1To George Washington from Major James Monroe, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon not receiving any answer to my first information and observing the enimy inclining toward your right I thought it adviseable to hang as close on them as possible—I am at present within four hundred yrds of their right—I have only about 70 men who are now fatigued much—I have taken three prisoners—If I had six horsemen I think If I co[ul]d serve you in no other way I shod in the course of...
2To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 26 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Some few days since I arriv’d here and trust I have so arranged the line of communication between us, that whatever alteration the course of events may effect in my own situation, I shall have it in my power to make it subservient to my wishes. I expected I shou’d more effectually put in execution your Excellency’s Orders by coming immediately here, the source from which Governor Nash at...
3To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 9 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kindness and attention to me in this and a variety of other instances has realy put me under such obligations to you that I fear I shall hardly ever have it in my power to repay them. But believe me in what ever situation of life the chance of fortune may place me, no circumstance can happen which will give me such pleasure or make me so happy, at present or during my progress thro’ life,...
4To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 18 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I sometime since address’d a letter to you from a small estate of mine in King George whither I had retir’d to avoid the enemy from the one I lately dispos’d of on the Potowmack river. I had then the pleasure to congratulate you on your safe retreat from Richmd. to Charlotsville and anticipated the joy yourself and family must have felt on your arrival at Montichello from which the misfortune...
5To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 1 October 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I propos’d to myself the pleasure of visiting yourself and family before this at Montichello but the prospects below and the arrival of Genl. Washington in the State induc’d me to postpone the trip of pleasure to the less agreeable one to camp upon the Idea of bearing some small part in bringing about the event we all so anxiously wish for. With this view I waited on Gov. Nelson and solicited...
6To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 6 May 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Short being just sitting out for Monticello I am happy to take the opportunity to assure you how sincerely I thank you for the late instance of your kindness and attention to me, which I particularly value as a testimony of your regard for me, and at the same time to assure you that nothing but a series of disappointments in the vessels I had appointed to sail in deprivd me of the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 11 May 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
As I so lately wrote you by Mr. Short and have since daily expected to see you here I did not propose writing you till after I should have that pleasure; but as I begin to fear you will not abate that firmness and decision which you have frequently shewn in the service of your country even upon this occasion, and as I have had an opportunity since I wrote last of being better informed of the...
8To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 28 June 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry I have had no opportunity or should have answer’d your favor by your servant sooner. Indeed should have wrote by him but was so unlucky as not to see him while in town. I have been much distress’d upon the subject of Mrs. Jefferson and have fear’d, as well from what you suggested yourself as what I have heard from others, that the report of each succeeding day would inform me she...
9To George Washington from James Monroe, 15 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will pardon the liberty I take in writing you upon a subject wh. has no relation to the publick interest when I inform you I am induc’d thereto merely from a principle of gratitude to make acknowledgment for the personal service I have recd from yr Excellency. The introduction you gave me some time since to this State, for the purpose of attaining some military appointment to place me in...
10To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 8 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I fear this will not reach you but I risque it for tis probable you may be detaind a few days at Baltimore. I take the liberty to enclose you a cypher of men and places which will perhaps in some instances form the subject of a correspondence. I beg of you to accept my most sincere acknowledgments for your kind offer. As yet I cannot possibly determine how to act but shall consult Mr. Short....
11James Monroe to Benjamin Harrison, 14 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Since our late dispatches from Mr. Adams we have received nothing from our ministers in Europe. By these we were informed of his and Mr. Jay’s arrival in London, but as Congress hath appointed neither of these Gentlemen to that court, nor directed the scene of negotiation even with that power to be chang’d from Paris, we presume their attendance there is merely on a private visit. As yet no...
12James Monroe to Benjamin Harrison, 26 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I must first apologize for not sending you a copy of the constitutions before this by assuring you that the first inquiry I made on my arrival here was to obtain one and that soon as I procure one from Phila. for which purpose I have particularly instructed Mr. Murray I will transmit it. During the winter we have had so few States on the floor that we have been able to do but little of any...
13To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 14 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope before this you have safely arriv’d in Phila. I very sensibly feel your absence not only in the solitary situation in which you have left me but upon many other accounts. What direction the delegation may take even for the short space that we shall remain here, upon the few important subjects that are before us, is to me altogether incertain. The same men still act on the same...
14To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 20 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received Mr. Hopkinsons letter enclosing from the office of finance a bill containing 506 ⅔ dolrs. which I will negotiate agreeably to your desire, pay the Intendant the sum you owe him and transmit the balance. The committee, of which I am a member, appointed to view the country around Georgeton under the Princeton engagement set out this morning upon that business. I think with you...
15To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 25 [May] 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received this moment yours of the 21st. My letter by the last post will inform you of the occasion which pointed that as the favorable moment for a trip to Georgetown and of our availing ourselves of it. Yesterday evening we return’d. Our report will be in favor of the Maryland side and of a position near the town . Upon our return we found that business had been conducted as we expected....
16To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 1 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favord with yours of the 25 by the last post with its enclosures and will pay due attention to the contents. Two points have been effected since my last, the puting the office of finance into commission and establishment of the committee of the States and appointment of the members. Each State nominated its own member and congress confirmd the preference. The committee consists of...
17To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 20 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Short I have the pleasure to forward you a more complete cypher in which we will correspond in future. He will find you I hope safely arriv’d in Paris and recoverd from the fatigues of your voyage, and situated with Miss Patsy agreeably to your wish. In my letters from Annapolis I informd you of the latter proceedings of Congress and as I addressd them to Boston hope you received them....
18To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 9 August 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you lately by Mr. Short from Richmd. He intended sailing in a few days from Warwick so that by this time or at least before this reaches you, you will have received it. I am so far on my way in performance of my trip thro’ the Lakes rivers &c. You will observe by this that I have chang’d my rout and commence for the westward here up the No. river, thence to the Lakes, thro’ the Lakes...
19To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 1 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Two days since I arrivd here after performing a tour up the north river by fort Stanwix down the wood—creek, thro’ the Oneida Ontario and (by the Niagara falls) part of Lake Erie, thence back by Niagara thro the Ontario by Carlton Island thro the St. Laurence to Montreal and from Montreal over Lake Champlain by Albany to N. York again. You find I have taken a rout different from the one I...
20To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a cypher which will put some cover on our correspondence. We have yet only 5. States, & not a man from the Eastward except Mr. Holton. There is nothing new without doors, wh. I have not communicated to the Governor &, of those within I must defer writing you, untill the next post; the present is certainly an important crisis in our affairs, but as I shall write you very fully by...
21To James Madison from James Monroe, 15 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
You recd. I hope by the last post a small cypher from me. At fort Stanwix you were necessarily acquainted with the variance which had taken place between the Indian Commissioners of the U. States , & those of New York as well as of the principles upon which they respectively acted & the extent to which they carried them: as I reach’d N. York about eight days after you had left it & the Ind:...
22To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a paper wh. will give you a state of the representation of the States, beside wh. little else hath taken place worthy yr. attention. Mr Jay is here & will I understand accept the office of foreign affrs. upon condition Congress will establish themselves at any one place. The conduct of Spn. respecting the Mississippi &ca. requires the immediate attention of Congress. The affr. is...
23To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yr. favor of the 27. of Novr. in answer to mine of the 15th. My last gave you the state of the representations here. The business of importance is still before committees or if reported not yet acted on. It seems to be the Genl. sense of Congress to appoint a minister to the Ct: of London & to give him instructions upon many subjects & particularly those wh. arise in the conduct...
24To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 14 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Upon my arrival here I wrote you and committed my letter to the care of the secretary of Congress who said he would transmit it thro Mr. Morris. I hope you have received it. It gives you a concise account of my late rout to the lakes &c. as well as some observations which I thought worthy your attention in the formation of a commercial treaty with Great Britain respecting Canada . It was late...
25To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 4th. inst. I have recd. Congress are now closely engag’d in very important business. Reports upon our affairs with G. B. Spain & our foreign affrs. in general have been presented & alternately acted on. To adjust the points of variance between us & the former Court . It seems to be the general opinion that a Minister shod. be sent there, that it would tend to conciliate the...
26To James Madison from James Monroe, 1 February 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have lately heard nothing from you nor indeed from Richmond. I shod. suspect it arose from the adjournment of the Assembly, if I did not presume, had that event taken place, I shd. been instructed to whose care I might address my letters for you in Fredericksburg or Richmond. My letters to Mr Jones have advised you of the principles upon wh. our delegation actd in the questions respecting...
27To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
The arrangment in our foreign affairs begins at length to assume some form. Upon whatever ground they were taken up for a considerable time, either with respect to France, Spn. or G. B., the same difficulties arose. If it was mov’d that Dr. Franklin be permitted agreeable to his request to retire home it was firmly oppos’d by R. Island [&] Massachussetts . If that a minister be appointed to...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 6 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 6 Apr. 1785. Introducing John Cooper of North Carolina, who intends establishing himself in commerce in London or at the Hague. He was introduced to Monroe by “the gentleman of the No. Carolina delegation and Mr. Hardy as a person of note and probity in his line.” RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; endorsed. Entered in SJL as received 23 Sep. 1785, “by W. Short.” Enclosed in John Cooper to TJ, 2 Aug....
29To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 12 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last I have received yours of the 11th. of Novr. and 10th. of Decr., the former by Col. LeMaire, from whom however I did not receive it altho’ I saw him, nor untill after his arrival nearly a month and then I believe by post from Phila. I have had the same difficulty with the cypher but from a different cause. The copy of that I sent by Mr. Short I left in Virga. when I sate out for...
30To James Madison from James Monroe, [8 May] 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. of April accompanied with the cypher I receiv’d yesterday. The appointment of Mr. Adams to the ct. of G. B. was soon afterwards succeeded by that of Mr. Jefferson to that of France. Their commns have been some time since forwarded & before this they are no doubt station’d at their respective courts. The removal of the former gave uneasiness to Mr. V[a]n. Berkell but as...
31To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 16 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By Colo. Smith secretary to the London Legation I wrote you in April last very fully upon our transactions previous to that date. I also inclos’d you the Journals that were then printed with the copy of a report upon the first paragraph of the 9th. of the articles of Confideration proposing a change in it and the absolute investment of the U.S. with the controul of commerce. I now inclose you...
32To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a copy of the journals so far as they are printed. They contain nothing you will find respecting the requisition nor the commercial interests of the Union. The former upon the report of a committee hath been frequently before Congress of late and as often recommitted, in which state it now lies. As the principal part of the debt which in other States forms a part of the present...
33To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 15 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. and Mrs. Macauly Graham I have the pleasure to transmit this. They intend immediately for the south of France and as from yours in March I had reason to suspect you intended thither I have suggested to them the probability of their meeting you in that quarter. This lady is the author of the history under her name. She hath been on a visit to Mount Vernon, hath been well receiv’d by...
34To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
Since my last a report proposing a change in the first paragraph of the 9th. of the articles of confideration hath been taken up & acted on two days in a committee of the whole. It proposes to invest Congress with power to regulate trade externally & internally. Those in favor of it were of opinion that the exercise of this power in the hands of each State, wod. be less advantageous to its...
35To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 August 1785 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 28th. of July I receiv’d by the last post. The rout from hence to Boston may be effected by stage in 5 days; to Lake George in the same time, thence to St. Johns in three perhaps less, to Montreal one, & thence to Quebec in two, but in the latter instance it must be posted. In either rout you will have no difficulty for the boats and stages are under good regulation. I have been...
36To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 15 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive yours by Mr. Adams with the cypher accompanying it and am happy to hear of the recovery of your health. I have only fail’d writing you by two of the packets the first of which sail’d before I had been advis’d she would, and the 2d. while I was ill of a pleurisy which I caught by walking in the rain to Congress and had like to have given me my final repose....
37To Thomas Jefferson from Elbridge Gerry and Others, 23 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honor of addressing this by our worthy friend, the honorable Mr. Sayre, who was formerly Sheriff of London. The active part, which at the commencement of the revolution, he took in favor of America, is, we presume, too well known to you, to require a relation: and the loss he sustained, in consequence of his opposition to the british ministry, is not less a matter of general...
38To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 25 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last nothing very material hath taken place here. I leave this meerly to inform you of my departure hence for the Indian treaty on the Ohio which will be in about two hours. The two commercial propositions are as they were. Although congress will I believe not adjourn yet , I apprehend the business of consequence will be postpon’d for the present, perhaps till the winter. There is but...
39To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d last night & found only six States present. Mr. Hancock we hear is on the road & will be with us in a few days. He accepts the chair. The conduct of the legislature, in complying with the requisition of Congress, in the opinion of all here, does the highest honor to the State, and at the same time that it evinces a regard for publick justice & a mind superior to little resentments,...
40To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. reach’d me a few days since. Mine by the last post advis’d you of my arrival here; still I am with out a colleague and the representation of the States, the same. I am perfectly satisfied that the more fully the subject is investigated, and the better the interests of the States severally are understood, the more obvious will appear the necessity of commiting to the U S....
41To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 19 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last advis’d you of my departure hence on the 24th of August last for the westward, with intention to take a view of the indian treaty to be held at the mouth of the big Miamis, and of the country lying between lake Erie, and the head waters of James or Potowk. river, with those which empty from either side into the Ohio, thence to attend the federal court on the 15. of Novr. at Wmsburg....
42To James Madison from James Monroe, 9 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the day subsequent to the adjournment of the assembly. Since my last the subject of the impost has been taken up; a report made on it some time last year was recommitted & a report being brought in to the following effect viz: that it be earnestly recommended to the States of New York & Georgia, the only States who have fail’d in some degree or other to comply with the...
43To James Madison from James Monroe, 11 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
In my last I mention’d to you, the subject of the impost was reviv’d & that a report of a Committee had given place to a motion of Mr. Pinckney, the latter being still before the house. The report, and motion with a report from the Bd. of treasury to the same effect have since been committed, in which State the business now lies. I inclose you a paper containing the report. It is doubted...
44To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 February 1786. In this letter, mentioned in JM’s letter of 19 March 1786 to Monroe , Monroe proposed a joint purchase of land in the Mohawk Valley from one Taylor. In the letter he also discussed the possibilities of reforming the Confederation and the inadequate powers of the Virginia commissioners if a convention were to undertake such a reform.
45To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 March 1786 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a copy of Mr. Jay’s publication of the correspondence between him & Mr. Littlepage revis’d and corrected. It may furnish some matter of entertainment. Jersey having taken into consideration the late requisition, the house of delegates resolv’d that having enter’d into the confederation upon terms highly disadvantageous to that State from the necessity of publick affrs. at the...
46To James Madison from James Monroe, 28 April 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 April 1786. Mentioned in JM’s letter to Monroe, 13 May 1786 , and Monroe’s letter to JM, 18 May 1786 . Related to the speculation in which Monroe purchased land in the Mohawk Valley for JM and himself. Monroe expressed an interest in taking a journey with JM to see the lands, and discussed odd appearance of two conventions sitting simultaneously with similar powers to...
47To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 11 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last I have received yours of Decr. 11th. and Jany. 27th last. Untill lately we have had so thin a Congress that few acts of consequence have pass’d, a very pointed recommendation to those States who have hitherto declined, to accede to the recommendation of respecting a revenue system only excepted. Since which R. Island and Georgia have acceded to the impost fully, so that it now...
48To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you lately but hope it hath not arisen from ill-health. Two days since we recd. dispatches from Mr. Adams in which he informs us of his demand of the surrender of the posts, & remonstrance agnst the violation of the treaty also in the instance of the negroes, with the answer of the minister to his memorial. In this answer it is stated that the King admits a violation in...
49To James Madison from James Monroe, 31 May 1786 (Madison Papers)
Since my last a letter has been recd. from Mr. Jay to the following effect “that difficulties had taken place in his negotiation with Gardoqui & requesting that a Committee be appointed with power to direct & controul the sd. negotiation .” It was immediately perciev’d that the object was to relieve him from the instruction respecting Missisipi & to get a committee to cover the measure. That...
50To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 16 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last but little hath been done in Congress. We have had generally no more than 7. States present. The only time that 9. were their time was employd upon the subject of the Connecticut cession, which ultimately was accepted; whereby she cedes all the land lying westward of a line to be drawn westward of the Pena. line parallel with the same. Our State voted against it but were in...