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Monroe was elected governor of Virginia in 1799–1802. He proved himself a popular executive and an able administrator.  His effective handling of the abortive slave uprising known as [[Gabriel's Rebellion]] was highly praised by the planter class.

Monroe was elected governor of Virginia in 1799–1802. He proved himself a popular executive and an able administrator.  His effective handling of the abortive slave uprising known as [[Gabriel's Rebellion]] was highly praised by the planter class.

President Jefferson sent Monroe to France to help Robert R. Livingston, the U.S. minister, negotiate for the purchase of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  They instead purchased the [[Louisiana Purchase|entire Louisiana Territory]] in a spectacular diplomatic triumph. Monroe became minister to the Court of St. James (Britain) but Jefferson rejected the treaty Monroe negotiated because it would not allow the U.S. to engage in commercial warfare against Britain. Monroe went to Spain, which rejected the American offer to purchase the Spanish Floridas. Monroe returned home in 1807, expecting Jefferson's support for the presidency, and insisted upon being a candidate for the Republican nomination even when Jefferson and most party leaders wanted [[James Madison]] to get the nomination. Madison was elected.

President Jefferson sent Monroe to France to help Robert R. Livingston, the U.S. minister, [[negotiate]] for the purchase of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  They instead purchased the [[Louisiana Purchase|entire Louisiana Territory]] in a spectacular diplomatic triumph. Monroe became minister to the Court of St. James (Britain) but Jefferson rejected the treaty Monroe negotiated because it would not allow the U.S. to engage in commercial warfare against Britain. Monroe went to Spain, which rejected the American offer to purchase the Spanish Floridas. Monroe returned home in 1807, expecting Jefferson's support for the presidency, and insisted upon being a candidate for the Republican nomination even when Jefferson and most party leaders wanted [[James Madison]] to get the nomination. Madison was elected.

Monroe was a talented diplomat with a fatal flaw that ruined some of his efforts: he never appreciated that he was a representative of the President and the government and had to articulate and advance its objectives. Unlike his Secretary [[John Quincy Adams]] (who drafted the [[Monroe Doctrine]]), Monroe never had a broad vision for his own nation.

Monroe was a talented diplomat with a fatal flaw that ruined some of his efforts: he never appreciated that he was a representative of the President and the government and had to articulate and advance its objectives. Unlike his Secretary [[John Quincy Adams]] (who drafted the [[Monroe Doctrine]]), Monroe never had a broad vision for his own nation.