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MONROE, James (1758-1831), President. Autograph letter signed ("Jas Monroe") to Joseph P. Monroe, Washington, 6 December 1811. 3 pages, 4to, autograph address panel WITH MONROE'S AUTOGRAPH FREE FRANK "Dept. of State Jas. Monroe."
"I AM NOT AFRAID OF MY ENEMIES...I ONLY ASK THAT THEIR ATTACKS BE OPEN AND NOT COVERT"
MONROE RAILS AGAINST THE OPPOSITION TO HIS NOMINATION AS MADISON'S SECRETARY OF STATE, AND PREDICTS A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST BRITAIN: "You have perhaps heard of an opposition in the Senate, by Mr. Giles as the leader, to my nomination to this office, founded on a supposed favoritism in the settlement of my account in my last mission to Europe. On this suggestion, and on his motion, the nomination was referred to a committee of which he was chairman, & Mr. Crawford of Georgia & Mr. Bibb of Kentucky the other members. As soon as I heard of the opposition, thro Mr. Brent, I requested that every item of the acc't might be re-examined with the utmost rigor, which was done. The account vouchers & settlement were obtained from the accounting office of the govt.; the auditor called before the committee, & examined, and research made into settlements with the persons employed in like missions; the result of which was, to disarm those opposed to me, of all grounds of opposition. The vote therefore was unanimous in my favour."
Although Giles drafted a censorious report, his fellow committee members made it known on the Senate floor that they deemed it a hatchet job. "Mr. Crawford remarked that had the report been drawn by Mr. Bibb & him, it would have been couched in different terms, implying as to expressions in my favor. Had I been vulnerable in this way I believe that I should have received deep wounds. But I am not afraid of my enemies in any way. I only ask that their attacks be open and not covert." Monroe goes on to say he has been "really without money since I came here, so great has been the expense of my establishment," but he promises to send Joseph some money and then invites him to visit Washington where "you will lodge with us."
On the subject of tensions with England, Monroe says, "My govt is resolved if G. Britain does not revoke her orders in council in a short time, to act offensively towards her--in fact not to remain inactive and at peace, while she wages war. I have sent several friends copies of the correspondence," including "to Mr. Jefferson."
"I AM NOT AFRAID OF MY ENEMIES...I ONLY ASK THAT THEIR ATTACKS BE OPEN AND NOT COVERT"
MONROE RAILS AGAINST THE OPPOSITION TO HIS NOMINATION AS MADISON'S SECRETARY OF STATE, AND PREDICTS A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST BRITAIN: "You have perhaps heard of an opposition in the Senate, by Mr. Giles as the leader, to my nomination to this office, founded on a supposed favoritism in the settlement of my account in my last mission to Europe. On this suggestion, and on his motion, the nomination was referred to a committee of which he was chairman, & Mr. Crawford of Georgia & Mr. Bibb of Kentucky the other members. As soon as I heard of the opposition, thro Mr. Brent, I requested that every item of the acc't might be re-examined with the utmost rigor, which was done. The account vouchers & settlement were obtained from the accounting office of the govt.; the auditor called before the committee, & examined, and research made into settlements with the persons employed in like missions; the result of which was, to disarm those opposed to me, of all grounds of opposition. The vote therefore was unanimous in my favour."
Although Giles drafted a censorious report, his fellow committee members made it known on the Senate floor that they deemed it a hatchet job. "Mr. Crawford remarked that had the report been drawn by Mr. Bibb & him, it would have been couched in different terms, implying as to expressions in my favor. Had I been vulnerable in this way I believe that I should have received deep wounds. But I am not afraid of my enemies in any way. I only ask that their attacks be open and not covert." Monroe goes on to say he has been "really without money since I came here, so great has been the expense of my establishment," but he promises to send Joseph some money and then invites him to visit Washington where "you will lodge with us."
On the subject of tensions with England, Monroe says, "My gov