To James Madison from William Macon, 14 June 1809
From William Macon
Hanover, June 14. 1809.
Dear Sir
Your Sister Macon1 had not an Opportunity of seeing me ’till I had disposed of part of my bacon hams. The 47. that ware left, was Carefully packed in two Casks and sent to Mr. Hatcher in Richmond from whome I Recd. paymt. They are generally large and all of the best quality. I wish they may git to hand in good order.
If this bacon should please, and you should Choose to be supplyed from me next year it is probable that I may furnish you with 8 or 10 doz. hams. There is an Insect Called a Skipper that is very troublesome, and most apt to git in good soft bacon. My Method is to keep it hung up in a dry Vessel, and once a fortnight during the hott season to have it examined, by this means I never loose any. I am wth. much Esteem Dr Sir yr. Mt. H. Servt
W Macon
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM as being from Thomas Macon, then altered to read “Macon Wm.”
1. JM’s sister Sarah Catlett Madison Macon was married to Thomas Macon. Their home, Somerset, was “just across Blue Run from Montpelier on the road to Charlottesville” (Ketcham, James Madison, p. 371).