Beschreibung:

MADISON, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Madison") to George A. Otis, Montpellier, 29 December 1820. 2 pages, 4to, tape repairs to folds on second page . MORE FROM MADISON ON BOTTA'S HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE CHANGING NATURE OF HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE. Madison follows up his 3 July 1820 letter to Otis on the English translations of Botta's history of the American Revolution (see previous lot). He thanks Otis for sending the second volume of his planned three-volume translation saying: "Of the original work the high character seems to be sufficiently established. And as far as a limited examination of your version will warrant, I cheerfully concur in the judgment that it is entitled to all the encouragement which I hope you are receiving. The style of a translation can rarely observe at once the exact fidelity due to the original, and all the elegance of which the translator's language is susceptible. This remark is made merely in reference to the difficulties you have to encounter, and not to imply that you have not adequately surmounted them." Madison also clarifies an earlier comment about Botta's perspective on the Revolution as a foreigner: "The remark you cite from my former letter was not prompted by any particular instance of a failure in Mr. Botta to do justice to our country; but by the general probability of errors which he could not easily escape, and which might be ascertained among ourselves. The probability in this case is the greater as new lights on important measures of the revolution must from time to time be brought forth, from sources not opened at the date of his work, or not then known to him." Madison closes by advising that his letter is not for publication but that Otis may make whatever private use he thinks fit in terms of promoting subscriptions.