The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-09-10
FACTS SHOWING THAT HE DID NOT
DIE IN PERJURY.
Mew York SUM-

this distinguished statesman was buried
in a neglected grave In Virginia, with
not even headstone to mark the spot.
This report has been published in the
newspapers, together with the state
ment that Monroe died In great perjury
and want. One newspaper even went
so far as to state that HIS death was
"hastened by the poverty that forced
him to go hungry for want Of medicinal
food" and that at the time OF his de-
cease his son-in-law, Samuel Gouveneur.
at whose house he died, borrowed the
money to pay his funeral expenses. The
absurdity OF this latter statement Will
be apparent when 1t is known that at
the time of Monroe's death Mr.. Gouver-
neur was a man of independent fortune
apart from the salarly which he was re-
ceiving as postmaster of the city OF New
York, an office which he filled at the
time Of Monroe's death. His means
were, therefore, too ample for him TO al
low a father-In-law of such distinction
to suffer for anything that money could
provide.
Much surprise has often been ex-
pressed that James Monroe did not ac-
cumulate a fortune during his long ana
successful public career. To explain
the fact that he died, comparatively
speaking, only poor man, 1t Is neces-
sary to enter somewhat into mis- private
life and personal affairs. Almost from
his boyhood Monroe took upon himself
the education and support Of his two
brothers, Andrew and Joseph, and his
sister Mrs. Buckner, and he subsequent
ly contributed largely to their mainten-
ance and support. In the Monroe corre-
spondence in the possession OF MIS-
Gouverneur, of Washington, there are
manuscripts bearing upon this interest
ing subject, some of which were witt
ten as early as 1894, during Monroe's
first mission to France. This neavy
burden he faithfully carried through life,
and, though often oppressed by the
heavy cares and expenses that some OF
his numerous official positions entaiiso'
his purse was always open TO these reia-
tives, who were apparently wiling snar-
ers Of his bounty. Two years before
his retirement to private life. IN Ins
spring Of 1923, while Monroe was frest-
dent, his son-in-law, Samuel l.. GouVsr-
neur being somewhat familiar WIN ms
private affairs, and realizing that ne
would leave his high official position q
penniless old man. If some check was not
put upon his liberality, wrote MIN the
following words of advice:
ITO both Maria (Mrs. Gouverneur)
and myself 1t is an object OF the most
anxious soiicitude that after lie oe-
voted to others, you should now pro-
vide for yourself. Rest assured tnat
this sentiment Is most warmly INDUCED
by your friends, and more particularly
those who have witnessed the generous
sacrifices which have distinguished
your life. Feeling myself, as l know
YOU will esteem me, above every CON
sideration of interest, l do not hesitate
to express my sincere hope that you
will direct all your efforts ana re-
sources with the view to the settlement
of YOUR affairs. and particularly to
such a provision for yourself as may
render you more comfortable for life
To effect this know that not only
YOUR own efforts are requisite, but ev-
cry member of your family must unite
to relieve you from expense. WIN
your immediate family these feelings
are cherished in the warmest degree
Toward every other member OF your
family throughout your whole life there
has been a series Of the most generous
and affectionate conduct, but l trust
that both they and you will forgive me
when I say that the time has arrived
when further sacrifices ought to be re-
sisted. I write you in that candoI
fectionate feelings warmly interested
only for yourself and my aunt (Mrs
Monroe). James (Col. James Monroe
nephew of the ex-President) is nov
more than independent. He has every
good feeling toward you, and / believe
would unite in effecting the objects t.
which your friends look with interest
It Is equally his duty as l believe 4
would be his pleasure, to provide fol
his parents, and when his means arr
compared with your own 1t must be ad
mitted that he would be destitute o.
feeling If he permitted the smalles
sacrifice upon your part in reference t.
this subject. BY such an arrangement
he will become himself acquainted per
fectly, us he ought to be, with his faith
er's affairs, and you will be relieved
from the personal anxiety and troubl,
to which they must continually subjec
YOU" The facts referred to in this let
ter furnish a remarkable instance of /
man assuming the care and RESPONSE
bility of his relatives when they wer'
physically able to provide for theil
families and themselves.
In 1926 Congress passed an act appro
priating the sum Of $20,513 to reimburs,
Monroe for the many expenses he hat
incurred during his prolonged missions
abroad. This money was probably i'm
mediately used In liquidating some o.
the debts that Monroe was obliged I,
make prior to his departure upon hi
second mission to France in 1903 A
this period he had just completed tw,
successive terms as Governor of tn,
State of Virginia, when the followini
urgent appeal from President Jefferson
dated Jan. TO- 1903, was received b!
him:
II have but q moment to inform yo,
that the fever into which the Western
mind Is thrown by the affair at New
Orleans. stimulated by the mercantile
and generally the Federal interest
threatens to overthrow our peace. Il
this situation we are obliged to call Of
you for temporary sacrifice of your
self to prevent the greatest Of evils Il
the present prosperous tide of our af
fairs. shall tomorrow nominate yol
to the Senate for an extraordinary mis-
sion to France, and the circumstance
are such as to render 1t impossible t
decline, because the whole public hop
will be vested on you. wish you to b
either in Richmond or Albemarle til
you receive another letter from me
which will be within two days hence, |
the Senate decide Immediately, or later
according to the time they take to de
eide. In the meantime, pray work nigh
and day to arrange your affairs for
temporary absence, perhaps for a lon
one. Accept affectionate salutations.
18th. JEFFERSON"
This second letter Of which Jefferso
writes reached Monroe three days late
and contained the announcement of HI
confirmation by the United States Ser
ate as special envoy to France to act
connaction with Robert r Livingston