To James Madison from James Monroe, 28 February 1806
From James Monroe
London Feby 28. 1806.
Dear Sir
A bill wh. has been presented before the house of Reps. has produc’d much sensation here;1 I cannot say any thing positive as to the effect, as the principle of the bill seems to find no support in the country among the people. On the presumption that a particular measure alluded to in mine of the 2d. by Captn. Tompkins, had taken place, I was desirous that a certain other one shod. be taken illustrative of the motive in respect to me. But as it does not appear to have been taken, I feel no personal motive for it; and as I do not see in the present state of things as hinted in my publick letter, that the publick interest will certainly be aided by it, I shall be glad that that measure (the last one) be not taken. I write you in great haste & can therefore only add that I am yr friend & servt
Jas. Monroe
P.S. The Presidents message of the 17th. ulto. in connection with the first one,2 places the affr on proper ground. They make a sufficient case with this govt. in the eyes of the world, & mingling at the present moment a spirit of conciliation towards those now in power, the ultimate result had I think better be left dependant on what is done here.
RC (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers); FC (DLC: Monroe Papers); letterpress copy of RC (DNA: RG 59, DD, Great Britain, vol. 12).
1. Written in the margin of the RC in an unidentified hand is a note: “This must be Wright’s Bill.” For Robert Wright’s bill for the protection of seamen, which was printed in the 26 Feb. 1806 London Times, see Elbridge Gerry to JM, 19 Feb. 1806 and n. 4.
2. For Jefferson’s 17 Jan. 1806 message to Congress about British depredations on American commerce and his 3 Dec. 1805 annual message, see , 8:416–17, 384–96.