From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 August 1819
To James Monroe
Montpr. Aug. 8. 1819
Dear Sir
The day after you left us I recd. a letter from Mr R. B Lee which I inclose.1 It contains a fuller view of circumstances which it may not be amiss you should understand, than may be otherwise conveyed. I shall simply state in answer that I believe your personal dispositions will be no bar to whatever may be permitted by considerations of a public nature. Be so good as to return the letter under a blank cover.
We are Still without rain. As this is the third day of your journey, you will probably have ended it without interruption from the weather. Affece. respects
James Madison
RC (NN: Monroe Papers).
1. The letter has not been found, but it is likely to have been a letter soliciting the office of paymaster general of the army or register of the orphan’s court for Washington County, D.C. Similar letters, dated 5 Aug. 1819, were addressed by Lee to John Quincy Adams and John C. Calhoun (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1817–25, filed under “Richard Bland Lee”).