The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-12-07
A SHORT SKETCH OF
JAMES MONROE.
3,33--GGe<

Paper Read Before the Cha,.tauqua Circle.
IN treating subject of this kind,
one may read for weeks in prepar-
ing himself for writing an article
in order to give his audience a
concise narrative. There are scores of
men who have written in glowing
terms of this distinguished individual,
and many papers might be prepared by
as many individuals and yet be far
from exhausting the supply from these
rich mines.
In preparing this paper I have had
access to such authorities, as could be
procured from our library, in addition
to the little knowledge I had CLEANED
from history prior to my arrival here
as a Student of Minnesota's Industrial
College,
James Monroe, the fifth president of
the United States, was born April 28th,
1853, in Westmoreland Co., Virginia.
Not far away from this spot was the
birthplace of George Washington, and
in the same vicinity, lived Richard
Henry Lee, whose famous son Robert
E. Lee, led the Confederate army in
our civil war.
When James Monroe was born and
until he reached mature manhood, this
country was subjected to British author
ity; and during his boyhood days, his
neighbors and friends were greatly
excited by the passage of what was
known as the Stamp Act. In 1776
several of them, including Richard
Henry Lee, Spence Monroe, and John
Monroe, joined in remonstrance
against the execution of the act, and in
many ways showed their hostility to
the arbitrary rule of the British govern
ment. During these years we find that
James had been persuing his studies
as best he could, and about this time
he became a student in the college of
William and Mary, which had been in
existence for over one hundred years.
Its historians claim that it was then
the richest college in North America.
having an annual income of $4,000.
While James Monroe was yet attend.
ing college signal of rebellion against
British authority was given; and he
with several other students and pcO.
fessors, Joined their comrades from
Harvard, Yale and Princeton in the
military ranks. The public career OF
James Monroe begins when he becomes
q lieutenant in the Third Virginiar
Regiment under Colonel Hugh Mercer
and began active service September
10Th, 1776. He was wounded during
the battle of Trenton, December Goth
served with honorable mention in th'
battles of Brandywine, Germantown
and Monmouth, during the campaign
of 1776-7S. The promotions he received
however, were not to his liking, and w
discover that the young officer who hat
so quickly attained distinction, wa
suddenly paralyzed by period of in
activity. This lasted till the year l78S
when he writes to his old friend, Lor'
Sterling, the following: "Chagrine'
with my disappointment in not attain
ing the rank and command l sought
chagrined with some disappointment
in private line, retired from societ
with almost resolution never to retur
to it again"
We find he did, however; but he wa
man who never acted on the spur o
the moment, either in public or privat
life, but was q great deliberator; an
often in his private life asked the az
vice and counseIled with his uncle an
friend, Joseph Jones, who was at ths
time prominent man in public affair
Judge Jones, in making reply to
letter of inquiry in which Monroe aske
his advice as to which he should d
attend course of lectures which wei
to be given by Mr.. Wythe on Blacl
stone and his methods, or to give h
company and assistance to Mr.. Jeffe
son, who was at that time governor {
Richmond and head of the militi
stated the case in such terms that I
one will be surprised to find that Il
young aspirant became attached to Il
governor. It has been said that tn
close personal friendship and intima'