To James Madison from Richard Peters, 18 March 1810
From Richard Peters
Belmont1 March 18. 1810
Dear Sir
The enclosed contains Letters to several of the French Savans who, with great Civility, & some very profitable Attention, have corresponded with our Philadelphia Agricultural Society. I have sent Letters thro’ private Conveyances; & have Reason to believe they have miscarried, owing to the Uncertainty of such Conveyances. I take the Liberty of requesting you to have the Letter to Genl Armstrong sent with the public Despatches, when an Occasion offers. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the Officers in public Departments, to ask even this small Favour. If I have outlived most of my old Friends, I have the greater Necessity to take all Advantages of the Remnant saved. Being persuaded that this Request will give you more Pleasure than Trouble, I have with the more Confidence made it: Especially as it is of public Benefit to keep up such Reciprocations of Good-Will. I am very truly & affectionately your obedt Servt
Richard Peters2
RC (DLC).
1. Peters’s estate, Belmont, stood on the west bank of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
2. Richard Peters (1744–1828), a federal district judge for Pennsylvania, was a longstanding friend and correspondent of JM’s. He conducted experiments in scientific farming, helped to found the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture in 1785, and served as its first president.