Jedidiah Morse to James Madison, 28 February 1792
From Jedidiah Morse
Charlestown Feby. 28th. 1792
Sir,
The sales of the first Editn. of my Geogy. being completed, I expect to put to press a second in the course of the Spring. A wish to render it as accurate & unexceptionable as possible, induces me Sir, to use the freedom to enclose you my former Acct. of Virginia, & to request you to be at the pains to peruse it with your pen, & note such corrections, & suggest such hints as you may think proper. It is impossible for an individual to be acquainted personally with all the changes & improvements, whh are continually making in the different States. The remarks of your colleagues would also be acceptable.
I hope, sir, the nature of my request will induce you to excuse the liberty I have taken in sollicking your assistance; & your compliance will confer a great obligation on, Sir, your very respectful & obdt servt
Jedh Morse1
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Jedidiah Morse, a Congregationalist clergyman of Massachusetts, was a historian, a prominent Federalist, and the father of Samuel F. B. Morse. His American Geography (Elizabethtown, N.J., 1789; 21978) and American Universal Geography (2 vols.; Boston, 1793; 25847) were popular works that went into several editions. JM consulted Morse’s American Geography when preparing his Notes on Navigation and Trade, ca. 13 May 1790 (, XIII, 199, 201, 203 n. 7).

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