James Monroe — 1827 Paris Financial Agreement Concerning 20,000 Acres of Kentucky Land
James Monroe's Post-Presidential Financial Affairs — Executed by His Attorney-in-Fact Isaac Cox Barnet
An exceptionally interesting June 11, 1827 legal agreement concerning the financial affairs and property of former President James Monroe, executed in Paris by Isaac Cox Barnet as Monroe's attorney-in-fact.
The agreement records a settlement between Monroe and Daniel Parker, an American citizen residing at Versailles, concerning substantial claims against Monroe amounting to approximately 119,000 French francs, including interest.
The instrument references an earlier James Monroe promissory note of July 11, 1803, bearing interest at six percent, as well as other accounts and obligations owed by Monroe. In consideration of the settlement, the agreement concerns rights to a substantial tract of approximately 20,000 acres of land in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, originally granted to Monroe in 1793.
The document is executed in Paris by Isaac Cox Barnet, acting under authority from James Monroe. Barnet was a prominent American diplomat and served as U.S. Consul at Paris, as well as an agent for American claims. His long association with Monroe makes his participation here historically significant.
The agreement was subsequently authenticated at the United States Consulate at Paris, with the consular officer certifying the personal appearance and acknowledgment of the parties. The original consular seal remains attached.
This document offers an unusually intimate look into the private financial and real-estate affairs of James Monroe after his presidency, only a few years before his death in 1831. Rather than a routine presidential land grant, it documents the management of Monroe's debts, investments and Kentucky land holdings through his trusted representative in France.
Historical Significance
James Monroe (1758–1831) — Fifth President of the United States
Isaac Cox Barnet (1773–1833) — U.S. diplomat and Consul at Paris
Daniel Parker — American claimant residing at Versailles
Date: June 11, 1827
Place: Paris, France
Subject: Settlement of financial claims against James Monroe and Kentucky real estate
Land referenced: Approximately 20,000 acres, Kentucky
Earlier Monroe obligation referenced: July 11, 1803 promissory note
Interest: Six percent
Consular authentication: United States Consulate, Paris
Important: James Monroe's name appears in the document in the form “James Monroe by Isaac Cox Barnet his attorney in fact.” The document is therefore not a personal Monroe autograph signature, but an original legal instrument executed on Monroe's behalf by his duly authorized attorney.
The manuscript survives with its original folds, toning, wear and attached seal, and presents a remarkable primary-source record of the financial affairs of one of America's Founding Fathers during the post-presidential period.
James Monroe's Post-Presidential Financial Affairs — Executed by His Attorney-in-Fact Isaac Cox Barnet
An exceptionally interesting June 11, 1827 legal agreement concerning the financial affairs and property of former President James Monroe, executed in Paris by Isaac Cox Barnet as Monroe's attorney-in-fact.
The agreement records a settlement between Monroe and Daniel Parker, an American citizen residing at Versailles, concerning substantial claims against Monroe amounting to approximately 119,000 French francs, including interest.
The instrument references an earlier James Monroe promissory note of July 11, 1803, bearing interest at six percent, as well as other accounts and obligations owed by Monroe. In consideration of the settlement, the agreement concerns rights to a substantial tract of approximately 20,000 acres of land in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, originally granted to Monroe in 1793.
The document is executed in Paris by Isaac Cox Barnet, acting under authority from James Monroe. Barnet was a prominent American diplomat and served as U.S. Consul at Paris, as well as an agent for American claims. His long association with Monroe makes his participation here historically significant.
The agreement was subsequently authenticated at the United States Consulate at Paris, with the consular officer certifying the personal appearance and acknowledgment of the parties. The original consular seal remains attached.
This document offers an unusually intimate look into the private financial and real-estate affairs of James Monroe after his presidency, only a few years before his death in 1831. Rather than a routine presidential land grant, it documents the management of Monroe's debts, investments and Kentucky land holdings through his trusted representative in France.
Historical Significance
James Monroe (1758–1831) — Fifth President of the United States
Isaac Cox Barnet (1773–1833) — U.S. diplomat and Consul at Paris
Daniel Parker — American claimant residing at Versailles
Date: June 11, 1827
Place: Paris, France
Subject: Settlement of financial claims against James Monroe and Kentucky real estate
Land referenced: Approximately 20,000 acres, Kentucky
Earlier Monroe obligation referenced: July 11, 1803 promissory note
Interest: Six percent
Consular authentication: United States Consulate, Paris
Important: James Monroe's name appears in the document in the form “James Monroe by Isaac Cox Barnet his attorney in fact.” The document is therefore not a personal Monroe autograph signature, but an original legal instrument executed on Monroe's behalf by his duly authorized attorney.
The manuscript survives with its original folds, toning, wear and attached seal, and presents a remarkable primary-source record of the financial affairs of one of America's Founding Fathers during the post-presidential period.
