James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Edward Caffarena, [25 July 1816]

From Edward Caffarena

[25 July 1816]

Excellence,

The fervency that I have, and shall ever use for the progress of Arts & sciences particularly for the benefit of our Country (which I have the honour to represent as Vice Consul in Genoa these eleven Years passed,) Induces me to adress to Your Excellency a statue in Alabaster, representing Napoleon, when he crossed the Alps before the Battle of Marengo, which I beg Your Excellence to accept as a mark of my distinct regard.

The author of this work is Henry Causici1 scolar of the famous sculptor Canova in Rome and the same Young man has this day taken his passage on the Ship Gosport of Philadelphia with the intention to establish himself in America; I do not dare recommend him as this very same work will be sufficient to obtain Your Excellency’s Protection.

I hope Your Excellence will excuse the liberty I take, and shall in all times be happy to receive Your Excellency’s Commands. I remain with the Greatest Respect Your Excellency, Most obedt. & most Humble servant

Edward Caffarena

P. S. I take the liberty to make Your Excellency observe, that in unpacking the Box that contains the statue (which is the largest of the two) one must have particular care (in so doing) as the least accident might break it, being very delicate.

RC (DLC). In a clerk’s hand, signed by Caffarena. Undated; date assigned based on Caffarena to JM, 12 July 1817 (PJM-RS description begins David B. Mattern et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Retirement Series (3 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 2009–). description ends 1:85). Filed with this letter is a one-page shipping order, dated 27 July 1816 at Genoa, in Caffarena’s name, for two boxes containing “a Statue and a footstall in Alabaster” to be sent to JM.

1. Enrico Causici (1790–1833) emigrated to the United States in 1816 and for several years thereafter worked on the sculptures decorating the Capitol buildings (PJM-RS description begins David B. Mattern et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Retirement Series (3 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 2009–). description ends 1:85 n. 1).

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    Madison Papers
    Title
    To James Madison from Edward Caffarena, [25 July 1816]
    Author
    Caffarena, Edward
    Recipient
    Madison, James
    Date
    25 July 1816

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To James Madison from Edward Caffarena, [25 July 1816],” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/03-11-02-0247. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, Presidential Series, vol. 11, 1 May 1816–3 March 1817, ed. J. C. A. Stagg, Mary Parke Johnson, Katharine E. Harbury, and Anne Mandeville Colony. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2020, p. 239.]

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