Madison, James, fourth President

Autograph letter signed ("James Madison"), 1 page (8 3/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 239 x 200 mm), Montpellier, 22 January 1822, to Henry Schoolcraft in Albany; integral address leaf inlaid to a larger sheet, neat repairs to small tears and to seal hole on integral address leaf bearing Madison's franking signature.

Observations on Schoolcraft's "Memoirs on the fossil Tree." Madison acknowledges receipt of Schoolcraft's just published, Memoir on the Geological Position of a Fossil Tree discovered in the secondary rocks on the River Des Plaines read before The American Geological Society (Albany, 1822). The former President makes these observations: " . . .The present is a very inquisitive age, and its researches of late have been ardently directed to the primitive composition and Structure of our Globe, . . . and to the process by which succeeding changes have been produced. The discoveries already made are encouraging; but vast room is left for the industry & sagacity of Geologists. This is sufficiently shewn by the opposite Theories which have been espoused; one of them regarding water, the other fire, as the great Agent employed by Nature in her work. It may well be expected that this hemisphere, which has been least explored, will yield its full proportion of materials toward a satisfactory system." To the pioneering geologist and ethnologist to whom he writes, Madison waxes profound: "Your zealous efforts to share in the contributions do credit to your love of truth & devotion to the cause of Science. And I wish they may be rewarded with the success they promise, and with all the personal gratifications to which they entitle you."