Details
MONROE, James (1758-1831) President. Autograph letter signed ("Jas. Monroe"), as Senator, to William Branch Giles (1762-1830), 6 March 1792. 1 page, bifolium, integral address leaf, seal hole repaired edges reinforced.
THE PERPETUALLY CASH-STRAPPED MONROE MAKES PLANS TO PAY A FELLOW LAWMAKER. "I had appropriated in my private arrangements for payment of the sum due you," he tells Giles, "the amount out of what the State owed for my labours in the revision of the laws. I expected to have applied it before we came last fall but owing to some disagreement between us on some points the report was not made to the Assembly. The other gentn. are now sitting on the business, and as soon as it will be completed the money will be at our command...You will be so kind [to] mention whether you will require it until about the time of adjournment..." The "revision of the laws" refers to Monroe's participation in the Virginia ratifying convention for the new federal constitution. Monroe raised many cogent objections to the proposed charter, particularly the electoral college, which he saw as a vehicle for corruption and for making the executive subservient to state interests. He also urged his fellow delegates to reject the Constitution unless amendments protecting civil liberties were adopted first. Madison countered Monroe's objections, and George Washington's great authority swayed the convention in favor of adoption. Ironically, however, Monroe (and indeed Senator Giles) would join with Madison and Jefferson in opposing many of the policies of George Washington's Federalist administration.
THE PERPETUALLY CASH-STRAPPED MONROE MAKES PLANS TO PAY A FELLOW LAWMAKER. "I had appropriated in my private arrangements for payment of the sum due you," he tells Giles, "the amount out of what the State owed for my labours in the revision of the laws. I expected to have applied it before we came last fall but owing to some disagreement between us on some points the report was not made to the Assembly. The other gentn. are now sitting on the business, and as soon as it will be completed the money will be at our command...You will be so kind [to] mention whether you will require it until about the time of adjournment..." The "revision of the laws" refers to Monroe's participation in the Virginia ratifying convention for the new federal constitution. Monroe raised many cogent objections to the proposed charter, particularly the electoral college, which he saw as a vehicle for corruption and for making the executive subservient to state interests. He also urged his fellow delegates to reject the Constitution unless amendments protecting civil liberties were adopted first. Madison countered Monroe's objections, and George Washington's great authority swayed the convention in favor of adoption. Ironically, however, Monroe (and indeed Senator Giles) would join with Madison and Jefferson in opposing many of the policies of George Washington's Federalist administration.
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