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praise," and where the least deviation from popular opinion is condemned by "curses, not only deep but loud;" where miscarriage is certain to meet with condemnation, and the most punctilious regard to duty can scarcely hope to be rewarded with approbation. Our present Chief Magistrate needed not to fill the exalted station which he now adorns, to add to the reputation which he had previously acquired; a reputation acquired, not by a single fortunate act, but by a continued series of important duties. His fellow-citizens had seen him, in civil life, rising from a common magistrate, to the high office of Secretary of State; in a military life, from a subaltern in the army, to the office of Secretary at War. Nor were his duties confined to the home department. When diplomatic science became necessary to settle the jarring interests between the American Republic and the court of France, they had traced him there in the capacity of an Ambassador. When his native country, the second in the world in commercial consequence, was contending with the first upon commercial principles, they followed him to the court of Saint James in the same capacity. When MADISON was about to retire from the Presidential chair, the anxious eyes of ten millions of Freemen were cast upon him as the practical, as well as the theoretical statesman. By an unanimity almost without a parallel, he was called to the exalted station of President of the United States. Well might he have wished. to retire to the peaceful and tranquil shades of private life, after a long course of labour devoted to the public service; but he did not shrink from the high responsibility of this important station when called to fill it.

As soon as the necessary arrangements could be made at the seat of government, he contemplated a Tour through an important section of the union; a section, which, during the revolutionary struggle, achieved deeds of glory unrivalled in Grecian or Roman history, and which, during the second war for American Independence, was assailed in almost every point by a foe, who considers America as her most dangerous rival.

The Northern and Eastern States, being exposed to the incursions of a British Army by land, and by a foreign Fleet from the ocean, the President deemed it expedient and necessary to have an occular view of a section of the Union thus exposed. With the eye of a Scholar, he could view it in the progress that had been made in the arts and sciences-as a Statesman, he could estimate its consequences in a political point of view; and, as a Soldier, he could devise the best means for its defence against an enemy. Having these important objects in view, he thought little of the gratification of fancy; and chose rather, in a plain unostentatious manner to examine the country for the purpose of advancing its real interest, than, with magnificent equipage to excite the unmeaning admiration of its inhabitants. He selected for his companion in his travels the Chief Engineer of the United States, Gen. JOSEPH G. SWIFT. It had been announced in the leading prints of the union, that the President had resolved to travel in the most private manner, that he might the better accomplish the object of his Tour. Having long been a witness of the splendour and magnificence of European courts; having noticed a disposition in his countrymen to imitate the gorgeous and splendid parade of Europe

an nobility, and knowing that a devotion to it was totally incompatible with the discharge of important public duties, he determined to avoid it. However gratifying it may be to a chief magistrate who owes his exaltation to the suffrages of an intelligent people, to be received by that people in a cordial manner, and to hear from them the unequivocal expressions of their approbation, Mr. MONROE was sensible that the public manifestation of it in the numerous large towns through which his duty led him to pass would tend to divert his attention from the great objects of his tour. He wished to avoid it, but it was a wish that could not be gratified. His fellow citizens, in almost every section of the country, had manifested their admiration for the heroes of the ARMY and NAVY. Their presence had called forth the highest manifestation of their feelings, by public celebrations, public feasts, and the bestowment of tokens of approbation. The swords that are worn by their sides, or that are deposited with their archives, have stamped upon them evidence of the gratitude of their countrymen. The services of plate that ornament their boards, have been presented as rewards for their valour. Americans well know that the Department of State and the Department of War, were both managed by JAMES MONROE, during the most splendid campaign recorded in history. When he became President, and was about to explore an important section of his native country, his fellow citizens could not be restrained from shewing him some evidence of their attachment, His elevated rank precluded them from bestowing any token of their respect but that of hearts glowing with patriotic fervour, and pouring forth its gratitude to their political father.

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When about to leave the seat of government, hallowed by the name of the political saviour of America, he beheld the CITY OF WASHINGTON rising into consequence. He had explored its site when a wilderness: he then saw it adorned with the finest specimens of modern architecture. He beheld the Capitol, the pride of his countrymen, and the admiration of the world, rising, like the phoenix, out of the ashes of Vandal warfare, with redoubled splendour. He beheld the majestic Potomack, which had recently been visited by a squadron of a hostile and barbarous foe, now whitened by American canvas. He might contemplate this as the permanent seat of government of the rising Republic of America. Local interest and sectional partiality, have sometimes induced a wish that the government might be removed from the place which WASHINGTON selected as the most eligible one for its permanent establishment. The partial destruction of it during the last war, was used as an argument in favor of a removal. It may be answered with the remark, that, to remove the seat of government from the place where the nation, by her beloved Chief and her representatives had established it, merely because an enemy, in open violation of the established rules of civilized warfare, had partially demolished it, would be gratifying the wishes of an insolent foe, and surrendering the national dignity.

Since this part of the work was written, the President has presented to Congress his first Message, from which, with the highest pleasure, 1 extract the following remarks:

"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 northern and southern extremes of our union, and its approach to the west, at the head of a navigable river, which interlocks with the western waters, prove the wisdom of the councils which established it."

Washington is situated at the junction of the Potomack and the Eastern Branch. The plan of it combines convenience, regularity, elegance of prospect, and a free circulation of air. It was established as the seat of government at the commencement of the present century. In 1810, it contained nearly 9000 inhabitants, and they have probably doubled since that period.

The name of this city calls up the most endearing recollections; its situation embraces all the advantages and charms which nature can impart to an interior city; and may it rise with the rising glory of the American Republic.

The President, accompanied by Gen. SWIFT and Mr. MASON, his then private secretary, commenced his Tour from this city upon the 31st day of May, 1817. He arrived in Baltimore upon the same day, being upon the sabbath. This excited the indignation and called forth the censure of many who are ready to form an opinion of a man's whole character from an accidental

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