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LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Receded.-. .-.** 
 A c cessions No. .$-& 3 Shel No. 
 
THE 
 
 PRESIDENT S TOUR 
 
A 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 if 
 
 OF 
 
 A TOUR OF OBSERVATION, 
 
 MADE DURING THE SUMMER OF 1817, 
 
 BY 
 
 JAMES MONROE, 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 THROUGH 
 
 THE NORTH-EASTERN AND NORTH-WESTERN 
 DEPARTMENTS OF THE UNION: 
 
 WITH A VIEW TO 
 
 THE EXAMINATION OF THEIR SEYE 
 DEFENCES. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 JL UBLISHED BY S. A. MITCHELL 6? H. AMES. 
 
 Clark & Raser, Printers. 
 1818. 
 

 District of Pennsylvania, to wit: / 
 
 BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-ninth day of Decem 
 ber, in the forty-second year of the independence of the United 
 States of America, A. D. 1817, Mitchell & Ames, of the said 
 district, have deposited in this office the title of a book, the 
 rig ht whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words following-, 
 to wit: 
 
 A Narrative of a Tour of Observation, made during the sum 
 mer of 1817, by James Monroe, President of the United 
 States, through the north-eastern and north-western depart 
 ments of the union: with a view to the examination of their 
 several military defences. With an Appendix." 
 
 In conformity to the act of the congress of the United States, 
 entitled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing 
 the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and pro 
 prietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned." 
 And also to the act, entitled, " An act supplementary to an act, 
 entitled, An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing 1 
 the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and pro 
 prietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned, 
 and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, en 
 graving 1 , and etching historical and other prints." 
 
 D. CALDWELL, 
 Clerk of the District of Pennsylvania, 
 
JI [7ERSIT7; 
 
 4 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 A CONSIDERABLE degree of public interest having- 
 been excited by the late tour of the President of the 
 United States, undertaken soon after his induction 
 into office, and constituting one of the first important 
 acts of his administration, the editor has thought 
 himself warranted in the publication of the following 
 account of its course, and of the events attending it. 
 In the numerous addresses, delivered to him by the 
 citizens, and in the replies which they received, the 
 sentiments of the people, and the views of the exe 
 cutive, are constantly developed ; and the preserva 
 tion of these could in no way be more properly 
 effected, than by collecting them under one general 
 head, and blending them with intermediate descrip 
 tions of his journey, in the form and character of 
 a Narrative. 
 
 During the late war with Great Britain, a practi 
 cal opportunity w r as afforded to the government of 
 the United States, to discover the relative import 
 ance of the defences erected along the frontier, 
 dividing the American and British possessions, and 
 the strength and utility of the various fortified places 
 on the marine exterior. The frequent and some 
 times successful, incursions of the late enemy, en 
 forced the necessity of selecting new points for the 
 erection of strong and efficient batteries, to protect 
 
vi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 the country against future invasion ; of demolishing 
 such works, as were thence found to have been con 
 structed in improper situations ; and of concentrating 
 the regular forces, at such positions as should render 
 their co-operation speedy and effective. 
 
 Impressed with the magnitude of this subject, 
 Mr. Monroe had no sooner passed through the forms 
 of his inauguration, than he directed his attention 
 to the means by which to accomplish so desirable an 
 object. A mere theoretical knowledge would be in 
 sufficient for the consummation of his views ; and, 
 indeed, could not be entirely depended upon. Avail 
 ing himself, therefore, of the experience acquired 
 before the close of the late contest, he determined 
 to engage in a personal examination of the situation, 
 strength, and condition, of all the citadels and mili 
 tary posts in the northern and eastern departments 
 of the union. To the early execution of this inten 
 tion, he was urged, as he has himself intimated, by 
 a desire to look into the economical expenditure of 
 the public monies, which had been liberally appro 
 priated by congress ; to facilitate the completion of 
 these measures; and to ascertain the propriety of 
 adopting plans, suggested by the agents employed in 
 the service of fortification. 
 
 Not long after the expiration of the congressional 
 term, in the spring of 1817, the President entered 
 upon this laudable undertaking, and prosecuted his 
 route through all the principal towns and cities, 
 which he had marked out for his first tour of obser 
 vation. Departing from the capital, he passed 
 
INTRODUCTION. yii 
 
 through Baltimore to the state of Delaware, to the 
 cities of Philadelphia, New York, and the chief 
 towns in Connecticut and Rhode Island, to Boston, 
 and other parts of Massachusetts, to the capital, 
 and other towns in New Hampshire, and through 
 the province of Maine to the town of Portland. 
 Thence he extended his journey westward through 
 Vermont; inspected the w r orks at Plattsburg: and 
 passing through the forests, to the St. Lawrence, 
 he embarked for lake Ontario ; visited Sacket s Har 
 bour, and Fort Niagara ; and, advancing along the 
 strait to Buffalo, sailed through Lake Erie, and 
 landed at Detroit, the extremity of his tour. He 
 took a direction thence through the woods of the 
 Michigan territory, and through the states of Ohio, 
 Pennsylvania, and Maryland, towards the District 
 of Columbia, where he arrived after an absence of 
 more than three months. 
 
 From this long, laborious, and fatiguing journey, 
 which the President had imposed upon himself as a 
 public duty, many and great advantages will be de 
 rived, as well by the general community of the 
 United States, as the particular districts of the coun 
 try through which it was necessarily made. The 
 "persevering manner in which it was performed, and 
 the entire accomplishment of its ulterior objects, are 
 strong and certain indications of its beneficial re 
 sults. With an alacrity paralleled only by the prompt 
 aid of the citizens to accelerate his movements, the 
 President inspected garrisons ; examined fortifica 
 tions ; reviewed infantry regiments at cantonments : 
 
Viii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 and obtained a knowledge of the condition of the mi 
 litary arsenals and naval depots, along the Atlantic 
 and inland frontiers. To these numerous duties, he 
 added the desire to promote the prosperity of the 
 people; to correct abuses in the public offices; to avert 
 the calamities incident to any future period of hosti 
 lities; to ameliorate the condition of the poorer classes 
 of society; and to unite and harmonize, the sentiments 
 and affections, of the citizens of one section with those 
 of another. These desirable and happy consequences 
 could not be achieved, without infinite labour, ex 
 cessive fatigue, and numberless privations; all which 
 were greatly increased, by Ms determination to re 
 turn to the capital, through a succession of forests, 
 wildernesses, and Indian settlements, intervening 
 between Detroit and the settled parts of the state of 
 Ohio. In traversing this district of the union, 
 the President encountered all the difficulties atten 
 dant upon bad roads, and the impediments of deep 
 mires and unbridged streams. His fare too was not 
 of the most sumptuous kind, and he frequently slept, 
 with his suite, in Indian huts, his great coat and 
 saddle serving the purposes of bed and pillow, and 
 his person guarded only by the chiefs of the different 
 tribes. He sustained, however, all the inconve 
 niences of comfortless lodgings, and unpleasant and 
 fatiguing travelling, without any abatement of that 
 cheerfulness, and sense of public duty, manifested in 
 the commencement of his tour, the advantageous re 
 sults of which will long be remembered and acknow 
 ledged by the nation. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 i he President leaves Washington arrives at Baltimore 
 visits North Point and Fort M Henry is address 
 ed by the Corporation leaves Baltimore and enters 
 the state of Delaware- lands at Fort Mifflin pro 
 ceeds thence to Philadelphia addressed by the Cin 
 cinnati visits the Navy Yard, the Franklin Seventy- 
 four, and the Public Institutions. Page 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The President leaves Philadelphia and arrives at Tren 
 ton reflections on his visit there addressed by the 
 recorder proceeds to New Brunswick to Elizabeth- 
 town Point arrives at the seat of the Vice-President 
 on Staten Island New York -resolutions of the 
 Common Council address of the Corporation of 
 the Cincinnati visits Castle Williams, the fort at 
 Bedlow s Island, and Brooklyn Heights inducted 
 into the New York Institute address of Mr. Clin 
 ton, p. 28 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Proceedings of the Society for the encouragement oi 
 American Manufactures Introduction of the Pre 
 sident Report of the Corresponding Committee 
 their Address Election of Messrs. Adams, Jefferson, 
 and Madison their Letters the President proceeds 
 to West Point returns to New York inspects the 
 Forts at the Narrows visits Sandy Hook departs 
 lor New Haven. p* 45 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The President arrives at New Haven resolutions of 
 the Citizens Middletown address of the Corpora 
 tion there the President proceeds to Hartford ad 
 dress of the Citizens he repairs to Springfield, and 
 visits the United States Armory receives a Com 
 mittee from the Citizens resolutions at New Lon 
 don the President arrives there is addressed by the 
 Common Council visits Fort Trumbull the town 
 of Groton and Fort Griswold makes an excursion up 
 the Thames sails from New London sleeps at 
 Stonington, and arrives at Newport proceeds thence 
 to Providence. p. 66 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Massachusetts the President is received on its line by 
 the Governor s Aid passes through Attleborough, 
 Wrentham and Walpole, and sleeps at Dedham 
 arrives at Boston address of the Citizens inspec 
 
 
CONTENTS, XI 
 
 tioii of Forts Independence and Warren celebra 
 tion of the 4th of July address of the Cincinnati 
 of the Minority of the Legislature. p. 89 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Inspection of the Navy Yard The President boards 
 the Independence seventy-four Midshipman King s 
 Narrative Charlestown address of the Citizens 
 The President repairs to Bunker Hill Middlesex 
 Canal Oratorio* visit to Cambridge College ad 
 dress of the Faculty the degree of Doctor of Laws 
 conferred on the President review of the Boston 
 troops Quincy. p. 113 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The President departs from Boston address of the 
 Citizens of Lynn proceeds to Marblehead, thence to 
 Salem and Ipswich resolutions at these places 
 Newburyport address of the Citizens there inspec 
 tion of the Factories at Amsbury -the President ar 
 rives at Portsmouth address of the Citizens of the 
 Associated Mechanics and Manufacturers. p. 129 
 
 CHAPTER VIII, 
 
 Province of Maine the President lands at Kittery ad 
 dress proceeds to Kennebunk, and is addressed there 
 Wells Arundel Biddeford address of a Com 
 mittee the President repairs through Saco and Scar 
 borough to Portland reply to the invitation from the 
 Citizens of Bath and other towns visit to forts Pre- 
 
Xll 
 
 ble and Scammel address of the Clergy the Presi 
 dent re-enters New Hampshire. p. 144 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The President visits the Military Works at Rouse s 
 Point lands at Plattsburg Description of the At 
 tack upon that Town Chateaugay Ogdensburg 
 Address of the Citizens the President proceeds to 
 Watertown, and reaches Sackets Harbour Address 
 ed by the veteran Officers by the Citizens some 
 account of the Defence of that Place the President 
 sails for Fort Niagara arrives at Buffaloe. p. 180 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The President sails through Lake Erie arrives at 
 Detroit Address of the Trustees of that City he 
 arrives at the town of Delaware, Ohio Columbus and 
 Worthington Reply to an address there proceeds 
 through Centreville to Chillicothe Address of the 
 Corporation the President passes through Tarleton, 
 Lancaster, and other towns, to Zanesville thence to 
 Pittsburg, Pennsylvania pursues his route by Hagers- 
 town and Fredericktown, Maryland returns to the 
 City of Washington -Address of the Mayor and 
 Citizens. p. 200 
 
NARRATIVE 
 
 OF 
 
 THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 The President leaves Washington arrives at Balti 
 more visits North Point and Fort M Henry is 
 addressed by the Corporation leaves Baltimore and 
 enters the state of Delaware lands at Fort Mifflin 
 proceeds thence to Philadelphia addressed by the 
 Cincinnati visits the Navy Yard, the Franklin 
 Seventy-four, and the Public Institutions. 
 
 AVAILING himself of a season of comparative 
 leisure, the President left Washington City, on Sa 
 turday the 31st of May, with an intention of prose 
 cuting the object of his tour, through the NORTHERN 
 and EASTERN departments of the Union. His de 
 parture from the capital, was made in so unostenta 
 tious and private a manner, that most of the citizens 
 were ignorant of that circumstance, until it was an 
 nounced to them, hy the daily Intelligencer, when he 
 was already many miles on his journey. The ne- 
 
14 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 cessity of his return to the seat of government, pre 
 viously to the ensuing fall, made it incumbent on him 
 to travel with as much celerity as the avowed pur 
 poses of his journey would permit; and, to do this, 
 he was desirous to pass through the intermediate 
 towns, with as much privacy as possible. The dis 
 position of the citizens, however, did not, in this 
 particular, coincide with his own, and his approach 
 to Baltimore, being already anticipated by the citi 
 zens of that place, they determined that he should be 
 publicly received, and conducted, by a military escort, 
 to his quarters. A corresponding desire to receive the 
 President in a manner suitable to his elevated rank, 
 and with a respect due to his eminent public services, 
 soon evinced itself in all the principal cities, through 
 which lie would be obliged to pass, and preparations 
 were every where making, to pay him the highest 
 possible honours. 
 
 Consistently with his own desire to avoid all kind 
 of parade, lie selected a moment for his entrance 
 into the city of Baltimore, when its inhabitants 
 would, in all probability, be engaged in their devo 
 tional exercises, and when he might repair to the 
 apartments which had been provided for him, without 
 being himself molested, and without attracting the 
 attention of any part of the community. It was no 
 sooner known, to a few individuals, that such were 
 the President s contemplations, than intelligence was 
 spread about the town, and a large cavalcade of 
 citizens on horseback, and a troop of the city caval 
 ry, immediately proceeded to the Washington road, 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUK. 15 
 
 where they met the President, and, after an inter 
 change of civilities, attended him to the Fountain 
 Inn. Here lie was welcomed by a number of the 
 most respectable and distinguished citizens, and in 
 the afternoon attended the church of the reverend 
 Dr. Ing] is. 
 
 Early on the following morning, accompanied hy 
 generals Smith, Winder, Strieker, and Swift, and 
 a number of military officers, he visited the breast 
 works which had been thrown up for the defence of 
 Baltimore, during the war, and thence repaired to 
 the battle ground, at North Point. A personal view 
 of this scene, must have been peculiarly interesting 
 to the President, as well as to the gentlemen present, 
 two of whom, generals Smith and Winder, had been 
 attached to the troops within the line of fortification ; 
 and another, general Strieker, had the good fortune 
 to command, in person, that division of the army, 
 which on this spot, on the 12th of September 1814, 
 sustained the conflict with the British regulars under 
 colonel Brooke, the successor in command to major- 
 general Ross, who fell soon after landing his forces, 
 in a skirmish brought on by the American light party, 
 under major Heath. 
 
 In this contest, the American militia, with the ex 
 ception of the 51st regiment, and a few companies of 
 the left battalion of the 39th, behaved with uncom 
 mon coolness and intrepidity, and general Strieker 
 must have enjoyed much gratification, in the oppor 
 tunity of verbally detailing, to the President of the 
 United States, upon the same ground, the events ot" 
 
16 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 a battle, which, setting aside the flight of the left 
 flank, if it had a single fault, it was the fault of 
 having been fought too long, and which relieved one 
 of the most distinguished and patriotic cities in the 
 union, from the desolating consequences of a visit 
 from an enemy; established the character of the 
 American arms; and saved millions of property from 
 capture and destruction. 
 
 Having returned from this early excursion to his 
 quarters in the city, the President was waited on by 
 the mayor and corporation of Baltimore, by whom 
 he was addressed in the following words : 
 
 " Baltimore, June 2, 1817. 
 " To the President of the United States. 
 
 Sir We, the mayor and city council of Balti 
 more, embrace with great pleasure, this opportunity 
 of personally congratulating the chief magistrate of 
 the union on his arrival at this place. 
 
 " Your determination, in the commencement of 
 your administration, to visit several of the most im 
 portant places in the union, is auspicious of happy 
 consequences ; not satisfied with previous knowledge, 
 or second hand information, you are anxious that, on 
 your part, nothing shall be wanting to promote the 
 commonwealth. 
 
 " That a city, which bore so conspicuous a part in 
 the national defence, should first be honoured with 
 the presence of the chief magistrate of the union, is 
 
THE PRESIDENT S 
 
 as flattering as it is national : and 
 that your observation of our position, and means" 
 defence, may enable us before another war to bid 
 defiance to any enemy. 
 
 " When, sir, we review your long-tried, faithful, 
 and able services; when we consider the increasing 
 harmony and concord of the United States ; when 
 almost universal peace reigns among the nations; 
 we augur great and lasting happiness to the United 
 States, in giving full scope to the developement of 
 her faculties in the arts and sciences, in agriculture, 
 manufactures, and commerce; and in the permanent 
 exhibition of the advantages of a form of civil and 
 political government, superior to any that has hither 
 to existed. 
 
 " To our fellow citizens, it is a most interesting 
 spectacle, to see the chief magistrate of this great and 
 powerful nation, making an official tour through 
 their country in the style of a private citizen, guard 
 ed only by the respect paid to the high station he 
 occupies, and the affections of a virtuous people. 
 
 " We,, sir, wish you, in the sincerity of our hearts, 
 a pleasant tour through the states ; a happy return to 
 Washington ; a reputation and satisfaction in your 
 presidency, equal to any of your predecessors ; and 
 finally, the reward of a well spent life in an eternal 
 world. 
 
 " We are, sir, with sentiments of very great re 
 spect, your obedient servants, 
 
 " GEORGE STILES, 
 " Mayor of the City of Baltimore." 
 B 2 
 
i8 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 To which address this answer was made by the 
 President : 
 
 " To the Mayor and City Council oj Baltimore: 
 
 "Fellow citizens The sentiments which you have 
 communicated, have afforded me very great satis 
 faction. They are just, as to the objects adverted 
 to, and to me, they are generous and kind. 
 
 " It was impossible for me to approach Baltimore, 
 without recollecting, with deep interest, the gallant 
 conduct of her citizens, in the late war, and the 
 happy results attending their exertions. The glori 
 ous victory which was achieved by her, and in which 
 her citizens bore so distinguished a part, at a very 
 important epoch, not only protected this patriotic 
 city, but shed great lustre on the American name. 
 
 66 Experience has shown us our dangers, and ad 
 monished us as to the means of averting them. Con 
 gress has appropriated large sums of money, for the 
 fortification of our coast, and inland frontier, and 
 for the establishment of naval dock yards, and for 
 building a navy. It is proper that those works 
 should be executed with judgment, fidelity, and eco 
 nomy ; much depends in the execution, on the execu 
 tive ; to whom extensive power is given, as to the 
 general arrangement, and to whom the superintend- 
 ance exclusively belongs. You do me justice in be 
 lieving, that it is to enable me to discharge these 
 duties with the best advantage to my country, that i 
 have undertaken this tour. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, ly 
 
 " From the increased harmony of puhlic opinion, 
 founded on the successful career of a government, 
 which has never been equalled, and which promises, 
 hy a further developement of its faculties, to augment 
 in an eminent degree, the blessings of this favoured 
 people, I jinite with you in all the anticipations which 
 you have sj) justly suggested. 
 
 " In performing services, honestly and zealously 
 intended for the benefit of my fellow citizens, I shall 
 never entertain a doubt of their generous and firm 
 support. Incapable of any feelings distinct from 
 those of a citizen, I can assume no style, in regard 
 to them, different from that character; and it is a 
 source of peculiar delight to me, to know, that while 
 the chief magistrate of the United States, acts fully 
 up to this principle, he will require no other guard 
 than what may be derived from their confidence and 
 affection. 
 
 " JAMES MONROE. 
 
 " Baltimore, June 2d, 1817." 
 
 After this ceremony, in his own name, and in the 
 name of the corporation, the mayor cordially in 
 vited the President to a public dinner, the acceptance 
 of which, in consequence of his previous arrange 
 ments, and from motives of public concern, he felt 
 himself obliged to forego. 
 
 At eleven o clock of the same day, and attended 
 by the same ofiicers who had conducted him to the 
 Point, he proceeded to the examination of the arma 
 ment and garrison of FORT M HEIVRY, which had 
 
20 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 gallantly withstood the bombardment of the enemy, 
 upwards of twenty -four hours. The batteries on 
 that occasion, to be sure, had been opened, but the 
 shot falling very far short of the assailants, the 
 firing, from the fort, ceased, or was maintained, only 
 at intervals, to show that the garrison had, not sunk 
 under the tremendous showers of rockets ^and shells, 
 incessantly thrown into the batteries ; and thus pain 
 fully situated, without the power of retaliating the 
 attack, the brave and determined soldiers endured 
 their mortification, with an unyielding spirit, dur 
 ing the whole bombardment, which continued un 
 til seven o clock of the morning of the fourteenth. 
 One of the late papers of that city observes : " Had 
 colonel Armistead, who was then, and is now the 
 commanding officer of the fort, been told in the year 
 1814, that in the year 1817, he would have witness 
 ed on that very spot, then shaken by the exploding 
 thunders of the enemy s fleet, the presence of the 
 chief magistrate, congratulating him on the issue 
 of that event, how exhilarating would then have 
 been his sensations." 
 
 On entering the fort the President was received 
 with a federal salute, and after finishing his exami 
 nation of its condition, he was escorted to Whet 
 stone Point, where the third brigade of Maryland 
 militia, under general Sterrett, formerly of the 5th 
 regiment, had assembled for the purpose of being 
 reviewed. The field was covered with people of 
 every rank, among whom the appearance of the 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 1 
 
 chief of the republic, produced general and lively 
 satisfaction. 
 
 In the course of the afternoon the President visited 
 the Washing-ton Monument, at Howard Park, and 
 the City Monument, at Washington Square, and at 
 five o clock he received, at his quarters, the personal 
 salutations of the officers of general Sterrett s bri- 
 gade. 
 
 The President, after experiencing these warm and 
 patriotic attentions, departed from Baltimore at se 
 ven o clock on the morning of Tuesday, the 4th of 
 June, in one of the steam hoats which had been 
 chartered, by the corporation, for his exclusive use 
 and accommodation, and to which he was accompa 
 nied by the municipal authorities of the city. 
 
 In the evening of that day he arrived at Newcas 
 tle, on the Delaware, where he was met by commo 
 dore Murray, and captain Stewart, of the Franklin 
 74, and a number of other officers and citizens. The 
 following day (Wednesday) he was occupied in visit 
 ing the Pea Patch, and other points of contemplated 
 military and naval defence, and receiving from the 
 citizens of the state of Delaware every demonstra 
 tion of respect. 
 
 Suitable arrangements had previously been made 
 by the naval, military, and civil authorities at Phi 
 ladelphia, to receive him with all proper marks of 
 distinction; and the barge of the Franklin, properly 
 decorated, and manned by sixteen expert seamen, 
 handsomely arrayed in uniform, was in attendance 
 at Fort Mifflin, to convey him from that garrison to 
 
22 A NAKRATIVE OF 
 
 the city. Early on the morning of Thursday the 
 6th, the President landed at Fort Miffiin, where lie 
 Was received by colonel Moses Porter* the military 
 commander of the district, under a national salute, 
 and having finished the inspection of the fort, lie 
 was immediately conducted to the barge, and ac 
 companied by his suite, (General Swift of the United 
 States engineers, and his secretary, Mr. Mason,) and 
 the officers already mentioned, he was rowed up the 
 river Schuylkill, and about three o clock on the af 
 ternoon arrived at Gray s ferry, where he was re 
 ceived by the volunteer cavalry of Philadelphia, and 
 a large assemblage of citizens on horseback. After 
 partaking of some refreshment, he proceeded to 
 wards the city, along the Hamilton road, accompa 
 nied by the escort. On his arrival at High street 
 bridge, a federal salute was fired by the company of 
 flying artillery, under captain Richard Bache, and 
 on crossing he received the honours due to the com 
 mander in chief, from the brigade of infantry under 
 brigadier-general Thomas Cadwallader, who had 
 himself attended the President from Gray s ferry. 
 
 The brigade, which on this occasion exhibited an 
 unusually brilliant appearance, both as to numbers 
 and equipment, was composed of a battalion of artil 
 lery under lieutenant-colonel A. M. Prevost, captain 
 Bache s company of flying artillery, a battalion of 
 infantry under colonel Clement C. Biddlc, and a de 
 tachment of riflemen. The cavalry escort was com 
 manded by captain William Rawle, the command of 
 whose company (the 2d cavalry,) devolved on lien. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 23 
 
 tenant John Hall, assisted by cornet E.S. Fuller- 
 ton. 
 
 The whole of the troops having been reviewed by 
 his excellency, and the line of march being formed, 
 the procession entered the city through the principal 
 streets. As they approached the more populous 
 neighbourhoods, the crowd of spectators which had 
 been accumulating during his progress, became very 
 great, and the windows of the houses, as he passed, 
 were filled with the beauty and fashion of the city. 
 The President, having alighted at the Mansion House 
 hotel, was conducted by several distinguished citi 
 zens, to the apartments prepared for his reception, 
 where he was immediately waited upon by the offi- 
 rers of tiif first brigade of Pennsylvania militia, as 
 also by the officers of the brigade which had escort 
 ed him. 
 
 On the following morning, at six o clock, the Pre 
 sident, accompanied by his ^sllite, visited the Aca 
 demy of Fine Arts; and after having breakfasted, 
 he was waited upon by Robert Wharton, esq. mayor, 
 Joseph Reed, esq. recorder, and the presidents of the 
 select and common councils, who, after expressing 
 their warmest congratulations on his arrival in the 
 city, and their regret, that his short stay would 
 preclude their rendering him further civilities, ac 
 companied him through the public prison, with the 
 economy and discipline of which, he expressed much 
 satisfaction. He then visited the Pennsylvania Hos 
 pital, Peak s Museum, and Mr. Sully s Gallery of 
 Pictures. 
 
4 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 About ten o clock he was received at the navy 
 yard. On his arrival on hoard the Franklin seventy- 
 four, a federal salute was fired from that vessel, and 
 at his departure the salute was repeated. A large 
 number of citizens were invited on board by cap 
 tain Stewart, who had an elegant collation pre 
 pared for his distinguished guest, and the company. 
 
 When the President returned to his quarters, the 
 officers of the Cincinnati presented to him the fol 
 lowing address : 
 
 " To James Monroe, President of the United States. 
 
 66 Sir Embracing the occasion which your atten 
 tion, as chief magistrate, to the military defences of 
 the United States has afforded, it is with peculiar 
 pleasure that the members of the Pennsylvania So 
 ciety of Cincinnati, a portion of the surviving few, 
 who were your associates in arms during the war 
 of the revolution, approach to renew their personal 
 intercourse, and to assure you of their cordial sup 
 port of the firm and impartial administration of the 
 government, which by combining in its measures, 
 domestic tranquillity, with the respect of foreign 
 nations, they confidently anticipate, will promote 
 the best interests of the United States, and insure 
 to our citizens, the advantages of social harmony 
 and individual happiness. 
 
 " That you may participate those blessings, and 
 enjoy the grateful esteem of a happy people, is a 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 3 
 
 sincere wish of your faithful friends and respectful 
 fellow citizens. 
 
 " Signed by order, and by the unanimous vote of 
 the society, 
 
 " D. LENOX, President. 
 
 " HORACE BINNEY, Secretary. 
 
 (t Philadelphia, June 6, 1817," 
 
 To this address the President answered : 
 
 To the Members of the Pennsylvania Society of the 
 Cincinnati. 
 
 " Fellow Citizens In attending to the military and 
 naval defence of the United States, nothing can be 
 more gratifying to me, than to meet the surviving 
 members of my associates in arms, who distinguish 
 ed themselves in our revolutionary contest. I can 
 never forget the dangers of that great epoch, nor be 
 indifferent to the merits of those who partook in 
 them. 
 
 " To promote tranquillity at home, and respect 
 abroad, by a firm and impartial administration, are 
 among the highest duties of the chief magistrate of 
 the United States. To acquit myself in the dis 
 charge of these duties, with advantage to my felJow 
 citizens, will be the undeviating object of my zealous 
 
26 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 exertions. Their approbation will be the highest 
 recompense which I can receive. 
 
 "JAMES MONROE. 
 
 "Philadelphia, June 6, 1817." 
 
 A meeting had been previously called of the civil 
 officers of the general and state governments, at the 
 United States district court room, on the 5th of 
 June, at twelve o clock, noon ; at which John Steele, 
 esq. collector of the port of Philadelphia, was ap 
 pointed chairman, and Peter A. Browne, esq. secre 
 tary. A report was presented by the committee of 
 arrangements appointed at a prev ious meeting, in 
 which they recommended the formation of a com 
 mittee, to consist of seven United States officers, 
 and seven state officers, to wait on the President of 
 the United States, and to tender him the congratu 
 lations of this meeting, on his visit to the city of 
 Philadelphia. A motion was accordingly made and 
 seconded, and it was unanimously resolved, that such 
 a committee should be appointed. The following 
 named gentlemen were selected. John Steele, Ro 
 bert Patterson, David Caldwell, William Duncan, 
 William Jones, and James Glentworth, esquires, 
 and Dr. John White; United States officers. 
 
 Joseph B. M Kean 9 John Goodman, Thomas 
 Truxtun, Joseph Reed, Timothy Matlack, Jacob 
 Rush, and Peter A. Browne, esquires; state officers. 
 
 It was also moved, that Thomas M*Kean, esq. 
 late governor of the commonwealth, should be added 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 27 
 
 to the committee ; but, it being ascertained that a se 
 vere indisposition would prevent Mr. M Kean from 
 leaving his house, his name was for that reason with 
 drawn, though it was immediately and unanimously 
 resolved that it should appear on the minutes. 
 
 In conformity with these resolutions, the commit 
 tee waited upon the President, and acquainted him 
 with the proceedings of the meeting. 
 
 Among other objects of the President s inspection, 
 during his stay in this city, were the Custom House, 
 the Bank of the United States, and the vacant ground 
 at the Drawbridge, proposed as the scite for the 
 erection of a new Custom House. He had taken an 
 opportunity also, to visit the late governor M Kean, 
 Mr. Thomas Willing, and the widow of Robert 
 Morris, esq. whose eminent financial services, du 
 ring the revolutionary war, still live in the memory 
 of his survivors. 
 
8 A NARRATIVE 01 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 The President leaves Philadelphia and arrives at 
 Trenton reflections on his insit there addressed 
 by the recorder proceeds to New Brunswick to 
 Elizdbethtown Point arrives at the seat of the 
 Vice-President on Staten Island New York re 
 solutions of the Common Council address of the 
 Corporation of the Cincinnati ^-visits Castle Wil 
 liams, the fort at Bedlow s Island) and Brooklyn 
 Heights inducted into the New Fork Institute 
 address of Mr. Clinton. 
 
 HAVING first visited the Mint of the United States, 
 on Saturday the 7th inst. the President left Philadel 
 phia, and accompanied by general Swift, Mr. Charles 
 J. Ingersoll, the district attorney for Pennsylvania, 
 and his private secretary, Mr. Mason, proceeded on 
 his route towards Trenton, the capital of New-Jer 
 sey, and the scene of his own individual gallantry, in 
 the memorable attack, made by general Washington, 
 at that place, upon the Hessians under colonel Rahl, 
 on the 25th and 26th of December 1776. He reach 
 ed the bridge, which crosses the Delaware below 
 that city, sometime after sunset, and, his approach 
 having been anticipated, he was received there by tbo 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 29 
 
 municipal authorities, attended by a large concourse 
 of citizens, and the volunteer troops of Trenton, un 
 der the command of captain Rossell. Approximating 
 the ground upon which he had bled in the defence of 
 his country, .at a brilliant epoch of the revolution, 
 the feelings wittf which the President must have been 
 inspired, may readily be conceived. To the success 
 ful result of the battle of Trenton, he had greatly 
 contributed, in the capacity of a lieutenant, at a six 
 gun battery; and was severely wounded in the shoul 
 der, in a charge afterwards made upon the enemy s 
 artillerists, -in which they were driven from their 
 post, with the loss of two pieces. With this wound 
 he was confined upwards of two months, at the man 
 sion of Judge Wynkoop, in Bucks county (Penn 
 sylvania), at an inconsiderable distance from the 
 scene of action. Forty years had elapsed since the 
 period of that important and memorable event, and 
 the subaltern officer, who was then distinguished by 
 his active patriotism, now approached the theatre of 
 his youthful enterprise, as the head of the nation, 
 whose independence he had contributed to establish. 
 His arrival was announced by the ringing of bells, 
 and the discharge of a piece of field artillery, under 
 the direction of captain Yard. From the bridge he 
 was conducted by the military escort, to his quarters, 
 in the city, in front of which &fuc-de-joie was fired. 
 The civil authorities having soon after called, to offer 
 their respects, the honourable Mr. M Neely, mayor, 
 and Charles Ewing, esq. recorder of the city, and 
 aldermen Broadhurst, Taylor, and Smith, were 
 c 2 
 
30 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 presented to the President, when the recorder de 
 livered the following extemporaneous address. 
 
 " Sir The mayor and city council, and through 
 us the citizens of Trenton, present to^you their most 
 unfeigned respects ; congratulate ydu on your arri 
 val ; and give you a most cordial welcome to this city, 
 the scene, sir, of some of the services you have ren 
 dered our country. We most sincerely wish you the 
 enjoyment of health, a long life, and a prosperous 
 administration." 
 
 To which Mr. Monroe immediately replied : 
 " That he felt very sensibly, the kind attention on 
 the part of the authorities of the city of Trenton; 
 the place were the hopes of the country were revived, 
 in the war of the revolution, hy a signal victory ob- 
 tained by the troops under the command of general 
 Washington, after a severe and disastrous campaign. 
 That lie was well acquainted with the patriotism of 
 the citizens of Trenton, and indeed of Jersey, for 
 none suffered more, or displayed greater patriotism, 
 in our revolutionary contest." He concluded, " I 
 beg you to accept my best wishes for your continued 
 prosperity and happiness." 
 
 The remainder of the evening was occupied, in 
 receiving the congratulatory visits of the most dis 
 tinguished citizens, and several public officers, 
 among whom was captain Charles Stewart of the 
 navy. On the following morning, Sunday, the 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 31 
 
 President, accompanied by his suite, attended divine 
 service, at the Presbyterian meeting-house. 
 
 On Monday, the 9th, he left Trenton, escort 
 ed by the light infantry, and two troops of horse 
 from the neighbourhood, under captains Smith 
 and Ho well, v. r ho proceeded with him several miles 
 on his route. As he approached New Brunswick, 
 he was met by a committee of citizens, at the head 
 of which was chief justice Kirkpatrick, and by seve 
 ral companies of military, by whom he was attended 
 into the town. On his arrival at the inn, where the 
 procession halted, the chief justice presented, in a 
 short address, the congratulations of the citizens 
 of New Brunswick, upon his arrival among them, 
 and assured him of their best wishes, for his per 
 sonal welfare, and the successful execution of the 
 important trust confided to him, as the chief magis 
 trate of the nation. 
 
 After remaining a short time, the President pur 
 sued his route, still attended by the military, and 
 accompanied by governor Williamson, and some 
 gentlemen from Elizabethtown, who met him at 
 New Brunswick. He arrived the same day at Eli 
 zabethtown Point, whence he passed to Staten Island, 
 in the steam boat Atalanta, and at half past six 
 o clock reached the seat of vice-president Tompkins. 
 The revenue cutter Active, under captain Cahoone, 
 fired a salute on the occasion, which was immediate 
 ly succeeded by two salutes from the batteries at the 
 Narrows. From the rapidity with which his excel 
 lency had hitherto travelled, he was much fatigued 
 
32 A NARRATIVE OP 
 
 and exhausted, and accordingly he spent the whole 
 of the following day at the vice-president s residence, 
 in a private manner. 
 
 At an early hour on the morning of the 1 1th, the 
 steam boat Richmond, captain Bartholomew, hav-* 
 ing on board a committee of the corporation, con 
 sisting of aldermen Smith, Barkett, Stevens, Ark- 
 ley and Schieffelin, with majors -general Morton and 
 Mapes, and their suites, proceeded to Staten Island, 
 for the purpose of conveying the President to New 
 York. At ten o clock, accompanied by the vice- 
 president, general Swift, his secretary, and cap 
 tains Evans and Biddle, of the United States 
 navy, he embarked under a salute from the United 
 States brig Saranac. With this vessel, and the re 
 venue cutter before mentioned, in attendance, the 
 Richmond made sail for New York, and upon pass 
 ing Castle Williams, a national salute was fired from 
 that fort. The Richmond anchored off the West 
 Battery about twelve o clock, and a barge, hand 
 somely decorated for the occasion, was despatched 
 to convey the company on shore. When his excel 
 lency landed, a number of official characters offered 
 him their salutations. Horses having been provided, 
 he then passed in review, attended by major-general 
 Scott, and the military and naval officers, along a 
 splendid line of military, composed of major-general 
 Morton s division of artillery, and commanded by 
 brigadier-general Stevens. When the review was 
 ended, the President, escorted by colonel Werner s 
 regiment of cavalry, together with the artillery, the 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. S3 
 
 Governor s Guards, and another company of cavalry 
 from Brooklyn, moved through Broadway to the 
 City Hall, where he alighted, and received a march 
 ing salute. 
 
 The novelty of such an event, as a visit from a 
 President of the United States, drew together an im 
 mense concourse of spectators, to behold his public 
 entry. From the Battery to the Park, the houses 
 along Broadway were crowded, and the entire mul 
 titude of people assembled, was supposed to exceed 
 twenty thousand. The appearance and vivacity of 
 the troops were such as to do them honour, and 
 greatly contributed to the animation of the scene. 
 
 Some days before the arrival of the President, a 
 meeting had been held of the common council of the 
 city of New York, at which the following resolutions, 
 being presented by alderman SMITH, were unani 
 mously agreed to : 
 
 " Information being received that the President 
 of the United States will arrive in this city in the 
 course of a few days, and the common council, feel 
 ing themselves called on by a sense of duty, to pay 
 every respect to the exalted station which he fills ; 
 and being also desirous of testifying the high sense 
 which they entertain of his private and public worth ; 
 therefore, 
 
 " Resolved, That on the President s arrival in this 
 city, the common council will assemble in their cham 
 ber, and, with their proper officers, will wait on his 
 excellency, at such time as he slmil appoint; that his 
 
34 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 honour the mayor, be requested then, on behalf of 
 this corporation, and of the citizens in general, to 
 tender him our congratulations on his arrival; to 
 testify to him the high respect, which the citizens of 
 this place entertain for his public and private vir 
 tues; and to express to him as our sincere and ar 
 dent wish, that a gracious Providence may make him 
 its peculiar care, and to its other blessings, may add 
 that of witnessing the increasing happiness and 
 prosperity of our beloved country. 
 
 Resolved 9 That his excellency be requested to ho 
 nour this corporation, by sitting for his portrait, to 
 be placed in the gallery of portraits belonging to the 
 common council. 
 
 " Resolred, That his excellency be respectfully in 
 vited to partake of a public dinner, to be provided 
 under the direction of the committee of arrange 
 ment." 
 
 Agreeably to these resolutions, J. Radcliff, esq. 
 mayor, and the members of the common council, 
 presented their congratulations to tbe President, im 
 mediately after he was shown into the apartment, 
 appropriated to his use, in the upper story of the 
 City Hall, in the following 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 " Sir The mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of 
 the city of New York, beg leave to present to you 
 their sincere congratulations on your arrival in this 
 rity. \ 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 35 
 
 " It is with pride and pleasure, that they see 
 amongst them the chief magistrate of the nation, in 
 the capacity of a private citizen, reposing himself, 
 with just confidence, in. the affections of a generous 
 people ; and are happy to embrace this opportunity, 
 on behalf of themselves and their fellow citizens, to 
 express to him the high sense they entertain of his 
 private virtues and public services. 
 
 6i Called by the voice oft a nation of freemen to the 
 first office in their power to bestow, you can possess 
 no higher evidence of their approbation of your past 
 conduct, and of their confidence in the able and faith 
 ful discharge of the important duties assigned to 
 your present station. Nothing can add to the force 
 of this testimony, founded as it is, with uncommon 
 unanimity, on the sense of a free and enlightened 
 people. 
 
 " We learn, with great satisfaction, that your 
 present tour is connected with the object of carrying 
 into effect, the measures of general defence, proposed 
 by the congress of the United States, and that you 
 have deemed them of sufficient importance to merit 
 your personal attention. On this subject permit us 
 to say, that our citizens feel a deep and lively inte 
 rest. This state, from its local situation, and exte 
 rior frontier, is peculiarly subject to become the thea 
 tre of war ; and the city of New York, whilst it 
 affords the strongest temptation, is much exposed, 
 from its natural position, to the attempts of a foreign 
 enemy ; although, in the late contest, it has not ac- 
 
36 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 tually been assailed, we presume it may, without ar 
 rogance, be said, that the extraordinary and spirited 
 exertions of our citizens, powerfully supported by 
 the patriotic efforts of the people of this, and a neigh 
 bouring state, taught the enemy to believe, that such 
 an attempt could not be made with impunity. The 
 wisdom of our government is displayed by the mea 
 sures now undertaken, to provide, in time of peace, 
 the security required in war ; and we feel the highest 
 confidence, that under your auspices, that security 
 will be afforded for every future emergency. The 
 present happy condition of our country, in general, 
 demands our highest gratitude to the supreme Ruler 
 of events, and opens to our view, great and interest 
 ing prospects. In a state of profound peace, after a 
 conflict in which the rights of the nation have been 
 exalted, we see a great people, united among them 
 selves ; devoted to a government of their choice; pos 
 sessing a country as fertile as it is extensive ; evin 
 cing a spirit of enterprise, in the various employ 
 ments of agriculture, commerce and manufactures; 
 ardent in the pursuit of science, and in cultivating 
 the arts which adorn civilised society ; and advancing 
 in population, power and wealth, with a rapidity 
 hitherto unexampled ; the destinies of such a peo 
 ple, with the blessings of Providence, cannot be an 
 ticipated, and defy calculation. 
 
 " It is your happiness, sir, to have commenced 
 your administration, at a period thus propitious and 
 interesting ; and we have no doubt it will be your 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 37 
 
 great ambition, to bestow on these important objects, 
 all the patronage in your power, and justify the high 
 expectations which have been formed. 
 
 " That the pleasing prospects we have indulged, 
 may be happily realized, and that your administra 
 tion may, in all respects, effectually promote the best 
 interests of the United States, and that you may long 
 live to witness the prosperity of your country, and 
 enjoy the esteem of *. virtuous people, is the ardent 
 wish of those, on whose behalf I have the honour to 
 address you. 
 
 " In behalf of the corporation of the city, I have 
 the honour to be, with sentiments of the highest es 
 teem, your obedient servant, 
 
 " J. RADCLIFF." 
 
 To this appropriate address, in which the princi 
 pal objects of the tour were brought into view, the 
 President made the subjoined reply. 
 
 * To the Mayor, Jtidermen, and Commonalty, of the 
 City of New Fork. 
 
 "Fellow Citizens In performing a duty, enjoined 
 on me by the constitution and laws of the United 
 States, I cannot express the satisfaction, which I de 
 rive from the intercourse to which it leads, with so 
 many of my fellow citizens ; and from the opportu 
 nity it affords to behold, in person, the blessings 
 which an all-gracious providence has bestowed upon 
 them. 
 
 D 
 
38 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 111 executing the laws which congress have wise 
 ly adopted, for the national defence, the Atlantic and 
 inland frontiers of this state, by their exposed situa 
 tion, are entitled to particular attention. I am aware, 
 too, that this populous and flourishing city, presents, 
 in time of war, a strong temptation to the cupidity 
 of an invading foe. It is in the spirit of the laws 
 which I am called to execute; it is in the spirit of 
 the people, whom I represent, to provide amply for 
 the security of every part, according to the danger 
 to which it is exposed. In performing this duty, I 
 shall endeavour to he their faithful organ. 
 
 " The present prosperous condition of our coun 
 try is, as you justly observe, the best proof of the 
 excellence of our institutions, and of the wisdom 
 with which they have been administered. 
 
 "It affords, too, a solid ground, on which to in 
 dulge the most favourable anticipations as to the fu 
 ture. An enlightened people, educated in the prin 
 ciples of liberty, and blessed with a free government, 
 bold, vigorous, and enterprising, in the pursuit of 
 every just and honourable attainment; united by the 
 strong ties of a common origin, of interest and af 
 fection; possessed of a vast and fertile territory; 
 improving in agriculture, in the arts, and manufac 
 tures; extending their commerce to every sea; al 
 ready powerful, and rapidly increasing in population, 
 have every inducement, and every means, whereby 
 to perpetuate these blessings to the latest posterity. 
 
 " The honourable termination of the late v/ar, 
 whereby the rights of the nation were vindicated, 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 39 
 
 should not lull us into repose ; the events attending 
 it, show our vulnerable points, and it is in time of 
 peace that we ought to provide, by strong works,, 
 for their defence. The gallantry and good conduct 
 of our army, navy, and militia, and the patriotism 
 of our citizens generally, so conspicuously display 
 ed in that war, may always be relied on. Aided by 
 such works, our frontiers will be impregnable. 
 
 " Devoted to the principles of our government, 
 from my earliest youth ; and satisfied that the great 
 blessings which we enjoy, are, under divine provi 
 dence, imputable to that great cause, it will be the 
 object of my constant and zealous efforts, to give to 
 those principles their best effect. Should I, by these 
 efforts, contribute in any degree to the happiness of 
 my fellow citizens, I shall derive from it, the high 
 est gratification of which my mind is susceptible. 
 
 " JAMES MONROE/* 
 
 When the ceremony with the municipal officers 
 had been concluded, the Society of the Cincinnati 
 was introduced to the President, and the following 
 address was presented by one of its principal mem 
 bers. 
 
 " To James Monroe, President of the United States. 
 
 " Sir The New York Society of Cincinnati, take 
 this opportunity, when your important duties as chief 
 magistrate of the United States, have procured for 
 this city, the honour of a visit," to present to you the 
 
40 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 assurances of their respect, and of their cordial dis 
 position to support, with all their power, the mea 
 sures which the wisdom of the government shall 
 adopt, to promote the honour and welfare of our be 
 loved country. 
 
 " Your presence, sir, recals those patriotic emo 
 tions, in which the Society of Cincinnati originated ; 
 and as a distinguished individual among the officers 
 of the revolutionary war, of which the society was 
 composed, you are associated with the pleasing re 
 collections, which we cherish, of the result of that 
 ardent struggle. 
 
 66 We beg you to accept our sincere wishes for 
 your personal happiness, and the assurance of our 
 high esteem and consideration." 
 
 The pleasure with which the President received 
 this address, is indicated in his reply. 
 
 " To the Members of the JVew York Society of 
 Cincinnati. 
 
 " Fellow Citizens The opportunity which my 
 visit to this city, in the discharge of important pub 
 lic duties, has presented, of meeting the New York 
 Society of Cincinnati, with many of whom I was 
 well acquainted in our revolution, affords me heart 
 felt satisfaction. It is impossible to meet any of 
 those patriotic citizens, whose valuable services were 
 so intimately connected with that great event, with 
 out recollections which it is equally just and honour* 
 able to cherish. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 41 
 
 " In your support of all proper measures for a 
 national defence, and the advancement of the public 
 welfare, I have the utmost confidence. Those whose 
 zeal and patriotism, were so fully tried in that great 
 struggle, will never fail to rally to the standard of 
 their country in any emergency. 
 
 " JAMES MOXROE." 
 
 The President was then escorted, by the cavalry, 
 to the rooms prepared for his reception, in Gibson s 
 Hotel, in Wall street, where he dined in company 
 with several eminent characters. Among the guests 
 were, the Vice-president of the United States, the 
 honourable Dewitt Clinton, the honourable Rufus 
 King, the military officers and their suites, the naval 
 officers, General Ebenezer Stevens, colonels Willett 
 and Platt, and major Fair-lie. When general Ste 
 vens was presented to the President, the latter re 
 marked, "that it gave him at all times peculiar 
 pleasure, to take an officer of the war of indepen 
 dence by the hand." 
 
 Various transparencies w r ere exhibited in front of 
 the City Hall, the New York Museum, and other 
 public buildings, which were also brilliantly illumi 
 nated on the occasion, and in the midst of the exte 
 rior decorations of the Theatre, was a splendid full 
 length portrait of the President. 
 
 Castle Williams, on Governor s Island, the fort 
 
 at Bedlow s Island, and the navy yard, being the 
 
 most prominent objects of the President s tour* upon 
 
 this station, his first business on the morning of the 
 
 D 2 
 
42 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 12th, was to go through the inspection of these se 
 veral public works; in the performance of which, he 
 was accompanied by ms.jor-general Scott, of the 
 United States army. The customary salutes were 
 fired on his arrival at each of these places. At half 
 past one o clock, he attended at the governor s room, 
 in the City Hall, where he received the personal re 
 spects of a great number of citizens, after which, he 
 dined with his relation, Mr. Knox, in Greenwich 
 street. 
 
 In the afternoon of the same day, the Academy of 
 Arts, the Hospital, the New Alms-house at Bellevue, 
 and other public establishments, underwent his exa 
 mination. In the evening he was attended to the 
 Theatre by the members of the corporation. 
 
 The Literary and Philosophical Society of New 
 York, having elected Mr. James Monroe, to a fel 
 lowship, on the evening of Wednesday, the llth of 
 June, was especially convened, on the following Fri 
 day morning, for the purpose of receiving and ini 
 tiating him. Accordingly, after having performed 
 his tour around the fortifications on Brooklyn heights, 
 his excellency repaired at the appointed hour to the 
 New York Institute. Tl\e several apartments, con 
 taining the exhibitions of the Academy of the Fine 
 Arts; the Mineralogical and Zoological cabinets; 
 the Historical collections, &c.; were thrown open to 
 him, and his suite, and his excellency Dewitt Clin 
 ton, president of the Institute, in behalf of the so 
 ciety, addressed him in the following manner : 
 
 " Sir As it has been the usage of this society, 
 
THE PRESIDENT S 
 
 to enrol among its members, such charactc 
 distinguished for their virtues, their intellectual 
 powers, and their literary attainments, it affords me 
 great pleasure to inform you, that you have been 
 unanimously admitted an honorary member ; the 
 highest honour in our power to bestow; and it is 
 peculiarly gratifying to find, that on this occasion, 
 the honour which is conferred is reflected on the in 
 stitution. 
 
 " Viewing, in the course of your past life, a cer- 
 tain pledge of an able and patriotic administration, 
 we are fully persuaded, that you will always keep 
 steadily in view, the great interests of literature and 
 science, as inseparably identified with the honour, 
 the glory, and the prosperity of our country." 
 
 Being regularly inducted into the Institute, the 
 President made an extempore reply, to this flatter 
 ing address, which has been collected with as much 
 accuracy as possible, in these words : 
 
 Sir I cannot express the sensibility I feel on 
 this occasion. 
 
 " The high honour thus unanimously conferred, 
 by the members of this respectable institution, will 
 ever be cherished by me with grateful recollection; 
 nor can I but be sensible to the flattering manner in 
 which you, sir, have communicated this expression 
 of their kindness. 
 
 " I beg leave to assure you, and the members of 
 this association, that as far as my influence may ex 
 tend, it shall be exerted in promoting the interests 
 of science and literature, as among the most efficient 
 
44 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 means of preserving the integrity of our republican 
 form of government, and the honour of our country." 
 
 The meeting of the Institute being adjourned, the 
 President visited the Orphan Asylum, the Peniten 
 tiary, and the State Prison, and dined with Mrs. 
 Governeur, sister to Mrs. Monroe. 
 
 A meeting of the American Society for the En 
 couragement of American Manufactures, was held 
 in the evening of this day, at the assembly room in 
 the City Hotel, the proceedings of which, as they 
 are intimately connected with the President s tour, 
 and form a principal feature in its course, and as the 
 subject itself is one of particular interest to all classes 
 of society, are inserted at length, in the following 
 chapter. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 45 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Proceedings of the Society for the Encouragement of 
 American Manufactures Introduction of the Pre 
 sident Report of the Corresponding Committee 
 th,ir Address Election of Messrs. Adams, Jeffer 
 son, and Madison their Letters the President 
 proceeds to West Point returns to New York 
 inspects the Forts at the Narrows visits Sandy 
 Hook departs for New Haven. 
 
 THE American Society for the Encouragement of 
 American Manufactures, met on Friday evening, the 
 13th, at the assembly room in the City Hotel. Daniel 
 D. Tompkins, president of the society, took the chair, 
 supported by the vice-presidents, colonel Feu, and 
 John Ferguson esq. The society being organized, 
 James Monroe, president of the United States, was 
 proposed as a member; whereon, the presiding offi 
 cer suggested, that the usual form of ballot be dis 
 pensed with, and that James Monroe be received 
 as a member. A motion to this eifect was then made 
 and carried unanimously. Messrs. Morris, Golden, 
 and Pierson, were appointed a committee, to wait on 
 the president of the United States, to inform him of 
 his being elected, and to solicit the honour of his 
 
46 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 attendance at the meeting; to which he politely as- 
 Rented, and being inducted by the committee, took 
 his seat on the right of the presiding officer, who 
 immediately rose, and in an extempore and eloquent 
 address, assured his excellency, of the high sense 
 entertained by the society, of the honour he con 
 ferred, by assenting to become one of its members, 
 which created a confidence, that he would do all 
 which he consistently could, to promote the views 
 with which the society was instituted. 
 
 To which his excellency replied, with much elo 
 quence and force, that he duly appreciated the ob 
 jects of the institution, which were particularly dear 
 to Mm, from their being intimately connected with 
 the real independence of our country, and closed, 
 with an assurance that he would use his efforts, as far 
 as the general interest of the country would permit, 
 to promote the patriotic and laudable objects of the 
 society. 
 
 John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Ma 
 dison, were then separately proposed as members, 
 and admitted unanimously, the usual form of ballot 
 being, on motion, dispensed with. 
 
 The corresponding committee offered the follow r - 
 ing report, with an address from the pen of C. D. 
 Colden esq. which were severally read. 
 
 " Report of the Corresponding Committee of the So 
 ciety for the Encouragement of Domestic Manu 
 factures. 
 
 (S The corresponding committee, elected in pursu- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 4? 
 
 ance of the third article of the constitution, for the 
 current year, respectfully report: 
 
 " That immediately after the meeting of the so 
 ciety, held on the 31st December, 1816, they took the 
 speediest measures for carrying into effect the reso 
 lutions, respecting the printing and publishing the 
 address then reported and adopted. They accord 
 ingly caused to be printed five thousand copies ; one of 
 which was transmitted to the President of the United 
 States, and one to each of the members of congress, 
 and heads of departments of the general govern 
 ment, and to the governors and members of the legis 
 latures of the states respectively, as far as the same 
 was practicable. 
 
 <f Your committee, in further pursuance of the 
 duties delegated to them, caused a memorial to be 
 drawn up on behalf of the society, addressed to the 
 congress of the United States, praying for the per 
 manency of the duties imposed by the tariff: the 
 prohibition of cotton goods, manufactured beyond 
 the cape of Good Hope ; such revision and modifi 
 cation of the revenue laws, as might prevent smug 
 gling, false invoices, and other frauds ; for a duty 
 of ten per cent, on auction sales, with the exceptions 
 therein stated; for a recommendation to the officers 
 of the army and navy, and to all civil officers, to be 
 clothed in American fabrics ; that all public supplies 
 for the army and navy might be of American manu 
 facture; and for such other protection as might place 
 our mercantile and manufacturing interests beyond 
 the reach of foreign influence. 
 
48 A NAERATTVE OF 
 
 " It is with pleasure and gratitude your committee 
 have learned, that the war department, has given an 
 entire preference to domestic manufacture, and as 
 much, is confidently hoped from the department of 
 the navy. 
 
 " Your committee elected a delegate to proceed 
 with the same to the seat of government. 
 
 " Memorials of similar import, were drawn up hy 
 the merchants of this city, and by the citizens at 
 large, respectively; and another member of your 
 committee was deputed by the merchants, who also 
 appointed a citizen of New York, then in the city of 
 Washington, to co-operate with the delegates of this 
 society, and caused the above named memorials to 
 be laid before congress, with instructions to solicit 
 and promote the objects of them, by their best en 
 deavours. 
 
 The delegates, on their way to the seat of gov 
 ernment, took occasion to explain to certain respect 
 able and influential citizens of Philadelphia and Bal 
 timore, the object, views, and motives of this so 
 ciety, and the nature of their mission : and had the 
 satisfaction, during the short period of one day, in 
 each of these cities, to witness the formation of kin 
 dred associations, whose proceedings have been long 
 since made public ; and which, by their intelligence, 
 patriotism, capital, and character, have proved an 
 inappreciable acquisition to the cause of domestic 
 industry. 
 
 " During their residence in the city of Washing- 
 ton, the said delegates, with the aid and co-operation 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 49 
 
 of their colleague, made a similar, and no less suc 
 cessful appeal, to the citizens of Washington, 
 Georgetown, and Alexandria; who, at a meeting 
 convened by public notice, instituted and organized 
 an association, entitled the Metropolitan Society, 
 the proceedings of this association have also been 
 made public ; and their zeal, influence, and respec 
 tability, have done much in rousing the spirit of 
 inquiry, and promoting the true interests of their 
 country. 
 
 " The delegates were heard with much attention 
 by the committee of commerce and manufactures of 
 the house of representatives, to whom the above me 
 morials were referred, and thai committee reported 
 in part by a bill, for the continuance of the existing 
 duties upon importations as prayed; and referred 
 the other matters more immediately connected with 
 the revenue to the secretary of the treasury; whose 
 opinions, we think ourselves authorized to state, 
 were in unison with the prayer of the memorialists. 
 And although the lateness of the session, and the 
 mass of unfinished business, prevented the immedi 
 ate attainment of the objects desired, yet the wisest 
 and most experienced in and out of congress, (the 
 enlightened members of the committee of the house 
 included) were of opinion, that nothing would be lost 
 by the delay, as every day would offer new manifes 
 tations of the public sentiment, and the circum 
 stances of the times be more fully developed, and 
 operate as a law of necessity. 
 
 It may be important also to state the friendly 
 
 E 
 
50 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 intimation of the committee itself, that nothing would 
 more conduce to future success, than an authentic 
 collection of facts, tending to show the value of the 
 property embarked in domestic manufactures, the 
 great portion of which was jeopardized by the causes 
 set forth, and the loss and irreparable injury the 
 community must suffer from neglect, and indifference 
 to so essential an interest. As that information could 
 be best collected and embodied by the active indus 
 try of this and other societies, we mention as an ad 
 ditional stimulus to exertion and efforts well com 
 bined, and vigorously sustained, and we trust that 
 all citizens, who prize the lasting independence of 
 their country, who rejoice in its general and indivi 
 dual prosperity, will take pride and pleasure in shar 
 ing so generous a task. 
 
 " The two delegates who proceeded together from 
 this city, were gratified, in returning through the 
 town of Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, to witness the 
 formation of an association of citizens, possessed of 
 every qualification to be useful; talent, influence, 
 and capital. They were there as on the former occa 
 sions, invited to explain the view and tendency of 
 their mission, and had the pleasure to find the prin 
 ciples of this institution, approved, adopted, and 
 promptly acted upon by their respected fellow citi 
 zens. 
 
 " Numerous societies have cotemporaneously and 
 in rapid succession arisen throughout the union : 
 many have announced themselves by publications 
 fall of energy and marked with intelligence. Regu- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 5i 
 
 lar communications have been transmitted to us 
 from the societies at Wilmington, in the state of 
 Delaware $ Middletown, Hartford, and Litehfield, 
 in Connecticut; Rome, and other places in the state 
 of New York ; and we have full authority to say 
 that Ohio, Kentucky, New Jersey, Virginia, and 
 Mississippi, will soon add their strength and weight 
 to the common stock. 
 
 " The most eminent journalists, without regard to 
 political or party relations, have lent their unbought 
 talents ; and essays have appeared in their columns 
 which would do honour to any country, or to any 
 cause. The periodical publications of most acknow 
 ledged merit and extensive circulation, have like 
 wise appropriated their labours to the service of their 
 country; and, as far as their sphere extended, have 
 put prejudice to flight and ignorance to shame. 
 
 " A pamphlet has been completed by a judicious 
 and masterly hand in the city of Philadelphia, from 
 the report of the celebrated Alexander Hamilton, 
 made by that statesman in the year 1790, when se 
 cretary of the treasury, by order of the house of 
 representatives. This paper has been eminently 
 serviceable, inasmuch as it brings back the judgment 
 of the reader to the natural order of things, before 
 the distorted and disjointed relations of the civilized 
 world had habituated mankind to disturbed and 
 crooked views, and fallacious reliances upon ephe 
 meral hopes and transient speculations. It estab 
 lishes principles, pure and unerring and has the 
 
52 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 merit not only of sage predictions, but of prophecies 
 fulfilled. 
 
 " It is impossible to notice all the valuable tracts 
 that patriotic excitement has given birth to, within 
 the short period since our institution led the way ; 
 the address of the society of Middletown, in Con 
 necticut, and the report of the committee of Pitts 
 burgh, reprinted by order of the house of represen 
 tatives, are documents deserving much attention; 
 and it is to be wished, that a collection of the most 
 of these valuable tracts, should be embodied and 
 preserved ; they are so many pledges to the public, 
 of the faith and loyalty of the citizens. 
 
 " The address of the society has been reprinted 
 and circulated in such abundance, in so many differ 
 ent forms, and noticed with so mucJi favour, that it 
 is impossible for us to retire from the front of the 
 battle, where we first appeared, without some loss 
 of character. It is our turn now, to take the next 
 step in the field of generous emulation, and we should 
 meet, more than half way, every overture to cor 
 respondence and co-operation. We should acknow 
 ledge our obligations for the confidence reposed i 
 us, and for the light and instruction reflected upon us. 
 
 ff So far your committee have traced their pro 
 gress in the execution of their trust; so far our bark 
 has adventured with a favouring gale ; for although 
 we lament that some of our fabrics must suffer within 
 this year, irreparable loss ; yet we trust, that the 
 certainty , with which they may count upon the fos- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR> 53 
 
 taring 1 care of the government, will in general re 
 store courage, confidence, and credit; and enable 
 the greater part, to ride out the storm. The im 
 mense losses, at which our markets are glutted, can 
 not endure for many years, and little can he see, 
 who does not read the rising prosperity of our manu 
 factures, at no distant day, and with it, the power, 
 happiness, and security of this high favoured land. 
 
 " Your committee considering the interests of 
 commerce and manufactures as inseparable and 
 identical, cannot close this report without noticing 
 an evil which has grown to an alarming extent. 
 
 " The present system of auction sales of recent 
 date, in this country, and an anomaly in the history 
 of commerce, has nearly exploded all regular busi 
 ness ; and the auctioneer, whose office was formerly 
 subordinate to that of the merchant, is now nearly 
 the only seller; and if subordinate to any, merely to 
 a foreign principal. If any sales are now made by 
 the regular trader, they are occasional and supple- 
 mentary. 
 
 < ( Commercial education, orderly habits,* and so 
 ber pursuits, honour and good faith, too fatally 
 yield to gambling speculations and fraudulent con 
 trivances. The benefits, if any, that result from 
 this extraordinary monopoly, dearly paid for by the 
 ruin of a class, whose industry was the life of the 
 community, and through them, in a greater or less 
 degree, of the various and numerous description of 
 persons, who, without being commercial, depend 
 upon commerce for their support: and if once the 
 
54 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 merchant disappears from the scene ; if the source 
 is once destroyed, the thousand channels which it 
 fed, become dry and fruitless; the proprietor, the 
 mechanic, the artist, the labourer, follow in the 
 train, and must seek elsewhere for subsistence. 
 
 "Already has the public feeling remonstrated 
 against this abuse ; but the practice has still prevail 
 ed. The established merchant, it has been shown, 
 must ever be unable to compete with the stranger 
 who is charged with no contribution to the public 
 service, subjected to no rent or household expendi 
 ture, none of the costs or charges of a commercial 
 establishment, nor taxes nor impositions for the sup 
 port of the government. 
 
 " Your committee, therefore, refer tliis subject 
 to the most serious attention of the society, that the 
 most suitable means of investigation may be adopted 
 to substantiate its truth and to procure relief," 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 " All who believe that the happiness and independ 
 ence of our country, are connected with the pros 
 perity of our manufactures, must rejoice to see the 
 chief magistrate of the nation, honouring, with his 
 presence, a society instituted for their protection and 
 encouragement. Knowing that the manufactures of 
 the United States cannot, in their infant state, resist 
 the rivalship of foreign nations, without the patron 
 age of the government, it is consoling to find, that 
 he to whom the unanimous voice of a free people has 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 55 
 
 committed the highest office, has not only consented 
 to become a member of our institution, hut that lie 
 avails himself of the first opportunity, of giving it 
 the countenance and support of his attendance. 
 
 " An incident like this may form a new era in the 
 history of society. In other countries the influence 
 of the magistrate is felt only from the operation of 
 his laws, or through the instrumentality of his su 
 bordinate agents, while, on the other hand, he de 
 rives his information through intermediate channels. 
 But our happy constitution places the people and 
 their officers in such relations to each other, that they 
 may have a mutual and direct intercourse $ and we 
 now behold the first magistrate of a great nation, 
 seeking at its source the information, which will en 
 able him to know the wants and wishes of the coun 
 try. A life, devoted to the good of his country, 
 gives us assurance, that it is only necessary to make 
 him acquainted with what will promote its happiness, 
 to insure all the support which may be derived from 
 his high station. It is now too late to question the 
 advantages of manufactures. All history shows us 
 how much they have contributed to the prosperity of 
 every state, where they have been encouraged. In 
 deed we find that in some instances, they have been 
 the sources of all the wealth and power of a people. 
 As they have prospered or declined, nations have 
 risen or sunk. Even wealth, without manufactures, 
 and commerce, has only served to degrade a great 
 community, by the introduction of that luxury, which 
 was purchased with the produce of inexhaustible 
 
56 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 mines of gold. But it is not as they are sources oi 
 wealthy that an American must feel the deepest in 
 terest in the fate of our manufactures ; they more 
 nearly concern us, as they are connected with our 
 independence. For how shall we avoid the influence 
 of foreign nations, while we suffer ourselves to be 
 dependent on them, not only for the luxuries, but the 
 necessaries of life ! Can that nation feel independ 
 ent, which has no reliance but upon foreign hands 
 for the fabrics which are to clothe her citizens ? For 
 manufactured materials which are necessary for the 
 construction of their dwellings, and for the tools 
 with which they are to cultivate their soil ? 
 
 * But such has been our situation, (unknown al 
 most to ourselves) until a jealousy of our prosperity 
 provoked a war, which barred us from the workshops 
 of England; and then we found we were in some 
 measure obliged to rely on a treasonable trade, to 
 clothe the armies, which met her on the field of bat 
 tle. The very powder which generated the thunder 
 of our cannon, was sometimes British manufacture, 
 and the striped bunting may often have been from the 
 same loom with the cross of Si. George, over which 
 it- so frequently waved in triumph. 
 
 " Such a state of tilings, could not but awaken the 
 spirit and enterprise of Americans. Amidst the 
 agitations of war, while one part of the population 
 was ranging itself under the military banners of our 
 country," another devoted itself to her interest in 
 another form. Manufactures arose, as if by enchant 
 ment on every stream she formed for herself spa- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 57 
 
 cious dwellings, and collected in them many thou 
 sands, who in no other way could contribute to the 
 general weal. Those too young, or too old to bear 
 arms, who had not strength for agricultural labours 
 the female, whose domestic services could be dis 
 pensed with in her family found here a means of 
 individual gain, and of adding to the public prospe 
 rity. In a short three years, the produce of our 
 looms rivalled foreign productions, and the nation 
 with which we were contending, felt more alarm 
 from the progress of our manufactures, than she did 
 from the success of our arms. But peace came. While 
 we were at war, the warehouses of England were 
 filled with the produce of the labour which a loss of 
 market had enabled her to purchase at a depreciated 
 price. The moment intercourse between the coun 
 tries was opened, her hoarded stores were thrown 
 upon us, and we were deluged with the manufac 
 tures which had been waiting the event. They could 
 be sold without profit, because the foreign manufac 
 turer thought himself fortunate, if he could realise 
 the capital which he had been obliged to expend, to 
 support his establishment \yhile there was no sale for 
 wares. , 
 
 " But he was content to bear a loss, because, in 
 the words of an English statesman, * it was well 
 worth while to incur a loss upon the first exporta 
 tion, in order by the glut, to stifle in the cradle, those 
 rising manufactures in the United States, which the 
 war had forced into existence. It would have been 
 surprising, indeed, if our infant manufactures, the 
 
58 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 establishment of which, had generally exhausted 
 the capitals of those who embarked in them, could 
 have sustained themselves under such circumstances 
 without any aid or support from the government, 
 without any means of countervailing the effects of 
 the sacrifices which foreigners were willing to make 
 for their destruction. How were they to maintain 
 themselves ? It was impossible many of them sunk 
 but we hope, to rise again. The attention of the 
 government, was too ardently directed during the 
 war, to other objects, to perceive the policy or ne 
 cessity of that protection, which the manufacturing 
 interest did not then appear to want. But now that 
 peace will leave our legislators free to consider and 
 provide for the real independence, and permanent 
 prosperity of our country ; now, when we have at 
 the head of our administration, a citizen, whose pre 
 sence here this evening, assures us of the interest he 
 takes in the objects of our institution, we may hope 
 that American manufactures will receive all the 
 countenance and support, that can be derived from 
 the power of the government. Let that power be ex 
 erted only so far as to counteract the policy of fo 
 reign nations, and every American may be gratified 
 in the pride of wearing the produce of the American 
 soil, manufactured by American hands. Again, shall 
 the surplus population of our great cities, and the 
 feeble powers of women and children, find that means 
 of useful and profitable employment, which manufac 
 tures alone can afford them. Again shall the pa 
 triotic and enterprising capitalist, find advantages in 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 59 
 
 devoting his means and mind to objects so calculated 
 to promote the prosperity and happiness of his coun 
 try. And again shall foreign nations dread to see us 
 rising- to that real independence, which we never can 
 in truth enjoy, while we depend on any but our 
 selves for the Jlrst necessaries of life. The society 
 beg leave to testify to the chief magistrate of the na 
 tion, the high sense they entertain of the honour he 
 has conferred upon them by his presence at this 
 time, and sincerely participate in the feelings, which 
 have been so universally manifested on his visit to 
 our city, and most cordially tender him their best 
 wishes for his health and happiness." 
 
 The report and address being read, the President 
 of the United States withdrew, and the society ad 
 journed : first, however, having instructed the secre 
 tary to inform the new members, by letter, of their 
 election. As the transactions, this evening, of the 
 American Manufacturing Society, appear to have 
 been an immediate result of Mr. Monroe s visit to 
 New York, and the election, at this moment, of these 
 gentlemen, as well as of himself, seeming to be a 
 consequence growing out of his tour, it is deemed 
 not only proper, but necessary, that the correspon 
 dence, which passed between the society and them 
 selves, should be given in detail. The insertion of 
 it will serve, also, to develope to the reader, the dis 
 tinct views entertained, by these distinguished men, 
 of such institutions. 
 
60 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 "New York, June 14, 1817. 
 
 " Sir The American Society for the Encourage 
 ment of Domestic Manufactures, instituted in this 
 city, sensible of the zeal you have uniformly dis 
 played, in the promotion of every object, connected 
 with the welfare and independence of our country, 
 had the honour to elect you a member at their last 
 meeting, convened on the 1 3th inst. for the purpose 
 of initiating into the society, James Monroe, Presi 
 dent of the United States. 
 
 " It would afford me the highest gratification to 
 announce to the society, your assent to become one 
 of its members. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, Sir, with respect and 
 consideration, your obedient servant, 
 
 " D. LYNCH, jun." 
 
 " Quincy, June 23, 1817- 
 
 Sir I have received the letter, you did me the 
 honour of writing to me, on the 14th of this month, 
 announcing to me my election, by the American So 
 ciety for the Encouragement of Domestic Manufac 
 tures, instituted in New York, as a member: an 
 honour made more illustrious by the presence of the 
 President of the United States. 
 
 " Be pleased, Sir, to present my respects to the 
 Society, and my thanks for the honour they have 
 done me ; and to assure them, if the best wishes of a 
 man at eighty-one years of age, can promote the 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUT?, 61 
 
 wise purposes of their institution, I shall be a useful 
 -member. For according to my superficial view of 
 political economy in civilized society, next to agri- 
 culture, which is the first and most splendid, manu 
 factures are second, and navigation the third. With 
 agriculture, manufactures, and navigation, all the 
 commerce which can be necessary or useful to the 
 happiness of a nation will be secured. 
 
 " Accept my thanks for the civility with which 
 you have communicated the vote of the Society to 
 their and your friend, 
 
 "JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 " D. LYNCH, jun. esq. Secretary of the American 
 Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Ma 
 nufactures." 
 
 " Monticello, June 26, 1817, 
 
 Sir I am thankful for the honour done me by 
 an association with the American Society for the 
 Encouragement of Domestic Manufactures, insti 
 tuted in New York. The history of the last twenty 
 years has been a sufficient lesson for us all, to depend 
 for necessaries on ourselves alone ; and I hope that 
 twenty years more, will place the American hemis 
 phere under a system of its own, essentially peace 
 able and industrious, and not needing to extract its 
 comforts out of the eternal fires raging in the old 
 world. The efforts of the members of your institu 
 tion being necessarily engaged in their respective 
 vicinages, I consider myself, by their choice, as but 
 a link of union between the promoters there and here 
 of the same patriotic objects. Praying you to pre- 
 
 F 
 
62 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 sent to the Society, my just acknowledgment for 
 this mark of attention, I tender to yourself the assu 
 rance of my great respect and consideration. 
 
 TH : JEFFERSON. 
 " MR. LYNCH." 
 
 " Montpellier, June 27, 1817. 
 
 a Sir I have received your letter of the 18th inst. 
 informing me that the American Society for the En 
 couragement of Domestic Manufactures, has been 
 pleased to elect me one of its members. 
 
 " Although I approve the policy of leaving to the 
 sagacity of individuals, and to the impulse of private 
 interest, the application of industry and capital, I 
 am equally persuaded that in this, as in other cases, 
 there are exceptions to the general rule, which do 
 not impair the principle of it. Among these excep 
 tions, is the policy of encouraging domestic manu 
 factures, within certain limits, and in reference to 
 certain articles. 
 
 " Without entering into a detailed view of the 
 subject, it may be remarked, that every prudent na 
 tion will wish to be independent of other nations, for 
 the necessary articles of food, of raiment, and of de 
 fence ; and particular considerations applicable to 
 the United States, seem to strengthen the motives to 
 this independence. 
 
 " Besides the articles falling under the above de 
 scription, there may be others, for manufacturing 
 which, natural advantages exist, which require tern- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 63 
 
 porary interpositions for bringing them into regular 
 and successful activity. 
 
 66 Where the fund of industry is acquired from 
 abroad, and not withdrawn, nor withheld from other 
 domestic employments, the case speaks for itself. 
 
 " I will only add, that among the articles of con 
 sumption and use, the preference, in many cases, is 
 decided merely by fashion or habit. As far as equa 
 lity, and still more, where a real superiority is found 
 in the articles, manufactured at home, all must be 
 sensible, that it is politic and patriotic to encourage 
 a preference of them, as affording a more certain 
 source of supply for every class, and a more cer 
 tain market for the surplus products of the agricul 
 tural class. 
 
 66 With these sentiments, I beg you to make my 
 acknowledgments for the marks of distinction con 
 ferred on me, and which I accept from respect for 
 the society, and for its objects, rather than from any 
 hope of being useful as a member. To yourself, I 
 tender my friendly respects. 
 
 "JAMES MADISON." 
 
 The steam boat Chancellor Livingston, captain 
 Wiswall, being in readiness to convey the President 
 to West Point, he embarked on board that vessel, 
 at ten o clock on the morning of the 14th, attended 
 by the mayor, and a deputation from the corpora 
 tion. 
 
 At the moment of her departure, she was honour 
 ed with a salute of nineteen guns from the Saranac, 
 
64 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 and Active cutter, which was repeated by the seve 
 ral forts on the Hudson. From the time of his arri 
 val there, until the morning of Tuesday 17th, he 
 was engaged in reviewing the pupils, at the military 
 academy, in all the various branches of their edu 
 cation, and in examining Fort Putnam, and its de 
 pendencies. He returned to New- York, that even 
 ing, in the steam boat Paragon. 
 
 Proceeding from the head quarters of general 
 Scott, at half past 1 1 o clock, in the morning of the 
 18th, he embarked in an elegant barge, manned with 
 sixteen oarsmen, for the United States steam frigate, 
 Fulton the First, which had been anchored opposite 
 the Battery several hours before. Upon ascending 
 the deck, the usual salutes were fired, and in a short 
 time, she was under way for the Narrows. Not 
 withstanding the prevalence of an adverse gale, and 
 an unfavourable tide, this immense vessel reached 
 the fortifications at that place in two hours. Upon 
 landing at Fort Diamond, he was again saluted by 
 the batteries of the steam frigate, and those of the 
 garrison. 
 
 The inspection being over, and the President hav 
 ing expressed his satisfaction at the extreme neat 
 ness, good order, and discipline, prevailing through 
 out the different forts, he repaired to the seat of the 
 vice-president, on Staten Island, and the steam 
 frigate returned, at 7 o clock that evening, to the 
 navy yard. "Whilst on board this frigate, the Pre 
 sident was presented with his diploma from the Lite- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 65 
 
 rary and Philosophical Society, by the honourable 
 Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell. 
 
 On the 19th, accompanied by his excellency Dewitt 
 Clinton, the governor elect, major-general Scott, 
 the honourable Rufus King, colonel Humphreys, 
 his honour judge Van Ness, (of the supreme district 
 court,) general Morton, and others, he made an ex 
 cursion to Sandy Hook, on board the steam boat 
 Connecticut, captain Bunker, and at 7 o clock, on 
 the morning of the 20th, took his departure for New 
 Haven, on board the same vessel, attended by the 
 cutter and the Saranac. 
 
 
66 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The President arrives at New Haven resolutions of 
 the Citizens Middletown address of the Corpora 
 tion there the President proceeds to Hartford ad 
 dress of the Citizens he repairs to Springfield, 
 and visits the United States Armory receives a 
 Committee from the Citizens resolutions at New 
 London the President arrives there is addressed 
 by the Common Council visits Fort Trumbull 
 the toivn of Groton and Fort Ghiswold makes an 
 excursion up the Thames sails from New London 
 sleeps at Stonington 9 and arrives at Newport 
 proceeds thence to Providence. 
 
 THE people of New Haven, and others of the en- 
 lerprising and patriotic towns of the state of Con 
 necticut, were anxiously looking for the arrival of 
 the President, upon their shores; and to apprise 
 them of liis approach, in time, arrangements were 
 made between the authorities of New Haven, and 
 the fort below, and the revenue cutter Eagle, cap 
 tain Lee, to announce that event, either by the dis 
 charge of guns, or by some other convenient and 
 proper signal. The disposition manifested by the 
 citizens of New Haven, to evince their respect for 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 67 
 
 the chief magistrate, is strongly set forth in the fol 
 lowing copy of proceedings, had at a general meet 
 ing, held on the 9th of June. 
 
 " At a meeting of the citizens of the town of New 
 Haven, convened at the State House, for the pur 
 pose of concerting for the reception of the President 
 of the United States, on his contemplated visit to this 
 city: the honourable JAMES HILLHOUSB was called 
 to the chair, and R. I. IJVGERSOLI, esq. chosen 
 secretary, after which, the following resolutions 
 were passed. 
 
 " Besolved 9 That the honourable Elizur Goodrich, 
 ObadiahHotchkiss, JohnH.Lynde, William Bristol, 
 Elias Shipman, John Nicholl, and EH Whitney, 
 esquires, be and they are hereby appointed a commit 
 tee, to make arrangements for the purpose of show 
 ing suitable respect to the President of the United 
 States, on his expected visit to this city. 
 
 " Resolved, That as soon as the committee shall 
 have agreed, upon the arrangement contemplated, 
 they announce the same to the citizens, in such way 
 as they shall think proper. 
 
 " Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting 
 be published in the Connecticut Herald. 
 66 A true copy of the minutes. 
 
 66 R. I. iNGERSOLLj Sec y." 
 
 At 4 o clock in the afternoon of the 20th, the steam 
 boat was descried from the fort, the commandant 
 at which caused a signal to be made, which was re 
 peated by the cutter, and in this manner intelligence 
 
68 A NARRATIVE OIF 
 
 was communicated to the citizens of the approach of 
 the hoat. The cutter immediately got under way, sail 
 ed for the Connecticut, and, upon getting up under 
 her stern, at 5 o clock, dropped her colours and struck 
 her top-sails, in testimony of respect to the President, 
 and immediately fired a national salute. From the 
 fort also a salute was fired by a party of volunteers 
 under lieutenant Dickenson, and this was followed 
 by another, from the battalion of artillery, station 
 ed in the town, under captain Blake. When the 
 Connecticut reached the shore, the committee, ap 
 pointed at the general meeting, went on board, and 
 in the name of all their fellow citizens, congratula 
 ted the President on his arrival at New Haven. Up 
 on landing he was received by his excellency Oli 
 ver Wolcott, the governor of the state, who had rode 
 to New Haven with his aids, majors Babcock and 
 Huntingdon, for that purpose ; between whom and 
 the President, the usual interchange of civilities took 
 place. Attended by Mr. Wolcott, the committee of 
 arrangement, and several civil and United States 
 military officers, he was then escorted to his intend 
 ed quarters, at Butler s Hotel, by the Governor s 
 Horse Guards, followed by along train of citizens in 
 procession. 
 
 The uniform volunteer companies of New Haven 
 were next day reviewed by the President, after 
 which he visited Yale College, and inspected the 
 gun manufactory of Eli Whitney, esq. 
 
 The 23d, being Monday, preparations were made, 
 and a suitable escort provided, to attend the chief 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 69 
 
 magistrate "upon his route to the eastward. A dep 
 utation from Middletown, and the adjoining villa 
 ges having previously waited on the President, to 
 request the honour of his presence among them, he 
 gave his assent to this arrangement, and, according 
 ly, abandoned his original intention, of pursuing 
 the coast road to New London; and in company 
 with governor \Yolcott, and a number of citizens, 
 set out on the route for Middletown by sunrise. He 
 reached Durham, a distance of nineteen miles, about 
 eight o clock that morning. There he was met by the 
 sheriff of the county, and eight of his deputies, bear 
 ing the insignia of their office, and by a committee 
 of the citizens of Middletown. From this place he 
 proceeded upon his journey without delay, and hav 
 ing attained a point, within two miles of the city, a 
 salute of nineteen guns was fired to announce his ap 
 proach. Having arrived in sight of Middletown, at 
 the request of the committee he descended from his 
 carriage, and with his suite consented to enter the 
 city upon horseback. A line of procession was im 
 mediately formed, and the President approached 
 the city amidst the salutations and rejoicings, of the 
 soldiery, and the people. Passing over the bridge, 
 the troops wheeled to the right and left, and a large 
 collection of citizens, who were present to witness 
 the scene, arranged themselves in regular files, at 
 each side of the rnilitia. When the procession mov 
 ed through Main street, nineteen guns were again 
 discharged, a peal was rung upon the bells, and a 
 number of flags and ensigns were displayed. This 
 
70 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 ceremony being concluded by a review of the troops, 
 the President alighted at the Washington Hotel, 
 where the mayor, aldermen, and common council 
 were in readiness to receive him; and presented 
 him with this address. 
 
 " To James Monroe, President of the United States. 
 
 " The mayor, aldermen, and common council of 
 Middletown, present you their sincere congratula 
 tions upon your arrival in this place. 
 
 " It is our delight and distinction, as citizens of 
 the United States, to see among us the chief magis 
 trate of our common country, wanting no other 
 guards than public sentiment and reverence for the 
 laws. 
 
 " Appreciating the importance of establishments 
 for territorial and maritime defence, we have the 
 happiness of being assured, that your present tour 
 has primary reference to considerations so inter 
 esting to the national rights, and national honour. 
 
 " With this assurance, we cherish the hope, your 
 progress may increase and confirm the harmony of 
 opinion throughout the United States. 
 
 66 A. MILLER. 
 
 "Middletown, June 23, 1817." 
 
 To this address the President answered. 
 
 " To the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of 
 Middletown. 
 
 " Fellow citizens Your kind and friendly recep 
 tion commands my warmest acknowledgements. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 71 
 
 " If I were a spectator only, instead of a party, to 
 this scene, I should be deeply affected by it. There 
 can be no spectacle more interesting to a generous 
 mind, than that of a free and virtuous people, receiv 
 ing with unfeigned confidence, a chief magistrate, 
 deriving his office from their voluntary suffrages. 
 
 * Aware of the great importance of the establish 
 ment of adequate works, of territorial and maritime 
 defence, it is my object, to give full effect to the 
 provisions made by law, for those purposes. Should 
 my efforts obtain the approbation of my country, 
 and contribute in any degree to promote harmony 
 of opinion among my fellow citizens, so necessa 
 ry to their prosperity and happiness, I shall derive 
 from their success the highest gratification. 
 
 " JAMES 
 
 In the course of the morning, the President and 
 suite, attended by general Humphreys, the committee, 
 and the sheriff, with his deputies, visited the seve 
 ral establishments of Messrs. North, Starr, and 
 Johnson, employed in the manufacture of rifles, 
 swords, and other small arms, for the United States 
 service. Returning from this visit, the President 
 partook of an elegant collation, and immediately af 
 ter proceeded onward toward the city of Hartford, 
 the capital of Connecticut. The infantry and artil 
 lery, saluted him again, and the committee of ar 
 rangement, with the mayor at their head, accompa 
 nied him to Prospect Hill. The sheriff and his dep~ 
 uties, however, and the escort of cavalry, continued 
 
72 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 their attendance, until he reached the town of Weth- 
 ersfield, where he w r as met by the 1st company of 
 the Governor s Horse Guards, under the command 
 of major Buck, who conducted him to the South 
 Green in the city of Hartford. Immediately on his 
 arrival there, the Hartford Artillery, commanded by 
 captain Ripley, the East Hartford Artillery, under 
 captain Olmsted, and the Simsbury Artillery, under 
 captain Humphry, -the whole commanded by colonel 
 Johnson, honoured him with a national salute. 
 
 He was then received by the 1st company of the 
 Governor s Foot Guards, commanded by major 
 Goodwin, and five companies of infantry, under cap 
 tains Johnson, Wadsworth, Rockwell, Elsworth and 
 Brown, and commanded by colonel Loomis, and a 
 detachment of cavalry, under colonel Gleason. By 
 this body of troops, and followed by an immense as 
 semblage of citizens, he was escorted over the city 
 bridge, leading directly into Hartford. The bridge 
 was elegantly ornamented for the occasion, and three 
 lofty arches, tastefully decorated with evergreen 
 and laurel, had been thrown over it. From the cen 
 tral arch, was suspended a scroll, on which was em 
 blazoned, the words MARCH 4, 1817." 
 
 The cavalcade having passed, he alighted at Mor 
 gan s Coffee-house, amidst a throng of citizens and 
 soldiers, more numerous than had ever been seen as 
 sembled in that city before. Upon entering his 
 apartments, at the hotel, he was addressed in behalf 
 of the corporation, by their senior alderman, the 
 mayor being absent, in the manner following: 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 7$ 
 
 " To the President of the United States. 
 
 Sir The pleasing duty has devolved on us of 
 presenting you the congratulations of the citizens of 
 Hartford, on your arrival in this city. It is with 
 sentiments of regard for private worth, no less than 
 with respect for official dignity, that the personal 
 presence, of the first magistrate of the nation is as 
 sociated. 
 
 " The endearing relation which subsists, between 
 the people of a free country, and their political father 
 and guide, is peculiarly fitted to cherish and ennoble 
 these sentiments. 
 
 " It is no less our happiness, sir, than yours, that 
 your administration has commenced at a period, gild 
 ed by the recent exploits of our army and navy, and 
 at the same time enjoying the tranquillity and secu 
 rity of peace ; when full scope is given to the enter 
 prise, industry and skill of our citizens, in the em 
 ployments of agriculture and manufactures ; when 
 the pursuit of science, and the cultivation of the arts 
 of civilized life, are encouraged by their appropri 
 ate rewards ; and when the spirit of party, with its 
 concomitant jealousies and misrepresentations, no 
 longer " render alien to each other those who ought 
 to be bound together by paternal affection." We anti 
 cipate in your administration, commenced under the 
 auspices, and blessed with the smiles of HIM " whose 
 dominion is an everlasting dominion," a period of 
 glory to our country, and of honour to yourself. 
 
 " The state of Connecticut, as she was among the 
 
 G 
 
74 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 first to adopt the constitution of the United States, 1 
 so will she always be among its most firm and zeal- | 
 Ous supporters. 
 
 "The people of this state, while they cherish a 
 high spirit of freedom, are, from the force of our in 
 stitutions and habits, distinguished also for their 
 love of order and submission to the laws. In pur 
 suing a policy, which, as we confidently expect, will 
 give the best effect to the principles of our govern 
 ment ; establish commerce upon a permanent basis ; 
 render us strong and independent ; confer on us a 
 distinct and elevated national character ; and secure 
 to our country those high advantages, which seem 
 destined for her by Providence $ you may be assured 
 of a hearty support. 
 
 " May heaven grant, sir, that your life may be 
 long and happy ; and that the freedom and indepen 
 dence of our country may be perpetual. 
 
 " JOHN MORGAN. 
 
 " In behalf of the mayor, aldermen, common 
 council, and freemen of Hartford." 
 
 The following answer was returned by the Presi 
 dent. 
 
 (i To the Mayor, Jlldermen, and Council of the City of 
 Hartford. 
 
 " Fellow Citizens J beg you to accept my grate 
 ful acknowledgments, for the favourable sentiments 
 which you have expressed towards me, and the kind 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 75 
 
 and friendly manner, in wliicli yon have received 
 me. No one can take more interest, than I do, in the 
 present prosperous and happy condition of our coun 
 try. Having witnessed two wars, attended with 
 imminent distress, and which made a severe trial of 
 our institutions, I see, with the most heartfelt sa 
 tisfaction, the happy consequences attending our ex 
 ertions, and which you have so justly described, in 
 the review you have taken of them. Blessed with 
 peace ; agriculture, the arts, and commerce flour 
 ishing ; jealousies subsiding ; and our bond of union 
 gaming strength ; our situation is peculiarly hap 
 py, and the prospect of its long continuance the 
 most flattering. In a state where the arts and sci 
 ences are so happily cultivated, and which has evin 
 ced so strong an attachment to the cause of liberty, 
 full confidence is entertained, that it will always be 
 found among the most zealous supporters of that 
 cause, and of our most excellent constitution." 
 
 The President soon after, with his suite, general 
 Swift and Mr. Mason, proceeded to the review of 
 the troops, and thence to the benevolent and inter 
 esting institution of the deaf and dumb, with the 
 progress of the pupils in which, after a very long ex 
 amination, he expressed himself to be highly grati 
 fied. 
 
 On Tuesday, the 24th, at 5 o clock in the morning, 
 the President left Hartford, and arrived at the line 
 on the west side of the Connecticut river, which 
 marks the boundary of Massachusetts, about nine. 
 
76 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 An escort from Springfield, and its vicinity, con 
 sisting of sixty gentlemen on horseback, and a num 
 ber of citizens in carriages, were already in wait 
 ing, on the road at that point, and immediately after 
 meeting him, a procession was formed, extending 
 nearly half a mile, by which, and the escort, he was 
 conducted into the town. When the train reached 
 the bridge, at its entrance, the artillery company of 
 captain Warriner commenced firing a federal salute, 
 and the bells of the town struck up a peal, which 
 was continued until the President alighted at his 
 quarters, at Bennett s Inn. The following ad- 
 dress, to which he made a verbal reply, was im 
 mediately after presented to him by a deputation of 
 the citizens. 
 
 " To the President of the United States. 
 
 " May it please your Excellency We wait on 
 you, as a committee, in behalf of the people of this, 
 and the neighbouring towns, cordially to welcome 
 your arrival within the commonwealth of Massa 
 chusetts. 
 
 " Of such extent is the country, over which, by 
 the voice of the people, according to our excellent 
 constitution, you are called to preside ; so various 
 and all important, are the duties of your high sta 
 tion, that but a small portion of our citizens could 
 ever expect the honour, and favour, of personally 
 knowing their chief magistrate. 
 
 " When your excellency s intention to visit the 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 7f 
 
 northern states, during this season, and the other 
 states of the union, whenever your cares and ardu 
 ous labours at the seat of government would admit of 
 your leaving it, was announced, we contemplated it 
 with pleasure, as having a tendency, to draw still 
 closer, that bond of union, which ought never to be 
 broken, or even relaxed, by the intrigues of foreign 
 nations, or the faults and follies of our own. 
 " In personally viewing the various establishments, 
 made by the government of the United States, since 
 the adoption of the constitution, for the security and 
 defence of our country, we sincerely hope your excel 
 lency will see much to approve ; and that, in this 
 place, you will find the efforts, made to relieve us 
 from that dependence on other nations, for imple 
 ments of war, (so painful to us during our struggle 
 for independence) not unworthy of your notice and 
 approbation. 
 
 " We ardently wish your excellency prosperity 
 in your journeying perfect self-complacency in 
 your administration of the government ; and, under 
 the smiles of a kind providence, personal blessings. 
 " And we are, with the highest respect, 
 your obedient servants. 
 
 " THOMAS DWIGHT, 
 " ROSWELL LEE, 
 "JOHN INGERSOLL, 
 SAMUEL LATHROP, 
 " JOSHUA FROST, 
 
 " Committee, 
 " Springfield, June 24, 18177 
 
 G 9, 
 
78 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 The President and suite then proceeded on horse- 
 back to view the United States Armory, and pub 
 lic works, and upon reaching the ground upon the 
 hill, he was again saluted by the artillery. In the 
 afternoon four hundred and ten children, from twelve 
 charity schools, in the neighbourhood, within one 
 mile and an half of each other, were assembled in 
 Springfield with their instructors, and passed before 
 the President at the inn. One of the committee ob 
 served to him, We here present your excellency, 
 the hopes of our country, and we are endeavouring 
 to train them up in the nurture and admonition of 
 the Lord, and in the true principles of republican 
 government." To which remark the President 
 immediately answered, (t I am much pleased and 
 gratified with their appearance, and I pray God, to 
 bless them and you, and to carry your good design 
 into effect." 
 
 At 4 o clock he set out for New London, escorted 
 by the same company, to the east side of the Con 
 necticut river, where he entered that state a second 
 time. The citizens of New London, being apprized 
 of his intention to visit that city, for the purpose 
 of inspecting the forts Trumbull and Griswold, the 
 one situated at the entrance to the harbour, and the 
 other erected for the purpose of defending it, at the 
 opposite town of Groton, resolved to show him all 
 the respect due to his high station. The corpora 
 tion, therefore, made the necessary preparations for 
 his reception, and appointed Jedediah Hunting 
 don, Thomas H. Cwshing, Nicholl Fosdick, and 
 
ffa 
 
 THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. \^ * 79 
 
 Lyman Law, a committee, and selected a x 
 marshals for the day, to carry their arrangements 
 into effect. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 25th, at one o clock, the Pre 
 sident s approach being discovered from a neigh 
 bouring height, signal guns were immediately fired, 
 the colours displayed from the shipping in the har 
 bour, and the 1st company of light artillery, under 
 captain Dennis, proceeded to meet and escort him to 
 his lodgings. Attended by the committee of ar 
 rangement also, and most of the citizens, the proces 
 sion moved down State and Bank streets, to the 
 house of Mr. Taber, where accommodations had 
 been previously provided. Under the direction of 
 the marshals, the citizens formed two lines, between 
 which* preceded by the military, the President pass 
 ed to his quarters. Salutes were then fired by the 
 artillery, Fort Trumbull, and by the United States 
 vessels then in the harbour. 
 
 The court of common pleas, at that time in ses 
 sion, and the principal gentlemen of the bar, waited 
 on the President and offered their congratulations. 
 Immediately after, the corporation made a presenta 
 tion of their address, which follows. 
 
 To the President oj the United States. 
 
 " The mayor, aldermen, and common council of 
 the city of New London, in behalf of the corpora 
 tion, with high respect for his exalted station, em- 
 
80 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 brace this opportunity to welcome the President of 
 the United States on his safe arrival in this place. 
 
 " A visit from the chief magistrate of a nation, so 
 respectable and important in the scale of political 
 existence, as the United States, to this portion of 
 the union, is an occurrence interesting to the patriot, 
 and highly gratifying to the feelings of this commu 
 nity : an occurrence which, as individuals, we shall 
 remember, and which the corporation will record. 
 It affords us consolation that your administration has 
 commenced, at a period favourable for improvement 
 for the establishment of a national, of an Ameri 
 can character. A period, when the storms of war 
 have passed, and days of peace commenced; when 
 party spirit is assuaged, and a spirit of mutual cha 
 rity and forbearance nationally prevails. 
 
 That the President of the United States, in com 
 mon with his fellow citizens, is enjoying that state 
 of peace, which his own agency and energy so es 
 sentially produced, is to us a source of pleasing re 
 flection and consideration. We trust that we may 
 be indulged in the pleasing contemplation, that we 
 possess our habitations in safety; that our shores 
 are free from alarms; and that the waters of our 
 harbour are relieved from the presence of a threat 
 ening and hostile fleet. With great satisfaction we 
 once more behold in the chief magistrate of the Uni 
 ted States, a man who in his youth, had an agency 
 in achieving with his sword, the independence, and 
 establishing the pillars of that government of which 
 he is now the head, and which is the pride of Ame~ 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 81 
 
 ricft, and the wonder of the world. From the high 
 stations you have held and honourably sustained; 
 from the eminent services you have rendered our 
 common country, we have a happy assurance, under 
 divine providence, of an honourable and prosperous 
 administration, and, that under the auspices of your 
 government, we shall be a united and happy people, 
 
 " Nothing can give us more satisfaction, than a 
 consideration of the parental view and extensive sur 
 vey, which the President is taking of the northern 
 section of that country, which is happily united un 
 der a government of energy and freedom, and of 
 which, by the choice of a great and enlightened peo 
 ple, he is now the political head. 
 
 " Be pleased, sir, to accept our sincere wishes, 
 that your life may be prolonged and happy ; that 
 your administration may be prosperous and blessed ; 
 that your journey may he pleasant; and that you 
 may in health and safety be returned to the bosom of 
 your family, and all your endearing and domestic 
 relations, with happiness and satisfaction. 
 
 "JEREMIAH BRAINARD, Mayor." 
 
 To this address the following reply was made : 
 
 " To the Mayor, Jlldermen, and Common Council of 
 the city of New London. 
 
 "Fellow Citizens: 
 
 " In making a tour through the eastern states, 
 with a view to public defence, New London had a 
 strong claim to attention; and in visiting it, I have 
 
82 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 been much gratified by the very friendly reception 
 which has been given me. Aware of the favourable 
 circumstances under which I have commenced the 
 duties of the high trust, to which I have been appoint 
 ed by my fellow citizens, it will be my zealous en 
 deavour to derive from them, in the administration 
 of the government, all the advantages which they 
 can afford. 
 
 " It is only making adequate preparation for war, 
 now that we are blessed with peace, that we can hope 
 to avert that calamity in future. It is only by a 
 vigorous prosecution of the war, when it becomes 
 inevitable, that its evils can be mitigated, and an 
 honourable peace be soon restored. In the pursuit 
 of great national objects, it is equally the interest 
 and the duty, of the whole American people, to 
 unite. 
 
 " Happy in a government which secures to us the 
 full enjoyment of all our. civil and religious rights, 
 we have every inducement to unite in its support. 
 "With such union we have nothing to dread from fo 
 reign powers. 
 
 " For the kind interest which you take in my wel 
 fare, I beg you to accept of my warmest thanks, and 
 to be assured of the sincerity with which I recipro 
 cate it, in favour of the citizens of New London and 
 its vicinity. 
 
 " JAMES MONROE." 
 
 Barges having been provided, under the direction 
 of commodores Bainbridge and Oliver H. Perry, for 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 83 
 
 the President, his suite, and several naval and mili 
 tary gentlemen ; they were conveyed across to Fort 
 Trumbull at 10 o clock, on the morning of Thursday. 
 The Enterprize sloop of war fired a salute, as the 
 barges put off from the wharf, which was repeated at 
 Fort Trumbull, upon the President s landing at that 
 garrison. From Fort Trumbull the party proceeded 
 across the harbour to the town of Groton, where the 
 President was received by a committee of arrange 
 ment, and a large assemblage of the citizens of that 
 place, and the neighbouring towns. From the point 
 of landing, he was escorted to Fort Griswold, by a 
 company of grenadiers under captain Dabell, from 
 the 8th regiment, accompanied by the selectmen, 
 and civil authorities of Groton. Arrived at the 
 jate of the fort, the military wheeled to the right and 
 left, and the President, with his suite, and the offi 
 cers in attendance, entered the garrison, through 
 the two lines. The event by which this fort became 
 distinguished in the course of the revolutionary con 
 test, though not forgotten by the President, was, 
 probably more forcibly impressed upon his mind, 
 and his visit rendered much more interesting, by 
 the presence of some of the brave defenders of the 
 garrison, at the memorable time alluded to. The vo 
 lunteer militia of Groton, had been stationed within 
 the walls of Fort Griswold, during September of 
 the year 1780, and on the 6th day of that month, 
 sustained the vigorous assault arid storming of that 
 garrison, by the British under general BENEDICT 
 ARNOLD ; until overpowered by numbers^ and see- 
 
84 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 ing no other mode of escaping the fury of the assail 
 ants, they capitulated upon honourable terms, and 
 provided by treaty, for the protection of the surren 
 dered troops. The fort was entered by the ene 
 my, but their stipulations were violated, and the 
 garrison inhumanly put to the sword. It was the 
 desire of the President to behold some mem 
 ber of the gallant band, who participated in the 
 brave though unsuccessful defence of the fort, and at 
 his own request, two gentlemen, Messrs. Ebenezer 
 Avery, and Park Avery, each of them upwards of 
 seventy years of age, inhabitants of Groton, who 
 had been fortunate enough to sundve the horrors of 
 the scene, after being severely wounded and suppo 
 sed to be dead, by the enemy, were presented to him 
 on the spot. 
 
 Having congratulated these gentlemen, upon their 
 escape from this perilous situation, of the danger of 
 which their scars bore honourable testimony, and 
 having finished his examination of the fort, he was 
 again received by the military and citizens without, 
 and conducted to the house of captain Elijah Bailey, 
 where refreshments had been previously prepared 
 for him. After partaking of these, and having been 
 saluted by the troops, he went on board the steam 
 boat Fulton, captain Law, which had been politely 
 placed under his requisition by the proprietors. He 
 proceeded six miles up the Thames, upon the east 
 side of which Fort Griswold is situated, with a view 
 of examining that important river, and its nume 
 rous and valuable accommodations for a navy. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 85 
 
 Though the avowed oh ject for which the President 
 had undertaken his tour, was to ascertain the mili 
 tary strength and position of the assailable points 
 upon the seaboard, and to provide for their repair 
 and better protection against an enemy, yet the sei- 
 lection of a situation for naval depots, and military 
 arsenals, whence the shipping and the garrisons, 
 might draw their resources, being intimately blend 
 ed with this object, he did not fail to avail himself 
 of an opportunity of viewing a point so important as 
 this has been represented to be. 
 
 The Thames had been proved to be capable of pro 
 tecting a fleet of heavy ships, and of affording a good 
 harbour against the most boisterous seasons of the 
 year. It had been resorted to by commodore De- 
 catur, at that period of the late war, when New 
 London became particularly distinguished by the 
 long blockade of sir Thomas Hardy. 
 
 In consequence of the commodore s having proceed 
 ed with the frigates United States and Macedonian, 
 and the sloop of war Hornet, through the sound, to get 
 to sea from the eastward, and of Ids having been 
 driven, with his squadron, into New London, by a 
 superior detachment of the enemy s ships, that port 
 was rigorously blockaded, by the Rainiiics seventy- 
 four, two frigates, and several smaller vessels, un 
 der sir Thomas. Every effort to get to sea, under 
 the auspices of dark nights, and favourable winds, 
 having proved unavailing, in consequence of the ene 
 my s being continually apprised of the designs of the 
 American commodore, he was blockaded for many 
 H 
 
8G A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 months, \\ilhout a prospect of escaping, either hy 
 the ordinary channel, or by the sound. He was 
 finally obliged to abandon his intention of putting to 
 sea, and, being authorized by the navy department, 
 he dismantled the frigates, and sent them up this 
 line river (the Thames) for protection. 
 
 The Fulton returned to New London in the course 
 of the afternoon, and the President remained at his 
 quarters there, until the following morning at six 
 o clock, when, under a national salute, he embarked 
 on board the sloop of war Enterprize, which imme 
 diately weighed anchor, and sailed out of the har 
 bour, accompanied by the other vessels of the United 
 States, ordered there for that purpose. In passing 
 Fort Trumbull, the fleet was honoured with another 
 salute. 
 
 From New London the President was conveyed 
 to the entrance of Gardiner s Bay; after inspecting 
 which, he landed at Stonington Point, and passed 
 the night of the 27th at the town of Stonington, dis 
 tinguished by its intrepid resistance to a powerful 
 attack from three heavy vessels of war, the largest 
 being the Ramilies seventy-four, made on the 9th of 
 August, 1814, and which resulted in the entire re 
 pulse of the enemy, after he had ineffectually thrown 
 into the town upwards of sixty tons of metal. 
 
 At sunrise, on the morning of Saturday, the Presi 
 dent left Stonington, and re-embarked on board 
 the Enterprize, and in the afternoon of the same 
 day the fleet entered Newport Bay under discharges 
 of artillery from Fort Wolcott, Fort Adams, and 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 87 
 
 from the town. A committee of the citizens, major- 
 general Gibbs and suite, colonel Towson, commo 
 dore Perry, and many other civil and military offi 
 cers, received the President when he landed. The 
 line of procession being adjusted in a suitable man 
 ner, and the troops, consisting of an artillery com 
 pany and two companies of militia, having disposed 
 themselves in order of escort, the whole body advan 
 ced to the quarters, made ready for the President. 
 Forts Wolcott and Adams, were the earliest objects 
 of the President s attention in Newport. Immedi 
 ately after he had received the congratulations of 
 the civil and military authorities, of the place, he 
 repaired to these forts and examined their con 
 dition, with much care. The regularity of the garri 
 sons, and the neatness and veteran appearance of the 
 soldiery, drew from him, some very high encomi 
 ums. 
 
 After having dined, he made a short excursion 
 into the adjacent country on horseback, expressing 
 himself highly pleased with the local situation, and 
 beautiful scenery of the island. Many emblemati 
 cal transparencies were exhibited in the evening ; 
 the two forts were splendidly illuminated; and other 
 testimonies of respect were shown by the citizens to 
 the chief magistrate. The 29th, being Sunday, was 
 employed by the President in devotional services : 
 in the morning he attended public worship at Trini 
 ty Church, in the afternoon, at the Second Congre 
 gational Meeting-house, and in the evening, at the 
 Second Baptist Church. 
 
g ; * A" NARRATIVE OF 
 
 On Monday, the 30th, he quitted Newport,. iit 
 company with his excellency governor Knight, (who 
 arrived, there on Saturday,) major-general Gibbs, 
 and the committee, and reached Fall River. From 
 this place he proceeded to Bristol, where every 
 mark of respect, consistent with his short delay, 
 was shown by the inhabitants. At Bristol he em 
 barked in the steam boat Fire Fly, captain Smith, 
 for Providence and in the evening, about 9 o clock, 
 entered that city. The ceremonies which had been 
 observed upon the entrance of President Monroe, in 
 to the other metropolitan cities, were repeated with 
 great spirit and cordiality by the citizens of Provi 
 dence. Having arrived at the hotel, he remained 
 some time in the piazza, with general Howell on 
 his right, and governor Fenner on his left, for the 
 purpose of gratifying the curiosity of a numerous 
 crow r d of people. A levee was held immediately af 
 ter, when many revolutionary, civil and military of 
 ficers, and a committee deputed by the citizens of 
 the town were received. A general presentation of 
 the inhabitants to the President, took place on the 
 following morning; at 9 o clock, he rode out and 
 viewed the city, examined the defensible points, and 
 inspected the public establishments, and at 1 1 took 
 leave of Providence for Boston. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 8P 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Massachusetts the President is received on its line by 
 the Governor s Aid passes through Jlttleborough, 
 Wrentham and Walpole, and sleeps at Dedham 
 arrives at Boston address of the Citizens inspec 
 tion of Forts Independence and Warren celebra 
 tion of the 4th of July address of the Cincinnati 
 of the Minority of the Legislature. 
 
 AT the boundary line, between Rhode Island 
 and Massachusetts, colonel Sumner, aid-de-camp 
 to his excellency the governor of the latter state, 
 was in waiting to welcome the President, and to 
 request his acceptance of an escort, composed of 
 a squadron of cavalry, and a battalion of artil 
 lery, which the governor had ordered to attend 
 him. These marks of civility were received with 
 great politeness by the President, and he fur 
 ther accepted an offer from colonel Sumner, to ac 
 company him, as an attendant on his way, to the ca 
 pital. A detachment of militia, commanded by bri 
 gadier-general Lincoln of the 5th division, then un 
 derwent the President s review. This detachment 
 was composed of a troop of cavalry, under captain 
 Hunt, from Seekonk, a company of artillery from 
 
90 A NARRATIVE O* 
 
 Norton, under captain Walker, a company of light 
 infantry from Easton, commanded by lieutenant 
 Alger, a company of light infantry from Rehoboth, 
 under captain Carpenter, and a rifle company from 
 Attleborough, under captain Daggett. These compa 
 nies formed a battalion and were commanded by co 
 lonel Leach of Easton. When the usual marching 
 and standing salutes were performed, and the offi 
 cers of the different corps had been introduced to 
 the president, he visited the extensive cotton factory, 
 under the agency of Mr. T. Green, and thence pre 
 ceded by the marshal of the district, and captain 
 Hunt s troop of cavalry, he passed through the 5th 
 division to the house of colonel Hatch at Attlebo 
 rough. 
 
 In anticipation of the expected visit of the Presi 
 dent to Boston, the governor of Massachusetts, no 
 sooner heard of his departure from Washington, 
 than he issued the following order. 
 
 " Head Quarters, Boston, June 7, 1817. 
 
 " General orders The commander in chief, having 
 received information that the President of the Uni 
 ted States is on his way to this commonwealth, is de 
 sirous to show him all that attention and respect, 
 that is due to the chief magistrate of the nation. 
 
 " Major-general Crane will, therefore, inform 
 himself of the President s route, and order a proper 
 detachment of cavalry to meet him on the line of 
 his division, and escort him on his way to the metro 
 polis, until he receives further orders. If any of 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 91 
 
 the citizens should be disposed to join the escort, he 
 will make all the necessary arrangements for dis 
 playing a handsome style of parade. 
 
 " The commander in chief has full confidence, 
 that major-general Crane will conduct in such man 
 ner as to meet his approbation, and be satisfactory 
 to himself and his fellow citizens. 
 
 (i By his excellency s command. 
 
 " E. MATTOON, Adjut. Gen. 
 
 Conforming with* these orders, major-general 
 Crane, immediately issued division orders, directing 
 all the cavalry and artillery corps, of the 1st division 
 of the militia, to be in readiness to execute the or 
 ders of the commander in chief, and requested the 
 field, staff, and platoon officers of his division, to 
 join the intended escort, in uniform and on horse 
 back. Brigadier-general Welles also issued orders 
 to the commanding officers of the squadron of caval 
 ry, and the battalion of artillery, of the 3d brigade, 
 requiring a parade of the troops under their several 
 commands. 
 
 Major-general Crane, accompanied by brigadier 
 general Guild, of the 2d brigade, of the 1st division, 
 was accordingly in waiting at Attleborough, at the 
 moment of the President s arrival, with a battalion 
 of cavalry, under major Pond, by which he was at 
 tended to the town of Wrentham. 
 
 At Wrentham, he reviewed the 3d regiment of in 
 fantry, commanded by colonel Gowen, passed on to 
 "Walpole, where he halted a few moments, and pro- 
 
92 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 ceeded on his route to Dedham, at which place he 
 arrived about 7 o clock in the evening. 
 
 His entrance was honoured by a national salute 
 from the battalion of artillery, commanded by ma 
 jor Holbrook, which, with the regiment of infantry, 
 under colonel Fisher, he immediately after reviewed. 
 
 At the mansion of Mr. Dowse, in the neighbour 
 hood, the President took up his quarters for the 
 night, and received the personal salutations of major- 
 general Dearborn, and a committee from the town of 
 Salem. 
 
 The cavalry escort, under the command of major 
 Hollis, from general Dearborn s brigade, being in 
 readiness early on the morning of the 2d of July, the 
 President, accompanied by commodore Bainbridge, 
 general Miller, Mr. Mason, his secretary, and co 
 lonel Sumner, his designated staff, and followed by 
 a long train of officers of the army and navy of the 
 United States, by major-general Crane and the of 
 ficers of his division, and the citizens of Norfolk 
 county, on horseback, advanced to Roxbury. 
 
 Pursuing his route from Roxbury, to the Boston 
 lines, he reviewed a regiment of infantry under co 
 lonel Dudley, and a battalion of artillery under ma 
 jor Gale, and passing through the guard, consisting 
 of captain Turner s company of riflemen from Ran 
 dolph, and a light infantry company from Quincy, 
 he attained the southern barrier of the town. 
 
 To make suitable provisions for his reception in 
 the metropolis of Massachusetts ; for the purpose of 
 adopting proper measures, to testify their high re- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 93 
 
 spect for the character of the President of the Uni 
 ted States; and to make such arrangements as 
 should render his visit agreeable and satisfactory ; 
 the inhabitants of that flourishing city, had assem 
 bled in town meeting, without respect to party. A 
 committee was appointed in conjunction with the se- 
 lectmen, to receive him on the lines, and to present 
 him with a respectful and congratulatory address. 
 They were instructed also, to make such other dis 
 positions, as would comport with the reputation of 
 their city, and be consonant with the illustrious cha 
 racter of its distinguished guest. This committee 
 was composed of the leading, and most respectable 
 men of all political parties, and their arrangements 
 were calculated at once to promote the utmost har 
 mony, and to display the munificence of Boston, and 
 the public spirit of its citizens. 
 
 The following are the names of the gentlemen ap 
 pointed. 
 
 The honourable HARRISON GRAY OTIS The 
 honourable WILLIAM. GRAY - General ARNOLD 
 WELLS Colonel JAMES T. AUSTIN WILLIAM 
 SULLIVAN, esq. Col. GEORGE BLAKE Colonel 
 WILLIAM H. SUMNER BENJAMIN RUSSELL, esq. 
 The honourable ISRAEL THORNDIKE General 
 HENRY DEARBORN The honourable T. H. PER 
 KINS JAMES PRINCE, esq. and doctor AARON 
 HILL. 
 
 In the execution of these instructions, the me.nv 
 bers of the committee, were at the limits of Bos- 
 
94 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 ton, at the instant of the President s arrival, when 
 the honourable Mr. Otis thus addressed him. 
 
 Sir You are now arrived within the limits of 
 Boston, and these gentlemen are a committee, ap 
 pointed to welcome your approach, and escort you 
 to your lodgings. Upon your arrival there, they 
 will avail themselves of your permission, to express 
 to you, in a more formal and respectful mode, than 
 can be done here, the assurance of the unfeigned sa 
 tisfaction which the citizens of Boston realise, in 
 the honour you have been pleased to confer upon 
 them by this visit." 
 
 A procession was then formed in the following 
 order. 
 
 Cavalry escort, under the command of major Phelps, composed 
 of the Boston Hussars, and the Boston Dragoons. 
 
 James Prince, esq. marshal of Massachusetts district, and Samuel 
 
 Bradford, esq. sheriff of Suffolk county. 
 
 Part of the Committee of Arrangements, on horseback. 
 
 Honourable H. G. Otis, acting chairman. 
 
 Two marshals. 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 on an elegant dun courser, accompanied by general Swift and 
 
 Mr. Mason. 
 Two marshals. 
 
 Navy and Army officers of the United States. 
 
 United States officers of the civil department. 
 
 Colonel Freeman, police officer. 
 
 Charles Bullfinch, esq. chairman, and residue of the Committee: 
 of Arrangements, in carriages. 
 
 Two marshals. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 95 
 
 Honourable Thomas H. Perkins. 
 Leader of the Boston cavalcade attended by two marshals. 
 
 Boston cavalcade. 
 Major-general Crane, Brigadier-generals Dearborn and Guild, 
 
 and suites. 
 Field, regimental, staff, and company officers, of Norfolk militia. 
 
 Cavalry corps of Norfolk. 
 Squadrons of cavalry from the first and second brigades, first 
 
 division. 
 
 Citizens of Norfolk, and other counties, mounted. 
 Line of carriages from Boston. 
 
 Thus formed, the procession moved through Wash 
 ington street, and Orange street, to Boylston mar 
 ket, and thence through Boylston street, to an open 
 ing in the common, between the Mall and Gunhouse, 
 where the President reviewed the youth of the dif 
 ferent schools in Boston, who, attended by their 
 several instructors, had been arranged in distinct 
 order, in two opposite ranks, and to about the num 
 ber of three thousand, extended along the whole 
 eastern side of the common. 
 
 From the common, the procession continued its 
 direction towards the State House, to a point oppo 
 site the west end of Winter street, thence across the 
 Mall, through Winter street, Marlborough street, 
 and Cornhill, then along the north side of the Old 
 State House and State street, and by the east side 
 of Bond street, as far as Milk street, and thence by 
 the west side of Bond street to State street. This 
 street was decorated with the flags of the union, and 
 
96 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 as the cavalcade proceeded through it, to Congress 
 street, a band of music, placed in the front of the 
 upper story of the Union Bank, saluted the Presi 
 dent with a number of appropriate and patriotic 
 airs. At the head of Congress street, the procession 
 halted, where his excellency and the committee of 
 arrangements, left the line of march, and being re 
 ceived by the Independent Company of Cadets, un 
 der lieutenant-colonel Rodgers, with the customary 
 salutes, was conducted to the rooms provided for his 
 reception, in the Exchange Coffee House. In the 
 mean time salutes had been fired from Dorchester 
 .heights, from the common, from Fort Independence, 
 from the Navy yard, and from the seventy-four gun 
 ship Independence, and flags were displayed, from 
 the numerous merchant vessels then in the harbour. 
 
 The windows of the houses in the streets through 
 which the procession passed, were thronged with 
 ladies and other spectators, anxious to obtain a view 
 of the distinguished citizen, uppn whom had been 
 bestowed the highest honour in the gift of his 
 country. 
 
 Upon entering the Exchange, the President was 
 shown into the second gallery of that magnificent 
 building, the first, third and fourth, as well as the 
 area, being crowded by a numerous assemblage of 
 ladies and gentlemen, where the committee, by their 
 chairman, in behalf of the citizens, read to him the 
 following address. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 97 
 
 ** To the President of the United States. 
 
 " Sir The citizens of Boston, by their commit 
 tee appointed for that purpose, beg leave to offer you 
 their cordial and respectful salutations, upon your 
 arrival in this metropolis. 
 
 " The visit with which you are pleased to honour 
 them, recals to the recollection of many, their inter 
 view with your illustrious predecessor, the father of 
 his country, on a similar occasion. They remember 
 with great satisfaction, the hope, the confidence, and 
 the fond anticipation of national prosperity, which 
 Ids presence inspired; and it is now, sir, a subject 
 of congratulation to you, and to themselves, that, 
 after thirty years of eventful experiment, during 
 conflicts and revolutions in the old world, which 
 have threatened all, and subverted many, of its an 
 cient governments, the constitution which was adopt 
 ed, under the auspices of that great man, has ac 
 quired vigour and maturity ; and that in a season of 
 profound peace, his successor is permitted, by the 
 prosperous state of public affairs, to follow his ex 
 ample in visiting the extensive country over which 
 he has recently been called to preside. 
 
 " While this journey affords to many of your fel 
 low citizens the opportunity and advantage of com 
 mencing with you a personal acquaintance, which is 
 always desirable between a people and their rulers, 
 they rejoice, at the same time, in the belie." that the 
 
 local information, relative to the great and various 
 
 i 
 
98 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 interests of the United States, which you will derive 
 from actual observation, will facilitate your arrange 
 ments for their defence and security, and enable you 
 to apply, in practice, with additional confidence and 
 success, those principles of an elevated and impar 
 tial policy, which you have been pleased to promul 
 gate, as the basis of your intended administration. 
 Called to the service of your country at an early pe 
 riod of life, and distinguished in the arduous strug 
 gle which obtained its independence; your subse 
 quent occupations, in successive important offices, 
 and various departments, at home and abroad, have 
 afforded you the means of becoming conversant with 
 the foreign and domestic relations of the nation ; and, 
 with these qualifications, you are now raised to the 
 highest dignity which can be conferred by a free 
 people. These public claims to consideration and 
 attention from all descriptions of your fellow* citi 
 zens, are cheerfully admitted by the citizens of Bos 
 ton, who are also desirous of evincing their respect 
 for the unblemished tenor of your private character, 
 and their sense of the urbanity and hospitality which 
 peculiarly characterised your deportment, towards 
 all those of your countrymen, who, during the pe 
 riod of your foreign embassies, were so fortunate as 
 to come within the sphere of your civilities and pro 
 tection. It is therefore with real satisfaction, that 
 they receive you within the precincts of Boston, and 
 they pray you to be assured of their earnest solici 
 tude, to contribute by all means at their command, 
 to your comfort and enjoyment, during your resi- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 99 
 
 dence in this town. They also, confiding in the rec 
 titude of your intentions, and trusting that the pow 
 ers vested in you by the constitution, will be exer 
 cised with a sincere regard to the welfare of the 
 people, whose precious interests are committed to 
 your charge, avail themselves on this occasion, to 
 express their ardent hope, that the favourable cir 
 cumstances which attend the commencement of your 
 administration, may, with the blessing of heaven, 
 under your guidance, concur to promote the advance 
 ment of our beloved country, to the liighest possible 
 condition of prosperity. 
 
 " With these sentiments, they unite their best 
 wishes, for your health and happiness, and that the 
 course and close of your administration, may entitle 
 you to the gratitude and affections of your consti 
 tuents, and the respect of posterity. 
 
 * By order of the committee. 
 
 " CHARLES BULLFINCH, Chairman." 
 
 The President replied : 
 
 * Fellow Citizens The kind reception which you 
 have given me, on the part of the citizens of Boston, 
 and which their conduct has so fully confirmed, has 
 made a deep and lasting impression on my mind, which 
 you will have the goodness to communicate to them. 
 
 6< As no person is more willing than I am, in 
 the discharge of my duty, according to the fair ex 
 ercise of my judgment, to take example from the 
 conduct of the distinguished men who have preceded 
 
 
lj)0 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 me in this high trust, it is particularly gratifying to 
 me, to have recalled, hy this incident, to the memory 
 of many who are now present, a like visit, from the 
 illustrious commander of our revolutionary army, 
 who, by many other important services, had so just 
 a claim to the revered title, of father of his country. 
 
 " It was natural, that the presence of a citizen so 
 respected and beloved, who had so eminently contri 
 buted to the establishment of his government, and 
 to whom its administration, in the commencement, 
 had been committed, should inspire an enlightened, 
 a virtuous, and a free people, with unlimited confi 
 dence in its success ; and it is a cause of general 
 felicitation and joy to us all, to find, that thirty 
 years successful experiment, have justified that con 
 fidence, and realised our most sanguine hopes in its 
 favour. Yes ! fellow citizens, we instituted a gov 
 ernment for the benefit of all ; a government which 
 should secure to us the full enjoyment of all our 
 rights, religious and civil, and it has been so admin 
 istered. Let us then unite in grateful acknowledg 
 ments, to the supreme Author of all good, for extend 
 ing to us so great a blessing. Let us unite in fervent 
 prayers, that he will be graciously pleased to conti 
 nue that blessing to us and to our latest posterity. 
 
 (< I accepted the trust to which I have been called 
 by my fellow citizens, with diffidence, because I well 
 knew the frailty of human nature, and had often 
 experienced my own deficiencies. I undertook this 
 tour, with a view, and in the hope, of acquiring 
 knowledge, which might enable me to discharge my 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 101 
 
 various and important duties, with greater advantage 
 to my country, to which my whole mind and un 
 wearied efforts shall always be directed. 
 
 66 In pursuing objects so dear to us all, I rely with 
 confidence, on the firm and generous support of my 
 fellow citizens, throughout our happy union. 
 
 " JAMES MONROE. - 
 
 Accompanied by his suite, and other officers, the 
 President, on the following morning, walked to the 
 quarters of general Miller, in Winter street, where 
 he breakfasted. 
 
 At nine o clock, attended by commodores Bain- 
 bridge, Hull, and Perry, generals Dearborn and 
 Miller, H. A. S. Dearborn, esq. collector of the 
 port, James Prince, esq. marshal, and several gen 
 tlemen from the committee of arrangement, general 
 Humphreys, and the honourable Messrs. Jones and 
 Burrill, of Providence, the President embarked in 
 a barge at Long wharf, two other barges being pro 
 vided for his suite, and proceeded to Long Island 
 Head, whence he had a commanding view of the 
 whole harbour of Boston. As the company ap 
 proached the Independence seventy-four, the crew 
 of that vessel performed the high naval honours, of 
 manning the yards, and firing a national salute. 
 The Fort Independence, repeated this salute, as soon 
 as the barges came within range of the battery. 
 
 From Long Island Head, after viewing the Nar 
 rows, and the outer harbour, the President returned 
 to Fort Independence, where he landed, examined its 
 I 2 
 
10 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 condition, and partook of a handsome collation, pro 
 vided by the commanding officer, colonel Eustis. 
 The barges were then rowed to the opposite garri 
 son of Fort Warren, the works of which underwent 
 a strict inspection from the President, who immedi 
 ately returned to the city, and landed at the Long- 
 wharf, under another discharge of cannon. In the 
 afternoon lie visited his excellency governor Brooks, 
 at his seat at Medford ; in the evening he witnessed 
 the early part of the performance at the amphitheatre 
 in Charlcstown, and attended a party at major- 
 general Dearborn s. 
 
 The forty-first anniversary of the independence 
 of the United States, was celebrated in Boston, with 
 an unusual degree of splendor and festivity. A coin 
 cidence so striking as the presence of a chief magis 
 trate on a day of public rejoicing, had not occurred 
 since the time of the illustrious Washington. The 
 knowledge too, of president Monroe s personal and 
 intimate connexion, with the eventful war of the re 
 volution, and the contiguity of the memorable scene 
 of its commencement at Bunker s Hill, conspired to 
 animate the people with sentiments of pride and gra 
 tification, and contributed to render the occasion 
 peculiarly interesting. The day was ushered in by 
 the discharge of morning guns, from each of the for 
 tified places; and at a very early hour, the streets 
 were thronged with citizens and soldiers, all anxious 
 to participate in the contemplated ceremonies of the 
 day. The taste and talent, of the best artists, had 
 been summoned to the emblematical decorations of 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 103 
 
 the extensive public edifices, in and about the city, 
 and the aid of the mechanic was not wanting, to con 
 tribute to the pleasure of the distinguished guest, to 
 honour whom, was the evident object of all these 
 preparations. 
 
 Before seven o clock, president Monroe had al 
 ready visited several workshops in Boston, and ex 
 amined various specimens of the inventive genius of 
 their owners. At that hour, he rode to the country 
 seat of commodore Bainbridge, at the neighbouring 
 hamlet of Brookline, where he breakfasted with that 
 officer, his family, and some distinguished citizens, 
 who composed the company. 
 
 From Brookline he repaired, through Brighton, 
 to "Watertown, where he examined the manufactur 
 ing establishments, and the public arsenal, and 
 thence continued his ride to the mansion of the hon 
 ourable Mr. Gore, near Waltham. At noon he re 
 turned to Boston. At his apartments in the ex 
 change, the society of Cincinnati of Massachusetts, 
 then in waiting, were individually presented to him, 
 and an address, which, at a recent meeting, had been 
 unanimously voted, was delivered by the vice-presi 
 dent, colonel Tudor, the president, governor Brooks, 
 by whom it was signed, being on some executive 
 duties elsewhere. 
 
 ** To James Monroe, President of the United States. 
 
 " Sir Whilst meeting you as one of our most 
 distinguished brothers, permit us especially to thank 
 
M)4 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 you for furnishing an opportunity of saluting ano 
 ther chief magistrate of the United States, taken 
 from our ranks, and to offer you all the assurances, 
 of respect and affection, which it becomes a society 
 like ours to present, and which we pray you to ac* 
 ept as flowing from hearts, first united hy the pow- 
 orful sympathies of common toils and dangers. 
 
 " Although time is fast reducing our original as 
 sociates, we trust that whilst one remains he will ne 
 ver desert the standard of freedom and of his coun 
 try, or our sons forget the sacred duties their sires 
 had sworn to discharge. We fought to ohtain secu 
 rity, self-government and political happiness ; and 
 the man who can approve both the principles and the 
 means, can never be indifferent to the social designs 
 which such warfare contemplated, for among those 
 purposes were included the restoration of good hu 
 mour, good manners, good neighbourhood, politkal 
 integrity, with a spirit of mild and manly patriot 
 ism. 
 
 * We congratulate you as the highest representa 
 tive of our beloved country, that party animosity 
 has on all sides so far subsided, before the day -star 
 of sound national policy, and we look with confi 
 dence to a wise and liberal administration of the pre 
 sidency tu procure its termination. 
 
 " And now, sir, in bidding you a long farewel, 
 for, from our lessening numbers, such another occa 
 sion can scarcely again occur, we join our best wish 
 es, that when you shall seek a retreat from the ho 
 nourable fatigues of public energies, in which so 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 105 
 
 large a portion of your life has been employed, that 
 your retirement may be accompanied by the ap 
 plause of the wise, and the concurrent blessings of 
 a prosperous and united republican empire. 
 
 " JOHN BROOKS." 
 
 The President communicated the following re- 
 
 ply. 
 
 * Sir The affectionate address of my brothers of 
 Cincinnati awakens in my mind the most grateful 
 emotions. No approbation can be more dear to me 
 than that of those with whom I have had the honour 
 to share the common toils and perils of the war for 
 our independence. 
 
 " We were embarked in the same sacred cause of 
 liberty, and we have lived to enjoy the reward of our 
 common labours. Many of our companions in arms 
 fell in the field before our independence was achiev 
 ed, and many, less fortunate than ourselves, lived 
 not to witness the perfect fulfilment of their hopes, in 
 the prosperity and happiness of our country. You do 
 but justice to yourselves in claiming the confidence 
 of your country, that you can never desert the stand 
 ard of freedom. You fought to obtain it, in times 
 when men s hearts and principles were severely tri 
 ed, and your public sacrifices and honourable ac 
 tions are the best pledges of your sincere and devo 
 ted attachment to our excellent constitution. 
 
 66 May your children never forget the sacred du 
 ties devolved on them to preserve the inheritance so 
 
 
106 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 gallantly acquired by their fathers. May they rul- 
 ti\ ate the same manly patriotism, the same disinter 
 ested friendship, and the same political integrity, 
 which has distinguished you. and tbus unite in per- 
 pctuathi that social concord and public virtue, on 
 which the t utuiv prosperity of our country must so 
 essentially de])end. 
 
 I feel most deeply the truth of the melancholy suii;- 
 vstton, that ^e shall probably meet no more. While, 
 ho\ve\er. \\e remain in lite, I shall continue to hope 
 tor your countenance and support, so far as my pub 
 lic conduct may entitle me to your confidence : and, 
 in bidding you tare\vel, I pray a kind providence 
 loiii; to preserve your valuable U\es for the honour 
 and benefit of our country. 
 
 J VMV.S MOXT?OE. 
 * To his excellency governor Hrooks. president of 
 
 the Cincinnati of Massachusetts." 
 
 This ceremony of the Cincinnati beiu^ comple 
 ted, the IVesident accompanied the members of that 
 body to the Old South Church, \\here. after prayer 
 by the Ke\ . Mr. Varkman. an elegant and patriotic 
 oration v\as pronounced by Kd\\ard T. Channini;. 
 e->(|. A procession was then formed, and bein^joiu- 
 ed b> the Tresident and the Ciiuinnati. \\as escort 
 ed by the Independent Cadets, to the ^reat hall in 
 lae Si.ue lltuise. Alter an interchange of the felici 
 tations of the day. a numerous assemblage of gentle 
 men, partook, with the President, of an elegant and 
 sumptuous collation, which had been provided by 
 
I UK PRESIDENT S TO< I, \(ff 
 
 order of 1 lie cxe< utivc of the state. The \\hole ; 
 of the building \vsis decorated vvilli stars, pyramids, 
 and festoons, formed by the combination of mi- 
 Weapon^ entwined with olive and laurel. At tii hie, 
 tin- following toasts were, given. 
 
 It-tf Ida wr.dl.rw.y ) [lit governor The day, and the 
 ret olh ction of the events and ch;jr;i J<TS which this 
 anniversary m als, uniting all hearts. 
 
 Ily the President of Mir, i mli-d SI (dm The coni- 
 monwealth of Massachusetts whose sons so emr 
 nently contributed txj tbe independence vc this day 
 celebrate* 
 
 liy the lieutenant governor The heroes of the re,- 
 volution their services claim, and will rcrciw, 
 th<; grateful acknowledgments of succeeding gene 
 rations. 
 
 in the afternoon the President, visited the JUMP, 
 ries in FancuiJ Hall, with the tasteful arrangement 
 of the arms and military c-quipments in which, h< 
 pressed much gratification. At five o clock, h< 
 ned with the Cincinnati at Concert Hall, and spent, 
 the evening at the honourable W iJJiain* (iray s in 
 Summer street. In the; course of the, <hir, he re- 
 < ejvwl Uie address of a deputation, from the minority 
 of the legislature of Massachusetts, which, with his 
 answer, is here inserted. 
 
 * To tkt President oj the United State*. 
 
 "Sir The recent session of the legislature of Mas 
 sachusetts being closed previously to your arrival in 
 
108 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 Boston, the republican members, of both branches, 
 are deprived of the pleasure of personally paying 
 their respects to the President of the United States. 
 Those members therefore who were present at the 
 adjournment, together with a number of their breth 
 ren of Boston, have deputed us to offer you their 
 congratulations on your arrival, and to express their 
 high regards for your official and personal charac 
 ter. 
 
 " We are happy, sir, in having this opportunity, 
 not only of expressing our sincere congratulations on 
 your election to the chief magistracy of the United 
 States, by so large a majority of the electors, but to 
 bear this public testimony of our estimation of the 
 services rendered your country in the various sta 
 tions in which you have heretofore officiated in Eu 
 rope and America. 
 
 These are sure pledges that the prosperity of the 
 American republic will be the object of your pur 
 suit; and that, while you are desirous of allaying 
 the asperity of party dissentions, you will be anxious 
 to maintainthe legitimate principles of the constitu 
 tion with unabated ardour. 
 
 The patriot, who has uniformly supported the ho 
 nour of his country in its various conflicts, is ever 
 entitled to the applause of his fellow citizens. 
 
 Fully impressed with this sentiment, we grateful 
 ly acknowledge your unremitted exertions in vindi 
 cating our national and commercial claims, when the 
 immediate calls of the country rendered the servi 
 ces of our most enlightened statesmen urgent and 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 109 
 
 indispensable. We anticipate, with pleasure, the 
 blessings arising to the United States, from the wis 
 dom and rectitude of your administration, more par 
 ticularly in patronising such institutions as will ex 
 tend the useful branches of science and literature, 
 and promote the agricultural, manufacturing and 
 commercial interests of your constituents. 
 
 " We wish you every blessing, both national and 
 domestic, and trust that your name will be record 
 ed in the American annals, with the same respectful 
 veneration as distinguishes the characters of your 
 illustrious predecessors, Washington, Adams, Jef 
 ferson and Madison. 
 
 66 May you pursue your journey under the care of 
 a benign providence, happy in the reflection that the 
 personal safety of the chief magistrate of a repub 
 lican government, requires no other protection than 
 what arises from the affections of his fellow citizens. 
 (i In behalf of our brethren and fellow citizens, we 
 most cordially bid you welcome to the metropolis of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 " HENRY DEARBORN, " RUSSELL STURGIS, 
 * BENJAMIN AUSTIN, " JACOB RHOADES, 
 " THOMAS MELVILLE, " JOHN BRAZIER, 
 " WILLIAM LITTLE, WILLIAM INGALLS* 
 
 66 Committee" 
 
 THE ANSWER. 
 
 * I have received, with great satisfaction, the very 
 friendly welcome which you have given me, on the 
 
 K 
 
110 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 part of some of the members of the legislature of 
 Massachusetts, and of others, citizens of Boston, 
 who had deputed you to offer me their congratula 
 tions on my arrival in this metropolis. Conscious of 
 having exerted my hest faculties, with unwearied 
 zeal, to support the rights, and advance the prospe 
 rity of my fellow citizens, in the various important 
 trusts with which I have been honoured by my coun 
 try, the approbation which you have expressed of 
 my conduct is very gratifying to me. It has been 
 my undeviating effort, in every situation in which I 
 have been placed, to promote to the utmost of my abi 
 lities, the success of our republican government. I 
 have pursued this policy, from a thorough conviction 
 that the prosperity and happiness of the whole Ame 
 rican people depended on the success of the great 
 experiment which they have been called upon to 
 make. All impartial persons now bear testimony 
 to the extraordinary blessings with which we have 
 been favoured. Well satisfied I am, that these bless 
 ings arc to be imputed to the excellence of our go 
 vernment, and to the wisdom and purity with which 
 it has been administered. 
 
 " Believing that there is not a section of our union, 
 nor a citizen who is not interested in the success of 
 our government, I indulge a strong hope that they 
 will all unite, in future, in the measures necessary 
 to secure it. For this very important change, I 
 consider the circumstances of the present epoch pe 
 culiarly favourable. The success and unexampled 
 prosperity with which we have hitherto been bless- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. Ill 
 
 ed, must have dispelled the doubts, of all who had 
 before honestly entertained any, of the practicabi 
 lity of our system, and from these a firm and ho 
 nourable co-operation may fairly be expected. Our 
 union has also of late acquired much strength. The 
 proofs which have been afforded of the great advan 
 tages communicated by it to every foreign part, and 
 of the ruin which would inevitably and promptly 
 overwhelm even the parts most favoured, if it should 
 be broken, seem to have carried conviction home to 
 the bosoms of the most unbelieving. On the means 
 necessary to secure success, and to advance with in 
 creased rapidity, the growth and prosperity of our 
 country, there seems now to be but little, if any, 
 difference of opinion. 
 
 " It is on these grounds that I indulge a strong 
 hope, and even entertain great confidence, that our 
 principal dangers and difficulties have passed, and 
 that the character of our deliberations, and the course 
 of the government itself, will become more harmo 
 nious and happy than it has heretofore been. 
 
 " Satisfied as I am, that the union of the whole 
 community, in support of our republican government, 
 by all wise and proper measures, will effectually se 
 cure it from danger, that union is an object to which 
 I look with the utmost solicitude. I consider it my 
 duty to promote it on the principles, and for the pur 
 poses stated, and highly gratified shall I be if it can 
 be obtained. In frankly avowing this motive, I owe 
 it to the integrity of my views to state, that as the 
 
112 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 support of our republican government is my sole ob 
 ject, and in which I consider the whole community 
 equally interested, my conduct will be invariably 
 directed to that end. In seeking to accomplish so 
 great an object, I shall be careful to avoid such mea 
 sures as may by any possibility sacrifice it. 
 
 < ,T \ME s MONROE . * 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Inspection of the Navy Yard the President boards 
 the Independence seventy -four Midshipman King s 
 Narrative Charlestown address of the Citizens 
 the President repairs to Bunker Hill Middle 
 sex Canal Oratorio visit to Cambridge College 
 address of the Faculty the degree of Doctor of 
 Laws conferred on the President review of the 
 Boston troops Quincy. 
 
 INDEFATIGABLE as the President had been in the 
 examination of the public works, upon the Boston 
 station, the navy yard on Mystic river, near Charles- 
 town, had not yet been inspected. On the morning 
 of Saturday, the 5th, he therefore performed that 
 duty, and honoured captain Hull, the commanding 
 officer of the station, with his company to breakfast, 
 after which he was received on board the Independ 
 ence seventy-four, by commodore Bainbridge, under 
 a national salute. The ship was handsomely dress 
 ed off, with the flags of all the nations in amity with 
 the United States, and a sumptuous collation was 
 prepared, to which the commodore had invited the 
 general staff, and most of the naval, military, and 
 civil officers. The President, having allotted, this 
 
114 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 day for his visit to the monument of the brave and 
 lamented general Warren, at Bunker Hill, did not 
 remain long on board the seventy -four. While there, 
 however, commodore Bainbridge, with that atten 
 tion to the interests of those under his command 
 which so strongly characterises him, on presenting 
 his officers, detained acting midshipman King, while 
 he mentioned his escape, alone, in an open boat from 
 Bermuda. The following is the statement made 
 on that occasion, by midshipman King himself, 
 to the President. I was taken in the United 
 States brig Vixen, on the twenty -third of Novem 
 ber, 1812, by his Britannic majesty s ship South 
 ampton, commanded by sir James Yeo. The Vixen 
 and Southampton were wrecked on the 27th of No 
 vember, on Little Island, one of the Bahamas. We 
 were taken off Little Island by his majesty s brig 
 Rhodian, and taken to Jamaica, where we were kept 
 prisoners until the 3d of April, 1813, when a part 
 of the Vixen s crew were paroled, myself among the 
 number, and sent home in the Rebecca Sims of Phi 
 ladelphia. We entered the Delaware on the 3d of 
 May, and were boarded by the Poictiers of seventy- 
 four guns, commanded by sir John P. Berresford, 
 who ordered us to come to anchor, and took all the 
 officers and men belonging to the Vixen on board the 
 Poictiers, for the purpose of exchanging them for 
 some of his crew, then prisoners at Philadelphia. 
 The officers and men were released on the 10th of 
 May, with the exception of James Stevens, carpen 
 ter of the Vixen, and myself, whom sir John thought 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUK. 115 
 
 proper to detain, on the supposition of our being 
 British subjects. The Poictiers sailed for Bermuda 
 on the 25th of May. Stevens and myself were sent 
 on board the guard ship Ruby, of sixty -four guns, 
 then commanded by commodore Evans. The Ruby 
 had a "fine boat, which sailed remarkably fast. I 
 mentioned to some of my companions in captivity, 
 that we might venture to cross the gulf in her with 
 out much danger, but could get none of them to join 
 me, with the exception of a man by the name of John 
 Black, who gave his assent, and gave his oath that 
 he would aid me in any scheme for our liberty. 
 Thinking that I could put confidence in this man, 
 I next day sold some shirts to some of the crew, and 
 got one of the men belonging to the Ruby, to buy me 
 a pocket compass and four loaves of bread. Being 
 six or eight days without getting any chance to make 
 my escape, and our mess being short of provision, 
 I gave two of my loaves to the mess. 
 
 " The 24th of July being very stormy, and con 
 tinuing so during the night, I thought it would be 
 the best opportunity I could get of going off with 
 the boat, and accordingly watched for the favourable 
 moment. About eleven o clock, P. M. a heavy 
 squall of rain came on, and the sentry on the gang 
 way went under a shed that was built over the main 
 hatchway, and the officer of the deck, and quarter 
 master, got under the forward part of the poop. 
 Seeing the coast clear, I got my pocket compass 
 and the remaining two loaves of bread, and called 
 my companion. We got down on the lower deck, 
 
116 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 and unshipped one of the gratings of the lower deck 
 port; I gave rny bundle to my companion, and told 
 him to remain there, until I could get the boat along 
 side ; I got out on the swinging boom, and cut the 
 painter, and hauled the boat close in to the side ; but 
 what was my astonishment when my companion, 
 after handing me the bundle, said he would not go! 
 In vain did I state, that we should have fair wind 
 one half the way, at least, owing to the trade winds, 
 prevailing in that latitude. He said it would be im 
 possible to cross the gulf in an open boat, and men 
 tioned the scantiness of our provision. Finding that 
 I could not prevail on him to go, I shoved off, and let 
 the boat drift astern of the ship. When I was about 
 an hundred yards astern, they struck a bell, and the 
 sentry cried all was well. I made sail as soon as 
 possible, and at daylight, was thirty miles from the 
 ship. On missing the boat they sent several vessels 
 in chase of me, as I have since been informed by 
 one of the prisoners on board. 
 
 " I had several squalls between Bermuda and the 
 gulf-stream. I suffered a good deal for want of 
 sleep, and did every thing I could think of to keep 
 myself awake. My lips were parched with the sun ; 
 I used to irritate them with my fingers, to try if the 
 pain would keep me awake ; but all proved ineffec 
 tual. I often got asleep, and sometimes when I 
 awoke, would find the boat with her sails aback, and 
 steering a different course. After being out four 
 days, I tried to steer by tying my hand to the tiller, 
 which proved to be very useful to me, the rest of the 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 117 
 
 passage. I suffered a good deal in the gulf, owing 
 ? to the continual motion of the boat. I saw a brig, 
 but thinking that she was an Englishman, I was 
 fearful of approaching her. I made Cape Henry on 
 the 2d of August, about 4 P. M. and on approaching 
 the lighthouse, discovered the British fleet lying in 
 Lynnhaven Bay. I hauled to the southward, and 
 beached the boat about twelve o clock at night, about 
 ten miles to the southward of the cape. I unbent the 
 boat s jib, and carried it about a quarter of a mile 
 from the boat, and went to sleep. I got up about 
 sunrise next morning, and went to Mr. Whitehouse s 
 dwelling, who treated me with every kindness that 
 my situation required. I proceeded to Norfolk, after 
 remaining with Mr. Whitehouse two days, when I 
 reported myself to captain Cassin, who advanced 
 me funds to get to Washington. I sold my boat for 
 thirty dollars : the boat was about twenty -two feet 
 long, seven feet wide, and three deep, with a fore 
 sail, mainsail, and jib. She was ballasted with fresh 
 water in breakers." 
 
 This narrative was heard by the President with 
 great interest, and he did not refrain from express 
 ing his admiration of the young man s intrepidity, 
 and fearless disposition. Upon leaving the ship, he 
 was again honoured with a salute, and was received 
 at the Navy yard, by a battalion of cavalry of 
 Charlestown, under lieutenant-colonel Sweetser, who 
 escorted him to the square, where the committee of 
 arrangement were in waiting for him. 
 
 A meeting had been held in Charlestown, (the 
 
118 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 honourable Josiah Bartlett, moderator,) at which 
 it was unanimously voted, that the selectmen, toge 
 ther with Josiah Bartlett, John Kettell, Joseph 
 Hurd, Samuel Devens, Timothy Walker, Setli 
 Knowles, Asahel Stearns, Leonard M. Parker, 
 Thomas Miller, and Timothy Thompson, be a com 
 mittee, to make such arrangements for the reception 
 of the President of the United States, as the dignity 
 of his character and station, claim and require. 
 
 It was also voted, that the committee be authori 
 sed to make such appropriations of money, to carry 
 the same into effect, as they may deem necessary. 
 
 This committee had already made handsome pre 
 parations for the reception of the President, and 
 caused an arch, composed of evergreen, to be erect 
 ed at the principal entrance of the town. From the 
 centre of this arch, was suspended a chain of twenty 
 links, indicating the union of the states, and hung in 
 two festoons to the sides. On the arch, above, was 
 inscribed, "THE 15th or JUNE, 1775." At this place 
 Mr. Bartlett addressed the President in the follow 
 ing words. 
 
 " We have the honour, sir, in behalf of the inhabi 
 tants of Charlestown, respectfully to welcome you 
 to tliis ancient settlement, which has once fallen a 
 sacrifice to freedom, and still retains some vestiges 
 of the revolutionary war, in which you were enga 
 ged at an early period of life. 
 
 " We cheerfully unite with our countrymen in the 
 expressions of esteem and confidence, to which your 
 illustrious character and station entitle vou: and 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 119 
 
 we rejoice that, whilst your administration has com 
 menced under such auspicious circumstances, we can 
 anticipate its progress with public approbation, and 
 its termination, with renown to yourself and prospe 
 rity to the nation." 
 
 To which the President was pleased to reply. 
 
 " It is highly gratifying to me to meet the com 
 mittee of Charlestown upon a theatre so interesting 
 to the United States. It is impossible to approach 
 Bunker Hill, where the war of the revolution com 
 menced, with so much honour to the nation, with 
 out being deeply affected. The blood spilt here, 
 roused the whole American people, and united them 
 in a common cause, in defence of their rights. 
 That union will never be broken. 
 
 " Be pleased to accept my thanks for your kind 
 attention on this interesting occasion." 
 
 Having passed through an avenue, composed of 
 the citizens, with the fathers of tbe town, and the 
 reverend clergy at their head, the escort moved by 
 the principal streets, to a square, formed on Breed s 
 Hill, by twenty-one companies of the brigade of 
 general Austin, in the centre of which stood, the 
 
 MOXUMENT OF W./LRHE7*. 
 
 After reviewing the whole body of troops, compo 
 sed of colonel Page s regiment of infantry, colonel 
 Kendall s regiment of artillery, and colonel Sweet- 
 ser s battalion of cavalry, the President partook of 
 some refreshments, which had been provided in a 
 
120 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 marque, pitched for the occasion, on the heights of 
 Bunker. Captain Wyman s company of light in 
 fantry, performed the guard honours. Three of the 
 survivors of the memorable battle, by which this 
 spot became distinguished. Mr. Thomas Miller, Mr. 
 T. Thompson, and Mr. John Kettell, were present 
 ed at the marque, and conversed with the Presi 
 dent. 
 
 The directors of the Middlesex canal, which had 
 been opened to the vast timber lands of New Hamp 
 shire, and which, from its being the only medium of 
 the supply of materials for the navy, had become an 
 object of national importance, invited the President 
 to view the most contiguous parts of that great work. 
 A spacious roofed boat had been prepared, at the 
 margin of the canal, in which he embarked with his 
 suite, attended by the directors and proprietors, and 
 accompanied by governor Brooks, general Miller, 
 commodores Bainbridge and Perry, lieutenant go 
 vernor Phillips, the honourable William Gray, judge 
 Tudor, doctors Osgood and Townsend, marshal 
 Prince, the honourable Mr. Otis, and the venerable 
 ex-president of the United States, John Adams. In 
 the course of the passage, the great object of the ca 
 nal, its extent and utility, were developed to the Pre 
 sident, and a new, and accurate, map of New Hamp 
 shire, exhibiting the courses of the river Merri- 
 mack, was laid open to him. The company passed 
 the aqueduct of Medford River, ascended one of 
 the principal locks, and landed at the seat of the ho 
 nourable Peter C. Brooks, when they partook of 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 121 
 
 some refreshments, and proceeded to the house of 
 the governor at Medford, where the whole party 
 had been previously invited to dine. 
 
 It was expected that the President would have 
 proceeded further up the canal, to Woburn, and 
 thence, through the pleasure grounds, to the pavilion, 
 at each of which places, numbers of citizens, and 
 some volunteer veterans, had collected to receive 
 him. But it became necessary to inform them, that 
 the pressing engagements of the President, compell 
 ed him on many similar occasions, to forego his own 
 inclinations. 
 
 In the evening of the same day, a sacred oratorio 
 was performed at Boston, by the Handel and Haydn 
 Society, in honour of the President, which he at 
 tended at six o clock, amid a crowded and brilliant 
 audience. The remainder of the evening was spent 
 at the house of the honourable Mr. Otis, in whose 
 garden was exhibited, a very splendid exhibition of 
 rockets and other fire-works. 
 
 On the morning of Sunday, the 6th, the honoura 
 ble Mr. Lloyd, commodores Bainbridge and Perry, 
 and colonels Sargent and House, accompanied the 
 President to Christ church. His approach was an 
 nounced to the wardens by the honourable Mr. 
 Lloyd, and he was promptly conducted to the pew, 
 belonging to commodore Bainbridge. The service 
 was performed by the reverend Mr. Eaton. When 
 public worship was concluded, he was conducted by 
 the honourable Mr. Lloyd, to his elegant mansion 
 
122 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 and gardens, from whence he took a view of the 
 harbour. 
 
 He then examined the celebrated painting of colo 
 nel Sargent, representing the entry of Christ into 
 Jerusalem, and expressed much admiration of the 
 genius of the painter, as well as at Ms choice of so 
 sublime a subject. 
 
 In the afternoon he again attended divine service 
 at the Rev. Mr. Chaning s meeting-house, in Fede 
 ral street, in company with commodore Perry, colo 
 nels Perkins and Sargent, and George Blake, esq. 
 and upon his return to the Exchange Coffee House, 
 the president and vice-president, and many members 
 of the Boston Mechanic Association, were severally 
 introduced to him. In the evening, the President 
 made a visit to general Humphreys. 
 
 On Monday morning, the 7th, he breakfast 
 ed with lieutenant governor Phillips, at his man 
 sion in Trimant street, after which, he visited 
 the extensive literary and scientific establishment, 
 the Athenseum. At 10 o clock he was accompanied to 
 the university in Cambridge, at the entrance to the 
 chapel of which, he was received by the Rev. presi 
 dent Kirkland, and thence conducted into the draw 
 ing room, where all the professors, tutors, lecturers, 
 and instructors were individually presented to him. 
 The galleries of the chapel, were already filled with 
 the beauty and fashion of Boston and its neighbour 
 hood, and the President was introduced to his seat, 
 amid the plaudits of the assembly. The provost 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 123 
 
 then read the following address of the Corporation 
 of the University. 
 
 Sir The president and the fellows of Harvard 
 College are happy in an opportunity of presenting 
 their respectful salutations to the chief magistrate 
 of the nation. It is peculiarly grateful to us that a 
 visit to this university has not been found inconsist 
 ent with those objects of public concern which en 
 gage the attention of the President of the United 
 States in the course of his literary progress. 
 
 " We take satisfaction in this notice of our semina 
 ry, as evincing your estimation of liberal studies,, and 
 your interest in the education and character of Ame 
 rican youth. Our academic functions cannot fail to 
 derive dignity and effect, from the countenance of the 
 civil authorities, and our pupils to find incitements 
 to excellence in all the demonstrations of sympathy 
 in their pursuits and destination, given by those who 
 fill exalted stations. 
 
 " We bid you welcome, sir, to an establishment co 
 eval with the foundation of the state, and the object 
 of public and individual favour, through many succes 
 sive generations. While, however, its connexion 
 with the history of past times, and the number of 
 sons which, in the lapse of two centuries, it has an 
 nually dismissed from its care, are circumstances 
 which naturally excite a degree of interest, we are 
 sensible that antiquity alone, though venerable, is 
 an inadequate basis of respect from men of intelli 
 gence and reflection. 
 
124 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 " We would hope that this cherished seminary has 
 other, and stronger, claims to complacent regard 
 from every friend to the best interests of man, every 
 patron of intellectual and moral excellence. 
 
 "With the rudiments of good literature, and the 
 elements of science, it has been the constant and 
 elevated aim in this institution, to inspire the minds 
 of youth with those principles of virtue and piety, 
 with those manly sentiments, and with that pure 
 love of truth and duty, which are best calculated to 
 form the man and citizen. 
 
 " By pursuing such a course, this ancient school 
 has sought to preserve in close alliance, the inter 
 ests of religion and learning, of faith and charity, 
 of liberty and order. Desiring &> train those who 
 are under our charge for the whole public, and for 
 mankind, we deem it an essential part of our office, 
 to endeavour to temper the prejudices and feelings, 
 incident to particular attachments, and geographical 
 divisions. To exhibit the evidence and authority of 
 our common faith, with a due moderation in respect 
 to peculiarities of opinion and mode, and to encou 
 rage free inquiries into the nature, the value, the 
 dangers and the preservatives, of our republican in 
 stitutions, with a just reserve upon those contro 
 verted questions which tend to inflame the spirit of 
 party. 
 
 "We present to your view, sir, that portion of the 
 youth of our country, now resident within these 
 walls, ajid are happy to bear testimony to the many 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 125 
 
 pledges they give of their regard to the interesting 
 objects of literary pursuit, and to those attainments 
 on which their future usefulness must depend. 
 
 " May they, and all the sons of this university, ever 
 cherish those generous affections, and aim at those 
 solid acquirements which shall hind and endear them 
 to their country, and render them approved instru 
 ments in advancing the interest and honour of our 
 nation, and strengthening and protecting its precious 
 institutions. 
 
 " In these indications of the purposes of public edu 
 cation, we are persuaded, sir, that we refer to ob 
 jects which you deem worthy of high regard, 
 
 We congratulate you on the auspicious circum 
 stances wiiich attend the commencement of your ad 
 ministration. Accept our wishes and prayers for 
 its happy course and issue and indulge the expres 
 sion of our desire, that whilst you, by the favour of 
 heaven, upon the exercise of the appropriate duties 
 of your high station, obtain the happiness of seeing 
 the associated communities, over which you preside, 
 safe and prosperous, it may be our privilege, by 
 fidelity and zeal in our allotted sphere, under the 
 smiles of the same good providence, to co-operate in 
 the work of patriotism, by diffusing the light of know 
 ledge and the saving influence of religion and mo 
 rals. 
 
 JOHN T. KIRKI.AND. 
 
 "July 7, 1817." 
 
126 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 The Reply of the President. 
 
 (( Sir I am deeply impressed with the distin 
 guished attention, with which the president and fel 
 lows of Harvard University have been pleased to 
 honour me on my present visit. Nothing is more 
 interesting to my own mind, and nothing can he more 
 important to our common country, than the cultiva 
 tion of science and liberal literature. The principal 
 support of a free government is to be derived from 
 the sound morals and intelligence of the people ; and 
 the mor extensive the means of education, the more 
 confidently may we rely upon the preservation of 
 our public liberties. Whatever doubts may once 
 have been entertained upon the subject of the stabi 
 lity of a republican government, and of its capacity 
 to promote the public interests, the progress of our 
 own must now have satisfied the most sceptical mind, 
 and awaken the strongest conviction of its energy 
 and excellence. 
 
 " The venerable university, over which you pre 
 side, has long been a great ornament of our country: 
 it seems exceedingly well adapted in its organiza 
 tion, to give the best instruction. It has nurtured 
 in its bosom many of those who, by their patriotism, 
 their piety and their learning, have conferred lasting 
 benefits on mankind. Most sincerely do I wish that 
 it may continue to be a public blessing, and under 
 the smiles of providence, increase in usefulness. An 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR* 127 
 
 institution which endeavours to rear American youth 
 in the pure love of truth and duty, and while it en 
 lightens their minds by ingenuous and liberal stu 
 dies, endeavours to awaken a love of country, to 
 soften local prejudices, and to inculcate Christian 
 faith and charity, cannot but acquire, as it Reserves, 
 the confidence of the wise and good. You do jus 
 tice, therefore, to my feelings, in believing that such 
 an institution must possess my highest regard, and 
 that I shall always take a lively interest in its pros 
 perity. 
 
 " JAMES MONROE. 
 To the Rev. President Kirkland." 
 
 Mr. Caleb Gushing, a member of the senior class, 
 then pronounced a Latin oration, and the degree of 
 Doctor of Laws, the highest honour of the university, 
 was conferred upon James Monroe. The President, 
 and gentlemen invited, accompanied by the govern 
 ment of the university, then proceeded to view the 
 library, the philosophical chamber, the chemical la 
 boratory, and other public rooms; after which, they 
 returned to the colonnade of University Hall, where 
 they witnessed the admirable military manoeuvres 
 of the Harvard Washington corps. From this place 
 they proceeded to the house of the president of the 
 university, and partook of a collation. About one 
 o clock, the President returned to town, and alight 
 ed at the house of general Welles, in Parke street, 
 whence he was escorted by a squadron of cavalry, 
 
128 A NARRATIVE OP 
 
 under major Plielps, to the common. There he re 
 viewed general Welles s brigade, of the militia of 
 Boston, consisting of a battalion of cavalry, three 
 companies of artillery, six companies of light infan 
 try, six battalions of infantry, and the Independent 
 Cadets, who did guard duty, at the marque, pitched 
 for the head quarters of the commander in chief. 
 After receiving the marching salutes of the brigade, 
 the President, the commander in chief, and their 
 suites, with the brigadier-general, and his officers, 
 alighted at head quarters, and at three o clock, with 
 the governor and his aids, took carriages, and pro 
 ceeded to Quincy, to dine with the venerable ex-pre 
 sident Adams, in company with the honourable 
 Messrs. Quincy, Dearborn, Gray and others. He 
 returned to town about eight o clock, and attended 
 a ball at the honourable Mr, George Blakes. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 129 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Tht President departs from Boston address of the 
 Citizens of Lynn proceeds to Marblehead 9 thence 
 to Salem and Ipswich resolutions at these places 
 Newburyport address of the Citizens there in 
 spection of the Factories at Jlmsbury the President 
 arrives at Portsmouth address of the Citizens 
 of the Associated Mechanics and Manufacturers. 
 
 HAVING completed the examination of all the pub 
 lic works, and the inspection of the several garri 
 sons, upon this station, the President took his final 
 leave of Boston, and proceeded on his way to Salem, 
 on the morning of Tuesday the 8th of July. Con 
 gress street was filled with a multitude of people, 
 who assembled on that occasion, to offer a last tri 
 bute of respect to the chief magistrate. Captain 
 Prentiss, with a company of light dragoons, attend 
 ed him to the boundary line of the county, where a 
 body of military from Salem, w hich had been station 
 ed there to receive him, assumed the duty of an es 
 cort to conduct him to that town. Commodore 
 Bainbridge, and some citizens of distinction, who 
 had also rode with the President to this spot, took 
 
130 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 their leave, and returned to Boston at the same time. 
 He travelled to Lynn with his usual speed, and a 
 committee of the citizens, which had been in readi 
 ness, met and conducted him to the hotel, under sa 
 lutes from the artillery and other martial honours. 
 
 When due preparation had been made, and the 
 customary preliminary ceremonies performed, the 
 chairman of the committee read to him the following 
 address : 
 
 May it please your Excellency The committee 
 appointed for that purpose, respectfully tender you 
 the congratulations of the citizens of Lynn, upon 
 your arrival in this ancient town. 
 
 " It is with sentiments of patriotic pride and heart 
 felt pleasure, that the inhabitants of Lynn enjoy this 
 opportunity of beholding among them the chief ma 
 gistrate of the union. 
 
 " Elevated to your high and honourable office by 
 the suffrages of a free people, in conformity with the 
 principles of our excellent constitution, it is no less 
 the duty, than it is the happy privilege of this peo 
 ple, to pay their voluntary respects to the man of 
 their choice. 
 
 " Whilst under foreign governments, the people 
 are oftentimes obliged by royal mandates, to pay 
 reluctant honours to their rulers, it is the singular 
 fortune of Americans, that they are free to act for 
 themselves, and that in paying honours to the men 
 of their choice, they have to acknowledge no other 
 mandate than that of freedom. 
 
 " Impressed by such considerations, the inhabit- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 131 
 
 ants of Lynn, known as a manufacturing people, 
 from the early settlement of the town, heartily con 
 gratulate you on the present peaceful and prosperous 
 state of our country, and fondly indulge the hope, 
 that the blessings of liberty will be preserved, and 
 that the arts, commerce, and manufactures of the 
 nation, will be fostered and protected by your ad 
 ministration, recently commenced under circum 
 stances so auspicious. 
 
 " Wishing your excellency a long continuance of 
 health and happiness, we have the honour to be, 
 with sentiments of the highest respect, your obedi 
 ent servants. 
 
 R. W. TREVETT, 
 " Chairman of the Committee." 
 
 The President returned a verbal answer, and 
 having passed on foot, in company with governor 
 Brooks, and preceded by the committee, through 
 two lines formed by the inhabitants, and extending 
 to the outskirts of the town, he resumed his journey. 
 
 Some distance from Marblehead, captain Story s 
 company of light infantry met the President, and 
 attended him to the suburbs of the town. There he 
 was received by a committee, and by many of the 
 leading citizens, accompanied by whom he entered 
 Marblehead, amid discharges of cannon, and many 
 demonstrations of joy and satisfaction from the peo 
 ple. The President remained several hours in this 
 place, during which he view r ed the town and harbour; 
 inspected Fort Bewail and the garrison; reviewed a 
 
132 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 battalion of artillery under major Reed; and re 
 ceived congratulatory visits from a number of citi 
 zens. 
 
 Preparations had been made in Salem to receive 
 and entertain the President in a becoming manner. 
 A town meeting was held on the 10th of June* 
 for the purpose of considering what measures were 
 necessary to be adopted by the citizens, in regard to 
 his expected visit, and in what manner their gra 
 tification might be demonstrated at so pleasing 
 an event. The honourable Benjamin Pickman, jun. 
 after some appropriate observations, submitted the 
 following resolution, which was unanimously adopted: 
 
 " Resolved, That a visit from the President of the 
 United States to this town, during his present tour, 
 will be highly acceptable and gratifying to its inha 
 bitants. That we notice with much satisfaction the 
 universal disposition which prevails, to pay him 
 every respectful attention which is due to the chief 
 magistrate of a free country. That the selectmen, 
 with such other gentlemen as the town may atld, be 
 a committee of arrangements, whose duty it shall be 
 to give, in our behalf, a respectful invitation to the 
 President to visit the town, to prepare and deliver to 
 him a suitable address on the occasion, and also that 
 they be authorised and requested to make, in our be 
 half, every arrangement which they may judge ne 
 cessary or proper to carry our wishes into full and 
 complete effect." 
 
 The following gentlemen were then selected and 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 133 
 
 approved of as the committee : Honourable Benja 
 min Pickman, jun. $ honourable Joseph Story ; hon 
 ourable John Pickering ; honourable Nathaniel Sils- 
 bee ; honourable Nathaniel Bowditcli ; Joseph White, 
 Joseph Peabody, David Cummins, William Peel, 
 and Joseph Winn, esquires. 
 
 About three o clock of the same day, (the 8th) his 
 approach to that town was announced by a salute 
 from colonel Russell s regiment of artillery, and on 
 his entrance he was joined by the selectmen, a com 
 mittee of the citizens, and the marshals, when colo 
 nel Mansfield gave him a welcome in the name of 
 the inhabitants, in the following terms : 
 
 " We are highly gratified, sir, that we have once 
 more an opportunity to present our respects to the 
 chief magistrate of the nation, and we, the select 
 men, sincerely welcome you to the ancient town of 
 Salem." 
 
 The President made acknowledgments for the po 
 liteness evinced in the conduct of the citizens, and 
 immediately quitted his carriage, and rode into the 
 town on horseback. A short distance from the Essex 
 Coffee House, in Essex street (where preparations had 
 been made for his reception), he dismounted, and pro 
 ceeded to that hotel on foot, through an avenue form 
 ed by the children of the different schools in the town 
 and neighbourhood. Among many eminent persons 
 who were in waiting at the hotel, to give the Presi 
 dent a welcome, were, his excellency governor 
 Brooks, who had arrived some hours before him, 
 dressed in full uniform and attended by his aids, and 
 
 M 
 
134 A NARK ATI VE OF 
 
 the honourable Timothy Pickering, of the supreme 
 executive council. In conformity with the resolu 
 tions previously inserted, the honourable Benjamin 
 Pickimm then tendered a congratulatory address to 
 the President, and received a very flattering reply. 
 
 The President shortly afterwards repaired to the 
 Town Hall, where he gave audience to the chief ci 
 tizens, and the naval and military commanders re 
 siding in Salem. He then proceeded to Washing 
 ton Square, for the purpose of reviewing the troops, 
 assembled there, consisting of a battalion of cavalry, 
 a regiment of infantry, a regiment of artillery, and 
 the corps of cadets ; the whole detachment under the 
 command of colonel Russell of the artillery. The 
 manoeuvres during this parade were performed with 
 so much correctness, and the appearance of the mi 
 litary was so warlike, that the President expressed 
 lumself very much pleased and gratified. A marque 
 had been provided for his accommodation on the 
 ground, and discharges were fired by the artillery, 
 at his arrival and departure. 
 
 Returning to his apartments, he was joined at the 
 dinner table by a number of guests, among whom 
 were his excellency governor Brooks, the honour 
 able Mr. Crowninshield, secretary of the navy, the 
 honourable Mr. Pickering, judge Story, several 
 United States naval and military officers, general 
 Hovey and other militia officers, the venerable Dr. 
 Holyoke and the reverend clergy, the committee of. 
 arrangement, marshals of the day, &c. In the even 
 ing, the President and the governor, with their 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 135 
 
 suites, attended a concert at the New Town Hall, 
 the public opening of which had been delayed for 
 this occasion. The interior decorations of the build 
 ing were rich and tasteful, and the audience assem 
 bled was estimated at one thousand persons. 
 
 The early part of Wednesday, the 9th, was de 
 voted by the President to an examination of such 
 objects, as were more intimately connected with his 
 visit to this place. He viewed Fort Pickering on 
 Winter Island, the East India Museum, the Salem 
 Athenseum, the New Workhouse, and some other 
 public establishments. The secretary of the navy 
 was honoured with his presence at dinner, and in 
 the evening he attended a party at judge Story s. 
 
 Having partaken of an early breakfast, with the 
 honourable Mr. Thorndyke, on the morning of 
 Thursday, he passed the remainder of that day, and 
 the principal part of the following, in privacy and 
 retirement, and on Saturday, 12th, he continued his 
 journey toward New Hampshire. 
 
 The measures pursued in other towns, relating to 
 a proper and respectful reception of the President, 
 had been adopted by the inhabitants of Ipswich at an 
 early day. On the 12th of June a town-meeting 
 was convened at that place, when 
 
 " Nathaniel Wade, esq. was placed in the chair, 
 and Josiah C aid well chosen secretary. The ho 
 nourable John Heard called the attention of the 
 meeting to the object for which it was convened, and 
 ardently hoped, that the citizens would cordially 
 unite in offering their respects to the chief magis- 
 
136 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 trate of the union, when his arrival should be an 
 nounced. 
 
 " On motion of Asa Andrews, esq. seconded by 
 major Robert Farley, it was unanimously resolved, 
 that ten gentlemen be appointed, who, with the se 
 lectmen, shall constitute a committee of arrange 
 ments, and that they be requested to attend to the 
 objects of their appointment, and make report of 
 their proceedings, at the adjournment of their meet 
 ing, on Monday evening, the 16th instant. 
 
 " The following gentlemen were then selected and 
 appointed: Honourable John Heard John Man 
 ning, esq. Nathaniel Wade, esq. major Robert 
 Farley captain Moses Treadwell colonel Joseph 
 Hodgkins Asa Andrews Jona Cogswell George 
 Choate, and Joseph Farley, esquires. 
 
 (Attest) " JOSIAH CALDWELL, Sec ry." 
 
 The previous delay of the President at Salem, 
 however, prevented him from receiving all those at 
 tentions which were contemplated by the people of 
 Ipswich, and after merely halting to receive the 
 visits of the committee, and some of the principal 
 inhabitants, he passed on towards Newburyport, 
 under an escort which had been despatched from that 
 place to attend him. This escort consisted of a re 
 giment of cavalry, commanded by colonel J. Colman, 
 and the field officers of the brigade, under the direc 
 tion of majors John Scott, and David Wood, jun. 
 At Parker s river he was met by the honourable Bai 
 ley Bartlet, sheriff of Essex, and the committee of 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 137 
 
 arrangement, when colonel Mosely, their chairman, 
 addressed him. 
 
 a Sir A number of the citizens of Newburyport 
 and vicinity, desirous of paying you their respects, 
 have taken the liberty to meet you on your journey, 
 and with your permission, will accompany you to 
 Newburyport, where the citizens of that town will 
 be happy, in a more formal manner, to pay you their 
 salutations." 
 
 A large party of citizens then joined the caval 
 cade, and accompanied the President into town. 
 Captain Coffin s company of artillery announced his 
 entrance with discharges of ordnance, and the cheers 
 of the people followed him to the hotel. 
 
 An address, which had been prepared by a com 
 mittee representing the inhabitants, was immediate 
 ly presented by their chairman. 
 
 " Sir The citizens of Newburyport, by their 
 committee, beg leave to present their sincere re 
 spects to the chief magistrate of the United States. 
 Having been called by a free and intelligent people, 
 to preside over their most important concerns, it 
 must be peculiarly grateful to your feelings, at the 
 commencement of your arduous duties, to be made 
 more particularly acquainted with their local inte 
 rests, and to receive their respectful and affection 
 ate salutations. It is no less pleasing to us, than 
 happy for the nation, that we derive the honour of 
 this interview, from the practical operation of that 
 maxim of your illustrious predecessor, the father of 
 his country, in his last affectionate address to his 
 M 2 
 
1SB A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 fellow citizens, that " timely disbursements to pre 
 pare for danger, frequently prevent much greater 
 disbursements to repel it." A numerous and weal 
 thy population, stretching along an extensive sea- 
 coast, presents to a foreign enemy, many alluring 
 objects of attack, and the present period of peace 
 and public tranquillity, appears peculiarly favoura 
 ble for our defence and security. 
 
 " Enjoying, as we do, the blessings of a free go 
 vernment, our attachment to it cannot be the less ar 
 dent, when administered by one, who took so honour 
 able and active a part in those measures by which it 
 was obtained. We trust that under your adminis 
 tration, by the smiles of a kind providence, a spirit 
 of peace will be generally diffused ; the venerable 
 and pious institutions of our fathers preserved ; and 
 the citizens meet their appropriate rewards, in the 
 labours of agriculture, manufactures and commerce, 
 and in extending the sciences and arts. 
 
 " Accept, sir, our best wishes, that you may be 
 prospered in the important object of your journey, 
 and at the close of your labours receive a consola 
 tion, the most clear to a patriot, in the happiness and 
 prosperity of the country." 
 
 The President was pleased to reply in substance, 
 as follows : 
 
 That he received, with great sensibility, the at 
 tentions of the citizens of Newburyport ; that his 
 principal object in making this tour was, to see the 
 situation of the people in different parts of the coun 
 try, and to acquire such information as would better 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUtt. 
 
 enable him to discharge the duties of his office ; thai 
 in his journey he had been highly gratified witli the 
 prosperous condition of the people, and that we could 
 not be sufficiently thankful to that bountiful provi 
 dence, which had conferred upon us such great 
 blessings. 
 
 The President concluded with desiring, that his 
 grateful sentiments for the kind and respectful man 
 ner in which he had been received by the citizens, 
 might be communicated to them. 
 
 His excellency then retired to an adjoining apart 
 ment, where, in company with maj. gen. Dearborn, 
 commodore Bainbridge, brigadier-general Miller, 
 general Bricket, Dr. Waterhouse, and the reverend 
 clergy of that and some neighbouring towns, he sat 
 down to a sumptuous dinner. Having signified his 
 desire to dispense with any farther escort, he took 
 leave of the company, and travelled that evening to 
 Portsmouth. 
 
 During this portion of his journey, he delayed 
 a while at Amsbury, to examine the factories in that 
 town and its vicinity. 
 
 A committee from Portsmouth, a company of the 
 35th cavalry, and a collection of citizens on horse 
 back and in carriages, joined the President at Green 
 land, and formed a line of march to enter the city. 
 The procession then moved in that direction, and 
 having passed the lines, a national salute from the 
 artillery under captain Currier, announced that event 
 to the inhabitants, and a repetition of this salute from 
 
140 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 the company of Sea Fencibles, under captain Brown, 
 communicated the intelligence of the President s ar 
 rival. 
 
 When he had ascended the balcony of Frost s 
 Hotel, the honourable Mr. Mason, in presence of 
 the assembled citizens, delivered an address. 
 
 " To the President of the United States. 
 
 " Sir The presence of the chief magistrate, se 
 lected for his eminent virtues and public services, to 
 preside over and direct the councils of a great nation, 
 must always excite feelings of the highest interest. 
 The inhabitants of the town of Portsmouth, remote 
 from the seat of the general government, can expect 
 few opportunities of witnessing such a gratifying 
 scene. We therefore eagerly embrace this fortunate 
 occasion to present our ardent and sincere congratu 
 lations. 
 
 " Engaged chiefly in the business of commerce 
 and navigation, we know our destinies are, in a pe 
 culiar manner, dependent on the measures of that 
 government, to which the protection of those im 
 portant objects, is exclusively confided. These en 
 terprising pursuits, which have always been greatly 
 contributory to the general welfare, are now suffer 
 ing under a temporary depression. But we have 
 entire confidence that the wisdom and justice of gov 
 ernment, will extend to them all the protection and 
 support that shall be in its power. 
 
 " To superintend and conduct the national con- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 141 
 
 cerns has always, in free governments, been the 
 favourite employment of the best and greatest men. 
 By no other means, can an individual of distinguish 
 ed talents so eminently promote the public good. 
 The successful performance of such duties must, at 
 all times, constitute a sure claim to the gratitude of 
 a generous people. This, sir, is the arduous and 
 honourable service, which is entrusted to you by the 
 citizens of the United States. 
 
 Sensible how greatly the national prosperity 
 depends on the due administration of the govern 
 ment, we recal to our recollection, with much satis 
 faction, the numerous pledges of attachment to the 
 public interest, furnished by the history of your past 
 life. It is our earnest and confident hope, that your 
 administration, by perfecting our valuable institu 
 tions, and by uniting public sentiment, and wisely 
 directing it to proper national objects, may fulfil the 
 present happy anticipations, and thus establish on a 
 firm basis, your own and your country s happiness, 
 honour and glory. 
 
 " J. MASON, 
 
 " In behalf of the inhabitants of the town of Ports 
 mouth." 
 
 In his answer, the President adverted to the flou 
 rishing condition of the town of Portsmouth ; made 
 some suitable remarks on the principal points con 
 tained in the address; and tendered his acknow 
 ledgments for the civilities which had been shown 
 him. 
 
142 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 An audience was then given to the principal inha 
 bitants, and he shortly after adjourned to his quar 
 ters, at Mr. Wentworth s, in Jeffrey street, accom 
 panied by the committee, the marshals, and a detach 
 ment of the military. 
 
 In addition to the religious duties of the day, the 
 President, on Sunday the 13th, paid a visit to gov 
 ernor Langdon, well known for his revolutionary 
 services ; and on Monday, he made his usual circuit 
 of observation through the forts, the harbour, the 
 navy yard, and the public institutions. A committee 
 from the Society of Associated Mechanics of the 
 state, and the president and vice-president of that 
 society, waited upon his excellency in the course of 
 this day, and met a cordial and friendly reception. 
 On this occasion the chairman delivered an address, 
 which is here introduced : 
 
 " To James Monroe 9 President of the United States. 
 
 Sir In behalf of the Associated Mechanics and 
 Manufacturers of the state of New Hampshire, we 
 ask leave to present you their respectful salutations, 
 and to express with unfeigned cordiality, the satis 
 faction they derive from the visit with which you are 
 pleased to honour this metropolis. 
 
 < They are not unmindful that your numerous 
 official avocations require your first attention, and 
 must necessarily render your present tour through 
 the country extremely arduous ; consequently the too 
 frequent recurrence of formal addresses may be 
 come irksome, and even painful : yet they have pre- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 145 
 
 sumed it not incompatible with their duty, or with the 
 rules of propriety, to avail themselves of the present 
 opportunity of expressing their public regard, for 
 the man in whom seven millions of free people have 
 reposed the highest degree of public confidence, and 
 to whom they are indebted for the most important 
 services. 
 
 " We notice with peculiar satisfaction, the atten 
 tion which the arts and manufactures of our country 
 have received from you, and view it as the harbinger 
 of increasing prosperity, and as a mean of perpetu 
 ating our independence. Accept, sir, our sincere 
 wishes for your future health and happiness, and our 
 assurances, that no portion of the community can 
 feel a more lively interest in your personal welfare, 
 than do the Associated Mechanics of New Hamp 
 shire. 
 
 ABNER GREENLEAF, 
 " WILLIAM SIMES, 
 " NATHANIEL B. MARCH, 
 " JOHN BURLFY HILL, 
 " DAVID C. FOSTER, 
 
 Committee: 9 
 
 An extemporaneous answer was returned by the 
 President \ in which he made some appropriate re 
 flections on the utility of encouraging our native 
 manufactures. 
 
144 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Province of Maim the President lands at Kittery 
 address proceeds to Kennebunk, and is addressed 
 there Wells Arundel Biddeford address of a 
 Committee the President repairs through Saco and 
 Scarborough to Portland reply to the invitation 
 from the Citizens of Bath and other towns -visit 
 to forts PreUe and Scammel address of the Cler 
 gy the President re-enters JVew Hampshire. 
 
 THE town of Portsmouth, was the most distant, 
 to the eastward, from the seat of government, which 
 had ever been visited by the executive before, Presi 
 dent Washington s tour not extending beyond that 
 place. The increase of population in the province 
 of Maine, however, and the consequent augmenta 
 tion of its importance in the union, had occasioned, 
 since that period, the construction of many objects, 
 which Mr. Monroe deemed worthy of his inspection. 
 Accordingly, on Tuesday, the 1 5th of July, he cross 
 ed the Piscataqua, from Portsmouth, and entered 
 Maine, at the town of Kittery. The citizens were 
 already paraded on the shore, and the honourable 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 14^ 
 
 Mr. ifolmes, of Alfred, in their behalf, thus address 
 ed him: 
 
 ** Sir As citizens of Maine, we take the Hherty 
 to meet the chief magistrate of the nation, on his en 
 tering our district, and to pay him our respects. It 
 being the first time a President of the United States 
 has visited this section of the country, it is a source 
 of peculiar satisfaction to meet and greet one whose 
 private virtues and public administration have been 
 so much, and so justly admired by the people of 
 Maine. 
 
 " Permit us, sir, for ourselves, and our friends, 
 to congratulate you on your election as President, 
 and bid you a cordial welcome to this part of the 
 union ; to tender you our services, to alleviate the 
 fatigues of your journey ; and our wishes and exer 
 tions that all your labours for the people may be re 
 ceived with gratitude, and crowned with success. 
 Through the wisdom of yourself, and your compa 
 triots, the patriotism of the people, and the favour of 
 heaven, you have the singular felicity to receive the 
 voluntary homage of the nation, and to witness its 
 peace, prosperity, freedom, and happiness. 
 
 " This journey, like the journey of your life, is 
 commenced and pursued for the public good. Like 
 that, its fatigues have been endured with patience, 
 its obstacles overcome with perseverance, its storms 
 encountered with firmness, and its refreshing sun 
 shines relished with equanimity and gratitude. In 
 each, as you have advanced, you have acquired addi 
 tional honour, reverence and love. In your future 
 9 
 
146 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 progress, in both, may your health be preserved, 
 your country s prosperity and glory secured, and 
 the affections, confidence, and union of the people 
 increased and confirmed. And when these respec 
 tive journies shall be ended, and you shall return 
 home, may you at the close of the one be received 
 in health and happiness to the embraces of an affec 
 tionate family ; and, of the other, to the favour and 
 fruition of HIM who will never fail to reward the 
 great and good." 
 
 To this address the President made a suitable ex 
 temporaneous reply. 
 
 Escorted by a large detachment of cavalry, from 
 general Leighton s brigade, he proceeded onward to 
 the ancient town of York, situated on a river of that 
 name, ten miles from the ocean. Here he was greet 
 ed with the customary salutes, and the venerable 
 judge Scwall, of the United States district court, at 
 the head of a committee, made him a congratulatory 
 address. The President having replied to the judge, 
 continued his route to the town of Kennebunk. Five 
 miles in advance of this place, he was intercepted by 
 another cavalry escort, and the militia officers of 
 Maine, by whom he was conducted to apartments 
 in the town, at which, after partaking of a refresh 
 ment, he was addressed by the chairman of the com 
 mittee, as follows: 
 
 Sir The committee, designated by the inhabi 
 tants of Kennebunk and its vicinity, bid you wel 
 come to Maine, and particularly that part of it in 
 which they reside. The novel spectacle of seeing 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 147 
 
 among them the chief magistrate of the United 
 States, excites sensations of no ordinary class ; and 
 equally evincive of their strong attachment to the 
 government of their choice, and of their high re 
 spect for the man who has been called by the volun 
 tary suffrages of the people, to preside over its des 
 tinies. 
 
 " In this visit, sir, our citizens discern your pa 
 ternal solicitude to make yourself acquainted with 
 the various sections of the country, and the people 
 who inhabit them ; and we are charged to assure 
 you, that they have a deep interest in the progress 
 and happy termination of your journey. 
 
 " We congratulate you, sir, upon the present 
 peaceful state of our country, and that your admi 
 nistration of the government commences under cir 
 cumstances, so pleasant to yourself, and auspicious 
 to them : and we assure you that our citizens have 
 the fullest confidence, that the best interests of the 
 people will be promoted ; and their prayers to hea 
 ven are, that at some future period, when you shall 
 retire from your present elevated situation, you may 
 receive the acclamations of the whole people, made 
 happy, under an administration marked for its wis 
 dom, its mildness, and spirit of conciliation. 
 
 " G. G. WALLING SFORD, 
 *< In behalf of the committee." 
 
148 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 The President s Rephj to the Address of the Citi 
 zens of Kenncbunk. 
 
 " Sir I ask you, and the gentlemen associated 
 with you, to communicate to the citizens of Kennc- 
 bunk and its vicinity, my thanks for the friendly re 
 ception they give me ; and for those testimonies of 
 respect which they are pleased to manifest for the 
 chief magistrate of the United States. Be pleased 
 to assure them, that on this, as well as on other si 
 milar occasions, I c\m unable to express my emo 
 tions. To behold a free, an enlightened, and a high 
 minded people, paying a spontaneous tribute of re 
 spect and affection to a man who is elevated to the 
 chief magistracy of a nation, is in itself an imposing 
 spectacle. To that individual, such a scene, you 
 may well believe, must possess a character of pecu 
 liar and appropriate interest. I have never before 
 been so much affected. Such distinguished atten 
 tions, such unexpected effusions of regard, as I ex 
 perience from my fellow citizens, do indeed sink deep 
 into my heart. They have made me feel, if possi 
 ble, a deeper sense of my obligations to devote all 
 my faculties to their service. 
 
 " It was my wish, in the first instance, while on 
 this tour, to have devoted my attention exclusively, 
 to those public and national objects which I had in 
 view. But finding that this arrangement did not 
 comport with the feelings of my fellow citizens, I 
 relinquished it. Indeed, when I found a disposition, 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 149 
 
 so generally manifesting itself, to improve the occa 
 sion for a personal interview of the people with the 
 citizen whom their voluntary suffrages had elevated 
 to the highest office in their gift, and, through him, 
 to exhibit the homage which they feel for the go 
 vernment itself, and the high value which they en 
 tertain for its republican form, I cheerfully yielded 
 to their wishes. Nor can I ever regret that I have 
 thus afforded myself so many opportunities of see 
 ing and feeling how much we are one people ; how 
 strongly the ties by which we are united, do in fact 
 bind us together; how much we possess in reality, 
 a community not only of interest, but of sympathy 
 and affection. I am the more led to make this re 
 mark, because you are pleased to express a confident 
 hope, that a spirit of mutual conciliation may be one 
 of the blessings, which may result from my adminis 
 tration. This indeed would be an eminent blessing, 
 and I pray it may be realised. The United States 
 are certainly the most enlightened people on earth. 
 We are certainly rapidly advancing in the road of 
 national pre-eminence. Nothing but union is want 
 ing to make us a great people. The present time 
 affords the happiest presages that this union is fast 
 consummating. It cannot be otherwise. I daily 
 see greater proofs of it : the further I advance in my 
 progress, in the country, the more I perceive that 
 we are all Americans that we compose but one fa 
 mily that our republican institutions will be sup 
 ported and perpetuated by the united zeal and patri 
 otism of all. Nothing could give me greater satis- 
 
150 A NARRATIVE OP 
 
 faction than to behold a perfect union among our 
 selves an union, which I before observed, is all we 
 can ever want to make us powerful and respected 
 an union too, which is necessary to restore to social 
 intercourse its former charms, and to render our 
 happiness, as a nation, unmixed and complete. To 
 promote this desirable result requires no compro 
 mise of principle, and I promise to give it my conti 
 nued attention, and my best endeavours. For the 
 good of our common country, I feel that I am bound 
 constantly to act. So far as integrity and zeal are 
 concerned, I can confidently say I shall not be found 
 wanting; and if I shall fail in the discharge of my 
 duty, it shall be from w r ant of judgment. I also hope 
 that I shall be enabled actually to improve all the op 
 portunities, which the station to which I have been 
 called, shall afford me, to advance the interest, the 
 honour, and the felicity of our beloved country. Be 
 pleased, sir, to communicate to the citizens, whom 
 you and your associates represent, my best wishes 
 for their individual prosperity and happiness." 
 
 The President then resumed his journey, passing, 
 on foot, through an avenue of citizens, over the 
 bridge, which was handsomely ornamented, where 
 he ascended his carriage, and thence proceeded, by 
 way of Wells, and Arundell, to Biddeford. A 
 committee of the citizens of that place, by their 
 chairman, Mr. Thatcher, being first introduced, 
 addressed the President in these words : 
 
 a Sir The inhabitants of Biddeford, by their 
 committee, beg leave to present their tribute of re- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 151 
 
 spect to the chief magistrate of the United States of 
 America, and to express to him their pleasure at his 
 visit a pleasure that their local situation has hither 
 to prevented their enjoying. 
 
 " Attached to their republican form of govern 
 ment, they are anxious to retain it in its original 
 simplicity ; the frequency of their elections renders 
 it important to the electors to be acquainted with 
 their rulers, and they are pleased to observe your 
 desire to gratify their wishes. 
 
 " They cordially receive you within the limits of 
 their town, and tender their sendees to render your 
 journey as pleasant and useful as in their power. 
 Having neither natural or artificial objects worthy 
 your particular observation, and your official duties 
 being so numerous, they cannot expect to be gratifi 
 ed by your delay to see all they have to show love 
 of country, and honour to their rulers. They have 
 only to regret, that the moment of their salutation 
 is also the moment of their farewel. They tender 
 most ardent wishes for your happiness in public and 
 domestic life ; assuring you of their approbation and 
 support in all public measures, that may tend to na 
 tional honour and prosperity. 
 
 " GEORGE THATCHER, 
 " SETH STORER, jun. 
 " SAMUEL MERRILL, 
 
 " (Selectmen of Biddeford,) Committee of Ar 
 rangement." 
 
 The President made a verbal reply to the commit 
 tee, and immediately set forward to Saco, and thence 
 
152 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 through Scarborough to Portland, the extremity of 
 his eastern tour. Numerous arches were erected, 
 and national flags displayed, at the different inter 
 sections of the road, between these places. The 
 most beautiful and tasteful of these exhibitions, was 
 made upon the bridge at Westbrook, leading directly 
 into Portland ; the decorations of which, were sur 
 mounted with banners and national emblems, and 
 an arch for each state. An escort, under the or 
 ders of major-general Richardson, had been provi 
 ded at the Cumberland line, by which he was con 
 ducted to his quarters in Portland, after having re 
 viewed the Portland regiment of militia. In the 
 evening, the observatory, and other buildings on 
 Mountjoy Hill, were handsomely illuminated, and a 
 brilliant display of fire-works, closed the entertain 
 ments, which had been provided by the citizens, to 
 do honour to their visit er. Deputations from the 
 towns of Bath, Wiscassett, Brunswick and Topham, 
 were introduced to the President, and in behalf of 
 the towns from which they came, invited him to con 
 tinue his route to each of those places. To these 
 several invitations, the President replied in the fol 
 lowing note. 
 
 " Fellow Citizens I beg you to be assured, that it 
 would afford me great and sincere pleasure, to pro 
 ceed to the towns which you represent, and even to 
 Castine, if imperious circumstances did not prevent 
 it. I undertook this tour to acquire information, by 
 personal inspection of our principal harbours, of the 
 entrances into them, of the state of the public works, 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 153 
 
 and of the points at which it might be proper to erect 
 others ; and it was my ohject to embrace in it the 
 Atlantic coast, to the extent mentioned, and the in 
 land frontier as far as Detriot. I now find, not 
 withstanding the exertions which I have made, that 
 if I proceed further to the eastward, I shall be com 
 pelled to abandon all the western part of my con 
 templated tour, or be thrown on the lakes at an un 
 favourable season, and shall likewise be detained 
 from the seat of government, longer than a due re 
 gard for other important national interests will per 
 mit. I regret, therefore, to be compelled by these 
 considerations, to terminate my tour eastward here ; 
 considerations which will, I doubt not, have their 
 due weight with you, and my other fellow citizens of 
 the district of Maine. 
 
 " I am happy to meet here deputies from so many 
 of the towns to the eastward, because from you I 
 shall receive such information touching your local 
 interests, as will be useful. I shall pay to it the ut 
 most attention in my power. 
 
 " I am aware, that the prosperity of towns in this 
 district, (and I may extend the remark to the Uni 
 ted States.) depends on the prosperous state of their 
 commerce. Nothing is more just then, that our 
 trade with foreign powers should be placed in every 
 branch, on a footing of reciprocal and equal advan 
 tage. It gives me pleasure to state, that this impor 
 tant interest has already received the consideration 
 of the national councils, and that I have no doubt it 
 
154 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 will continue to be duly attended to, until it is placed 
 on a just and satisfactory footing. 
 
 "On all the great concerns of this highly favour 
 ed and happy nation, there is hut one common inte 
 rest. We are all equally interested in preserving 
 our present republican government and institutions, 
 in their utmost purity. We are all equally interest 
 ed in adopting suitable measures of defence, land and 
 naval, and in the proper protection and encourage 
 ment of our commerce ; and it is highly gratifying 
 to me, to witness in the whole extent of my tour, 
 that great harmony of opinion prevails on all these 
 important points. 
 
 "JAMES MONROE." 
 
 On Wednesday morning the President inspected 
 the forts Preble and Scammel, at the mouth of the 
 harbour, and reviewed the troops under major 
 Crane; after which he examined the observatory, 
 and visited the widow of the late gallant commodore 
 Preble. Upon returning to his quarters, he received 
 the reverend clergy of Portland, who waited on him 
 with this address. 
 
 Sir The ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 of different denominations, in Portland and vicinity, 
 amid the congratulations of their fellow citizens, 
 would now in a body tender their respectful and 
 Christian salutations, opening to you their bosoms, 
 revered sir, and imploring on you the divine pre 
 sence, guidance and support, as the father of a great 
 and happy people. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 155 
 
 " That you may have in continuance a prosperous 
 journey, by the will of God, through the northern 
 and western parts of these United States, a safe re 
 turn to the capital, and to the bosom of your family; 
 that the morning of your presidency, being a morn 
 ing without clouds, which has thrown such a lustre 
 upon our public affairs, and occasioned such surprising 
 harmony in the public feelings, may indeed be as the 
 shining light, which shineth more and more unto the 
 perfect day. 
 
 " And when, sir, your hands are heavy under the 
 weight of the nation s cares, be assured, the inter 
 cessions of our closets and of our altars, (animated 
 by the grateful remembrance of your presence 
 amongst us) shall be always going up to the Mercy- 
 seat in your behalf, that through your instrumenta 
 lity, the beauty of the Lord our God may be upon 
 us, his glory appear to our children. And having 
 served your generation according to the will of God, 
 in a good old age, and full of days and honours, may 
 you be gathered unto the illustrious fathers who rest 
 from their public labours, and enter with them into 
 heavenly glory." 
 
 The Answer from the President. 
 
 " Gentlemen Among the numerous tokens of re 
 spect, which have been shown me by my fellow citi 
 zens, during my present tour, undertaken to ad 
 vance the public interest, I have received none more 
 grateful than the one I now receive from you, the 
 
156 A NARRATIVE 9F 
 
 ministers of our Lord and Saviour. Be assured, 
 that the kind sentiments of your affectionate ad 
 dress, especially those which regard my person, are 
 warmly reciprocated. A proper reverence for our 
 Maker, and indeed religion in general, leaving all 
 men however free to act agreeably to the dictates of 
 their own consciences, will ever meet my approba 
 tion and support. 
 
 " I am sensible, gentlemen, that I cannot do jus 
 tice to your address in this summary reply. I must 
 therefore conclude, by repeating to you the assu 
 rance of my great satisfaction in receiving this tes 
 timony of your regard, and by requesting you to ac 
 cept my thanks for your respectful and Christian sa 
 lutation." 
 
 The public armed ships to be employed in the sur 
 vey of the coast, under commodores Bainbridge and 
 Perry, had been ordered to rendezvous at Portland, 
 and the last of them arrived in that harbour, in the 
 afternoon of this day. Here the President sepa 
 rated from those distinguished officers, and from ge 
 neral Swift, who had been in attendance on him from 
 the moment of his arrival at Baltimore. On the fol 
 lowing morning, the vessels sailed for Castine, at 
 which place the survey was to be commenced, and 
 the President, with his secretary, immediately set 
 out for Dover, in New Hampshire. Returning 
 through Biddeford, he breakfasted with judge 
 Thatcher, thence proceeded through Berwick and 
 Somers, and reached Dover early in the afternoon. 
 The citizens received him with many manifestations 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 157 
 
 of joy, and in the evening he attended an assembly 
 at the seat of the honourable William Hale, at whose 
 mansion he also lodged. 
 
 The situation of general Swift, in the suite of the 
 President, was now occupied by brigadier-general 
 Miller, of the United States army, accompanied 
 by whom, he left Dover on the morning of the 18th, 
 and was escorted by the citizens through N6tting- 
 ham, Northwood, Epsom, and Chichester, to the 
 confines of the town of Concord. The selectmen and 
 a committee of the inhabitants were in readiness to 
 receive him; and being first saluted by a company of 
 artillery at Concord bridge, he was conducted to his 
 quarters, at Barker s Hotel, in Main street. To gra 
 tify the desire of the inhabitants to behold the chief 
 magistrate of the union, a platform had been erected, 
 on which it was proposed to deliver to him, in their 
 presence, a congratulatory address. On three sides 
 of the stage, the escort infantry companies were ar 
 rayed : the centre was occupied by the President, 
 and the committee of the town, by the chairman of 
 which, the honourable Mr. Thompson, this address 
 was then delivered. 
 
 " Sir Permit us, as the organ of the citizens of 
 Concord, to express the high satisfaction we feel, in 
 beholding the President of the United States in our 
 village, and in having an opportunity to present you 
 our most respectful acknowledgments for the distin 
 guished honour. 
 
 " Ail hearts, sir, bid you welcome. We deem it 
 a peculiarly happy circumstance, that in discharg- 
 
158 A NARRATIVE O* 
 
 ing the important duty, of examining the works of 
 defence, on our exterior lines, you witness univer 
 sal eagerness and cordiality, in the salutations you 
 receive in every place you visit. Upon this auspi 
 cious occasion, party feelings are buried, and buried, 
 we would hope, for ever. A new era, we trust, is 
 commencing. The leading measures of the general 
 government, accord remarkably with the views and 
 principles of all parties ; and your private as well 
 as public character, furnish us a pledge that you will 
 endeavour to make your administration a blessing 
 to our country. And we pray God to grant you 
 success, and have you under his holy keeping. 
 
 " Accept, sir, our best wishes that your present 
 tour may be eminently useful to the nation, both in 
 affording them security against their enemies, and 
 union among themselves. 
 
 "THOMAS W. THOMPSON, 
 " For the Committee. 
 
 "July 18, 1817." 
 
 A verbal answer was returned, and the President 
 then adjourned to an apartment in the hotel, where 
 he joined a large party of citizens at the dinner 
 table. In the course of the entertainment, the fol 
 lowing toast was announced from his excellency. 
 
 " The town of Concord May its inhabitants con 
 tinue to flourish and prosper." 
 
 A concert of vocal and instrumental music \va 
 given in the evening at the Meeting-house, to attend 
 which the President accepted an invitation, and the 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 159 
 
 best talent of the town was summoned, on this occa 
 sion, to contribute to his gratification. 
 
 The governor of New Hampshire being prevent 
 ed from paying his personal respects to the Presi 
 dent, by a severe indisposition, addressed him the 
 following explanatory letter, which he transmitted 
 through the agency of the secretary of state, on the 
 day after his arrival. 
 
 "New Hampshire, Executive Department, 
 Epping-, July 18, 1817. 
 
 " Dear Sir It is to me a subject of much regret, 
 that in your tour through New Hampshire, I have 
 been unable to pay you that respectful attention, and 
 those personal civilities, which I consider due both 
 to your private character, and official station. You 
 were verbally informed, while at Portsmouth, of my 
 severe indisposition ; and I am now obliged to add, 
 that I am still confined to my chamber and bed, hy 
 an attack of the typhus fever, which has not yet, I 
 fear, reached its crisis. This unfortunate event has 
 deprived me of the satisfaction of a personal inter 
 view with yon ; and prevented me from receiving a 
 visit at this place, with which I had flattered myself 
 you would have honoured me. 
 
 " A military escort having been called out, by the 
 governors of some of the states, to accompany you 
 through those parts of the country, I was desirous 
 that the same tribute of respect should be paid you, 
 on your passage through New Hampshire. The 
 power to call out such an escort, seemed, at first 
 view, incident to the nature of my office, as com- 
 
160 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 mander of the militia ; yet so accurately is this com 
 mand defined, and so cautiously restricted, hy the 
 prudence, or the jealousy, of our state constitution, 
 that I have am-, jrity at no time to order out the mi 
 litia, except for certain known ohjects, particularly 
 designated in the constitution, and by the laws en 
 acted under it. I have thought proper to make this 
 statement, both in justice to myself, and to the state 
 over which I preside ; a state which yields to none 
 in the union, either in attachment to the general go 
 vernment, or in respect to the distinguished individu 
 al who, with its full consent and approbation, has 
 been raised to the first office in the gift of the nation. 
 
 " This letter will be delivered to you through the 
 secretary of state. Had health permitted, I should 
 have taken a great pleasure in waiting upon you, in 
 person, during the time you remained in this state, 
 and in suggesting some objects of inquiry, which 
 might, perhaps, have merited your attention in this 
 part of our common country. But in my present 
 condition, lean only add my sincere congratulations, 
 and my best wishes for the success of your adminis 
 tration, which has commenced under circumstances 
 peculiarly favourable to yourself, and to our beloved 
 country. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, with the highest per 
 sonal respect and esteem, dear sir, your most obedi 
 ent, humble servant, 
 
 " WILLIAM PLUMER. 
 
 " James Monroe, President of the United States, 
 now at Concord, New Hampshire." 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 1G1 
 
 On Saturday be dined with the honourable Mr. 
 Thompson, arid at 5 o clock in the afternoon, was 
 received by a large assemblage of ladies and gentle 
 men on board the pleasure boat " President," which 
 had been fitted up and decorated, especially for the 
 occasion, by John Langdon Sullivan, esq. In this 
 barge, and followed by a train of private boats, the 
 party descended the Merrimack, by Turkey River 
 falls, to Garven s falls, and thence through the five 
 locks, cut round the falls, into the river below. An 
 excellent band of music was provided, to enliven the 
 scene $ the serenity and smoothness of the stream, 
 which, by the perseverance and enterprise of a single 
 individual, had been converted from a rude and use 
 less state, into a source of wealth and commerce ; and 
 the variegated beauty of the landscape, presented 
 from both shores, contributed to the pleasure deriva 
 ble from such an excursion. The company, con 
 sisting of one hundred and fifty persons, returned to 
 Concord by land, and in the evening, the President 
 honoured colonel Kent, with his attendance at his 
 house. On Sunday, he attended the service at 
 the meeting house, and at five on the morning of 
 Monday, the 21st of July, he left Concord, and 
 was escorted to the Oaks, in Boscawen, by the 
 committee of arrangement. At Salisbury he break 
 fasted, and thence proceeded through Andover, Wil- 
 mot, and Springfield, to Willis, in Enfield. Here he 
 dined, and in the afternoon visited the Habitation 
 of the Shaken Community," where he was received 
 with the simplicity by which that sect is distinguish- 
 
16:2 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 ed. The elder came forth, and addressed him thus : 
 " / Joseph Goodrich welcome thee, James Monroe, 
 to our habitation." The President was then permit 
 ted to examine the institution and their manufacto 
 ries, and remained there ahont an hour. In the 
 course of the evening he arrived at Hanover. 
 
 At all the towns through which the President pass 
 ed, he was escorted, alternately by the citizens, and 
 the military. Some distance from Hanover, he was 
 met by a large cavalcade of citizens, on horseback, 
 and in carriages; and was addressed, on his arrival, 
 by the honourable Mr. Olcott, chairman of the com 
 mittee, appointed to receive and congratulate him, 
 in the following manner: 
 
 " To the President of the United States. 
 
 }< Sir In behalf of the citizens of Hanover and 
 the adjacent towns, we beg leave respectfully to ten 
 der you our sincere congratulations on your safe 
 arrival in this place. 
 
 66 Averse as we are, in our feelings and habits, 
 from any parade inconsistent with the simplicity of 
 our republican institutions, we are happy that the 
 tour of your excellency, undertaken for the promo 
 tion of objects of great national importance, affords 
 us an opportunity of bidding you a cordial welcome 
 to the banks of the Connecticut, and the verge of the 
 Green Mountains the seat of one of those literary 
 institutions by which our country has been highly 
 benefited, and honourably distinguished. A semi 
 nary 5 which a few years since was planted in a wil- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 163 
 
 derness, can exhibit no venerable antiquities, no 
 proud monuments of the arts ; yet it cannot fail to 
 be regarded by you with interest, on account of its 
 relation to the principles and permanency of our 
 government. 
 
 " We are happy to offer, personally, that respect 
 which is due to your elevated station, your eminent 
 public services, and private virtues. It contributes, in 
 no small degree, to the pleasure we enjoy on this occa 
 sion, that we meet the chief magistrate of the United 
 States, in the style of a private citizen, distinguished, 
 from the rest of the community, by none of the ordi 
 nary badges of authority, and depending on no safe 
 guards but the good wishes of his fellow citizens. 
 
 " We deem it singular, that we sec among us, for 
 the first time, a chief magistrate of the nation, un 
 der circumstances peculiarly calculated to inspire 
 feelings of satisfaction and joy. A new and auspi 
 cious era seems to have commenced in our country. 
 At the close of the war, in which our prowess in 
 arms shed new lustre on the American republic, a 
 spirit of peace and harmony prevails among us. A 
 national feeling is excited, which must be productive 
 of the happiest consequences. The unexampled pro 
 gress of our country, within the last thirty years, in 
 population and refinement; the improvements in 
 agriculture and manufactures ; the happiness enjoy 
 ed by the people of the United States, under the be 
 nign influence of the federal constitution ; all con 
 tribute to strengthen the ties of union, and give sta 
 bility to our excellent political institutions. 
 
 
164 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 " "We sincerely congratulate you, sir, that your 
 election to the first office in the gift of your fellow 
 citizens, has occurred at a period so auspicious and 
 interesting, under circumstances which not only 
 evince the high sense which is entertained of your 
 patriotism, zeal, and fidelity; but furnish a sure- 
 guarantee of the impartiality and wisdom of your 
 administration. 
 
 " That the blessings of heaven may attend you 
 through life; that you may have the pleasure of see 
 ing our beloved country prosperous and happy, un 
 der your auspices ; and, when you shall retire from 
 the cares of public life, that you may be followed in 
 to retirement, by the esteem and affection of a vir 
 tuous and grateful people, is the ardent wish of those 
 in whose behalf we have the honour of addressing you. 
 " MILLS OLCOTT, " ZIBA HUNTINGDON, 
 
 WM. H. WOODWARD, " ELIAS LYMAN, 
 " BENJ. J. GILBERT, " GEORGE E. WALES, 
 " AMOS A. BREWSTER, - PIERCE BURTON, 
 " JONA FRANKLIN, "EuEN. BROWN, 
 
 " SALMON WASHBURN, " JOSEPH CURTIS, and 
 " JACOB TURNER, JOHN DURKEE, 
 
 " DAVID HOUGH, 
 
 " Committees of Dartmouth -village. Lime, Le 
 banon, Hartford, Norwich, and Hanover." 
 
 The following is the President s reply. 
 " To the Citizens of Hanover. 
 " Fellow Citizens Your congratulations are the 
 more acceptable, because they are the heart-felt ex- 
 
THE PRESIDENTS TOUR. 165 
 
 pressions of your attachment to our inestimable form 
 of government. 
 
 " I have not the pretension, to arrogate to myself, 
 the emotion of the sentiment my presence awakens. 
 It recals to you your form of government, and the 
 exalted civil and religious principles you so eminent 
 ly enjoy. The contemplation of these, and the se 
 curity you feel in the continuance of such rich posses 
 sions, fills you with gratitude. 
 
 " The recollections of the trials of our country, 
 and the honourable rank to which these have rais 
 ed her, inspires a laudable pride in your nation s 
 honour, and it is to give utterance to these sentiments 
 and the emotions they excite, that such public de 
 monstrations of respect are rendered to the chief 
 magistrate of the country. I participate in the sen 
 timent 5 I sympathise with you in these emotions ; I 
 cannot, therefore, but take a deep interest in the li 
 terary seminary of this place ; for such institutions 
 will long supply successive generations of wise and 
 virtuous men, who will know how to estimate and 
 preserve the blessings of civil liberty, that their fa 
 thers shall bequeath to them. 
 
 " It is an epoch like the present, when an honour 
 able peace leaves no question to agitate the public, 
 that through institutions like yours, the expanded 
 benevolence, and high sense of national honour, 
 which are essential to public virtue, should be every 
 where diffused as means of union. These cannot 
 fail to produce that national feeling, from which you 
 anticipate such happy results. 
 
 
166 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 " I cannot but acknowledge your expressions ot 
 personal regard and respect. That the blessings 
 you invoke on me, may abundantly descend on your 
 selves and your children, for many generations, is 
 truly my sincere and ardent wish. 
 
 " JAMES MONROE." 
 
 The President, in the evening, made a visit to 
 the rival corporations of the university, and by his 
 presence produced a reconciliation between many 
 members of that institution, who had, for years be 
 fore, been at variance with each other. He also at 
 tended a party at the house of president Brown, 
 where he unexpectedly met the widow of the late 
 president Wheelock, (aunt to major-general Rip- 
 ley, of the United States army) who resided in the 
 neighbourhood of Trenton at the period when the 
 engagement took place there, in 1776, and who ge 
 nerously officiated as his nurse after he received his 
 wound. 
 
 Deputations met the President at Hanover, with 
 invitations from Windsor, Royalston, Straiford, 
 Montpellier, and other towns. To gratify, as far 
 as possible, the wishes of the inhabitants, he made 
 choice of a route which should lead him through 
 these several places. On Tuesday he left Hanover, 
 and proceeded with general Bradley, of Westmin 
 ster, and colonel George Sullivan, of Boston, to Straf- 
 ford, and visited the extensive manufactory of cop 
 peras in its neighbourhood. In behalf of the propri 
 etors of this establishment, colonel Binney had been 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 107 
 
 delegated to invite the President there, and to ex 
 plain its extent and utility. He was conducted by 
 that gentleman throughout the manufactory, of which 
 a written description was delivered to him, setting 
 forth the discovery of the mineral, the commence 
 ment and process of the manufacture, and the bene 
 ficial results necessarily accruing to the country, by 
 rendering it independent of Europe, for the supply 
 of an essential article of general use. From these 
 works he returned to Norwich common, at Straf- 
 ford, where he received the congratulations of a 
 large concourse of people, and dined in company 
 with lieutenant-governor Brigham, judge Brown, 
 captain Riley, the Rev. Mr. Woodward, and other 
 citizens. In the afternoon, he passed down the Ver 
 mont side of the river, crossed at Lyman s bridge 
 into New Hampshire again, entered Plainfield and 
 Cornish, and arrived at Windsor. On the confines 
 of that town, a numerous collection of citizens, some 
 companies of military, and a corps of artillery, were 
 already in waiting, in anticipation of his arrival. 
 Discharges from the latter gave intimation to the 
 people within, of that circumstance, and in a few 
 minutes he alighted at Pitte s Hotel, where a writ 
 ten address (which follows) was read to him, by 
 colonel Durham. 
 
 " To the President of the United States, at Windsor, 
 Vermont. 
 
 ft gj r it j s w ft n equal pleasure and pride that the 
 citizens of Windsor, so remote from the seat of go- 
 
168 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 vernment, embrace this opportunity of tendering to 
 you in person, the homage of their profound respect ; 
 a homage not the less becoming the occasion, since 
 it is the best tribute which freemen can offer, and 
 which the President of the United States alone> of 
 all the world, from a free people can receive. 
 
 " The state of Vermont, sir, after having alone, 
 and successively borne a signal share in the heat 
 and burden of our revolutionary labours, was the 
 first to appreciate the importance of our federal 
 compact, and to solicit admission into the national 
 union. Under that compact, sir, in the sanctuary 
 of that union we are free we are protected we 
 are flourishing and happy. Our mountains echo 
 w ith the cheerful voice of industry and security ; 
 our vallies smile with abundance and peace. These 
 blessings are dear to our hearts. We habitually 
 cherish them as inseparable from our existence. In 
 their defence, sir, we have bled; and we are still 
 ready, should our country call, to bleed again. 
 
 " In this tour, undertaken through a remote sec 
 tion of the union, for the additional security of our 
 growing republic, you have an opportunity to be 
 come acquainted intimately with our local feelings 
 our local interests our republican spirit but above 
 all, with our unshaken attachment to our national 
 government, and our national institutions. 
 
 " We feel ourselves flattered by this first visit 
 from the chief magistrate of our nation, and in be 
 holding your face, we behold a new pledge for the 
 continuance of our invaluable blessings. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 169 
 
 " Placed, sir, as you have fortunately been, in 
 the executive chair, by the almost unanimous voice 
 of our country, at an auspicious moment, when peace 
 is again restored ; when the loud din of party colli 
 sion is dying- away, and when a general tranquillity 
 seems pervading the world, we offer you our felici 
 tations on the pleasing event. And while we rejoice 
 in your opportunity, we rely on your wisdom, to co 
 operate with our enlightened patriots and legisla 
 tors, in strengthening our republican institutions, 
 and, under the guidance of heaven, to fix, on a dura- 
 hie basis, the happy destinies of a great and rising 
 empire. 
 
 6i From our unqualified respect of your personal 
 character, as well as from the pledge to be found in 
 a long life devoted to the public good, we have a 
 right to anticipate the most pleasing results. In co 
 pying the illustrious examples of the great founders 
 of our republic, you cannot fail to advance the best 
 interests, and the true glory of our common country, 
 and thus to erect in the hearts of your countrymen, 
 an imperishable monument to your own fame. With 
 such feelings, and with such views, in the name and 
 in behalf of the citizens of Windsor, we bid you a 
 cordial welcome to this village, and to the state of 
 Vermont. 
 
 " T. LEVERETT, " A. AIKINS, 
 
 " J. DUNHAM, " E. TORRY, 
 
 " H. EVERETT. 
 
 " Committee. 9 
 
170 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 Tilt President s Answer. 
 
 " Fellow Citizens I have approached the state 
 of Vermont, with peculiar sensibility. On a former 
 visit, immediately after the war, I left it a wilder 
 ness, and I now find it blooming with luxuriant 
 promise of wealth and happiness, to a numerous 
 population. A brave and free people will never 
 abandon the defence of their country. The patri 
 otism of Vermont, has been relied on in times of pe 
 ril; and the just expectation of their virtue was ho 
 nourably sustained. I shall ever rely on their wis 
 dom in the councils of the nation, as on their courage 
 in the field. 
 
 " The confidence now universally felt in the sta 
 bility and efficiency of our government, is the surest 
 pledge, that all judicious measures, adopted for the 
 common good of the nation, will receive the cordial 
 support of all honest and honourable men. 
 
 " I rejoice with you, that a just sense of the na 
 tional interests, and more generous feelings per 
 vade the country. It is by cherishing these, with a 
 liberal reference to the prosperity and happiness of 
 the whole union, that the high destiny of our nation 
 can be attained. 
 
 " The true principles of our policy are now well 
 understood. The people have only to maintain them 
 with vigour and economy, and all the great objects 
 of national concern, under a benign providence, will 
 be secured to ourselves and our posterity. 
 
 "" JAMES MONROE." 
 
1 HE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 171 
 
 Before he departed from Windsor he visited the 
 Female Academy, and received from the pupils an 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 " To the President of the United States. 
 
 ** Sir Impressed with a high sense of the ho 
 nour, which the inhabitants, of this village receive 
 in being permitted to welcome the chief magistrate 
 of the union, we beg leave, in behalf of the young 
 ladies of the Windsor Female Academy, to present 
 you our humble tribute of respect ; which, although 
 from the juvenile female pen, will not, we trust, be 
 unacceptable, or deemed entirely beneath your no 
 tice. While we regard the president of the nation, 
 as the protector of our country, the preserver of our 
 rights and dearest privileges, and the guardian of 
 our literary institutions, our hearts glow with feel 
 ings of gratitude, and we delight to address him by 
 the endearing appellation of patron and friend. Per 
 mit us, sir, respectfully to congratulate you on your 
 safe arrival in the state of Vermont ; on the present 
 happy and prosperous situation of the country over 
 which you are called to preside ; that the olive of 
 peace is now waving, where lately the clarion of war 
 was heard; and that your entrance upon public du 
 ties, both arduous and important, is at a time, when, 
 from the general peace and tranquillity that reign, 
 you can have leisure to promote the happiness and 
 literary attainments of the rising generation. We 
 
 
172 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 feel happy that the visit by which the northern states 
 have heen so highly honoured, has been undertaken 
 at a time when every thing must have combined to 
 render it pleasant to yourself, as well as to the peo 
 ple 5 and we believe that their reception of you has 
 been, v-nd will continue to be, such as is consonant 
 to their views of respect for your private charac 
 ter, and the elevated station you have the honour 
 with so much dignity to fill, as President of the Uni 
 ted States. That you may long live in the affec 
 tions of a free and enlightened people, and that suc 
 cess may crown all your exertions for the public 
 good, is the ardent wish of many a patriotic, al 
 though youthful female bosom. 
 
 " MARY B. REED, 
 
 " ELEUTHERA D. FAY, 
 
 " ELIZA L. KiMBAix, 
 " NANCY H. CHAMBERLAIN, 
 " CAROLINE R. HALE, 
 66 ELIZABETH PORTER, 
 
 " Committee." 
 
 To this address, which was deemed particularly 
 interesting by the President, he was pleased to make 
 
 A REPLY. 
 
 " Young Ladies I beg you to be assured, that 
 no attention which I have received in the course of 
 my route, has afforded me greater satisfaction than 
 that with which I have been honoured by the young 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 175 
 
 ladies of the Female Academy of Windsor. I take 
 a deep interest, as a parent and citizen, in the suc 
 cess of female education, and have been delighted 
 wherever I have been, to witness the attention paid 
 to it. That you may be distinguished for your 
 graceful and useful acquirements, and for every 
 amiable virtue, is the object of my sincere desire. 
 Accept my best wishes for your happiness. 
 
 "JAMES MONROE. 
 " The members of the Windsor Female Academy/ 
 
 At the early hour of six, on Wednesday morning, 
 the 23d, he resumed his journey, and reached Mont- 
 pellier, the same evening. The citizens of that town 
 were prepared to receive him, and a deputation re 
 presenting tiicm, delivered an address. 
 
 To the President of the United States. 
 
 <( Sir The citizens of Montpellier and its vici 
 nity, have directed their committee to present you 
 their respectful salutations, and bid you a cordial 
 welcome. 
 
 " The infancy of our settlements places our pro 
 gress in the arts and sciences something behind 
 most of our sister states, but we shall not be denied 
 some claim to a share of that ardent love of liberty, 
 and the rights of man ; that attachment to the honour 
 and interests of our country, which now distinguish 
 the American character, while the fields of the Hub- 
 bardston, the heights of Walloonsack, and the plains 
 
tf 4 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 of Plattsburg, are admitted to witness in our favour. 
 Many of those we now represent, ventured their 
 lives in the revolutionary contest; and permit us, 
 sir, to say, the value of this opportunity is greatly 
 enhanced hy the consideration, that we now tender 
 our respects to one, who shared in all the hardships 
 and dangers of that eventful period, which gave li 
 berty and independence to our country ; nor are we 
 unmindful, that from that period until now, every 
 public act of your life evinces an unalterable attach 
 ment to the principles for which you then con 
 tended. 
 
 " With such pledges we feel an unlimited confi 
 dence, that should your measures fulfil your inten 
 tions, your administration, under the guidance of 
 divine providence, will be as prosperous and happy 
 as its commencement is tranquil and promising; and 
 that the honour, the rights and interests of the na 
 tion will pass from your hands unimpaired. 
 " JAMES FISK, 
 
 For the Committee. 9 
 
 The President returned an extemporaneous and 
 very satisfactory reply. 
 
 He rested that night at Montpellier, and advanced 
 with expedition towards Burlington the following 
 day. The chief persons of that town rode as far as 
 Willston, to receive him; and having attended him 
 to his quarters, the chairman of a committee ap 
 pointed to wait on him, expressed the sentiments of 
 the inhabitants in this address : 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 175 
 
 " To the President of the United States. 
 
 " Sir In behalf of the inhabitants of Burlington, 
 and its vicinity, we congratulate you on your safe 
 arrival within this part of the state of Vermont. 
 
 " Living under a government of our own choice, 
 where birth and hereditary titles create no factitious 
 privileges $ where the avenues of office are open to 
 exalted merit ; and where virtue and worth confer 
 the only distinctions known to our law; the citizen 
 is under a moral obligation to respect the authorities 
 of his country 1 
 
 " Permit us, sir, to avail ourselves of the opportu 
 nity afforded us by this interview, to assure you of 
 a cordial respect, and while we testify the high sense 
 we entertain of your private worth, to discharge the 
 pleasing task of tendering, to the chief magistrate of 
 our country, the respect due to his exalted station. 
 
 " The pleasure of a personal acquaintance is much 
 increased by a knowledge of the objects of your visit. 
 In common with yourself and every virtuous citizen, 
 we indulge an honest pride in contemplating the civil 
 institutions of our country, and rejoice in every mea 
 sure which has for its object the protection and secu 
 rity of the people. In proportion to the value, to the 
 blessings of rational liberty, should be our exertions 
 to render the enjoyment of them secure. Placed 
 upon the frontiers of the United States, in situations 
 assailable by the sudden irruptions of an invading 
 foe, the dangers to which we may be exposed give 
 
 
176 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 additional value to any precautionary measures of 
 defence. 
 
 " We rejoice that the noise of war, is lost in the 
 busy arts of peace, that the citizen is left to the 
 honest pursuits of industry and enterprize, under a 
 confidence that his interest is identified with that of 
 the public. But you will not believe us alarmed by 
 idle fears, when we assure you that the recent 
 events on this frontier have shown us, that whatever 
 we hold dear may be jeopardized by the chance of 
 war. The citizens of Vermont will not soon forget 
 the memorable eleventh of September, eighteen hun 
 dred and fourteen, or fail to appreciate the worth of 
 those who so valiantly defended their country s flag, 
 and secured to themselves immortal glory. The 
 anxious solicitude of this awful but glorious day, 
 has forcibly impressed upon our minds, the truth of 
 the position, that peace is the time to prepare for 
 war. 
 
 " We are pleased to know that this subject has 
 already engaged your attention. From a personal 
 inspection of the various parts of our extended re 
 public, you will be enabled the better to ascertain 
 its vulnerable points, and advise to measures of fu 
 ture security. Nor is this subject an uninteresting 
 one. The patriot whose liberal soul is animated by 
 the prospect of ameliorating the condition of his fel 
 low men, here finds an object commensurate to his 
 desires, and while he generously devotes himself to 
 the welfare of his country, he is sustained by a con 
 sciousness that his exertions have promoted its glory. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 177 
 
 Nature, also, seems to have designated our beloved 
 country as the scene of no ordinary exertions. She 
 has here scattered her gifts with a munificent hand, 
 and points the way to high and ennobling pursuits. 
 The vast extent of our territory; the grandeur of its 
 scenery ; its mountains ; its rivers, and its inland 
 seas ; the abundance of its means, together with the 
 progress of population and improvement, combine 
 to render it an object of sublime contemplation. 
 
 " The alacrity and zeal with which you have en 
 gaged in the military and naval defences of our coun 
 try, is an additional pledge of your honourable mo 
 tives and patriotic wishes. 
 
 " That your labour may be crowned with abun 
 dant success, and that you may long live to reap the 
 rich reward of a life well spent in the service of your 
 country, is our most earnest wish. 
 
 " DANIEL FARRAND, 
 " For the Committee of Arrangement. 
 
 " BurEngton, July 24, 1817." 
 
 The President s Reply to the Citizens of Burlington. 
 
 " Fellow Citizens. In entering the town of Bur 
 lington, I find myself in view of a scene, associated 
 in every bosom with the dearest interest and highest 
 honour of the country. The eventful action on your 
 lake and its invaded shores, can never be contem 
 plated without the deepest emotion. It bound the 
 union by stronger ties, if possible, than ever. It 
 filled every breast with confidence in our arms, and 
 
17 S A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 aroused the spirit of the country. The proximity 
 of these scenes shall animate our children, to emu 
 late the honourahle example of their fathers. They, 
 too, shall realise that in the hour of peril, their coun 
 try shall never want defenders, resolute and brave 
 as their ancestors, and firm as the mountains that 
 gave them birth. 
 
 " Truly no nation has richer treasures of civil or 
 religious liberty to defend. None stronger ties to 
 united and to enlightened, and to extended pa 
 triotism. That a just sense of these truths pervades 
 the community, is evinced in the respect which you 
 tender to the office of chief magistrate of the coun 
 try in my person. 
 
 " The important objects of my tour become the 
 more interesting, as I find the frontier more exposed. 
 You may feel assured, that the government will not 
 withhold any practicable measures for the security 
 of your town ; nor have I ever doubted that prepa 
 ration for defence in time of peace, would ever prove 
 the best economy in war. 
 
 " If in pursuing these important objects, and ad 
 ministering the government upon principles conso 
 nant with the benign spirit of our constitution, my 
 sincere and honest efforts should be crowned, as you 
 wish, with abundant success ; it will be a real gra 
 tification to myself, that you and your state will 
 eminently participate in the beneficent providential 
 result. 
 
 "JAMES MOJTROE/ 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 179 
 
 At Burlington, after receiving the visits of many 
 other respectable citizens, he embarked in a steam 
 boat, placed under his orders, and proceeded to 
 wards the town of Vergcnnes, situated upon Great 
 Otter creek, and the harbour where the whole of the 
 fleet, afterwards commanded by commodore Mac- 
 donough, had been built and equipped. The exten 
 sive manufactory of cast and sheet iron, the furnaces, 
 forges, machinery, and implements used in that es 
 tablishment, were examined by him with much at 
 tention. When he had completed his observation 
 of these, and such other objects of importance, as 
 the town presented, he again embarked under civil 
 and military attentions and honours, and sailed 
 down the lake Champlain for Plattsburg. 
 
180 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The President visits the Military Works at Rouse s 
 Point lands at Plattsburg Description of the 
 Attack upon that Town Chateaugay Ogdens- 
 burg Address of the Citizens the President pro 
 ceeds to Watertoivn, and reaches Sackets Harbour 
 Addressed by the veteran Officers by the Citi 
 zens some Account of the Defence of that Place 
 the President sails for Fort Niagara arrives at 
 Buffaloe. 
 
 IN anticipation of the expected arrival of the chief 
 magistrate at Plattsburg, the corporation of the town, 
 and the state and military officers, had already made 
 such dispositions and arrangements as should mani 
 fest their respect for himself, and their attachment to 
 the government and the laws. Orders had heen 
 promulgated to call out the military ; and the artil 
 lery in the cantonment were directed to observe and 
 communicate the intelligence of his approach by sig 
 nal guns. 
 
 When the Phoenix steam boat had reached Rouse s 
 Point, the President debarked and examined the 
 military works constructing at that position; and 
 having returned to the vessel, she again made sail, 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 181 
 
 and arrived before the town. Colonel Atkinson s 
 barge immediately rowed to the boat, and convey 
 ed the President on shore, under the customary dis 
 charges. At his landing, general Brown, colonel 
 Atkinson, colonel Snelling, (distinguished for his 
 gallantry throughout the war) and the members of 
 the corporation met, and conducted him to his quar 
 ters, while the military joined the procession in the 
 advance and rear. 
 
 He was there presented with an address from the 
 corporation, by R. H. \Yalworth, esq. to which he 
 returned a suitable extemporary answer. A number 
 of citizens then entered his apartment, and were re 
 ceived in a cordial and friendly manner. 
 
 These ceremonies being concluded, the President 
 made a visit to colonel Atkinson, and, in company 
 with that officer, proceeded to the cantonment, and 
 reviewed the line of troops, consisting of a company 
 of cavalry, under captain Sperry, a detachment from 
 the line under captain N. S. Clarke, and the Piatts- 
 burg riflemen ; all of whom were kept under arms 
 for the purpose. Colonel Snelling- s regiment per 
 formed a variety of manoeuvres before the Presi 
 dent, with a precision and accuracy reflecting much 
 credit on the corps and its commander. The Pre 
 sident, after the parade, called at colonel Snelling s 
 quarters, and in the evening attended a party at 
 captain Sidney Smith s, of the United States navy. 
 
 The inspection of the troops stationed at Platts- 
 burg, and the examination of the defences of that 
 place, were made by the President, with the utmost 
 
 
182 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 scrutiny. The assailable situation of the town, at 
 the mouth of the River Saranac, on the west side 
 of Lake Champlain, and the consequent necessity of 
 its being sufficiently fortified to give a successful re 
 sistance to the incursion of an enemy, was apparent 
 to the government. Its great importance, as the 
 key to the entrance of New York, from the lake, 
 called for the attentive investigation of its condition, 
 and means of defence, and of the plans necessary to 
 adopt, to render it, if possible, impregnable. He 
 availed himself of the presence, and of the intelli 
 gence and experience of the gentlemen of the army, 
 to obtain the desired information, and to require 
 from them suggestions for such improvements as 
 might contribute to the completion of the design. 
 
 The necessity of protecting the harbour of Platts- 
 burg, by strong fortification, and an efficient garri 
 son, was not only indicated by its exposed position, 
 but was evident from its having been the theatre of 
 military operations during the late war. It was 
 here that the governor-general of the Canadas, sir 
 George Provost, meditated the invasion of the Ame 
 rican territory ; the defeat arid destruction of the 
 right division of the United States army, then lying 
 in the neighbourhood of Plattsburg ; and the subju 
 gation of the country, to Crown Point and Ticonde- 
 roga. It Mas here, too, that he was so signally 
 and gallantly repulsed by a very inferior body of 
 troops, under general M Comb. 
 
 Transports had been continually arriving at Que- 
 ,bec, from England, and such was the secrecy and 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 183 
 
 address, with which sir George made preparations 
 for his intended expedition, that by the first of 
 September, 1814, he had organised an army of 
 fourteen thousand men, opposite Montreal, consti 
 tuted of the most experienced generals, and distin 
 guished officers, of the British army. With these 
 troops he occupied the village of Champlain, and 
 made gradual approaches upon Plattsburg, until the 
 sixth of the month. On that day he made a rapid 
 advance, in two columns, upon two distinct points, 
 and an engagement immediately followed, between 
 his advance and the American light parties, which 
 receded before him, taking up the bridges in their 
 rear as they crossed the Saranac. With the planks 
 of these they formed breast- work, behind which 
 they protected themselves in defending the passes. 
 By the destruction of the bridges, and the fire of the 
 gun-boats and gallies, anchored in front of the town, 
 the enemy s approaches were greatly impeded. But 
 not all the gallies, aided by the armament of the 
 whole flotilla, which then lay opposite Plattsburg, 
 under commodore Macdonough, could have prevent 
 ed the capture of M< Comb s army, after its passage 
 of the Saranac, had sir George Prevost pushed his 
 whole force upon the margin of that stream. Like 
 general Drummond, at Erie, however, he made a 
 pause, in full view of the unfinished works of the 
 Americans, and consumed five days in erecting bat 
 teries, and throwing up breast-works, for the pro 
 tection of his approaches. Of this interval, the 
 American general did not fail to avail himself, and 
 
(84 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 kept his troops constantly employed in finishing 
 his line of redoubts. Whilst hoth parties were thus 
 engaged, in providing for the protection of their 
 forces, the main hody of the British army came up 
 with the advance ; and general M Comb was also 
 reinforced by the militia of New York, and the vo 
 lunteers of Vermont. Skirmishes between light par 
 ties; sallies from the different works; and frequent 
 attempts to restore the bridges ; served to amuse the 
 besiegers and the besieged, while the former were 
 getting up a train of battering cannon, and the lat 
 ter strengthening their lines, and preparing to repel 
 the attack. The British general, feeling assured of 
 his ability, at any time, to destroy the American 
 works, by a single effort, was regardless of the man 
 ner in which they might be strengthened, and await 
 ed the arrival of the British squadron, under captain 
 Downie, from the lake, in co-operation with which 
 he contemplated a general attack, and the easy cap 
 ture of the American fleet and army. His fleet, at 
 length, appeared round Cumberland Head, and im 
 mediately engaged the squadron under commodore 
 Macdonough, then moored in Plattsburg Bay. The 
 first gun, was the signal for a general action, and 
 sir George Prevost instantly opened his batteries 
 upon the works on the opposite bank of the Saranac. 
 A tremendous cannonade ensued ; bomb shells and 
 Congreve rockets were thrown into the American 
 lines during the whole day, and frequent, but inef 
 fectual, attempts made to ford the river. At a good 
 fording place, three miles from the works, the prin- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 
 
 cipal slaughter took place. There the enei 
 ceeded in crossing over a portion of his troops, he- 
 fore his advance was at all impeded ; hut a hody of 
 volunteers and militia, stationed in a contiguous 
 wood, opened a heavy fire upon them, and, after a 
 spirited contest, in which one of the enemy s compa 
 nies was entirely destroyed, and all its officers either 
 killed or wounded ; those who had attained the shore 
 fell back in disorder, upon an approaching column, 
 then in the middle of the river. The receding and 
 advancing columns mingled with each other, and be 
 ing closely pressed by the volunteers, the whole bo 
 dy was thrown into a state of confusion, from which 
 the officers could not recover them ; numbers were 
 killed in the stream, and the dead and wounded be 
 ing swept along by the force of the current, sunk 
 into one common grave. 
 
 But the result of the engagement between the two 
 naval armaments, which continued upwards of two 
 hours, ultimately determined the action upon land. 
 The plans of the British general were completely 
 frustrated by its issue ; the whole of his larger ves 
 sels, having struck to the United States flag, three 
 of the row gallies being destroyed, and the remain 
 der escaping from the bay in a shattered condition. 
 The annihilation of his fleet being announced to sir 
 George, he immediately withdrew his forces from 
 the assault of the American works. From his bat 
 teries, however, he kept up a constant fire, until the 
 dusk of the evening, when being silenced by the 
 temporary forts, Moreau, Brown and Scott, he re- 
 
i8G A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 tired from the contest, and at nine at night, sent off 
 liis artillery, and all the baggage, for which lie could 
 obtain transport. At midnight he made a precipi 
 tate and disgraceful retreat, leaving behind him all 
 his sick and wounded. A pursuit was commenced, 
 in which four hundred prisoners were taken, but a 
 sudden storm prevented its continuance. Immense 
 quantities of provisions, bomb-shells, cannon balls, 
 grape shot, ammunition, flints, intrenching tools, 
 tents and marques, were taken from the invaders, 
 and they are supposed to have lost about fifteen hun 
 dred men in killed and wounded. 
 
 The consequences which would have resulted from 
 the success of the British arms at Plattsburg, would 
 never have ceased to be felt by the people of the 
 United States generally. The western part of New 
 York, and the whole state of Vermont, would have 
 been entirely overrun, the contiguous province of 
 Maine subjugated, and the territory to this day be 
 probably retained by the conquerors. Had the co 
 operation of the American fleet been withheld, or its 
 equipment not, at that time, completed, the fall of the 
 post must have been inevitable, guarded, as it was, 
 by defences too weak and inadequate to resist effec 
 tually the assault of so powerful an army. The aug 
 mentation of these, therefore, and the establishment 
 of a regular cantonment at that place, were looked 
 upon as measures of absolute necessity, and the pre 
 sence of the chief officer of the government, tended 
 to facilitate the progress of such works as had been 
 already commenced, and enabled him to ascertain 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 187 
 
 what additional garrisons were required, and to se 
 lect suitable points upon which to erect them. 
 
 On Sunday, the 27th, the President attended pub 
 lic worship, entertained the corporation, and some 
 officers of the cantonment, at dinner, at his quarters, 
 and spent the evening at judge Dclord s. 
 
 The following morning, an escort of cavalry under 
 captain Sperry being provided, the President departed 
 from Plattsburg, followed by a numerous collection of 
 citizens on horseback, and took the route through the 
 Chateaugay wood. Some miles in this wood a rural 
 banquet had been prepared, and was so contrived, that 
 after the President had travelled several hours upon 
 a fatiguing road, he should, upon turning one of its 
 angles, unexpectedly find refreshments in readiness 
 for him. The repast was handsomely adapted to 
 the character of the place, and the seats provided 
 for his excellency and the most distinguished citizens, 
 were shaded by arches of evergreen. Having ex 
 pressed his gratification at this additional mark of 
 attention and respect, the President took leave of 
 the escort, and advanced through that road towards 
 Ogdensburg. He arrived at the town of Hamilton, 
 on the St. Lawrence, on Thursday the 31st of July, 
 and on Friday, the 1st of August, he was met by a 
 party of gentlemen from Ogdensburg, by whom, pre 
 ceded by a band of music, of which Mr. Curphew 
 was the leader, he was escorted under the direction 
 of colonel Arnold, to the residence of Gr. Parish, esq. 
 Upon his arrival at that gentleman s house, where 
 he was to dine, he received the respects of the citi- 
 
188 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 zens, and the trustees and inhabitants of the town, 
 delivered him their address, through Louis Has- 
 bauch, esq. 
 
 " To the President of the United States, by the Citizens 
 of Ogdensburg, New York. 
 
 i( Sir The trustees and inhabitants of this vil 
 lage welcome, with peculiar satisfaction, your arri 
 val in health among them, after your long and fa 
 tiguing journey, through many of our yet infant 
 settlements. 
 
 (i In common with the nation, we have viewed, 
 with much interest, your important tour along our 
 seaboard and frontier, particularly confiding in your 
 observation, wisdom, and experience, for the esta 
 blishment of such points of national defence, along 
 our immediate border, as will best promote our in 
 dividual prosperity, and strengthen the national se 
 curity. Born and educated under a government, 
 whose laws we venerate; enjoying a soil rich in the 
 bounties of providence, and grateful for the invalua 
 ble blessings of liberty, bequeathed to us by the he 
 roes of the revolution, no excitement will be want 
 ing, on our part, to maintain, defend, and transmit 
 to posterity, the benefits we so eminently possess. 
 Experience, however, has taught us, that individual 
 or sectional exertions, be they ever so ardent, unless 
 aided by the strong and protecting arm of govern 
 ment, afford but feeble defence against a powerful 
 foe. Placed on a frontier contiguous to a warlike 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 189 
 
 and powerful nation ; enjoying the advantages of an 
 extensive and increasing navigation, it is peculiarly 
 important, that our local situation should be well un 
 derstood. At the commencement of the late war the 
 attention of government was, in the first instance, 
 naturally drawn to the defence of that extensive line 
 of sea coast, on which the immense maritime force 
 of the enemy could be more effectually exerted, and 
 consequently, the more remote and interior de 
 fences did not, perhaps, receive the same protection 
 which their importance warranted. But, commen 
 cing your administration in a time of profound 
 peace; enjoying the confidence of the nation; and 
 presiding over a government, proud of its honour, 
 tenacious of its rights, and possessing the requisite 
 resources ; we flatter ourselves, should any collisions 
 hereafter take place (which we pray heaven to avert) 
 your penetration and judgment, aided by your local 
 observation, will have pointed out and perfected such 
 a line of defences, as will insure our personal safety, 
 and redound to the prosperity and honour of the 
 nation. 
 
 " That you may establish these desirable objects, 
 progress in your important tour with safety, and re 
 turn happily to the bosom of your domestic circle, 
 is, sir, the fervent prayer of your obedient ser 
 vants." 
 
 His excellency made a verbal reply to the follow 
 ing effect : 
 
 He thanked the citizens of Ogdensburg for their 
 attention and very polite reception ; he received them 
 
 
190 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 as marks of respect to the first magistrate of the 
 nation, not by any means arrogating them to himself, 
 as an individual. It gave him great pleasure, be 
 cause it evinced an attachment of the people to that 
 form of government, which they themselves had es 
 tablished. He was satisfied they held its value in 
 just estimation, and were sincerely devoted to its 
 preservation, and in administering it, he would sup 
 port its principles, and, to his best ability, promote 
 the interests of the country. As the address cor 
 rectly stated, his journey was connected with objects 
 of national defence, and was undertaken for the pur 
 pose of acquiring such information, as would better 
 enable him to discharge the duties of his office; that 
 large sums of money had been appropriated by the 
 government, the judicious application of which de 
 pended much on the executive. He perfectly agreed 
 that a time of peace was the best time to prepare for 
 defence, but had much pleasure in stating, that the 
 best understanding prevailed between our govern 
 ment, and that of Great Britain, and was persuaded 
 we had every reason to look for a permanent peace. 
 He said that the importance of the situation along 
 the St. Lawrence, had not escaped his observation, 
 and, during his progress in this country, he was 
 much gratified to find it fertile and abundant, and 
 inhabited by an enterprising, industrious, and he 
 believed, a virtuous people. 
 
 In the evening the President was joined by major- 
 general Brown of the United States army, and his 
 whole suite, accompanied by whom he repaired to 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 191 
 
 Morristown, and lodged with the honourable judge 
 Ford. On Saturday the 2d, he viewed Mr. Parish s 
 extensive and very valuable iron works at Rossie, 
 considered to he an establishment of great public 
 importance, and of usefulness to the surrounding 
 country. From Rossie he proceeded to Antwerp, 
 Jefferson county, where he was met by Mr. Le Ray 
 and others, and conducted to Le Rayville. Here 
 he remained all that night. Early on the 3d, 
 he was waited upon by the committee of ar 
 rangement, from Watertown, and was escorted 
 thence by three troops of horse, under captains 
 Loomis, Fairbank, and White, to the house of Mr. 
 Isaac Lee, in Watertown, where he partook of some 
 refreshments, and received a concise though flatter 
 ing address from the citizens. Attended by the same 
 escort, the President then proceeded to Brownsville, 
 where he lodged. 
 
 On Monday the 4th, the committee from Sacket s 
 Harbour joined the escort at Brownsville, and con 
 ducted the President to the Harbour. Upon his 
 arrival at the bridge, at the bounds, he was saluted 
 with nineteen guns. The bridge was tastefully fitted 
 up with nineteen arches, on which were inscribed 
 the names of the several presidents; the first arch 
 being surmounted by a living American eagle. At 
 its extremity, the chairman of the committee intro 
 duced to the President a number of veteran officers 
 and soldiers of the revolution, by whom he was thus 
 addressed : 
 
192 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 t( Sir It is with pleasure that we, a few of the 
 survivors of the revolution, residing in this part of 
 the country, welcome the arrival of the chief magis 
 trate of the- union. It is with increased satisfaction 
 we recognise in him one of the number engaged with 
 us in the arduous struggle of establishing the inde 
 pendence of the country. 
 
 " We have lived, sir, to see the fruits of our toils 
 and struggles amply realised in the happiness and 
 prosperity of our country; and, sir, we have the 
 fullest confidence, that under your administration, 
 they will be handed down to our posterity unimpair 
 ed. Like your immortal predecessor, the illustrious 
 Washington, may you be honoured by the present 
 and future generations, and finally receive the rich 
 reward with him in realms above." 
 
 The President received this address with expres 
 sions of cordiality and esteem, highly cheering and 
 satisfactory to the veteran soldiers, in several of 
 whom, he recognised his former associates in arms, 
 in the revolutionary war. 
 
 Upon the arrival of the procession at the village, 
 a national salute was fired from Fort Pike, and 
 when the President had ascended the piazza of 
 the hotel, to which he was conducted by captain 
 King, chief marshal of the day, the following ad 
 dress was read to him by the chairman of the com 
 mittee. 
 
 Sir The committee appointed in behalf of their 
 fellow citizens, would congratulate the President of 
 the United States upon his arrival at this place. It 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 193 
 
 is with pleasure unfeigned and unalloyed, that all 
 descriptions of men behold among them for the first 
 time the chief magistrate of the union. 
 
 " They look upon it as a pledge that their interests 
 will not be forgotten, as the situation of this section 
 of the country will be personally known to him on 
 whom the American people have placed their high 
 est confidence, and bestowed their greatest honours. 
 And that, although situated on the frontiers re 
 mote from the centre of the government, they hope 
 to live in the recollection of him whose happi 
 ness it is to preside over its high and exalted des 
 tinies. 
 
 " It is gratifying to learn, that the object of your 
 arduous tour is to ascertain whatever will contribute 
 to the interest, improvement, or defence of the coun 
 try. It therefore becomes our duty to express the 
 solicitude of our constituents, as it regards their pe 
 culiar situation. Twice have they been placed on 
 the very verge of ruin, by successive attacks in the 
 late war. Had works of defence been erected in 
 commanding situations, such attempts would proba 
 bly never have been made ; at all events would have 
 been repulsed with greater certainty and with less 
 expense of blood. And it will still be observa 
 ble, that additional fortifications would be requi 
 site to render effectual a resistance against supe 
 rior numbers. Yon fields, which have been dyed 
 with the blood of colonels Backus and Mills, can 
 attest how much works of defence have there been 
 needed. 
 
 fc 
 
194 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 " We trust the period is far distant when hostili 
 ties, if ever, shall again occur; but as this may not 
 be the fact, prudential reasons would seem to indi 
 cate the utility of a great military road, in the most 
 proper direction, for uniting the resources of the 
 country with this chief military and naval depot of 
 the northern frontier. 
 
 " The extensive public, and the increasing amount 
 of private property, together with a personal anxiety, 
 we trust will he accepted as an apology for specify 
 ing that which doubtless has already occurred to 
 your observation. There are objects of minor im 
 portance, yet interesting to our fellow citizens, which 
 we hope will attract the notice, and not be deemed 
 unworthy the consideration, of the executive of this 
 free and enlightened republic. 
 
 "We cannot conclude, without expressing our con 
 viction, that he who has for nearly half a century de 
 voted his services to his country, w r ill render this 
 tour as eminently useful as it has been gratifying to 
 the American people. We deem it a happiness to 
 embrace this opportunity of personally expressing 
 our highest regard for your private character and 
 public worth. 
 
 E. CAMP, 
 
 " I. BUTTERFIELD, 
 
 F. WHITE, 
 
 Committee. * 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 195 
 
 The President, amid a large concourse of citizens, 
 made a reply to the following purport : 
 
 That he could not express the feelings that were 
 excited by the respect and attention paid him on his 
 entrance into this place. That in pursuing the ob 
 jects of his tour, Sacket s Harbour naturally had 
 claims to his attention. That he had been much 
 gratified in passing through a country prosperous 
 and fertile; containing a population numerous, hap 
 py, and brave. That he saw in the people an attach 
 ment to their government, and did not consider the 
 marks of attention exhibited as rendered to him per 
 sonally, but as honouring the institutions of our 
 country; and that he rejoiced to witness such unani 
 mity of his fellow citizens, viewing it as a presage 
 of their future happiness and glory ; and concluded 
 by observing, that he was apprized of the import 
 ance of this place as a military and naval position \ 
 that it had received considerable attention from gov 
 ernment, and would continue so to do, to the full 
 extent, that its security and consequence required. 
 
 Commodore Woolsey, the commanding officer of 
 the naval station upon Lake Ontario, then presented 
 the officers of the navy attached to his command, to 
 the chief magistrate, who accompanied them to the 
 naval arsenal, and the 120 gun ship, which was left 
 unfinished at the conclusion of the war. The Pre 
 sident afterwards inspected the extensive range of 
 stone barracks, and reviewed the troops stationed 
 at the Harbour ; and spent the evening at his quar- 
 
196 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 ters in the village, which was brilliantly and taste 
 fully illuminated. 
 
 Sacket s Harbour is, perhaps, the most impor 
 tant military position along the lakes, and immense 
 sums of money had been appropriated, during the 
 war, to provide for the erection there of strong works, 
 and extensive block-houses and barracks. The en 
 tire fleet of Ontario was built at this place, and 
 whilst its equipments were preparing, the presence 
 of an efficient force was constantly required to op 
 pose the menaces of the enemy, who adopted va 
 rious schemes to destroy that necessary, important, 
 and valuable depot. The resistance made in the 
 month of May, 1813, by a small force under gene 
 ral Brown, against the most determined and vigo 
 rous attempt of the united fleet and army, under sir 
 George Prevost and sir James Yeo, was forcibly 
 brought to the recollection of the President, at the 
 moment of his examination of the several batteries. 
 The departure of general Dearborn s army for Fort 
 George, left Sacket s Harbour, at that period, in ra 
 ther a defenceless state, and, in the event of an at 
 tack, the militia of the neighbourhood were chiefly 
 relied on to repulse the assailants. Before these 
 were entirely collected, or the hasty levies com 
 pleted, the enemy appeared in force, and, after seve 
 ral unsuccessful attempts, at length landed at the 
 most accessible point, and marched promptly upon 
 the village. A severe and close engagement, in 
 which many officers of high rank were killed, 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 197 
 
 resulted in the overthrow of the British arms, 
 and the expulsion of all the troops which sir 
 George had landed. Such, indeed, was the preci 
 pitation of his flight to his barges, made in conse 
 quence of a stratagem, adopted hy general Brown, 
 to deceive him in his estimate of the American force, 
 that he left the dead and wounded bodies of a num 
 ber of his men, and several of his most distinguished 
 officers, upon the field. 
 
 After being thus compelled to relinquish the fur 
 ther prosecution of an expedition, having for its pri 
 mary object, the capture and destruction of a post, 
 the permanent possession of which, only, could give 
 to the Americans any hope of a superiority on the 
 lake Ontario ; after having succeeded in his enter 
 prise, in a degree which scarcely deserves to be 
 termed partial; and after being obliged, by the pre 
 dominance of his apprehension, over his bravery and 
 foresight, to retire from the assault, and precipi 
 tately to leave his dead and wounded to the mercy 
 of his enemy ; sir G.Prevost issued an official account 
 to the people of Canada, and forwarded despatches 
 to his government, in each of which he laid claim to 
 a "brilliant and unparalleled victory." He alleged, 
 too, that he had reluctantly ordered his troops to 
 leave a beaten enemy, whom he had driven before him 
 upwards of three hours, because the co-operation of 
 the fleet and army could not be effected. Had the 
 result of the expedition against Sacket s Harbour, 
 been of that character, to warrant this extraordi 
 nary claim of its conductor, its effects would have 
 
198 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 been long and deplorably felt by the American gov 
 ernment. Immense quantities of naval and military 
 stores, which had been from time to time collected 
 at that depot; the frames and timbers which had 
 been prepared for the construction of vessels of war; 
 and the rigging and armament which had been for 
 warded there for their final equipment ; as well as 
 all the army clothing, camp equipage, provisions, 
 ammunition, and implements of war, which had been 
 previously captured from the enemy; would have 
 fallen into his hands. The destruction of the bat 
 teries, the large ship then on the stocks, the exten 
 sive cantonments, and the public arsenal, would have- 
 retarded the building of another naval force ; and 
 that which was already on the lake in separate de 
 tachments, could have been intercepted in its attempt 
 to return, and might have been captured in detail. 
 The whole energies of the American government, 
 added to their most vigorous and unwearied efforts, 
 might never again have attained any prospect of an 
 ascendency on the lake. As it proved, however, 
 all these impending evils were averted, and the plans 
 of the commanding officer, and the determined re 
 sistance of the majority of his troops, converted 
 that event into a splendid victory, which would, 
 otherwise, have been an irretrievable disaster. 
 
 These facts, and their consequent results, were 
 sufficiently apparent to the President; and his per 
 sonal examination of the harbour, tended to facilir 
 tate the application of the means necessary to i^s bet 
 ter protection. The aid of a skilful and distinguish- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 199 
 
 ed engineer, major Totten, who had been ordered 
 to join his excellency s suite, at Burlington, in Ver 
 mont, enabled him to ascertain with precision at 
 what particular points the defences should be en 
 larged; a circumstance of which, as he was con 
 vinced of the vast importance of the post, it is more 
 than presumable he availed himself. 
 
900 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The President sails through Lake Erie arrives at 
 Detroit Address of the Trustees of that City 
 he arrives at the town of Delaware, Ohio Colum 
 bus and Worthington Reply to an Address there 
 proceeds through CentrevUle to Chillicothe Address 
 of the Corporation the President passes through 
 Tarleton, Lancaster, and other towns, to Zanes- 
 -ville thence to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania pursues 
 his route by Hagerstown and Fredericktown, Ma 
 ryland returns to the City of Washington Ad 
 dress of the Mayor and Citizens. 
 
 THE United States brig Jones, attended by her 
 consort the Lady of the Lake, was in waiting at the 
 Harbour, and on Wednesday the 6th (August) the 
 President embarked on board that vessel, under a 
 national salute, and sailed thence for Fort Niagara, 
 situated on the lake, at the mouth of Niagara river. 
 Under the orders of major-general Brown, who still 
 accompanied him, he was received at the garrison 
 on Friday, the 8th, with the usual salute, and after 
 inspecting the works there, which he did without 
 loss of time, he proceeded up the Niagara, and ar 
 rived in the evening at the honourable judge For- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 01 
 
 ter s, at the Falls, where he lodged that night. The 
 shortness of his stay at the fort, which did not ex 
 ceed an hour, and his extreme desire, as well as the 
 necessity of facilitating his tour, which he observed 
 had already heen long protracted, obliged him to 
 forego the attentions, proffered by the officers of the 
 British garrison of Fort George, situated nearly op 
 posite Fort Niagara. 
 
 A committee of citizens from the village of Buf- 
 faloe, at the outlet of Lake Erie, repaired to Black 
 Rock, on Saturday, the 9th, received the Presi 
 dent and his suite, at that place, and escorted him 
 through the principal street to Landon s tavern. 
 Here he was addressed by the committee in behalf 
 of the citizens, to whom he returned a short verbal 
 reply. Having dined in company with the principal 
 citizens, at this tavern, he took passage in the after 
 noon, on board the United States schooner Porcu 
 pine, lieut. com. Packet, accompanied by the United 
 States schooner Ghent, lieut. com. Champlin, both 
 under commodore Dexter, for the port of Detroit, 
 upon the river of that name, north of Lake Erie. 
 After three days passage through the lake, his excel 
 lency, and suite, were landed at Spring Wells, at 
 which place he was met by major-general M Comb 
 and the citizens of Detroit, who formed an escort 
 and conducted him to the town. On Thursday the 
 14th, he inspected the fort, which was surrendered 
 to the British arms, on the 16th of August, 1812, by 
 general Hull, then of the United States army. A 
 grand military review of the troops under general 
 
202 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 M Comb, stationed at Detroit, took place on the 
 same day. The President mounted on an Arabian 
 horse, and followed by his suite, by general Cass, 
 governor of the territory of Michigan, and his suite, 
 and by maj. gen. Brown and his suite, passed in re 
 view down the line, which made an unusually brilliant 
 appearance. In the presence of his excellency and 
 all the troops, governor Cass, who had been selected 
 to perform that duty by the legislature of New York, 
 presented general M Comb with a superb sword, 
 which they had voted to him, as a reward for his 
 successful defence of the town of Plattsburg, and 
 which had just been transmitted to Detroit, by go 
 vernor Clinton. Governor Cass accompanied this 
 presentation, with a very handsome and appropriate 
 address. 
 
 In the evening a splendid ball was given to the 
 President, at Mr. Woodworth s, at which all the 
 principal ladies and gentlemen, and the officers of 
 the several corps, attended. During his stay at 
 Detroit, the trustees of the city, availed themselves 
 of an interval of the President s relaxation from 
 duty, and by their chairman, Mr. Edwards, deli 
 vered him a short address, to which he made the 
 following answer: 
 
 66 Fellow Citizens In the tour in which I am 
 engaged, according to its original plan, this section 
 of our inland frontier formed an essential part, and 
 I am happy to have been able, so far to have exe 
 cuted it. This is the utmost western limit to which 
 I propose to extend it. I shall proceed thence along 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 203 
 
 the frontier, and through the state of Ohio, without 
 delay, to the seat of the general government. 
 
 " Aware of your exposed situation, every circum 
 stance material to your defence, in the possible, but 
 I hope remote, contingency, of future wars, has a 
 just claim to, and will receive my attention. For 
 the information which you may be able to give me, 
 on a subject of such high importance, I shall be very 
 thankful. 
 
 " In all the advantages of your situation, in which 
 you participate so largely ; in those which a kind 
 providence has extended to our happy country; I as 
 your fellow citizen, take a deep interest. Any in 
 conveniences of which you may complain, you must 
 be sensible cannot be of long duration. Your esta 
 blishment was, of necessity, originally colonial, but 
 on a new principle. A parental hand cherishes you 
 in your infancy; your commencement is founded in 
 rights, not of a personal nature only, but of incipient 
 sovereignty, never to be shaken. The national go 
 vernment promotes your growth, and in so doing, 
 from the peculiar felicity of our system, promotes the 
 growth and strength of the nation. At a period, and 
 on conditions just and reasonable, you will become 
 a member of the union, with all the rights of the ori 
 ginal states. In the interim, the legislative body, 
 composed of the representatives of a free people, 
 your brethren, will always be ready to extend a just 
 and proper remedy to any inconvenience to which 
 you may be exposed. 
 
 " I partake with you, the most heartfelt satisfac- 
 
204 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 tion, at the present general prosperity of our coim- 
 try, and concur in sentiment respecting the causes 
 to which it may be justly ascribed. By the termi 
 nation of party divisions, and the union of all our 
 citizens in the support of our republican govern 
 ment and institutions, of which I entertain, as I 
 trust, a well founded hope, I anticipate a long con 
 tinuance of all the blessings which we now enjoy. 
 
 " For your kind reception, I offer you my grate 
 ful acknowledgments. 
 
 " JAMES MONROE. 
 " To A. Edwards, esq. Chairman of the Board of 
 
 Trustees, City of Detroit." 
 
 With the inspection of the garrison, the harbour, 
 and the public works at Detroit, this tour of obser 
 vation was completed ; the President having visited 
 and examined all the forts and military depots, and 
 reviewed the troops at all the stations from Wash 
 ington to Maine, and thence along the inland fron 
 tier to this post. The fort and stockade upon the 
 island of Michilimackinac being at too great a dis 
 tance (two hundred and forty-nine miles) to allow 
 him sufficient time to repair to that place, and to 
 return thence within the period at which his public 
 duties would imperiously require his presence at the 
 seat of government his journey onward was neces 
 sarily terminated at Detroit. The great objects for 
 which it had been undertaken, however, were suffi 
 ciently accomplished ; and he relied upon the ability 
 of the commanding officer of the north-western dis- 
 
i HE PRESIDENT S TOUR, 205 
 
 Uict, to report to him the condition of the garrison 
 at that island, and of the measures necessary at any 
 time to he adopted for its increase and enlarge 
 ment. 
 
 Accordingly, after making a short delay in the 
 Michigan territory, he set out on his return to 
 Washington, accompanied hy governor Cass, and 
 generals Brown and M Comh; and passing through 
 the Indian lands, from the several tribes of which 
 he received great attention, he arrived on the 23d of 
 August, at the town of Delaware, situated on Whet 
 stone river, in the state of Ohio. A committee of 
 arrangement conducted him into the town, where he 
 remained until Monday the 25th. On that day he 
 proceeded to Columbus, the metropolis of Ohio, and 
 was received with great cordiality by the governor 
 of the state. 
 
 At Worth ington the citizens manifested their 
 pleasure at his appearance among them ; and there, 
 also, (as at Delaware and Columbus) he was pre 
 sented with an address ; in the reply to which, he 
 developed the motives by which he was influenced, 
 in choosing the route through this state, on his way 
 to the capital. He informed them, that he had ex 
 perienced great pleasure and satisfaction in visiting 
 Ohio, in meeting the citizens of Worthington, whom 
 he thanked for their kind expressions and distin 
 guished marks of respect. He said, that they over 
 rated his abilities, and had given him too much 
 praise for his performances. He had indeed acted 
 a part, though but a minor part, with the great and 
 
200 A NAKRATIVB OF 
 
 distinguished men who led in the glorious conflict 
 which achieved our independence, as also in later 
 events of some national importance. He took not 
 to himself, however, the merit which a generous pub 
 lic had accorded to him, but felt a consciousness of 
 having exerted his best powers in the public service ; 
 and that those exertions would be continued and 
 repeated as the exigencies of the country should re 
 quire. 
 
 If his devotedness and zeal in the public cause 
 had met the approbation of his fellow citizens, as 
 they had done him the honour to express, he trusted 
 that he should still receive their support and confi 
 dence, and that his future conduct would not disap 
 point their expectations ; that he had a strong desire 
 to ascertain and know by actual view, the situation 
 of the northern border of Ohio ; that through the 
 goodness of divine Providence, he had been enabled 
 to fulfil his purposes thus far; that he came to Ohio 
 with the most favourable impression, respecting its 
 soil, climate, situation and people; he had consider 
 ed the country as being excellent, and the citizens 
 intelligent, brave, and attached to our national in 
 stitutions ; and that he considered this state, which, 
 as such, a few years since, had no existence, as be 
 ing now an important member of the union, yielding 
 a great accession at present, and in prospect more, 
 to the resources, strength and talents of the nation. 
 That as the first and present population had emi 
 grated principally from older states, who with their 
 children now spreading round them are of the same 
 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 20T 
 
 habits, manners and interests with them, and being 
 so central and happily situated for intercourse with 
 the various sections of our extensive territory, this 
 state must be viewed with the happiest anticipations 
 as it respects the continuation of the union, and the 
 future destinies of this republic. He closed by re 
 questing the chairman and committee to accept, for 
 themselves and the people of the town and its vici 
 nity, assurances of his best wishes for their happi 
 ness and prosperity. 
 
 On Tuesday evening, the 26th, he reached the 
 boundary line between the counties of Franklin and 
 Pickaway, and lodged at Holmes s tavern. At eight 
 o clock on the following morning, he was conducted 
 to Circleville, the county town of Pickaway, by a 
 deputation of citizens and a troop of horse, and 
 thence to the boundary of the county of Ross. There 
 he was met by a deputation from the corporation of 
 Chillicothe, and a number of citizens on horseback, 
 who escorted him to the residence of governor \Vor- 
 thington, at Prospect Hill, in whose mansion he 
 lodged. On the 28th, he entered Chillicothe, pre 
 ceded by the same escort, and followed by a train 
 of citizens from the neighbouring counties. At Wat 
 son s hotel, the mayor and corporation presented 
 him the address which follows, and received an ap 
 propriate but verbal reply. 
 
 " To the President of the United States. 
 
 " Sir The citizens of Chillicothe have directed 
 me to present you their most cordial welcome. 
 
208 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 " The progress of the arts and sciences has not 
 reached the height in our state which they possess in 
 some of our sister states ; but our love of country, and 
 devotedness to her welfare, is not surpassed by any. 
 The plain reception of our chief magistrate is conso 
 nant, we hope, with his republican principles. We are 
 convinced that nothing can add more to the strong 
 cement of the union, than the presence and the re 
 cognition of its moving power. The interchange 
 of citizens, and the exchange of civilities and attach 
 ments between the parts, and the whole connected 
 in the person of the President, form a barrier to 
 civil feuds, and a strong hold in times of adversity 
 and foreign aggression. 
 
 " In this country, which when a wilderness at 
 tracted your early and persevering attention, you 
 may now trace the footpath of industry and the high 
 way of enterprise ; and in your passage through it, 
 the expressions of public opinion are the guarantees 
 of its ready compliance with any duties that may be 
 required. 
 
 * \Ve can only reiterate the hope and confidence 
 which we possess, that the splendid commencement 
 of your presidential career will be exceeded only by 
 the mild and beneficial influence it will produce on 
 our political relations after your retirement. 
 
 Accept our wishes, that when you have com 
 pleted your course, the evening of your life may be 
 as serene and happy, as its morning was eventful. 
 LEVIN BELT, 
 
 " (Mayor of Chillicothe,)/0r the Corporation ami 
 Citizens." 
 
 \ 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 209 
 
 When the ceremony of congratulating the Presi- 
 dent was over, he sat down, in company with gover 
 nor Cass, generals Brown and M Comb, and about 
 one hundred gentlemen, to a dinner, at which go 
 vernor Worthington presided. In the course of the 
 afternoon, he took a survey of the town, and lodged 
 that night at the hotel. From Chillicothe, he pro 
 ceeded, on the morning of Thursday, the 29th, to 
 wards Lancaster, the seat of justice in Fairfield 
 county. He was attended as far as Tarleton by the 
 committee of arrangement, the escort, the governor, 
 and the mayor and council. 
 
 The citizens of Zanesville, and Putnam, situated 
 opposite each other, on the east and west sides of 
 Muskingum river, were already apprised of the con 
 templated entrance of the President into these towns, 
 in the evening of Saturday, the 31st inst. and had 
 appointed a committee to make suitable arrange 
 ments for his reception. By this committee, the 
 members of which were introduced to him by gover 
 nor Cass, and about fifty gentlemen on horseback, 
 he was met at twelve miles distance, and thence es 
 corted to Putnam, where he was received with eigh 
 teen guns. Zanesville and Putnam are connected 
 with each other by two bridges, over the lower 
 one of which the President crossed, and was con 
 ducted through crowds of citizens to Dugan s hotel. 
 Mr. Chambers, of the committee, presented him the 
 congratulations of the citizens, after which the com 
 pany were entertained with a sumptuous banquet. 
 On Sunday his excellency breakfasted with Dr. 
 s 2 
 
210 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 Horace Read, attended public worship at the New 
 Presbyterian Meeting-house, at which the Reverend 
 Mr. Culbertson officiated, and in the afternoon he 
 dined with general Vanhorn, and closed the day at 
 Dr. Hamm s. W. Silliman, esq. was honoured 
 with his company to breakfast, on the morning 
 of Monday, the 1st of September, and the Presi 
 dent departed from Zanesville, and resuming his 
 journey, proceeded through other small towns in 
 that state, and reached the shore opposite Pittsburg, 
 (Penn.) on Friday morning, the 5th inst. A few 
 miles from the ferry, he was met by a committee of 
 arrangement, appointed for that purpose by the cor 
 poration and the citizens, and was conducted on 
 board an elegant barge, appropriately decorated, 
 and rowed by four sea captains. His appearance on 
 the opposite height, was announced to the inhabi 
 tants by an immediate discharge of nineteen guns. 
 Upon landing at the foot of Market street, he was 
 received with the customary honours by captain Ir- 
 win s volunteer light infantry company, the City 
 Guards. A coach with four horses had been pro 
 vided to conduct him to his quarters, but as the civil 
 authorities as well as the citizens, who intended 
 forming a procession, were on foot, the President 
 declined this attention, and preferred walking also. 
 He was then conducted through Market street, 
 Fourth street, Wood street, and First street, to the 
 house of William Wilkins, esq. who politely offered 
 the use of it to the councils, for the President s ac- 
 
 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 2H 
 
 conimodation. The procession moved in the follow 
 ing order. 
 
 City Guards. 
 
 The officers of the Pennsylvania militia, in uniform. 
 
 The deputy-marshal of the district of Pennsylvania, and the 
 
 high sheriff and coroner, with their staves. 
 
 The mayor and recorder of the city. 
 
 The committe of arrangement. 
 THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 The suite of the President, and officers of the United States 
 army. 
 
 Generals Brown and M Comb. 
 
 The members of the select council, preceded by their clerk, 
 
 The members of the common council, preceded by their clerk. 
 
 Officers of the revolution. 
 
 The clergy. 
 
 The representative in Congress. 
 
 The principal and professors in the Academy. 
 
 Judges of the court and gentlemen of the bar. 
 
 Aldermen of the city. 
 
 The high constable and peace officers of the city, with then 
 staves. 
 
 A cavalcade of citizens, 
 
 The President having entered the house of Mr. 
 \Vilkins, received the congratulations and respects 
 of the citizens, the officers of the guard, and others. 
 On the following morning, Saturday, the munici 
 pality of the city waited upon him, and James Ross, 
 
12 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 esquire, president of the committee of arrangement, 
 delivered Mm the following address : 
 
 " To James Monroe, President of the United States. 
 
 (( Mr. President The select and common coun 
 cils, the mayor, aldermen and citizens of Pittsburg, 
 have instructed me to offer you their congratulations 
 and most cordial welcome on your arrival in this city. 
 
 " We rejoice at seeing a President of the United 
 States for the first time upon the western waters; 
 and the interest we feel in this visit is greatly en 
 hanced by the lively recollection that we see in his 
 person, the early, uniform, active friend of the wes 
 tern country, who was finally successful in securing 
 to us the invaluable right of free communication 
 with the ocean through the Mississippi; an attain 
 ment second in magnitude only to national indepen 
 dence itself, and inseparably connected with it. 
 
 " We anticipate the happiest results from your 
 personal examination of the frontier, as well as of 
 the interior of this portion of the union ; your con 
 fidence in the resources of the great republic over 
 which you preside, will be strengthened by observ 
 ing our unexampled increase of population, our ha 
 bitual industry, our progress in agriculture, manu 
 factures and the useful arts, and the immense region 
 of fertility which yet remains a public stock. 
 
 * While the people witness your paternal atten 
 tion to their local advantages and wants, as well as 
 to their external safety, and see the public good 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 213 
 
 anxiously sought out and cherished in the west, as 
 well as the east, without distinction of persons or 
 places, we are perfectly assured, that their affec 
 tions as well as their duty, will every where unite 
 them in support of the measures you may find most 
 conducive to the public interest during your admi 
 nistration. 
 
 " \Ve ardently wish you the continuance of long 
 life and health to pursue the course you have so 
 auspiciously begun, and that at the end of your ca 
 reer you may receive and enjoy the richest reward 
 of a patriot s toils, NATIONAL GRATITUDE for 
 having augmented NATIONAL HAPPINESS. 
 
 With great pleasure I avail myself of this occa 
 sion to renew to you the assurances of my own very 
 high consideration and respect. * 
 
 REPLY. 
 
 *"* To James Ross, esq. Chairman of the Committee 
 deputed by the City of Pittsburg. 
 
 " Sir Returning from a tour of a large portion 
 of our Atlantic and inland frontiers, which I under 
 took from a sense of duty, I am happy to pass 
 through this town, and have been much gratified 
 by the friendly reception which has been given me 
 by the select and common councils, and by the 
 may or, aldermen and citizens of Pittsburg. 
 
 " Knowing no difference between the just claims 
 of one portion of our country and another, I consi- 
 
214 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 der it my duty to attend equally to the rights and 
 interests of the whole. It is on this principle that 
 I undertook this tour, and that I shall extend it 
 hereafter, should I be blessed with health, to other 
 parts of our union. 
 
 " Having from very early life, in every station 
 I have held, used my best efforts to obtain for my 
 fellow citizens, the free navigation of the Mississippi, 
 no one could be more gratified than I was at its final 
 accomplishment. The favourable opinion which 
 you kindly express of my services, in support of 
 that great right, is peculiarly gratifying to me ; I 
 owe it, however, to candour to state, that I have 
 no other merit than that of an honest zeal exerted 
 in its support, in obedience to the instructions of the 
 government under which I acted, and in harmony 
 with my venerable associate in the treaty which 
 secured it. 
 
 " I have seen with great interest in this tour, the 
 most satisfactory proofs of the rapid growth of this 
 portion of our union, of the industry of its inhabi 
 tants, and of their progress in agriculture, manufac 
 tures, and the useful arts. I have derived great sa 
 tisfaction also, from the opportunity it has afforded 
 me, of forming a more just estimate, than I could 
 otherwise have obtained, of the vast amount, great 
 fertility, and value of public lands, yet to be dis 
 posed of. 
 
 " Devoted to the principles of our free republican 
 constitution; incapable of discriminating between 
 the rights and interests of the eastern and western 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 15 
 
 sections of our union ; and having no friendships to 
 serve, or resentments to gratify, at the expense of 
 the public welfare, I shall steadily pursue these ob 
 jects, by such a course of impartial and upright po 
 licy, as shall appear, according to my best judg 
 ment, most likely to secure them. Acting on these 
 principles, I shall always calculate with confidence, 
 on the support of my fellow citizens, in such manner 
 as may be found conducive to the public welfare. 
 
 " Permit me, sir, to offer through you to the se 
 lect and common councils, the mayor, aldermen and 
 citizens of Pittsburg, my best wishes for their 
 welfare, and to request you to be assured of my 
 great consideration and respect for you personally. 
 
 "JAMES MONROE. " 
 
 In the course of the same day the President went 
 through an inspection of the United States arsenal, in 
 the vicinity of the town, attended by a train of mili 
 tary officers. The various departments of that esta 
 blishment, its internal economy, and the condition of 
 the arms and accoutrements, received his attentive 
 and strict investigation. 
 
 On Sunday he employed himself in religious du 
 ties ; attending the Episcopal church in the forenoon, 
 and the Presbyterian meeting-house in the evening. 
 In the intermediate period, between the services, he 
 made some private visits, and gave audience to seve 
 ral citizens of respectability at his apartments. 
 
 The city of Pittsburg is, perhaps, one of the most 
 flourishing inland towns in the union. It is very 
 
21(5 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 pleasantly situated, on a point of land, at the con 
 fluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, 
 and contains a number of extensive manufacturing 
 establishments, of the first importance. It has a 
 rolling and slitting mill ; a grist mill ; a paper mill, 
 and cotton, woollen, and wire manufactories; all 
 conducted by steam. There are also live glass 
 houses, a cannon foundery, an air furnace, and three 
 lead manufactories. To visit, and examine these 
 several establishments, the President remained in 
 Pittsburg during Monday the 8th, and on Tuesday 
 the 9th, he separated from majors-general Brown 
 and M Comb, who returned to their respective com 
 mands, and continued his route towards Maryland. 
 
 On no former occasion had this town exhibited a 
 spectacle so lively and interesting, as that which 
 took place on the arrival of the President. The 
 shore of the Monongahela was lined with an im 
 mense concourse, consisting of the population of the 
 city, and a number of strangers, and visitors from 
 the surrounding country. The chief magistrate of 
 a great and prosperous nation, was greeted in the 
 streets of a city, the ground of which had been the 
 scene of savage broils, at the commencement of his 
 public career. 
 
 From the 8th, until the 15th, the President was 
 facilitating his progress towards the capital, through 
 Brownsville, Greensburg, across the Alleghany 
 mountains, and through a number of towns and 
 hamlets in the south-western portion of Pennsyl 
 vania. 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 217 
 
 It should have been previously observed, that at 
 the President s second entrance into this state, dur 
 ing his tour, he made some delay at Canonsbuig, a 
 town lying a short distance west of Pittsbiirg, and 
 containing a flourishing university, denominated 
 Jefferson College. The principal of this institution 
 having introduced the pupils to the chief magistrate 
 on that occasion, tendered an address in the name of 
 the corporation and the college, and received a hand" 
 some and appropriate answer from his excellency. 
 These documents possess so many interesting fea 
 tures, that notwithstanding they do not occupy the 
 place which had been originally assigned for them, 
 yet it would be improper to neglect the opportunity 
 of now presenting them to the public. 
 
 To the President of the United States. 
 
 <( Sir The faculty of Jefferson College, together 
 with the citizens of this borough, rejoice in the op 
 portunity of presenting their respectful salutations 
 to the chief magistrate of the nation. We, with our 
 fellow citizens in other sections of the union, view 
 your tour through the different states, as a favour 
 able indication of your devoted attachment to the 
 real interests of the people over whom you preside. 
 Under your auspices, we anticipate the rising splen 
 dour of our literary institutions; and of all those es 
 tablishments which contribute to the independence, 
 wealth, and general prosperity of our country. 
 
 " We therefore hail you, sir, upon your arrival 
 
 T 
 
 
218 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 at the original seat of literature in the west, with 
 sentiments of the greatest cordiality and respect. 
 This was the consecrated spot which first gave birth 
 to science in this western region. This institution, 
 as a college, was founded in honour of your illus 
 trious predecessor, Mr. Jefferson, in 1802, and has 
 since been the principal nursery of literature in the 
 western country. 
 
 " Besides the common elementary course of lite 
 rature, it has been the constant aim in this institu 
 tion to inspire the minds of youth with those prin 
 ciples of piety and virtue, with those ennobling sen 
 timents, and that sincere love of truth and duty, 
 which are the greatest ornaments of human charac 
 ter, and which are best calculated to form the man 
 and the citizen. 
 
 " It has been the object of this seminary, accord 
 ing to the most enlightened views of human nature, 
 and the interests of society, that we could obtain, to 
 preserve in close alliance, the interests of religion 
 and learning, of piety and virtue, as essential to the 
 energy and effect of our political institutions, and as 
 greatly subservient to public order, harmony, and 
 liberty. We have ever viewed sound morality and 
 intelligence as the great supports of free government, 
 and the principal guarantee of our rights and privi 
 leges, both civil and religious. 
 
 " In this representation of our views of the gene 
 ral object of public education, and the influence of 
 sound morality and science in supporting our repub 
 lican institutions, we are persuaded, sir, they accord 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 219 
 
 with your own sentiments, and refer to objects which 
 you judge worthy of high consideration. 
 
 " We present to your view, sir, that portion of 
 the youth >f our country, which now attend this in 
 stitution ; and we are happy that we can bear testi 
 mony of their regard to the interesting objects of 
 literary pursuit, and to those attainments on which 
 their future usefulness depends. We, indeed, ex 
 hibit an emblem of the simplicity of republican man 
 ners, which to a man of your discernment and intel 
 ligence, cannot operate as a disparagement, provided 
 we endeavour to cherish those generous affections, 
 and aim at those solid acquirements, which shall 
 bind us to our country, and render us instrumental 
 in promoting its interests, and strengthening and 
 protecting its precious institutions. 
 
 " Permit us, with our fellow citizens, to congratu 
 late you, sir, upon the auspicious circumstances 
 which attend the commencement of your adminis 
 tration; circumstances which cannot fail to unite 
 you and the people together, and impress the public 
 mind with the belief of your devoted attachment to 
 the best interests of our common country. Accept 
 our earnest wishes and prayers for its prosperous 
 course and happy issue ; and indulge us with ex 
 pressing the desire, that when you are engaged in 
 the appropriate functions of your high station, you 
 may enjoy the favour and blessing of heaven, and 
 that it may be our privilege, by fidelity and perse 
 verance in our respective spheres, under the smiles 
 of the same beneficent Providence, to co-operate in 
 
220 A NARRATIVE OP 
 
 the work of patriotism, by diffusing the light of 
 knowledge, and the saving influence of religion and 
 morals. 
 
 * CRAIG RITCHIE, 
 
 " WM. M<MlLLAN, 
 
 " WM. GIBSON, 
 " SAMUEL MILLER, 
 " JAMES P. MILLER. 
 
 " Canonsburg 1 , Sept. 5, 1817." 
 
 To this the President replied, in substance, and as 
 nearly as can be remembered, in language, as fol 
 lows : 
 
 " I thank you, sir, and this committee, for the 
 respect and friendship with which I have been re 
 ceived on my arrival here. It is with sincere grati 
 fication that I receive your address. Be assured, 
 sir, that I am deeply affected with it. 
 
 " When I first meditated this tour, which was 
 some time before I left the seat of government, I 
 thought it would be practicable, and it was my de 
 sire, to perform it nearly in the character of a pri 
 vate citizen. But, finding my fellow citizens wished 
 otherwise, and every where met me with expressions 
 of respect and attachment, I yielded to their wishes, 
 and have met them with the same feelings. In these 
 expressions of public regard, which my humble ser 
 vices coidd not inspire, I see the fixed attachment 
 of the people to the principles of our free govern 
 ment. 
 
 " I am happy in meeting with this faculty and 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 221 
 
 these young men. The views of the nature and ob 
 ject of public education contained in your address, 
 agree with my own. During my tour through an 
 extensive continent,, I have met with many similar 
 institutions, all entertaining nearly the same senti 
 ments respecting the instruction of youth. And I 
 ask you, sir, in what more noble principles could 
 they he instructed, than those of virtue and our holy 
 religion ? These are the most solid basis on which 
 our free government can rest, and that they should 
 be instilled into the rising youth of our country, to 
 whom its destinies are soon to be consigned, is of 
 high importance. The aged pass away in rapid suc 
 cession, and give place to the younger. Those who 
 are now the hope of their country will soon become 
 its pride. Educated in these principles, we can 
 with confidence repose our free government and 
 the interests of our beloved country in their care, 
 assured that they will preserve, protect, and cherish 
 them, and will fill the place of those who have gone 
 before them, with equal honour and advantage. I 
 was led into this subject, on which I have dwelt, be 
 cause it is pleasing to me, by the observations con 
 tained in your address. 
 
 " With respect to the objects of my tour, you do 
 me justice. You all know how necessary it is, that 
 a person in my station should be acquainted with 
 the circumstances and situation of the country over 
 which he presides. To acquire this knowledge, I 
 have visited our marine coasts and inland frontiers, 
 parts most exposed to invasion. Having accomplish- 
 
 T 2 
 
A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 cd the objects of my tour, to the full extent 1 at first 
 contemplated, to me, sir, it is peculiarly gratifying, 
 now on my return to the seat of government, to he 
 hailed with the sentiments of approbation contained 
 in your address. 
 
 " To me it is a source of high satisfaction, that in 
 all the places which I have visited in this tour, I 
 have found the people so generally united, and so 
 strongly attached to the principles of our excellent 
 constitution. In the union of the people, our govern 
 ment is sufficiently strong, and on this union I con 
 fidently rely. Our government has proved its 
 strength. We have terminated, with honour, a war 
 carried on against a powerful nation, and that na 
 tion peculiarly favoured by fortunate circumstances. 
 Our army gained glory, our navy acquired equal 
 renown, and all classes of citizens, as opportunity 
 offered, and where the pressure was greatest, acquit 
 ted themselves with honour. 
 
 " This nation is now respectable for numbers, and 
 more respectable as an enlightened people. That its 
 future happiness and glory may answer to its pre 
 sent prosperity, is my sincere desire. 
 
 " Be assured, sir, that I shall always take a deep 
 interest in the prosperity of this institution. It is 
 known at a distance among scientific men. You have 
 chosen for it a name not unknown abroad to science, 
 and which to me is peculiarly interesting. I avail 
 myself of this opportunity of bearing my testimony 
 to the talents, learning, and great public services of 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 033 
 
 that venerable statesman and philosopher, whose 
 name you have prefixed to your institution. 
 
 " Accept, gentlemen, my grateful acknowledg 
 ments for the kindness with which I have been re 
 ceived, and my sincere wishes for your individual 
 happiness and prosperity. 
 
 " JAMES MONROE. * 
 
 On the 15th (September), when his excellency had 
 travelled within a few hours journey of Hagerstown. 
 in Maryland, colonel Williams despatched an ex 
 press to the inhabitants, acquainting them with his 
 approach. 
 
 This information was disseminated amongst the 
 citizens with rapidity, and a cavalcade, preceded 
 by the committee of arrangement, was in a short 
 time advancing on the road to meet him ; the pro 
 cession reached the suburbs, on its return with the 
 President, under a federal discharge, and he passed 
 on to his quarters amid repeated cheers from the 
 people. After a stay of about two hours, during 
 which he received the visits of many respectable 
 citizens, he again ascended his carriage, and pur 
 sued the direction to Fountain Rock, the scat of ge 
 neral Ringold. He passed the night at the mansion 
 of that gentleman. 
 
 In the course of the following day he left Foun 
 tain Rock, and proceeding through Fredericktown, 
 was there greeted with the same unabated cordiali 
 ty, and on the afternoon of the 17th of September, 
 lie entered the district of Columbia. 
 
224 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 The citizens of the district being apprised of the 
 President s intention to enter the capital on that 
 day, made immediate preparations to welcome his 
 return to his home in a manner which should mani 
 fest the attachment of his immediate friends arid 
 neighbours. About four o clock in the afternoon, 
 he was received, a few miles above Georgetown, by 
 the mayor and a deputation of the citizens. On ar 
 riving at the line of the district, a numerous caval 
 cade of citizens, on horseback and in carriages, 
 formed a procession and attended him to George 
 town; at the boundary of which he was honoured 
 with a national salute, from a detachment of the 
 Georgetown artillery. Captain Thornton s fine 
 troop of cavalry, from Alexandria, arrived at that 
 moment, and took its place at the head of the es 
 cort, and a volunteer band of music, at the same 
 time, joined the procession. The cavalcade then 
 passed through High street and Bridge street, at 
 the intersection of which the national banners were 
 displayed, and, crossing Rock Creek, at the ford 
 near Williams and Carroll s mill, defiled thence in 
 to Pennsylvania Avenue, in the city of Washing 
 ton, and proceeded to the President s house, near 
 which he was received by the United States ma 
 rine corps, under major Miller, with the honours 
 due to his station. 
 
 Having reached his residence, the President alight 
 ed, amid a number of his most distinguished fellow 
 citizens, who awaited his arrival, and in whose be- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. 225 
 
 half general J. P. Van Ness delivered to him a ver 
 bal congratulation, in which he spoke of the attach 
 ment of the citizens of the district to the chief ma 
 gistrate, and referred to the various services ren 
 dered to his country by that officer. 
 
 The President replied to this address ; and advert 
 ing to the objects and circumstances of his tour, 
 declared the strong sense he felt of the manner in 
 which he had been received by his fellow country 
 men ; spoke of the general prosperity every where 
 manifest, which had combined with the necessary 
 labours of his tour the most pleasing enjoyments \ 
 and expressed his satisfaction at the many evidences 
 given him, during his progress, of national feeling, 
 and attachment to the true principles of the consti 
 tution. The President concluded his brief, but im 
 pressive address, by repeating his sense of the warm 
 reception given him on his return, his ardent wish 
 es for the prosperity of the district, and his sincere 
 satisfaction at the rapidity of the recovery of this 
 city from the misfortunes it had not long since ex 
 perienced. 
 
 During the whole course of these movements, sa 
 lutes were fired from all the public works in and 
 about the capital; and the scene was altogether 
 cheering, novel, and interesting. The President 
 had no sooner entered his dwelling, than the caval 
 cade dispersed, and the citizens returned to their 
 homes; leaving him to the enjoyment of that repose 
 which his long and fatiguing tour rendered abso 
 lutely necessary. 
 
226 A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 At twelve o clock, on Thursday the 18th, agree 
 ably to previous arrangements, Benjamin G. Orr, 
 esq. mayor of the city of Washington, and the mem 
 bers of the boards of aldermen and common council 
 waited on Mr. Monroe, and addressed him upon his 
 safe return to the seat of government. 
 
 66 Mr. President Your fellow citizens and neigh 
 bours cannot receive you amongst them, after the 
 interesting and useful tour you have taken, without 
 using the occasion to demonstrate their high respect 
 and attachment. 
 
 " The people, sir, in their undivided and unre 
 strained honours to their chief magistrate, have not 
 only done justice to merit, but have done more: they 
 have strengthened their government by spontaneous 
 manifestations of their happiness and unanimity; 
 they have developed the highly interesting fact, that 
 that system is best which interferes least with the 
 rights inherent in every rational creature, and which 
 secures the blessings of civilization by the moral 
 sense of the nation, more than by the coercive arm 
 of the civil and military power. 
 
 " In the tour which you have just finished, we have 
 sympathised with you in your fatigues, and exulted 
 with you in the extraordinary demonstrations of the 
 nation s love, which, though sometimes oppressive, 
 are always grateful. Despotic rulers obtain the 
 adulation of slaves, whom, by their vices, they have 
 made miserable; but you, the choice of a free and 
 enlightened people, receive assurances of approba- 
 
THE PRESIDENT S TOUR. %$* 
 
 tion and esteem from those you largely participate 
 in rendering happy. 
 
 " The pleasure which your return affords us, is 
 augmented by the consideration that we have now 
 the opportunity of addressing you in the dwelling 
 which the nation has once more prepared for the re 
 ception and accommodation of the chief magistrate 
 of the United States. In these sentiments the mayor, 
 board of aldermen and board of common council, 
 cordially unite with the citizens of Wasliington, in 
 tendering you the welcome of friendship in the lan 
 guage of candour, and in the fulness of affection and 
 confidence." 
 
 The President answered : 
 
 " I cannot express in sufficiently strong terms, the 
 gratification which I feel in returning to the seat of 
 government, after the long and very interesting tour 
 in which I have been engaged : and I beg you to be 
 assured, that nothing can contribute more to dissi 
 pate the fatigues to which I have been exposed, than 
 the very cordial reception which has been given me 
 by my fellow citizens and neighbours, of the city 
 and district. 
 
 66 1 shall always look back to the important inci 
 dents of my late tour, with peculiar satisfaction. I 
 flatter myself, that I have derived from it, informa 
 tion which will be very useful in the discharge of the 
 duties of the high trust confided to me; and in other 
 respects, it has afforded me the highest gratification. 
 
22S A NARRATIVE OF 
 
 In all that portion of our country through which I 
 have passed, I have seen, with delight, proofs the 
 most conclusive, of the devotion of our fellow citi 
 zens to the principles of our free republican govern 
 ment, and to our happy union. The spontaneous 
 and independent manner in which these sentiments 
 were declared, by the great body of the people, with 
 other marked circumstances attending them, satis 
 fied me, that they came from the heart. United firm 
 ly in the support of these great, these vital interests, 
 we may fairly presume, that all difficulty on minor 
 questions, will disappear. In returning to the city 
 of Washington, I rejoice to find the public building 
 intended for the accommodation of the chief magis 
 trate, in a state to admit within it this friendly in 
 terview with you. 
 
 "JAMES MONROE." 
 
 After an absence of three months and sixteen 
 days, in which time he made a circuit of nearly 
 three thousand miles, the President returned to the 
 seat of his official duties, with an increased know 
 ledge of the state of the country, of the character, 
 the interest, and the sentiments of his constituents, 
 and of what measures should be suggested to the 
 councils of the nation to promote their happiness in 
 a still more eminent degree, and to render their 
 invaluable privileges 
 

 |TJNI7BRSIT7| 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 A VISIT to Fort Washington, in the vicinity of 
 the metropolis, had been contemplated by the Pre 
 sident, subsequently to his return from the north 
 western frontier. The accumulation of official busi 
 ness during his absence, however, delayed the exe 
 cution of this design, until the 29th of November. 
 On that day he crossed over from the capital to 
 Alexandria, and the inhabitants of that place, being 
 apprised of the circumstance, had a military detach 
 ment in waiting to attend him on his entrance. Cap 
 tain Thornton s troop of cavalry, under the tempo 
 rary command of lieutenant Simms, and the staff 
 officers of the Alexandria brigade of militia per 
 formed that duty. At the moment of his passing 
 the Washington bridge, captain Griffith s company 
 of artillery commenced a salute, which was conti 
 nued until he reached his quarters at the City Hotel. 
 The mayor and corporation were there in attend 
 ance, to tender their respects to the chief magis 
 trate, in the address which follows. 
 
 To the President of the United States. 
 
 Sir The further prosecution of the important 
 object of your late tour has brought you to our town. 
 
h APPENDIX. 
 
 It is with pleasure that the mayor and common 
 council of Alexandria, in behalf of themselves and 
 their fellow citizens, offer to you their cordial and 
 respectful salutations upon your arrival among us. 
 fn you, sir, we behold not only the chief of the na 
 tion, but the executive magistrate of this district. 
 Confiding in the purity of your intentions, and be 
 lieving that the powers vested in you by the consti 
 tution, will he used with a due regard to the welfare 
 of the people, whose dearest interests are entrusted 
 to your paternal care, we avail ourselves of this oc 
 casion to express our sincere hope, that the auspi 
 cious circumstances which attended the commence 
 ment of your administration, may, with the blessings 
 of our heavenly Father, under your direction, unite 
 to promote the solid and permanent good of our be 
 loved country. We feel every assurance that the 
 peculiar interest and welfare of the district of Co 
 lumbia will receive your attentive consideration, and 
 that such measures will be recommended by you to 
 congress, as are, in your opinion, best calculated to 
 promote the prosperity of the district. With these 
 sentiments we unite in our ardent wishes for your 
 present and future happiness, and that it may please 
 the supreme Governor of the world so to guide you, 
 that the course of your administration may entitle 
 you to the gratitude and affection of your fellow ci 
 tizens, and the respect of future generations." 
 
 To which the President was pleased to make the 
 following verbal reply : 
 
 That he received with pleasure the kind attention 
 
APPENDIX. ill 
 
 of tlie town of Alexandria ; that from the circum 
 stance of having known the town from his early 
 youth, and entertaining a friendship for many of its 
 inhabitants, the marks of kindness he now received 
 could not fail to be agreeable to him : that the gene 
 ral interest and defence of the nation had been the 
 object of his late tour ; and, in the further prosecu 
 tion of that object, his present visit was here, and to 
 the neighbouring fort, on wiiich the safety of the 
 town seemed materially to depend ; that he consider 
 ed the prosperity of the district, from having been 
 made the seat of the general government, as becom 
 ing a subject of national concern, and that he felt 
 every disposition to promote its interests, as far as 
 he was enabled by the important situation to which 
 his country had done him the honour to call him. 
 
 Generals Swift and Porter, and several other dis 
 tinguished officers, then conducted the President to 
 a handsome barge, in which the company were con 
 veyed to the fort. After a strict examination of the 
 state of the garrison and w r orks, and after having 
 consulted with the military commanders on the 
 modes of improvement which it might be proper to 
 adopt, in regard to that station, at a future time, the 
 President returned to Washington. 
 
 The following description of the ceremony of Pre 
 sident Monroe s inauguration, the speech which he 
 
iv APPENDIX. 
 
 pronounced on that occasion, and his first message 
 transmitted to the two branches of the national legis 
 lature, are deemed to he papers so interesting in 
 themselves, as developing the principles and the pro 
 bable course of the new administration, and to be. 
 in some measure, connected with the narrative of 
 his tour, that they are inserted at length in this 
 appendix. 
 
 THE INAUGURATION. 
 
 Under the auspices of a delightful day, on the 4th 
 uf March, 1817, took place the interesting ceremony, 
 attendant on the entrance of the president elect of 
 1he United States, upon his official duties. The cere 
 mony and the spectacle were simple but animating 
 and impressive. At half after eleven o clock, the 
 President and Vice-president elect, left the private 
 residence of Mr. Monroe, and, attended by a large 
 ravalcade of citizens, marshalled by the gentlemen 
 appointed for that duty, reached the congress hall 
 a little before twelve. Having entered the senate 
 chamber, the vice-president took the chair, when the 
 oath of office was administered to him, and he de 
 livered an appropriate address to the members. 
 
 This ceremony having ended, the Senate adjourn 
 ed, and the President and Vice-president, the judges 
 of the Supreme Court, the Senate generally, the 
 marshals, &c. attended the President to the elevated 
 portico temporarily erected for the occasion, where. 
 
APPENDIX. v 
 
 in the presence of an immense concourse of officers 
 of the government, foreign officers, strangers, (la 
 dies as well as gentlemen) and citizens, the Presi 
 dent rose and delivered the following 
 
 SPEECH. 
 
 " I should he destitute of feeling, if I was not 
 deeply affected by the strong proof which my fellow 
 citizens have given me of their confidence, in call 
 ing me to the high office, whose functions I am about 
 to assume. As the expression of their good opinion 
 of my conduct in the public service, I derive from 
 it a gratification, which those who are conscious of 
 having done all that they could to merit it, can alone 
 feel. My sensibility is increased by a just estimate 
 of the importance of the trust, and of the nature and 
 extent of its duties ; with the proper discharge of 
 which, the highest interests of a great and free people 
 are intimately connected. Conscious of my own de 
 ficiency, I cannot enter on these duties without great 
 anxiety for the result. From a just responsibility I 
 will never shrink ; calculating with confidence, that 
 in my best efforts to promote the public welfare, my 
 motives will always be duly appreciated, and my 
 conduct be viewed with that candour and indulgence 
 which I have experienced in other stations. 
 
 " In commencing the duties of the chief executive 
 office, it has been the practice of the distinguished 
 men who have gone before me, to explain the prin 
 ciples which would govern them in their respective 
 
vi APPENDIX. 
 
 administrations. In following their venerated ex- 
 ample, my attention is naturally drawn to the great 
 causes which have contributed, in a principal de 
 gree, to produce the present happy condition of the 
 United States. They will hest explain the nature 
 of our duties, and shed much light on the policy 
 which ought to be pursued in future. 
 
 " From the commencement of our revolution to 
 the present day, almost forty years have elapsed, 
 and from the establishment of this constitution, twen 
 ty-eight. Through this whole term, the government 
 has been, what may emphatically be called self-gov 
 ernment; and what has been the effect? To what 
 ever object we turn our attention, whether it relates 
 to our foreign or domestic concerns, we find abun 
 dant cause to felicitate ourselves in the excellence of 
 our institutions. During a period fraught with diffi 
 culties, and marked by very extraordinary events, 
 the United States have flourished beyond example. 
 Their citizens individually have been happy, and 
 the nation prosperous. 
 
 " Under this constitution, our commerce has been 
 wisely regulated with foreign nations, and between 
 the states; new states have been admitted into our 
 union ; our territory has been enlarged, by fair and 
 honourable treaty, and with great advantage to the 
 original states ; the states, respectively, protected by 
 the national government, under a mild parental sys 
 tem, against foreign dangers, and enjoying within 
 their separate spheres, by a wise partition of power, 
 a just proportion of the sovereignty, have improved 
 
APPENDIX:. vii 
 
 their police, extended their settlements, and attained 
 a strength and maturity, which are the best proofs 
 of wholesome laws, well administered. And if we 
 look to the condition of individuals, what a proud 
 spectacle does it exhibit! On whom has oppression 
 fallen in any quarter of our union ? Who has been 
 deprived of any right of person or property ? Who 
 restrained from offering his vows, in the mode which 
 he prefers, to the divine Author of his being? It is 
 well known, that all these blessings have been en 
 joyed in their fullest extent; and I add, with peculiar 
 satisfaction, that there has been no example of a 
 capital punishment being inflicted on any one for the 
 crime of high treason. 
 
 " Some, who might admit the competency of our 
 government to these beneficent duties, might doubt 
 it in trials which put to the test its strength and effi 
 ciency, as a member of the great community of na 
 tions. Here, too, experience has afforded us the 
 most satisfactory proof in its favour. Just as this 
 constitution was put into action, several of the prin 
 cipal states of Europe had become much agitated, 
 and some of them seriously convulsed. Destructive 
 wars ensued, which have, of late only, been termi 
 nated. In the course of these conflicts, the United 
 States received great injury from several of the par 
 ties. It was their interest to stand aloof from the 
 contest; to demand justice from the party commit 
 ting the injury; and to cultivate by a fair and ho 
 nourable conduct, the friendship of all. War be 
 came, at length, inevitable, and the result has sh6wn 
 
viii APPENDIX. 
 
 that our government is equal to that, the greatest of 
 trials, under the most unfavourable circumstances. 
 Of the virtue of the people, and of the heroic ex 
 ploits of the army, the navy, and the militia, I need 
 not speak. 
 
 " Such, then, is the happy government under 
 which we live ; a government adequate to every pur 
 pose for which the social compact is formed ; a go 
 vernment elective in all its branches, under which 
 every citizen may, by his merit, obtain the highest 
 trust recognised by the constitution ; which contains 
 within it no cause of discord ; none to put at va 
 riance one portion of the community with another ; 
 a government which protects every citizen in the 
 full enjoyment of his rights, and is able to protect 
 the nation against injustice from foreign powers. 
 
 " OtKer considerations of the highest importance 
 admonish us to cherish our union, and to cling to the 
 government which supports it. Fortunate as we 
 are, in our political institutions, we have not been 
 less so in other circumstances, on which our prospe 
 rity and happiness essentially depend. Situated 
 within the temperate zone, and extending through 
 many degrees of latitude along the Atlantic, the 
 United States enjoy all the varieties of climate, and 
 every production incident to that portion of the 
 globe. Penetrating, internally, to the great lakes, 
 and beyond the sources of the great rivers which 
 communicate through our whole interior, no coun^ 
 try was ever happier with respect to its domain. 
 Blessed too with a fertile soil, our produce has al- 
 
APPENDIX. lx 
 
 ways been very abundant, leaving, even in years 
 the least favourable, a surplus for the wants of our 
 fellow men, in other countries. Such is our peculiar 
 felicity, that there is not a part of our union that is 
 not particularly interested in preserving it. The 
 great agricultural interest of the nation prospers 
 under its protection. Local interests are not less 
 fostered by it. Our fellow citizens of the north, 
 engaged in navigation, find great encouragement in 
 being made the favoured carriers of the vast produc 
 tions of the other portions of the United States, 
 while the inhabitants of these are amply recom 
 pensed, in their turn, by the nursery for seamen and 
 naval force, thus formed and reared up for the sup 
 port of our common rights. Our manufactures find 
 a generous encouragement by the policy which pa 
 tronizes domestic industry, and the surplus of out 
 produce, a steady and profitable market by local 
 wants, in less favoured parts, at home. 
 
 66 Such, then, being the highly favoured condition 
 of our country, it is the interest of every citizen to 
 maintain it. What are the dangers which menace 
 us ? If any exist, they ought to be ascertained and 
 guarded against. 
 
 " In explaining my sentiments on this subject, it 
 may be asked, what raised us to the present happy 
 state? How did we accomplish tbe revolution? How 
 remedy the defects of the first instrument our union, 
 by infusing into the national government sufficient 
 power for national purposes, without impairing the 
 just rights of the states, or affecting those of indivK 
 
X APPENDIX. 
 
 duals? How sustain, and pass with glory through 
 the late war ? The government has been in the hands 
 of the people. To the people, therefore, and to the 
 faithful and able depositories of their trust, is the 
 credit due. Had the people of the United States 
 been educated in different principles $ had they been 
 less intelligent, less independent, or less virtuous, 
 can it be believed, that we should have maintained 
 the same steady and consistent career, or been bless 
 ed with the same success? While, then, the consti 
 tuent body retains its present sound and healthful 
 state, every thing will be safe. They will choose 
 competent and faithful representatives for every de 
 partment. It is only when the people become igno 
 rant and corrupt ; when they degenerate into a po 
 pulace, that they are incapable of exercising the 
 sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attain 
 ment, and an usurper soon found. The people them 
 selves become the willing instruments of their own 
 debasement and ruin. Let us then look to the great 
 cause, and endeavour to preserve it in full force. 
 Let us, by all wise and constitutional measures, pro 
 mote intelligence among the people, as the best 
 means of preserving our liberties. 
 
 " Dangers from abroad are not less deserving of 
 attention. Experiencing the fortune of other na 
 tions, the United States may be again involved in 
 war, and it may, in that event, be the object of the 
 adverse party to overset our government, to break 
 our union, and demolish us as a nation. Our dis 
 tance from Europe, and the just, moderate, and pa^ 
 
APPENDIX. x^ 
 
 cific policy of eur government, may form some se 
 curity against these dangers, but they ought to be 
 anticipated and guarded against. Many of our ci 
 tizens are engaged in commerce and navigation, and 
 all of them are in a certain degree dependent on 
 their prosperous state. Many are engaged in the 
 fisheries. These interests are exposed to invasion 
 in the wars between other powers, and we should 
 disregard the faithful admonition of experience, if 
 we did not expect it. We must support our rights, 
 or lose our character, and with it perhaps our liber 
 ties. A people who fail to do it, can scarcely be 
 said to hold a place among independent nations. 
 National honour is national property of the highest 
 value. The sentiment in the mind of every citizen, 
 is national strength. It ought therefore to be che 
 rished. 
 
 " To secure us against these dangers, our coast 
 and inland frontiers should be fortified, our army 
 and navy regulated upon just principles as to the 
 force of each, be kept in perfect order, and our mi 
 litia be placed on the best practicable footing. To 
 put our extensive coast in such a state of defence, 
 as to secure our cities and interior from invasion, 
 will be attended with expense, but the work when 
 finished will be permanent, and it is fair to presume 
 that a single campaign of invasion, by a naval force 
 superior to our own, aided by a lew thousand land 
 troops, would expose us to greater expense, without 
 taking into the estimate the loss of property, and 
 distress of our citizens, than would be sufficient for 
 
xii APPENDIX. 
 
 this great work. Our land and naval forces should 
 be moderate, but adequate to the necessary pur 
 poses. The former to garrison and preserve our 
 fortifications, and to meet the first invasions of a 
 foreign foe ; and while constituting the elements of 
 a greater force, to preserve the science, as well as 
 all the necessary implements of war, in a state to 
 be brought into activity in the event of war. The 
 latter, retained within the limits proper in a state 
 of peace, might aid in maintaining the neutrality of 
 the United States with dignity, in the wars of other 
 powers, and in saving the property of their citizens 
 from spoliation. In time of war, with the enlarge 
 ment of which the great naval resources of the coun 
 try render it susceptible, and which should be duly 
 fostered in time of peace, it would contribute essen 
 tially, both as an auxiliary of defence, and as a pow 
 erful engine of annoyance, to diminish the calami 
 ties of war, and to bring the war to a speedy and 
 honourable termination. 
 
 But it ought always to be held prominently in 
 view, that the safety of these states, and of every 
 thing dear to a free people, must depend in an emi 
 nent degree on the militia. Invasions may be made 
 too formidable to be resisted by any land and naval 
 force, which it would comport, either with the prin 
 ciples of our government, or the circumstances of 
 the United States, to maintain. In such cases, re 
 course must be had to the great body of the people, 
 and in a manner to produce the best effect. It is of 
 flie. highest importance, therefore, that they be so 
 
APPENDIX. x iii 
 
 organized and trained as to be prepared for any 
 emergency. The arrangement should be such, as 
 to put at the command of the government, the ar 
 dent patriotism and youthful vigour of the country. 
 If formed on equal and just principles, it cannot be 
 oppressive. It is the crisis which makes the pres 
 sure, and not the laws which provide a remedy for 
 it. This arrangement should be formed too in time 
 of peace, to be better prepared for war. With such 
 an organization, of such a people, the United States 
 have nothing to dread from foreign invasion. At 
 its approach, an overwhelming force of gallant men 
 might always be put in motion. 
 
 " Other interests, of high importance, will claim 
 attention, among which the improvement of our 
 country by roads and canals, proceeding always 
 with a constitutional sanction, holds a distinguished 
 place. By thus facilitating the intercourse between 
 the states, we shall add much to the convenience 
 and comfort of our fellow citizens ; much to the or 
 nament of the country; and, what is of greater im 
 portance, we shall shorten distances, and by making 
 each part more accessible to and dependent on the 
 other, we shall bind the union more closely together. 
 Nature has done so much for us, by intersecting the 
 country with so many great rivers, bays and lakes, 
 approaching from distant points so near to each 
 other, that the inducement to complete the work 
 seems to be peculiarly strong. A more interesting 
 spectacle was perhaps never seen than is exhibited 
 within the limits of the United States $ a territory 
 6 
 
xiv APPENDIX 
 
 so vast, and advantageously situated, containing ob 
 jects so grand, so useful, so happily connected in 
 all their parts. 
 
 " Our manufactures will likewise require the sys 
 tematic and fostering care of the government. Pos 
 sessing, as we do, all the raw materials, the fruit of 
 our own soil and industry, we ought not to depend, 
 in the degree we have done, on supplies from other 
 countries. While we are thus dependent, the sud 
 den event of war, unsought and unexpected, cannot 
 fail to plunge us into the most serious difficulties. It 
 is important too, that the capital which nourishes 
 our manufactures should he domestic, as its influence 
 in that case, instead of exhausting, as it may do in 
 foreign hands, would he felt advantageously on agri 
 culture, and every other branch of industry. Equally 
 important is it to provide at home a market for our 
 raw materials, as, by extending the competition, it 
 will enhance the price, and protect the cultivator 
 against the casualties incident to foreign markets. 
 
 " With the Indian tribes it is our duty to cultivate 
 friendly relations, and to act with kindness and libe 
 rality in all our transactions. Equally proper is it 
 1o persevere in our efforts to extend to them the ad 
 vantages of civilization. 
 
 The great amount of our revenue, and the flou 
 rishing state of the treasury, are a full proof of the 
 competency of the national resources, for any emer 
 gency, as they are, of the willingness of our fellow 
 citizens to bear the burdens which the public neces 
 sities require. The vast amount of vacant lands, 
 
APPENDIX. XV 
 
 the value of which daily augments, forms an addi 
 tional resource of great extent and duration. These 
 resources, besides accomplishing every other neces 
 sary purpose, put it completely in the power of the 
 United States to discharge the national debt, at an 
 early period. Peace is the best time for improve 
 ment and preparation of every kind ; it is in peace 
 that our commerce flourishes most; that taxes are 
 most easily paid, and that the revenue is the most 
 productive. 
 
 " The executive is charged officially, in the de 
 partments under it, with the disbursements of the 
 public money, and is responsible for the faithful ap 
 plication of it to the purposes for which it is raised. 
 The legislature is the watchful guardian over the 
 public purse. It is its duty to see, that the disburse 
 ment has been honestly made. To meet the requisite 
 responsibility, every facility should be afforded to the 
 executive to enable it to bring the public agents, en 
 trusted with the public money, strictly and promptly to 
 account. Nothing should be presumed against them; 
 but if, with the requisite facilities, the public money 
 is suffered to lie, long and uselessly, in their hands, 
 they will not be the only defaulters, nor will the de 
 moralizing effect be confined to them. It will evince 
 a relaxation, and want of tone in the administration, 
 which will be felt by the whole community. I shall 
 do all that I can, to secure economy and fidelity in 
 this important branch of the administration, and I 
 doubt not, that the legislature N\ ill perform its duty 
 
.\\i APPENDIX. 
 
 with equal zeal. A thorough examination should 
 he regularly made, and I will promote it. 
 
 " It is particularly gratifying to me, to enter on 
 the discharge of these duties, at a time when the 
 United States are blessed with peace. It is a state 
 most consistent with their prosperity and happiness. 
 It will he my sincere desire to preserve it, so far as 
 depends on the executive, on just principles, with all 
 nations, claiming nothing unreasonable of any, and 
 rendering to each what is due. 
 
 " Equally gratifying is it to witness the increased 
 harmony of opinion, which pervades our union. Dis 
 cord does not belong to our system. Union is re 
 commended, as well by the free and benign princi 
 ples of our government, extending its blessings to 
 every individual, as by the other eminent advantages 
 attending it. The American people have encoun 
 tered together great dangers, and sustained severe 
 trials with success. They constitute one great fa 
 mily, with a common interest. Experience has 
 enlightened us, on some questions of essential im 
 portance to the country. The progress has been 
 slow, dictated by a just reflection and faithful regard 
 to every interest connected with it. To promote 
 this harmony, in accord with the principles of our 
 republican government, and in a manner to give 
 them the most complete effect, and to advance in all 
 other respects the best interests of our union, will 
 be the object of my constant and zealous exertions. 
 
 "Never did a government commence under aus 
 pices so favourable, nor ever was success so com- 
 
APPENDIX xvii 
 
 pletc. If we look to the history of other nations, 
 ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth 
 so rapid, so gigantic ; of a people so prosperous and 
 happy. In contemplating what we have still to per 
 form, the heart of every citizen must expand with 
 joy, when he reflects how near our government has 
 approached to perfection; that in respect to it, we 
 have no essential improvement to make ; that the 
 great ohject is, to preserve it in the essential princi 
 ples and features which characterise it, and, that 
 that is to he done, hy preserving the virtue and en 
 lightening the minds of the people; and, as a secu 
 rity against foreign dangers, to adopt such arrange 
 ments as are indispensable to the support of our 
 independence, our rights and liberties. If we per 
 severe in the career in which we have advanced so 
 far, and in the path already traced, w r e cannot fail, 
 under the favour of a gracious Providence, to attain 
 the high destiny which seems to await us. 
 
 " In the administration of the illustrious men who 
 have preceded me in this high station, with some of 
 whom I have been connected by the closest ties from 
 early life, examples are presented, which will always 
 be found highly instructive and useful to their suc 
 cessors. From these I shall endeavour to derive all 
 the advantages which they may afford. Of my im 
 mediate predecessor, under whom so important a 
 portion of this great and successful experiment has 
 been made, I shall be pardoned for expressing my 
 earnest wishes that he may long enjoy, in his retire 
 ment, the affections of a grateful country, the best 
 
xviii APPENDIX. 
 
 reward of exalted talents, and the most faithful and 
 meritorious services. Relying on the aid to he de 
 rived from the other departments of the government, 
 I enter on the trust to which I have heen called hy 
 the suffrages of my fellow citizens, with my fervent 
 prayers to the Almighty, that he will he graciously 
 pleased to continue to us that protection which he 
 has already so conspicuously displayed in our fa 
 vour." 
 
 Having concluded his address, the oath of office 
 was administered to him by the Chief Justice of the 
 United States. The oath was announced hy a sin 
 gle gun, and followed by salutes from the Navy 
 Yard, the Battery, from Fort Warburton, and from 
 several pieces of artillery on the ground. 
 
 The President was received on his arrival, with 
 military honours, by the , marine corps, by the 
 Georgetown riflemen, a company of artillery, and 
 two companies of infantry from Alexandria; and on 
 his return was saluted in like manner. 
 
 The following message was transmitted from the 
 President of the United States, by his secretary, 
 Mr. Joseph Jones Monroe, on Tuesday, the second 
 day of December, 1817, to the two houses of the 
 fifteenth Congress. 
 
 MESSAGE. 
 
 Fellow Citizens of the Senate, 
 
 and of the House of Representatives. 
 " At no period of our political existence, had we 
 so much cause to felicitate ourselves at the prospc- 
 
APPEKDIX- Xix 
 
 rous and happy condition of our country. The abun 
 dant fruits of the earth have filled it with plenty. 
 An extensive and profitable commerce has greatly 
 augmented our revenue. The public credit has at 
 tained an extraordinary elevation. Our prepara 
 tions for defence, in case of future wars, from which, 
 by the experience of all nations, we ought not to ex 
 pect to be exempted, are advancing, under a well 
 digested system, with all the despatch which so im 
 portant a work will admit. Our free government, 
 founded on the interest and affections of the people, 
 has gained, and is daily gaining strength. Local 
 jealousies are rapidly yielding to more generous, en 
 larged and enlightened views of national policy. For 
 advantages so numerous and highly important, it is 
 our duty to unite in grateful acknowledgments to 
 that omnipotent Being from whom they are derived, 
 and in unceasing prayer, that he will endow us with 
 virtue and strength to maintain and hand them 
 down, in their utmost purity, to our latest posterity. 
 " I have the satisfaction to inform you, that an 
 arrangement, which had been commenced by my 
 predecessor, with the British government, for the 
 reduction of the naval force, by Great Britain and 
 the United States, on the lakes, has been concluded: 
 by which it is provided, that neither party shall keep 
 in service on Lake Champlain, more than one ves 
 sel; on Lake Ontario more than one; and on Lake 
 Erie, and the upper lakes, more than two; to be 
 armed, each, with one cannon only; and that all the 
 other armed vessels, of both parties, of which an 
 
XX APPENDIX. 
 
 exact list is interchanged, shall he dismantled, it 
 is also agreed, that the force retained shall he re 
 stricted, in its duty, to the internal purposes of each 
 party ; and that the arrangement shall remain in 
 force until six months shall have expired, after no 
 tice given hy one of the parties to the other, of its 
 desire that it should terminate. By this arrange 
 ment, useless expense, on both sides, and, wliat is 
 of still greater importance, the danger of collision, 
 between armed vessels, in those inland waters, 
 which was great, is prevented. 
 
 " I have the satisfaction also to state, that the 
 commissioners, under the fourth article of the treaty 
 of Ghent, to whom it was referred to decide, to 
 which party the several islands in the bay of Passa- 
 maquoddy belonged under the treaty of one thousand 
 seven hundred and eighty -three, have agreed in a 
 report, by which all the islands in the possession of 
 each party before the late war have been decreed to 
 it. The commissioners acting under the other arti 
 cles of the treaty of Ghent, for the settlement of 
 boundaries, have also been engaged in the discharge 
 of their respective duties, but have not yet completed 
 them. The difference which arose between the two 
 governments under that treaty, respecting the right 
 of the United States, to take and cure fish on the 
 coast of the British provinces north of our limits, 
 which had been secured by the treaty of one thou 
 sand seven hundred and eighty-three, is still in ne 
 gotiation. The proposition made by this govern 
 ment, to extend to the colonies of Great Britain tli?, 
 
APPENDIX. xxi 
 
 principle of the convention of London, by which 
 the commerce between the ports of the United States 
 and British ports in Europe, had been placed on a 
 footing of equality, has been declined by the British 
 government. This subject having been thus amica 
 bly discussed between the two governments, and it 
 appearing that the British government is unwilling 
 to depart from its present regulations, it remains for 
 Congress to decide, whether they will make any 
 other regulation, in consequence thereof, for the pro 
 tection and improvement of our navigation. 
 
 66 The negotiation with Spain, for spoliations on 
 our commerce, and the settlement of boundaries, re 
 mains, essentially, in the state it held, by the com 
 munications that were made to Congress by my pre- 
 decevssor. It has been evidently the policy of the 
 Spanish government, to keep the negotiation sus 
 pended, and in this the United States have acquies 
 ced from an amicable disposition towards Spain, and 
 in the expectation that her government would, from 
 a sense of justice, finally accede to such an arrange 
 ment as would be equal between the parties. A dis 
 position has been lately shown by the Spanish go 
 vernment to move in the negotiation, which has been 
 met by this government, and should the conciliatory 
 and friendly policy, which has invariably guided our 
 councils, be reciprocated, a just and satisfactory ar 
 rangement may be expected. It is proper, however, 
 to remark, that no proposition has yet been made, 
 from which such a result can be presumed. 
 
 " It was anticipated, at an early stage, that tlm 
 
xxii APPENDIX. 
 
 contest between Spain and the colonies would be 
 come highly interesting to the United States. It was 
 natural that our own citizens should sympathise in 
 events, which affected their neighbours. It seemed 
 probable, also, that the prosecution of the conflict 
 along our coast, and in contiguous countries, would 
 occasionally interrupt our commerce, and otherwise 
 affect the persons and properties of our citizens. 
 These anticipations have been realised. Such inju 
 ries have been received from the persons acting un 
 der the authority of both the parties, and for which 
 redress has, in most instances, been withheld. 
 Through every stage of the conflict, the United 
 States have maintained an impartial neutrality, giv 
 ing aid to neither of the parties in men, money, ships 
 or munitions of war. They have regarded the con 
 test, not in the light of an ordinary insurrection or 
 rebellion, but as a civil war between parties nearly 
 equal, having as to neutral powers, equal rights. Our 
 ports have been open to both, and every article, the 
 fruit of our soil, or of the industry of our citizens, 
 which either was permitted to take, has been equally 
 free to the other. Should the colonies establish their 
 independence, it is proper now to state, that this go 
 vernment neither seeks, nor would accept, from 
 them any advantage, in commerce or otherwise, 
 which will not be equally open to all other nations. 
 The colonies will, in that ev ent, become independent 
 states, free from any obligation to, or connexion 
 with, us, which it may not then be their interest to 
 form on the basis of a fair reciprocity. 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
 * 111 the summer of the present year an expedition 
 was set on foot against East Florida, by persons 
 claiming to act under the authority of some of the 
 colonies, who took possession of Amelia Island, at the 
 mouth of the St. Mary s river, near the boundary 
 of the state of Georgia. As this province lie:- east 
 ward of the Mississippi, and is bounded by the 
 United States and the ocean on every side, and has 
 been a subject of negotiation with the government 
 of Spain, as an indemnity for losses by spoliation, 
 or in exchange for territory of equal value westward 
 of the Mississippi, a fact well known to the world, 
 it excited surprise, that any countenance should be 
 given to this measure by any of the colonies. As it 
 would be difficult to reconcile it with the friendly 
 relations existing between the United States and the 
 colonies, a doubt was entertained whether it had 
 been authorised by them, or any of them. This 
 doubt has gained strength, by the circumstances 
 which have unfolded themselves in the prosecution 
 of the enterprise, wbich have marked it as a mere 
 private unauthorised adventure. Projected and com 
 menced with an incompetent force, reliance seems 
 to have been placed on what might be drawn, in 
 defiance of our laws, from within our limits ; and ol 
 late, as their resources have failed, it has assumed 
 a more marked character of unfriendliness to us, the 
 island being made a channel for the illicit introduc 
 tion of slaves from Africa into the United States, an 
 asylunil- for 4 fugitive slaves from the neighbouring 
 states, and a port for smuggling of every kind. 
 
xx iv APPENDIX. 
 
 " A similar establishment was made at an earlier 
 period, by persons of the same description in the 
 Gulf of Mexico, at a place called Galvezton, within 
 the limits of the United States, as we contend, un 
 der the cession of Louisiana. This enterprise has 
 been marked, in a most signal manner, by all the 
 objectionable circumstances which characterised the 
 other, and more particularly by the equipment of 
 privateers, which have annoyed our commerce, and 
 by smuggling. These establishments, if ever sanc 
 tioned by any authority whatever, which is not be 
 lieved, have abused their trust, and forfeited all 
 claim to consideration. A just regard for the rights 
 and interests of the United States, required that they 
 should be suppressed, and orders have accordingly 
 issued to that effect. The imperious consideration 
 which produced this measure, will be explained to 
 the parties whom it may, in any degree, concern. 
 
 " To obtain correct information on every subject 
 in which the United States are interested; to in 
 spire just sentiments, in all persons in authority, on 
 either side, of our friendly disposition, so far as it 
 may comport with an impartial neutrality ; and to 
 secure proper respect to our commerce in every port, 
 and from every flag, it has been thought proper to 
 send a ship of war, with three distinguished citizens, 
 along the southern coast, with instruction to touch at 
 such ports as they may find most expedient for their 
 purposes. With the existing authorities, with those 
 in the possession of, and exercising the sovereignty, 
 must the communication be held ; from them alone 
 
APPENDIX. XXV 
 
 can redress for past injuries, committed by persons 
 acting under them, be obtained ; by them alone can 
 the commission of the like, in future, be prevented. 
 
 " Our relations with the other powers of Europe 
 have experienced no essential change since the last 
 session. In our intercourse with each, due attention 
 continues to be paid to the protection of our com 
 merce, and to every other object in which the United 
 States are interested. A strong hope is entertained, 
 that, by adhering to the maxims of a just, a candid 
 and friendly policy, we may long preserve amicable 
 relations with all the powers of Europe, on condi 
 tions advantageous and honourable to our country. 
 
 " With the Barbary states and the Indian tribes, 
 our pacific relations have been preserved. 
 
 " In calling your attention to the internal con 
 cerns of our country, the view which they exhibit is 
 peculiarly gratifying. The payments which have 
 been made into the treasury, show the very produc 
 tive state of the public revenue. After satisfying 
 the appropriations made by law for the support of 
 the civil government, and of the military and naval 
 establishments, embracing suitable provision for 
 fortifications and for the gradual increase of the 
 navy ; paying the interest of the public debt, and 
 extinguishing more than eighteen millions of the 
 principal within the present year, it is estimated that 
 a balance of more than six millions of dollars will 
 remain in the treasury on the first day of January, 
 applicable to the current service of the ensuing year. 
 
 "The payments into the treasury, during the 
 
XXVi APPENDIX. 
 
 year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, on 
 account of imposts and tonnage, resulting principal 
 ly from duties which have accrued the present year, 
 may be fairly estimated at twenty millions of dol 
 lars; internal revenues, at two millions five hun 
 dred thousand ; public lands, at one million five 
 hundred thousand ; bank dividends and incidental 
 receipts, at five hundred thousand ; making, in the 
 whole, twenty-four millions and five hundred thou 
 sand dollars. 
 
 " The annual permanent expenditure for the sup 
 port of the civil government, and of the army and 
 navy, as now established by law, amounts to eleven 
 millions eight hundred thousand dollars; and for the 
 sinking fund, to ten millions; making in the whole, 
 twenty-one millions eight hundred thousand dollars ; 
 leaving an annual excess of revenue, beyond the ex 
 penditure, of two millions seven hundred thousand 
 dollars, exclusive of the balance estimated to be in 
 the treasury on the first day of January, one thou 
 sand eight hundred and eighteen. 
 
 " In the present state of the treasury, the whole 
 of the Louisiana debt may be redeemed in the year 
 one thousand eight hundred and nineteen; after 
 which, if the public debt continues as it now is, 
 above par, there will be annually about five mil 
 lions of the sinking fund unexpended, until the year- 
 one thousand eight hundred and twenty -five, when 
 the loan of one thousand eight hundred and twelve, 
 and the stock created by funding treasury notes, 
 will be redeemable. 
 
APPENDIX. xxvii 
 
 It is also estimated that the Mississippi stock 
 will be discharged during the year one thousand 
 eight hundred and nineteen, from the proceeds of 
 the puhlic lands assigned to that object; after which 
 the receipts from those lands will annually add to 
 the public revenue the sum of one million five hun 
 dred thousand dollars, making the permanent an 
 nual revenue amount to twenty-six millions of dol 
 lars, and leaving an annual excess of revenue, after 
 the year one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, 
 beyond the permanent authorised expenditure, of 
 more than four millions of dollars. 
 
 " By the last returns from the department of war, 
 the militia force of the several states may be esti 
 mated at eight hundred thousand men, infantry, ar 
 tillery and cavalry. Great part of this force is arm 
 ed, and measures are taken to arm the whole. An 
 improvement in the organization and discipline of 
 the militia, is one of the great objects which claims 
 the unremitted attention of congress. 
 
 " The regular force amounts nearly to the num 
 ber required by law, and is stationed along the At 
 lantic and inland frontiers. 
 
 ** Of the naval force, it has been necessary to 
 maintain strong squadrons in the Mediterranean, 
 and the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 " From several of the Indian tribes, inhabiting 
 the country belonging to Lake Erie, purchases have 
 been made of lands, on conditions very favourable 
 to the United States, and, as it is presumed, not 
 less so to the tribes themselves. By these purcba- 
 
xxviii APPENDIX. 
 
 scs the Indian title, with moderate reservations, has 
 been extinguished to the whole of the land within the 
 limits of the state of Ohio, and to a great part of 
 that in the Michigan territory, and of the state of 
 Indiana. From the Cherokee tribe a tract has been 
 purchased, in the state of Georgia, and an arrange 
 ment made, by which, in exchange for lands beyond 
 the Mississippi, a great part, if not the whole, of the 
 land belonging to that tribe, eastward of that river, 
 in the states of North Carolina, Georgia, and Ten 
 nessee, and in the Alabama Territory, will soon be 
 acquired. By these acquisitions, and others, that 
 may reasonably be expected soon to follow, we shall 
 be enabled to extend our settlements from the in 
 habited parts of the state of Ohio, along Lake Erie, 
 into the Michigan territory, and to connect our set 
 tlements, by degrees, through the state of Indiana 
 and the Illinois territory, to that of Missouri. A 
 similar, and equally advantageous effect will soon 
 be produced to the south, through the whole extent 
 of the states and territory, which border on the 
 waters emptying into the Mississippi and the Mo 
 bile. In this progress, which the rights of nature 
 demand, and nothing can prevent, marking a growth 
 rapid and gigantic, it is our duty to make new 
 efforts for the preservation, improvement, and civi 
 lization of the native inhabitants. The hunter state 
 can exist only in the vast, uncultivated desert. It 
 yields to the more dense and compact form, and 
 greater force, of civilized population, and of right 
 it ought to yield, for the earth was given to man- 
 
APPENDIX. sx j s 
 
 kind to support the greatest number of which it is 
 capable, and no tribe or people have a right to with 
 hold from the wants of others more than is neces 
 sary for their own support and comfort. It is grati 
 fying to know, that the reservations pf land made 
 by the treaties with the tribes on Lake Erie, were 
 made with a view to individual ownership among 
 them, and to the cultivation of the soil by all, and 
 that an annual stipend has been pledged to supply 
 their other wants. It will merit the consideration 
 of Congress, whether other provision, not stipulated 
 by the treaty, ought to be made for these tribes, and 
 for the advancement of the liberal and humane policy 
 of the United States towards all the tribes within 
 our limits, and more particularly for their improve 
 ment in the arts of civilized life. 
 
 " Among the advantages incident to these pur 
 chases, and to those which have preceded, the secu 
 rity which may thereby be afforded to our inland 
 frontiers, is peculiarly important. With a strong 
 barrier, consisting of our own people, thus planted 
 en the lakes, the Mississippi and the Mobile, with 
 the protection to be derived from the regular force, 
 Indian hostilities, if they do not altogether cease, 
 will henceforth lose thefr terror. Fortifications, in 
 those quarters, to any extent, will not be necessary, 
 and the expense attending them may be saved. A 
 people accustomed to the use of fire arms only, as 
 the Indian tribes arc, will shun even moderate works 
 which are defended by cannon. Great fortifications 
 will, therefore, be requisite only, in future, along the 
 
XXX APPENDIX. 
 
 coast, and at some points in the interior connected 
 with it. On these will the safety of our towns, and 
 the commerce of our great rivers, from the Bay of 
 Fnndy to the Mississippi, depend. On these, there 
 fore, should the utmost attention, skill, and labour, 
 be bestowed. 
 
 " A considerable and rapid augmentation in the 
 value of all the public lands, proceeding from these 
 and other obvious causes, may henceforward be ex 
 pected. The difficulties attending early emigrations, 
 will be dissipated even in the most remote parts. Se- 
 vcral new states have been admitted into our union, 
 to the west and south, and territorial governments, 
 happily organized, established over every other por 
 tion in which there is vacant land for sale. In ter 
 minating Indian hostilities, as must soon be done, 
 in a formidable shape at least, the emigration which 
 has heretofore been great, will probably increase, 
 and the demand for land, and the augmentation in 
 its value, be in like proportion. The great increase 
 of our population throughout the union, will alone 
 produce an important effect, and in no quarter will 
 it be so sensibly felt as in those in contemplation. 
 The public lands are a public stock, which ought to 
 be disposed of to the best advantage for the nation. 
 The nation should, therefore, derive the profit pro 
 ceeding from the continual rise in their value. Every 
 encouragement should be given to the emigrants, 
 consistent with a fair competition between them, but 
 that competition should operate, in the first sale, to 
 the advantage of the nation rather than of indivi- 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 duals. Great capitalists will derive all the benefit 
 incident to their superior wealth, under any mode of 
 sale which may he adopted. But if looking forward 
 to the rise in the value of the public lands, they 
 should have the opportunity of amassing, at a low 
 price, vast bodies in their hands, the profit will ac 
 crue to them, and not to the public. They would 
 also have the power, in that degree to controul the 
 emigration and settlement, in such manner as their 
 opinion of their respective interests might dictate. 
 I submit this subject to the consideration of Con 
 gress, that such further provision may be made in 
 the sale of the public lands, with a view to the public 
 interest, should any be deemed expedient, as in their 
 judgment may be best adapted to the object. 
 
 66 When we consider the vast extent of territory 
 within the United States, the great amount and va 
 lue of its productions, the connexion of its parts, and 
 Other circumstances, on which their prosperity and 
 happiness depend, we cannot fail to entertain a high 
 sense of the advantage to be derived from the faci 
 lity which may be afforded in the intercourse be 
 tween them, by means of good roads and canals. 
 Never did a country of such vast extent offer equal 
 inducements to improvements of this kind, nor ever 
 were consequences of such magnitude involved in 
 them. As this subject was acted on by Congress at 
 the last session, and there may be a disposition to 
 revive it at the present, I have brought it into view, 
 for the purpose of communicating my sentiments on 
 a very important circumstance connected with it. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 with that freedom and candour which a regard for 
 the puhlic interest, and a proper respect for Con 
 gress, require. A difference of opinion has existed, 
 from the first formation of our constitution to the 
 present time, among our most enlightened and vir 
 tuous citizens, respecting the right of Congress to 
 establish such a system of improvement. Taking 
 into view the trust with which I am now honoured, 
 it would he improper, after what has passed, that 
 this discussion should he revived, with an uncertain 
 ty of my opinion respecting the right. Disregard 
 ing early impressions, I have hestowed on the sub 
 ject all the deliberation which its great importance, 
 and a just sense of my duty required, and the result 
 is, a settled conviction in my mind, that Congress 
 do not possess the right. It is not contained in any 
 of the specified powers granted to Congress, nor can 
 I consider it incidental to, or a necessary mean, 
 viewed on the most liberal scale, for carrying into 
 effect any of the powers which are specifically grant 
 ed. In communicating this result, I cannot resist 
 the obligation which I feel to suggest to Congress, 
 the propriety of recommending to the states the 
 adoption of an amendment to the constitution, which 
 shall give to Congress the right in question. In 
 cases of doubtful construction, especially of such 
 vital interest, it comports with the nature and origin 
 of our institutions, and will contribute much to pre 
 serve them, to apply to our constituents for an ex 
 plicit grant of the power. We may confidently rely, 
 that if it appears to their satisfaction, that the power 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 is necessary, it will always be granted. In this case 
 I am happy to observe, that experience has afforded 
 most ample proof of its utility, and that the benign 
 spirit of conciliation and harmony, which now mani 
 fests itself throughout our union, promises to such 
 a recommendation the most prompt and favourable 
 result. I think proper to suggest, also, in case this 
 measure is adopted, that it be recommended to the 
 states to include, in the amendment sought, a right 
 in Congress to institute, likewise, seminaries of 
 learning, for the all important purpose of diffusing 
 knowledge among our fellow citizens throughout the 
 United States. 
 
 (i Our manufactures will require the continued 
 attention of Congress. The capital employed in 
 them is considerable, and the knowledge acquired 
 in the machinery and fabric of all the most useful 
 manufactures is of great value. Their preservation, 
 which depends on due encouragement, is connected 
 with the high interests of the nation. 
 
 "Although the progress of the public buildings has 
 been as favourable as circumstances have permitted, 
 it is to be regretted that the Capitol is not yet in a 
 state to receive you. There is good cause to pre 
 sume that the two wings, the only parts as yet com 
 menced, will be prepared for that purpose at the next 
 session. The time seems now to have arrived, when 
 this subject may be deemed worthy the attention of 
 Congress, on a scale adequate to national purposes. 
 The completion of the middle building will be neces 
 sary to the convenient accommodation of Congress* 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 of the committees, and various offices belonging to ii 
 It is evident, that the other public buildings are alto 
 gether insufficient for the accommodation of the se 
 veral executive departments, some of whom are 
 much crowded, and even subjected to the necessity 
 of obtaining it in private buildings, at some distance 
 from the head of the department, and with inconve 
 nience to the management of the public business. 
 Most nations have taken an interest and a pride in 
 the improvement and ornament of their metropolis ; 
 and none were more conspicuous in that respect than 
 the ancient republics. The policy which dictated 
 the establishment of a permanent residence for the 
 national government, and the spirit in which it was 
 commenced and has been prosecuted, show that such 
 improvement was thought worthy the attention of 
 this nation. Its central position, between the north 
 ern and southern extremes of our union, and its ap 
 proach to the west, at the head of a great navigable 
 river, which interlocks with the western waters, 
 proves the wisdom of the councils which established 
 it. Nothing appears to be more reasonable and 
 proper, than that convenient accommodations should 
 be provided, on a well digested plan, for the heads 
 of the several departments, and for the attorney- 
 general ; and it is believed that the public ground 
 in the city, applied to those objects, will be fount 
 amply sufficient. I submit this subject to the consi 
 deration of Congress, that such further provisioi 
 may be made in it, as to them may seem proper. 
 " In contemplating the happy situation of tin 
 
APPENDIX. xxxv 
 
 States, our attention is drawn with peculiar 
 interest, to the surviving officers and soldiers of our 
 revolutionary army, who so eminently contributed, 
 by their services, to lay its foundation. Most of 
 those very meritorious citizens have paid the debt 
 of nature, and gone to repose. It is believed that 
 among the survivors there are some not provided for 
 by existing laws, who are reduced to indigence, and 
 even to real distress. These men have a claim on 
 the gratitude of their country, and it will do honour 
 to their country to provide for them. The lapse of 
 a few years more, and the opportunity will be for 
 ever lost : indeed, so long already has been the in 
 terval, that the number to be benefited by any pro 
 vision which may be made, will not be great. 
 
 " It appearing in a satisfactory manner that the 
 revenue arising from imposts and tonnage, and from 
 the sale of the public lands, will be fully adequate 
 to the support of the civil government, of the pre 
 sent military and naval establishments, including 
 tlie annual augmentation of the latter, to the extent 
 provided for; to the payment of the interest on the 
 public debt, and to the extinguishment of it at the 
 times authorized, without the aid of the internal 
 taxes, I consider it my duty to recommend to Con 
 gress their repeal. To impose taxes, when the pub 
 lic exigencies require them, is an obligation of the 
 most sacred character, especially with a free people. 
 The faithful fulfilment of it is among the highest 
 proofs of their virtue, and capacity for self-govern 
 ment. To dispense with taxes, when it may be 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 done with perfect safety, is equally the duty of their 
 representatives. In this instance we have the satis 
 faction to know that they were imposed when the 
 demand was imperious, and have been sustained 
 with exemplary fidelity. I have to add, that how 
 ever gratifying it may be to me, regarding the pros 
 perous and happy condition of our country, to re 
 commend the repeal of these taxes at this time, I 
 shall nevertheless be attentive to events, and should 
 any future emergency occur, be not less prompt to 
 suggest such measures and burdens as may then be 
 requisite and proper. 
 
 "JAMES MONROE. 
 " Washington, December 2, 1817." 
 
 UBIV-SRSITY 
 
 THE END. 
 
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