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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO JAMES MONROE. mad. mss. - James Madison, The Writings, vol. 6 (1790-1802) [1906]

Edition used:

The Writings of James Madison, comprising his Public Papers and his Private Correspondence, including his numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed, ed. Gaillard Hunt (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1900). Vol. 6.

Part of: The Writings of James Madison, 9 vols.

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TO JAMES MONROE.mad. mss.

May 6, 1801.

Dear Sir

Mr Camp handed me yesterday your two favors of the 11 & 12 of March. I can say nothing determinate as to the prospect of him & Mr Lambert, because I do not yet know what arrangements may be contemplated throughout the Departments. I think however it would be unwise in any of the Candidates to neglect other resources: the number of them being such as greatly to reduce the chance to individuals, & it being not improbable that in some of departments at least the number of offices themselves may be reduced. I have not yet recd. your letter for Chancelr Livingston nor the letter from Mr. Skipwith to which you refer. He will not embark on his foreign Mission till the ratification of the Treaty in France arrives here.

Callender I find is under a strange error on the subject of his fine, and in a strange humor in consequence of it.1 I inclose an open letter for him which you will please to read & forward. How has the delay in giving effect to the remission of the fine happened? It ought to be known & explained to him. What I state to him as the view of the President I have from the P. himself, & therefore cannot be mistaken in.

I have been here a few days only & can say nothing to you from the Department. I find myself in the midst of arrears of papers &c &c, which little accord with my unsettled health.

[1 ]James Thompson Callender was sentenced in the spring of 1800 under the sedition law to nine months’ imprisonment and to pay a fine of $200. This law Jefferson considered to be “a nullity” and Callender, being released about the time Jefferson’s administration began, conceived that the fine should be reimbursed him. Callender threatened the President, and Monroe seemed to be in great fear of him. He came to Washington in June, 1801, and confided everything to Madison, for whom he entertained great regard. Life of Madison (Hunt), 278 et seq.