To James Madison from Thomas John Gantt, 23 August 1821
From Thomas John Gantt
Charleston 23rd. August 1821
Dear Sir,
By a resolve of the 76 Association, made in consequence of their high regard for your republican principles, and gratitude for the services you have rendered the nation I send you a copy of Mr. Elliotts oration, delivered before that Society on the last 4th. of July.1 I also send you a copy of Mr. Ramsays delivered the year previous.2 I am aware that you should have recd. the latter long since, and can only say (in excuse for its not being sent) that I had not at that time the honor of being on the committee. I am with sentiments of great respect your Huml. Servt.
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Thomas Odingsell Elliott, An Oration, Delivered in St. Philip’s Church, Charleston, South-Carolina, on the Fourth of July, 1821; Before the ’76 Association (Charleston, 1821; Shoemaker 5244).
2. David Ramsay, An Address Delivered on the Fourth of July, 1820, by Appointment of the ’76 Association, and Published at Their Request (Charleston, 1820; Shoemaker 2937). JM’s copy is in the Madison Collection, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.
3. Thomas John Gantt (b. 1795) was the son of Richard Gantt, who had been clerk of the South Carolina General Assembly, 1804–15, and was associate judge of the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas, 1815–41 (Robert deTreville Lawrence, ed., “Family Bibles of Lawrence Brothers of Charleston,” South Carolina Historical Magazine 53 [1952]: 79; Edgar et al., Biographical Directory of the South Carolina House of Representatives, 4:222–23).