James Madison Papers

From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 11 February] 1790

To Thomas Jefferson

[ca. 11 February 1790]

Dear Sir

By the last mail I acknowledged the receipt of your favor of the 9th. Ult: and hazarded a few remarks on the subject of that of Sepr. last from Paris.

The newspapers forwarded by me from time to time will have exhibited something of the complexion of the politics here, particularly as they relate to the public debt. On this subject the H. of Reps. is at this moment deliberating. All that can be gathered from the sentiments disclosed, is that a great variety will be found in them.

Mrs. Greene has been disappointed in receiving no late accts. from her son in Paris, and I have been requested in her behalf, to enquire whether you can in any manner relieve her anxieties.1 If this should get to hand time eno’ before you mean to set out for this place, I will thank you for an answer to the enquiry.

Every one who mentions the subject of your appointment to me, seems to have much solicitude for your undertaking it, as well as that the benefit of your services may be enjoyed as soon as possible. Yrs. mo: affectly

Js. Madison Jr

RC (DLC). Docketed by Jefferson, “recd. Mar. 6.” JM later added “1790.” Though undated, the letter was written at some time between JM’s 4 Feb. letter, which JM had sent “by the last mail,” and that of 14 Feb.

1Catharine Greene was the widow of Gen. Nathanael Greene. Her son, George Washington Greene, had been sent to Paris in 1788 to be educated under Lafayette’s direction (Boyd, Papers of Jefferson description begins Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (19 vols. to date; Princeton, 1950—). description ends , XIII, 156, 157 n., 172, 348).

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