James Madison Papers

From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 23 November 1792

To James Madison, Sr.

Philada. Novr. 23. 92

Hond. Sir

I have sent by a Vessel just sailed a small cask of port wine—a few Glass & plate wares with some knives & forks and two or three Books for Fanny. They are addressed to Mr. Anderson. Among the Books are two translations of Telemachus.1 One was bought before that in 2 vol: which is the proper one for her use could be met with. The supernumerary one which is the best for the English reader may be disposed of. Wheat & flour have risen considerably, the latter to 41/. Pa. Cy. and the accts. from Europe of different kinds, make it probable that the market will continue good. Yr. Affe. son

Js. Madison Jr

RC (DLC). Addressed by JM, “care of Mr. Maury / Fredericksburg / Virginia,” and franked.

1In 1699 the theologian and educator François de Salignac de La Mothe Fénelon wrote Les Aventures de Télémaque, fils d’Ulysses for his pupil, the heir to the French throne. A political novel advocating limited monarchy, economic reforms, and separation of church and state, Télémaque was immediately translated into English. Fénelon was a proponent of education for women, which may explain why JM regarded Télémaque as an apt choice for his sister Fanny (Frances Taylor Madison). On the cover of Richard Clough Anderson to JM, 27 Aug. 1792, JM wrote:

“Telemaque 15/—
do.  7/6
Thomson & Lady’s Libra[r]y 12/6
35/––.”

“Thomson” was probably the Scottish poet James Thomson, whose popular The Seasons was published in several American editions. Mathew Carey published The Lady’s Pocket Library (Philadelphia, 1792; Evans description begins Charles Evans, ed., American Bibliography … 1639 … 1820 (12 vols.; Chicago, 1903–34). Roger P. Bristol, ed., Supplement to Charles Evans’ American Bibliography (Charlottesville, Va., 1970). description ends 24452).

Index Entries