Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources
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To JAMES MADISON

    Sunday Morning [February 20, 1790].

    My dear Sir: I return Mr. Jefferson's letter28 with thanks for the perusal of it. I am glad he has resolved to accept the appointment of Secretary of State, but sorry it is so repugnant to his own inclinations, that it is done. 29

[Note:To Madison of February 14. This letter is in the Madison Papers in the Library of Congress. ]
[Note:The text is from the sales catalogue of the Washington-Madison Papers , McGuire Collection. 1892. (See Washington's letter to Thomas Jefferson, Jan. 21, 1790. ante .)

   On February 20 Lear sent to the Chief Justice the petition of Mrs. Hammond, wife of Cant. Thomas Hammond, of New York City, who had been captured by a British frigate and imprisoned in St. Jago, "requesting that you will (as matters of this nature have hitherto come under your consideration) give your opinion to the President upon this subject respecting the steps which he should take in it. As the wife and friends of Captain Hammond are in great distress, a speedy operation, if any thing is to be done in the case will be peculiarly grateful to them." Lear's letter is recorded in the "Letter Book" in the Washington Papers . ]