To James Madison from James Monroe, 9 May 1815
From James Monroe
WASHINGTON May 9. 1815.
Dear Sir
Mr Shaler intimates that the commanders of the squadrons about to sail for the medeteranean, expect some additional allowance to their pay in the navy, on account of their new office as commissioners to treat for peace, and that it may be made by a sum in gross for the expences of their table. I have conferrd with Com: Rodgers on the subject, who thinks that the claim is reasonable, and is sanction’d by the example of g Britain. He thinks however that 1000 dolrs to cash would be adequate pr annum & satisfactory. They may be subject to contingent expences as Commissrs., which would fall on themselves, or be difficult to distinguish so as to authorize being brought into an acct. Mr Dallas approves the idea. Shall I act on it.
I send with this the communication with Mr Baker.1 I shall leave this on thursday or friday, if nothing unexpected occurs to prevent it. I shall write daily till I set out, & suggest what ever occurs in the interim. With affectionate regard
Jas Monroe
RC (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Docketed by JM.
1. Monroe probably enclosed one letter to him from Anthony St. John Baker dated 4 May 1815, and two dated 8 May 1815. In the first (3 pp.; DNA: RG 59, NFL, Great Britain), Baker discussed the delayed departure of British forces from Michilimackinac, and reported that the post at Castine, Maine, was currently being evacuated. On 8 May he confirmed that the British had left Castine (1 p.; ibid.), and in a second letter, addressed British affairs at that post, Michilimackinac, and Mobile (4 pp.; ibid.). Evidently also enclosed was a copy of Monroe to Baker, 6 May 1815 (2 pp.; DNA: RG 59, Notes to Foreign Ministers and Consuls), commenting that the British failure to leave the western posts in a timely manner did not bode well for Indian relations.