Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-08
DEATH OF JAMES MONROE.

VI JhhEo
NEw.YoRK, July 5.-Yesterday, about half past
8, p. NJ. the venerable Ex,President, JAMES
MONROE, expired at the residence OF his SON.
in.law. Samuel Gouverneur, Esq. In this city
The event has been for some time past expected,
and, for the last few days, momentarlly looked
for. His spirit was permitted to iinser in the
BODY until his country's birthday came, and de-
parted while a grateful nation, for whose indie
pendence he had fought and ~bled.-which vene-
rated him while living and hallows his memory
now, as in the front rank OF its benefactors,-
vas holding its universal Jubilee.
Thus OF the six former Presidents, BY a coin
cadence for which it would be difficult to lind a
parallel in history, three have been called away
m a good old age, on the same proud anniversary.
Their fellow-citizens knew not IN the midst OF
their reioiciDgs, while arms were gllttering, sa-
t,tes resonuding and bells ringing gladstone peals.
that death was dealing with the fathers OF their
rouotry. Else had the day been darkcned and
the pomp o'ercast." While we write, minute
Guns are firing, and the bells tolling; and the sad
solemnitlcs due to the honOred remains OF one OF
the very few ''last of the Romans" will soon sue.
coed the festivities OF yestesday. The nnral
illustration this affords Is too striking to need be-
ing pointed out.
Mr. Monroe's biography is written iii the an
nails Of ms country; and the events OF his lie
are connected with those prominent In the pages
of her history. from the time when, while yet a
youth, he bled in her service at Treuton.* until
F.. recently ne sat in the CONVENTION which amend
II the constitution of his native State. During
bis administration of the government. the nation
aourished in unexampled prosperity; developing
its unlimited resources with vast ~rapidity, and
maintaining with dignity its peaceful relations with
all the world. To him may with truth and pc
culisr aptness be applied the eloquent apostrophe
of Tacitus TO Agricoia,-.Iu rer0felir, non taa-
t,ea elarilae vit9, Sed e,iGm opportun1tifa'e NOR
tn Hsppy is L for his conntry, that the repreach
tf total hiyrstitude cannot in his instance be cast
anon her. The long withheld debt was paid, just
IN time TO save her honor, and to gid the even
ing of his DAYS, which had else, after all the OBJ
legations She owed him, closed In sorrow and PEE
nury.
MIR. Monroe was born in September l75S, in
the County Of Westmoreland, Virginia, and DIED
in his Esd year. In September last he lost his
wife, long the cherished companion OF his pros.
perity as we'll as of his adversely. Embarrass-
ments aud affections no doubt contributed to has
ten his decease. His desire of returning to W.
gma, anu WSte CiOSiiS ms Ways q wv
earnestly expressed. We learn that he retained
all his mental faculties to the last, and was per-
fectly composed and calm.
When the noise of firing began at midnight
he opened his eyes inquiring; and when the cause
was communicates to him, a look OF intelligence
indicated that he understood what the occasion
was. There can be little doubt that the s'u'ulta-
neous departure Of his two predecessors on the
same day was present to his mind.
We understand that the funeral will take place
from the house of S. Gouverneur, Esq. on Thurs
day next, alta O'Clock, p. NJ. We presume 1t
will be recommended from the proper quarter,
20 the citizens generally, to close their stores and
shops during the movement of the procession.
I'VE have been favored with the following me-
morandum in relation to his military services
lie sntered the army at Is years OF age, aud
marched under Washington as a lieutenant, IN
the retreat through Jersey. He volunteered t"
attack the Hessians at Trenton, and assumed the
comuaud of his company when Captain wash
,noton lelI. lie was severely wounded IN the
neck, and carried from the field. tie stood oy
La Fayette, when the latter was wounded at
Brandywine; anu was subsequently selected by
Congress to command a regiment, which was to
be raised by yirginia.-COmmerciaL
pOIIpTU OF JULY IN PHILADELPHIA.