Virginia is 45 minutes. Our first speaker we are privileged to have here today is scott harris who is the director of the James Monroe Museum and library. He has been as such since july 2011. Previously scott was the dwrekt to of the New Market Battlefield state historical park owned by vmi and previous to that historic of the city. He received his ba with honors and holds a masters degree from the college of william and mary. Mr. Harris. [ applause ] im not going to drop the mic but i will lower it gently to the ground. There. Thank you very much and good morning. Oh, come on. Good morning. Good morning. If youll turn in your hymnals to number of of 61. Oh, thats tomorrow. [ laughter ] if i may take the chance in a house of worship to spread the gospel of james monroe as my colleagues will be doing today. Any time that we have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the man that i like to call the hardest working president in show business we like to do so. So its a real treat to be here today to do that. One of the Iconic Images of the revolutionary war is emmanuels painting Washington Crossing the delaware. Its the night of the december 25th, 1776 the Continental Army being transported at trenton, new jersey, some 9 miles to the south. Anonymous men and one woman of varying nationalities grow pushing great slabs of ice out of the way. Two of the occupants are not anonymous. George washington and young lieutenant holding the stars and stripes. His painting is glorious and wrong in almost every detail. The river resembles more than the delaware. The boat is too small and of an inaccurate design. There is too much light for what was a night crossing. Washington did not cross stantding up. The stars and stripes have not been adopted by the Continental Congress and james monroe was not even present with the army. He was already across the river. He was busy. Washington lease plan was a risky attempt to reverse the sagging fortunes. During the summer of 1776 British Forces had driven the Continental Army across new jersey and into bucks county, pennsylvania. Had thinned the american ranks and many of those who remained were disbonded. It would boost the armys moral and stiffen the resolve of congress and the people. Three regimens comprising of about 1,400 men washington planned to bring 2,400 continental soldiers across the river, march to trenton and attack before dawn. Two other elements of the army were part of the plan but they did not make it into the operation. The bad weather that occurred stopped both of those deployments meaning that everything would depend ton main bodys effort. The army east past word was victory or death. Washingtons plan included sending a small detachment of troops to secure the army. James monroe was with this contingent. In his auto biography which he wrote and did not complete before his death monroe described the mission. The command consisting of 50 men was given to William Washington. Lieutenant monroe promptly offered services under him which promptly accepted. The 25th of december 1776 they passed the delaware in the dusk of the evening 10 miles above trenton. The road by which they descended intersected that which lead from trenton to princeton for obedience of orders of cutting off all communication between them and from the country to trenton. Mr. Monroe can be guilty of a runon sentence every now and then. He noted that the night was c e comocome pettous. Describing the instant many years later at a white house dinner monroe recalled that the man whose name was john reicher was determined in this manner and very pro feign. He brought food from his house and said to monroe, i know something is to be done and im going with you. Im a doctor and i may help some poor fellow. The main armys River Crossing took longer than planned meaning that the attack would occur well after sun up. Outside the town washington divided his force sending a division commanded by green to attack from the north while the other lead by Major General attacked from the south. At 8 00 a. M. The assault began and we return to monroes account. Captain washington moved forward with the vanguard in front, shot down the Commanding Officer and drove it before him. A general alarm then took place among the troops in town. The drones were beat to arms and cannons were to bare on the head of the column as it entered. Rushed forward, attacked and put the troops to flight and took possession of them. Moving on afterwards he was taken from the field. The command then evolved who attack until like manner and was shot down by a musket ball which passed through his interest and shoulder. He was also carried from the field. Monroe was brought to the same room where William Washington lay. Reichers position came true as he repaired a damaged artery many monroes shoulder. What neater man realized is that the physician had saved the life of a future president. The painting here shows monroe in the background initially on the field before being taken to the dressing station. The best commentary among his performance and his revolutionary war service generally comes from no less than authority than the commander. Washington noted monroes zeal he discovered by entering the service at an early period and the manner in which he distinguished himself at trenton where he received a wound. The general concluded that monroe had in every instance maintained the reputation of a brave, active and sensible officer. The American Revolution was a transformative experience for james monroe, one he described in a letter written late in his life. I took part in it. Its principals have guided me since. Nothing could be more deeply fixed than the judgment and heart than anyone than are the principals of our free some of government in mind. James monroe was born april 28th, 1858. While not possessing the large Land Holdings the monroes lived comfortably and were tiebl send their eldest son to one of the schools. Among them was john marshal who would be his occasional political adversary. Like many of his classmates he was caught up in revelation nar. He was part of a group of students who seized arms on june 24th, 1775. In february of the next year he was commissioned in the third infantry. The third virginia under the command of fredericksburg joined the Continental Army in august of 1776. He claimed the british title lord sterling. The british had Something Else to say about that. On february 23rd during the harsh winter monroe signed this furlough for a pennsylvania soldier. The earliest on an official document which im afraid to say we have. We also know who the soldier is. He was able to leave for several weeks. After the war found the world that is pennsylvania. Monroe served with young men who would figure his later life. Among them lafayette whos greater ranged and only a year apart in age from becoming lifelong friends. His childhood friend john marshal. And aaron and Alexander Hamilton and i think there was a musical or some other play, something. I seem to remember it. During the autumn of 1777 he fought in the battles of brandy wine and german town. Monroe sent messages to George Washington to help fort british move. It was the last time monroe would be under fire. He became a lieutenant and forces military aid but was unsuccessful in being able to recruit enough soldiers of his own to command. In seeing very little prospect monroe left the army and began the study of law first in williams bu williamsburg and then in richmond. 13 years older he became monroes political mentor. Describing monroe to another disciple he declared turn his soul wrong side outwards and theres not a speck on it. On february 16th, 1886 he married elizabeth of new york. Their union produced two daughters and a son, james, spens monroe who died in infancy. The family was close knit and st stayed close even as he embarked onto United States and abroad. Monroe compiled a larger and longer Public Service resume than anyone who has ever been elected president of the United States. He practiced law in fredericksburg, served as a state and federal ledge is later. He was elected to four terms of governor of virginia. He was u. S. Ambassador to great bre tan and to spain. He helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase treaty coming into attempt to help with the less lugs of the treat the which was only supposed to be fk the ak sigs and then so buy all of louisiana. Forthere was a quick decision on that part that would litter prove very important. He also attended the he was trying to negotiate with the british over issues regarding navigation of the seas and trade rights. He and his wife were put back complaining about where they were. They were exceedingly welldressed though. They had on an Elegant Court outfit and her dress is in our collection that give some indication of the style he brought to his diplomatic career. As the British Naval and military force entered in the summer of 1814 monroe and others called for better defenses for the u. S. Capital but little was done. British troops came ashore on august 14th and gain marching. When the suggestion he went into the field himself. It counts the number of men and reported back. At the battle on august 24th the british quickly routed malitia. It was little to a chaotic structure. He and most of the cabinet including monroe stayed on the field and narrowly avoided capture. Although the british failed to take the possibility of another attack served better preparation which monroe directed. It ended with the treaty. He and his wife elizabeth undertook the refurnishing of the whourks the project that would continue. It cannot be overstated how significant the role was in defining what we come to understand today as white house style. They were literally starting with a blank canvas and had to use most of their own furniture while things became part of the white house furnishings. The monroe example is what they try today recapture. Her experience as first lady was experienced bay fondness for european style say salons that were not always well received. She endured physical ailments which prevented her from white house hostess. One included in 1819 for monroe in his honor. During his tours of the country monroe inspected the nations defenses and also perhaps inadvertently brought something of the modern presidency to any parts of the country. It was a novelty and generated an immensely positive reaction. I think one was not suspects he would happen. That especially proves so popular it includes the catch phrase. Monroe dealt with the perennial problem with native American People who were directly in the path moving west. In 1821 a large delegation visited washington where they were corporatized by the wonderful images that many were destroyed in the fire in the smithsonian. Copies of them survived. As he sought to harm monoize he faced a greater immediate challenge. The increasingly bitter debate over territories west of the mississippi. The precipitate add political crisis between save and true states. Hammered out in 1820 and 1821 collectively known as the missouri compromise. He signed off with relief and expressed that it would be resolve before it tore the union apart. He saw merit to send free blacks back to africa. Monroe was present for the founding meeting of the american k society in 1816. Four years later the ship elizabeth took African Americans to liberia which the capitol is named for you know who. By 1812 and final defeat of napolian acquisition of florida had still not occurred when monroe entered the white house. Jackson enlarged upon the original Mission Secretary of state was able to overcome and negotiate the purchase of florida which occurred in 1821. This became a source of some controversy between jackson and monroe later on. During the same period they recognized the independence of republics. The United States was one of the first nation to recognize the newly independent republics of peru, columbia and argentina. Worried about stability and wary of russian claims on the coast of north America Monroe made a policy statement that would be among the most enduring of his presidency. His annual message to congress contained the usual run down of government expenditures, sort of run of the mill things. The message also declared that the american continents fby the free and independent are not to be considered as subjects for future kol lonization by any european power. It was followed in the wars of the european powers in matters relating to themselves for does it with our policy to do so. It is only when our rights are invaded or minuenaced that we m preparation frs our defense. It articulate as known t Monroe Doctrine. I said the Monroe Doctrine. John quinn scy adams. It will come as no surprise which i respectfully disagree. Adams did have crucial suggestions to make but monroes own long Diplomatic Service as experienced ton world stage informed very much his thinking and final responsibility were monroes. The Immediate Impact was relatively low key. The import was clearly understood by leaders in europe and appreciated by those in latin america. Although in naval power at this time would not have encountered a coalition such a development was unlikely. The declaration George Washington would warn against engaging in diplomatic that would drag the country into a you pea yan war, advice we followed in the 1917. The Monroe Doctrine was a cornerstone for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. Teddy roosevelt that sanked conflicts between countries his donen franklin continued with infiltrate before and after world war the 2. It may mouse lay came into play of the cuban missed crisis in 1962. That lower right image is one of my all time favorites. Its a ship baring sailing osz cuba while a frog man with a k on his shoulder is swimming to cuba underneath it. This actually appeared before the discovery of the missiles in cuba a few weeks before. It is remarkably foreshadowing what was about to happen. In the 21st century the Monroe Doctrine has had some rough handling. It has hatd interesting interpretatio interpretations. A justification around the world often without regard necessarily to the opinion of parts of the world. In 2013 secretary of state john kerry told the organization the era of the Monroe Doctrine is over. There was sort of a surprised reaction and scattering of applause. He said thats good thing. It was to knowledge the independence of latin american countries. Many conservatives have taken issue with the speech. Whatever the future holds for the Monroe Doctrine it is nonetheless remarkable that a president ial policy made in 1823 can still be a matter of debate nearly two centuries later. Although he refused most ini have sag haveati invitations to hold Public Office he did in 1929. He was joined there by other lifelong friends, James Madison who is addressing the body here and former chief justice who is seated meetly behind madison. Monroe had to resign before the convention resigned in 1830. Elizabeth monroe died in 1830. Her grieving spouse went to new york city physically unable monroe died on july 4th, 1831, nooi five years to the day. After an elaborate funeral which there was an estimated 70,000 attendees he was buried in marble cemetery. He but reentered into they were wrought from oak hill to join him. Their daughter is actually buried in par richlts the bird cage as it is called, over the gaves, thats an 1865 photograph soon after richmonds fall. The team has been restored and almost 30 of the original iron has been replaced. Im hopeful it will be ready in time for his birthday observance coming up this april because it desperately needed the work to save this treasure. Over the years james monroe has been memorial ieds in many ways from commemorative coins, postage stamps, a cracker upper right. Symbols of education and military might. He ranks near the top in the number of places named for a u. S. President. As we observed, hes the only american for whom a foreign capital is named. In 1927, monroes great granddaughter and her son saved a building at 1908 charles street in fredericksburg, virginia from demolition. Having saved the building, they established a museum depicting monroes law office and library that he had during his years in fredericksburg, 1786 to 1789. The museums first director served for 51 years and augmented the familys collection of heirlooms. 1948, the James Monroe Memorial Foundation was created to a administer the site. The yufrts university of virgin the became independent. In 2004, the college became the university of Mary Washington. And the law office depiction was converted into a gallery format in 2006 because it was discovered that the building we occupy, which is actually three buildings that merged over time, all of it post dates monroes ownership of the property. So were not the first monroe site to have to come up with a few different approaches about what to do with our property. I hope were the last, but weve had some interesting developments about that. In any case, though, it has given us an opportunity by going to this gallery based showcase of artifacts which is the largest in the country related to our fifth president. The bicentennial of monroes presidency offers a wealth of opportunities to highlight the apex of his career. The museum staged a joint preference on president s day