G. Thompson to James Madison, Jan. 8

I have Not Seen you for Nearly twenty five Years. I am now an Old Man and Still I am as Much in love with our beloved Country as any Man in the United States The time is Near at hand that you are to quit Publick <Life> & Col. Monroe to take the Presidential Chair I hope & believe that We <....As> Safe under him as we have been for the last Sixteen years <....> that I am Never to See you again on account of my old age for < > I wish I was able <so to do> & Once More to See you & Mr Jefferson but as I <....Undertake that> I can only Speak to You by the lines on Paper < > some Republican I never had < > my power for the good of my Country We have <...to...> in Kentucky. I believe as To Federalism or in Other Words Toryism as any State in the Union but yet we have a <...hope....> Will do Much harm but in order to Keep them from doing Mischief Keep them Out of office under the < > Which they do <Not...> Kentucky has Met with a great loss by the death of that Worthy Honest Man Judge Innes & We are Now to have a New Judge to be apponted. I have this business Much at heart I < > desire you will be addressed upon the Subject by a Number of Gentlemen of this county My son among the Number in favor of Robert Trimble Esquire that < > Gentlemen Who recommend Mr. Trimble are true republicans For My own part I believe Trimble to be Second to No Man in the Western world as a lawyer a Judge or a Gentleman. his creed as a Politician is as pure as gold I am well assured Was Numbers to do any good in this County & in this State that Nine tenths of the people Woud be in favr. of Mr Trimble being Judge I have No business < > the Federalists in this Country Not < > I < > Expect to have any Yet I have this appointment Much at heart I know the Federalists dread Trimble as Much as the British Woud Jackson So Much for politicks My Dear Sir When you become a private Man Will you Ever take it in your head to give Me a line & Say how do you do. I have as Much Need to be thankfull as any Man in this World. I have as Much of this World’s goods as Can be usefull & to Crown all My family are all true Republicans. My Son & only Child is as full blooded a Republican as I Could Wish he has a fine Wife a lovely daughter & two charming boys the Eldest son Named George Madison after his uncle our beloved George Madison late Govr. My son & his family live with Me at My Shawnee Springs I am well assured there has been No day for Nearly forty years but I have been truly Your friend Expect to Continue So till life Shall be No More I believe your Countrymen will Rejoice at Your happiness & I am Sure No one More than Dear Sir Yr. Mo. Obt & Very humble servt