Madison, James (1751-1836) to Major Dana
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #:
GLC05910
Author/Creator:
Madison, James (1751-1836)
Place Written:
s.l.
Type:
Autograph letter signed
Date:
12 September 1819
Pagination:
1 p. : address : free frank ; 25.4 x 20.1 cm. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 25.7 x 17 cm
Order a Copy
Former President Madison answers an inquiry regarding employment prospects in Virginia: "The motives you assign for your letter, among which is a sense of duty to your parents, are entitled to respect. But I cannot encourage you to seek a fulfilment of them in this quarter. The modes of husbandry here are very different from those to which you are accustomed; and the labour is generally preformed by negroes whom a stranger would not advantageously superintend. I can only wish you therefore a better prospect of success elsewhere." Madison possibly writes from Montpelier, his Virginia estate. 1 black and white bust engraving of Madison included.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.