JAMES MONROE (1758 - 1831) Fifth President of the United States who negotiated the Louisiana Purchase and promulgated the Monroe Doctrine. Excellent content A.L.S. "James Monroe " with integral holograph address sheet, 2pp. 4to., "Oak Hill", Virginia, July 16, 1830 to Congressman Charles T. Mercer, a friend and neighbor of the president's who had been the principal agent in securing the adoption of a resolution President Monroe favored equating the slave trade with piracy. Monroe had left the White House with about $75,000 in debts, much of which resulted from unsettled accounts from his tenure as Minister to France. For the next several decades he sought reimbursement from the government, and in 1826 received partial payment, but his remaining debts and pride compelled him to press for full settlement. In this letter, Monroe sets forth his desperate position and thanks his old friend and comrade for his efforts. In small part: "...I have this moment received a letter from Mr. Ringgold informing me that you had brought before the H. of R [epresentatives]. The memorial from my fellow citizens...in favor of my claims, & that it had been referred to a committee. I am apprehensive...that you and other friends from this state, might put a delicacy in moving in it, and from which I was anxious to relieve you. I could ask nothing of you that would, in the most remote degree, give you pain. I am happy however that you have surmounted all difficulty, and brought it forward...I do not know, that I can furnish any further light...Authentic documents however may be necessary. These Mr. Ringgold has, and will give them to you...I am engaged in composing a work...biographical & historical of the great events in which I have been engaged, in which I was a party...I have nearly finished those connected with my first mission to France, and by which it will be shown...that my exertions in the cause of my gov't & country, on the difficult theatre on which I was placed, with the expenses to which I was exposed in support of that cause, laid the foundation of all the embarrassments , to which I have been since been subjected......they have proved the ruin of my property...Still I ask simple justice only... ". Finally, in 1831, the year of his death, Congress appropriated $30,000, allowing Monroe to settle his long-standing debts. An important letter, in fine condition. $6,000-8,000