On the Gideon edition of the Federalist - photo 1
On the Gideon edition of the Federalist - photo 2

On the Gideon edition of the Federalist

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$ 8 750
Auction dateClassic
22.04.2021 10:00UTC -04:00
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CHRISTIE'S
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USA, New York
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ID 517677
Lot 31 | On the Gideon edition of the Federalist
MADISON, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Madison") to Richard Cutts, Montpelier, 24 February 1818.

Two pages, 256 x 200mm (small tears at top margin repaired, small loss along left margin not affecting text, lightly toned at margins).

On the question of including Pacificus and Helvidius in the Gideon edition of The Federalist, the pending Judiciary Act, and woods best suited for rifle stocks. A wide-ranging letter from Madison that includes a reference to his work with Jacob Gideon who was then in the process of publishing a revised version of the Federalist that was to include Madison's corrections to the first edition. "Having been drawn into an unavoidable correspondence with Mr. Gideon on a subject of some delicacy, I have found it necessary to wind it up with the inclosed letter [not present] which I leave open for your perusal, with a request, that it may be sealed & conveyed to him. Will you be so good as to find out if you can whether the [sic] acquiesces in my opinion as to a publication of the two pamphlets in the same volumes with the Federalist; or adheres to his own. In the latter case, I may perhaps correct in mine some of the errors which happened in transcribing it, or in putting it to the Press." Gideon, who had approached Madison in in January, had asked Madison, as the last living of the three authors, to identify the author of each part. To assist, Madison sent Gideon a copy of the first edition, which not only identified the authors of each number, but also bore corrections of his writings. To further improve the volume, Madison suggested that Gideon also include the text of the Articles of Confederation--a suggestion welcomed by Gideon who added that he also planned to publish a set of dueling essays on Washington's 1793 proclamation of neutrality, with Hamilton writing in favor (under the pseudonym "Pacificus") and Madison in opposition (writing as "Helvidius"). (For the text of the letter to Gideon enclosed originally with the present letter, see Madison to Jacob Gideon, 24 February 1818,Papers of James Madison.)

Madison opens his letter on another subject: for rifle stocks. Following six terms in Congress, Madison appointed the recipient, Richard Cutts (1771-1845), superintendent of military stores. After his departure from office, Madison appears to have become involved in attempting to supply rifle and musket stocks for the federal government. He advises Cutts that his plantation manger, Abraham Eddins, had yet to receive a promised "pattern of a Rifle Stock. The information is very acceptable that the option is afforded him; and not less so that if his fund of Walnut should not hold out, it will be no disappointment to the ordnance Dept. He will soon be able to judge of this point; and to send down to Fred[ricksbur]g. his first delivery. If I am not mistaken, the Stocks will be found the best ever recd. being of the true old, field Walnut, and remarkably close grained and tough. I wish the Dept may always find a plentiful supply of such; tho’ I am at a loss to conjecture how it can well happen, and am ready to suspect, that trees of forest growth must pass under the name of old field or pasture trees. In new Countries the former only not the latter exist, and in the old settlements the latter must be so deficient or so scattered as to render an extensive supply in a manner impossible. I have a curiosity to know the sources from which the supplies are expected…" (For related correspondence on this subject, see Madison to Cutts, 27 May 1817 and 6 January 1818, Papers.)
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