James Monroe, by Paul Raymond Audibert, Paris.

Additional information on Audibert pending.

James Monroe, Fifth President of the United States, (1817-1921; 1821-1825) Born Weshtmlorland County, Va., April 28, 1758; died New York, July 4, 1831. The following is excerpted from the coverleaf of the engraving:

"On receiving all that I have been able to read in print or in manuscript, and all that I have been able to gather from the writings of others, the conclusion is forced on me that Monroe is not adequately appreciated by his countrymen. He has certainly been insufficiently known because no collection has been made of his numerous memoirs, letters, dispatches and messages. He has suffered also by comparison with four or five illustrious men, his seniors in years, and his superiors in genius, who were chiefly instrumental in establishing this government on its firm basis. He was not the equal of Washington in prudence, of Marshall in wisdom, of Hamilton in constructive power, of Jefferson in genius for politics, of Madison in persistant ability to think out an idea and to persuade others of its importance. He was in early life enthusiastic to rashness, he was a devoted adherent to partisan views, he was sometimes despondent and sometimes irascible; but as he grew older his judgment was disciplined, his self-control became secure, his patriotism overbalanced the considerations of the party. Political opponents rarely assailed the purity of his motives or the honesty of his conduct. He was a very good civil-service reformer, firmly set against appointments to office for any unworthy reason.*** He was extremely reticent as to his religious sentiments, at least in all that he wrote. Allusions to his belief are rarely if ever to be met with in his correspondence. He was a faithful husband, father, master, neighbor, friend. He was industrious, serious, temporate, domestic, affectionate. He carried with him to the end of his life the good will and respect of both his seniors and his juniors. Many of those who worked with him***have left on record their appreciation of his abilities and their esteem for his character. His numerous state papers are not remarkable in style or in thought, but his views were generally sound, the position which he took in later life on public questions was approved by the public voice and his administration is known as the "Era of good-feeling."--DANIEL C. GILMAN, LL.D. circa 1872-76, President of Johns Hopkins University (Appointed 1874), in American Statesmen, Houghton, Mifflin & Co.(1880-1908) Effective published copyright, ©Mickey Cox 2002. All rights reserved.