"We must console ourselves with the reflexion, that our friend has departed, at a good old age, having honorably and usefully filled up the measure of his days and left behind him a reputation that will live forever"
This is a letter from Smith Thompson (Monroe's Sec of the Navy 1819-23), written on July 5th 1831 in response to a letter informing him of Monroe's death the day before:
> Poughkeepsie Tuesday 12 OC. July 5 [1831]
> Dear Sir, your letter of yesterday informing me of the death of my highly respected and much esteemed friend Mr Monroe, has just been received. I supposed when I last saw him, it was an event we must daily expect. This afflicting dispensation of Providence, considering the time when it occurred opens to the mind many striking reflexions. That so many of our revolutionary patriots, and Ex Presidents should be taken from us on the 4th. of July, is a circumstance calculated to make strong and deep impressions never to be forgotten.
> I regret extremely that it will not be in my power to attend the funeral tomorrow Your letter was received too late to allow me to go down today by the day boat, and my state of health, and the great inconvenience of a night passage at this hot season, make it imprudent for me to take the boat this evening I most sincerely condole with you, but we must console ourselves with the reflexion, that our friend has departed, at a good old age, having honorably and usefully filled up the measure of his days and left behind him a reputation that will live forever
> Yours Respectfully, Smith Thompson