1From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 10 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive have occasion to employ a gentleman in a confidential business, requiring great discretion, and some acquaintance with military things. They wish you to undertake it if not inconsistant with your present pursuits. It will call you off some weeks, to the distance of a couple hundred miles. Expences will be borne and a reasonable premium. Will you be so good as to attend us...
2From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 16 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
You will proceed with the riders provided for you, stationing one at every forty miles or thereabouts from hence to the vicinity of the British army in Carolina where you will continue yourself, observing their movements and when their importance requires it, communicating them to me. Instruct your riders to travel by night and day without regard to weather giving and taking way bills...
3From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 15 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lodged with Mrs. Sherrar a small box of books containing Chandler’s debates of the lords and commons (one volume lost) and the Historical register of which I beg your acceptance. I am just now setting out to Monticello where I shall be happy to see you at all times, should health or curiosity lead you thither or a willingness to give that pleasure to Dr. Sir your friend & humble servt,...
4From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 5 October 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have been and shall always be happy to see you at Monticello, but could not expect so much of the little time you have to prepare for your journey. I inclose you three letters, the one directed to Dr. Franklin, the other two for Mr. Jay and Mr. Adams but not directed because I really do not know the address of those two gentlemen. This you will be able to learn before you shall have...
5From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 20 May 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been gratified with the receipt of your two favours of the 6th. and 11th. inst. It gives me pleasure that your county has been wise enough to enlist your talents into their service. I am much obliged by the kind wishes you express of seeing me also in Richmond, and am always mortified when any thing is expected from me which I cannot fulfill, and more especially if it relate to the...
6From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 18 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th . came to hand yesterday and relieved us from the fear that sickness or some other accident had detained you. I am very particularly obliged to you for the attention you have been so good as to pay to my accomodation; several circumstances had prevented my taking measures for this purpose so early as I wished. I had ultimately relied on Mr. Carrol, who left this place two...
7Benjamin Harrison to James Monroe, 24 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your favor of the 14th. of this month I demanded the necessary documents from the Solicitor to give you some general idea of the expenditures of the State for its immediate defence and the conquest of the back country and received such an answer as I expected which I enclose you for your information of the State of Our public accounts. I believe the confusion is...
8Benjamin Harrison to James Monroe, 27 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall take care to lay the copy of the Kentuckey petition to Congress before the next assembly agreeably to your request. I have also received your recommendations to the Several States to comply strictly with the articles of the treaty which I much approve and hope they will be generally attended to, but if this is expected by the british are they not under a reciprocal obligation to comply...
9Samuel Hardy and John F. Mercer to Jefferson and James Monroe, April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, April? 1784 .] Requesting “the favor of their Company to dine with them @ 4 oClock.” RC ( DLC ); without date or place; addressed: “Honble M[ess]rs. Jefferson & Monroe.” The blank verso of this note was subsequently used by TJ in his draft of an additional instruction to the Committee of States and therefore must have been received before 26 Apr. 1784; see Vol. 6: 529, note.
10List of Books Sold to James Monroe, [10 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Books sold to Colo. Monroe s Chastellux Felicité publique. 2.v. 13. 6 Helvetius de l’homme. 3.v. 13. 6. Gravina l’esprit des loix Romaines 3.v. 19. Barbeyrac discours. 2.v. 10. Vicat Droit naturel. 2.v. 15. Felice. droit de la nature 18. Certitude de Mahometisme 13. 6 Oeuvres de Mably. 4.v.
11Statement of Account with James Monroe, [10 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
1784. May 10. To books 21– 12– 8 To Bedding 13– 0– 0 To houshold articles, one moiety 29– 5– 11 To household expences from May 2. one moiety 16– 14– 0 £80– 12–
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 21 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. came duly to hand. It enabled me to give to Colo. Humphries the first intimation of his appointment and to see that he received real pleasure from it. He was before unknown to me; but our future connection in business has occasioned me to enquire into his character with which I am much pleased. We have taken arrangements for passing the Atlantic together. Short is not...
13[From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 25 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “[May] 25. Colo. Monroe. Inclosed the 270. Dollars back again—I pay Boinod 2⅓ for him—inclosed the Gov’s and Jamieson’s letters to him—shall sail from Boston about 20th June—Short to hasten—acknolege receipt of cypher.” Letter and enclosures not found. The letter from Gov. Harrison may have been that to TJ of 14 May 1784 , and that from David...
14[From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 28 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 28 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Colo Monroe. Commissions to France, Holld. Sweden.” Not found. For these three supplementary commissions, see Thomson to TJ, 18 June 1784 .]
15From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your journey to the Westward having prevented my writing to you till now that a letter may probably find you at Congress, I shall resume the correspondence discontinued since I left Boston. My passage was remarkeably short, being only 19 days from land to land, and I suffered little by sickness. Having very thick weather when we approached the coast of Europe, we fell in with no vessel which...
16From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I had intended by this post to commence our correspondence with a narrative of what has been done and is proposed to be done at present Session of the Genl As[s]embly, but by your last lettr. to Mr. Jones, I find that it is very uncertain whether this will get to Trenton before you leave it for Virga. I cannot however postpone my congratulations on your critical escape from the danger which...
17From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 20 November] 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor without date was brought by thursday’s post. It inclosed a Cypher for which I thank you & which I shall make use as occasion may require, though from the nature of our respective situations, its chief value will be derived from your use of it. Gel. Washington arrived here on Sunday last, and the Marquis on thursday. The latter came from Boston in a French frigate. They have both...
18From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 15th inst: came to hand by thurday’s post. Mine by the last post acknowledged your preceding one. The umbrage given to the Comsrs. of the U. S. by the negociations of N. Y. with the Indians was not altogether unknown to me, though I am less acquainted with the circumstances of it than your letter supposes. The Idea which I at present have of the affair leads me to say that as...
19From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
On Saturday last a proposition was agreed to for establishing Circuit Courts throughout this Commonwealth, and yesterday a bill for that purpose was reported. On wednesday next it will undergo a discussion of the Come. of the Whole. The circumstances under which it has passed thus far seem to promise a favorable issue, but the dangers which it is yet to go thro’ are formidable. They proceed...
20From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 10 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the 11th. of Nov. by the last packet. Since that I have received by Mr. Short yours of July 20. inclosing the cypher. I hope that the establishment of a port on each river will end in the final success of one or of two only. Actual circumstances will prevent York and Tappahanoc from being any thing in spite of any encouragement. The accumulation of commodities at Norfolk and...
21From James Madison to James Monroe, 11 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Neither of the two last posts brought me a line from you. I find one in the office for Mr. Jones who is absent on a visit to King George. I expect him back on Monday next. Our proceedings throughout this week have turned chiefly on the bill for assize Courts, which yesterday passed the H. of D. after a faint opposition and with very few dissenting voices. It is formed pretty much on the...
22From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. instant came to hand on thursday. A proposition was made a few days ago for this State to empower Congs. to carry into effect the imposts as soon as 12 States should make themselves parties to it. It was rejected on the following grounds 1. that it would present a disagreeable aspect of our affairs to Foreign nations. 2 that it might lead to other combinations of lesser...
23From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 18 Ult. came to hand yesterday. The view which it gives of the operations of the Cabinet, portends I fear a revival of those intrigues & contests of ambition which have more than once distracted & dishonoured the national Councils. Foreign appointments have generally been the parents of those mischiefs, and ought for that reason, when no other reasons oppose, to be rendered as...
24From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 14 January 178[5] (Jefferson Papers)
My letters of Nov. 11. and Dec. 10. will have reached you before your receipt of this. They acknowleged the receipt of your former letters, as this does of the one of Nov. 1. but what was my mortification when I came to apply the cypher to it to find that I could not make out one syllable of it: and the more so as it is the only letter I have received from America by this packet. Whether you...
25From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, [6 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
You were informed by my letters of Nov. 11 and Jan. 14. that the cypher established between us would not explain a syllable of your letters. Those of Nov. 1. and Dec. 14. having rendered me extremely desirous of decyphering them, I sat to work with a resolution to effect it if possible. I soon found that they were written by your first cypher . To this therefore I applied myself and after...
26From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 18 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by the packet which sailed from hence in Feb. and then acknoleged the receipt of yours of Dec. 14. which came by the packet arriving here in Jan. That which sailed from N.Y. in Jan. and arrived here in Feb. brings me no letter from any body except from Mr. Jay to Mr. Adams Dr. F. and myself jointly. Since my last the rumour of an exchange proposed between the Emperor and El. of...
27From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 1st day of Feby. did not come to hand till a day or two ago, having travelled on to Richmond, remained there during the absence of Mr. Jones, & on his return, been sent to me by the way of Fredg. Before I left Richmond I wrote you that the assembly had adjourned and requested that your subsequent letters might be addressed to Orange, and if I do not forget to care of Mr....
28From James Madison to James Monroe, 12 April 1785 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you not long since, by a young gentleman who proposed to go as far [as] N. Y. acknowledging the rect. of your favor of Feby. 1st. I have since recd. that of March 6 which I meant to have acknowledged through the same hands. But finding that the delays which have hitherto kept back the bearer above referred to, are of uncertain continuance, & having no certain conveyance to Fredg. I...
29From James Madison to James Monroe, [14 April] 1785 (Madison Papers)
By an opportunity to Richd. I wrote to you 2 days ago. Havg. now one to Frebg. I inclose the Cypher then promised. It will probably get to hand at the same with letter via Richd. Adieu. RC ( DLC ). Addressed to Monroe in Congress, “To care of [Mr. Ma]ury Esqr. Fredg.” Docketed by JM, “Mr. Monroe Cypher.” The date is fixed from the message JM sent Monroe on 12 Apr. 1785 . Enclosure ( DLC ).
30From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 15 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We wrote a public letter to Mr. Jay the day before yesterday. We were induced to hasten it, because young Mr. Chaumont was to set out yesterday for l’Orient to go to N. York in the packet, and a private conveyance is alone to be depended on for secrecy. I have put off writing any letters as long as I could, expecting the arrival of the packet. She is arrived, as the packet of the last month...
31From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 April 1785 (Madison Papers)
I have written several letters within a little time past which were Sent to you partly by the post, partly by Mr. Burnley, a young Gentleman of this County. In one of the latter I inclosed a Cypher wch. will serve all the purposes of our future Correspondence. This covers a letter for Mr. Jefferson which you will be so good as to forwd. by the first packet or other equally eligible conveyance....
32From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 11 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by young Mr. Adams whom I beg leave to introduce to your acquaintance and recommend as worthy of your friendship. He possesses abilities, learning, application, and the best of dispositions. Considering his age too you will find him more improved by travel than could have been expected. A Monsr. Doradour also goes in the packet to New York, and from thence proceeds...
33From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 May 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of May [8] came to hand a few days ago. It is fortunate that the variant ideas have been so easily accomodated touching the mode of surveying & selling the territorial fund. It will be equally so I think if you can dispossess the British of the Western posts, before the land office is opened. On this event and the navigation of the Mississippi will much depend the fiscal importance...
34From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 17 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received three days ago your favor of Apr. 12. You therein speak of a former letter to me, but it has not come to hand, nor any other of later date than the 14th. of December. My last to you was of the 11th. of May by Mr. Adams who went in the packet of that month. These conveiances are now becoming deranged. We have had expectations of their coming to Havre which would infinitely facilitate...
35From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 June 1785 (Madison Papers)
Finding from a letter of Mr. Mazzei that you have never been furnished with a copy of the Bill for establishing the Christian Religion in this State, I now inclose one, regretting that I had taken it for granted that you must have been supplied thro’ some other channel. A very warm opposition will be made to this innovation by the people of the middle and back Counties, particularly the...
36[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 .]
37From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 5 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by Mr. Adams May. 11. and by Mr. Otto June 17. The latter acknoleged the receipt of yours of Apr. 12. which is the only one come to hand of later date than Dec. 14. Little new has occurred since my last. Peace seems to shew herself under a more decided form. The emperor is now on a journey to Italy, and the two Dutch plenipotentiaries are set out for Vienna there to make an apology...
38From 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...
39From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 12 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you fully on the 5th. and gave also to young Mr. Franklin a letter of introduction to you dated the 4th. Besides these I have addressed this day a letter to our delegation in Congress on the subject of Mr. Houdon. That will apprise you fully of his merit and objects. I have now only to add in a particular letter to yourself my prayers to give him personally all those aids and counsels...
40From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of the 12th. inst. The date of the preceding one was early in May. From this interval and your not acknowledging some of my letters I suspect that our correspondence suffers from some fault in the post office. This has certainly been the case with letters between Col. Grayson and myself. The part of your letter which has engaged most of my attention is the...
41From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 August 1785 (Madison Papers)
I received the day before yesterday your favour of the 26th July. I had previously recd. the Report on the proposed change of the 9th. art: of the Confederation, transmitted by Col: Grayson, and in my answer to him offered such ideas on the subject as then occurred. I still think the probability of success or failure ought to weigh much with Congress in every recommendation to the States; of...
42From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 28 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 5th. of July by Mr. Franklin and on the 12th. of the same month by Monsr. Houdon. Since that date yours of June 16. by Mr. Mazzei is received. Every thing looks like peace here. The settlement between the Emperor and Dutch is not yet published, but it is believed to be agreed. Nothing is done as yet between him and the Porte. He is much wounded by the Confederation of...
43From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
Supposing that you will be at New York by the time this reaches it I drop a few lines for the post of today. Mr. Jones tells me he informed You that a substitute had been brought forward to the commercial propositions which you left on the carpet. The subject has not since been called up. If any change has taken place, in the mind of the House, it has not been unfavorable to the idea of...
44From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 11 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by the Mr. Fitzhughs on the 28th. of August, and since that have received yours of Aug. 15. and 25. This intermission on my part has been owing to your information that you would not return to Congress till about Christmas: to which must be added the want of opportunity since the derangement of the French packets. Be so good as to inform Mr. Jay that the last is the cause he has...
45From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
Since my last by the preceding post the fate of the Assize laws has been determined by a negative in the H. of Delegates on the Bill on which its execution depended. The majority consisted of 63 agst. 49. A reform of the County Courts is the substitute proposed by the adversaries of the Assize, and if it can be put into any rational shape, will be received by the other side as auxiliary to the...
46From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
The proceedings of the Assembly since my last dated this day week have related 1. to the Bill for establishing Religious freedom in the Revisal. 2. a Bill concerning British debts 3. a Bill concerning the Proprietary interest in the Northern Neck. 4. for reforming the County Courts. The first employed the H. of Delegates several days; The preamble being the principal subject of contention. It...
47From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
The past week has been rendered important by nothing but some discussions on the subject of British debts. The bill brought in varied from that which miscarried last year 1. by adding provision in favor of the Creditor for securing payment at the dates of the instalments 2 by annexing a clause empowering the Executive to suspend the operation of the Act in case Congress should notify their...
48From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 January 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your favors of the 19th. Decr. and 7th. Jany. came both to hand by yesterdays mail. The Assembly adjourned last night after a Session of 97 days. If its importance were to be measured by the list of the laws which it has produced, all preceding Legislative merit would be eclipsed, the number in this instance amounting to 114 or 115. If we recur to the proper criterion no Session has perhaps...
49From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 27 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the llth. of December, and on the llth. of this month I received your favor of July 15 entrusted to Mrs. McCaulay Graham. I do not know from what place she sent it. The last papers from America present us a very disagreeable altercation between Mr. Jay and a young man from whom he had deserved better things. Mr. Carmichael will I fear too think himself involved. With him I am...
50From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 February 1786. Recorded in “Letters from J. M. [to] Mr. Monroe” (DLC) as “unimportant.”