Details
MADISON, JAMES, President. Autograph letter signed ("James Madison") as Secretary of State, to William Jarvis, U.S. Consul in Lisbon, Portugal; Washington, D.C., 1 November 1805. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, address leaf with panel in Madison's hand, small seal hole, light dampstain along one edge.
WINE, CROPS, DOLLEY'S HEALTH AND PROBLEMS WITH EUROPE
Madison thanks Jarvis for forwarding wine and other European goods and comments on the importance of the forthcoming session of Congress, where the conduct of "different European nations" (particularly Great Britain) is likely to be debated. James and Dolley had spent much of the summer and fall in Philadelphia so that Dolley could be treated for a tumor by Dr. Philip Physick [no shit, his real name] of the University of Pennsylvania. Madison, during this period, was devoting himself to the writing of his pamphlet, Examination of the British Doctrine, Which Subjects to Capture a Neutral Trade Not Open in Time of Peace, advocating a strong American response to the British seizure of non-neutral vessels on the high seas. Madison was the most vehement of Jefferson's cabinet members in pressing for an embargo. "Having just rec[eive]d notice of the proposed visit of Mr. Smith to Madrid thro' Lisbon I avail myself of the opportunity to thank you for your kind attention to the wine, and for the extras on their way for Mr. Madison. The two papers are arrived. Having just returned to this place, after a long detention at Philad[elphi]a by the situation of Mrs. [Dolley] M[adison]'s health at length happily restored, I have not yet broached them, or even tasted the samples.... The tiles[?] are not yet presented. They will be duly honored. Cong[res]s do not meet this year till Dec[emb]er. Their session will involve important topics growing out of the conduct of different nations of Europe towards this Country. For the current information at home, I refer to a few newspapers enclosed. Our Seasons throughout this present year have been somewhat irregular, but have given crops of wheat liberal in quantity and almost without example in excellence of quality. The crops of Maiz are diminished on the whole rather deficient. In Penn[sylvani]a, Maryland & New Jersey very short indeed...."
WINE, CROPS, DOLLEY'S HEALTH AND PROBLEMS WITH EUROPE
Madison thanks Jarvis for forwarding wine and other European goods and comments on the importance of the forthcoming session of Congress, where the conduct of "different European nations" (particularly Great Britain) is likely to be debated. James and Dolley had spent much of the summer and fall in Philadelphia so that Dolley could be treated for a tumor by Dr. Philip Physick [no shit, his real name] of the University of Pennsylvania. Madison, during this period, was devoting himself to the writing of his pamphlet, Examination of the British Doctrine, Which Subjects to Capture a Neutral Trade Not Open in Time of Peace, advocating a strong American response to the British seizure of non-neutral vessels on the high seas. Madison was the most vehement of Jefferson's cabinet members in pressing for an embargo. "Having just rec[eive]d notice of the proposed visit of Mr. Smith to Madrid thro' Lisbon I avail myself of the opportunity to thank you for your kind attention to the wine, and for the extras on their way for Mr. Madison. The two papers are arrived. Having just returned to this place, after a long detention at Philad[elphi]a by the situation of Mrs. [Dolley] M[adison]'s health at length happily restored, I have not yet broached them, or even tasted the samples.... The tiles[?] are not yet presented. They will be duly honored. Cong[res]s do not meet this year till Dec[emb]er. Their session will involve important topics growing out of the conduct of different nations of Europe towards this Country. For the current information at home, I refer to a few newspapers enclosed. Our Seasons throughout this present year have been somewhat irregular, but have given crops of wheat liberal in quantity and almost without example in excellence of quality. The crops of Maiz are diminished on the whole rather deficient. In Penn[sylvani]a, Maryland & New Jersey very short indeed...."