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MADISON AND MONROE
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MADISON, JAMES. Partly-printed vellum Document Signed, as President, grant-
ing a quarter lot of land in Chillicothe, OH, to Peter Row. Countersigned by Secretary of
State James Monroe (“Jas Monroe”). 9x15
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2
inches; moderate fading to Madison signature
(but still legible), folds, upper edge unevenly trimmed, docketing verso, paper seal mostly
intact.
Washington, 10 February 1811
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QUELLING UNREST ONTHE EVE OFTHE LOUISIANA PURCHASE
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MADISON, JAMES. Letter Signed, as Secretary of State, to Governor of TN
Archibald Roane, requesting that he restrain any attempts within his state to bring arms
against Spanish Louisiana. 1 page, 4to; vertical fold through final “M” of signature (without
loss), evenly toned, faint offsetting, remnants of prior mounting along upper edge verso.
[Washington], 18 February 1803
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“
It has been represented to the Government of the United States by the Minister of His Catholic
Majesty, that from reports which are entitled to attention he has reason to fear, that certain persons in
the Western parts of Pennsylvania are employed in exciting the people to arm themselves, with the
expectation of being joined by others from the western portion of the Union, and to proceed with hos-
tile intentions against the Province of Louisiana. As such a procedure would be not only incompatible
with the authority and dignity of the Government but dangerous to our peace with foreign nations, the
President entertains the fullest confidence that your Excellency will take the most early and efficient
measures to restrain such an attempt should it be within the state of Tennessee.”
In 1800, the area of present-day Louisiana was transferred from Spain to France, but the King of
Spain (“His Catholic Majesty”) remained in charge until French officials were in place.The idea that
the French Empire would soon be controlling the important port of New Orleans was not greeted by
Americans with universal approval, especially by those merchants in Western Pennsylvania and else-
where who would no longer be able to store goods at the port. As President Jefferson pusued the
negotiations that would soon result in the Louisiana Purchase, he simultaneously prepared for the pos-
sibility of a military engagement in the Mississippi valley and approved local State militias to restrain
any violence that might erupt from the merchants.
Letters similar to the present one were sent at the same time by Madison to the governors of
Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
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