To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 31 July 1797
From James Monroe1
Phila. July 31. 1797.
Sir
Your letter of the 28th which I have recd. claims a short answer.
I have always stated to you that I had no wish to do you a personal injury. The several explanations wh. I have made accorded with truth & my ideas of propriety. Therefore I need not repeat them.
If these do not yield you satisfaction I can give no other, unless called on in a way which always for the illustration of truth, I wish to avoid, but which I am ever ready to meet. This is what I meant by that part of my letter2 which you say you do not understand.3 With due respect I am
Yr. humble servt
Jas. Monroe
ALS, Hamilon Papers, Library of Congress; two copies, in H’s handwriting, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. This letter is document No. XLIX in the appendix to the printed version of the “Reynolds Pamphlet,” August 25, 1797. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, July 3, 1797. See also Monroe to H, July 17, 18, 20, 21, 25, 1797; H to Monroe, July 17, 18, 20, 22, 28, 1797; William Jackson to H, July 24, 25, 31, 1797.
3. At the end of one of the copies of this letter H wrote: “The sequel of this correspondence is unnecessary to the present purpose.”