To James Madison from James Monroe and William Pinkney, 27 December 1806
From James Monroe and William Pinkney
Triplicate
London Decemr 27. 1806.
Sir
We have the pleasure to acquaint you that we have this day agreed with the British Commissioners to conclude a Treaty on all the points which had formed the object of our negotiation, and on terms which we trust our government will approve. It will require only a few days to reduce it to form. When that is done we shall transmit it to you by a special messenger.1 We hasten to communicate to you this interesting intelligence for the information and guidance of our government in such measures as may have reference to the subject. We have the honor to be with great Consideration and esteem, Sir, Your most obedient servants
Jas. Monroe
Wm. Pinkney
RC (DNA: RG 233, President’s Messages, 10A-D1); RC (DNA: RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Foreign Relations, 10B-B1); RC (DNA: RG 59, DD, Great Britain, vol. 14); Tr (DNA: RG 233, President’s Messages, 9A-D1); letterpress of Tr (DNA: RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages, 9A-E2); FC (MB). First RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by Monroe and Pinkney; docketed by Wagner. Second RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by Monroe and Pinkney. Third RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by Monroe and Pinkney; marked “Duplicate.” Tr and letterpress copy of Tr marked “Copy.” FC in Monroe’s hand; marked “original Duplicate Triplicate on the 29th. for Liverpool. Ship sailed about 3d or 4th. of Jany. 1807. Copy 4 duplicate to Cowes. 29th per Kingston to N York on the 1. Jany. 1807.”
1. Filed with the FC is an FC of a letter from Monroe and Pinkney to James Maury, American consul at Liverpool, dated 28 December 1806 from London (MB; 2 pp.; in Monroe’s hand). Monroe and Pinkney stated that they believed the treaty with Great Britain was near completion and should be “signed & forwarded by a special Messenger to Liverpool in a week from this Time. It is important that this highly interesting Fact shd be communicated to our Govt with the greatest possible Dispatch, as it is that the Treaty itself shd. be forwarded with equal Despatch after it is concluded. We send you a Letter to the Secy of State with a Duplicate & Triplicate of it to announce to him the above. Shd. there be more than one Vessel ready to sail we wish you to forward by it or them these Despatches. But in Case there is only one you will detain it at the Expence of the U.S. if necessary for the purpose of bearing the Treaty. As it is possible tho not probable that something may occur to interrupt this Business & produce a difft result from that which we expect we wish you to make no Mention whatever of the above Communication.”