James Madison Papers

From James Madison to Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, 26 December 1823

To Jeremiah Van Rensselaer

Montpellier Dcr. 26. 1823

J. Madison presents his respects to Docr. Van Rensellaer1 with thanks for his Essay on Salt.2 Without undertaking to decide on some of its ingenious speculations, he thinks it well recommended to public attention by the variety & value of the information which it comprizes.

RC (NHi). Addressed and franked by JM; postmarked Orange Court House, 30 Dec.; docketed by Van Rensselaer.

1Jeremiah Van Rensselaer (1793–1871) was a Yale-educated physician with an interest in the natural sciences. He was for many years corresponding secretary of the New York Lyceum of Natural History, and contributed articles to the American Journal of Science and Arts (Franklin Bowditch Dexter, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College with Annals of the College History [6 vols; New York, 1885–1912], 6:609–11).

2Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, An Essay on Salt, Containing Notices of Its Origin, Formation, Geological Position and Principal Localities, Embracing a Particular Description of the American Salines; With a View of Its Uses in the Arts, Manufactures and Agricultures (New York, 1823; Shoemaker description begins Richard H. Shoemaker, comp., A Checklist of American Imprints for 1820–1829 (11 vols.; New York, 1964–72). description ends 14770). JM’s copy, with an inscription to JM on the title page, is in the Madison Collection, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.

Index Entries