James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Benjamin Say, 24 November 1806

From Benjamin Say

Philada. Novemr, 24th: 1806.

My much esteemed Friend

I have the pleasure again of being seated to communicate with one, who, permit me to say, I very highly esteem; for when I had the satisfaction of your Company personally, I felt much pleasure, & derived considerable information, & have often regretted I was not nearer, that I might be indulged with frequent interviews, at such times especially, when I should not interfere with your important functions. I shall however think myself highly gratified, if I may class, amongst a respectable list of Correspondents, my worthy & dignified friend.

It seems, as if a fourth coalition was forming on the Continent of Europe, against France, the Emperor of Russia it appears has refused to ratify the Treaty made by D’Oubril1—& the King of Prussia exhibits a hostile front, & the Austrians uniting with the Russians. England was at the bottom of the late combination, & probably is stirring them up at the present moment. May our worthy & enlightened Administration, keep Us clear from their broils, as they have heretofore done; indeed, I have always been of opinion, that the cultivation of peace & harmony, is truly consistent with the republican Character, & that the World would never be permanently at peace, under any other form of Government. This is indeed a principle closely allied to my heart, for in consequence of my attachment thereto, I was deprived of my birth right, in the Religious Society in which I was educated, & very few, I believe, have made a greater sacrifice upon the Altar of Republicanism than I have, for in the fall of 1799, I was prevailed upon to stand a Candidate for a seat in the Senate of this State, it was the reign of terror, & that time that “tried Men’s Souls.”2 I then had a practice worth several thousand dollars pr. Ann. I was elected, & had to spend four months at Lancaster, & gave up all my professional business, & was one of the eleven Senators who opposed the Spartan:Band3 as they were called of thirteen, the former in favor of our present worthy President, & the latter in opposition, & my inducement to accept the Seat, & make the great dedication of pecuniary emolument, was, to do all in my power to bring in the present excellent Administration. I very sincerely & anxiously hope, that our illustrious leader will agree to be a Candidate for another period, especially at so momentous a time as the present.

Having now been out of any profitable business for some Years, I take the liberty of soliciting your patronage on my behalf. If at any time the Office of Collector of this Port should become vacant, I should be very glad of the Appointment, and would exert myself with much attention, to execute the duties thereof with honor & fidelity, and your able intercession with our worthy President on my account, in case such vacancy should happen, will be sincerely acknowledged, & ever remembered with gratitude.

Mrs. Say unites with me in respectful compliments to your worthy & much esteemed Spouse, & please accept the same Yourself, & believe me to be with every sentiment of affection Yours sincerely

Benjn. Say

N.B. I hope that your Knee is perfectly restored to health.

BS

RC (DLC).

1After France oversaw the formation of the Confederation of the Rhine, Baron Pierre d’Oubril of Russia tried to negotiate a peace with France, which he concluded on 20 July 1806. The Russian government found the terms unacceptable and refused to ratify the treaty (Édouard Driault, “The Coalition of Europe against Napoleon,” American Historical Review 24 [1919]: 608).

2“These are the times that try men’s souls” (Thomas Paine, The American Crisis [Norwich, (Conn.), (1776); Evans 43115], 1).

3This is the moniker Federalists gave the federal party, as they saw themselves standing “militantly between civilization and barbarism” (Fischer, Revolution of American Conservatism, 34).

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