Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. I.djvu/264

 214 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS chusetts, late American minister to France, and that by John Vanderlyn, which is reproduced in this chapter, is in the City-hall New York. His wife, ELIZABETH KORTRIGHT, born in New York City in 1768; died in London 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 France she effected the release of Madame de Lafayette, who was confined in the prison of La Force, hourly expecting to be exe cuted. On the accession of her husband to the presidency Mrs. Monroe became the mistress of the White House; but she mingled little in society on account of her delicate health. She is described by a contemporary writer as &quot;an elegant and accomplished woman, with a dignity of manner that peculiarly fitted her for the station.&quot; The vignette, which appears in the group at the end of this volume, is copied from the only portrait that was ever made of Mrs. Monroe, and was executed in Paris in 1796. His nephew, JAMES, soldier, born in Albemarle County, Va., September 10, 1799; died in Orange, N. J., September 7, 1870, was a son of the presi dent s elder brother, Andrew. He was graduated at the U. S. military academy in 1815, assigned to