*Monroe (James, 1758-1831). Autograph letter signed, 'Jas Monroe', Washington , 16 July 1814, to his nephew James, reporting that James' mother and father are in good health, acknowledging his letter and that he is now in good health himself, 'and engaged in close study, and would soon begin algebra. I had before receiv'd a letter from Major Partridge, from Vermont, in answer to one I had written him, requesting him to be so good as to see, that you were supplied with blankets and other necessaries, suited to the season & also with books. He wrote me that he should attend to my request. I was apprehensive that you might suffer for the want of such articles, and being so far from your friends, no one would assist you. Your letter remov'd all doubt on that subject. The greatest expence is in beginning, for afterwards, you will have articles to purchase. I wish you to be comfortable, and to make as decent an appearance as the other young men, but hope you will be prudent, and incur no expence you can avoid. The best thing that can be said of a young man is, that he is at his studies. When thus engaged, plain cloaths are the fittest. It is only on particular occasions, that he ought to wear his best. Put them away carefully after wearing them. If you leave them out of your trunk they get abused & dirty. Cleanliness is a great virtue. So is frugality. The young man, ought to do every thing in his room, that he can. If a servant is allowed, he may make up the bed & sweep the room, clean your boots, & even brush your cloaths. But you ought to take care of them, & might brush them. When I was at college, I did almost every thing for myself, and I have found the use of it thro' life', continuing in the same vein to give friendly avuncular advice, minor browning to lower margin and a few minor splits on folds, 3 pages, 4to, together with a somewhat worn pre-printed certificate completed in manuscript, appointing Hon. James Monroe as a member of the Fifth Ward Tippecanoe Club, New York, 10 June 1840, engraved vignette, signed by the president, two vice-presidents and two secretaries, split on folds with one small tear with loss, with engraved vignettes to folded verso and autograph letter to Monroe from a club secretary hoping that he will receive a certificate 'as a humble testimonial of our esteem for you, and is a tribute to your worth as a public officer', folio (45 x 27 cm) The letter is quoted in part in Angus Davidson, 'Miss Douglas of New York, A Biography' (New York, 1953), pp. 38-39. James Monroe (1799-1870) was the promising young son of Monroe's unsuccessful elder brother Andrew. The young James 'had run wild on his father's ill-managed, decaying plantation in Virginia and had little schooling; then his uncle (who at that time combined the offices of secretary of state and secretary of war) sent him, at his own desire, to the West Point Military Academy and, determined, in spite of the boy's earlier disadvantages to turn him into a useful citizen, wrote him letters giving him much good advice, both moral and practical. He felt evidently, that the boy required stern discipline, and thought it necessary to conceal his real affection for him beneath a tone of austerity, almost of harshness. His bark, however, was worse than his bite. That real affection existed, real interest in the boy's welfare and true kindliness of heart towards him, is shown by the great amount of time and trouble and the meticulous thought which the distinguished statesman, busy with more important affairs devoted to his young nephew's career' (ibid. p. 38). Provenance: The Monroe and Douglas family letters (lots 300-303) all by direct family descent. (2)
