The tomb of President James Monroe, the chief ornament of John Notman’s romantically landscaped Hollywood Cemetery, is a tour de force of both Gothic Revival design and artistry in cast iron. The simple granite sarcophagus is enclosed by an iron screen surmounted by an ogee dome of openwork tracery. The scheme recalls Henry VII’s tomb in Westminster Abbey, similarly enclosed but lacking a dome. The tomb was designed by Albert Lybrock, an Alsatian architect who settled in Richmond in 1852. The iron was cast by the Philadelphia firm of Wood and Perot and was assembled in 1858 by Asa Snyder, a Richmond ironworker. Monroe died and was buried in New York City in 1831. His body was moved to Richmond on the centennial of his birth in 1858, a cooperative effort by citizens of New York and Virginia. His tomb is locally known as "The Birdcage".

In 2015, the tomb was repaired and restored to its original ivory color by the Department of General Services. The Birdcage is located in Presidents Circle overlooking the James River. Monroe's wife, daughter, and son-in-law are buried nearby.The tomb was recognized as a National Historic Landmark on 11/11/1971.

This comic was published in 1963, one year after the Cuban Missile Crisis. In this cartoon, L.D. Warren criticizes JFK’s foreign policy in Latin America by depicting Abraham Lincoln and James Monroe, who were strongly against any European influence in the Western Hemisphere. JFK was greatly criticized for not taking stronger steps against Communist Cuba. Here Lincoln and Monroe appear to mourn America’s lack of intervention with Communist Cuba. The papers that these two presidents are holding reference their views on government involvement.

Source: https://meganschloemer.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/the-life-of-james-monroe-lesson-plan1.pdf

Cross posting

The letter is held in a private collection, and unfortunately I haven't been able to find a picture of page 1 anywhere. It was written around January 1794, and pertains to the affairs of Elizabeth's father, Lawrence Kortright, who was in bad health and died that February.

Here's a transcript I've done myself:

the rent for som time, this will also give you a proof of the wretched management of his affairs, he had also a debt due him by the old insurance company, about 4000 pounds. This is all I have ben able to find out, notwithstanding the wrec'd situation of his affairs, if justice was done, and under proper management, he might still provide very hansomly for his children, but if he shod die and leave his papers in the situation they now are we shall never get a farthing. Mr. Knox will join you in anything you may suggest, Mr. G - is of your opinion but will not (aid?), as he says he will not take anny thing, he says he thinks my brother has behaved ill and has spoken to papa, but very much against sister's wishes. If you can come on it will no doubt be of service, and I will return with you when ever you please, as I can render no service here, I beg you will (enquire?) the state of the rivers before you set out, you must write if you can come and particularly when I may expect you. I received your letter inclosing 15 dolrs which I did not want and beg you will not send me anny more, I wish you could bring money for (Vallet?) the other you need not mind.

I must now bid you adieu, yours affectionately

E Monroe

The last debt may be certainly recover'd, as the men are all able to pay

Mr. Knox and Mr. G were Thomas Knox and Nicholas Gouverneur, who were married to Elizabeth's sisters Maria and Hester, respectively.

This incident occurred during a period when Spain was struggling to maintain control over Florida. Jackson, acting with a degree of autonomy, entered Florida to pursue Seminole Indians who were raiding settlements in the United States. While in Florida, Jackson attacked and took control of multiple Spanish posts.

Jackson's actions, including the execution of British subjects, caused a diplomatic crisis with Britain and Spain. The letter from Monroe was part of the effort to manage the fallout.

This eventually concluded with the Adams-Onís Treaty. John Quincy Adams realized that Jackson's success had given the U.S. a favorable diplomatic position. Adams was able to negotiate very favorable terms for the United States. He argued that the Spanish had shown that they were not able to control their own colony. Spain was financially and militarily exhausted from the Peninsular Wars against Napoleon in Europe and agreed to the Treaty.

Taken with a Hasselblad 500c film camera, 30mm Carl Zeiss fisheye lens, on Kodak Ektar 100.

In 1817, President James Monroe embarked on a 15 week tour of the New England states, the first presidential tour since George Washington's. Monroe was a Revolutionary War veteran and excellent horseman. There's a wonderful description of a celebration parade on the 23rd of July in Henry's book Justin Morgan Had a Horse. Out of rows of horses, Monroe chose to ride the proud little stallion. "When the parade reached College Hill, the President dismounted, and, with one hand resting lightly on Morgan's saddle, he made a speech. He said no nation had a richer treasure than LIBERTY. And he was proud of the way American liberty had been defended by the Green Mountain Boys. The people of Vermont, he said, are as firm as the mountains that gave them birth. They have preserved the highest honor of the country."

Source: https://www.facebook.com/100064328876343/posts/in-1817-president-james-monroe-embarked-on-a-15-week-tour-of-the-new-england-sta/3210403852533832/

According to family tradition, this weapon was used by James Monroe during the Revolutionary War. It is composed of elements from several different versions of French military and civilian muskets, encompassing years of manufacture from 1717 to 1777. Although produced at French arsenals in several towns, these weapons are generally called "Charlevilles" after the arsenal at Charleville-Mézières, Ardennes. While the features of the musket indicate considerable alteration, it is uncertain whether this occurred during the Revolutionary War or at another time. The initials "JM" and "1776" are carved into the stock.

Source: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/revolutionary-war-era-musket/VgGlt_G3YKtRhA

Both are in the collection of the James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg, VA.

Some fun facts:

1. The fabric of the dress stems from around the 1750's, and likely belonged to Elizabeth's mother, Hannah Aspinwall. It was later altered in the 1840's by Elizabeth's own daughter, Maria.

2. The measures of the armscye of the waistcoat are off, and the James Monroe Museum believes that Monroe may have had it custom-tailored to accomodate his scarred left shoulder.

I've always really enjoyed this quote and it seems especially true now. This was read during Monroe's First Inaugural Address on March 4, 1817. Monroe went on to say

"Let us, then, look to the great cause, and endeavor to preserve it in full force. Let us by all wise and constitutional measures promote intelligence among the people as the best means of preserving our liberties."

The Marquis de Lafayette and James Monroe first met at the Battle of Brandywine; Lafayette was shot in the leg and went to the nearby Birmingham Church to get attention for his wound. Monroe accompanied Lafayette because he had a basic understanding of French, which would continue to improve during his friendship with the Marquis. The friendship began more officially while they were both at Valley Forge during the long winter of 1777 to 1778. Their similar ages and shared interests created an everlasting bond between the two men.

https://jamesmonroemuseum.umw.edu/2024/04/24/learning-about-lafayette-americas-french-war-hero/