James Monroe

Even looks a little like Washington

Harlow Giles Unger:  The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation’s Call to Greatness
James Monroe:  5th President (1817-1825); b. 1758; d. 1831

James Monroe’s life was truly interesting—he walks through the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the War of 1812, the Era of Good Feelings, and the Monroe Doctrine—and interacts with so many of the most interesting people in the world’s history (how many people knew both Washington and Napoleon?).  The books is not overly long, 350 pages of text with a large font, and Unger makes the material very readable.  Unger does an excellent job of telling this story in a gripping manner, creating engaging characters and telling the story from Monroe’s point of view.  Monroe comes along a decade or so later than his predecessors, so he views the events of the revolution and the coming years from the vantage of a younger man than his predecessors.

Little Washington:  James Monroe was an excellent president and a wonderful American.  One of the things I enjoyed about Monroe was the way that he consciously imitated Washington (he even looked a little like Washington).  From the time he was in college and he joined the Continental Army, he really tended to worship at the altar of Washington.  This was apparent in his time as president.  Rather than act just as a Republican, he did everything in his power to unite the country behind a single banner.  This was one of the forces leading to the ‘Era of Good Feelings’ and I don’t think that we should entirely discount Monroe’s role in this.  His ability to end partisan bickering—especially after the partisan strife in earlier elections—was a good thing.  And his tour of the United States while in office was in many ways unique, and was imitated by many of his successors.

Saving Paine and Lafayette:  I think that Monroe was a particularly effective diplomat, much as Q would be soon after him.  His ability to ingratiate himself among the French was critical in keeping the peace among the two nations.  And this was an especially difficult period in which to operate—Napoleonic Europe was a complicated and dangerous place.  Monroe’s ability to negotiate the Monroe-Pinkney treaty was commendable.  The individuals that rejected this treaty—Jefferson in particular—possessed unrealistic views of America’s place in the world vis-à-vis the powers in Europe.  This unrealistic viewpoint played not a small role in causing the War of 1812.

Part of what makes Monroe compelling is his courage and devotion to others.  He took a real risk in hiding Thomas Paine and Lafayette shipping them out of France.  And the scene in which Monroe’s wife drove up to La Force Prison and demanded the release of Madame Lafayette—and the authorities comply—would make for compelling fiction if it wasn’t true.

Madison:  The way in which Jefferson and Madison worked together to make Monroe “wait his turn” while Madison took the White House for eight years was really unfortunate.  Monroe had a distinguished record, was very popular, and had every right to actively seek the presidency in 1808.  His grace in 1808, especially after his falling out with Jefferson and Madison, was impressive and speaks well of his character.

1812:  That which damns Madison stands to Monroe’s credit.  When Madison panicked and acted like a dead fish when the British stormed Washington D.C., Monroe—then the Secretary of State—basically stepped in and took personal command of American troops in the area.  This was really a glorious event and moment of leadership for Monroe, even though we don’t hear about it much today.  I think it shows the force of his personality and ability to lead men.  

The War of 1812:  Where more than one Future President Shined

Q:  I find it interesting that Monroe and John Quincy Adams got along so well.  These are men from very different backgrounds and with very different personalities.  But they were both of the same era—young during the Revolution, aging with their country—and both had long careers in service of the public.  It is a great historic relationship in which two people respected each other and were able to work together to better advance the cause of their nation than they would have been able to alone.

Family Man:  Monroe was committed to his family.  He had a wonderful relationship with his wife, who embodied many of the same characteristics as him.  And he was very close with his daughter Eliza Monroe Hay, who spent a great deal of time in his White House.

Dead on the Fourth of July:  Just like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.