Commission for James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, 12 January 1803
Commission for James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston
To all whom these presents shall concern,
Greeting:
Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and confidence in the Integrity, Prudence and Abilities of James Monroe, late Governor of the State of Virginia, and of Robert R. Livingston, at present the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed them the said Robert R. Livingston to be Minister Plenopotentiary, and the said James Monroe to be Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, with full power and authority to them both jointly or to either of them separately in case of the death of the other, for and in the name of the United States to confer, treat and negotiate with any person or persons duly authorized by the Government of the said Republic, of and concerning the enlargement and more effectual security of the rights and interests of the United States in the River Mississippi and in the Territories Eastward thereof, and to conclude and sign a Treaty, or Treaties, convention or Conventions thereon, transmitting the same to the President of the United States for his ratification by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
In Testimony whereof, I have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my Hand at the City of Washington, the Twelfth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and three, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the Twenty Seventh.
Th: Jefferson
RC (Archives Nationales, Paris: AE/III/222); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America”; at foot of text: “By the President,” signed by Madison as secretary of state; sealed. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, Credences); at foot of text: “A Commission similar to the foregoing, joining with Mr Monroe, Charles Pinckney Esq now Minr. Pleny. in Spain, to treat if necessary with the Spanish Govt.; was issued at the same time with the above, & of which Mr. Monroe was the bearer.”
with full power and authority: Madison sent the joint commissions—the one printed above, for Livingston and Monroe for negotiations with France, and one for Charles Pinckney and Monroe for negotiations with Spain—to Monroe at New York on 2 Mch. with other documents for Monroe to take with him to Europe (, Sec. of State Ser., 4:364, 379, 381, 395).