Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-30

The late James Monroe, OF Wa.
A letter addressed to Gov. Wise by Mr..
Samuel L. GouVerneur, son-iu. law of Mr..
Monroe, places the public in possession ,f
some facts in reference to the honored Ex-
President, not generally known, aud will
serve TO increase the respect and venera,ion
hitherto felt for one whose public aud private
virtues were tested by the severest If all blu.
man ordeals. We make the following e1-
tract from Mr.. Gouvernsur's Letter.
"The public life of James Monroe 10 writ
ten 10 the history of Ia:s country. The events
Of his private lfe-iew years indecd-are
known to few surviving friends. Ga the
4ih Of March. 1925, be completed his second
Presidential term. He soon commenced to
reap the bitter fruits of u If, devoted to the
best interests of his country, regardless OF his
own. As private citlzeo he emerged from
all his successive public trusts with poverty
as the emblem Of his purity and the badge Of
all his public hOnorS. A loan from near
relative, reluctantly accepted, realized after
his death, discharged the Immediate ds4nCSs
in Washington, and bore him and his f6dlHk
10 that residenoe in which be had foad9S
hoped to end bis days. Pressed to a melan-
choly degree by debts, almost impercepiibly
accumulated by time, with the occasional re-
lief which two young relatives could afJrd,
be struggled maniully with adversely Tor
about five years. In the unexpected death
OF his devoted wife, in September, 1880, he
realized the fact that bis cup Of earthly sor-
rows was full TO the trim. She had, with
Of a,A mind nn,rpal
every public position be ever held. She had
noby participated in all his troubles, and
with her sudden loss, all the hopes Of his de-
clining years faded rapidly before him. A
constitution OF great original vigor exhibited
symptoms Of decided decay, aud a mind no
bly, endowed in active sympathy, Of gradual
decline. His removal to New York was the
result Of stern necessity, not OF choice. At
the solicitation Of bis family, in the residence
of his youngest daughter, and in the society
Of bis wites relatives, herself 6 native Of that
city, he found all the beautiful sympsthies
which earth affords. His presence ccnman.
ded universal respect. Public meetings gave
q new impulse to prompt action in Congress
on those claims which, in deep conviction Of
their Justice, be had made upon his country.
In daily anxious suspense he awaited their
decision The partial allowance it made
came too late for him. Postponements and
angry debates, marked by that bitterness of
party politics which ever 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 exuiting evidences Of national pride
which mark that day, associated now with
the deaths of Adams, Jefferson, and Monroe,
in humble resignation to Divine will. with
out groan or a sigh, he ceased to hive on
earth.
Let not the people Of Virginia believe that
his bonored remains we're treated with neg
lect. In no public burying ground" in no
borrowed tomb" do they lie. In vault,
originally purchased by lis daughters, in
beautiful private Cemetery" surrounded by
mary of the most respectful Die and vlrtuous Of
bis day, they have awaited the call of HE ma
tive State. Two sisters Of bis wife, one my
own dear mother. with others, relatives OF
her family, have slept around him.
His death excited PR found Sympathy
The city authorities Of New York asked not
the right to honor bis menory, but the favor
10 be permitted, with appropriate ceremonies,
to bury him at the public cost. Ills body
was attended by train OF mourning rela-
lives and friends from The humble dwelling
where be died, through streets hung with
cmblems of public sorrow, to the City Hall,
A noble tribute to bis worth, from eloquent
lips, lately closed forever, was pronounced
over il in the City Park. Funeral services
before the assembled clergy, in one OF the
most venerable churches, were performed oy
the presiding bishop; procession, civil ana
military, Of countless numbers, witnessed
the whole population of city draped IN
mourning, and husbed into solemn silence,
save when the plaintive dirge told the sad
Office they performed bore bin to bis tomb;
Other similar spectscies may have exceeded
this in gorgeous display, bot in imposing So
lemnity it pever was surpassed.
When his remains shall again he brought
to light you will find them distinguished by
these few simple words: james Monroe, OF
Virginia, 4th of July, 1884, aged seventy-two
years" They pointed significantly to his
native State. To her soil he was devoted;
and to her people he was ardently attached
"1o tbem," did be say, 81 owe every thing
They never failed to stand by me. They
will, one day yet, do justice TO my memory.
That day has dawped; bis words are veritied.
If the sentiment your action announces has
been slow in expression it will he rapid III
progress. When "ths remains" OF james
Monroe shall have been deposited IN h's ma
tive soil, it will expand with time. His pub
lie aud private virtues will yet be estimated
at their real WORTH"
NJ. Belly has arrived at New York from
A.ntr.l America and according to the Trl-