James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-02-02-0295

From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 October 1801

To James Monroe

Washington Ocr. 24. 1801

Dear Sir

I have your two favors of the 11 & 15. instant. The letter inclosed in the first is returned, Mr. Livingston having sailed before it could reach N. Y. and the letter for which it was to be substituted, having before gone on to him. The letter inclosed in the latter is also inclosed, with a note at the bottom of it by the President which will serve for an answer. We think the best mode of procuring a Sword for the heir of Genl. C.1 will be for you to write to Mr. Livingston authorising him to draw on you or on any fund which you may constitute, a sum adequate to the object, leaving the fashion of the Sword to his taste, and giving a limit of price not to be exceeded. I should suppose fifty or 60 Crowns would afford room eno’ for the artist, in a case Which is to be rated not according to the intrinsic value of the thing, but by the occasion of the present. In this mode the precise sum laid out will be drawn for & remitted.

We have little news from abroad more than the Newspapers give, except that the negociation for settling the difficulties under the 6th. article of the B. Treaty is in a fair way to issue in the conversion of their vague claims into a round sum, and that some other points in Controversy are also likely to be arranged. The Spaniards in seizing our vessels under the pretext of a blockade at Gibraltar have excited much agitation among the merchants, and considerable sensibility in the public at large. The Executive will attend to it under the joint impression of the particular wrong done by Spain, & of her amicable disposition in general towards the U. S.

The election in N Jersey has had a republican issue. That in Penna. entirely so.2 Every where the progress of the public sentiment mocks the cavils & clamors of the malignant adversaries of the Administration. Offer our affecte. respects to Mrs. Monroe & be assured of the sincerity with which I am yr. friend & servt.

James Madison

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