VI. To Charlotte, Queen of Great Britain, 20 April 1803
VI. To Charlotte, Queen of Great Britain
Madam our Good Friend
I have named Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to your Royal consort. My knowledge of his good qualities gives me full confidence that he will so conduct himself, as to merit your esteem. I pray therefore, that you yield entire credence to the assurances, which he will bear to you of our friendship; and that God may always have you, Madam, our Good friend, in his holy keeping.
Written at the City of Washington the Twentieth of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and three.
Th: Jefferson
Tripl (PHC); in a clerk’s hand except signatures; at head of text: “(Triplicate)”; below signature: “By the President,” followed by Madison’s signature as secretary of state; with seal of the United States; addressed: “To Our Good Friend The Queen of England.” RC (Sotheby’s Catalogue, Item No. 276, New York City, 25 Nov. 1997); in a clerk’s hand except signatures; with seal. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, Credences); in a clerk’s hand, with Monroe’s name inserted in blank.
Charlotte (1744–1818) married George III in 1761, when she was a princess of the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Although the letter printed above was addressed to her as the queen of England, as of 1 Jan. 1801 she was queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (; John Ehrman, The Younger Pitt: The Consuming Struggle [London, 1996], 194).