To James Madison from James Monroe and William Pinkney, 25 July 1806
From James Monroe and William Pinkney
London July 25th. 1806
Sir
You will have been surprised at not hearing from us sooner on the business confided to us under the commission with which we are honored by the President. The delay proceeded from a desire to give you some satisfactory information of our progress in it, which it was not in our power to do. It happen’d1 unfortunately just about the time of mr. Pinkney’s arrival on the 24th. ulto., that mr Fox was taken ill of a dropsical complaint, from which he has not yet recovered & probably never will. That circumstance opposed to us a serious obstacle, which it was difficult to surmount, even in the first stage. As mr. Fox was the official organ of the government, we could not approach it in that mode thro’ any other channel; and as he and his friends are believed to be favorably disposed to the objects of our mission, and are strong in the cabinet, it seemed to be hazardous to make any experiment for that purpose, which might have a tendency to irritate them. Thus we were kept for some time at a stand. Every necessary step was taken with the department of foreign affairs without making any advance. At length thro’ the good offices of Lord Holland, to whom as the relative of Mr. Fox we presumed we might apply without giving offence to him or his friends, we obtained our recognition of the King. And we trust, now that the door is open that we shall soon2 be able to proceed in the business on which we have to treat, with some suitable organ of the government. We persuade ourselves if Mr. Fox should continue unable to act, that some other person will be appointed to meet us in his stead. We have the pleasure to enclose you a copy of the several notes which have passed in this introductory stage of the business.3
Our audience of the King took place on the 21. instant. The reception was quite a favorable one. To the assurances which we gave of the friendly policy of the UStates towards G. Britain, as particularly exemplified by the present mission, His majesty in return,4 expressed himself to be highly satisfied with the proof which that measure gave of that disposition, in their government, as that mr Pinkney had been selected5 from among their citizens to be employed in it. His other remarks tho’ not applicable to the topick of existing differences, were nevertheless of a conciliating and friendly character.
We beg you to be assured that we shall continue to exert our best efforts to accomplish the important objects of our mission. Of the actual disposition of this government on that subject, and of the prospect of a satisfactory adjustment, it is not in our power to speak, from any recent occurrence. The general view, as founded on the sentiments which have been expressed, by those abt. the government, with whom we have conferr’d, is favorable. We cannot but believe, that the delay to which we were subjected in obtaining our recognition of the King, ought to be attributed to Mr Fox’s indisposition alone. It is however proper to mention that a negotiation with France is still depending, & that many entertain the expectation that it will terminate in peace. We are not aware that such an event is likely soon to happen; and we flatter ourselves, even in case it should, that the motive for preserving a good understanding with the UStates in the present situation of the world, is otherwise sufficiently strong with this government to induce it, to accede to a fair and satisfactory adjustment of differences with them.
We have received your letter of May 30th.6 and shall not fail to pay due attention to the instruction it communicates. We have the honor to be with great consideration & esteem yr. very obt. servants
Jas. Monroe
Wm. Pinkney
RC, two copies, and enclosure, two copies (DNA: RG 233, President’s Messages, 10A–D1; and DNA: RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Foreign Relations, 10B–B1); RC (NjP: Pinkney Papers); FC (MB). First RC in Monroe’s hand, signed by Monroe and Pinkney; docketed by Wagner as received 23 Sept. Second RC marked “Duplicate.” Third RC marked “No. 1.” FC in Pinkney’s hand; marked “original by Mr Gamble to norfolk. Duplicate by Ship —— from London” and “written by Mr. Monroe.” For enclosure, see n. 3.
1. FC has “appeared.”
2. FC omits “soon.”
3. The enclosure (11 pp.; docketed by Wagner; printed in , Foreign Relations, 3:128–30) reproduced Monroe’s correspondence with Charles James Fox and Sir Francis Vincent from 21 to 27 June 1806, informing Fox of William Pinkney’s arrival and attempting to set an appointment to introduce Pinkney, which was prevented by Fox’s illness; Fox to Monroe and Pinkney, 15 July 1806, asking them to meet him at his house that afternoon; notes from Vincent to Monroe, 15 and 21 July 1806, promising that the commissioners could be presented to George III the following Monday, and then postponing the event until the following week; and Monroe’s correspondence with Lords Holland, Spencer, and Howick, 20 and 21 July 1806, making arrangements for the presentation to take place the latter day. A note appended to the copied correspondence explained that Monroe and Pinkney had gone to Fox’s house on 15 July, as requested, but had not seen him because he was too ill; and that when Vincent wrote his letter of 21 July he was unaware of the other plans for the presentation, which were facilitated by Monroe and Pinkney’s having dined with Holland the previous day.
4. Third RC omits “in return.”
5. Second and third RCs and FC have “selected by the President.”