James Monroe, New York, to William Kane, 1837 April 14

New York Apl. 14t. 1837
Dear William
I learn with not a little surprise from Mrs. Whetten & B.M. that you have done yourself the injustice & me the wrong—to painfully brood over, the unguarded, & certainly the unmeaning remarks—I made some weeks since in our opportunity at the City Hotel—Unguarded, because it would have been unfeeling and certainly ungentlmanly, to have said, under my own roof, to any one that which was disagreeable, and much more so, that which was offensive & insulting—Unmeaning, because no gentleman ever did design to insult a female & much less a Lady—& that, I did not promptly say so to you, the first time we met thereafter—was, that I could not allow myself to believe for one moment, that you of all others, could suppose me capable of the sentimet and feeling towards you which the preface & declaration it seems conveyed to your mind—I even feared, that an apology might appear to admit the design imputed—I admit, that when I found you seemingly timid and very guarded in your remarks, I feared, you might lay too much stress upon what you unecessarily, regarded as the delicacy of your situation towards the parties—and that you might subject yourself to the imputation of being actuated by feelings of policy—to avoid any ground for such suspicion. I did wish to rouse you to a full apprecation of what was due to yourself, and thus relieve you from a charge which was as unworthy of you as it was unjust—too much repaid for the feelings others, is too often misconstrued, and placed to a wrong account—The practice of self respect, by showing that independence, which every high mind must appreciate, is the tru ground to stand upon—& if, I am not mistaken—you the night before the last, suffered, as I feared you would, by a misunderstanding of your character—which encouraged an unmanly attempt, to take an advantage at which high minded delicacy should have blushed—I will not trust myself on this subject—the rebuke does you honor,—the disgrace rests where it should—I will not take up more of your time—other than to say, that while I admit the delicacy of your situation, that, those who do not guard and respect it is utterly unworthy of the consideration of all honorable men, & therefore should give you but little trouble—
The gratitude of an obligation is paid so soon as the demand is made—I am as, every one must be, who knows you—as I think I do your friend
Jas. Monroe