Madison, James, 1751-1836 to Augustus B. Woodward
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.605 Author/Creator: Madison, James, 1751-1836 Place Written: Montpellier [sic] Type: Letter Date: September 11, 1824 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Unsigned. The last page(s) are missing. Per David Mattern, Papers of Madison, the letter fragment appears to be in the hand of Augustus B. Woodward, who published it (Niles Register 1841, pp. 127-28). Woodward had written observations "addressed to the individual citizen" which the writer has given a hasty perusal. The writer notes that the Virginia Constitution should not be ascribed to Jefferson; the origin, he finds with George Mason, and the Declaration of rights "was substantially from the same hand" (i.e., Mason's). He ascribes the preamble of the Va. Constitution to Jefferson. The letter breaks-off in mid-sentence. According to Dr. Mattern it ends: "with a view to correct the faults of the existing Constitution, as well as to obtain the authentic sanction of the people. Your love of truth will excuse this little tribute to it; or rather would not excuse its omission. With esteem & good wishes James Madison."
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