The decision to gather this material concerning Jean Monnet's activities in the United States was formalised in an agreement signed in 1993-1994 between the Jean Monnet Council, represented by its President, Ambassador J. Robert Schaetzel, the George Washington University, represented by Dean Maurice A. East, the European University Institute (HAEU), represented by the former President, Emile Nöel, and the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe represented by its President, Mr. Henri Rieben.
Sherrill B.Wells, Director of the Jean Monnet Documents Project, was granted permission to photocopy large sections of the David Bruce Diary relevant to Jean Monnet.

Jean Monnet, "Father of Europe", was one of the most influential personalities of the post-World War II era. This collection of material consists of photocopied excerpts of collections taken from various Presidential and University libraries and archives, and also from the Department of State (NARA), which pertain to Jean Monnet and to his relationships with American officials and with the US Administration's policies in connection with the "Victory Programme" and European integration.
All aspects of Monnet's dealing with the US are covered in these documents, from his efforts to mobilise US armament production, his time spent in Algeria, his plan for the economic reconstruction of France in the aftermath of World War II, to the creation of the ECSC, his efforts for the EDC Treaty ratification and the creation of the Action Committee for the United States of Europe. His personal relationships with American officials and Presidents is also evident as are his business interests prior to the war. He corresponded with all American presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Lydon B. Johnson during the years he was active in "making Europe". The many awards he received in recognition of his work for world peace and European unity, are touched upon in these papers.
The material retrieved from the US for this project is important to complement the material at the HAEU but also in its own rights.

Because this collection is artificial in terms of its creation (it is made up of excerpts of diverse collections from diverse sources, brought together because they deal with a specific topic), the material has been arranged according to the Library or institution in which the originals are kept, and within that unit the material is organised according to the collection they come from, and then according to subject matter. I have place the original record code from the library or institution where they are housed on each document or file.

Different copyright rules depend on the rules governing copyright in the originating libraries. There is no photocopying allowed from the the papers of Dwight Morrow, John McCloy, Dean Acheson (Yale University), Walter Lippman, Robert Nathan, Shepard Stone and David Bruce. For all the documents in this collection, permission to publish, including use in doctoral dissertations of any part of the material which makes up the JMAS, is prohibited. Authorisation to publish must be obtained in writing from the respective libraries where the originals are kept.

English

The originals are held in various Archives and Presidential Libraries in the USA

It is obvious from the documents in the JMAS collection, the esteem Monnet held for America; as Walt W. Rostow, State Department official put it, "There is no-one who can inspire .... more than Jean .... how great ideas must be patiently put into action" (JMAS/103).;
Monnet possessed the rare talent of true diplomacy, he was able to influence eminent statesmen and officials into adopting his ideas to transform society. The philosophy behind his efforts to integrate Europe and form an alliance of equals between the US and Europe, lay in his belief that it was the only way in which peace could be achieved. Monnet was a behind the scenes person, an organiser, a planner and so let other more "charismatic people" take credit for his efforts, as with the Schuman Plan. He was never interested in election to public office, as he felt he wouldn't have the freedom to achieve his objectives, so instead remained the mastermind behind the ECSC and this inititative was the beginning of the fulfillment of his wishes for Europe.