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LOT #42088 |
Starting Bid: $4,000
James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed as President...
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Description
James Monroe Advises His Namesake Nephew on a Courtship: "...do not rest your future prospects & hopes entirely on her, or her family"
James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed as President ("James
Monroe"). Two pages on a single leaf, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches;
Washington; November 2, 1821.A warm and fatherly letter from President Monroe to his namesake nephew, in which he offers practical advice on managing his courtship of a lady in New York. Monroe writes, in full:
"If the Lady, with whom you have a particular relation in N. York, has not returned there, had you not better, avail yourself of the opportunity to go to Virg'a to see your father & his family? There are many reasons why you should take that step, which merit your attention. First it will be gratifying to your parents, to whom you may give useful advice as to their own concerns. Secondly, it will enable you to confer freely with your brother, & to give him advice also which may be useful to him. I understood from your father, that one reason assigned by your brother, for doing nothing for himself, & making no exertion, was a suggestion from you, that he had better remain as he was, till you saw him. I suspect that you merely meant, that when you say you would give him your advice, but did not mean, to prevent his exertions in the mean time.
Another reason occurs in favor of this visit, which is that by withdrawing from N. York, till the Lady returns there, & for some time afterwards, on a visit here & to your father, it will be shown, that you do not rest your future prospects & hopes entirely on her, or her family. I think, the step would raise you in her estimation, & that of the family as well as of others. It might be advisable for you to leave no message to her, & even to leave her to doubt, whether you had not been justly wounded at her going into Canada, after promising not to go. That however should be left to inference only, & not the subject of a message, nor would I say so to any one, to report it to her.
Hortensia is still dangerously ill. Your aunt, accompanied by Mr. Hay, left this yesterday, for General Ringgolds, to afford such consolation as circumstances may require, & she be equal to. Col. Lane has returned in a very low state, just recovered, so far, from a long & distressing fever.
Your friend,
James Monroe."
James Monroe the younger was the only son of Andrew Augustine Monroe, President Monroe's younger brother. After the death of their mother in 1772 and their father just two years later, sixteen-year-old James took on a parental role with younger brothers as he managed his family's large estate. Thus, he was quite prepared to give the sort of advice he offers to his young nephew here.
President Monroe later helped his nephew gain admission to West Point in 1815, after which he was commissioned into the Artillery Corps. From 1817 to 1822, the younger Monroe served as aide-de-camp to General Winfield Scott. The young lady his uncle references his pursuit of in this letter is almost certainly Elizabeth Mary Douglas, who would become Elizabeth Mary Douglas Monroe in 1822. The couple had three children, and remained married until Elizabeth's death in 1852.
Condition: Overall very good, with light, uneven toning and flattened folds. Some minor edgewear and a few small separations at the fold lines. A very clean and bright example, with excellent ink contrast.
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
June
19th
Friday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
June
19th
Friday
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20 Days
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