JAMES MONROE LETTERS RELATING TO

THE MARIA REYNOLDS -- ALEXANDER HAMILTON AFFAIR

MANUSCRIPT DIGEST

LWS 3074 -3087

The following Manuscript Digest contains abstracts of letters written by
James Monroe to Alexander Hamilton, to Aaron Burr, and to William
Dawson. It also contains two letters written by Alexander Hamilton to
James Monroe. All of the letters concern the affair that Alexander
Hamilton is purported to have had with Maria Reynolds. They also
reference dealings that Hamilton is said to have had with Maria
Reynolds' husband, James. The letters present insight into the
relationships between Hamilton and Monroe, and between Burr and Monroe.

The letters are part of the Lloyd W. Smith Collection of Morristown
National Historical Park. Microfilm copies of these documents are
available at the Morristown National Historical Park's research library.
For further information, or to access copies of the manuscripts, please
contact the Division of Cultural Resources at (973) 539-2016.

1.  MONROE, JAMES and \[illegible\] AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG \[LWS 3087\]
    \[Philadelphia\] \[December 13, 1792\]

\[Recipient unknown\], 3 pp.

-   Says that he wants to examine the suggestions made respecting the
    motive for the confinement and proposed enlargement of James
    Reynolds from the Philadelphia jail. Thinks that unless it was done
    immediately, the opportunity might be lost because he understands
    that Reynolds will leave the place right after his discharge. Notes
    that they called at Reynolds' house the night before and found Mrs.
    Reynolds alone. She reluctantly communicated to them the following
    particulars of the affair.

-   She said that since Col. Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury, at
    his request she burned a considerable number of letters from him to
    her husband, in order to prevent their being made public.

-   She said that Mr. Clingman had several anonymous notes addressed to
    her husband, and she believed those notes to be from Mr. Hamilton.

-   

-   (No. 1 continued)

-   \[Monroe notes that they have those notes.\] The notes had the
    following endorsement: "from Secretary Hamilton, Esq." in Mr.
    Reynolds' handwriting.

-   She further said that Mr. Hamilton offered his assistance to her to
    go to her friends, and that he advised that her husband should leave
    the area, not to be seen again. She felt that Mr. Hamilton wanted
    her husband to go away because of the threat that he posed. She felt
    that her husband could "tell something that would make some of the
    heads of departments tremble".

-   She noted that Mr. Wadsworth had been active in her behalf, with the
    knowledge of Mr. Hamilton, whose friend he was. She said that Mr.
    Wadsworth had been at her house yesterday, and had mentioned that
    two gentlemen of Congress had been at the jail to confer with her
    husband, and asked if she knew why. Mr. Wadsworth told her that Mr.
    Hamilton had enemies who would try to prove things against Hamilton,
    but knew that Mr. Hamilton would be "found immaculate". Mrs.
    Reynolds replied to Mr. Wadsworth that she doubted that.

-   Monroe noted that they saw two notes in her possession. One was from
    Alexander Hamilton, written on the 6^th^ of December, and the other
    was signed "J.W., purporting to have been written yesterday". Both
    notes expressed a desire to relieve her.

-   She denied any recent communication from Hamilton, and also denied
    that she had received any money from him today.

2.  HAMILTON, Alexander \[location unknown\] \[July 18, 1797\]

To James Monroe, Esq.

1 page and 1 envelope.

Microfilm 21: 712-713.

-   Says that Monroe's letter of the day before in answer to Hamilton's
    letter of the same date was received, and that Hamilton found it
    unsatisfactory. Says that "the information of Clingman had revived
    the suspicions which my explanation had removed.

-   (No. 2 continued)

-   This would include the very derogatory suspicions that I had
    concerted with Reynolds not only the fabrication of all the letters
    and documents under his hand, but also the forgery of the letters
    produced as those of Mr. Reynolds -- since these last unequivocally
    contradict the pretence communicated by Clingman. I therefore
    request you to say whether this inference be intended." \[This
    letter refers to the Maria Reynolds affair, and the supposed
    blackmail of Hamilton by Maria Reynolds' husband.\]

-   The envelope is addressed to James Monroe, Esq. at Mr. \[illegible\]
    Lawsons, Tenth Street.

3.  MONROE, JAMES \[LWS 3084\] \[Philadelphia\] \[July 25, 1797\]

To Col. Hamilton, 3 pp. and 1 envelope.

Microfilm 36: 583-586.

-   Says that he read Hamilton's letter of the 22^nd^, delivered by
    Major Jackson, and has paid it the attention it merits. Says that he
    cannot answer it in a manner that would be satisfactory to
    Hamilton's feelings, nor can he reply in the same harsh style used
    by Hamilton. Says that his attention to truth compels him to "place
    this affair on its true ground".

-   Says that he constantly said after their interview, that in making
    an entry that should have been signed by \[illegible\], as well as
    by himself, that he never intended to give any opinion of his own
    but merely noted what Mr. Clingman stated, having "it upon his
    credit only". Says that Hamilton wants Monroe to state that the
    communication made no impression on Monroe's mind, and that Monroe
    cannot state that because it is incorrect. He says that on the other
    hand, he does not wish to be understood as "intimating that this
    communication absolutely changed my opinion", for then he should
    have acted on it, whereas the contrary was the case.

-   Says that with respect to the propriety of noting down that
    communication, that he would have noted any others that might have
    been made on the same topic. Says that if it was proper to note the
    first communication received, it was equally proper to note this
    one, and says that Hamilton did not disapprove of the first one
    being noted. Says that his motives were from candor towards
    Hamilton, as well as from propriety on "our own parts".

-   (No. 3 continued)

-   \[There are many strikeouts throughout the letter.\]

-   Says that he does not wish to discuss whether or not Hamilton
    admitted all or any parts of Clingman's communications in "our
    interview with you". He says his role was not as an accuser.

-   Says that his wish is that truth appears. Says that "why you have
    adopted this stile \[sic\] I know not". Says that if Hamilton is
    trying to render this affair as personal between them, that Hamilton
    might have been more explicit, since Hamilton will know what
    Monroe's determination is, and to which he will firmly adhere. Says
    that if Hamilton's object is to illustrate truth, "it appears illy
    calculated to promote that end".

-   The envelope notes that the letter refers to "a difference between
    Col. Monroe and Col. Hamilton 1793". \[That note was written in a
    different hand.\] In Monroe's hand is written: "The charges need not
    publish our correspondences. \[illegible\] No occasion for a reply,
    as it may \[illegible\]. July 25 -- 1797 To Col. Hamilton".

4.  MONROE, JAMES \[LWS 3075\] \[Philadelphia\] \[August 8, 1797\]

To Alexander Hamilton, 1 page.

Microfilm 36: 587

-   Says he does not understand the import of the letter he received
    from Hamilton on the 4^th^, and wants an explanation of the letter,
    in which case he will provide an explanation of the letter he wrote
    that Hamilton is responding to. Says that he sees nothing in his
    last letter to Hamilton that would give Hamilton a challenge, or to
    provoke one from him. Says that he meant only to "stand on the
    offensive", and would receive one if Hamilton thought fit to give
    one. Says that if Hamilton was under a "contrary impression" that he
    is mistaken.

-   Notes that if Hamilton did mean his last letter to Monroe as a
    challenge to him, that Hamilton should let the bearer of this
    letter, Col. Burr, know. Says that Col. Burr is empowered to make
    any suitable arrangements pertaining to the challenge.

5.  HAMILTON, Alexander \[New York\] \[August 9, 1797\]

> To James Monroe, Esq. 1 page and 1 envelope.

Microfilm 21: 714-715

-   Refers to a letter Hamilton wrote to Monroe on August 4. Says that
    the intention of that letter was to meet and make "an advance
    towards a personal interview which it appeared to me had been made
    by you". Hamilton says that from the reply he received from Monroe,
    it was clear to him that Monroe "disfavors the inference". Says he
    will take no further steps on his part, as it "would be improper".

-   The envelope is addressed to James Monroe, Esq., Philadelphia.

6.  MONROE, JAMES \[LWS 3076\] \[Philadelphia\] \[illegible, 1797\]
    \[Recipient unknown\] 3 pp.

Microfilm 36: 579-581

-   Says he is enclosing a copy of correspondence with Hamilton, and
    also a letter to Hamilton in reply to his letter to Monroe that
    Monroe wishes the bearer to present to Hamilton. Says that his
    letter to Hamilton tries to ascertain whether Hamilton made a direct
    challenge to Monroe, or if Hamilton's letter is an acceptance of a
    perceived challenge on Monroe's part. Says that if Hamilton meant to
    challenge Monroe, that the recipient of the letter should accept the
    challenge on Monroe's behalf. Says he never meant to give Hamilton a
    challenge. Feels that whatever passed between them was no cause for
    a challenge. Mentions the interview they had in New York.

-   Says that if a challenge has indeed been given, he must be given
    time to finish a publication, and to put his family affairs in
    order, for he has been absent from home for a while. Says he would
    need 2 months to complete his publication, and a third month to put
    his family affairs in order. Says he would prefer the location to be
    near the Susquehanna. Says that he would not bother the recipient,
    unless it was in his neighborhood, because the recipient has a child
    and a family. Says he will rely on the help of Mr. Dawson. Notes
    that he might have to ask the help of the recipient after all

-   Asks the recipient to explain to Hamilton why he did not have Major
    Jackson represent Monroe, and that Monroe felt it would be more
    agreeable to Hamilton to have the recipient able to make
    arrangements with Hamilton on the spot.

-   (No. 6 continued)

-   Says he wants to get the matter settled quickly, and wants an end to
    it. Expresses confidence in recipient's "judgment, honor, and
    friendship", and knows that he can count on him to settle the matter
    with propriety, especially since the recipient himself has a family.
    Says he does not want the matter settled with "sacrifice or
    condescension".

-   Suggests that recipient hint to Hamilton that the letters between
    Monroe and Hamilton should not be published, for they would weaken
    the ground of Muhlenberg. Says that his letter to Hamilton was in
    the spirit of conciliation, and that he will not say a word if
    Hamilton does not attack them. Says he was never averse to the
    simple question "did you mean to give any opinion of your own as to
    the \[illegible\] due to the \[illegible\] bearing your single
    signature?" Notes that Hamilton tried to get more from Monroe than
    Monroe could, in conscience, give.

-   Notes that he believes that Hamilton is pushed on by his party
    friends who would side with Hamilton in order to get rid of Monroe.
    Notes that he has no desire to prosecute Hamilton, although he
    merits it. Says that except for giving notification to what "in
    truth I would not", that he did not care from the first how
    favorable the offer appraised for Hamilton. Says that he had no hand
    in the publication, and was sorry for it.

-   Notes that he believes Hamilton acted wrongly by drawing the
    public's attention to it, and making the affair of more consequence
    than it would merit. Says that Hamilton might manage his defense so
    as to make Muhlenberg and Monroe become his accusers in their own
    defense.

-   Says that he wishes to leave next Friday, and will be glad to hear
    from the recipient on this subject before then.

7.  MONROE, JAMES \[LWS 3081\] \[Philadelphia\] \[August 16, 1797\]
    \[Recipient unknown\] 1 page.

Microfilm 36: 588.

-   Monroe writes a note saying that he certifies that is was not his
    intention to give any opinion of his own as to the entry which
    \[illegible\] his single signature in the papers containing an
    inquiry into Col. Hamilton's conduct by Mr. Muhlenberg, Mr. Venable,
    and himself in 1792. Says that he meant it to stand on the conduct
    of Mr. Clingman, upon whose application the entry was made.

8.  MONROE, JAMES \[LWS 3079\] \[Albemarle, Virginia\] \[October 1,
    1797\] To Col. Burr, 2 pp.

Microfilm 36:589-590.

-   Says that when he received Mr. H's last letter, he was not satisfied
    with it, and asked the recipient to tell him so, giving him full
    power over the case in his behalf. Says he never received an answer
    to his letter to the recipient. Says that he ascribes the lack of an
    answer from the recipient to an opinion on recipient's part that
    either Monroe should leave the affair with Hamilton where it was, or
    that Monroe should be free to pursue the other object to completion,
    without any interruption from this affair. Says that he draws the
    recipient's attention again to the subject.

-   Monroe says he thinks the gentleman \[Hamilton\] should have been
    satisfied with the explanation Monroe gave him, "or to have called
    me to the field", for that is what he would have done himself.

-   Notes that he does not know if he would have taken notice of the
    style of \[Hamilton's\] letters at another time and under other
    circumstances. Says that the publication of the papers to which
    \[Hamilton\] refers did not injure Monroe, and might injure
    \[Hamilton\], so Monroe was provoked when he received \[Hamilton's\]
    letters. Says that he did not find in the letters any reason to take
    other ground than that of the defensive, which he felt was the
    proper ground to take in such a controversy.

-   Feels that the letter \[from Hamilton\] may be considered a
    challenge, and if it is one, feels he must accept it. Says that he
    has written \[Hamilton\] on that point. Requests that if a challenge
    is involved that the recipient will perform the office designated in
    Monroe's letter.

-   Gives the recipient power to act in the affair as he deems most
    honorable for Monroe to act. He asks recipient to take the steps for
    Monroe that the recipient would have taken for himself.

-   Says that if \[Hamilton\] gives satisfactory answers, Monroe wants
    no publication of the letters. Thinks it might be proper to insert a
    paragraph in the paper to the effect stated below. Says if
    \[Hamilton\] does not make the expected explanation, that the
    recipient will "of course close the affair between us and appoint
    the time and place of mutiny and the sooner the better".

-   

-   (No. 8 continued)

-   Says that if \[Hamilton\] gives no explanation at all, leaving it to
    Monroe to explain it, then the recipient should consider
    \[Hamilton's\] papers in the strongest light, and close it as above.
    Says that if the affair takes this course, the more pointed and
    explicit the better.

9.  MONROE, JAMES \[LWS 3080\] \[Albemarle, VA\] \[October 2, 1797\]
    \[Probably to Alexander Hamilton\]

1 page.

Microfilm 36: 591

-   Says that after \[Hamilton's\] explanation of August 9, that Monroe
    requested Col. Burr to tell \[Hamilton\] that Monroe was not
    satisfied with the explanation given by him at that time, and that
    Monroe was also unsatisfied with the one given on the 4^th^. Notes
    that he has been busy with other matters since then.

-   Says that it was not his intention to make the matter into a
    personal affair. Notes that there was nothing in Monroe's letters
    that "countenanced that idea". Says that certain papers of
    Hamilton's suggested a certain tendency to take it personally, and
    says that he replied to Hamilton "if you invited it, I should accept
    it." Says that by stating that he did not mean to become an
    aggressor and felt that such a conclusion was not justly inferable,
    but that it wasn't his intention to decline a challenge if Hamilton
    issued one, either by "challenge invitation or advance". Says that
    Hamilton's letter of the 4^th^ could be conceived that way.

-   States that he has requested Mr. Dawson to communicate further with
    \[Hamilton\] on the subject of the letter, and has empowered him to
    give Monroe's answer on the subject and to arrange the affair, in
    case Hamilton meant the letter as a challenge.

10. MONROE, JAMES \[LWS 3083\] \[Albemarle\] \[October 10, 1797\]

\[To William Dawson\] 2 pp. and an envelope.

Microfilm 36: 592-594.

-   Says he is surprised he has received nothing from Dawson since his
    arrival in Philadelphia. States that he has committed a private
    letter to Dawson that addresses a subject of great delicacy, and
    that he has submitted the subject to Dawson's and his \[probably
    Hamilton's\] judgment.

-   (No. 10 continued)

-   Says he sends another letter which will be examined, and is sure
    that Dawson will weigh the subject with due attention and will take
    what steps it becomes Monroe to take.

-   Feels that Livingston should be consulted, as "a man of judgment",
    and one friendly to Monroe. Tells Dawson to consult whom he pleases.
    Says Dawson can fill up the blank with his name or Burr's name.

-   Says he has read the speech and replies, and feels it best to let
    the thing pass in "the usual stile" \[sic\]. Says he knows Dawson's
    situation is a delicate one, and wants to hear from him on these
    topics. Says that if an opposition is made, it should be with temper
    and wisdom. Says that if he had been a member, he would have opposed
    the \[illegible\] upon Mr. Adams, and assigned his reason for it.
    Notes that the election by the people was no proof that they
    approved his principles because he was the neighbor of those who
    voted for him, and they might not know his principles. \[Some of the
    rest of the letter is illegible\].

-   Asks that he be remembered to Mr. Jefferson. Adds a postscript,
    asking what has become of his book.

-   The envelope is inscribed: Oct. 10, 1797, to Wm. Dawson.