greater certainty and with less expense of blood. And it will still be observeable, that additional fortifications would be requisite to render effectual a resistance against superiour 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.

We trust the period is far distant, when hostilities, if ever, shall again occur; but as this may not be the fact, prudential reasons would seem to indicate 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 be accepted as an apology for specifying that which doubtless has already occurred to your observation. There are objects of minor importance, 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 conviction, that he who has for nearly half a century devoted his services to his country, will 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.

The President left this place, and arrived at Fort Niagara upon the 8th of August.

He here reached the borders of the Peninsula, formed by Lake Ontario und Lake Erie; one of the most interesting, one of the most renowned sections of Upper Canada. It was upon this Peninsula, that the battles of Chippewa and Bridgewater were fought. Two nations, which, all circumstances considered, may be call

ed the most powerful on earth, here contested the point of superiority between them. These battles, and the surrounding country, would afford the most exalted subjects of Poetry and Painting. It would require the genius of a Barlow to do justice in the first ; and of a Trumbull in the second. The rival armies had long sounded "dreadful notes of preparation." When they met, it was the business of every man to die. Each one was ready to meet his hostile foe, and to conquer or to fall. The roaring of the cannon, under the ensigns of the Eagle and Lion, was responded by the roaring of the cataract of Niagara. The most astonishing works of nature, and the most destructive art of man, were united to give grandeur and sublimity to the scenery.

The reader of history is too apt to estimate the consequence of a victory from the numbers engaged in the battle where it was achieved. But when every attending circumstance is taken into cool consideration, the victories of Chippewa and Bridgewater, may well be ranked with those of Lodi and Marengo, where all the art of the commanding generals, and all the physical and tactical powers of men were called into active operation. This subject can only be alluded to in this place; but the historian will, hereafter, treat it in a manner which its importance demands. The 25th regiment of the United States army, here acquired a deathless fame, although many of its brave soldiers found the graves which are "filled with heroes slain." But vic tory attended the daring efforts of American soldiers ; and the proud and valiant officers of Britain, were compelled to exclain, in the most expressive terms, "The

Americans are the only people upon earth, who do not know when they are conquered." This declaration was made by the British Major General Rial to Lieut. Phineas Andrews, the gallant bearer of the regimental standard of the 25th, at the battle of Chippewa.

The President arrived at Fort Niagara upon the 8th of August, and passed up the river Niagara to the falls, too well known, and too important to be described in this place. He viewed them, and lodged near them.

Upon the 9th, the citizens of Buffaloe tendered to the President their respects, and presented an impressive Address, to which the President answered in a style which shews, that while he can sympathize with his countrymen for the distress which war brings upon any people, he can admire Americans for the fortitude with which they bear it, and for the courage with which they chastise those who inflict it. The address and answer are necessarily omitted to give place to a very few remarks upon this interesting village.

The village of Buffaloe, from its locality has become one of the most important places in the western frontier of the state of New-York. It is situated upon the outlet of Lake Erie, which makes the river Niagara; the communication between that Lake and Lake Ontario.

It is situated in that portion of the world, where the works of nature are presented to the eye of man in its most impressive grandeur. It is through the Niagara river, that all the waters of the Lake of the Woods, Lake Superiour, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie, make a passage through the St. Lawrence to the Atlantic. These immense waters, instead of pursuing a noiseless course upon a level plain, are precipitated,

with irresistable force, over a perpendicular rock, of an - hundred and fifty feet in height, at Niagara falls. The view of this stupendous cataract, leaves the astonished beholder in speechless astonishment. Man here feels his littleness, and acknowledges his inferiority. He cannot resist, but he is compelled to admire the stupendous works of nature. The roaring of the water tumbling impetuously down to the adamantine foundation of this majestic rock, is perpetually heard by those who inhabit the surrounding country.

The delightful village of Buffaloe, is situated but a short distance from the falls of Niagara. It fell a victim, in the last war, to the burning rapacity of British soldiery. The structures of art cannot withstand the power of the fiery element; and when an enemy cannot conquer men by courage they may destroy their habitations by conflagration. The capitals of Europe have, the most of them, been in possession of the illustrious exile at St. Helena; but when in his power, he never subjected them to conflagration. Since the war, the enterprizing citizens of this place have, in some measure, repaired the devastations committed upon it by a foe, whose ferocity and barbarism would have dis- ' graced Vandals.

The President proceeded to Detroit through Lake Erie.

He could not have forgotten the gallant Perry. He gained the first victory upon this lake over a British squadron, in modern naval warfare. Other American commanders upon the ocean had conquered singlehanded; but Perry sat the first example of conquering a British fleet in American waters. The facts rela

tive to this victory are familiar with every reader, and the fame of Perry and his crew, is resounded by every American. He was the first American officer who followed the example of Nelson, in fighting a passage through the line of an hostile fleet; and was the first in our country who made the hazardous attempt successful.

While at Fort Niagara, the President received a demonstration of respect, as unexpected, as it was novel. The British officers, at Fort George, sent a deputation to him, requesting the honour of waiting upon him, and tendering to him the homage of their respect. The President, with his usual urbanity, acknowledged the high sense he felt for the honour intended him; and shewed that he acknowledged the sentiment contained in that unparalleled state paper, "THE DECLARA TION OF AMERIcan IndependenCE," that though Americans and Englishmen must be," enemies in war," they can be "in peace, friends." Haste to return to the seat of government, compelled him to decline the honour intended him.

The President left this interesting section of our country for Detroit, with feelings not to be described.

Upon his arrival at Detroit, the President reached a place, the possession of which was deemed of the highest importance by the French government when the Canadas were held by it. It was so deemed by the British government in the revolutionary war; by that government was retained, in violation of treaty, after the peace of 1783, and was finally surrendered to the United States in the administration of ADAMS. In the commencement of the second war for independence,