The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-25
THE MONROE pApERs.

Mr. Dix, of New York, recently presen-
ted to the Senate memorial of Mr.. Sam
.uel l.. Gouverneur asking Congress "to aid,
by subscription or otherwise, towards an APP
propriate publication Of all the manuscripts
and papers Of the late James Monroe. u
Some writers from Washington, not under
standing the nature Of the application, con-
demned it as an attempt TO impose upon the
Government the purchase Of useless and UNI
necessary political and personal correspon-
dence. We are very glad that kind friend
sent to US the memorial itself, for BY it we
find that it has been misrepresented 1t is
written in excellent taste, and with an air of
respectful protestation that commands for it
consideration. Mr.. Gouverneur, (who was
the son-in-law and sole executor Of Presi-
dent Monroe states that Mr.. Monroe was
engaged "during the comparatively short
period from his retirement from the Presi-
dental chair to that of his death, in prepar-
II ing memoir of his oun times, and the pro
ducton Of essays founded on his own eXpe-
rence, calculated to incucate lust esti-
mate Of the invaluable principles of self-gov-
eminent bequeathed to his countrymen by
the mighty generation of men among whom
his lot had been cast"
No one viii read this without a regret,
that the invaluable memoirs and comments
of that great and good man should have been
lost to his country From the birth of this
nation to the end OF his administration, he
held the most conspicuous and responsible
offices under the Government, AT home and
abroad his advice and services were devoted
to his country. From the administration Of
Washington to the last hour of his own Pres
idential term, he was engaged in some pub
lie station, for the wise administration of
which, to this hour, as people, we owe
him gratitude. He was wise, good man,
philosopher, untainted with disbelief; a
statesman, whose only purpose was the good
OF his country, and who never permitted
selfish motive to warp his judgment, or turn
him from the narrow and rugged path of his
duty. Truly, he was great man-not a
brilliant meteor-not fierce factionist--not
a clamorous hunter after place; but wise,
cautious, modest, honest, public servant
/ And in all this was he a great man He
was the official and confidential adviser Of
Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.. Madison, The Gov
eminent is now in possession Of their manu-
scripts, purchased as invaluable relics and
repositories Of the most important informa-
ton relating to our early history, and the
cotemporaneous Interpretation given by those
illustrlous MEN to our constitution and laws.
These papers, many Of them, are COM
posed Of letters from Mr.. Monroe Mr.
Gouverneur cannot give a correct and faith
full publication Of Mr.. Monroe's memoirs and
letters without reference to them, and that
he cannot do, as they are the property Of
the nation, and inaccessible to private in
specton The memorial now presented does
not ask Congress to purchase C worthless
rubbish" Mr. Gouverneur would not ask
that--no one who knows that estimable and
upright gentleman would mpute such an Of
fer to him, He has been faithful 10 the
memory Of his mentor and early friend -
Death nor time have eifsced from his gener-
Gus mind the recollection Of early DAYS spent
under the teachings Of this good man. He
would not tsrnish the fame OF his wife's
father and his dearest friend, by palming up
on the Government "useless letters and
worthless papers," at an exorbitant price
Tor the mere purpose Of speculation. The
Government are in possession Of some Of the
materials necessary for the publication he
proposes, which materials were furnished BY
MIR. Monroe himself in his private letters 10
Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.. Madison. He now
asks that Congress shall said, by subscrip-
ton OF otherwise" to the publication Of these
memoirs. He does not ask that they shall
purchase, but he asks that they shall aid in
publishing the life Of patriot whose life
would indeed be she history Of The coun-
ny uhich gaze him biyth.-PhiL Es. Bul
Lstin.