Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Monroe, James (1758-1831) to Charles Fenton Mercer

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08985 Author/Creator: Monroe, James (1758-1831) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 March 1808 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 25 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Asking Mercer to repay him for a prior debt, as he is badly in need of money. "My estate also having been badly managed in my absence makes the inconvenience the greater, as even for my current expenses here I can derive little aid from it, at this time. I therefore hope that you will be able to reimburse me that sum without delay. I shod. not request it under other circumstances." Also mentions Mercer's father, James Mercer.

Charles Fenton Mercer was a Congressman from Virginia.
James Mercer was a judge in Virginia. His brother John Francis Mercer attended college with James Monroe.

To [] me to leave London without exposing myself to the [] of Mr [], who complaind much of the disappointment to which he had been exposed in not ruining the instalments [] as they became due, I was forc'd to pay him [] 250. [] [before] my [departure] [] paid him a like sum, making [] 500. I borrow'd that sum & am much disposed for the want of it, [having] a much greater one to pay for expenses incurr'd while I was abroad. My estate also having been badly managed in my absence makes the inconvenience the greater, as even for my current expenses here I can derive little aid from it, at this time. I therefore hope that you will be able to [reimburse] me that [sum] without delay. I shod. not request it under other circumstances.
My acct. with your father's [inserted: estate] is I think rather more than paid. On that [] I have said something to our friend Mr Garnett.
Mr Rennolds stands alone responsible for the balance of the [] debt which [] remains [crossout] unpaid, for which we were your joint []. I hope that prompt & [] means will be taken to relieve him, as without such [], he will experience great []. I felt great concern at leaving the country, before the payment of the [] & [] to the [] alone. I trust however that [] may be afforded him in time to prevent the injury he must otherwise sustain. It will give me pleasure to hear of your success in your profession, that the acquisition which you made on the Manawka was an advantageous one, & that in all things your prospects are as advantageous as my friendship for your late estimable father, your connections & [yourself], is []. I am dear sir very truly yr friend and []

Monroe, James, 1758-1831
Mercer, Charles Fenton, 1778-1858
Mercer, James, 1736-1793

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