Sold – Madison Pays For Books Ordered From Scientist, Inventor, Historian, H. Gates Spafford

Later in life Madison was often in financial straights, but he still wanted to keep up his library. He bought some publications from a friend, New York scientist, inventor and historian, H. Gates Spafford. On May 10, 1825, Spafford wrote Madison about his plan to write, “A History of the Canals of New York.” Spaffard added, “In compliance with a request at the close of thy Letter, ’Drop me a line, saying what I am in your debt, & how I may remit payment,’ I answer by mail, at my risk. I sent thee, 10 Mo. 25, 1824, agreeably to direction, (except that I sent by mail) 1 copy Gazetteer NewYork, $ 3.00, & 1 Pocket Guide, 50 cents. Thou wilt recollect that I sent thee, by thy direction, 2 copies of my former Gazetteer, which were not paid for, & may now be, or not, as thou choose: the price of those was 5 dollars.”

Autograph Letter Signed, July 22, 1825, responding to Spafford, sending his check for the books. “I have delayed answering yours of May 10 in the hope of finding a private conveyance; having experienced in several instances a miscarriage of such remittances by the mail. Seeing now little chance of any other opportunity, I commit to that hazard a bank note of $10, which will discharge the debt, and make up for the delay.” At bottom he adds “of Bank of Virginia No. 8428 date June 9 1821.”