Monroe, James, 1758-1831 to unknown

Letter probably sent to John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State by President Monroe. Letter believed to be a precursor to the Monroe Doctrine. Said he had to withdraw the nomination of John B. Prevost, Aaron Burr's nephew, as Charge d'Affaires to Peru from the Senate. Monroe has heavily crossed out the words "Prevost" and "Peru" throughout the letter. Says he probably would have been rejected and that would have caused too much harm to Prevost's reputation. He wants Adams to write to Prevost and tell him everything that is being said about him. Recommends sending the letter by Caesar Augustus Rodney, who Monroe was sending to South America as one of the commissioners to investigate and report on the propriety of recognizing the independence of the Spanish-American Republics. Monroe withdrew the nomination because of a backlash against Prevost's strong southern sympathies. Says Prevost's sentiments do not look good to his fellow New Yorkers. Says Prevost is on bad terms with most naval commanders, which makes it hard for him to send information to Prevost. Condemns British Admiral Lord Thomas Alexander Cochrane's blockade of Brazil, because it effects American trade. Cochrane was working with Brazil's navy for its independence from Portugal. After a political run-in during the Napoleonic Wars forced Cochrane to leave Britain, he gravitated to South America where he offered his services to various independence movements. Postscript says it is imperative that Prevost show a defense for himself. The letter is split at the fold and is now two pages.