MONROE, JAMES, President . Autograph letter signed ("Jas Monroe") as Secretary of State, to Joseph P. Monroe, Washington, 23 April 1811, 3 pages, 4to, 252 x 201 mm. (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.). Fine condition. MONROE DESCRIBES HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT MADISON A long, extremely revealing letter written a few weeks after Monroe's appointment as Secretary of State in Monroe's administration (finalized 2 April 1811). "...the letter of invitation from President, into the office wh[ic]h I now hold, was address'd on such fair & liberal principles, proposing a co-operation of our labours & efforts to promote the publick welfare, by such means as our experience & judgements might suggest, as to remove all possible difficulty....I had to surmount only an objection of another kind, that which applied to a resignation of the office so recently conferr'd on me by the Gen. Assembly [Monroe had been made Governor of Virginia in January]. I felt a strong repugnance to any measure, which might.....expose me to the imputation of ingratitude, to a State to which I owe so much; but the concurring opinion of all the friends whom I had an opportunity to consult...that I ought not decline the invitation, determined me to accept it. I know that the interests of the State were more involved in the concerns of the General [i.e., Federal] than in the State Gov't at this time... "The conduct of the P[resident] since my arrival has corresponded with my previous anticipation, it is perfectly friendly, and corresponding with our ancient relation, which I am happy to have restor'd. On public affairs we confer without reserve, each party, expressing his own sentiments, and viewing dispassionately the existing state, animated by a sincere desire to promote the publick welfare. I have full confidence that this relation will always be preserved in future." Monroe is unhappy about the resentment aroused by his appointment in certain quarters. He reports that "Intelligence of importance is expected...from France & England. Mr. Pinckney returns...It is understood that he comes out with powers to resume the negotiation. Most happy indeed it will be, if our differences can be adjusted on reasonable & satisfactory ground..." The balance of the long letter deals with family matters, his concern for a brother's situation and Monroe's own financial dealings. Provenance : Anonymous owner (sale, Christie's, 14 December 1984, lot 221).
MONROE, JAMES, President . Autograph letter signed ("Jas Monroe") as Secretary of State, to Joseph P. Monroe, Washington, 23 April 1811, 3 pages, 4to, 252 x 201 mm. (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.). Fine condition. MONROE DESCRIBES HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT MADISON A long, extremely revealing letter written a few weeks after Monroe's appointment as Secretary of State in Monroe's administration (finalized 2 April 1811). "...the letter of invitation from President, into the office wh[ic]h I now hold, was address'd on such fair & liberal principles, proposing a co-operation of our labours & efforts to promote the publick welfare, by such means as our experience & judgements might suggest, as to remove all possible difficulty....I had to surmount only an objection of another kind, that which applied to a resignation of the office so recently conferr'd on me by the Gen. Assembly [Monroe had been made Governor of Virginia in January]. I felt a strong repugnance to any measure, which might.....expose me to the imputation of ingratitude, to a State to which I owe so much; but the concurring opinion of all the friends whom I had an opportunity to consult...that I ought not decline the invitation, determined me to accept it. I know that the interests of the State were more involved in the concerns of the General [i.e., Federal] than in the State Gov't at this time... "The conduct of the P[resident] since my arrival has corresponded with my previous anticipation, it is perfectly friendly, and corresponding with our ancient relation, which I am happy to have restor'd. On public affairs we confer without reserve, each party, expressing his own sentiments, and viewing dispassionately the existing state, animated by a sincere desire to promote the publick welfare. I have full confidence that this relation will always be preserved in future." Monroe is unhappy about the resentment aroused by his appointment in certain quarters. He reports that "Intelligence of importance is expected...from France & England. Mr. Pinckney returns...It is understood that he comes out with powers to resume the negotiation. Most happy indeed it will be, if our differences can be adjusted on reasonable & satisfactory ground..." The balance of the long letter deals with family matters, his concern for a brother's situation and Monroe's own financial dealings. Provenance : Anonymous owner (sale, Christie's, 14 December 1984, lot 221).
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
