rizing upon what, on general principles, would be proper, and with a view to introduce a particular friend of his, belonging to the federal party, into the administration; while Mr. Monroe was anxiously engaged in marking out to himself a course of policy, for a situation in which he must soon be called to act.

The department of state was intrusted to Mr. Adams; Mr. Crawford was continued in the treasury. The war department was first offered to general Jackson, then to governor Shelby, next to Mr. Clay, and afterwards to Mr. Calhoun, who accepted. Smith Thompson, of New York, was appointed to the navy department. In all the important nominations, the president strictly adhered to the principles, which he prescribed to himself in the foregoing correspondence.

President's tour. Having made the necessary arrangements for the commencement of his administration, the president determined on taking a tour through the states, north of the Potomac, the ostensible object of which was, to visit the works of defense on the sea-board. From the cursory view of these works, to which he would necessarily be limited, no important results could be expected. But other objects of consequence would probably be accomplished. The citizens would be gratified with an opportunity of manifesting their respect for the president; he would learn the state of public feeling in an important section of the country, opposed to his election. It would have a tendency to soften the asperity of party feeling, and to reconcile the different political sects to each other, and to the chief magistrate of the union.

On the 31st of May, the president commenced his journey, accompanied only by Mr. Mason, his private secretary. At Baltimore, he was joined by general Swift, chief of the corps of engineers, who accompanied him through his tour, on the sea-board, for the purpose of making observations of a military nature, on the works of defense. Notwithstanding the plain and republican manner in which the president set out on this journey, professedly a tour of business only, there was a universal determination to show him every mark of respect. The cities, towns, and villages, which lay in his route, vied with each other in their exertions to honor the chief magistrate. The exhibitions were all of the same character, but more or less splendid, according to the number, wealth, and ambition of the citizens. One of the most pleasant circumstances attending these demonstrations, was the union of all parties. Political enemies, who had scarcely

been upon terms of common civility with each other for years, united in their congratulations, and festivities upon this occasion. It was emphatically denominated the era of good feelings.

Manner of his reception. His approach to a particular town being announced, the best lodgings were provided, to which he was escorted by the civil and military authorities, and citizens of the place. A committee of arrangements were appointed, who selected one of the ablest and most accomplished of their number, to deliver a congratulatory address. These were more or less polished, flattering, or bombastic, according to the talents, and feelings of their respective authors. The objects of all were the same. They bid the president a cordial welcome to their village; expressed their high sense of the honor he had done them; complimented him on his past services, and exertions for the public good; congratulated him and themselves on the national prosperity and its future prospects; expressed their confident expectations of a wise and impartial administration under his auspices; and wished him a safe and prosperous journey, and a long and happy life. These were answered with as much variety as the ingenuity of the president could suggest; but always with a reciprocation of good feelings; by a notice of any important event to the honor of the place, if any was within his recollection; by many thanks to the citizens for their civilities, and to the committee, for the polite manner in which they had been communicated; and by a profusion of good wishes for the prosperity of the town. A sumptuous entertainment was then provided, of the best the city afforded, at which the president occupied the chief seat; and the citizens arranged themselves on each hand, nearer or more remote, in proportion to their respective dignities. The entertainment was concluded with appropriate sentiments. Mr. Monroe received upwards of fifty of these civilities, in the course of his journey. And though to an old man, of upwards of sixty, more accustomed to the dull routine of business, than the hilarities of a feast, they became irksome; yet he went through them, with a good degree of eclat. His Looks, words, and actions were favorably interpreted, and afforded a fertile subject of conversation for a considerable time after his departure.

Reception at Boston. How he would be received, and treated in the state of Massachusetts, and in the town of Boston in particular, became a matter of considerable speculation. They had given a unanimous vote against him.

distinguishing characteristics of republicanism; as having too much of a monarchal tendency; and bearing too strong a resemblance to the pageantry, usually attendant on the journey of a European sovereign through his dominions. Some jealousy was also excited, lest these distinguished marks of respect, in the only section of the Union opposed to his election, should induce a partiality in favor of his new friends, to the prejudice of his old ones, in his future designations to office. Mr. Monroe they considered a plain, honest, good citizen, of sound sense and judgment, who had served the people in several important stations, with reputation to himself and advantage to his country. His talents, and acquaintance with the concerns of the nation, qualified him to discharge the duties of the high office to which he had been elected. There were, very probably, several hundred of his fellow-citizens who could have done the same as well, had the choice fallen upon them. A chain of events beyond his or their control, had made him the first man of the nation, and left them in subordinate stations or in the shades of retirement. This circumstance, while it entitled him to respect, did not in their opinion, justify so great an exhibition of congratulations, compliments, and parade, as attended him through his tour.

Notices of editors. The editors of several respectable papers entertained their customers with severe, and sarcastic remarks on this exhibition. One proposes to publish "the flowers of newspapers, embracing all the beauties of the northern prints since the commencement of the president's tour, their minute description of his diet, drink, and dress; the roses which were showered upon him, the smiles of the ladies on his appearance; his breakfasts, refreshments, dinners, tea parties, and suppers; the great men who attended his excellency, and the old ladies whom he visited, with a great variety of very nice and minute anecdotes, accompanied with a number of engravings representing these brilliant scenes.*" Another very gravely apologizes to his customers for occupying so much of their time with these trifling scenes, but he thinks it belongs to history to describe them, as indicative of the manners, customs, and feelings of the times. His own views, he states, were so much opposed to these pompous proceedings, that when the President visited Baltimore he carefully avoided falling into his train. To

* Richmond Enquirer, July 29th, 1817.

him it seemed impossible, that Mr. Monroe, encompassed by a crowd at every hour, intruded upon, and beset at every corner by an idly gazing multitude, could perform his public duties so faithfully, or enjoy himself as a private gentleman would wish, on such a tour.*

Journey westward. The President reached Portland, the eastern limit of his journey, on the 15th of July. Thence across the states of New Hampshire and Vermont, to Burlington on lake Champlain, where he arrived on the 24th. At Plattsburgh he had an opportunity of viewing in the bay, and on the shore, the theatre of the memorable events of the 11th of September, 1814; and of complimenting the citizens on their valor, displayed on that occasion. From that village to Sacket's harbor, he proceeded on a rout which he afterwards designated for a military road,to connect the two principal naval stations on lakes Champlain and Ontario. From Sacket's harbor, the president proceeded up the lake, and visited the fort at the mouth of the Niagara, the falls, and the principal scenes of military operation on that frontier, his suite passing on the British side of the river. From Buffalo he proceeded to Detroit, the western limit of his journey, where he arrived on the 12th of August; and having visited the works of defense, and the scenes of Hull's campaign, he commenced his return, taking some of the principal towns in the state of Ohio in his route, and arrived at Pittsburgh on the 5th of September. The same distin guished marks of attention were shown him in the west as in the east. He reached Washington on the 18th, having performed a tour of more than two thousand miles, and been absent from the seat of government, three and an half months.

Military order of the 22d April. According to the strict rules of military etiquet, in ordinary cases, when a particular service is required of a subordinate officer, the order requiring such service, is to be communicated from the war department to the general commanding in the district where the service is to be performed, and by him to the officer of whom it is required. To this general rule there are necessarily many exceptions, as in all cases, where the transmission of the order, through the commanding general, would occasion a delay prejudicial to the service; but in such cases, the general in chief always expects immediate notice of the

*Niles' Weekly Register.