Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 February 1783

To James Madison

Baltimore Feb. 14. 1783.

Dear Sir

Patsy putting the inclosed into my hands obliges me to make a separate letter of it, that while I give it the protection of your address I may yet pay it’s postage. I suspect by the superscription (which I saw before Majr. Franks amended it) and by what I know of Patsy’s hierogliphical writing that Miss Polly must get an interpreter from Egypt. Be so good as to remind the ladies and gentlemen of the house of my affection for them. I am particularly obliged to Mr. Carrol for an introduction to his relation near this, with whom I have been able to pass agreeably some of my heavy hours. I shall write to E. Randolph on the subject of his going into the legislature and use my interest to promote it. I hope you will be there too when you can no longer be in any more important place. I am with sincere esteem Dr Sir Your friend & servt,

Th: Jefferson

RC (DLC: Madison Papers). Enclosure (missing): Letter from Martha Jefferson to Polly Floyd (see Madison to TJ, 18 Feb.).

Miss Polly was the daughter of William Floyd, a member of Congress from New York who had served steadfastly from 1774 with the exception of one year; he had entered the Revolution as a man of wealth, but emerged with his estate in ruin. TJ had known him since 1775 (DAB description begins Dictionary of American Biography description ends ). Mr. Carrol was Daniel Carroll, a member of Congress from Maryland; Carroll’s letter of introduction has not been found nor has the relation to whom it was addressed been identified. TJ’s promised letter to Randolph is that of 15 Feb. 1783.

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