM to Bailey, 26 Apr. 1826.