James Madison to William Dubourg, 21 December 1805

To William Dubourg

Washington Dcr. 21. 1805

Sir

I have duly recd. your favor of the 19th. instant. It affords me very great plea sure to learn that the dawn of my son in law’s deportment is found to be so acceptable. I was fully aware of the little progress he had made in his studies, and was the more anxious on that account, that in future he might have the aids which I doubt not he will experience under your superintendance [sic]. The advances which you have been so obliging as to make for his establishment will be remitted by an early oppy.1 I entirely approve the expedient of engaging a ⟨private?⟩; teacher of French, in order to bring him up, in that necessary part of his instruction, and will be thankful if you will have one provided. The expence will be attended in the remittance otherwise to be made.

Mrs. Madison is very sensible to the polite & friendly sentiments you express towards her, and joins ⟨in⟩; those of the high respect & esteem which I pray you to accept from Sir Your most Obedt. hble servt.

James Madison

RC (MdBS: St. Mary’s College Collection, Associated Archives, Archives of the Associated Sulpicians of the U.S.).

1. The advances made were probably those listed in the account with St. Mary’s Seminary (MdBS: Account Book, 1805–1807, St. Mary’s College Collection, Associated Archives, Archives of the Associated Sulpicians of the U.S.; 1 p.) charged to “James Madisson, Esqr., for Mr: John Todd, of Washington,” enclosed in Dubourg to JM, 19 Dec. 1805, itemizing the following expenses:

December 7	for 2 pair of sheets	$16.
	" 1 Matrass	10.
	" 1 Pillow	3.
	" 3 Blankets	7.50
	" 1 Cot	4.25	40.75
	" 3 yd blue Cloth	18.
	" 3 " brown Linen	.75
	" ¾ " black velvet	2.25
	" ⅝ " Casimer	1.56
	" Buttons Silk & Trimming	1.
J/A ⟨$⟩;/ 33./	" making a uniform coat	3.
	" making a uniform jacket	1.50
	" making a Patloon & Furnishings	2.
	" a leather Cap	1.50	31.56
	one Silver Spoon and Tumbler	12.
	a black Silk Cravat	1.
	45 yard White Linen	11.75
	making six Shirts	5.
	4 pair Woolen Stockings	2.75

	4 pair Cotton Do.	4.
	6 White percal Cravats	3.
	6 Hankerchiefs [sic]	4.50	44.
December 7	Six Months Boarding and Tuition in advance	100.
	Entrance	20.
			120.
			$236.31

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Source Project: Madison Papers
Title: James Madison to William Dubourg, 21 December 1805
Author: Madison, James
Recipient: Dubourg, William
Date: 21 December 1805

Reference

Cite as: “James Madison to William Dubourg, 21 December 1805,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-10-02-0657. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State Series, vol. 10, 1 July 1805–31 December 1805, ed. Mary A. Hackett, J. C. A. Stagg, Mary Parke Johnson, Anne Mandeville Colony, and Katherine E. Harbury. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2014, pp. 671–672.]

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