Description:

James Madison
Montpelier, VA, June 1829 (ca. June 20, 1829)
James Madison 3rd Person ALS Subscribing to "American Quarterly Review," Which Helped the Ex-President Stay Informed About Current Affairs
ALS

An autograph letter signed in the third person by former 4th U.S. President James Madison (1751-1836) as "J. Madison" at top. June 1829 (ca. June 20, 1829). Written at Montpelier, Madison's ancestral home and plantation, in Montpelier Station, Virginia. Inscribed on a sheet of watermarked paper, with two clerical annotations, one along the top edge and one below Madison's message. Expected flattened transmittal folds, even toning, and scattered minor foxing. Isolated chips along the top and right edge, else near fine. 7.75" x 9.875."

Madison writes in full:

"J. Madison, with his respects, incloses five dollars due for the 'American Quarterly Review.'

Montpelier June 1829

Mess.rs Carey Lea + Carey."

James Madison had left the White House over a decade earlier, in 1817, but that did not preclude the ex-president from staying informed about current affairs. Though retired and in retreat at his Neo-Classical brick mansion at Montpelier, Madison still served in an advisory capacity to sitting President Andrew Jackson, and remained cordial with Washington's leading statesmen. Madison also stayed active in academic settings and in state politics. Between 1826-1836, Madison served as college chancellor at the University of Virginia. In 1829, the 78-year-old Madison served as a delegate at the Virginia Constitutional Convention, which was tasked with revising the commonwealth's constitution, in session between October 1829 and January 1830. Madison no doubt kept intellectually stimulated by extensive reading; the "American Quarterly Review" would have provided such stimulation.

One of the clerical notes on Madison's letter, "Entd: 3rd year," indicates that Madison had been a subscriber to the "American Quarterly Review" since its launch in 1827. Madison's subscription renewal in June 1829 gave him access to all of the essays contained in the "American Quarterly Review," Vol. 5, March & June 1829, no. IX-X, as well as any subsequent issues. The Table of Contents of 1829's first two issues includes such essays and articles as: (No. IX) I. "Egyptian Architecture"; IV. "The Law of Libel"; VIII: "Darby's View of the United States"; and (No. X): I. "Discoveries in Central Africa"; III. "Astronomy of Laplace"; VII. "History of Pennsylvania"; VIII. "Female Biography"; and X. "Russia, System of Geography." In short, the "American Quarterly Review" offered its readers highly polished articles exploring poetry, literature, philosophy, politics, science, history, medicine, geography, astronomy, culture, biography, and current affairs.

The "American Quarterly Review" was edited by Robert Walsh, Jr. (1751-1836) and published by Carey, Lea & Carey of Chestnut Street, Philadelphia between 1827-1837. This was Walsh's second attempt at magazine editing; his "The American Review of History and Politics and General Repository of Literature and State Papers" - the first American quarterly magazine, modeled after highly successful British quarterlies - was published between 1811-1812. Walsh's "American Quarterly Review" proved more successful. It was published in March, June, September, and December of each year. The inaugural issue assures its readers that each quarterly issue will run about 250 pages in length and will cost $5 per year.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 9.875"
  • Medium: ALS

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