Peak season notice: Shipping for this category may take 14–21 business days after cleared payment. Thanks for your patience.
LOT #42087 |
Starting Bid: $12,000
James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
As Napoleon Falls and Europe is Reordered, Secretary of State James Monroe Warns that British Ascendancy will Threaten American Interests
James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed ("Jas Monroe").
Four pages of a bifolium, 7 5/8 x 9 7/8 inches; Washington; June
1814. Docketed in Crawford's hand at the bottom margin of page
four.Monroe writes to William H. Crawford, U.S. Minister to France, analyzing the restoration of the French monarchy, the shifting balance of power in Europe, and the implications of rising British influence for the United States. Monroe writes, in part:
"Dear Sir
Your last letters have announc'd the most important events, that have happened since the commenc'ment of the French revolution. After a continual struggle for nearly 25 years, & many changes in the interior of France, and Europe generally, we now find the family that was deposed & expelled France, restored, and France herself reduced nearly to her former limits. It seems probable, that the dread of that power; will keep alive such a combination of the other powers, as will for sometime at last, depress France to an extraordinary degree, & elevate g Britain proportionally. This cannot fail to prove injurious to us, as from France, who is weak at sea, we have nothing to apprehend, while from England we have nothing to hope. If the constitution adopted by the Senate, is carried into effect, and maintained on its principles, the condition of the French people will be happeir, than it has hitherto been. Of the practicability of doing this, experience suggests many causes of doubt. The habits of the French are entirely military; the mass of the people unlettered; and the pressure on the nation from the surrounding powers so great, as to make it very difficult to prevent the absorption of all the powers of govt., in the hands of the Executive. There is undoubtedly much learning in the nation tho' confined comparatively to few, and much more morality & principle, than they have credit for. I have seen them in circumstances of great trial, & have seen proof of the greatest heroism & magnanimity. If the present order of theirs remains, which appears to me quite probable, and the French remain any time at peace, the prospect of preserving this constitution is good. Knowing as I do, so many of the parties engaged in the late extraordinary events, in whose welfare I take an interest, I have been much excited by the dangers to which they have been exposed, & from which they are not yet free. Your own situation has been highly interesting, for altho', as I hope it has been, subject to no danger, yet you must have felt for others, & had much anxiety as to the consequences, in all their possible aspects. You have witnessed many extraoy. moments & changes in a very short time. In the attention shown you by Mr. Marbois, at the dinner party, I recognize the features of an old friend, who is also a strong friend to our country. Where was Volney, Cambaceres, La Fayette, Nantriere, Le Brean, La Foret in all these movements, & many others whom I gave you list. I make this inquiry rather to show that I take an interest in what concerns them, than to trouble you with giving me any detail.
In our own affairs the papers will communicate every thing that is interesting. If peace does not take place, new arrangements must be made for a more vigorous prosecution of the war, than has yet been seen. These must be made by Congress. A thousand considerations of the minor kind, have mingled themselves in the movement, heretofore. Serious danger will I trust put them aside, and this undoubtedly is approaching. A strong force may be expected, & is probably on the way, to prosecute the war with vigor...A letter of evidence for the new sovereign will be sent to you, as soon as he has been recognized & his title known.
Mr. Serurier has given satisfaction to this government, & the President wishes you to make that sentiment known, in a suitable way to the govt. of France. An interest is taken in his welfare...It is not improbable that the Congress may be convened. If the war goes on, some skillful French officers...may be useful. This is merely a hint.
With known regard
your friend & servt.
Jas Monroe
Did you get presented to the Emperor of Russia, or ascertain his disposition toward us? Or whether g Britain would be permitted to push this war against us with Ld. Wellington's army, to establish British maritime rights against the interest of Russia & all the powers of the Continent. Will the present govt. of France tolerate it?"
A full transcript of the letter is available in the lot's extended description online.
As Europe emerged from the upheaval of the Napoleonic Wars, James Monroe was at the center of American foreign policy. With Napoleon defeated and the Bourbon monarchy restored in France, Monroe turned to the larger question of what this transformation would mean for the United States, offering a cautious assessment.
Monroe reads the new European order as one that will constrain France and elevate Great Britain, a development he regards as inherently unfavorable to American interests. A weakened France poses no threat at sea, while a strengthened Britain, already dominant in naval power, offers little prospect of accommodation. The balance that had once provided the United States with diplomatic flexibility, he suggests, is now shifting decisively.
At the same time, Monroe reflects on France's internal condition, weighing the promise of constitutional government against the realities of a militarized society and external pressure. Stability, in his view, is possible but uncertain.
The letter moves between observation and policy, turning finally to the War of 1812 and the need for more vigorous prosecution if peace does not come. It captures Monroe not simply as an administrator, but as a strategist, interpreting the end of one great conflict while preparing for the continuation of another.
Condition: Overall good. Flattened folds and minor toning, with very minor offsetting along upper margin to page one. Moderate to full separations along almost all folds, including approximately 50% separation to integral fold, affecting text. Reinforced by strips of tape along a few vertical and horizontal folds on pages 2 and 3. Ink offsetting throughout.
References: Samuel Flagg Bemis, John Quincy Adams and the Foundations of American Foreign Policy (New York: Knopf, 1949); J. C. A. Stagg, The War of 1812: Conflict for a Continent (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012); The Papers of James Monroe (selected volumes; Library of Congress / various editions).
More Information: "Dear Sir
Your last letters have announc'd the most important events, that have happened since the commenc'ment of the French revolution. After a continual struggle for nearly 25 years, & many changes in the interior of France, and Europe generally, we now find the family that was deposed & expelled France, restored, and France herself reduced nearly to her former limits. It seems probable, that the dread of that power; will keep alive such a combination of the other powers, as will for sometime at last, depress France to an extraordinary degree, & elevate g Britain proportionally. This cannot fail to prove injurious to us, as from France, who is weak at sea, we have nothing to apprehend, while from England we have nothing to hope. If the constitution adopted by the Senate, is carried into effect, and maintained on its principles, the condition of the French people will be happeir, than it has hitherto been. Of the practicability of doing this, experience suggests many causes of doubt. The habits of the French are entirely military; the mass of the people unlettered; and the pressure on the nation from the surrounding powers so great, as to make it very difficult to prevent the absorption of all the powers of govt., in the hands of the Executive. There is undoubtedly much learning in the nation tho' confined comparatively to few, and much morality & principle, than they have credit for. I have seen them in circumstances of great trial, & have seen proof of the greatest heroism & magnanimity. If the present order of theirs remains, which appears to me quite probable, and the French remain any time at peace, the prospect of preserving this constitution is good. Knowing as I do, so many of the parties engaged in the late extraordinary events, in whose welfare I take an interest, I have been much excited by the dangers to which they have been exposed, & from which they are not yet free. Your own situation has been highly interesting, for altho', as I hope it has been, subject to no danger, yet you must have felt for others, & had much anxiety as to the consequences, in all their possible aspects. You have witnessed many extraoy. moments & changes in a very short time. In the attention shown you by Mr. Marbois, at the dinner party, I recognize the features of an old friend, who is also a strong friend to our country. Where was Volney, Cambaceres, La Fayette, Nantriere, Le Brean, La Foret in all these movements, & many others whom I gave you list. I make this inquiry rather to show that I take an interest in what concerns them, than to trouble you with giving me any detail.
In our own affairs the papers will communicate every thing that is interesting. If peace does not take place, new arrangements must be made for a more vigorous prosecution of the war, than has yet been seen. These must be made by Congress. A thousand considerations of the minor kind, have mingled themselves in the movement, heretofore. Serious danger will I trust put them aside, and this undoubtedly is approaching. A strong force may be expected, & is probably on the way, to prosecute the war with vigor.
Your return will be expected to, but with regret. You must however allow a little time to fix on your welfare, & for the difficulties of the moment. A letter of evidence for the new sovereign will be sent to you, as soon as he has been recognized & his title known.
Mr. Serurier has given satisfaction to this government, & the President wishes you to make that sentiment known, in a suitable way to the govt. of France. An interest is taken in his welfare. On this [courier?] with his friends, and [our?] Dr. [Caudreaux?].
It is probable I write you again before the packet sails. I mention a letter, this moment recd. from Mrs. Crawford.
It is not improbable that the Congress may be convened. If the war goes on, some skillful French officers with certain [illegible] may be useful. This is merely a hint.
With known regard
your friend & servt.
Jas Monroe
Did you get presented to the Emperor of Russia, or ascertain his disposition toward us? Or whether g Britain would be permitted to push this war against us with Ld. Wellington's army, to establish British maritime rights against the interest of Russia & all the powers of the Continent. Will the present govt. of France tolerate it?"
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
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
14 Days
17h 12m 17s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
Lot Tracking Activity: 1
Page Views: 36
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 42001-42298) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, June 19, 2026.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions - Dallas
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms