The documents, mostly personal and circular letters to and from him, show that US Secretary of State Madison (1751-1836) continued to be preoccupied with many of the issues of the previous five months, though foreign policy concerns rising from the Napoleonic wars were further complicated by Spain's declaration of war on Great Britain in December 1804. He also received reports of recent state elections and of rifts that were beginning to appear among Republicans as the strength of their Federalist opponents waned. The papers are thoroughly annotated. Annotation 2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
