Prelude to the Presidency

“It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty.”

James Monroe, 1801

The beginning of the 19th century was a busy time for James Monroe. A consistent supporter of the French, Monroe attended the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France in 1804. In 1806, while serving as Minister to Great Britain, Monroe and William Pinkney joined forces to negotiate and renew the expired 1795 Jay Treaty, but were blocked by President Jefferson, who refused to send the new treaty to the Senate for ratification. This lack of compromise ultimately contributed to the War of 1812. Monroe returned from his position as Minister in 1807 and was encouraged by Old Republicans (Quids) to run for the presidency in 1808. Monroe avoided actively campaigning to preserve his now-strained friendship with President Jefferson and lost the nomination to James Madison. The two reconciled in 1810 and in 1811, after serving a partial fourth term as Governor of Virginia, Monroe was appointed Secretary of State. He made efforts at peace, but tensions between Great Britain and the United States continued to rise and Congress declared war on June 18, 1812. During the war Monroe served as interim Secretary of War on two separate occasions in addition to his other responsibilities, and his strong leadership established him as President Madison’s heir apparent.

Timeline:

• 1804: Attends coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France
• 1805: Conducts unsuccessful negotiations with Spain for purchase of Florida.
• 1806: With William Pinkney, negotiates treaty with Great Britain (not ratified)
• 1808: Runs for President of the United States, loses nomination to James Madison
• 1810: Elected to Virginia House of Delegates from Albemarle County
• 1811: Elected to fourth term as Governor of Virginia
• 1811: Appointed Secretary of State by President James Madison
• 1813: During War of 1812, made interim Secretary of War, serves for several weeks
• 1814: At Battle of Bladensburg, later flees sack of Washington, DC with Madison
• 1814: Again appointed interim Secretary of War, serves until 1815