MONROE, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Monroe") as President to an unnamed correspondent, Washington, 16 July 1822.

Two pages, 248 x 195mm (partial separations along some mailing folds, hinged to a mat, minor loss at upper left not affecting text). Framed with a portrait and a window in the back to reveal verso of letter.

James Monroe navigates a billing dispute concerning design drawings for the U.S. Capitol. Monroe writes, somewhat defensively, that "It is not my practice to dispute accounts, & much less, what encouragement I may have given Mr Jay to make the drawing, he has done, I admit anything that he may say on the subject. But you will recollect, that I could have had no object, in a labor'd drawing, other than to exhibit it here, as an object worthy the attention of our artists, & to do credit to the author. For myself, a sketch would have been as useful. I have shown it to Mr Bulfinch who has made a report on it, criticizing it with some severity, & I would now send the work to you, to be submitted to Mr. Bolton, were I not prevented by a motive of delicacy to Mr. Jay. Mr Bulfinch, says that 75 dolrs. would be a liberal compensation. Nevertheless I wish you to settle the affair for me, allowing one hundred dolrs. If he still asks that sum." Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844) served as Architect of the Capitol from 1818 to 1829 where he supervised the completion of the building including the legislative wings and the original low, wooden dome.