To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 3 September 1799
From Samuel Stanhope Smith
Septr. 3d. ’99
Dear Sir,
In answer to your favour of the 25th Aug: permit me to address to you a copy of a circular letter1 which I have prepared to answer such inquiries as you have been good enough to make in the name of your friend. The young gentlemen from the Southward are chiefly culpable in the expences of clothing & horses.
I am happy to hear of your health—but should be more pleased if the circumstances of our country were such as to induce you to return into public life. I am Dr Sir, Yr. Mo. obdt. & hble. servt.
Saml S Smith.
RC (DLC). Addressed by Smith to JM “near Orange Court House.” Docketed by JM. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. Smith enclosed a printed circular (DLC: Madison Collection, Rare Book Division; dated and signed by Smith; docketed by JM) detailing the expenses of education at the College of New Jersey at Princeton, of which Smith was president. The essential points mentioned in the circular were repeated by Smith in his letter to JM of 28 Nov. 1799.