To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 3 October 1801
From James Madison
Orange Octobr. 3. 1801
Dear Sir
Mr. Kemble followed you on tuesday afternoon, with the despatches for Mr. Livingston & Mr. Pinkney, & I hope arrived in time to get them to N. York before the frigate could sail. By detaining him no time was lost as he was employed in making fair copies, otherwise to be made in the office, & as by reposing himself & his horse he could return the more expeditiously. The distribution of the slaves among the Legatees & the subsequent interchanges among them for the accomodation of both have consumed the whole of this week. The sales of personal estate &c. will begin on monday, & I had hoped would have ended on the same day. It is now understood that it will employ two days. I shall not lose a moment in hastening thereafter my departure & journey. The delay would give me much concern if it were not unavoidable, & if I did not flatter myself that no public inconvenience would flow from it.
With the most respectful attachment I am ever yours
James Madison
RC (DLC: Madison Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Oct. and so recorded in SJL.
Mr. Kemble: State Department clerk Hazen Kimball. He was paid 50 dollars on 23 Oct. “for going from Washington to Orange County, Virginia, with dispatches for the Secretary of State” ( , 2:155; Vol. 33:512, 513n).
Sales of Personal Estate: the sale of items from the personal estate of Madison’s father occurred on 9 Sep., 5 Oct., and 20 Nov., with a few remaining items sold in May 1802 ( , 2:155).