James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1805
From James Madison
Washington July 22. 1805
Dear Sir
By this Mail you will recieve the letters last received from Mr. Erving. No others have come to hand from any quarter worth troubling you with.
Mr. Gallatin left Washington the day I believe you did. I am still detained here by the situation of Mrs. M’s complaint. The Doctr. does not claim less than seven or 8 days from this time, at least, in order to render the journey safe; and her recovery has been so much more slow than he calculated that I dare not be sanguine as to the time of my departure. I am not without apprehensions that the case may be of a very serious kind. Its appearance has changed for the better, during the state of absolute rest prescribed, but does not yet resemble that denoting the ordinary course of healing.
With respectful attachment I remain always yours
James Madison
We had a fine shower yesterday, and a slight one a few days ago.
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 July and “Erving’s lre” and so recorded in SJL.
letters last received: during the spring and early summer, George W. Erving sent numerous letters, both private and official, to Madison, most related to the close of his tenure as agent for claims at London and to his temporary role as chargé d’affaires there (, 9:264-6, 283-4, 285-7, 292, 363-6, 368, 444, 448-9, 484-8).
Mrs. M’s complaint: Dolley Madison continued to suffer from an ulcerated knee (TJ to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 12 June).