where through his first Tour, were determined not to be excelled in civility, or hospitality, by their Northern and Eastern brethren. A splendid public dinner was given him, at which Chancellor KILTY presided. The following Address was delivered.

TO JAMES MONROE,

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

The Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of Annapolis, in behalf of themselves and their fellow citizens, beg leave to welcome you on your arrival ; to express the satisfaction which your visit to the Metropolis of Maryland has occasioned, and to offer any assistance in their power, for accomplishing the object of it.

Many of the inhabitants recollect your residence amongst them as a member of congress in the year 1783, since which your public duties have called you to other states, and other climes.

The rigour of the season at that time was unfavorable to a view of the situation of the place and its surrounding waters, the prospect of which is now expanded and embellished by the military establishments erected by the United States, which of course will come within your observation.

They avail themselves of the first opportunity that has occurred of offering their congratulations on your election to the highest office in the gift of our free and happy country, and of testifying their sense of the wisdom and firmness which have since marked your administration.

A continued course of arduous and useful services in our revolutionary struggle, and since in various important trusts, had led the people to anticipate such a result, at the same time that they pointed to the most appropriate reward.'

They conclude by expressing their best wishes for your health and happiness-their attachment to you as Chief Magistrate of the union, and their respect for your public, and private character.

J. RANDALL, Mayor.

May 23, 1818.

REPLY OF THE PRESIDENT.

To the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common Council of the City of Annapolis.

FELLOW CITIZENS-In performing a duty imposed on me by the principles of our excellent constitution, which I have undertaken, at least with zeal, to give all the effect in my power, to the salutary purposes of the laws providing for the public defence, it is very gratifying to me, to have found it consistent with that duty, to make a visit to this metropolis, and I beg you, and my other fellow citizens, its inhabitants, to accept my grateful acknowledgement, for the kind reception given me.

In recurring to the period of 1783, when congress held their session here, you bring to view, incidents in the highest degree important. It was then, and here, after a long and arduous struggle, which secured our independence, that the treaty of peace was ratified. It was then, and here, that the illustrious commander of our revolutionary armies, after performing services, which a grateful country can never forget, nor time ob

literate, restored his commission to the authority from whom he had received it. To me these events, so profoundly interesting to all, were peculiarly imposing and impressive. It was then, in very early life that I commenced my career in the national councils, in which I have since so long continued. To meet again, so many of those who were present at those great events, some of whom, were parties to them, affords me the highest gratification.

For the good opinion which you have been pleased to express of my conduct, in the various trusts committed to me, since, by my country, I have all the sensibility which such sentiments ought to inspire in the mind of one, who considers the approbation of his fellow citizens, the best reward which he can receive for his services.

In performing the duty which brought me here, I shall be happy to receive the aid which you have offered, and in whatever situation I may hereafter be placed, I shall always entertain for your prosperity and happiness, the most unfeigned solicitude.

JAMES MONROE.

The town of Annapolis, although small, has many attractions. It is delightfully situated upon the south bank of the beautiful river Severn, about two miles above its entrance into the Chesapeake bay.. It has a state house, an Episcopal and a Methodist church, and many handsome private residences. It has but little pretensions to commercial consequence; indeed Baltimore commands almost the whole trade upon this immense bay.

But although this town, in regard to extent of business or population, does not rank with the great towns in the Republic, it will always be remembered for two of the most interesting events that have occurred in the history of our country. It was here the Treaty of Peace, by which Great Britain acknowledged the Independence of the American Republic, was ratified.

The other event would call forth reflections sufficient to fill a volume. The history of the world is pregnant with examples of men, who, professing devotion to their country, and love to their countrymen, have roused them to the resistance of abused power, and led them to victory and glory and then have assumed despotic power themselves. The limits of this work precludes the extent to which instances would enlarge it.

It was reserved for the "OLD CONGRESS" of 1783, and the people of Annapolis to witness a far different scene. It was reserved for them to behold a war-worn veteran—the idol of the revolutionary soldiery-the man who had a monument erected in every American's bosom-who might have put himself upon a throne, had he wished it, come forward in all the majestic dignity of a virtuous Republican, and surrender back to Congress, the power with which they had invested him.

The President, with his suite, very minutely examined the waters near Annapolis, in regard to their fitness for a naval depot.

He here embarked upon the bosom of the CHESA

PEAKE.

This is the largest bay yet discovered in the known

E e

world. The waters of the Atlantic enter it between

Cape Henry and Cape Charles. The waters of the Potomac, Rappahannoc, York, James, Patuxent, Severn, Patapsco, Gunpowder, and Susquehanna, from the fertile, picturesque, and beautiful country lying West of it; and those of the Elk, Chester, Choptank, Nanticoke, Wicomico, and Pocomoke, which water the country lying East of it. It is one of the most important of the inland waters in the Republic.

It would fill pages to recount the events that have taken place upon its bosom and upon its shores. It cannot here be done. The President, after examining every portion of it, with a view of determining upon the best mode of defending it, proceeded to Norfolk in Virginia, where he was received upon June 7th, in a manner worthy of Virginia elegance and hospitality.

In the President, they recognized a native citizen, whom "the people delight to honour." He was addressed as follows:

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

SIR-The opportunity which enables the court and common council of the borough of Norfolk, to offer you their congratulations, affords an indulgence no less pleasing to their personal sensibilities, than gratifying to their national pride.

Living under a government most happily adapted to secure and diffuse political liberty, and to give protection to civil and religious immunities, it is above all, our peculiar boast, that we enjoy these blessings without alloy-without insult or injury to a rational and enlightened sense of equal justice. The people of the old