Description:

James Monroe
Richmond, VA, January 28, 1803
James Monroe ALS Two Weeks After Appointed to Negotiate Louisiana Purchase
ALS

An autograph letter signed by James Monroe to Chief Justice John Marshall, Richmond, dated January 28, 1803. Signed "Jas. Monroe" and addressed to John Marshall, regarding payment due to an estate. 1p, measuring 7.25" x 8", the letter has been mounted and framed with portraits Monroe and Marshall, as well as the address panel to John Marshall, to the overall size of 32" x 20.75". Not examined out of the frame. Light toning, with flattened mail folds. Paper loss at the left margin, not touching text. The clipped address panel has uneven edges and minor soiling. Boldly signed.

In full:

"Sir, Untill the rect. of yr. favor & verbal communication on the subject of the claim of the representative of the late Mr. Formicola I had concluded that it was paid. I most readily admit the justice of the claim with interest and shall give instructions to my agent Major James Lewis in Albemarle to discharge it as soon as in his power. But as Mr. Bankhead with whom you will I presume adjust the executorship, is my near connection, I am persuaded he will allow the article and look to me for the payment. I mention this only in case Major Lewis shod. be unable to discharge the demand before you close yr. acct. The sum I observe is sixteen pounds eight shillings & seven pence exclusive of the interest, whose commencement you will be pleased to fix. I am with great respect yr. very humble serv…"

This letter was written just 16 days after James Monroe was appointed minister extraordinary to France by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson and Madison (now Secretary of State) believed that only Monroe had the reputation and experience to complete the delicate negotiations involved in purchasing land along the Mississippi River from France, and they were correct. Within three weeks of his arrival in France, Monroe and his colleague, Robert Livingston, had completed a treaty that secured the entire Louisiana territory at the cost of $15 million (80 million francs).

James Lewis (1756–1849), an Albemarle County native, served in the Revolutionary War and became an officer in the county militia. He amassed a considerable amount of property in the area, including the Stone Tavern in Charlottesville, and served as James Monroe's business agent from 1803.

John Bankhead (ca. 1760–1836), a native of Westmoreland County, was Monroe's cousin and a friend of Thomas Jefferson. He attended the College of William and Mary and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. Bankhead lived thereafter in Caroline County, Virginia, where he owned seventy-nine slaves in 1830.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: Letter: 7 1/4 x 8 in. (18.4 x 20.3 cm.), Frame: 32 x 20 3/4 in. (81.3 x 52.7 cm.)
  • Medium: ALS

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July 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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