To James Madison from Charles J. Nourse, 22 November 1823
From Charles J. Nourse
Washington City. Nov 22 1823.
Dear Sir:
When I had the pleasure of seeing you in the Spring I think you mentioned that you were without the Seckel pear which is esteemed as the most delicious fruit of that kind.
I lately selected a few of them at a nursery near Philada. which are now on their way by water to this place.
Will you do me the favor to say to whose address at Fredericks burgh I shall forward them in order to their reaching you.
Mrs. Nourse & her sisters as well as Mr. Morris beg to be presented most kindly to Mrs. Madison & yourself. With the greatest respect I remain Yr Mt Obed Srt
Chs. J Nourse1
RC (DLC).
1. Charles Josephus Nourse (1786–1851), a veteran of the War of 1812, who rose to the rank of major and assistant adjutant general in 1814, and who served as acting adjutant general from 1822 to 1825, married Rebecca Morris, daughter of Anthony Morris, in 1816. He resigned from the army in 1827 to become chief clerk in the War Department and held that position until 1829. Nourse lived at his plantation Highlands near Washington, D.C. (Louise Pecquet du Bellet, Some Prominent Virginia Families [4 vols.; Lynchburg, Va., 1907], 4:110; , 1:753).