To James Madison from Joseph Story, 23 October 1824
From Joseph Story
Salem Massachusetts Octr 23. 1823 [1824].
Sir
I beg the honour of introducing to your acquaintance, Mr Denison,1 Mr Stanley,2 Mr Wortley3 & Mr Labouchere,4 who are about to visit Virginia, & will do me the favour of handing you this Letter. They are English Gentlemen of high rank & distinction, & the three first are members of the British Parliament. Their Object is to pass a year in travelling through the various parts of the United States, at once to gratify their curiosity, & to acquire an accurate knowlege of the Country & its Inhabitants. I persuade myself, that nothing will be more acceptable to the American People than to receive visits from gentlemen of their character; & I trust you will feel the same lively interest in them, which has been felt by all of us, who have had the happiness to be acquainted with them. I have the honour to remain With the highest respect Your most obliged Servant
Joseph Story
RC (PP-C). Docketed by JM. Incorrectly dated; conjectural year assigned based on the announcement of the arrival of these four gentlemen in the United States in the fall of 1824 (Portland, Maine, Eastern Argus, 29 Nov. 1824).
1. John Evelyn Denison (1800–1873) was a member of parliament in the House of Commons, 1823–30, 1831–37, 1841–72, and Speaker, 1857–72. He was created Viscount Ossington in 1872.
2. Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley (1799–1869) was a member of parliament in the House of Commons, 1822–1830, and 1831–44. At the death of his father in 1851, Stanley became the fourteenth Earl of Derby and thereafter sat in the House of Lords. He was three times prime minister, in 1852, 1858–59, and 1866–68.
3. John Stuart-Wortley (1801–1855) was a member of parliament in the House of Commons, 1823–32, and 1841–45. He became second Baron Wharncliffe on the death of his father in 1845.
4. Henry Labouchere (1798–1869) was a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, 1826–59, and held numerous offices under various administrations, including lord of the admiralty, master of the mint, and president of the board of trade. In 1859 he was created Baron Taunton of Taunton.