James Madison Papers
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To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 April 1815

From James Monroe

WASHINGTON april 14. 1815.

Dear Sir

I return you mr Jefferson’s letters, having shewn them to mr Dallas.1

I enclose some letters from mr Pinkney in one of which he is joined by mr Nicholson.2 As the communication is of a delicate nature, I do not wish them to be returnd here till about thursday next, as I leave town to morrow for Loudoun & may not get back till wednesday evening. When returnd, note, them as private. I see nothing to prevent the proposed trip, and it is important to my private concerns, & will be useful to my health. On my return I shall close the business of instructions for algiers, mr. Eustis & mr Adams, and then, if mrs monroe’s hea⟨lth⟩ is perfectly restord, proceed by Richmond to Albemarle. Respectfully your friend

Jas. Monroe

Genl. Ripley is here, dissatisfied with the dismission of the ct. of Enquiry in his case.3 He says that the investigation would have given an entire different view of the action which producd it, in regard to his conduct, and to that of genl. Brown. That the letter of the latter, was written, at a time when he expected the army, then under the command of the former, would have been lost, and was intended by impeaching his credit, to fix on him the blame, which was due to the writer.

I told Ripley that it had been intended to brevet him on repealing or rather recalling the order for holding the ct. of enquiry—that my removal from the dept. of war, & your absence had prevented it. I will write you further on this subject to night.

RC (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers).

1See JM to Monroe, 4 Apr. 1815, and n. 1.

2Monroe may have enclosed letters to him from William Pinkney, 30 Mar. 1815 (3 pp.; DNA: RG 94, Letters Received, filed under “Pinckney”), and Joseph H. Nicholson, 6 Apr. 1815 (1 p.; ibid.) requesting an appointment as army surgeon for the former’s son, William E. Pinkney.

3For the dismissed court of inquiry into Brig. Gen. Eleazer W Ripley’s conduct at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane and Ripley’s subsequent efforts to defend his reputation, see PJM-PS description begins Robert A. Rutland et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Presidential Series (9 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1984–). description ends 8:117 n. 3.

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