Title:
James Madison Signed 1804 State Department Letter – Distribution of U.S. Laws to New Hampshire per 1795 Act – PSA/DNA Encapsulated (MINT 9 Auto Grade)

Description:
Original one-page letter from the Department of State, dated December 5, 1804, hand-signed in full by James Madison while serving as Secretary of State under President Thomas Jefferson. The letter is addressed to His Excellency John T. Gilman, Governor of New Hampshire, and discusses the official transmission of printed copies of the Laws of the United States, as required by Congressional statute.

The letter is elegantly written in a clerical hand and concluded with Madison’s full signature in dark ink. Folded for mailing and preserved with expected toning and light edge wear, the document is encapsulated and authenticated by PSA/DNA, with the signature graded MINT 9. Certification number 85602657.

Full Transcription:

Department of State
December 5th 1804

Sir,
Agreeably to an Act of Congress, entitled, “An Act for the more general promulgation of the Laws of the United States,” passed 2nd March 1795, and the Acts in addition thereto, passed on the 3rd March 1797 and on the 2nd March 1805, I have transmitted to the Collector of the Customs in Philadelphia, three hundred and ten copies of the Laws of the United States, 11th Session of Congress, being the proportion for the State of New Hampshire, with a request that he would forward them to your Excellency.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
With great respect,
Your Obedient Servant,
James Madison

His Excellency
John T. Gilman Esq.

Historical Context:
This letter directly references and complies with “An Act for the more general promulgation of the Laws of the United States,” passed by the Third U.S. Congress on March 3, 1795. That landmark law directed the Secretary of State to print and distribute official editions of U.S. federal laws including the Constitution, statutes, and treaties to state and territorial governments, ensuring uniform public access to the legal foundations of the new republic.

The act mandated that copies be printed at federal expense and disseminated in proportion to state populations. It was an essential early step toward a transparent legal system, and formed the basis for America’s tradition of publicly accessible statutory law. Follow-up acts passed in 1797 and 1805 expanded on the original mandate to include newer sessions of Congress and updated volumes.

James Madison, serving as Secretary of State from 1801 to 1809, oversaw this effort during the Jefferson administration. As the principal author of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Madison’s involvement in ensuring the public distribution of U.S. laws is especially fitting, demonstrating his enduring commitment to constitutional order and the informed consent of the governed.

The recipient, Governor John T. Gilman, was a long-serving Federalist and former Continental Congress delegate, making this letter a remarkable intersection of two pivotal early American figures committed to the implementation of federal law in the states.

Authentication & Encapsulation:

• PSA/DNA Certified Autograph: James Madison

• Grade: MINT 9 (autograph quality)

• Certification Number: 85602657

• Encapsulation: PSA/DNA tamper-evident archival holder for preservation and display

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This 1804 signed letter from James Madison, referencing a foundational act of Congress and the national distribution of U.S. laws, is a rare artifact linking constitutional theory to administrative execution. With Madison’s elegant signature, historical depth, and PSA/DNA MINT 9 certification, it offers collectors an exceptional piece of legal and presidential history—underscoring Madison’s role not only as a framer, but also as a day-to-day steward of the republic’s rule of law.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.