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part of foreign powers to extend their system to any part of this hemisphere
would be regarded by the United States as dangerous to our peace and
prosperity, and would certainly be opposed.
On March 4, 1825, Monroe retired from office and returned to his
residence at Oak Hill in Virginia.
He was chosen a justice of the peace, and as such sat in the county court.
In 1829 he became a member of the Virginia convention to revise the

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constitution, and was chosen to preside over the deliberations of that body
but he was obliged, on account of ill-health, to resign his position in that
body and return to his home.
Although Monroe had received $350,000 for his public services alone, he
was greatly harrassed with creditors toward the latter part of his life.
Toward the last he made his home with his son-in-law, Samuel L.
Gouverneur of New York city, where he was originally buried, but in 1830
he was removed to Richmond with great pomp and re-interred in
Holleywood Cemetery.
The subject of this sketch held the reins of government at an important
time and administered it with prudence, discretion, and a single eye to the
general welfare. He went further than any of his predecessors in developing
the resources of the country. He encouraged the army, increased the navy,
augmented the national defences, protected commerce, approved of the
United States Bank, and infused vigor into every department of the public
service.
His honesty, good faith, and simplicity were generally acknowledged, and
disarmed the political rancor of the strongest opponents. Madison thought
the country had never fully appreciated the robust understanding of
Monroe. In person, Monroe was tall and well-formed, with light
complexion and blue eyes. The expression of his countenance was an
accurate index of his simplicity, benevolence, and integrity. The country
never fully appreciated Monroe, partly on account of his never having
gained distinction as an orator.

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