Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-07-14
From the New No,k E,rning Post, july
DEATH OF JAMES MONROE

tnc -t w 'ut toN W tVtfess Wv
hilarity Of the public. aud mix de-
cent gravity with their rcjoicings. -
The venerable JAMES MONROE. a
man loved for his virtues, respected
for has abilities, and honored Tor his
services, brcaihcd his last al half past
three O'Clock. at the advanced age at
- wears. This event occurred at the
house of his son-in.law, Samuel J..
Gouy erneur, where he had resided far
nearly a twelvemonth past, during a
great part of which time his health
was obviously and rapidly s'Dking un-
der an accumulation Ut infirmitics -
Ills death had for several days been
hourly expected. but il pleased Provi-
denre to prolong the Pickering fame
Of life, until the fifty fifth anniversary
OF that independence Of which he had
been one of The principal founders and
supporters, aud by its extinction then,
Ia add another Impressive circum.
stance to those which stamp the Fourth
OF July as the most memorable day in
the history of the world. BY conci-
dence which has no parallel, three Of
the four Presidents of the l.. States
who have left the scene of their useful
ness aod their glory. expired on the
anniversary of the national birth day
IA day, which Of all others, had ~
been permitted them to choose, would
probably have been selected for the
termination of their career; aud day
which happily thus acquires a more
hailowed character, by being at once
the anniversary of our national indie
pendence, and the death of the men
who stood conspicuous among those
whose wisdom planned, whose firm
ness established. and whose lives aud
precepts will tend TO perpetuate il.
OF MONROE, we may here well re-
peat what was said in this paper of
JEFFERSON. "Ovrr the death of this
distinguished man we rannot grieve:
he has gone to his rest on the day and
hour he wished, after seeing himself
surrounded by millions Of grateful hu.
man beings, whom he, IN common with
the other patriots "f the volution.
had contributed To render free and
happy. and independents"
JAMES MoNRoE was born on Mon
roe's Greek, Wcstmorsland County,
Virginia, in September, 1888; the pre-
else day we have been unable to as
certain. lie was descended from
respectable Scotch family, distinguish
ed for its loyalty and patriotism. His
ancestor, who came to this country in
1883, was a captain in the army Of
Charles j., and was rewarded for his
fidelity with grant Of land by Charles
III. His father was Spence Monroe,
a farmer in the County IF Westmore.
land. His mother was a sister of the
late Judge Jones of Virginia.
JAMES MoSRoE was educated az the
College of William and Mary, and
subsequently, studied law in the office
of MIR. Jefferson. On the first break
ing out of the Revolution he entered
the army as a volunteer, and before
he was eighteen years old had encoun-
tered all the rigours and priyations of
the camp lie accompanied General
Washington in his celebrated retreat
through New Jersey, and volunteered
to join in the attack on the Hessians
at Trenton lie was at that period a
Lieutenant in the Company Of Captain
Washington. and on the fall Of his su-
perior was called upon TO assume the
command. lie was subsequently
wounded in the engagement while
charging two pieces of the enemys
artillery. In Col. Trumbull's paint.
ing Of the "Capture of the Hessisns, :"
Lieut.. Monroe appears PROSTATE and
bleeding on the field. On his reoove-
nv he became attached To the staff of
Gen. Lord Stirling with the rank Of
Major; and afterwards fought beside
Lafayette, when the latter was wound
ed IN the Battle Of Brandywine.
Washington, confiding in his ability
to organize an additional corps for the
army, recommended his appointment
to the command Of a regiment Of the
Virginia line. He was accordingly
promoted TO the rank Of Colonel. bnt
before the regiment was completed.
the war ceased. On his retirement
from the service, he resumed the study
and practice Of his profession, Wa
shortly afterwards elected 10 represent
his district in Congress, and from
thence was selected by Washington
for a diplomatic appointment abrosd.
TITS services IN various and important
civil stations are we'll known. He was
twice Governor Of his native State I;
was the associate Of PiDkDey IN TO-
reign mission; and at another period.
IN Conjunct ion with the late ChaDcel
Tor Livingston. negotiated the impOr-
tant treaty with France which added
Louisiana to the territory 81 the 4
States. On this event of his Lille. the
venerable Ex President peculiarly low
ed 20 dwell and IN the fuli length
likeness Of him, which adorns the walls