Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-06-24
For the SPECTATOR.
The Stuart Papers-No. s.

| For the SPECTATOR.
The Stuart Papers-N0. s.
| LETTERS ADDRESSED TO THE LAT,
JUDGE ARCHIBALD STUART, o.
STAUNTON,
The following was written while MI
Monroe was United States Minister a
| London:
LONDON, April Is, 1904.
DEAR SIR:-I feel very great desir,
while am here to be useful to all my
old friends, as far as I may be able
In that sentiment naturally look tt
those of my early life, and especially
such as it may possibly be in my power
to serve. You may want books or SOM
other objects, in which myself or Mrs
Monroe may render service to you o.
Mrs. Stuart. If such should be thu
case, beg of you to command me. L
any of our friends of the court, with
whom we both stand on the best foot
ing, should have the same desire, il
would also give me pleasure to obey theil
commands. In the article of money,
you know, never was among the for
tunate. Here am particularly other
wise, from the great expense attend
ing my situation, or rather a subsist-
ence, in this country. Still, if you find
a convenience in my advancing it for
you, I will most willingly do it.
The wisdom and virtue of our present
administration will, I think, advance
the prosperity of our country to the
greatest possible height. 1t will confirm
the republican system at home, and
make it more respectable abroad. We
certainly never held the high ground in
Europe that we now do. Our flag is re-
spected by both parties, and we enjoy
friendship with both.
1t will give me great pleasure to hear
from you. Present our best regards to
Mrs. Stuart and family, as also to Mr..
Coalter and Mr.. Kinney. When did
you see John Monroe? When you do,
remember me to him. How does he
get on, and how are his family. I am,
dear sir, sincerely your friend and SER
want, JAS. MONROE.
The watch referred to in the follow
ing letter is worn at this day by the
Hon. Alex. H. H. Stuart, and has the
name flames Monroe" engraved on the
inner case:
LONDON, Sept. %, 1904.
MY DEAR SIR About the time that
yours of April 18th reached me, you
will have received one from me, which
anticipated your object respecting a
watch or any other object which you
might desire me to procure for you here.
I ordered one Immediately on the re-
ceipt of yours of Mr.. Barwix, who is
considered one of the best workmen
here, which he has just finished, and is
now forwarded to you by Mr.. Sergeant
of Petersburg. He promises to take good
care of and deliver her to you. The ar.
tist made her for me, on the supposition
that being on the ground, he would be
careful she was we'll done. She is q
plain watch, double cased, and he says
as good as he can make her. She cost
25 guineas, which is thought cheap. Be
so good as inform me how she answers
the expectation entertained of her.
That sum you will be pleased to pay to
Major Lewis, who acts for me in Albe-
marie.
Our affairs here stand on a good foot
ing. Our commerce is less interrupted
than it used to be, and this govern
ment and country seem satisfied that it
is the wish of ours to preserve peace
and friendship with them. The con-
duct which I have pursued here, by or
der of our government, has been perfect
ly conciliatory, and I have observed it
with pleasure, in the hope that the eff
feet would not only prove beneicent at
present, but tend to dissipate forever
prejudices which past occurrences ere
ated and fostered. If our present ad-
ministration was unfriendly to this
country, there never was time when
it had it so much in its power to indulge
that propensity. Its conduct, however,
has been of very different character.
I am persuaded that it is seen by Eu-
rope, and generally admitted, that its
acts, in reference to the parties to the
war, are fair and impartial, and that
in all other relations with the powers OF
Europe, we are entitled to consideration
and respect by the general integrity OF
our conduct, and by the attention and
respect which is shown to each of them
by our government. It is a circum
stance of peculiar good fortune, that moi
solely for themselves, or even perhaps
their country, but of mankind, that
those now in power in the United States
have been called there at the present
epoch. 1t was important while we are
young and virtuous and capable of judg
| ing q speak of the whole American
people) that an appeal should be mad
| to their good sense Of the efficiency o
republican government by an expert
ment under an administration which i!
devoted to it. So far that experiment
has verified the expectations of the mos
sanguipe, and that it will continue tt
do so have no doubt. 1t promises te
be the more successful, because at tn.
same time that it gives the greatest eff.
feet to our own principles at home, il
avoids all Interference with the interior
of foreign governments, with whom
indeed, we never stood on better ground
I hope that the course of our affairs will
tend to put an end to party divisions
among us-nine-tenths, perhaps SO O.
100 on each side, have meant thu
same thing, the good of our country
Some have thought that the end was at
tainable in one mode, some in another
They were compromised, their pas
sions were excited, and reason ceased
to rule. Let us profit of what has
passed, adhere to principles which
ought to be equally dear to all, since tho
happiness of all depends on their preser
vatiOn. But shall tire you with re-
marks that are too familiar to you to bt
inserted here.
| On the state of European affairs I say
nothing. The papers give you in genera
correct view, and the dread of anything
from me, and indeed the impolicy O
it, getting into the gazettes or becoming
public, however harmless, restraints IN.
from saying much to my friends that
otherwise should do. 1t gives me grea
pleasure to hear from my friends, though
but few of you write me. Present our bes
regards to your lady. and believe MT
very sincerely your friend and servant
| JAS. MONROE.
Be so good as forward the enclosed t.
John Monroe by secure conveyance
1 have never heard of him since l cam
from Richmond.
| To be continued.J
| J. A. w.
ut is a standing rule of our church, y
said one clergyman to another, "for tn
sexton To wax nm auv man that he ma