Beschreibung:

MONROE, James. Autograph draft letter (unsigned) as President, to Mrs. Susan Wheeler Decatur, widow of Commodore Stephen Decatur (1779-1820), Washington, 11 October 1823. 1 1/8 page, 4to. MONROE EXTOLLS THE LATE COMMODORE DECATUR: "My dear Madam...No person entertained a higher respect for the merits of your late husband, Commodore Decatur, than I did. I respected him for his great gallantry in action, & his patriotism, as well as for his amiable qualities in private life. I regarded him with strong feelings of personal friendship. There is no instance, in which his merits can be brought into view, that I shall not be happy to aver this, my unqualified testimony in his favor." Then, he justifies the transfer of her son to a new post: "Respecting the removal of Col. Decatur from New York, to Portsmouth, it was my act, dictated by a regard to the public interest, it being impossible, after what had occurred, between him and Capt. Evans, that both should remain at the same station. If there was any error in it, it was mine. Until Col. Decatur accepts the office offered him, his application for a furlough, cannot be granted. I mention however, with pleasure, that there was no intention, by his removal, to empeach the honor or integrity of Col. Decatur. My family desire their best regards to you...." Ironically, a few days before the famous duel (on 22 March 1820) between Decatur and James Barron--in which the former was fatally wounded--the Decaturs had hosted a ball in celebration of the marriage of Monroe's daughter.