James Monroe

Fifth President [1817-1825]
Lawyer

What He Did:

"I enter on the trust to which I have been called by the suffrage of my fellow-citizens with my fervent prayers to the Almighty that He will be graciously pleased to continue to us that protection which He has already so conspicuously displayed in our favor." [First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1817]

"With a firm reliance on the protection of Almighty God, I shall forwith commence the duties of the high trust to which you have called me." [Second Inaugural Address--for his second term--March 5, 1821]

"For these blessings we owe to Almighty God, from whom we derive them, and with profound reverence, our most grateful and unceasing acknowledgments....That these blessings may be preserved and perpetuated will be the object of my fervent and unceasing prayers to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe." [Eighth Annual Address to Congress, December 7, 1824]