Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Madison, James (1751-1836) to Henry Tazewell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04373 Author/Creator: Madison, James (1751-1836) Place Written: Orange Court House, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 November 1797 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 23.1 x 16.3 cm. Order a Copy

Addressed to either Henry Tazewell or John Dawson. Written by Madison, who left the Congress in March 1797. Apologizes for not being a better correspondent. Expresses concerns for Tazewell's health because of "autumnal pestilence of your marshes." Says he has not received word from Philadelphia in quite some time. Alludes to the uncertain political situation in France. Says it is too early to understand events there and how the American public will react to them. Mentions not seeing Jefferson. Believes he is busy with his architectural work at Monticello. Asks that enclosed letters be delivered to Dawson (not included).

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Henry Tazewell was a Senator from Virginia and John Dawson was a U.S. Representative from Virginia.

Tazewell, Henry, 1753-1799
Madison, James, 1751-1836

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