In order to study law in Thomas Jefferson's legal office near the end of the war, Monroe deserted the army. He later started his own legal business. Additionally, he started his lifetime career in public service. Prior to being elected president, Monroe held positions as governor of Virginia, and member of the Continental Congress, which was made up of representatives from the 13 provinces that would later become the United States. As the ambassador to France for Washington, the ambassador to the United Kingdom for Jefferson, and the secretary of state and secretary of war for James Madison, he also served three of the first four presidents.