From James Madison to John Page (Abstract), 17 May 1805
§ To John Page
17 May 1805, Department of State. “Agreeably to an act of Congress intitled ‘an act for the more general promulgation of the Laws of the United States,[’] pas[s]ed 3d: March 1795, and the acts in addition thereto passed on the 2d. March 1799 and on the 27th. March 1804,1 I have forwarded to Richmond by Capt. Wm: Berry, who will deliver the same to your Excellency 1364 copies of the laws of the United States 1st. Session 8th. Congress,2 being the proportion for the State of Virginia.”3
Letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 14). 1 p.
1. For the acts regulating the distribution of the laws, see 1:443, 724–25, 2:302–3.
2. On 29 June 1805 Page replied, acknowledging receipt of JM’s letter and the copies of the laws (Vi: Executive Letterbook).
3. On 24 May 1805 JM wrote a similar letter notifying Gov. Robert Bowie of Maryland that he had “transmitted to the Collector of the Customs at Baltimore five hundred & fifty eight copies of the laws of the U: States, 1st. Session 8th. Congress, being the proportion for the State of Maryland, with a request that he would forward them to your Excellency” (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 14; 1 p.).