1To 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...
2To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d here a few days since to press on the legislature of this State a seperation of the impost from the supplel: funds. I have the most satisfactory evidence they will reject the proposition. We proceed therefore further merely to discharge our duty. Both parties are united in opposition to it. To morrow we shall be recd. by the legislature. I am sorry I came on the business. Before this...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To George Washington from James Monroe, 20 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
[In the letterpress edition this letter was erroneously identified as being from James Monroe to George Washington.] May I take the liberty of our former acquaintance to confer with you freely upon the following propositions—You seem’d satisfied with those presented to the view of Congress on friday by Colo. Grayson viz. that exports be admitted down the Missisippi to N. Orleans as an entrepot...
8To 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....
9To James Madison from James Monroe, November 1786 (Madison Papers)
As you will be on the ground or convenient to it for negotiating further engagments on the Mohawk as well as concluding that we have already enter’d into, I commit to you the papers respecting it. You will take such steps as you find necessary in both instances. We hope to see you if convenient on your way to N. York. Let me hear from you in the mean time whilst you remain where you are....
10To 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...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 12 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last I have receiv’d yours of the 9. of July. I advis’d you therein of the progress that had been made by Mister Jay in the Spanish negociation , that he had brought a project before Congress for shutting the Mississippi and not for opening it for the term of twenty five or thirty years combin’d with some commercial stipulations , the latter to be the price of the former, although...
16To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 12 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho I am persuaded you will have received the proceedings of our convention upon the plan of government submitted from Phila. yet as it is possible this may reach you sooner than other communications I herewith enclose a copy to you. These terminated as you will find in a ratification which must be consider’d; so far as a reservation of certain rights go, as conditional, with the...
17To James Madison from James Monroe, 25 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d here the evening of the day I left you & found Mrs. Monroe & the family well. They desire to be remember’d to you. I think you mention’d you had not recd. the letter I had address’d you in answer to yours before you left Phila., the last from that place. You express’d an uneasiness at failing to command such a sum, as might enable you to furnish me with the sum I advanc’d for you in...
18To James Madison from James Monroe, 2 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have lately seen Taylor—he has a right to 4,000 acres of land in an undivided tract of 40.000 which he wishes to sell & will take six shillings pr. acre, ½ at the time of concluding the bargn. & the balance 12. months afterwards. The tract is distinguish’d in the maps by the name of Funda’s patent. It lies near fort Stanwix, adjoins the river above it & runs within two miles of the Mohawk...
19To 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:...
20To James Madison from James Monroe, 7 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have been favor’d with yours covering a letter to Mr. Thomson which I shall deliver him in the morning. I am glad you have accepted the appointmt.; if the court shod. sit, wh. is only a probable event, & the arrangment we have in contempletion with respect to the Mohawk shod. succeed I shall be happy to accompany you in a trip here next summer. We have heard nothing from Mr Jay since the...
21To George Washington from James Monroe, 15 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to submit the enclos’d to your perusal. It was written before the meeting of the late Convention, but being inaccurately printed and delay’d in the press untill the week it assembled, it was for those reasons at that time suppressed. Had not the propriety of making my sentiments known upon a late occasion, suggested this mode, in that situation it would have remain’d. Having...
22To James Madison from James Monroe, 15 July 1786 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive yours from Phila. yesterday but so late that I cod. not answer it sooner. I hope you have before this recover’d from yr. fatigue, indeed I advise your prosecution of yr. journey here as soon as possible as the preferable place for that purpose. I shod. be happy you cod. give us as much of yr. time as possible here for reasons more self-interested. Of these we...
23To 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....
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To 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.
28To 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....
29To 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...
30To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 27 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I can scarcely venture on an apology for my silence for sometime past but hope notwithstanding to be forgiven. Since I left N. Yk. I have been employ’d in the discharge of duties entirely new to me, oftentimes embarrassing and of course highly interesting, but which have sought the accomplishment of only a few objects. In Octr. last I was admitted to the bar of the courts of appeal and...
31To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
My professional duties have taken me from the political scene here, so that I have it not in my power yet to give you any thing in that line of moment. On monday I shall take my seat in the house & soon become in some measure acquainted, I suppose, with the views of parties. Carrington, with whom I was in compy. a few minutes yesterday, complains of a decision of the house by which he was...
32To James Madison from James Monroe, 13 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I was favor’d with yours by Mr. Blair, and a late one covering one from Mr Jefferson a few days since. I shod. have answer’d the former sooner but defer’d it untill my arrival here whither I was at that time on the point of siting out. Mrs. M. accompanied me & will remain untill my return wh. will not be untill the adjournmt. of the Assembly. The report from Phila. hath presented an...
33To 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...
34To James Madison from James Monroe, 24 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of the 14. two or three days past. The apology is rather due from those gentn. to whom it alludes, both to you and me, for their omission, than that they have any cause of complaint. The truth is, I suspect they were more at ease with their commercl. acquaintance, than they would have been elswhere, and are happier in their escape from the attention of others, than it...
35To James Madison from James Monroe, 14 August 1786 (Madison Papers)
It has occur’d to G. & myself to propose to Congress that negotiations be carried on with Spn. upon the following principles 1. that exports be admitted thro’ the Missisippi to some free port perhaps N. Orleans, to pay there a toll to Spn. of abt. 3. pr. centm. ad valorem & to be carried thence under the regulations of Congress 2. that imports shall pass into the western country thro the ports...
36To James Madison from James Monroe, 30 August 1786 (Madison Papers)
Since my last we have been from day to day upon the business wh. engag’d us when you were here. They carried the repeal by 7. States in the Committee of the Whole & afterwards in the house. We mov’d to postpone to take into consideration the plan in conformity with the Idea I suggested to you, in which we enter’d into long reasoning upon the Secrys. project, proving if we were well founded,...
37To 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....
38To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 16 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not heard from you for several months past, the last being dated sometime previous to your removal to London. Not knowing you would have staid so long I have wrote you by every packet to France. We have now present 12. States and hope this will be the case for some time. Soon after my arrival here in the winter I suggested to you my apprehensions that the condition of the act of cession...
39To 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...
40To James Madison from James Monroe, [ca. 26] April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was favord with yours upon my return a few days since from the districts of Staunton & Charlotte ville—which will apologize for your not hearing from me sooner. The Judges, Mrs. Monroe and our child were of the party, so that you will readily suppose there was some variety in the entertainment. The arrangment of the business of the genl. court, into the districts, having not been...
41To 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...
42To 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,...
43To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
In my last I advis’d you of the point to wh. seven States had brought the business. After repealing the instruction in part, entering the repeal affirmatively, setting aside a motion requiring the sense of Congress whether the repeal was valid so as to give a new instruction by 7. States, by the previous question, & passing an order to prevent our moving it again untill they shod. have the...
44To 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...
45To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 19 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last advis’d you of the progress of Spanish negotiation. Until that time the reference of Jay’s letter to a committee was , I believe, the point at which it rested ; but to enable you to form a satisfactory opinion of the object of that letter I transcribe you only operative paragraph in it. “ I take the liberty therefore of submitting to the consideration of Congress whether it might not...
46To 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...
47To James Madison from James Monroe, 6 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have had hopes of being able to give you something from the proceedings of the Assembly of an interesting nature which might also be agreeable. But perhaps yr. wishes in this respect may not even yet be gratified. The resolutions respecting the Constitution you have long since receiv’d. In those you find no provision for the pay or priviledges of the members of the Convention. These...
48To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
It wod. have always suited me for you to pay the sum I am in advance for you in New York the last of this or the first or middle of next month as well as by any other disposition I cod. have made of it. Indeed I vision’d it to discharge some small engagments of mine wh. became due there abt. that time. My engagmt. for majr. Pinckney by wh. I am to pay 200 dolrs. here, wh. he will replace in N....
49James 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...
50To 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...