FATHERS OF THE REVOLUTIOX
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iirmy of the South. In 1782 he was elected
lo the state assembly, and soon called to the
txecutive council. He sat in the Congress
oi [783-86, in Xew York, and there pre-
sented his bill for the temporary govern-
ment of the new northwest territory, and
which culminated in the ordinance of 1787.
He was appointed one of the judges to de-
cide the Xew York and Massachusetts boun-
dary question, but as both states were op-
posed to his views as to the right of free
navigation of the Mississippi, he resigned.
After leaving Congress, he practiced law in
Fredericksburg. He was elected to the
state assembly, and also to the state conven-
tion of 1788. called to consider the ratifica-
tion of the United States constitution. Fear-
ing the result of a highly centralized power,
he cast his vote against the ratification, but
was reconciled by the adoption later of the
first- ten amendments. In 1790 he became
United States senator to fill an unexpired
term (Grayson, deceased), serving until
'705- when President Washington appointed
him minister to France. An aggressive an-
ti-Federalist, while in the senate he had an-
tagonized some of the views of the presi-
dent and several of his appointments, and
his appointment to the French mission was
a great surprise to the nation. He was se-
verely criticized for his friendliness to
France, and the apprehension that the Brit-
ish ministry might be oflFended. led to hi.s
recall, and on his returning home he wrote
an exhaustive vindication. He was elected
governor of Virginia and served from 1799
to 1802. On the election of Jefferson to the
presidency. Monroe was again sent to
France as an additional plenopotentiary.
and with Robert R. Livingston procured
the cession of the Louisiana territory. He
subsequently filled diplomatic appointments
to Spain, where he negotiated for the pur-
chase of Florida, but failed; and to Great
r.ritain. where with William Pinkney he
concluded a treaty. The instrument failed
to protect American seamen from impress-
ment or to secure indemnity for American
goods seized, and the president would, not
send it to the senate, whereupon Monroe re-
turned and gave out a defense of his con-
duct. He was a third time elected to the
state assembly, and in 181 1 was again
elected governor, but left the office after a
few months to take the post of secretary
of state under President Madison. He also
acted as secretary of war, 1814-15. In 1816
he was elected president, and his conduct of
the office and the peaceful condition of the
country led to his re-election, with prac-
tically no opposition — a unique instance in
the history of American politics. In his
message to Congress in 1823, in reference
to a possible attempt by Spain to regain
I'lorida. he laid down the principles known
a? "The Monroe Doctrine." using these
words: "We should consider any attempt
on their part (a foreign power) to extend
t.heir system to any portion of this hemis-
phere, as dangerous to our peace and safe-
ty." and again: "The American continents
by the free and independent condition which
they have assumed and maintained, are
henceforth not to be considered as subjects
for future colonization by any European
powers." He subsequently effected a treaty
with Spain and concluded the purchase of
the Floridas. Although favoring internal
improvements, he vetoed the Cumberland
Road bill, holding that Congress had no
authority to make appropriations for in-
ternal uses unless of national importance.
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