To James Madison from Michael Smith, [ca. 8 August 1815]
From Michael Smith
[ca. 8 August 1815]
Dear Sir
Pardon this liberty—My name is Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, came from the province of upper Canada Since the war with my little family by obtaining a passport. I live in Richmond, am a Minister of the gospel in the Baptist church, am on a tour of Preaching, was at a meeting-house near your Brother’s on Sabbath, who invited me home with him.1 I there expressed a disire to visite you and your mother, who, I lear[n] is religious. Mr. Madison intimated that my visit would not be disagreeable to you. I am to Preach at the new meeting-house in the vicinity on Sabbath, and have come to see you with my family, hoping it will not be an intrusion, as you ha⟨ve⟩ now a vacation from public buisness. I am with much esteem yours
M. Smith
RC (DLC). Undated; conjectural date assigned based on evidence in n. 1.
1. According to the account given in Smith’s Narrative of the Sufferings in Upper Canada ( 42142), William Madison extended this invitation on 6 Aug. 1815, and Smith proceeded to Montpelier no sooner than two days later (106–8). He had introduced himself and his travails to JM in a 30 Jan. 1814 letter ( 7:249–52).