James Monroe, our fifth President was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the son of a farmer. James Monroe attended the "College of William and Mary", but left before graduation in 1775 to join the "Continental Army". After three years of fighting, James Monroe was sent to Virginia to recruit more troops, but found Virginia drained dry.

However, he was appointed aide to Thomas Jefferson, then Governor, and after the "American Revolution"  he studied law with Thomas Jefferson.

James Monroe was a member of the "Virginia House of Delegates" and of the "Continental Congress", where he opposed ratification of the "Constitution" because it lacked a "Bill of Rights". In 1786 James Monroe married "Elizabeth Kortwright". Together they had three children.

James Monroe was a "United States Senator", and "President George Washington" appointed  him "Minister to France". Knowing of John Monroe's sympathy to France, President George Washington hoped that James Monroe would be able to keep America from becoming involved in the war between France and England. James Monroe's sympathy was too great,  and he was recalled.

James Monroe was four times the "Governor of Virginia" until in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent him back to France to try to buy the isle of New Orleans. Although he was not authorized to do so, James Monroe signed a treaty for all of Louisiana. James Monroe was Secretary of State" under "President James Madison" and also "Secretary of War" at the end of President James Madison's second term in office.

In 1816, James Monroe was elected President. His administration was thought to be so serene after the tumult of the "War of 1812" that it was called the "Era of Good Feeling". During this time the United States bought Florida from Spain and suppressed the "Seminole Indians", settled the position of the "Canadian border", and agreed on the "Missouri Compromise" in which slavery would be barred from territories of the "Louisiana Purchase" north of latitude 36,30.

In 1801, James Monroe had urged sending slaves back to Africa which was their true home. The act President James Monroe is most remembered for is the "Monroe Doctrine". When it appeared that Russia and England were thinking of expanding their holdings in North America and South America, and when Spain and Portugal were planning an attempt to get back colonies in South America that had declared themselves independent, President James Monroe read an announcement to Congress.

President James Monroe said that the United States would no longer accept the authority of or colonization by European powers on the North American and South American continents and that if any European power should attempt colonization or interfere with the free governments of the two continents, the United States would consider it an unfriendly act.

This doctrine has been "American policy" right up to the present day. President James Monroe retired to Virginia, but because of financial difficulties, he moved to New York to live with his daughter. James Monroe died in New York on July 4, 1831.

Written by:
Karen Palumbo
Photography "NOT" by:
Robert Palumbo
1/12/2010  (c)