James Madison Papers

From James Madison to Henry Lee, 29 January 1792

To Henry Lee

Phila. Jan. 29th 1792

My Dear sir

Mr. Marshall called last evening with your favor of the 17th. but not being at home, I have not yet seen him.

Our weather here corresponds with that you describe, except perhaps we have less snow and more cold. The snow is 7 or 8 Inches only. Farther North, as well as South, it is said to be much deeper. The Subject of Western defence is not yet over. In relation to it, I have nothing to add to the communications in my last. You will see in Freneau’s paper of tomorrow morning the justifying Memorial of the Executive against the charge of neglecting the requisite pacific measures.1

Your ideas of reformation in the Western System appear to me to be just in every point on which I can presume to judge. I wish they may occur to those who can give them due effect. Yrs always Most Sincerely

Js Madison jr

Tr (DLC). Written on verso of Tr, JM to Henry Lee, 18 Dec. 1791.

1Secretary Knox’s lengthy statement: “The Causes of the existing Hostilities between the UNITED STATES, and certain Tribes of INDIANS Northwest of the Ohio …” (National Gazette, 30 Jan. 1792).

Index Entries