sequence of Russian and other European overtures to our government touching matters in different parts of the American continent, he spoke at length of our isolation from Europe and the sentiment that had grown up among us, that we must not entangle ouselves with foreign alliances nor permit European interference in American affairs, either in our own or other American republics. The enunciation of the doctrine is interwoven with the whole message; but a few passages pretty clearly state it: "That the American continent, by the free and independent condition which it has assumed and maintains, is henceforth not to be considered as a place for future colonization by any European powers." Again: "We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers, to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety." It is further elucidated and applied in the message. The doctrine is, European hands off from American nationalities; we avoid foreign entanglements; we do not permit foreign meddling. It does not seem that Mr. Monroe thought he was saying anything singular or of marked significance; but because thus authoritatively said, it has gone into history as the Monroe doctrine. It was the common sentiment of the American writers and statesmen put forth in a presidential message.

DOMESTIC RELATIONS.

When Mr. Monroe was a member of Congress in New York, and about twenty-eight years of age, he married Miss Eliza Kortwright, daughter of Lawrence Kortwright, a respectable gentleman of that city who had lost his fortune in the revolution. He made his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with a view to go into the practice of law; we have seen with what success.

They had two daughters, Eliza, who married Judge George Hay, of Virginia, and Maria, who married Samuel L. Governeur, of New York. When her parents were in Paris, Eliza was a schoolmate with Hortense Beauharnais, daughter of Josephine,

and step-daughter of the Emperor Napoleon, who became queen of Holland, and their teacher was the celebrated Madam Campan. The acquaintance of these school girls ripened into a life-long friendship. Eliza named a daughter Hortensia for Queen Hortense, who always retained a strong interest in her American namesake, and sent to her rich portraits of herself and sister, and Madam Campan.

Mr. Monroe had a tender interest in his family and his relatives. He was a modest, kindly, plain man; considerate of all; simple and polite; a little awkward in manner; in stature about six feet; compact, a little angular and bony in features and build; in youth and middle age strong and enduring. He made many friends and kept them. He served his country with a single purpose through more than five decades. He was often. censured and sometimes publicly humiliated by his superiors in office, yet in the long run he has gained the approval of his countrymen. He is a standing proof that plain common sense, with good purpose and hearty industry, may serve the republic of a just and loyal people in its highest offices.

In his later years Mr. Monroe served with Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison as regent of the Virginia university. His declining years were harrassed with inadequate income. He gave his life to his country and was poorly paid. He was honored most by those who knew him best. In his life-time, his lack of brilliancy prevented him from being generally estimated at his real worth; but as the years pass away his record brightens and his solid merits came to be more appreciated. Mr. Daniel C. Gilman gave to the world, only last year, an appreciative sketch of his life, and predicted that some future biographer would do him ample justice.

The last years of Mr. Monroe's life were spent chiefly with his daughter, Mrs. Governeur, in New York. He died the fourth day of July, 1831, making the third president that died on that memorable day, about a year after the death of his wife. He was buried in New York. But the state of Virginia, on the one hundreth anniversary of the day of his birth, removed his remains to Richmond, that they might rest permanently in the

soil of his native state which he had so signally honored with a patriotic and self-sacrificing life.

THE GRAVE OF JAMES MONROE.

After resting in its grave twenty-seven years in New York, where Mr. Monroe died, his body was removed to Richmond, Virginia. It was received with great demonstrations of respect in the capital of his native state. The removal was made July 4, 1858, and the re-interment July 5. Mottos expressive of the most loyal patriotism and the heartiest devotion to the union. and liberty were hoisted over the streets. A vast procession moved slowly out to Hollywood cemetery bearing reverently and tenderly the honored dust of the fifth president of the United States, and the fourth from Virginia. To an eminence overlooking a long reach of the James river and its beautiful valley and a wide circuit of delightful country, in the southwestern and much-frequented part of the lovely cemetery, the sacred relics were borne and buried five feet under ground in a brick and granite vault. The vault was covered with a large, polished block of Virginia marble, eight feet long and four feet wide. On this, as a pedestal, rests a large granite sarcophagus, cut in the shape of a coffin. On the northern side of the sarcophagus is a brass plate, now dark with age, bearing this inscription: James Monroe.

BORN IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY, 28TH OF APRIL, 1758.
DIED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 4TH OF JULY, 1831.

By Order of the General Assembly,

His Remains were Removed to this Cemetery 5th of July, 1858,
As an evidence of the

Affection of Virginia for her Good and Honored Son.

The ends and sides are filled in between the pillars with ornamental cast-iron grating, made so compact as to be difficult to look through the interstices. This unique monument will always mark, to every visitor, the grave of President Monroe from every other.