From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 1 December 1785
To Ambrose Madison
Decr. 1. 1785.
Dr. Brother
As I write by Mr. Porter1 to my father I shall not repeat the news from the Assembly. I have nothing from Philada. later than my last which I sent by Mr. William Walker2 with a letter for you from the back Country put into my hands by Col. John Campbell.3 Tobo. does not command more than four dollars cash or 28/. part goods. If an oppy. offers and you can send me some fresh butter either from your own Dairy or purchased in the neighborhood, I shall be glad of it, as I lodge with Mr. Jones & breakfast at home. Some good hams from my fathers Meat House will also be acceptable as we prefer dining at home: Perhaps a waggon can be engaged to take these articles. My last suggested the propriety of your going on with the plan settled between us.4 Nothing can be done I suppose this fall: but we should be ready for the Spring. I hope Sawney is by this time fixed at Edmundson’s old place. Kentucky applied for a separation early in the Session. Her representatives seem to cool on that point. The H. of Delegates have passed a bill for repealing the 5/. on patents, and probably other measures will pass having a like tendency to satisfy them. My opinion is that a separation ought to be forwarded by the Assembly as far as decency will permit. Yrs. afly.
J. M. Jr.
RC (NN). Cover addressed in JM’s hand to “Mr. Ambrose Madison Orange favd. by Mr. Porter.”
2. William Walker, the delegate from James City County.
3. Col. John Campbell (d. 1808) moved to the Falls of the Ohio (Louisville) after the Revolution and became the keeper of public stores and magistrate for Jefferson County. He participated in the separatist movement and was active in early Kentucky politics. Campbell County is named for him. See Eckenrode, “List of the Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia,” Eighth Annual Report of the … Virginia State Library, 1910–1911, p. 81; , III, 361–62, 450, 491–92.
4. For “the plan settled between us,” see JM to Ambrose Madison, 20 Sept. 1785.