To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 May 1817
From James Monroe
Washington May 16. 1817
Dear Sir
I enclose you the letter to Mrs Madison, which I omitted to take with me on my late visit, as I intimated to you, while at your house.
Mr Correa1 came here, the day after I set out on my late trip. This visit was to counteract the anticipated mov’ments of the Pernambuco, ambassador, whose arrival, he was taught to expect from accounts receivd thence. No such person has yet arrivd. Mr. C. has nevertheless presented a note address’d, in a strong tone, against the Insurgents &a.2 He partakes strongly of the anti:revolutionary feeling on this subject, more so than is strictly consistent with his liberal & philosophical character. With the other ministers there is nothing new. Your friend
James Monroe
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. José Corrèa de Serra (1750–1823) was an eminent Portuguese botanist who served as minister to the United States, 1816–20 ( , 4:50 n. 1).
2. On 6 Mar. 1817 in Recife, Pernambuco, a group of junior military officers overthrew the royal governor and formed a republican government. On 20 May, Recife was recaptured by royal troops, and the uprising was suppressed (Neill Macaulay, Dom Pedro: The Struggle for Liberty in Brazil and Portugal, 1798–1834 [Durham, N.C., 1986], 60–61).