I have recd. your favour of March 30th. accompanied by two sets of pamphlets, for which I tender my thanks. That which—relates to the views of a particular party during the period from 1803 to the close of the last war necessarily invites the recollections of the Agents to observers of public affairs, among whom both of us are numbered.

On the other subject, that of constitutional Reforms, the lights of experience, such as you impart, must allways merit attention & it will be well for the States who are latest in performing the Task, not to loose sigh[sic] of the advantage which that circumstan[ce] gives them. There is a pritty general concurrence here as to the chief defects in the Constitution which is about to be revised. I wish there may be an equal one in the proper remedies. I hope at least that every thing tending to undermine the general Constitution will be avoided with the same care which guards agt. encroachments on the reserved Authorities of the States.

Mrs Madison did not need a mimento of her former acquaintance with you, though she had forgotten her observation, whether just or not, which is retained by your better recollections. She joins me in friendly respects, & in all the good wishes, which I pray you to accept.