1From James Monroe to Abigail Smith Adams, 10 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I fear that the pressure of much business, and an anxiety to avail myself of a moment of leisuir, to write to Mr Adams in reply to his kind letter, made me delay it longer than I ought to have done. I now return you the letter—which he had the goodness to submit to my perusal, and with many thanks to him for it. The sentiments which it conveys do honor to the head & the heart of the author—....
2From James Monroe to Abigail Smith Adams, 3 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 28th ult. covering one to your Son the American Minister at St Petersburg. I fear it will be too late for the “Hornet” sloop of war: but I have had it put under cover to Mr Barlow and sent to the Collector of the Customs at Newyork, requesting him to forward it by the first safe conveyance With great Respect / I have the Honor to be / Madam /...
3From James Monroe to Abigail Smith Adams, 1 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
I declind answering your letter, untill I could obtain some details, which were material, in relation to its object. The interest, which you take, in favor of persons a family, with whom you are so closely connected, & with whose merit, you are so well acquainted, commands my great high respect & warm approbation, and it would give me much great satisfaction, if circumstances permitted, an...
4To John Adams from James Monroe, 15 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose to you a report of a the com: of the. 7th. on our for: relations with govts. in which the communications wh took place between the Ex: of the US. & the Br. govt., are review’d, & the a project of an act of congress, relative to seamen submitted to considerations—The object of the report seems to be and as it undoubtdly is, to place the controversy between the two...
5To John Adams from James Monroe, 10 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Since writing the letter—inclosd, to Mrs. Adams, I have conferr’d with the President on the subject of your sons return, and am authorised to state to you, that in case of peace with G Britain, the mission to London will be offer’d to him. The conduct of your son, it gives me pleasure to state, has obtaind the entire approbation of the President.—It is hoped that it will suit his convenience...
6To John Adams from James Monroe, 27 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
An accident lately occurr’d which has given me great concern. The inclosed letter was received, with many others, several from your son at St Petersburg, & laid before me in the dept. of State. I opend it, without looking at the Superscription. On reading a line or two, I perceived the error I had committed, & searching for the address found the envelopes of two letters, one addressed to you,...
7To John Adams from James Monroe, 15 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose you a copy of a report of the committee of the H. of Reps. on foreign relations, in which the communications between the Executive of the UStates & the British govt., since the war, are reviewed, and a project of an act of Congress relative to seamen submitted to consideration. The object of the report seems to be as it undoubtedly is, to place the controversy...
8To John Adams from James Monroe, 20 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to forward to you by the mail of this day, a copy of the journal of the convention, which form’d the constitution of the U States. Congress having appropriated a copy for you, one for Mr. Jefferson, and another for Mr. Madison, I have chargd myself with the execution, of so much of the resolution, as relates to each of you. This instrument–having secur’d to us and to our...
9To John Adams from James Monroe, 3 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 25. ulto. in which you are so good as to express a wish for my success in the discharge of the duties of the important & difficult office, to which I have been lately appointed by the President. For this obliging communication I beg you to accept my sincere acknowledgment. Permit me to reciprocate this friendly sentiment in your favor, & to...
10To John Adams from James Monroe, 1800 (Adams Papers)
It wod. give me great pleasure to have it in my power, on yr. arrival at the seat of govt. of this Commonwealth, to pay you the attention to wch. yr. office in titles you to . But you have in that office made an attack on me, to deny to by wch. you attempted to injure my character in the estimation of my countrymen. This attack too was the more extraordinary because it was unprovoked by me,...
11To John Adams from James Monroe, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
In the course of last year on the receipt of information from mr. Lee of Norfolk, that a Mariner from the United States Frigate Constellation, had been delivered up by a magistrate of the Borough of Norfolk to the british consul at that port and sent by him to a british island, where he was condemned and executed on a charge of being a mutineer on board the british ship of War, the Hermione, I...
12To John Adams from James Monroe, 4 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
I regret that I could not have the pleasure of seing you again before you left town, which I found that you had done, when I calld yesterday at your lodgings. I wanted to communicate more fully with you, respecting the part I ought to take, in the ceremonies of this day. It is possible you may be in town to day in which I case I may still enjoy that advantage. my particular object in sending...
13To John Adams from James Monroe, 19 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
The arrangment for the negotiations at St. Petersburg being compleated, I have the pleasure to apprize you of it, as that there will Still be time, to enable you to write to your son, by the vessel which takes his Colleagues there. The occasion was thought to be of that high importance, to require, according to the usage of our government, a special mission of three. Mr Gallatin & Mr Bayard...
14From James Madison to John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe, 4 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe. 4 December 1805, Department of State. “Inclosed is a copy of the message of the President yesterday delivered to the two houses of Congress. The importance of its contents makes it desireable that you should receive it with as little delay as possible.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IM , vol. 6); RC ( DLC : Curry Autograph Collection);...
15James Monroe’s Account of a Conversation with Thomas Jefferson, [30 November 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know what particular fact or circumstance can have given rise to the apprehension lately intimated to you by our friend, which you have been so good as to notice in yours. I will state, the what has occurr’d, between the respectable character alluded to, & me, since you were here, to enable you to judge how far there is just foundation for it. The day before I had intended to set out...
16Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 13 August 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
You have seen announced in several of our papers an intention of the Polonese nation to erect a monument near Cracow to the memory of Gen l Koscuzko , and their wish that England and the US. by joining in contributions, might give a proof of the interest they take in his character; that for this purpose, they had addressed a letter to L d Holland in Engl d
17Draft of James Monroe to Augustus John Foster, [ca. 6 March] 1812 (Madison Papers)
This letter represents the cases of the Catharine & Julian, as proofs that the Berlin & Merlin [ sic ] Decrees were in force, and repeats its call for the instrument of revocation. With respect to this repetition of this call, I refer to the superabundant explanations already given on that subject, remarking here only that whilst F. does not profess to have revoked such part of her decrees, as...
18To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, [10 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Monroe readily consents to an interview with Colo. Hamilton tomorrow at ten in the morning at his lodgings with Mr. Knox in Wall Street. He will bring whom he pleases. AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, July 3, 1797 ; H to Monroe, July 10, 1797 . Thomas Knox, a New York City merchant, lived at 46...
19To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, [20 December 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you copies of the papers requested in yrs. a few days past. That of the notes you will retain—the others you will be pleased, after transcribing, to return me. With due respect I have the honor to be yr. very humble servant Every thing you desire in the letter above mentioned shall be most strictly complied with. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This...
20Certificate by James Monroe, [16 August 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I hereby certify that it was not my intention to give any sanction to, or opinion of my own, as to the entry which bears my single signature, in the papers containing an enquiry into Colo. Hamiltons conduct, by messrs. Muhlenburg Venable & myself in 1792, but that I meant it to stand on the credit of Mr. Clingman only upon whose application the entry was made. Phila. Augt. 16. 1797. ADS ,...
21To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 17 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
It is impossible for me to trace back at this moment, occupied as I am with other concerns, all the impressions of my mind at the different periods at which the memoranda were made in the publication to which you refer in your favor of today, but I well remember that in entering the one which bears my single signature, altho’ I was surprised at the communication given, yet I neither meant to...
22To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, [4 August 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 4, 1797. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Stan V. Henkels, Jr., April 21, 1891, Item 393-H.
23To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 18 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I can only observe that in entering the note which bears my single signature I did not convey or mean to convey any opinion of my own, as to the faith which was due to it, but left it to stand on its own merits reserving to myself the right to judge of it, as upon any fact afterwards communicated according to its import & authenticity. with due respect I am Sir yr. very humble servt ALS ,...
24To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 21 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of yesterday (to use your own language) gives an indelicate and improper coloring to the topic to which it refers. I will endeavor in a few words to place the points in discussion where they ought to stand. It was never our intention other than to fulfill our duty to the publick, in our enquiry into your conduct, and with delicacy & propriety to yourself, nor have we done otherwise....
25To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 25 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your Letter of the 22d. instant by Major Jackson and have paid it the attention it merits. Always anxious to do justice to every one it would afford me pleasure could I answer it in a manner satisfactory to your feelings: but while the respect which I owe to myself forbids my replying in that harsh stile which you have adopted, that same respect with an attention to truth, according...
26To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 1 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albemarle, Virginia, January 1, 1798. In January, 1798, Hamilton wrote to Monroe and referred to “your letter of the first instant.” Letter not found. ]
27To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 31 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
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...
28To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 6 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not clearly understand the import of your letter of the 4th. instant and therefore desire an explanation of it. With this view I will give an explanation of mine which preceded it. Seeing no adequate cause by any thing in our late correspondence, why I shod. give a challenge to you, I own, it was not my intention to give or even provoke one by any thing contained in those letters. I meant...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, [16 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Monroe has the honor to inform Colo Hamilton that he arrived in this city yesterday abt. 12.—that Mr. Muhlenburg & himself are to have a meeting this morning upon the subject which concerns him, & after wh. Colo. Hamilton shall immediately hear from them. AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is document No. XXXII in the appendix to the printed version of the “Reynolds...
30To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe and Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, 17 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
It was our wish to have given a joint answer with Mr. Venable to your favor of the 5th. instant concerning the publication of the proceedings in an enquiry in which we were jointly engaged with him in 1792, respecting an affair between yourself & Mr. Reynolds & into which, from the circumstances attending it, we deemed it our duty to enquire. His departure however for Virginia precludes the...
31To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 2 December 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I requested Colo. Burr to inform you immediately after the recit of yours of augt. 9th that I was not satisfied with the explanation given by it of yr. preceding one of the 4th, since wh. my mind & time have been devoted to other objects claiming with me a priority of attention. It was not my intention to make the subject into the discussion whereof I was drawn by you upon my arrival, a...
32[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Hardy, James Madison, and James Monroe, 4 July 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 4 July 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Madison, Monroe & Hardy. Letters of recommendation for W. T. Franklin.” None of these letters has been found; but see TJ to Monroe, 5 July 1785 .]
33From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Hardy, James Madison, and James Monroe, 5 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Franklin , being about to return to America, I take the liberty of presenting him to your acquaintance. Your esteem for the character of his grandfather would have procured him a favourable reception with you: and it cannot but increase your desire to know him, when you shall be assured that his worth and qualifications give him a personal claim to it. I have taken the...
34James 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...
35James 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...
36James Monroe to George Hay, 23 May 1810 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
I called the day after the rec t of your letter on m r Jefferson and made the offer of y r services to him in the S ui t of M r Livingston in the case of the Bat ture. I saw no objection to y r
37To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 10 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Sullivan who will have the pleasure to present you this letter, intending to visit the upper part of our State, & particularly the university, having expressd a desire to be made known to you, I give him with pleasure this introduction. He is the son of gov r Sullivan of Massachusetts with whom you were probably acquainted. With great respect & sincere regard I am dear Sir your friend— MHi .
38To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 25 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My letters to Mr. Madison are so full on what concerns us, as to leave me little to add to you. I never experienc’d more difficulty in any case, than in deciding whether to hasten the negotiation with this govt. to a conclusion, & set out immediately in pursuit of the other object, or to let it take its natural course and consume a couple of months more, and pursue that object afterwards. The...
39James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 6 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
A circumstance has occurr’d with which it may be useful for you to be made acquainted , with, merely to put you on your guard. you have doubtless seen a letter publish’d in the gazettes, which is imputed to Gen l Wilkinson & said to be written from this place in 1803. to Mr Power at N. Orleans , requesting him to use the
40To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 4 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yours of 19. ulto. I rejoice that my affr. with M. is settled, since being a youth of good heart pushed on by others, I had no wish to injure him, and was satisfied he had none to injure me. In no view cod. I be benefited by a collision with him, & my only concern is respecting Giles, who I hope is satisfied with the paper furnished by Mr. Dawson. I will come up in abt. three weeks at...
41To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 3 July 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Having written you very fully three days since I have nothing to add at present to the details then given except that in an unexpected rencounter the other day the French have lost 3. ships and by the shameful misconduct of the officers commanding them or some of them. They have in consequence dismissed the Comy. of Marine which I think converts the loss of the ships into a signal victory, in...
42To 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...
43James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 7 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
During the last session of Congress the current business pressed so heavily on me, and after its adjournment, the preparation of instructions for our ministers employed under the mediation of Russia , and in other duties connected with it, kept me so constantly engaged that I have scarcely had a moment of respite since I left you. I seize one to communicate some details, which it may be...
44To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 16 June 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
The last communication of our Envoys was the last from you. By it nothing is more obvious than that France intends not to make war on us, so that our admn. has the merit exclusively of precipitating us into that state; if it exists, or takes place hereafter, of wh. there can be little doubt, if there is any of its existence, at the present time. France has been roused agnst us by the admn.,...
45James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed was written before my late visit to Albemarle , and detaind in consequence of it, to be deliverd in person, but afterwards forgotten and left here. I need not add my sincere desire that you will have the goodness to decide the question to which it relates. we have nothing from abroad, immediately, concerning our own affairs; and no new light as to the result, of the great battles,...
46James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The minister of Russia , Count Pahlen & his brother , having intimated their intention to make you a visit at Monticello , I have taken the liberty to give them this introduction. The publick character of these respectable foreigners, would, I well know, secure them your kind reception, & friendly attention, but you will be gratified to know that they have high claims from personal merit. RC (...
47To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 1 June 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I intended to have called on you to day, and had actually set out, but have been compelld to return, by the rain, & still more serious menacing. I shall avail myself of some early occasion. I send the bearer, to enquire, after the state of your health, & that of your family—with my best wishes & great respect MHi .
48James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you by this days mail, the documents of greatest interest , which have been presented to Congress during the present Session. on our concerns with Spain we have nothing new, & little reason to expect a minister here from that country, during the Session, m r Vivas , said to have been appointed some months ago, being under quarantine, within a few leagues of Madrid , in consequence of...
49To 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...
50To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 3 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My St. Croix friends have mentioned that it might reach you, that a Mr. Durant would be more acceptable there as Mr. Yards successor than any other person. The enclosed letter respects the pretensions of another Gentleman for another place and which I have thought expedient to submit to your inspection. Sincerely I am yr. affectionate friend & servt RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 2...