To James Madison from Thomas L. McKenney, 26 April 1825
From Thomas L. McKenney
Department of War
Off. In. Affairs April 26. 1825
Dear Sir,
I take the liberty of enclosing to you the National Journal of this morning. I am led to do so by the respect I entertain for you, and the gratitude I cherish for the kindness which prompted you to assign to me the conduct of the late system of In. Trade, & to which I owe, under Providence, a great variety of blessings—mingled to-be-sure with many bitter ingredients. The paper contains my notice of the “Quarterly Review,”1 and which if it shall meet your approbation will be a source of gratification to me. With my best wishes for your happiness, and that of Mrs. Madison’s, I am very Sincerely & respectfully Yr Mo. Ob. Svt.
Tho: L. McKenney
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. McKenney’s article, “The Quarterly Review—and Our Indians,” was reprinted from the National Journal in the Newburyport Herald, 6 May 1825. It took issue with the prediction of the writer in the Quarterly Review that the “miserable remnant” of Indians remaining in North America will “be swept, in the course of a few generations, from the face of the earth,” and noted recent efforts by the U.S. government to encourage them “to embrace the advantages and superior comforts of civilized life.”