Highland July 24. 1820

Dear Sir

		I return the papers receivd from you recommending persons to fill the office of receiver of public money at Vandalia, in the place of Mr. Mc. Lean, who declines the appointment. I send with them a letter from Govr. Edwards, which after perusing you will return to me. The disagreement & conflict between the two Senators from Illinois, create, much embarrassment, [word struck out] uninform’d of the real character & merit of persons there, as we are, who may be proposed for office. I wish that we had that knowledge of men there, which would enable us to act from ourselves with^out regard to these rivals, as it is, I am inclined to think that it will be most adviseable [sic], to act in such manner, as to put it out of the power of either to say that we are in any degree partial to the other, or under the influence of the other. If this idea is correct, the appointment would be given to Mr Ewing, & not to Mr. Hamtramck, the son in law of Judge Judge [sic] Thomas. Govr. Edwards ought to be satisfied with that already given to Genl. Smith.
	The appointment of Wm. Malcolm is approved.
		Have orders been given for restricting ships of war & privateers to the ports designated by the late act of Congress? If they have not, I wish you to communicate with the Secretary of war, & likewise of the navy, & to request that they be immediately issued. You will also apprise the Collectors of the arrangement, that they, so far as depends on them, may cooperate in giving effect to the law.
	I presume that you will go to the south in the state, otherwise it would give me much pleasure to see you here, on your route, & I should earnestly press it. We have sufferd much with the heat, & Mrs Monroe’s recovery has been much impeded by it. She is however now evidently getting the better of her indisposition.
	From what I hear from some friends who sometimes see Mr Vives, there is much cause to apprehend difficulty with the Cortes. In case of a refusal to ratify we shall have to decide whether we will push the seizure of Florida as the risk of its possible consequences, or looking to it, as a property to be taken at pleasure, suffer the contest between Spain & the Colonies, & the revolutionary movment in Havana, to go on, cherishing in the meantime our internal resources, & phisical [sic] strength, [word struck out] in the hope of finding a time, when it will fall into our hands, without any risque at all.
			with great respect & sincere regard
			Yours --
					James Monroe