presented to your notice in Bath; but much of private feeling, of ardent attachment, would be evinced toward the Chief Magistrate of the Union, whose public character we have long been accustomed to respect, and whose private worth we have learned to admire. The prosperity of our town depends upon a free intercourse with foreign nations, and a proper limitation to the admission of foreign vessels from ports which our vessels are not permitted to enter. The protection, afforded by garrisons and fortifications in time of war, is generally the result of preparation in time of peace. We rely, sir, upon the generous regard you have exhibited for every section of our country, and upon the feelings that prompted you to undertake this journey; and, in placing this confidence, we are sure that our own peculiar interests will not be neglected. We feel grateful, sir, that your journey has hitherto been so propitious, that you have met with no occurrence to diminish the pleasure you have derived in witnessing the attachment of your fellow citizens.

Accept, sir, our sincere wishes that your health may long continue, and that the remainder of your Tour may be as pleasant to yourself as it will be interesting to the Country.

To the Committee from the towns of Bath, Wiscasset, Brunswick and Topsham.

FELLOW CITIZENS-I beg you to be assured, that it would afford me great and sincere pleasure, to proceed 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 and of the points at which it might be proper to erect others, and it was my object to embrace in it the Atlantic coast, to the extent mentioned, and the inland frontier, as far as Detroit. I now find, notwithstanding the exertions which I have made, that if I proceed further to the Eastward, I shall be compelled to abandon all the Wes

tern part of my contemplated Tour, or be thrown on the lakes at an unfavourable season; and shall likewise be detained from the seat of Government, longer than a due regard, for other important national interests will permit. 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 much information, touching your local interest, which will be useful. I shall pay to it the utmost attention in my power.

I am aware, that the prosperity of the towns in this District, and I may extend the remark to the United States, depends on the prosperous state of their commerce. Nothing is more just, than, that our trade with foreign powers, should be placed, in every branch, on a footing of reciprocal and equal advantage. It gives me pleasure to state, that this important interest, has, already, received the considerations of the national councils, and that I have no doubt it 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 favoured and happy nation, there is but one common interest. We are all equally interested in preserving our present republican government and institutions, in their utmost purity; we are all equally interested in adopting suitable measures of defence, land and naval; and in the proper protection and encouragement 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 occasions.

JAMES MONROE.

The town of PORTLAND was formerly called Falmouth It is worthy of remark, that most of the large towns upon the seabord of New England, have taken their

names from Old England, as New-London, Newport, Boston, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Falmouth, &c. Portland is situated upon a peninsula in the bay of Casco. Its growth has been rapid; and is, at present, a very handsome town. The buildings are of modern construction, and show the improving state of architecture in the country. It has escaped the calamity of fire, which has so often visited its neighbouring towns. But it cannot be forgotten, that the burning system of warfare, in the revolutionary war, reduced it to ashes. It is united to the adjacent country by extensive bridges; is well defended; carries on an active trade, and shows the difference between a retrogading, a stationary, and a progressive place. It was the easternmost town the President visited, although he expressed his regret that he could not prosecute his journey to Castine. In passing thus far in this district, the President must have been convinced that a spirit of industry and commerce, will present to the eye of the traveller many evidences of wealth in a country which can lay but little claim to fertility, when compared to the astonishingly productive regions of the south and the west. The lumber trade to the West Indies, and to many of the ports in the Republic, has been prosecuted with great vigour from Portland. Its population is over 7000.

The reverend clergy of this place and its vicinity, did not omit to tender their respect to the President. They did not, like the Romish clergy, in addressing the Pope, or the Engligh clergy in addressing the King, consider him as the temporal head of the church, or the vicegerent of Deity upon earth; but they addressed him as the head of the CIVIL STATE, which, although

it acknowledges no political union with the church, yet the church, in the exercise of all its privileges, enjoys its constant protection.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

SIR-The Ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ, of the 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, reverend sir, and imploring on you the Divine presence, guidance and support, as the father of a great and happy people; 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 return to the capital, and to the bosom of your family; that the morning of your Presidency being a morning without clouds, which has thrown such a lustre upon our public affairs, and occasioned such surprising harmony in 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 a Nation's care, be assured the intercessions of our closets, and our altars, (animated by the grateful remembrance of your presence amongst us) shall be always going up to the Mercy seat in your behalf; through your instrumentality, the beauty of the Lord our God may be upon us, and 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 of honours, may you be gathered unto the illustrious fathers, who rest from their public labours, and enter with them into heavenly glory.

The President's reply, as near as can be recollected. GENTLEMEN,

Among the numerous tokens of respect, which have been shown me by my fellow citizens during my present Tour, undertaken to advance the public inter

est, I have received none more grateful than the one I now receive from you, the ministers of our Lord and Saviour. Be assured, that the kind sentiments of your affectionate address, 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 agreeable to the dictates of their own consciences, will ever meet my approbation and support.

I am sensible, gentlemen, that I cannot do justice to your address in this summary reply. I must therefore conclude by repeating to you the assurance of my great satisfaction in receiving this testimony of your regard, and by requesting you to accept my thanks for your respectful and Christian salutations.

The President left Portland upon the 17th, and again entered the state of New-Hampshire.

"He was received at the line of the State, by the Committee, conducted by the Marshals and select escort, when the following address was made him by the Hon. Mr. Durell.

MR. PRESIDENT,

In the progress of your national visit you confer an additional honour upon New Hampshire, by this day re-entering the first State upon the records of our union.

Your fellow citizens of the vicinity eagerly seized the occasion for again paying their respects to the Chief Magistrate of a great and happy nation.

We cheerfully present you, sir, the tribute of our most affectionate regards, andpary you to accept it, as the pledge of our veneration and esteem, both for yourself and for the government over which you are called to preside.

"The President was then escorted by the principal