From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 August 1815
To James Monroe
Aug. 10. [1815]
Dear Sir
The inclosed paper gives the report sent you yesterday in all its circumstances. It is probable that the Battle of the 18th. June terminated in a shock to B. affairs and possible that it may have been fatal. Some of the circumstances are at the same time little consistent with others, and it is possible that the substance may be a fabrication. This is certainly the case if the Bramble spoken by the Cora, left Engd. twenty days only after the 23 d. of July, as mentioned in the enclosed & several other papers: This computation brings down the inteligence [sic] from the Capt: of the B. to the 3d. July, and it is incredible that whilst reporting other things, he shd. have omitted the one in question. However the truth may be, we are on strong ground, as to principle, & I can not but believe on safe ground as to events. If there be an end of Bonaparte, the maritime jealousy of the Cont. must be a bridle on the maritime ambn. of G.B.
I have at length a letter from Mr. C.1 He will accept the War Dept., and notifies it in the best terms. He is silent as to every thing else. I suspect that he left London before the incipient steps were taken towards negociation, & that he knows nothing whatever relative to them. Yrs.
J. M.
Govr. Cass gives a favorable acct of Indian prospects in that Quarter.2
RC (DLC: Monroe Papers). Docketed by Monroe. Conjectural year assigned based on internal evidence.
2. JM probably referred to Lewis Cass’s letter of 7 July 1815 to Alexander J. Dallas (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, C-311:8; 7 pp.; printed in Territorial Papers, Michigan, 10:562–65), in which Cass stated that despite the Michigan Territory Indians’ opposition to the surveying of the Treaty of Brownstown land cession, their estimation of U.S. power would prevent them from engaging in hostilities and render them amenable to the government’s conditions for peace.