From James Madison to Joseph E. Sprague, 5 September 1826
To Joseph E. Sprague
Montpellier Sepr. 5. [1826]
J. M. presents his respects to Mr. Sprague1 with many thanks for the “Eulogy on John Adams & Ths. Jefferson”2 politely sent him. He has read it with the double pleasure afforded by its interesting matter & by the eloquence which makes it the more interesting.
Draft (DLC). Year not indicated; conjectural year assigned based on the publication of Sprague’s pamphlet (see n. 2 below).
1. Joseph E. Sprague (1782–1852) was born Joseph Sprague Stearns but changed his name at the behest of his maternal grandfather. Sprague graduated from Harvard College in 1804 and then practiced law. An enthusiastic Democratic Republican, he served as U.S. marshal during the Jefferson administrations; as Salem postmaster, 1815–29; and at various times in the Massachusetts state legislature. Sprague was high sheriff of Essex County from 1830 until 1851 (Harriet S. Tapley, “Dr. William Stearns, Merchant and Apothecary, with Some Account of the Sprague Family,” Essex Institute Historical Collections 64 [1928]: 17, 18–19).
2. Joseph E. Sprague, An Eulogy on John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, Pronounced August 10, 1826, at the Request of the Town of Salem (Salem, Mass., 1826; 26117).