James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1817

From Thomas Jefferson

Monticello Feb. 16. 17.

Dear Sir

The bearer hereof, mr. George Flower, is an English gentleman farmer, was the companion of mr. Burkbeck in his journey through France, and is the person to whom the dedication of that book is addressed,1 he came over on behalf of his own family and that of mr. Burkbeck,2 to chuse a settlement for them. Having made the tour of the temperate latitudes of the US. he has purchased a settlement near Lynchburg. He came recommended to me from M. de la Fayette and M. de Lasteyrie, and is indeed worthy of all recommendation. He is well informed of men and things in England, without prejudice in their favor, and communicative. Believing you will find satisfaction & information from his conversation, I ask permission for him to make his bow to you as he passes through Washington where he proposes to rest a day or two in his progress Northwardly to embark for England. Ever affectionately & respectfully yours

Th: Jefferson

RC (CtY); FC (DLC: Jefferson Papers). RC cover addressed by Jefferson, with his note “favored by Mr. Flower.”

1Morris Birkbeck, Notes on a Journey through France, from Dieppe through Paris and Lyons, to the Pyrennees, and Back through Toulouse, in July, August, and September, 1814, Describing the Habits of the People, and the Agriculture of the Country (Philadelphia, 1815; Shaw and Shoemaker description begins R. R. Shaw and R. H. Shoemaker, comps., American Bibliography: A Preliminary Checklist for 1801–1819 (22 vols.; New York, 1958–66). description ends 34133).

2For JM’s subsequent communications with Birkbeck (1764–1825), an English agriculturalist and reformer who settled in Illinois where he established a utopian community in 1818, see PJM-RS description begins David B. Mattern et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Retirement Series (3 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 2009–). description ends 1:15 n. 1, 131–32, 158. For George Flower (1788–1862), who accompanied Birkbeck to the United States but later quarreled with him, see ibid., 132 n. 2.

Index Entries