Lot #13

Louisiana Purchase: James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed, Preparing to Depart for France to Negotiate the Purchase of New Orleans: "You know how sudden my appointment was"

Description

Monroe relates his hurried departure for France to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase: "You know how sudden my appointment was, and with what haste I am departing in discharge of its duties"

ALS signed "Jas. Monroe," one page, 8 x 10, February 12, 1803. Handwritten letter to General John T. Mason, a prominent Virginia militia officer and political ally, penned in obvious haste as Monroe prepared to depart for France to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase. In full: "I intended to have seen you this evening and to have conferred on our private affair in which I own with pleasure that I have received a strong proof of your friendship, but was delayed in this city 'til this moment and am now packing up to set out in the morning on the stage for New York. You know how sudden my appointment was, and with what haste I am departing in discharge of its duties. Tell me, will it suit you for me to pay the amount in European by installments and in what quarter? Write me to New York if it is your wish for me to make the payment here. I will inform you from that quarter what my arrangement will be." Addressed on the integral leaf in Monroe's hand, "General J. Mason." In fine condition, with some slightly irregular light toning.

Monroe makes last-minute preparations for his departure for France to take up the post of envoy extraordinary, charged by President Thomas Jefferson with the sensitive and important mission of concluding negotiations with the government of Napoleon for the purchase of New Orleans. Monroe was living quietly in Richmond when Jefferson, concerned that America's resident minister in Paris, Robert Livingston, lacked the authority and urgency required for the critical negotiations, wrote Monroe to request 'a temporary sacrifice to prevent the greatest of all evils in the present prosperous tide of our affairs.' Monroe could hardly do other than accept.

The appointment as envoy was speedily confirmed by Congress on January 11th, and Jefferson wrote Monroe: 'All eyes, all hopes are now fixed on you.' After spending several weeks in Washington conferring with President Jefferson and Secretary of State Madison, Monroe sailed from New York on March 8th, a few short weeks after writing this letter.

Ironically, the day before Monroe's arrival in Paris, Livingston was stunned to learn that the French Minister Barbe-Marbois, at Napoleon's request, proposed selling not just New Orleans but all of France's possessions west of the Mississippi. Monroe arrived in Paris on April 12th, and under his guidance the Louisiana Purchase Treaty was concluded on April 30th—doubling the size of the United States and ensuring its westward destiny.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts Featuring Presidents
• Dates: #735 - Ended 02/11/2026

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