Monroe, James, 1758-1831 to Robert Swartwout
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01743.01 Author/Creator: Monroe, James, 1758-1831 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: March 16, 1817 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 24.4 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy
Letter written by Monroe as President to Swartwout, the former Quartermaster-General from March 1813 to June 1816. Monroe was Secretary of War from 1814 to 1815 and Swartwout reported to him during that point in the War of 1812. Swartwout apparently wrote Monroe for documents defending his conduct during the war. Monroe says he is returning papers relating to claims of Swartwout from January 1815. Says he remembers the time well and recollects the powers given to Swartwout to carry out the war. Says his letter from February 4, 1815 will give the best account of the powers given him. Says there will be no differences on the facts that occurred between them, but says "it is desirable, from motives of delicacy, that I should interpose as little as possible, to decide questions connected to it." Probably does not want to cause any controversy early in his presidency. Says he will converse with him on the claims if he decides to call on him. There are two dockets, one written by Swartwout and the other seemingly written by a secretary for Monroe saying there was an original letter as well as War Department correspondence from 1813-1815. The War Department correspondence is not included here.
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