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MONROE, James. Autograph letter signed ("Jas. Monroe") as Minister to Great Britain, [TO SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES MADISON], London, 2 February 1806. 8 pages, 4to and folio, browned, tape repairs on horizontal folds, small tears in 3rd leaf .

Auction 27.03.2002
27.03.2002
Schätzpreis
7.000 $ - 12.000 $
Zuschlagspreis:
12.925 $
Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 39

MONROE, James. Autograph letter signed ("Jas. Monroe") as Minister to Great Britain, [TO SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES MADISON], London, 2 February 1806. 8 pages, 4to and folio, browned, tape repairs on horizontal folds, small tears in 3rd leaf .

Auction 27.03.2002
27.03.2002
Schätzpreis
7.000 $ - 12.000 $
Zuschlagspreis:
12.925 $
Beschreibung:

MONROE, James. Autograph letter signed ("Jas. Monroe") as Minister to Great Britain, [TO SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES MADISON], London, 2 February 1806. 8 pages, 4to and folio, browned, tape repairs on horizontal folds, small tears in 3rd leaf . MONROE ATTACKS FEDERALIST INTRIGUES AND DEFENDS HIS CONDUCT AS MINISTER TO BRITAIN: "I DESIRE NOTHING BUT SIMPLE STRICT JUSTICE" A long letter to Secretary of State James Madison in which Monroe, serving as Minister to Great Britain, defends his actions and criticizes political intrigues to remove him from office. Having failed to impress President Washington during his appointment as Minister of France, political ally Thomas Jefferson gave him an opportunity to redeem his reputation as a diplomat by sending him to negotiate with the British during the increasingly hostile dispute over neutral rights and impressment. The British, who were engaged in a desperate struggle with Napoleon on the continent, gave little consideration to American complaints. A frustrated Monroe considered returning home in 1805, but a change of administration in the British Foreign Ministry convinced him that he might have an opportunity for success, but Jefferson had already decided to send William Pinckney in his place. Monroe, expressing concerns about his own career and the reputation of Jefferson's Administration, explains at the outset of the letter why he chose to remain and continue negotiations: "When I arrived here in July last from Spain, the seizures w h . had just before commenc'd were pursued with the greatest activity; scarce a day pass'd but some of our vessels were brought in, & the tone of the court was very high in extending & supporting the pretensions of the gov't on the principle of the orders of Nov r . 1793...The seizures fell mostly on the maritime towns to the eastward, whose merchants would have given my departure as a proof of the contempt in which commerce was held by those in power, who felt for the prosperity of agriculture only." Monroe defends the bold stance he has taken with the British, despite a conciliatory policy urged by the President: "I was satisfied that this government dared not to engage in a war with us, at least while this issue of affairs on the continent was doubtful; that it had made the seizures in confidence that it risqued nothing by it, that we would submit to it." In regard to his possible replacement, he continues: "I shall avoid detracting from the just pretensions of my successor. But I shall be permitted to observe without incurring that censure, that the prospect of a fortunate termination of the business is now as favorable as it possibly can be: that the crisis has essentially past; the ministry has completely failed in all its operations on the continent; the allies have been defeated & the coalition broken; and the ministry itself subjected to that same fate. A new ministry is forming, the chief character [Charles Fox] in which is understood to be favorably disposed to the U States...Under such circumstances it cannot be doubted that the prospect of success is good...It has been my fortune to stand the storm, under circumstances of great personal responsibility." Concerned about how his political reputation will suffer when he is replaced, he asks that his correspondance be presented to Congress: "I desire nothing but simple strict justice, I wish my conduct here to rest on its own ground...that nothing may be left to insinuations; for my enemies to misrepresent and my [friends to] explain." Monroe launches a vehement attack upon Federalists Gouverneur Morris (1752-1816) and Rufus King (1755-1827) who "seem to insinuate that their country is menac'd with some great calamity by being deprived of their services at this important epoch." Referring to Morris, Monroe notes: "His present office is a mournful one, living to make orations over defeated friends...his service in that line, reminds me of written notices...'funerals performed'." He asserts th

Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 39
Auktion:
Datum:
27.03.2002
Auktionshaus:
Christie's
New York, Rockefeller Center
Beschreibung:

MONROE, James. Autograph letter signed ("Jas. Monroe") as Minister to Great Britain, [TO SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES MADISON], London, 2 February 1806. 8 pages, 4to and folio, browned, tape repairs on horizontal folds, small tears in 3rd leaf . MONROE ATTACKS FEDERALIST INTRIGUES AND DEFENDS HIS CONDUCT AS MINISTER TO BRITAIN: "I DESIRE NOTHING BUT SIMPLE STRICT JUSTICE" A long letter to Secretary of State James Madison in which Monroe, serving as Minister to Great Britain, defends his actions and criticizes political intrigues to remove him from office. Having failed to impress President Washington during his appointment as Minister of France, political ally Thomas Jefferson gave him an opportunity to redeem his reputation as a diplomat by sending him to negotiate with the British during the increasingly hostile dispute over neutral rights and impressment. The British, who were engaged in a desperate struggle with Napoleon on the continent, gave little consideration to American complaints. A frustrated Monroe considered returning home in 1805, but a change of administration in the British Foreign Ministry convinced him that he might have an opportunity for success, but Jefferson had already decided to send William Pinckney in his place. Monroe, expressing concerns about his own career and the reputation of Jefferson's Administration, explains at the outset of the letter why he chose to remain and continue negotiations: "When I arrived here in July last from Spain, the seizures w h . had just before commenc'd were pursued with the greatest activity; scarce a day pass'd but some of our vessels were brought in, & the tone of the court was very high in extending & supporting the pretensions of the gov't on the principle of the orders of Nov r . 1793...The seizures fell mostly on the maritime towns to the eastward, whose merchants would have given my departure as a proof of the contempt in which commerce was held by those in power, who felt for the prosperity of agriculture only." Monroe defends the bold stance he has taken with the British, despite a conciliatory policy urged by the President: "I was satisfied that this government dared not to engage in a war with us, at least while this issue of affairs on the continent was doubtful; that it had made the seizures in confidence that it risqued nothing by it, that we would submit to it." In regard to his possible replacement, he continues: "I shall avoid detracting from the just pretensions of my successor. But I shall be permitted to observe without incurring that censure, that the prospect of a fortunate termination of the business is now as favorable as it possibly can be: that the crisis has essentially past; the ministry has completely failed in all its operations on the continent; the allies have been defeated & the coalition broken; and the ministry itself subjected to that same fate. A new ministry is forming, the chief character [Charles Fox] in which is understood to be favorably disposed to the U States...Under such circumstances it cannot be doubted that the prospect of success is good...It has been my fortune to stand the storm, under circumstances of great personal responsibility." Concerned about how his political reputation will suffer when he is replaced, he asks that his correspondance be presented to Congress: "I desire nothing but simple strict justice, I wish my conduct here to rest on its own ground...that nothing may be left to insinuations; for my enemies to misrepresent and my [friends to] explain." Monroe launches a vehement attack upon Federalists Gouverneur Morris (1752-1816) and Rufus King (1755-1827) who "seem to insinuate that their country is menac'd with some great calamity by being deprived of their services at this important epoch." Referring to Morris, Monroe notes: "His present office is a mournful one, living to make orations over defeated friends...his service in that line, reminds me of written notices...'funerals performed'." He asserts th

Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 39
Auktion:
Datum:
27.03.2002
Auktionshaus:
Christie's
New York, Rockefeller Center
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