Mr. Wirt having suggested to me that he thought the explanations in my case of the Batture, respecting the Nile & Missisipi not sufficiently clear, and that the authority cited respecting the Nile might be urged against me, I have endeavored, by a Note,1 to state their analogies more clearly. Being a shred of the argument I put into your hands I inclose it to you with a request, after perusal, to put it under cover to mr. Gallatin, the argument itself having, I presume, gone on. Mr. Irving will be with you tomorrow. I shall set out for Bedford the next day, to be absent probably about three weeks. You shall know when I return in the hope of having the pleasure of seeing you here. Affectionate salutations to mrs. Madison & yourself.