To Edward Livingston.

DR SIR,—I have received your letter of the 19th instant, in which you ask assent to the publication of my* answer to yours of April 29, 1830, inclosing a copy of your speech on Mr. Foot’s resolution. As the answer contained nothing of a confidential import, there can be no objection to that use of it, other than that the formal sanction of the writer might seem to attach more importance to the epitome of an argument previously published at some length than it could merit. It may be well, therefore, if passed to the press, to let it have as little of that appearance as possible.

The promised bust will be received by Mrs. Madison with pleasure; the greater, as she knows I shall share it with her. It will be associated, in the little group we possess, with the class which adds to other titles to commemorative distinction, appeals to the feelings of private friendship.

I thank you, sir, for the kind interest you take in my health. Since the deficient visit paid us, which we hope may be repeated in an amended form, my health has somewhat improved, but the wishes of my friends have too much influenced their estimate of it. A singular change is in an occasional relaxation of the terminating joints of my rheumatic fingers, which gives a degree of easy play to the pen in the microscopic characters of which I am giving a sample.

^* On recurring to the answer as it was copied for my files, I observe a little erratum, which vitiates the structure of a sentence, and which may be in the letter sent you. The word "is" should be erased, making it read, "The doctrine, [nullifying,] as new to me as it was to you, derives no support," &c. [See ante, p. 80.]