Spring Break-2008

The kids had spring break this week so Bill took off Thursday and Friday. We went to Fredericksburg and saw the original law office of James Monroe, 5th president of the US. The next day we went to Charlottesville to his home next to Monticello (Jefferson's home). We learned a couple of things about James Monroe. Of course he's famous for the Monroe Doctrine and for the missouri compromise that held off the Civil War for a time. He is actually the one who made the arrangements and completed the Louisianna Purchase. He didn't come from wealth but his Uncle had enough means to send him to William and Mary where he studied law under and became friends with Thomas Jefferson. Monroe was ambassadore to France and England and was the Virginia Governor. Of all people who were ever president, Monroe held more public offices than any other.

The famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware depicts Monroe as the bearer of the flag. While he wasn't in the boat with Washington he had crossed the night before and fought with Washington. Monroe was the last of our presidents who had fought in the revolution. When he ran for his second term he got all Electoral votes but one, which went to John Quincy Adams (who would become the next president).

Because he had spent so much time in France and had impressed the French by learning to speak fluent French, he was loved by the French. When the wife of the Lafayette was imprisoned at the beginning of the French revolution along with many other well known Frenchmen, Mrs Monroe went in her fine dress to visit her in the prison which was such a source of shame to the French that the people demanded that Mrs Lafayette be released.

The younger daughter of the Monroes best friend was Hortence, step daughter of Napoleon and later became queen Hortence of Holland.

He had to supervise the renovation and repair of the white house after the war of 1812 and refurnish it. The styles of furniture in the white house are largely those remaining from his purchases. Several pieces that he originally bought are still in use and most of it is french or has french influence.

It seems a shame that this president is largely forgotten. He died on July 4, 1831.