University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MONROE.[122]

Dear Sir On perusing your letters to Mr.
De Neuville, and Mr. Gallatin,[123] some ideas occurred
which induced me to put them on paper for your
consideration. Those relating to the first letter are
interlined with a pencil. Those relating to the
2d. are partly so & partly penned on a separate
sheet. In the communication to Mr. G. I thought
it might be not amiss to suggest the several topics
which he may find it expedient to develope orally or
in writing. Reject or use any or the whole as you
judge best.

As De Neuvilles communication to his govt. may
first arrive and forestall impressions at Paris, the
interlineation in pa. 2d. of the letter to him, is intended
to suggest an important and very pertinent
fact which may not be known there, & which he
will not disclose, and to controul the effect of his
magnifying comments on the subject. Whether this
last part of the interlineation merits adoption is the
more questionable of the two.

The little delay occasioned by this retrograde of the

papers is not material as De Neuville himself will
think on recñg your answer. But to avoid a protraction
of it, it will be best to sign blank sheets (if
there be not more signed at the office) for copies
of the letters whatever the final shapes you give
them, and to send these with your drafts directly to
Mr Graham, with instructions to forward triplicates
immediately to Mr. Gallatin; perhaps one ought to be
forwarded thro' G. B. I have no objection if you
think it proper to your intimating to Mr. Gallatin
that the recall of De Neuville is not our object, nor
wish if his continuance be agreeable to his govt.