James Monroe (1817-1825)
MONROE, James (1758-1831). Autograph letter signed ("James Monroe"), as President, to Mr. Homans, Oak Hill, 14 October 1819. 1½ pages, 4to, different nib used for second half of letter, some holes caused by acidic ink, one affecting first letter of signature.
Details
MONROE, James (1758-1831). Autograph letter signed ("James Monroe"), as President, to Mr. Homans, Oak Hill, 14 October 1819. 1½ pages, 4to, different nib used for second half of letter, some holes caused by acidic ink, one affecting first letter of signature.
"PIRATES STATIONED IN THE GULPH OF MEXICO ARE COMMITTING GREAT DEPREDATIONS..."
Military matters occupy Monroe in this letter, ranging from pirates in the Gulf of Mexico to miscreants in his own armed forces. "I return the proceedings of the court martial in the trial of Lt. Levy," he writes, "which I regret to find exhibits so much to his disadvantage as...will render it impossible to retain him in the service. I shall be glad to know what Mr. Thomspon thinks on the subject. I have also read the proceedings in the cases of Lts. Crowley & Richardson, with which, I presume, I have nothing to do...."
"It appears that certain pirates, stationed in the gulph of Mexico, are committing great depredations on our trade. Is their station known, and under whom they pretend to act? Measures should be taken respecting them, such as the law of the last session requires. Captn. Morris should be particularly instructed on the subject, that complaint may be made to the colonial govts. of them. I forget whether Commodore Perry's instructions extended, like those of other commanders, to the suppression of pirates....Like instructions should be given to his successor, unless indeed his were limited & it should be proper to enlarge them now. These practices so near us must be suppressed." Irritations from Europe's "colonial powers" would steadily accumulate over the next four years of Monroe's term, culminating in his proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine, which called on Europe's powers to stop interfering in the affairs of Central and South America, in return for the U. S. remaining neutral in the clashes between the European powers.
"PIRATES STATIONED IN THE GULPH OF MEXICO ARE COMMITTING GREAT DEPREDATIONS..."
Military matters occupy Monroe in this letter, ranging from pirates in the Gulf of Mexico to miscreants in his own armed forces. "I return the proceedings of the court martial in the trial of Lt. Levy," he writes, "which I regret to find exhibits so much to his disadvantage as...will render it impossible to retain him in the service. I shall be glad to know what Mr. Thomspon thinks on the subject. I have also read the proceedings in the cases of Lts. Crowley & Richardson, with which, I presume, I have nothing to do...."
"It appears that certain pirates, stationed in the gulph of Mexico, are committing great depredations on our trade. Is their station known, and under whom they pretend to act? Measures should be taken respecting them, such as the law of the last session requires. Captn. Morris should be particularly instructed on the subject, that complaint may be made to the colonial govts. of them. I forget whether Commodore Perry's instructions extended, like those of other commanders, to the suppression of pirates....Like instructions should be given to his successor, unless indeed his were limited & it should be proper to enlarge them now. These practices so near us must be suppressed." Irritations from Europe's "colonial powers" would steadily accumulate over the next four years of Monroe's term, culminating in his proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine, which called on Europe's powers to stop interfering in the affairs of Central and South America, in return for the U. S. remaining neutral in the clashes between the European powers.