Source: Harlow Giles Unger. The Last Founding Father -
James Monroe and a Nation’s Call to Greatness (2009)
James Monroe and a Nation’s Call to Greatness (2009)
In 1822, President James Monroe decided it was time for the U.S. to join other nations in the "Recognition League"; Monroe officially recognized both Colombia and Mexico as independent nations. In 1823, what became known as the Monroe Doctrine (by the 1850s) was mostly written by Monroe, not his Secretary of State John Quincy Adams (although JQA was instrumental in suggesting and outlining the overall framework).
On 2 December 1823, Monroe sent Congress his 7th Annual Message. Contained in the message was his dictum of "closing off" the Western Hemisphere to European colonizing-and-meddling. Monroe went further, saying that if a European nation(s) interfered in the Western Hemisphere, it would be seen as a threat to the United States. Monroe also stated that the U.S. wanted no part of Europe's affairs or wars (although trade with Europe would be uninterrupted). Monroe made sure to mention in his annual message that the U.S. Navy would be strengthened and far more active.
On 2 December 1823, Monroe sent Congress his 7th Annual Message. Contained in the message was his dictum of "closing off" the Western Hemisphere to European colonizing-and-meddling. Monroe went further, saying that if a European nation(s) interfered in the Western Hemisphere, it would be seen as a threat to the United States. Monroe also stated that the U.S. wanted no part of Europe's affairs or wars (although trade with Europe would be uninterrupted). Monroe made sure to mention in his annual message that the U.S. Navy would be strengthened and far more active.
Monroe's statements in his 7th Annual Message to Congress drew universal acclaim across America . . . it was one of the most popular announcements Monroe made during his entire time in office. London praised Monroe, while Czarist Russia dismissed it with contempt. The simple reality after the War of 1812 was that no European nation had the wherewithal to prevail in a lengthy trans-Oceanic war with the U.S. It was far-less costly to trade and make money than to try and subjugate America. By the end of 1823, Monroe was able to dispel America's fears of foreign attack.
By the early-1820s, the U.S. became even more powerful economically, and even militarily, despite the small national army. The young nation had built many more roads and canals and steamboats, which networked America like never before. However, Monroe, for the only time in his Presidency, vetoed a bill, the National Road Bill, shocking the nation. Monroe argued that the Constitution did not grant power to the federal government for "internal improvements" connecting states. Monroe went on to say in his veto message that the military had the authority to build roads and canals between the states in the interest of national defense.
By the early-1820s, the U.S. became even more powerful economically, and even militarily, despite the small national army. The young nation had built many more roads and canals and steamboats, which networked America like never before. However, Monroe, for the only time in his Presidency, vetoed a bill, the National Road Bill, shocking the nation. Monroe argued that the Constitution did not grant power to the federal government for "internal improvements" connecting states. Monroe went on to say in his veto message that the military had the authority to build roads and canals between the states in the interest of national defense.
In 1824, Congress passed the General Survey Bill, which authorized $30,000 for the construction of roads and canals vital to national defense. The Constitution clearly empowered the Legislative Branch to provide for the "common defense" and to "regulate commerce". Phrased in that manner, Monroe signed the General Survey Bill into law, and the expansion and networking in the U.S. continued at a manic pace.
Monroe let it be known early in his 2nd term that he, like Washington, would not seek a third term. That announcement started the political free-for-all in the Cabinet (with the exception of SecState Quincy Adams) where pursuit of self-interest and advancement by far trumped the national interest. Among the members of the Cabinet, SecTreas William Crawford was by far the most aggressive; Crawford even confronted Monroe in the White House over appointments that he felt should have gone to those loyal to him. Crawford threatened Monroe with his cane, and Monroe grabbed fire tongs, preparing to defend himself. Thankfully, the Secretary of the Navy was present, and he escorted Crawford out of the room . . . a very bitter-and-ambitious Crawford never set foot in the White House again while Monroe was President.
Monroe let it be known early in his 2nd term that he, like Washington, would not seek a third term. That announcement started the political free-for-all in the Cabinet (with the exception of SecState Quincy Adams) where pursuit of self-interest and advancement by far trumped the national interest. Among the members of the Cabinet, SecTreas William Crawford was by far the most aggressive; Crawford even confronted Monroe in the White House over appointments that he felt should have gone to those loyal to him. Crawford threatened Monroe with his cane, and Monroe grabbed fire tongs, preparing to defend himself. Thankfully, the Secretary of the Navy was present, and he escorted Crawford out of the room . . . a very bitter-and-ambitious Crawford never set foot in the White House again while Monroe was President.
Meanwhile, Andrew Jackson, was proving to be an embarrassment for Monroe with his behavior and decision-making as the Territorial Governor of the recently-acquired Florida. As a result of the (mostly self-inflicted) controversies, Jackson resigned, and loudly proclaimed that Monroe was the reason for his troubles in Florida. The only good news associated with Monroe's decreasing influence during his 2nd term was that he was able to spend more time with his family. By 1824, Monroe concluded that SecState John Quincy Adams was the best qualified to succeed him as President, but for the time-being, Monroe kept that opinion to himself.
The last positive event that occurred during Monroe's Presidency started in 1824, when
Lafayette accepted the President's invitation to tour the U.S.; Monroe hoped that Lafayette could rekindle national unity. Monroe's old friend from the Revolutionary War received the largest celebrations in U.S. History to that point, and for many decades later. Towns and cities did their best to outshine each other in honoring Lafayette. On 12 October 1824, Lafayette arrived in D.C., and finally the two Revolutionary War friends saw each other again in the White House. It was quite the scene, in that the last Revolutionary War Era President shook hands with the only surviving general from Washington's Army. An added bonus for Monroe was that for at least awhile, Lafayette's tour made the upcoming Election of 1824 a secondary event. Lafayette spent December of 1824 and January/February of 1825 in Washington, D.C.
The last positive event that occurred during Monroe's Presidency started in 1824, when
Lafayette accepted the President's invitation to tour the U.S.; Monroe hoped that Lafayette could rekindle national unity. Monroe's old friend from the Revolutionary War received the largest celebrations in U.S. History to that point, and for many decades later. Towns and cities did their best to outshine each other in honoring Lafayette. On 12 October 1824, Lafayette arrived in D.C., and finally the two Revolutionary War friends saw each other again in the White House. It was quite the scene, in that the last Revolutionary War Era President shook hands with the only surviving general from Washington's Army. An added bonus for Monroe was that for at least awhile, Lafayette's tour made the upcoming Election of 1824 a secondary event. Lafayette spent December of 1824 and January/February of 1825 in Washington, D.C.
On 1 December 1824, John C. Calhoun was elected Vice-President with 182 Electoral Votes (Calhoun was trying to use the Vice-Presidency as a springboard to the Presidency), but the Electoral Vote for President was an absolute mess. Jackson received 99 Electoral Votes, but that was well-short of the 131 needed to be elected President. Next was JQA with 84, William Crawford at 41, and Henry Clay with 37. The election went to the House of Representatives, with each state's delegation representing one vote, and 13 states needed to be elected President
Clay's ambition to eventually become President led to a deal being made: if JQA would make Clay his SecState, then Clay would swing enough states his way to elect him President. The results of the House vote were JQA 13, Jackson 7, and Crawford 4 (he was physically unable to be President in that he had suffered a serious stroke in 1823). Those loyal to Jackson immediately cried foul, declaring that JQA and Clay denied Jackson the Presidency in a "Corrupt Bargain". Clay believed that he had out-maneuvered Jackson, but the Average American (who by the early-1820s was able to vote) saw trickery and machinations, and Jackson would win by a large margin in 1828.
Monroe's last message to Congress included asking for funds for Lafayette, who was basically broke. Congress allocated funds to save Lafayette, but was unwilling to do the same to help Monroe. By then, Monroe was $75,000 in debt, $53,000 of that was in essence "back-pay" that Congress owed Monroe from his years serving as a diplomat in Europe, including expenses.
Clay's ambition to eventually become President led to a deal being made: if JQA would make Clay his SecState, then Clay would swing enough states his way to elect him President. The results of the House vote were JQA 13, Jackson 7, and Crawford 4 (he was physically unable to be President in that he had suffered a serious stroke in 1823). Those loyal to Jackson immediately cried foul, declaring that JQA and Clay denied Jackson the Presidency in a "Corrupt Bargain". Clay believed that he had out-maneuvered Jackson, but the Average American (who by the early-1820s was able to vote) saw trickery and machinations, and Jackson would win by a large margin in 1828.
Monroe's last message to Congress included asking for funds for Lafayette, who was basically broke. Congress allocated funds to save Lafayette, but was unwilling to do the same to help Monroe. By then, Monroe was $75,000 in debt, $53,000 of that was in essence "back-pay" that Congress owed Monroe from his years serving as a diplomat in Europe, including expenses.
Monroe even provided an itemized account of his expenses in Europe, but Congress only authorized $29,000 towards the outgoing President. The money took care of Monroe's most pressing-and-immediate debts, but Monroe was insulted nonetheless. Monroe was never able to climb out of debt, and he died on 4 July 1831 at the age of 73; ironically, Monroe joined former Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in dying on Independence Day. President Andrew Jackson declared a National Day of Mourning on behalf of Monroe.
By the early-1830s, Monroe's self-serving politically ambitious successors had started to seriously undermine national unity, which on a variety of fronts led to the Civil War thirty years later. And to this day, for better-or-for-worse, U.S. Presidents have invoked the Monroe Doctrine, for both Isolationist and Expansionist reasons.
By the early-1830s, Monroe's self-serving politically ambitious successors had started to seriously undermine national unity, which on a variety of fronts led to the Civil War thirty years later. And to this day, for better-or-for-worse, U.S. Presidents have invoked the Monroe Doctrine, for both Isolationist and Expansionist reasons.