James Madison Papers
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To James Madison from John Hurt, 12 May 1795

From John Hurt

Mr. Maury’s 12th. May 1795

Dear Sir,

I called at Capt. Walkers, and in the course of our conversation proposed that you should give him 100 Dollars for his horse—& that he might have the advantage of a few days to try to get more if he could. His price was 40 £—but he said he would take him to next Orange Court & if he could not get it—he would take the 100 Dollars. I afterwards examined the horse more minutely & discovered what I thought a great fault in his withers, or the upper point of his left, or near shoulder—after which I said no more about him, but left it altogether to yourself, as Capt. Walker seemed very fair in proposing to let you try him. He is not more than 9 years old, & the greatest blemish I had before discovered was in his right hind leg.

Since reflecting upon Mr. Smiths Tract of land, according to your account of it, & what I saw, I should be glad to know his price, if you can without much trouble to your self, inform me in a few days by letter. At the same time I must inform you, that if I purchase it—it must be by his agreeing to take Kentuckey land in part payment, that is, about 1000. or 1200 £ ready cash, & the ballance in Kentuckey land at one Dollar at least ⅌ Acre. My Kentuckey land was given to me by the Assembly of Virginia, & is not to be considerd in the same light with Speculators land. A letter would find me at Colo. Morris’s, for a week or two, & after that, I at present, know not where. Please to present my compliments to your lady, & the family. I am Dear Sir Your humble servant

John Hurt1

RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.

1The Reverend John Hurt (1752–1824) served as an army chaplain, 1776–83 and 1791–94. He had sent JM commentaries on David Ramsay’s History of the American Revolution and Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair’s disastrous expedition against the Indians of the Northwest Territory (DAR Patriot Index description begins National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Patriot Index (Washington, 1966). description ends , p. 358; Hurt to JM, June 1790 and 4 Jan. 1792, PJM description begins Robert A. Rutland et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Presidential Series (1 vol. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1984—). description ends , 13:233, 14:181 and nn.).

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