James Madison Papers

From James Madison to Mark Langdon Hill, 18 April 1822

To Mark Langdon Hill

Montpr. Apl. 18. 1822.

J. Madison, with his respects to Mr. Hill, returns his thanks for the copy of the Report of the Committee on Commerce.1 The Report contains much important information on an important subject, and inculcates the true principles of reciprocity which ought to regulate the intercourse of Independent Nations. Whilst the U States contend for nothing beyond these, it ought not to be expected that they will be satisfied with any thing short of them.

Draft (DLC); Tr (NjP). The Tr is docketed “Mr. Hill sent to Mr. Madison the report I drew on the Commerce and Navigation of the U.S.—and this is a copy of Mr. Madison’s letter to him—T.N.” The author of the report was Thomas Newton Jr. Minor differences between the copies have not been noted.

1Report of the Committee on Commerce to Which was referred So Much of the President’s Message as Concerns the Commercial Intercourse of the U.S. with Foreign Nations. March 15, 1822. Committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow (Washington, 1822; Shoemaker 11148).

Index Entries