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Item 8: Copy of a Letter by Dolley (Payne) Madison, wife, [no date], of a Letter from James Madison to Ferdinand L. Claiborne (removed to Legal Box #1), 1809 August 22

 Item — Box: 9, Folder: 8

Dates

  • Created: 1809 August 22

Creator

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Type of Material:

Letter.

Condition Note:

Good.

Measurements:

11 ⅛ in. x 8 ½ in.

Title:

N/A

Description:

The following letter is written by Dolley Payne Madison, for her husband, James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, and addressed to Ferdinand L. Claiborne, a military commander who is most recognized for his part in the Mississippi territory during the Creek War and the War of 1812. In the letter, Madison writes to Clairborne regarding the House of Representatives for the Mississippi territory. Madison is sending his considerations of the recent hearing in an approving tone, and asks that his assurances are likely met. The letter is signed by James Madison, however, an archivist note on the back of the letter states that it has the penmanship of his wife, Dolley Madison. It is believed that this item is a copy of Madison’s original letter by his wife, Dolley. The archivist note mentions that the item is incredibly rare. The Mississippi Territory is regarding the designation of its settlement following Congress’ decree in 1798. Its region was a part of Alabama until 1817, when it became an independent territory. Mississippi History Now has a more detailed description of the state's early history on their website.

Location:

Montpelier, VA

Transcription:

Sir Montpellier (sic) [Montpelier] Aug[u]st. 22. 1809 To the inclosed letter, which you will be pleased to communicate to the House of Representatives of the Mississippi Territory, I feel pleasure in adding my acknowledgements for the friendly sentiments exposed in your transmission of the address of that Body; praying you at the same time, to accept in return, assurances of my esteem and of my best wishes. James Madison Ferdinand L. Claiborne, Esq[ui]r[e].

Back: In Pencil and another hand: Handwriting of Dolley Madison (Rare)

Repository Details

Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository

Contact:
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