James Monroe, New York, New York, to John P. Mercer, 1785 February 20

N. York Feby 20. 1785.
Dear Sir
Yours of the 9th from W River I recd & very sincerely congratulate you both on an event wh. I doubt not & very sincerely wish may make you both happy. We will do every thing in our power to procure the accomodations you desire but fear we shall not such as you wish. a letter addressd a week before you sit out will be in time for this purpose wh will advise us with more certainty of your intentions. At length with infinite difficulty I have carried thro' a committee of 5 Gerry, Spaight, Johnson Houston & myself under my original proposition at Trenton, a change in the 9th article of the confideration, strengthning the powers of Congress in the direction of commerce; investing them with absolute controul of it with foreign nations as well as with each other & of laying (in the first instance) the imposts & duties upon imports & exports wh may be necessary for the purpose. I have had infinite labor indeed in effecting this business even with the committee & expect to have it renew'd in Congress, tho' I hope there to find aid. If the recommendation takes place for this change it is propos'd to write a circular letter to accompany it to the States. The more I consider this subject the more fully impress'd I am with the necessity of the measure, for upon it depends the strength & duration, in a great degree, of the confederacy. Hardy is in favor of it & will give his assistance. yesterday we attempted to elect a minister to the ct. of London & Adams, Rutledge & R. R. Livingston being in the nomination, the former had 5 votes, Rutledge 2 & R. R. Livingston 4. we still doubt whom we shall elect but expect it will be R. R. Livingston for whom Virga (between ourselves) votes. We have withdrawn Mr. Madison from the nomination to the ct. of Spn. by his desire.  Your last letter hath reliev'd me from an anxiety I felt from the impression of a preceding one. The previous one suggested that I possess'd the good wishes &c of a particular person. If this were the fact as it might have proceeded from some attentions wh I paid her, which never were intended to lay myself under any obligation to her, but merely to enjoy the pleasure of her company wh I preferr'd to any in Annapolis while there. I cod not but be uneasy. Believe me I am happy that the Lady is going to be married as it no doubt presents to her a prospect of happiness, which I most sincerely wish her, & relieves me from all further anxiety on the subject. Let me entreat you to represent this matter in its true light to Mr. Stone & whomever else you think proper, as occasion in point of propriety may suit as well for the Lady's as my own honor. I am with best wishes for you both yr affec. friend & servant.
Jas. Monroe
P. S. wod you advise me to sit upon this fœderal ct. Wmsburg is the place appointed but I suspect it will be either in Annapolis or Wilmington since the delegation of N. York have remonstrated agnst its siting there. will that be a more honorable station to me than a seat in the committee of the States for one. I suspect there will be for abt. 2 months. will you consult with my friend Mr Stone upon this subject?