Details
MONROE, James (1758-1831), President. Autograph letter signed ("Jas. Monroe") to an unidentified correspondent, Richmond, 4 October 1787. 1½ pages, 4to (6¼ x 7¾ in.), minor browning, very minor staining, otherwise fine.
YOUNG MONROE CONTEMPLATES THE NEW CONSTITUTION
An early letter of James Monroe written less than a month after the close of the Constitutional Convention. The 29-year-old Monroe's political career was still in its infancy as discussions of a new government began. Having served in the Virginia Assembly and three years in the Continental Congress immediately after the Revolution, he established a law practice in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1786. When the legislature chose the Virginia delegation that would attend the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia during the summer, Monroe's name was not on the list and he believed that both James Madison and Governor Edmund Randolph had intentionally passed him over.
Here, writing to an unknown correspondent, he requests news of public reaction to the recent Constitutional Convention: "I have been so closely confined to the bar that I have heard little of the reception given the report of the Convention here. How are the sentiments of our friends respecting it?" He addresses the pending process of ratification, carefully noting his own thoughts: "It hath pass'd Congress under a recommendation to consider it as propos'd by the Convention. I am clearly of opinion the assembly have nothing to do but appoint the Convention." Interestingly, Monroe questions the validity of early challenges to ratification: "Opposition no doubt will be made to it in this stage, wh. even if well founded, will in my opinion be improper. Let me hear from you upon every subject you think worthy [of] notice."
As ratification approached in Virginia, Monroe was nominated as an Anti-Federalist delegate despite the fact that he had not, true to his word, publically expressed opposition. Although he did offer a vote against ratification, Monroe was a moderate opponent: "he saw more good than evil in the document, and raised points easily modified" (Ammon, James Monroe, p. 69).
YOUNG MONROE CONTEMPLATES THE NEW CONSTITUTION
An early letter of James Monroe written less than a month after the close of the Constitutional Convention. The 29-year-old Monroe's political career was still in its infancy as discussions of a new government began. Having served in the Virginia Assembly and three years in the Continental Congress immediately after the Revolution, he established a law practice in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1786. When the legislature chose the Virginia delegation that would attend the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia during the summer, Monroe's name was not on the list and he believed that both James Madison and Governor Edmund Randolph had intentionally passed him over.
Here, writing to an unknown correspondent, he requests news of public reaction to the recent Constitutional Convention: "I have been so closely confined to the bar that I have heard little of the reception given the report of the Convention here. How are the sentiments of our friends respecting it?" He addresses the pending process of ratification, carefully noting his own thoughts: "It hath pass'd Congress under a recommendation to consider it as propos'd by the Convention. I am clearly of opinion the assembly have nothing to do but appoint the Convention." Interestingly, Monroe questions the validity of early challenges to ratification: "Opposition no doubt will be made to it in this stage, wh. even if well founded, will in my opinion be improper. Let me hear from you upon every subject you think worthy [of] notice."
As ratification approached in Virginia, Monroe was nominated as an Anti-Federalist delegate despite the fact that he had not, true to his word, publically expressed opposition. Although he did offer a vote against ratification, Monroe was a moderate opponent: "he saw more good than evil in the document, and raised points easily modified" (Ammon, James Monroe, p. 69).