Editing James Monroe (section)

===1808 election and the Quids===
On his return to Virginia in 1807, Monroe received a warm reception, and many urged him to run in the [[1808 United States presidential election|1808 presidential election]].<ref>{{harvnb|Unger|2009|pp=195–197}}</ref> After Jefferson refused to submit the Monroe-Pinkney Treaty, Monroe had come to believe that Jefferson had snubbed the treaty out of the desire to avoid elevating Monroe above Madison in 1808.<ref>{{harvnb|Unger|2009|pp=191–192}}</ref> Out of deference to Jefferson, Monroe agreed to avoid actively campaigning for the presidency, but he did not rule out accepting a draft effort.<ref name="Unger 2009 200–201">{{harvnb|Unger|2009|pp=200–201}}</ref> The Democratic-Republican Party was increasingly factionalized, with "[[Old Republicans]]" or "Quids" denouncing the Jefferson administration for abandoning what they considered to be true republican principles. The Quids, led by [[John Randolph of Roanoke]], tried to enlist Monroe in their cause. The plan was to run Monroe for president in the 1808 election in cooperation with the [[Federalist Party]], which had a strong base in New England. Monroe decided to run against Madison in the 1808 presidential election in order to demonstrate the strength of his political position in Virginia. The regular Democratic-Republicans overcame the Quids in the nominating caucus, kept control of the party in Virginia, and protected Madison's base.<ref>David A. Carson, "Quiddism and the Reluctant Candidacy of James Monroe in the Election of 1808", ''Mid-America'' 1988 70(2): 79–89</ref> Monroe did not publicly criticize Jefferson or Madison during Madison's campaign against Federalist [[Charles Cotesworth Pinckney]], but he refused to support Madison.{{sfn|Cunningham|1996|pp=10–11}} Madison defeated Pinckney by a large margin, carrying all but one state outside of New England. Monroe won 3,400 votes in Virginia, but received little support elsewhere.<ref name="Unger 2009 200–201"/>

Monroe, who had fallen out of favor with the majority of Republicans because of his candidacy, withdrew into private life for the next few years. The plan to sell his second house in [[Oak Hill (James Monroe house)|Loudon County, Oak Hill]], in order to renovate and expand Highland with the proceeds, failed due to the low real estate prices.<ref name=":6">{{Harvnb|Hart|2005|pp=47–49}}</ref> After the election Monroe quickly reconciled with Jefferson, but their friendship endured further strains when Jefferson did not promote Monroe's candidacy to Congress in 1809.<ref>{{harvnb|Ammon|1971|pages=280–281}}</ref> Monroe did not speak with Madison until 1810.<ref name="leibiger" /> Monroe devoted his attentions to farming at his Charlottesville estate, experimenting with new horticultural techniques in order to switch from tobacco, whose value was steadily declining, to wheat.<ref>{{harvnb|Unger|2009|pp=200–202}}</ref>