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Madison, James, Jr. (1751-1836) to Mrs. Trist re: draft of letter opposing Constitution, political news

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06560 Author/Creator: Madison, James, Jr. (1751-1836) Place Written: New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1788/01/27 Pagination: 2 p. + addr Order a Copy

Also mentions the election of Cyrus Griffen as president of Congress and Thomas Jefferson's opinion of the Marchioness. (Losses on page 1 affecting text.)

New York Jany. 27. 1788. Yours of the 23d. instant by Mr. Joy has been delivered to me; but I have not yet been to Thank him for it. I have had a cold which made me extremely hoarse, but did not otherwise affect me much. At present I am clear even of that inconvenience. I hope this will find you equally recovered from your indisposition. I have not made a trial of my French with the Marchioness yet, though I have seen her twice; nor shall I venture to do so. She s[text loss] tle of our language, and in that a sort of conversation [text loss] up. Mr. Jefferson speaks of her as goodness itself; and [text loss] fully repay him. She is extremely plain in her dress a[nd] [man]-ners, and [inserted above: cannot] fail when she becomes more familiar with our language to be agreeable to every body. Her person is very small, [text loss] features are or perhaps have been pretty. We have had a [text loss] -gress since Monday last. The Newspapers will have pro [text loss] Mr. C. Griffin as President. Your friend Col. Wadsworth [text loss] -ber and has been here about a week. I have not yet se[text loss] L. M.'s publication of which you gave so flattering an [ac-]count. It is impossible I think that he can be a very formidable [ad]-versary to the Constitution; though he will certainly be a very noisy one. I had a letter a few days ago from Mr. Randolph. He [text loss] [2] and said nothing as to Mrs. Randolph's being otherwise. I expected another letter by the mail of Saturday but it is not yet arrived. As yet the new team of Riders is less punctual than the Stages were. [strike out] I do not find however that any of my letters miscarry altogether. Should it be the fate of this the loss will not be very great to you.
Adieu Js Madison Jr.
Mr. Duane is at present attending at Poughkeepsy [sic] as a member [text loss] Legislature.
[docket:]
Mrs. Trist
Philadelphia

Madison, James, 1751-1836

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