ALS, one page, 8 x 10, July 1, 1828. Letter to an unidentified gentleman regarding his financial difficulties, a recent sale of property and slaves and his forthcoming memoir. In part: “I ought to have acknowledged your kind and friendly letter, on the subject of my memoir, before this, but in truth, the subject is, of a nature, so delicate, and so interesting to me, connected as it is with the sale of my property in Albemarle, which has, of the slaves, been recently concluded, that it has been painful for me, to touch on it. I have sold them in families, to Col. White of Florida formerly of Albemarle, & to whom they wished to go. He applies the amt. To the discharge of a debt, in part, which pressed me, so that the arrangement suits them as well as me. The Printers in Charlottesville, have undertaken to print my memoir, remarks, & c, at their own expense, in pamphlet, and will finish it as I hear, in the course of this month. You shall have a copy, when finished, as they will furnish me with some …” In very good to fine condition, professionally silked on reverse to stabilize splitting along folds, two creases though a couple letters of signature, an even shade of toning, paperclip impression to top edge, and some light mirroring of ink along top. Very clearly and boldly penned, the letter comes with its folder “From the Autograph Collection of The Rosenbach Company” and the company’s original typed content transcript.
Never financially solvent, Monroe’s debt troubles increased post-presidency, leading to the sale of his property, plantation, and most notably referenced here, his slaves. Having owned a plantation in Virginia for 24 years, Monroe was no stranger to the institution of slavery, having reportedly owned as many as 40 slaves throughout his lifetime. His views on the topic were paternalistic, and clearly revealed as such by his statement, “I have sold them in families, to Col. White of Florida formerly of Albemarle, & to whom they wishes to go.” Viewing slavery as evil but nevertheless beneficial to the well-being of his slaves, Monroe was known to have allowed families to stay together, permitted a degree of self-determination in work assignments, provided sufficient food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention, and as evidenced here, found it painful to part with them, ensuring that their transfer came with their approval. Unique admissions of participation in one of the nation’s greatest wrongs. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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