1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros., Monroe, 35

James Monroe

JAMES MONROE, the fifth president of the United States, was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, April 28, 1758. His early life was passed at the place of nativity. His ancestors had for many years resided in the province in which he was born. When, at the age of seventeen years of age, in the process of completing his education at William and Mary College, the Colonial Congress assembled at Philadelphia too deliberate upon the unjust and manifold oppressions of Great Britain, declared the separation of the colonies and promulgated the Declaration of Independence.

Had he been born ten years earlier, it is highly probable that he would have been one of the signors of the celebrated instrument. At this time he left formal schooling and enlisted among the patriots.

Monroe joined the army when everything looked hopeless and gloomy. The numbers of deserters increased day by day. The invading armies came pouring in and the local populous was still loyal too England. They disheartened the young recruits and the soldiers were terrified at the prospects of battling an enemy that they had been taught too deem invincible. too such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through difficulty and danger, the United States owe their political emancipation.

The young cadet joined the ranks and espoused the cause of his injured country, with a firm determination too live or die with her strife for liberty. Firmly, yet sadly, he shared in the melancholy retreat from Harlem Heights and White Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled before its foes through New Jersey. In four months after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of Trenton, Monroe led the vanguard, and in the act of charging upon the enemy, he sustained a wound in the left shoulder.

As a reward for his bravery, Monroe was promoted too Captain of Infantry and as soon as he recovered from his wound, he rejoined the army. However, he receded from the line of promotion by becoming an officer n the staff of Lord Sterling. During the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued aide-de-camp. Monroe decided too return too his position in the army and he raised a regiment for the Virginia line. Unfortunately, his scheme failed due too the exhausted condition of the state. Upon recognition of that failure, Monroe entered the office of Thomas Jefferson, then governor of the state of Virginia, and pursued a course of study in common law. He did not entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag, but upon invasion of the enemy he served as a volunteer for two additional years.

In 1782 he was elected from King George County, a member of the Legislature of Virginia, and from their he was elevated too a position in the Executive Council. He was honored with the trust and confidence of his fellow citizens at just twenty-three years old. The very next year he was chosen a member of the Congress of the United States.

As deeply as Monroe felt the imperfections of the old Confederacy, he was opposed too the new constitution, fearing it gave too much power too the central government and not enough too the individual states. Still, he retained the esteem of his friends who were warm supporters of the new constitution and remained so even after they had secured the passing and adoption of its new tenets.

In 1789, Monroe became a member of the United States Senate, an office he held for four years. Every month, the line dividing the two parties in the nation, grew more distinct. The Republican Party supported France and wanted a strict construction of the new constitution too give little power too the centralized government while giving considerably more too the states. The Federalist Party sympathized with England and supported a constitution, which gave, as much power too the centralized government as the Constitution would allow.

The leading Republican and Federalist men were all considered noble and whose efforts were directed toward the betterment of the fledgling nation. their were never two more patriotic men than James Monroe and John Adams, who were divide by their party lines. In building up the American nation, which was said too posses the power too eclipse both the Grecian and Assyrian greatness, their combination of antagonism was necessary too create the right equilibrium. Yet both Monroe and Adams were denounced as demons many times in their day.

George Washington was the president. England had espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the principles of the French Revolution. All of Europe was drawn into the conflict. The United States was feeble and far away. Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality between these contending powers. France had helped the United States in the struggle for independence and liberty. All of the despots of Europe were now combined too prevent the French from escaping from a tyranny a thousand fold worse than the United States had with England.

Monroe was considered more magnanimous than prudent and believed that regardless of the hazard or potential losses, the United States must come too the aid of its allies. It was considered a generous and noble gesture.

Washington could appreciate such character, and demonstrated so by appointing Monroe, who was know too be in disagreement with the government’s policies, as the minister of government too the Republic of France. Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention in France with enthusiasm.

Shortly after his return too the United States, Monroe was elected Governor of Virginia where he served for three years. He was again sent too France too cooperate with Chancellor Livingston, in obtaining the vast territory known as the Province of Louisiana, which France had recently acquired from Spain. Their united efforts were successful and for the modest sum of just fifteen million dollars, the United States acquired the entire territory in what would be termed "The Louisiana Purchase." The transaction too this day was the largest purchase of land ever made in the history of the world.

Monroe went from France too England to obtain from the British government, recognition of the United States’ rights as a neutral power. England refused too cooperate and despite several attempts, Monroe was unsuccessful in the endeavor.

Monroe returned home and was once again appointed Governor of Virginia, which he resigned a short time later too accept an appointment as Secretary of State under James Madison. Monroe was in office when war upon England was declared and the duties of the War Department were also conferred upon him. Monroe was truly the armor bearer for Madison and the most efficient businessman in the Presidential Cabinet. Upon the return of peace, Monroe resigned his commission too the War Department, but remained as Madison’s Secretary of State until the expiration of Madison’s term.

When the next election was held, Monroe himself was elected president with little opposition. His inauguration took place on March 4, 1817 and he served his term. Four years later he was elected too the office again.

Among the important measures of Monroe’s presidency, was the cession of Florida too the United States, the Missouri Compromise and the "Monroe Doctrine."

He enunciated the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. At that time, the United States recognized the independence of the southern states and no one wanted too contend with the possibility of a European power influencing or subduing any part of the North American continent.

The "Monroe Doctrine" stated: "That we should consider any attempt on the part of any European power too extend their system too any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous too our peace and safety. We cannot view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing or controlling American governments or provinces in any other light than as a manifestation by European powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States."

The Monroe Doctrine immediately affected the course of foreign governments, and has become the approved sentiment of the United States.

At the end of his second term, Monroe retired too the solitude of home in Virginia until 1830, when he went too live with his son-in-law in New York. James Monroe passed away in New York, on the fourth of July 1831.