1To James Madison from Jacob Read, 29 August 1785 (Madison Papers)
An opinion prevails in South Carolina that the principal holders of Slaves in your State wish to divest themselves of that kind of property and that tollerable good purchases might be made on good Security being given for payments by Instalments with a regular discharge of the Interest. Under the Impression of this opinion the Honle: Mr; J: Rutledge of So. Carolina has addressed a Letter to me...