James Monroe Autograph Letter Signed — 1795 Paris — U.S. Minister to Revolutionary France
James Monroe (1758–1831) — Autograph Letter Signed “Jas. Monroe”
Paris, July 27, 1795
An exceptional original autograph letter signed by James Monroe as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic, written in Paris during the French Revolution.
Written entirely in French, the letter concerns the circumstances of American sailors/prisoners who had escaped captivity and traveled to Paris, including a reference to John Nelson. Monroe discusses their American identity, passports, and efforts to secure the necessary documentation from French authorities.
The document bears a striking original Revolutionary French governmental cachet incorporating the motto “LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ” and Revolutionary-era dating, providing an especially vivid physical connection to France during the turbulent years following the fall of Robespierre.
Monroe had been appointed by President George Washington as America's Minister Plenipotentiary to France in 1794. His mission placed him at the center of the extraordinarily complicated diplomatic relationship between the United States and Revolutionary France. French records document his formal recognition as the American minister in August 1794.
The present letter, dated Paris, July 27, 1795, represents Monroe not merely as a future President of the United States but as an active American diplomat dealing directly with the French revolutionary authorities.
The combination of James Monroe's autograph, Revolutionary France, diplomatic content, French-language text, contemporary governmental cachet, and references to American sailors and passports makes this an unusually desirable piece of early American diplomatic history.
James Monroe (1758–1831)
Date: July 27, 1795
Place: Paris, France
Language: French
Signature: “Jas. Monroe”
Position: Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic
Subject: American sailors/prisoners, passports and diplomatic intervention
Historical period: French Revolution / Thermidorian Period
Condition: Original folded letter on laid paper, with expected age toning, folds, and minor edge wear; exceptionally strong manuscript preservation.
A remarkable survivor from the diplomatic career of James Monroe in Revolutionary France, predating his presidency by more than two decades and documenting his direct involvement in the affairs of American citizens abroad.
James Monroe (1758–1831) — Autograph Letter Signed “Jas. Monroe”
Paris, July 27, 1795
An exceptional original autograph letter signed by James Monroe as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic, written in Paris during the French Revolution.
Written entirely in French, the letter concerns the circumstances of American sailors/prisoners who had escaped captivity and traveled to Paris, including a reference to John Nelson. Monroe discusses their American identity, passports, and efforts to secure the necessary documentation from French authorities.
The document bears a striking original Revolutionary French governmental cachet incorporating the motto “LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ” and Revolutionary-era dating, providing an especially vivid physical connection to France during the turbulent years following the fall of Robespierre.
Monroe had been appointed by President George Washington as America's Minister Plenipotentiary to France in 1794. His mission placed him at the center of the extraordinarily complicated diplomatic relationship between the United States and Revolutionary France. French records document his formal recognition as the American minister in August 1794.
The present letter, dated Paris, July 27, 1795, represents Monroe not merely as a future President of the United States but as an active American diplomat dealing directly with the French revolutionary authorities.
The combination of James Monroe's autograph, Revolutionary France, diplomatic content, French-language text, contemporary governmental cachet, and references to American sailors and passports makes this an unusually desirable piece of early American diplomatic history.
James Monroe (1758–1831)
Date: July 27, 1795
Place: Paris, France
Language: French
Signature: “Jas. Monroe”
Position: Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic
Subject: American sailors/prisoners, passports and diplomatic intervention
Historical period: French Revolution / Thermidorian Period
Condition: Original folded letter on laid paper, with expected age toning, folds, and minor edge wear; exceptionally strong manuscript preservation.
A remarkable survivor from the diplomatic career of James Monroe in Revolutionary France, predating his presidency by more than two decades and documenting his direct involvement in the affairs of American citizens abroad.
