A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OF THE LIFE OF

JAMES MONROE,

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

BIOGRAPHY and HISTORY Occupy an important department in the libraries of gentlemen, scholars, and statesmen. By the one, the reader becomes acquainted with the illustrious characters who have imparted glory to their native countries, and who have secured to themselves imperishable honour. By the other, he traces the progress of events which have elevated different countries to the acme of human glory, or sunk them to the lowest depths of degradation. The AMERICAN REPUBLIC has, for the last half century, been the theatre of events, and the nursery of men, the history of which, and the lives of whom, would have added lustre to the most brilliant pages of ancient or modern history. The impressive ejaculation of an inspired penman" Our fathers, where are they?" may well be repeated by Americans in the nineteenth century. The members of the OLD CONGRESS, (" I name them fill'd with solemn awe") are, the most of them, reaping the reward of their patriotic labours in eternity. But how little does the rising generation know of their gigantic labours, and their splendid talents? We enjoy the rich legacy they bestowed upon their country; but their memories are almost obliterated by

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the admiration excited by their successors, and the astonishment occasioned by succeeding events.

Had America had her Plutarch, it would not have

been so.

Instead of devoting attention to the men and the events of ancient time, the youth of our Republic would be enraptured while they hung, with assiduous devotion, upon the pages that recorded the labours of their grandsires in the cabinet, and their exploits in the field. The unceasing industry and exalted talents of a MARSHALL, has preserved to Americans the memory of their great political father, GEORGE WASHINGTON. The unrivalled genius of a WIRT has embalmed the memory of PATRICK HENRY. It is from such scholars, that we may hope hereafter to be gratified with a Biography of JAMES MONROE, President of the United States. It must be the history of his country, during the long period of his active life, and various official stations, for they are identified with each other. It is with the deepest solicitude, that I attempt a mere sketch of the life of this great man. That the sources from which I have derived the information I possess upon this subject, so deeply interesting to the citizens of our Republic, are authentic, I have the most confident reliance.

JAMES MONROE, the fifth President of the United States, was born in the county of Westmoreland, in the state of Virginia, and upon the banks of the Potomac, in the year 1759. A century and an half previous, his ancestor migrated to the Western world, and was the original grantee of the soil upon which his illustrious descendant was born. He was educated at the ancient University of William and Mary. His residence in

academic bowers, while it initaited him into the boundless fields of science and literature, did not render him effeminate. In 1776, when his threatened and endangered country called upon her sons to leave the peaceable employment of agriculture, and the delightful indulgence of literary pursuits, to endure the toil and privations of the "tented field," the gallant Monroe joined the embattled ranks of his countrymen, under the command of the celebrated general MERCER, who fell at Princeton. He was appointed a lieutenant in Col. Weedon's regiment-repaired with it to NewYork, and joined the army under the command of General Washington. At the battle of Harlem Heights, he first faced a veteran enemy. He fought in the battle of White Plains, and was one who followed the apparently desperate fortune of Washington, in the desponding retreat through New Jersey. Although a youth of seventeen, he was not dismayed at the gloomy prospects that were before him and his beloved country. While many of the troops were leaving the standard of the Chief, and many citizens were joining the ranks of the enemy, Lieutenant Monroe remained true to his commander, to his country, and to his God. The time was at hand when he was to spend his blood, and all but lose his life for his country.

The 26th of December, 1776, was a day memorable in the annals of the revolutionary struggle. The preceding night was as dark, gloomy, and horrible, as the foreboding destiny of Washington and his devoted followers. Like the night that preceded the fall of Cæsar, the elements seemed to be at war. The roaring of the storm, the rattling of the hail, and the concussions pro

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duced by the tumbling of ice in the rapid current of the Delaware, would have appalled any hearts but those of republican soldiers. The Delaware was crossed-the British post was surprised-their commander was slain, and his army were captured. "The victory of Trenton" operated upon disheartened Americans like a shock of electricity upon a morbid system. The particulars of the battle, and the part taken in it by Lieutenant Monroe, I extract from Wilkinson's Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 129.

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"It was now broad day, and the storm beat violently in our faces; the attack had commenced on the left, and was immediately answered by Col. Stark in our front, who forced the enemy's picket, and pressed into the town; our column being close at his heels. enemy made a momentary shew of resistance, by a wild and undirected fire from the windows of their quarters, which they abandoned as we advanced, and made an attempt to form in the main street, which might have succeeded, but for a six gun battery opened by Capt. T. Forest, under the immediate order of Gen. Washington, at the head of King's street, which annoyed the enemy in various directions; and the decision of Capt. William Washington, who, seconded by Lieutenant JAMES MONROE, (now President of the United States,) led the advanced guard of the left column, perceiving that the enemy were endeavouring to form a battery-rushed forward, drove the artillerists from their guns, and took two pieces in the act of firing.

These officers were both wounded in the charge the Captain in the wrist, the Lieutenant through the shoulder. These particular acts of gallantry have never