Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-09-26
ROBERT TILLOTS0N.
Vault No LAT.

There is nothing to indicate that the James
Monroe, mentioned, is the Monroe who was in
| the battle Of White Plains, and received
ball in his shoulder at the attack on Trenton,
| who fought by the side of Lafayette at Bran
| DIVINE, who was Minister to France In 1894.
| and afterwards to England; who was Secre-
tary of State in 1911, and tor two full terms
President Of these United States. Yet such is
| the fact, and that weather-stained slab of
marble, two feet square, is all the monument
that Fx-President Monroe has
1t is a curious neglect that leaves the pre-
ciOus dust Of one Of the purest patriots that
| our country has been blest with, to rest in
| such obscurity. Thousands pass every day
| by the spot, admiring the well kept grounds
| pausing for the fragrance of the towering
shrubs, listening to the song of the birds that
find this Oasis in the City's desert, but never
dreaming that the author Of the Monroe Doc
trine, the fourth President of the United
States, lies within n few feet of them. Monu-
ments to men Of half his intellectual stature
and tithe of his industry and goodness of
heart, are going up all over the land Shall
he who was reelected 70 the Presidency by a
vote unanimous, with a single exception, and
who never disgraced his position, have no
more than this
As Mr. Monroe was Virginian. it is the
suppOsiti0n Of most people that he died and
was buried within the Old Dominion, but this
is an error.
Mr. Monroe, in his last days, resided with
Samuel Gouverneur, late postmaster of this
city, who married his only daughter; their
| residence was on the corner Of Prince and
Elm streets.
The venerable DR.. Francis tells us that he
often met Mr.. Monroe walking out when the
weather was fine, and that on these occasions
he was the object of the most affectionate at
tentions. He has often met him making pur-
oh Co. Coz, ilu
all the stallmen knew and honored him. He
was tall and spare, very modest in his bear
ing, dignifed and gentlemanly. In his ad-
dress, he was hesitating and difhdent as Do
lite to the poorest and humblest as TO any
He was one of the most industrious of men, a
hard student, and his cares left their mark on
his face The wound that he received at
Trenton was felt for many years afterward-
indeed, throughout all his life he occasionally
suffered from il
His last illness was long and tedious one.
His attendant was his son in laws family
physician, DR.. Berger He expired at 10.
o'clock on the morning of the 4th of July,
1881.
His funeral was a very imposing one-the
largest that at that time had ever been seen
in New York. The military, under General
Jacob Morton, Grand Marshal, filled Broad
way from Prince to Broad street, through
which it passed to the cemetery. The day
was fine, and the signs of mourning were gen,
orally adopted by our citizens. The vault in
which his dust still lies, is On the east side of
the cemetery, just to the right of the main
walk as you look in from the entrance The
passerby will notice small pole, on which
dove house is perched. Within yard Of that
cole is the sacred spot.
The death Of Mr.. Monroe was announced
to ex President Madison by DR.. 5. w. Fran
els, Immediately upon the decease To this
the following reply was sent by Mr.. Madison,
which is now, for the first time, published
Letter Of James Madison to DR. John w
Francis
MONTPELIER, July 8, 1881.
DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 4th, commu
nicating the death of Mr. Monroe, was duly
| received. L had been prepared for the event
! by information Of its certain approach. The
| time was so far happy, as 1t added another to
| the condolences before 60 remarkable and so
memorable You have justly ranked him
| with the heroes and patriots who have de-
| served best Of their country. No ore knew
| him better than 1 did, or had a sincerer afec-
| tion for him, or cOndOles moro deeply with
| those to whom he was most dear
With the thanks which L owe you, be
pleased to accept sir, the tender Of my esteem
| and my cordial salutatiOns.
JAMES MADISON.
Doctor Francis
Mr.. Monroe shares even his grave with
| another man. He had no wealth when ne
| died, and in his death no tomb Of his own.
We owe it to his memory that We provide
| for his ashes resting place that should be
his own, or At least that a creditable monu-
ment be raised over them where they lie.
Shall the dust be transferred to Greenwood, or,
leaving it where it has rested for twenty-6 five
years, shalls noblc column of pure marble
be erected in token Of our appreciation OF the
worth, excellence and services of one who had
no enemies, or if there were those who envied
him, of whom the enviOus could say 40 harm!
Who is ready to move in this matter Men
,~LS