To James Madison from Henry Banks, 27 October 1827
From Henry Banks
Frankfort October 27th 1827
Dear Sir
Having prepared a memorial to Congress relating to events of the revolution,1 I find it to be proper to forward copies to many characters of the revolution, and to ask statements from them, which I wish to annex in support of the memorial: for this, I have sent one to the chief justice Marshal—one to Judge Washington, and one to Col Monroe, and refer them generally to the memorial and to the certificate of Dr Ths A Taylor as to the mode of preparing their statement of facts.
Although I have known you many years, I do not think that our acquaintance commenced sooner than the year 1784, though you may have known my brother John Banks much earlier: if so, and you should prepare any statement relating to what I seek to prove you will perceive the manner of doing it by the certificate of Dr Th A Taylor which is printed in pages 32 and 33.
I am sure that Judge Marshal and Colo Monroe were personally acquainted both with my brother and myself 1780, 1, 2, & 3; and if their memories are good, I shall obtain from them what will be sufficient, but it would not have the appearance of candor and a desire of truth if I were not to make application to you; this I do in the hope that you will as soon as convenient attend to my request yrs respectfully
Henry Banks2
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Henry Banks, The Vindication of John Banks, of Virginia, against Foul Calumnies Published by Judge Johnson, of Charleston, South-Carolina, and Doctor Charles Caldwell, of Lexington, Kentucky: Also, the Vindication of General Henry Lee, of Virginia […] (Frankfort, Ky., 1826; 23602).
2. Henry Banks (1761–1836), a Richmond lawyer, merchant, and land speculator, served in the Virginia House of Delegates, 1787–88, before moving to Frankfort, Kentucky. His brother, John (ca. 1757–84), was a principal in the firm of Hunter, Banks, and Company, which held supply contracts for the Continental Army that eventually led to the firm’s bankruptcy (Boyd, Papers of Thomas Jefferson, 28:246 n.; , 5:287 n. 19).