101From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have already, in a letter by the last British packet given you a hint of the sensation produced in Mr. & Mrs. Merry, by a circumstance of Etiquette. I had supposed that it would yield to the proofs of respect & cordiality which would be experienced by them, from all in & about the Government, and to the explanations which would be superadded. I find however that the case is to be transmitted...
102From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I write you by Mr. Baring, who will also take charge of full instructions on the subject of a Convention with G. B for putting an end to impressments &c: It is of great importance to the harmony of the two Countries that the project should not entirely fail. There is not time to forward by this opportunity instructions relative to Madrid. They will probably soon follow. In the mean time, you...
103From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive the instructions in pursuance of which you are to propose and negotiate a convention between the United States and Great Britain, on the subject of impressments and other matters interesting to the two nations; and for which this letter with your commission of Minister Plenipotentiary to his Britannic Majesty will be your authority. I have the honor to be, Sir, With...
104From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 8 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A confidential opportunity offering by mr Baring, I can venture to write to you with less reserve than common conveyances admit. the 150 livres you paid to mr Chas for me shall be replaced in the hands of mr Lewis your manager here, with thanks to you for honoring what you had no reason to doubt was a just claim on me. I do not know him personally or any otherwise than by his history of our...
105From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
The information and observations which you have as yet received from me since your arrival in London, on the impressment of our seamen, and other violations of our rights, have been in private letters only. The delay in making these injuries the subject of official communications, proceeded first from an expectation that the British Government would have notified formally to the United States,...
106From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have recd I believe all your letters public and private down to that of October 22, written merely to say that all continued well. I have taken due care of the communications on the subject of your . Every thing seems to be well understood on this side the water. I can not say more now as I write of necessity without cypher. Mr. Merry has been with us some time. He appears to be an amiable...
107From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
You must be already acquainted with many of the circumstances respecting the purchase made in France by General Ira Allen of a quantity of Arms and field pieces which on their passage to the United States were captured towards the close of the year 1796 by the British Ship of War Audacious. General Allen having requested a recommendation of his interest to your patronage, I the more readily...
108From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
The case committed to the care of Mr. Erving in the inclosed letter (which I beg you to hand to him) being marked with very peculiar circumstances, I have thought it expedient also to request your advice to him and even your own direct interposition if you are encouraged to expect a suitable effect from it. Mr. McElwee, the father of the impressed young man, feeling with just sensibility the...
109From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have received from you letters of the following dates written after your arrival in London, viz the 19th 20th & 26th July, the 11 & 15th August. I have the pleasure to inform you that the Treaty for Louisiana has been ratified in form, and is now before both Houses, for the Legislative provisions necessary with respect to the Stock, to taking possession, and to Governing the Country. There...
110From James Madison to James Monroe, 10 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
Finding that [ sic ] Mr. Purveyance within reach of a few lines, I add these to what he is already charged with, to observe that Yrujo has written another remonstrance agst. our acquisition of Louisiana, alledging as a further objection that France by not obtaining the stipulated acknowledgmts. of the King of Etruria from the courts of Petersburg & London had a defective title herself to the...
111From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I returned to this City on the 24th. The President arrived the day after. General Dearbourn was here before. Messrs. Gallatin & Smith are daily expected. We have reassembled a little earlier after our full vacation than usual, in order to be the more prepared for the earlier meeting of Congress. The last letter recd. from you was of the 11th. of Augst by Mr. Baring who forwardd. that with the...
112From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have recieved your several letters down to Augt. 11th. The considerations on which you declined proceeding to Madrid have all the weight with the president which you allowed to them . It is accordingly his instruction that you remain at London notwithstanding my letter of July 29. until the contrary be signified to you, or until you shall find in a change of circumstances a clear invitation...
113From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 21 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is mr Robert Carter, one of the sons of Colo. Charles Carter of Shirley, whose person & character are so well known to you that nothing on that subject need be said. the son is a character of great respectability, has passed some time at Philadelphia in the study of medecine & surgery, & now goes to London, Edinburgh & Paris to pursue the same studies. apprehensive that in...
114From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I recd your favor of by Mr. Hughs, the bearer of the public dispatches from you & Mr L. The purchase of Louisiana in its full extent, tho’ not contemplated is received with warm, & in a manner universal approbation. The uses to which it may be turned, render it a truly noble acquisition. Under prudent management it may be made to do much good as well as to prevent much evil. By lessening the...
115From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 29 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your dispatches including the Treaty and two Conventions signed with a French Plenipotentiary on the 30th of April were safely delivered on the 14th by Mr. Hughes, to whose care you had committed them. In concurring with the disposition of the French Government to treat for the whole of Louisiana although the western part of it was not embraced by your powers you were justified by the solid...
116From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
The communications by Mr. Hughes including the Treaty and conventions signed with the French Government were safely delivered on the 14th. instant. Inclosed is a copy [of] a letter written in consequence of them to Mr. Livingston and yourself. On the presumption which accords with the information given by Mr. Hughes that you will have proceeded to Madrid in pursuance of the instructions of the...
117From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters to Apl. 19. have been recd. The dawn of your negociations has given much pleasure and much expectation . We wait with anxiety your next despatches, which will probably disclose the precise prospect if not the result in form . The crisis as seen here has been auspicious and I am persuaded that you will have seised [ sic ] and pushed its advantages . The purchase of the
118From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 5 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
1400. 621. 1410. 327. 251. 569. 1402. 640. 146. 1486. 1445. 956. 530. 43. 954. 1399. 1006. 1436. 1379 1576. 1372. 1501. 1436. 981. 167. 996. 548. 604. 805. 809. 1046. 377. 1401. 1513. 1274. 1067. 1440. 569. 663. 981. 818. 1443. 270. 1315. 1440. 627. 1310. 219. 179. 1337. 520. 1440. 1225. 271. 569. 1549. 925. 1153. 569. 341. 801. 1501. 126. 1550. 94. 352. 879. 569. 177. 1507. 1042. 1102. 439....
119From James Madison to James Monroe, 31 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 9th. April, which gave us the first notice of your arrival in France. The moment of it, according to the posture of things between the two great rival powers as represented by our Ministers, must have been peculiarly critical. The information cited from King in my public letter marks the source from which the British cabinet begins to take counsel on subjects...
120From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 28 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of April 18th the tenor of our information from France and Great Britain renders a war between those powers in the highest degree probable. It may be inferred at the same time from the information given by Mr. Livingston and Mr. King that the importance of the United States is rising fast in the estimation both of the French and British cabinets and that Louisiana is as...
121From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I commit to your care the inclosed letters & papers for Genl. Fayette which are left open for your perusal. We have just recd. the Message of his B. Majesty which is represented as the signal of a certain rupture with France. From the positions taken by the parties, both diplomatic & military, such an event seems scarcely avoidable. I hope we shall be wise enough to shun their follies, and...
122From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will receive with this all the communications claimed by the actual & eventual posture of our affairs in the hands of yourself & Mr. Livingston. You will find also that the Spanish Govt. has pretty promptly corrected the wrong done by its Officer at N. Orleans. This event will be a heavy blow to the clamorors for war, and will be very soothing to those immediately interested in the trade...
123From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 18 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
A month having elapsed since the departure of M Monroe it may be presumed that by the time this reaches you communications will have passed with the French government sufficiently explaining its views towards the United States and preparing the way for the ulterior instructions which the President thinks proper should now be given. In case a conventional arrangement with France should have...
124From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 18 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
The reasonable and friendly views with which you have been instructed by the President to enter into negociations with the French Government justify him in expecting from them an issue favorable to the tranquillity and to the useful relations between the two Countries. It is not forgotten however that these views, instead of being reciprocal, may find, on the part of France, a temper adverse...
125From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
The chart from which the enclosed was copied is contained in a collection made for the Department of State by Arrowsmith of London. The soundings and other minute circumstances, relative to the northern coast of the Bay of Mexico and the Islands situated in it, have induced the belief that it may prove serviceable to you. With very great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obed....
126From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 2 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive a Commission and letters of Credence, one of you as Minister Plenipotentiary, the other as Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, to treat with the Government of the French Republic, on the Subject of the Mississipi, and the Territories Eastward thereof, and without the limits of the United States. The object in view is to procure by just and satisfactory...
127From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive two Commissions, with the Correspondent Instructions, in which you are associated as Minister Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to the French Republic and to his Catholic Majesty; together with the respective letters of Credence to those Governments. The allowance for this service will be a salary, at the rate of Nine thousand dollars a year. The general rule which...
128From James Madison to Charles Pinckney and James Monroe, 2 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will be herewith furnished with a joint Commission to treat with His Catholic Majesty, and with a letter of credence to him. For the object of the Commission and as a guide to your negotiations, I refer you to the instructions given in relation to the French Government. Whatever portion of the arrangements contemplated may be found to depend not on the French, but on the Spanish...
129From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since you left us we have no further intelligence from N. Orleans, except a letter dated Jany 20 from the vice Consular agent there, from which it appears that the letters to the Govr. & Intendant from the Spanish Minister here, had arrived abt. the 13th. and had not on the 20th. produced the desired change in the state of things. The delay however does not seem to have been viewed by the...
130From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 1 March] 1803 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed came under cover of one to me from Mr. Coleman. The final communications to you will be put into the mail tomorrow, and will get to N Y. on sunday. Our utmost exertions could not send them off by this evenings mail. The bill before Congs. which is to be forwarded to you, required some formalities; and it passed a day or two ago only. Yrs affly. RC ( DLC ). Signature clipped....
131From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed herewith is the Cypher you are to carry with you. I send it apart from the despatches, because I shall put a few words in them into Cypher. The despatches will probably go off on wednesday morning, or thursday at farthest. They have been delayed by the slowness of Congs. in passing the law for which they waited. I recd. last evening yours of the 22d. & expect to hear further from you...
132From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 25 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you another letter for mr Cepede keeper of the National cabinet. I have not superscribed the titles of the gentlemen on my letters, because I know them not. perhaps some apology may be necessary for this omission. Congress having passed the two million bill , you will recieve by this mail your last dispatches. others will follow you about the 2d. week of April, before which time I...
133From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 13 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I dropped you a line on the 10th. informing you of a nomination I had made of you to the Senate, and yesterday I inclosed you their approbation not then having time to write. the agitation of the public mind on occasion of the late suspension of our right of deposit at N. Orleans is extreme. in the Western country it is natural and grounded on honest motives. in the seaports it proceeds from a...
134Commission for James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, 12 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
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...
135From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 12 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The mail is closing just as the inclosed is put into my hands. tomorrow we shall write to you fully. Adieu. PrC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “James Monroe”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Enclosure: Resolutions of the Senate, 12 Jan., agreeing to Monroe’s appointments as minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary to France and Spain (see TJ to Monroe, 13 Jan. ; JEP Journal of the Executive...
136From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 10 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have but a moment to inform you that the fever into which the Western mind is thrown by the affair at N. Orleans stimulated by the mercantile, & generally the federal interest, threatens to overbear our peace. in this situation we are obliged to call on you for a temporary sacrifice of yourself, to prevent this greatest of evils in the present prosperous tide of our affairs. I shall tomorrow...
137From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 11 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
S. T. Mason arrived here yesterday. I had immediately a conversation with him on the resignation he had meditated. he finally promised to serve again if reelected, and that he would write to you to say so for him. lest he should delay it, I drop you this line, but you must not name me as the channel because of the ground it furnishes our enemies for clamour. accept assurances of my constant &...
138From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 November 1802, Department of State, Washington. “I beg the favor of you to insert Mr. christian name, in the enclosed commission, to send it to him and inform me of the name you shall insert.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. Left blank in letterbook. This was probably James Nimms. In a 2 Dec. 1802 note to JM, Jefferson wrote: “Mr. Nimms the Commr. of bkrptcy appointed for...
139From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 24 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On reciept of your letter of June 11. in answer to mine of June 3. I wrote to mr King our minister at the court of London, a letter, the copy of which I now inclose you. I trusted we had then time enough to have recieved an answer before the ensuing meeting of the legislature of Virginia. but he probably left England on a visit to the continent a little before the reciept of that letter. as...
140From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 17 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Commissioners of Bankruptcy. Richmond: George Hay. declined. George Tucker appointed in his place Wm. Duval. George W. Smith. Benjamin Hatcher. declined. Norfolk Lytleton W. Tazewell. declined Richard Evers Lee. Moses Myers. declined Thomas Blanchard. Th: Jefferson to Govr. Monroe. You will see by the above Statement that we are still in want of one Commr. of bankruptcy at Richmd. or...
141From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 3 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Reynolds , collector of York, is dead, and Wm. Carey of that place is recommended very strongly by mr Shields. tho’ I have great confidence in mr Shields’s recommendation, yet as the best men some times see characters thro’ the false medium of friendship I pray you to make what enquiry you can in Richmond & communicate it to me. Accept assurances of my constant & affectionate esteem & respect....
142From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 2 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have rode to your house yesterday to speak with you on the subject of your note of the preceding day, but that it rendered it doubtful whether you would not be gone to Richmond. The claim of Maryland to the South branch is under the words of her charter which granted to the meridian ‘ primi fontis fluminis de Potomac ,’ the word primus, there meaning principal or most remote source,...
143From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 2 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return mr Clarke’s & Shee’s letters inclosed in your’s of yesterday. mr Clarke’s object is to save 6. cents a stock. this is proper for him as an economical manager. but you & I must see of what other aspects it is susceptible. the US. have gun stocks for sale . they are to suspend the sale & lend them to the state of Virginia, that she may return them in kind afterwards with a saving to...
144From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 20 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved lately a letter from Genl. Lawson solliciting a charity which he desired me to send through your hands. I had yielded last year to an application of the same nature from him and although I think his habits & conduct render him less entitled to it than many others on whom it might be bestowed, yet ( pour la derniere fois ) I inclose for him 30. Dollars which I must ask you to apply...
145From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 17 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
After writing you on the 15th. I turned to my letter file to see what letters I had written to Callender & found them to have been of the dates of 1798. Oct. 11. & 1799. Sep. 6. & Oct. 6. but on looking for the letters they were not in their places nor to be found. on recollection I believe I sent them to you a year or two ago. if you have them, I shall be glad to recieve them at Monticello...
146From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 15 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. has been duly recieved. I am really mortified at the base ingratitude of Callender. it presents human nature in a hideous form: it gives me concern because I percieve that relief, which was afforded him on mere motives of charity, may be viewed under the aspect of employing him as a writer. When the Political progress of Britain first appeared in this country, it was in...
147From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 26 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
We are waiting for your recommendation of Commissioners of bankruptcy for Norfolk. Moses Myers & Richd. Evers Lee have been proposed by some. mr Arthur Lee has been thought of. say frankly if any of them are proper or improper. Littleton W. Tazewell if he would accept would make an excellent one: but I believe he lives in or near Williamsburg.—I propose to be at Monticello during Aug. and...
148From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 3 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe that the resolution of the legislature of Virginia , of Jan. 23. in desiring us to look out for some proper place to which insurgent negroes may be sent, expresses a preference of the continent of Africa, or some of the Spanish or Portuguese settlements in S. America: in which preference, & especially as to the former I entirely concur. on looking towards Africa for our object, the...
149From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 9 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here yesterday & shall stay here a fortnight only. on my return to Washington I shall have to appoint Commissioners of bankruptcy for the several states. in this I propose to appoint 4. for Richmond & Manchester, and 4. for Norfolk. do you think those of Richmond could serve for Petersburg, or had I better appoint 4. there also. I wish 2. to be lawyers & 2. merchants, tho they might...
150From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 31 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 21st. is duly recieved. Chisolm is now engaged in running up for me 20. brick pilasters to my offices, which take about 4000. bricks, and I remember it was very doubtful whether we had that number. but if there be as many over it as you need, they are at your service, and I will give orders accordingly by the next post. I expect to be there myself within 10. days after the rising...