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Rh to cultivate the best understanding with his gov- ernment. In the discussions to which this interest has given rise, and in the arrangements by which they may terminate, the occasion has been judged proper for asserting, as a princifjle in which the rights and interests of the United States are in- volved, that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have as- sumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be con- sidered as subjects for future colonization by any European power. . . . We owe it, therefore, to candor, and to the amicable relations existing be- tween the United States and those powers, to de- clare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered, and shall not interfere. But with the governments who have declared their independence and maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consid- eration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other man- ner their destiny, by any European power, in any other light than as the manifestation of an un- friendly disposition toward the United States."

At the close of Monroe's second term as presi- dent he retired to private life, and during the seven years that remained to him resided part of the time at Oak Hill, Loudon co., Va., and part of the time in the city of New York. The illustration on page 359 represents both the old and the new Oak Hill mansions. He accepted the office of regent in the University of Virginia in 1826 with Jefferson and Madison. He was asked to serve on the electoral ticket of Virginia in 1828, but declined on the ground that an ex- president should not be a party-leader. He con- sented to act as a local magistrate, however, and to become a member of the Virginia constitutional convention. The administration of Monroe has often been designated as the " era of good feel- ing." Schouler, the historian, has found this heading on an article that appeared in the Bos- ton "Centinel" of 12 July, 1817. It is, on the whole, a suitable phrase to indicate the state of political affairs that succeeded to the troublesome period of organization and preceded the fearful strains of threatened disruption and of civil war. One idea is consistently represented by Monroe from the beginning to the end of his public life — the idea that America is for Americans, that the territory of the United States is to be protected and enlarged, and that foreign intervention will never be permitted. In his early youth Monroe enlisted for the defence of American independence. He was one of the first to perceive the importance of free navigation upon the Mississippi : he nego- tiated with Prance and Spain for the acquisition of Louisiana and Florida ; he gave a vigorous im- pulse to the second war with Great Britain in de- fence of our maritime rights when the rights of a neutral power were endangered ; and he enunciat- ed a dictum against foreign interference which has now the force of international law. Judged by the high stations he was called upon to fill, his career was brilliant ; but the writings he has left in state papers and correspondence are inferior to those of Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, and others of his contemporaries. He is rather to be honored as an upright and patriotic citizen who served his party with fidelity and never condescended to low and unworthy measures. He deserved well of the country, which he served faithfully during his career. After his retirement from the office of president he urged upon the government the judgment of unsettled claims which he presented for outlays made during his prolonged political services abroad and for which he had never re- ceived adequate remuneration. During the ad- vance of old age his time was largely occupied in correspondence, and he undertook to write a phi- losophical history of the origin of free govern- ments, which was published long after his decease. While attending congress. JMonroe married, in 1786, a daughter of Lawrence Kortright, of New York. One of his two daughters, Eliza, married George Hay, of Virginia, and the otlier, Maria, married Samuel L. Gouverneur. of New York.

A large number of manuscripts, including drafts of state papers, letters addressed to Monroe, and letters from him, have been preserved. Most of these have been purchased by congress and are preserved in the archives of the state department ; others are still held by his descendants. Schouler, in his " History of the United States," has made use of this material to advantage, particularly in his account of the administrations of Madison and Monroe, which he has treated in detail. Bancroft, in his "History of the Constitution," draws large- ly upon the Mon- roe papers, many of which he prints for the first time. The eulogy of John Quincy Adams (Boston, 1831) and his diary afford the best contempo- rary view of Mon- roe's characteiis- tics as a statesman. Jefferson, Madison, Webster, Calhoun, and Benton ha^e left their apprecia- tive estimates of his character. The remains of James Monroe wei e buried in Marble cemetery. Second street, between First and Second avenues. New York, but in 1858 were taken to Richmond. Va.. and there reinterred on the 28th of Apiil. in Hollywood. (See illustration above.) See S'jiniuel P. Waldo's "Tour of James Monroe thronch the Northern and Eastern States, with a Sketch of his Life" (Hartford, 1819): "Life of James Monroe, with a Notice of his Administration," by John Quincy Adams (Buffalo, 1850): "Concise History of the Monroe Doctrine," by Geoige P. Tucker (Boston, 1885): and Daniel C. Gilnian's life of Monroe, in the "American Statesmen" series (Boston, 1883). In the volume last nannd is an appendix by J. F. Jameson, which gives a list of writings pertaining to Monroe's caieer and to the Monroe doctrine. Monroe's portrait by Stuart is in the possession of Thomas J. Coolidge. and that by V^anderlyn is in the city-hall. New York, both of which have been engraved. — His wife, Elizabeth Kortrig-llt, b. in New York city in 17G8; d. in Loudon county, Va., in 1830, was the daughter of Lawrence Kortright, a captain in the British army. She married James Monroe in 1786, accompanied him in his missions abroad in 1794 and 1803, and while he was U. S. minister to Prance she effected the release of Madame de Lafayette, who was confined in the prison of La