Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-07-20

some weeks since, by Mr.. Samuel l.. Gouverneur, son
in law of Mr. Monroe, places the public in possession
of some facts in reference to the honored ExPres |
dent not generally known and will serve to increase
the respect and yenerstion hitherto felt for one |
whose public and private virtues were tested by the
ssverest OF all human ordeais
PgrERsviLLx. FREDERICK CousrY,
MARYLAND, June l8, 1853.
SIR: / have received copy Of resolution Of the |
General Assembly of Virginia providing for 'the
nova Of the remains Of James Monroe ex President
af the Untud States FROM tie public burying ground
in the city of New York to the Cemetery at the city
of Richmond, Virginia, for nterment; provided that,
upon inquiry, you deem II proper. and such removal
may meet with the appreciation Of the family"
The public life of James Monroe is written in the |
history of his country The events Of his private life
few years indeed-are known to few surviving
friends On the 4th of March, 1925, he completed
hs second Presidential term. He soon commenced
reap the bitter fruits OF life devoted to the best
interests of his country regardless Of his own. AS
private citizen be emerged from all his successive
public trusts with poverty as the emblem OF his purity
and the badge of all hid public honors. loan from
near relative, reluctantly accepted, realized after
his death, discharged the immediate demands 10
Washington and bore him and bis family to that
residence in which he had fondly hoped to end his
dsys Pressed to melancholy degree by debts, al
most imperceptibly accumulated by time, with the
occasional relief which two young relatives could
afford he struggled msnfuly with adversely for about
FIVE years. In the unexpected death OF his devoted
wife, in September, 1880, he realized the fact that his
cup OF earthly sorrows was full to the brim. She
had with enviabe graces Of person. and mind, adorn-
cd every public position he ever held. She hao
noby participated in all his troubles, and, with
her sudden loss, all the hopes Of bis declining years
faded rapidly before him. constitution OF great
original vigor exhibited symptoms OF decided decay
and mind nobly endowed in active sympathy oi
gradual decline. His removal to New York was the
resu Of stern necessity, not OF choice. AT the so
icitaon of his family in ths residence OF his young
est daughter, and in the society OF his wes relatives
herself native of that city-he found oil the beau
tfu sympathes which earth affords. His presence
commanded universal respect Public meetings gave
impulse to prompt action in Congress on those
claims which, in deep conviction OF their justice ne
has made upon his country. In daily anxious sus
psnse he aw ated their decision. The partial allow
snce 1t made came too late for him. Postpenements
and angry debates, marked by that bitterness OF party
politics which seeks shining mark, had broken
down his noble spirit. The exhausted energies OF
nature could rise no more On the 4th of july 1881,
amidst all the exciting evidences of national pride
which mark that day. associated now with the deaths
of Adams, Jefferson and Monroe, in humble resigna-
on 10 Divine will, without groan orsgh, he ceased
TO live on earth.
Let not the people of Virginia believe that his hon
ored remains treated with neglect. In no pub
lie burying ground" in no borrowed tomb" do they
lie. In vault, originally purchased by his daagh
ters, in beautiful private "cemetery," surrounded
by many of the most respectable and viruous OF his
day. they have awaited the call of his native State
Two sisters of his wife, one my own dear mother,
with others, relatives of her family have slept around
him.
His death excited profound sympatby. The city
authorities of New York asked not the right to honor
his memory but the favor to be permitted, with ap-
propriste ceremonies 10 bury him at the public cost
His body was attended by a train OF mourning rela
tives aud friends from the humble dwelling where he
died, through streets hung with emoems OF puoio
sorrow, to the City Hall. noble tribute to his
worth, from eloquent lips, lately closed forever Was
pronounced over it in the City Park. Funeral ser.
vices before the assembled clergy in one OF the most
venerable churches were performed by the presldDg
bishop; procession, civil aud military, of countless
numbers, witnessed the whole population OF city
draped 10 mourning and hushed into solemn silence,
cave when the pain.ive dirge told the cad office they
performed, bore him to his tomb Other similar spec.
tacles may have exceeded this in gorgeous display,
but in imposing soemnty it never was surpassed
When his remains shall again be brought to light
YOU will find them distinguished by these few simple
words: james Monroe of Virginia, 4th July, 1881:
aged ~ years." They pointed significantly TO hls
native State. To her soil he was devoted, and to her
p.ople he was urdently attached. 10 them' did he
say II owe everything: they never failed to stand by
me. They will, one day yet, do justice to my msmo
ry." That day has dawned: his words are verified.
If the sentiment your action announces has been
slow in expression, it will be rapid in progress When
.the RENAME Of james Monroe shall have been de-
posted in his native State II will expand with time
His public and private virtues VIII YET Do esunated
at their real worth.
or the personal family associates of Mr.. Monroe,
Mr.. Augustin Monroe and Mr.. james Monroe, his
nephsas and myself, hs son inlaw, only survive
Hs left four grandchildren, of whom three the chill
dren of his Younger daughter living The young.
est Mr. s. l.. Gouverneur, Jr., has, learn from him,
spoken for himself, and approves the removal; his
eldest grandson, who bears bis name, deeply ahiced
by Providence, speaks through me. HE only grand
daughter will abide my action. Representing these
interests the memory Of my late wife, sole executor
of Mr. Monroe and possessed of his wishes in regard
to the final disposition Of his body trust 90 not
exceed the bounds of decacy or strct Propriety IN
addressing myself to you We approve "tne reno
val but raepectnly suggest onr wishes 10 reRatu 10
il Thslonp period during which "tbe remains have
rnouldrsd ip the tomb" the eeason OF the year. and
o,,,sr considerations urge upon us the wish that 1t
nsv he Effected with a. little display ss possible, and
without any unnecessary expense 10 the people OF
vour state. This we deem most in conformity with
h character of institutions and the simple habits
of If. of the deceased. In the language OF the
solution making the appropriation, only $50 much
thereof as may be necessary will be expended in ef
lectng the removal. and the balance will be disposed
OF H. authorities OF your State may deem proper.
Should you concur. ss hope you will. will invite
my 10 accompany Inc, at an early day, to Hew
York. He will personally superiDtsDd the dlsinter
I..-n o the remains in the presence OF all the -rn
t,,= "i the !aniiy who may be peasei 10 et-nd -
nry vii II, cue hsm. b- Delivered 1" 'h- charg- al
j-r p~rsors --er-G by YOU. and 'qa.i numnrr "i
H. ..-ar-si r, i,,v,s The drcecse - D. c"n'-yeu
to Redmond f1r ntermsn q, you may d'ce'i.
4ln, sir, respectfully, your oo.dt ssryt
SAMUEL L. GOUYERGEUR:
HahIP A. WSsk. 0oFH6A6l 0 - IN 2 HSR1jA